United States Marines marching near Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens

Photographer Samuel J Hood Studio (Australian, 1899 - 1953)

Date23 July 1925

Object number00024684

NameGlass plate negative

MediumEmulsion on glass

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionOn 23 July 1925, Sydney hosted eight of the US Navy Battle Fleet's largest ships, including USS CALIFORNIA, USS COLORADO, USS TENNESSEE, USS MARYLAND, USS WEST VIRGINIA, USS NEW MEXICO, USS MISSISSIPPI and USS IDAHO. On the day of their arrival, 2,000 officers took part in the march from Woolloomooloo wharf through the city and back to the wharf. On 24 July, 'The Sydney Morning Herald' reported that thousands of people gathered at every vantage point throughout the city to catch a glimpse of the American visitors. Captain Hepburn, commander of USS WEST VIRGINIA, led the parade through the streets of Sydney.SignificanceThe Samuel J Hood photographic collection records an extensive range of maritime activity on Sydney Harbour, including sail and steam ships, crew portraits, crews at work, ship interiors, stevedores loading and unloading cargo, port scenes, pleasure boats and harbourside social activities from the 1890s through to the 1950s. They are also highly competent artistic studies and views - Hood was regarded as an important figure in early Australian photojournalism. Hood’s maritime photographs are one of the most significant collections of such work in Australia.