Farewell dinner menu on board the liner RMS MAKURA

Date22 March 1935

Object numberANMS0390[024]

NameMenu

MediumInk on paper, string

DimensionsHeight: 215 mm, width (when open): 280 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Barry Bonetti

Terms

DescriptionMenu for RMS MAKURA. Front cover text reads: 'Union Royal Mail Line / via San Francisco / RMS MAKURA / Commander / Duncan MacDonald / diner d'adieu / Friday, / March 22nd 1935 / Voyage 58 south / San Francisco to Sydney.' The reverse has a list of officers including 'NM Bonetti Chief Officer' and inside contains the menu and an area for autographs.HistoryThe twin-screw steamer MAKURA was built for the trans-Pacific service in 1908 by Stephen and Sons, of Linthouse Scotland. The vessel formed part of the fleet of the Union Steam Ship Company and carried a considerable amount of cargo and mail, but was mainly employed in the luxury transportation of passengers between New Zealand, Australia and Vancouver. MAKURA was requisitioned for service in World War I, after which it was converted to burn oil instead of coal. In 1936 MAKURA was sold to Chinese shipbreakers, by which time it had steamed over 2,300,000 miles. The Union Steam Ship Company was established in 1875 in Dunedin, New Zealand by James Mills who continued with the company until his death in 1936. The company built up an impressive fleet of passenger and cargo ships for coastal and overseas services. In 1972, bowing to economic pressures, the organisation ceased trading under the title Union Steam Ship Company, with the business transferring to the newly formed Tasman Union Ltd.SignificanceShipboard menus such as these were often printed to be souvenirs and were collected as mementos of their travels by crew and passengers. Many shipping companies produced their own series of collectable menus with themes such as exotic destinations or historic events.