National Shipwreck Relief Society of New South Wales

Printer John Sands

Date18 July 1899

Object number00040909

NameCertificate

MediumInk on paper

Dimensions295 x 395 mm

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Maisie Bissett

Terms

DescriptionThe National Shipwreck Relief Society of NSW awarded this certificate to Orlando T Taylor, an engineer on board the ferry SS CARABELLA. Taylor dived into Sydney Harbour on 18 July 1899 to rescue a passenger named Phillips who had fallen overboard. This certificate features a coloured lithograph depicting a female figure with a child and lifebuoy - the personification of NSW.HistoryThe National Shipwreck Relief Society of New South Wales was founded in 1877, changing its name to the Shipwreck Relief and Humane Society in 1899. The organization’s original aim was to assist dependants of NSW seamen killed or seriously injured, to relieve crews of vessels wrecked in NSW waters, and to make awards for acts of bravery when saving human life. Later it extended its support to old, sick or disabled seamen. SS CARABELLA was a single-decked wooden screw steam ferry of 129- tons. It was built at Rozelle in 1897 and owned by the North Shore Steam Ferry Co Ltd in 1899. CARABELLA operated until World War II when it was requisitioned for war service. SignificanceThis is a rare surviving item from the National Shipwreck Relief Society of NSW. It is a reminder of the dangers of water transport and incidents of drowning. It also highlights the Sydney ferry CARABELLA and the importance of ferries for transportation on Sydney Harbour, prior to the construction of Sydney Harbour Bridge.