Untitled (Steam yacht LADY NORMAN)
Artist
Frederick Elliott
(Australian, 1864 - 1949)
Date1860s -1914
Object number00045523
NamePainting
MediumWatercolour on paper
DimensionsOverall: 285 x 460 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
DescriptionWatercolour by Fred Elliott of a small steamship or steam yacht purported to be the LADY NORMAN.HistoryCaptain William Collin (1834-1914) was born in England, went to sea, and was shipwrecked off north Queensland in 1854. He settled in Sydney until 1862 when he moved to Queensland and operated barges in the coastal trade. He also became a well-known salvage operator and shipbreaker. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Queensland coastal and river trade and he found trade agreement with the A S N Co., of Sydney from about 1888. He became W Collin & Sons Ltd., in 1900 and continued, in harmony with ASN Co later known as AUSN Co, up to 1937.
One of Collin's most notable achievements was to mark the passage through Torres Strait with buoys, for the Queensland Government. His reminiscences published in 1914 are an important source for the social and commercial history of early Queensland.
SignificanceWilliam Collin was a Master mariner who involved his activities in lightering and salvage work. He also traded the Queensland ports using sail only vessels until 1874 when he salvaged and rebuilt the wrecked steamshipNorseman. Continued trading until 1884 when he was able to order a purpose built steamship which he named Lady Musgrave. From his successful efforts, the largest shipping concerns began to take notice and he found trade agreement with the A S N Co., of Sydney from about 1888. Where flexibility of operations as well as an established reputation in Queensland ensured his survival, he became W Collin & Sons Ltd., in 1900 and that concern continued, in harmony with ASN Co later known as AUSN Co, up to 1937
