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SS ALTONA, possibly near Pyrmont in Sydney
SS ALTONA, possibly near Pyrmont in Sydney

SS ALTONA, possibly near Pyrmont in Sydney

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Date1902-1914
Object number00020376
NameNitrate negative
MediumEmulsion on nitrate film.
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThe German-Australian Line's SS ALTONA was built in 1902 and serviced the Australian trade to Javanese and Singaporean ports. It was seized by the Australian Government in Melbourne after the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It was renamed CONARGO and the crew members from this ship and other German merchant vessels captured, were interned as 'enemy aliens' on Torrens Island, Rottnest Island and Berrima.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.