SS EASTERN

Artist John Downs Castle (1858-1928)

Date1905

Object number00004609

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour on paper.

DimensionsOverall: 330 x 402 x 23 mm, 1.35 kg
Display Dimensions: 118 x 217 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionSS EASTERN of the Eastern & Australian Line, painted by John Downes Castle in 1905.HistoryEASTERN was a single screw steamship for passengers and cargo built in 1899 by R Napier, Glasgow for the Eastern and Australian Line. It had a triple expansion engine and could reach a speed of 12.5 knots. In 1924 EASTERN was sold to Harada Kisen K K, Kobe, Japan, and renamed TERUKUNI MARU. Seeing service in World War II, TERUKUNI MARU was bombed and sunk on 18 October 1944 by US aircraft 40 miles north of Luzon Island, Philippines. The Eastern & Australian Steamship Co (E&A Line) began as four British and Australian merchants contracted in 1873 to provide a mail service for the Queensland Government to transport mail between Queensland, Dutch East Indies, Singapore and Sydney. Hong Kong and Melbourne were eventually added to the route. In 1880 the contract was not renewed and they ceased mail transportation, evolving into a passenger and cargo carrier. They operated mainly between Hong Kong and Australia. In 1919 the company was taken over by Australasian United Steam Navigation Ltd, although it continued to operate as a separate entity until 1945. At that time, the chairman of P&O also held extensive interest in Australasian United Steam Navigation, and the company became connected to P&O in 1946. From thereafter Australasian United focused on cargo transportation between Australia and the Far East and continued to operate until 1975 when their last two ships were sold.SignificanceThis watercolour represents the early passenger and cargo trade between Australia and east Asia.