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P&O liner RMS STRATHNAVER alongside the wharf in west Circular Quay, Sydney
P&O liner RMS STRATHNAVER alongside the wharf in west Circular Quay, Sydney

P&O liner RMS STRATHNAVER alongside the wharf in west Circular Quay, Sydney

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Date11 March 1932
Object number00035575
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photograph most likely depicts the P&O liner RMS STRATHNAVER departing for London from West Circular Quay in Sydney at 4pm on 11 March 1932.HistoryRMS STRATHNAVER was launched on 5 February 1931 and operated by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O). STRATHNAVER was the first of a series of Strath class ocean liners built by the Vickers-Armstrong shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, England. STRATHNAVER was the sister ship of RMS STRATHAIRD - known as the 'White Sisters'. In October 1931, STRATHNAVER left for her maiden voyage from London to Sydney - a run the vessel serviced frequently during the post-war migrant boom. During World War II, STRATHNAVER was requisitioned by the Government for service as a troopship and training ship. In 1948, it was refitted (which included the removal of its two fake funnels) and returned to commercial passenger service on the UK-Australia run carrying First and Tourist Class passengers. In 1954 it was converted to a single class ship, accommodating up to 1,250 passengers. In 1960 Orient Line and P&O Line merged and STRATHNAVER came under the ownership of P&O Orient Lines. As the number of migrants to Australia slowed down, it was announced in 1961 that STRATHNAVER would be withdrawn from the service, and in February 1962 STRATHNAVER was sold and scrapped in Hong Kong.SignificanceThe Samuel J Hood photographic collection records an extensive range of maritime activity on Sydney Harbour, including sail and steam ships, crew portraits, crews at work, ship interiors, stevedores loading and unloading cargo, port scenes, pleasure boats and harbourside social activities from the 1890s through to the 1950s. They are also highly competent artistic studies and views - Hood was regarded as an important figure in early Australian photojournalism. Hood’s maritime photographs are one of the most significant collections of such work in Australia.