Souvenir invitation to departure of MORNING

Images(3)

Souvenir invitation to departure of MORNING

Date24 October 1903

Object numberANMS1475[017]

NameInvitation

MediumPaper

DimensionsOverall (Closed): 100 × 127 mm
Overall (Open): 100 × 252 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Glenn Alfred Thorpe

Terms

DescriptionA souvenir invitation card commemorating the departure of the relief ship MORNING from Lyttelton New Zealand en-route to Antarctica, dated Oct.24,1903. The front of the folded card has a black and white illustration of MORNING sailing towards DISCOVERY in an Antarctic landscape, and the interior contains details of the departure and an illustrated map showing the route of the DISOVERY and its current location, titled ‘Where the “Discovery” has wintered on the edge of the Great Ice Sheet’. Owned by Alfred Thorpe, Lyttleton NZ pilot and harbour master. Part of a collection of objects assembled by Alfred Thorpe (c. 1852 – 1931) relating to his merchant and naval service career and association with Antarctic exploration while serving as pilot and harbour master at Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand. The collection is illustrative of the important role Lyttelton paid in Antarctic exploration in the early 20th century, as both the final major port vessels of exploration and their relief ships visited on their journey south, and also the first they put in at on their return. SignificanceThis collection of objects highlights the importance of the port of Lyttleton in early 20th century Antarctic exploration and the role of pilots and harbour masters in supporting the crews and vessels sailing south. The collection not only illustrates the professional relationship between port staff and ships’ crews, but also the high degree of mutual respect the association engendered. The close working association between mariners and key maritime roles, such as pilot and harbour master, is apparent in this collection.