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Collection of 130 photographs and postcards belonging to Captain Robert McKilliam

Date1876 -1909

Object numberANMS0224

NameArchive series

MediumSilver gelatin print

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert Laurence Robert D McKilliam and Jean Chambers

Terms

DescriptionThis collection of 130 items belonged to Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam. The collection consists of 126 photographs and four postcards featuring images of crew and passengers aboard passenger liners, studio portraits; sailing ships, and ships undergoing repairs. The collection spans the period 1876 – 1921.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.