French warship BELLATRIX in Morts Dock in Balmain, Sydney

Photographer Samuel J Hood Studio (Australian, 1899 - 1953)

Date1930-1932

Object number00034667

NamePhotograph

MediumGlass plate negative

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis image depicts the French naval sloop BELLATRIX docked at Morts Dock in Balmain, Sydney. The vessel visited Sydney in December 1929, December 1930 and July 1932 and was commanded by Commander Jells, Captain M Bastard and Commandant Constantan respectively. Each time, it docked in Mort's Dock in Balmain for its 'annual overhaul' (The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 February 1931). Newspapers provided photographs of French and Pacific Islander sailors and crew at work during each stay in Sydney.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.