Troops (probably Australian Flying Corps) about to board the ORSOVA

Photographer Josiah Earl Barnes (Australian, 1858 - 1921)

Date1916

Object number00027605

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 121 x 165 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPhotograph by Josiah Barnes of soldiers embarking at a wharf in Melbourne. The reverse of the image has an illegible handwritten inscription in lead pencil which likely refers to the troopship ORSOVA which carried Australian troops in WW1. The same scene of soldiers embarking on ORSOVA is depicted in photograph 00027610, and similar in 00027607.HistoryMelbourne based photographer Josiah Barnes had two sons, Norm and Victor, who left for war in 1916 (both returned to Australia after their service). Barnes appears to have taken an interest around this time in photographing the troopships as they departed for war from Melbourne. ORSOVA was built by John Brown & Co., Glasgow and launched in November 1908 for the Orient Steam Navigation Company's London/ Australia service. The name ORSOVA was derived from a village on the Danube River in Europe was used to refer to a fleet of six ships ordered by the Orient Steam Navigation Co. The other vessels of the ORSOVA class were ORAMA, OTWAY, OSTERLEY, ORVIETO and OTRANTO. In 1914 ORSOVA was requisitioned by the Australian Government for use as a troopship. On 14 March 1917 ORSOVA came under attack from German torpedoes while transporting troops through the English Channel. The vessel was run aground by her captain and was not fit for use again until after the war had finished. After WW1 ORSOVA returned to servicing the London/ Australia passenger route, taking a final voyage in August 1936.