Souvenir of MV DUNTROON, Melbourne Steamship Company, pepper shaker

Maker Melbourne Steamship Company Limited (1884 - 1961)

Date1935-1960

Object number00003451

NamePepper shaker

MediumMetal, enamel

DimensionsOverall: 110 x 31 x 31 mm, 0.15 kg

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis silver plated pepper shaker was collected as a souvenir from the MV DUNTROON. The MV DUNTROON was a coastal passenger vessel, built for the Melbourne Steamship Company in 1935.The Melbourne Steamship Company operated extensive passenger services from 1895 to 1961.HistoryMV DUNTROON was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson at Wallsend-on-Tyne in 1935 for the Melbourne Steamship Company. DUNTROON was designed for the East-West Australian coastal passenger service but was requisitioned into the Australian Army as a troop ship in 1942, and became HMAT DUNTROON. In 1946, DUNTROON was commissioned into the Navy and became HMAS DUNTROON. In this capacity DUNTROON transported members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces between Japan and Australia until 1948. In 1949 DUNTROON returned to its civilian owners and in 1950, resumed its former passenger service. DUNTROON was sold to Grosvenor Shipping Company, Hong Kong in 1960, then resold to Kie Hock Shipping Company in 1961 and renamed TONG HOO. After travelling the Hong Kong - Indonesia passenger service route, TONG HOO was purchased by the Africa Shipping Company in 1966, renamed LYDIA and began the India - Pakistan - East Africa passenger service. DUNTROON was laid up in Singapore in 1967 and scrapped in 1973.SignificanceThis silver plated pepper shaker is a good example of the type of silverware produced for and used aboard passenger vessels in the 20th century, on the Australian route.