Collection of nine documents relating to Captain Robert McKilliam
Date1886-1928
Object numberANMS0244
NameArchive series
MediumPaper
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert D and Robert Laurence McKilliam
DescriptionThese nine documents were collected by Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam during his maritime career. The series consists of one letter; three books entitled ‘The seaman's medical friend’, 'The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide', and ‘Sailing Directions for the English Channel including the north coast of France'; and three booklets relating to The Shipmasters society of Aberdeen, Sydney Harbour Trust and Queensland Ports. The documents span the period 1886 – 1928.HistoryScottish-born Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam served in the Aberdeen White Star Line between 1876 and 1908. A native of Aberdeen, he was apprenticed at 14. He served under famous clipper captains like Robert Kemball and on famous clippers like THERMOPYLAE and SALAMIS, mostly in the Britain-to-Australia service. He also served in the modern steamers of the day. After 32 years he retired from the sea and soon after, in 1910, he married. In 1913 he brought his family to live in Sydney. Appointed Assistant Manager of Darling Island Wharf, he worked as a superintendent stevedore in Sydney from World War One up to the Great Depression. He died at his home in North Sydney in 1934.