SS OONAH

Artist George Frederick Gregory [Jnr] (1857 - 1913)

Date1891 - 1922

Object number00000052

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour and gouache

DimensionsOverall: 220 x 340 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis watercolour shows a profile view of SS OONAH. The house flag of the Union Steamship Company from New Zealand is flying from the mizzen mast. HistoryThis watercolour was initially attributed to G F Gregory junior, however this is uncertain and may be the work of another artist. SS OONAH was built in 1888 by A & J Inglis for the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company. Passenger accommodation and public rooms were located in cabins toward midship and OONAH regularly provided fast passages between Hobart and Sydney. In 1891 it was sold to the New Zealand owned Union Steamship Company. After briefly servicing the coast of New Zealand, OONAH returned to Tasmania to continue running between Hobart and Sydney until 1896 when it was placed on the Bass Strait service between Launceston and Melbourne. OONAH remained on this route for the next forty years, except for a brief return to the Hobart to Sydney route during the First World War. In 1925 when OONAH was entering the mouth of the Yarra River it collided with the COOMA heading out of the river. Both vessels hesitated before turning to starboard to observe the port side passing regulation, and a collison happened. The two ships suffered large holes in their bows but were able to safely reach berths in the Yarra River. OONAH's last crossing of Bass Strait was in October 1934 and it was sold to a Japanese company in 1935, then broken up in 1936.SignificanceThis watercolour shows a typical late 19th century steam ship which was the primary method of transport within and between Australian and New Zealand colonies in this period.