OTRANTO from Mrs Macquarie's Chair

Artist Phil Belbin (Australian, 1925 - 1993)

Date1989

Object number00005801

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper

DimensionsOverall: 591 x 751 mm, 3.7 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA watercolour by Phil Belbin of the Orient Line passenger liner OTRANTO in Woolloomooloo Bay seen from Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney. Artist's signature appears bottom left.History RMS OTRANTO was one of four new 20,000 ton steamers constructed by Vickers Armstrong, of Barrow-in-Furness for the Orient Line's UK - Australia run. Built in 1925, OTRANTO embarked on its maiden voyage in January 1926. OTRANTO travelled to Australia between October and March, and was employed on cruises to Scandinavia and the Mediterranean in the northern summer. OTRANTO was requisitioned for service during World War II as a troopship. In 1948 it was refitted as a one-class passenger ship with accommodation for 1,416 Tourist Class passengers. In July 1949 OTRANTO resumed the London to Sydney service. Its last voyage was in 1957, after which it was replaced by ORSOVA and scrapped at Faslane, Scotland.SignificanceOTRANTO represents the Orient Line's committed service and investment to the UK-Australia run. These vessels brought a new level of speed, safety and luxury to the UK-Australian service and transported thousands of new citizens to Australia.