Skip to main content
Portrait of an officer of the British India Steam Navigation Company, possibly D J McGowan
Portrait of an officer of the British India Steam Navigation Company, possibly D J McGowan

Portrait of an officer of the British India Steam Navigation Company, possibly D J McGowan

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Datec 1924
Object number00020760
NameNitrate negative
MediumEmulsion on nitrate film.
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionText accompanying this image reads 'Mr McGowan, Chief officer British Indian Steam Navigation Company'. There was a D J McGowan who was Commander of SS TORILLA, which was built in 1911 and transported horses and mules from Australia to India. McGowan commanded the vessel in 1924.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.