Image Not Available

Collection of 58 personal items belonging to Captain Robert McKilliam

Date1876-1910

Object numberANMS0229

NameArchive series

MediumPaper

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert D, Robert Laurence and Helen McKilliam

Terms

DescriptionThis collection of 58 personal items belonged to Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam. The series consists of one certificate of apprenticeship; one certificate of pilotage; 22 certificates of discharge; 17 wage accounts; one certificate of competency as a Master; three certificates issued by The Shipping Federation Limited; five letters of reference; three payment receipts from the Ship Master's Society Hall, Scotland; one lock of hair; one leaflet for The Shipping Federation Ltd Benefit fund; two apprentice indenture contracts and one envelope containing papers relating to indenture. The collection spans the period 1876 – 1905.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.