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Australian troops preparing to depart Sydney
Australian troops preparing to depart Sydney

Australian troops preparing to depart Sydney

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
DateMay 1940
Object number00020454
NameNitrate negative
MediumCellulose acetate negative, black and white
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photograph, depicting Australian troops preparing to depart Sydney, was taken when the Cunard Line's RMS MAURETANIA and RMS QUEEN MARY had sailed from New York to Sydney in March 1940 to carry troops to the United Kingdom.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.