Saloon Menu from TSS HOBSONS BAY

Date25 December 1923

Object number00040696

NameMenu

MediumInk on paper

Dimensions180 x 115 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Moss Hunt

Terms

DescriptionThis Christmas saloon dinner menu appeared on the Commonwealth Government Line's TSS HOBSONS BAY on 25 December 1923. It features a list of mains, vegetables and deserts along with a list of the ship's officers on the verso.HistoryHOBSONS BAY was one of a fleet of five 'BAY' ships built for the Commonwealth Government Line in the early 1920s, to engage in the emigrant trade between Britain and Australia. They were considered luxurious in crew accommodation and appointments, having been built according to Australia's new Navigation Act of 1921. HOBSONS BAY made its first voyage from London in 1922. In 1923 the line was renamed Australian Commonwealth Line. The line was unprofitable because of the government's inexperience in operating commercial shipping, and because of continuing union action. The ships were sold in 1928 and continued to operate in the Australia to London trade as the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line. HOBSONS BAY's name was changed to ESPERANCE BAY in 1937. It served as a troopship in World War II. It was scrapped in 1955.SignificanceThis menu is a significant relic of the Commonweath Government Line; the Australian Government's failed attempt at operating a commercial shipping line between the two World Wars. This was an important episode in Australian maritime history. The BAY ships were built according to Australia's new Navigation Act of 1921 and provided superior crew accomodation and facilities, compared with established shipping. The line was unprofitable and plagued by Union action, with the result that the government sold the ships in 1928 and did not re-enter the field until after World War II.