Builder's half block model of SS QUORNA
Model Maker
Hugh MacMillan
(Scottish, 1880 - before 1932)
Date1912 - 1914
Object number00048223
NameModel
MediumWood, glass, Metal
DimensionsOverall (Display case): Height: 393 mm, width: 1380mm, depth: 220 mm
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Svitzer Australasia
DescriptionA builder's half block model of the Adelaide Steamship Company's SS QUORNA. Text printed onto the wooden backing board reads SS QUORNA / BUILT BY / JOHN FULLERTON & CO / SHIPBUILDERS / PAISLEY. At the top left a sticker reads Hugh Macmillan / MODELMAKER / 6 CARWOOD STREET / GREENOCK / NB.HistorySS QUORNA (ex- WARRENER) was built in 1912 and purchased the following year by the Adelaide Steamship Company from Australian Steamships Ltd before being renamed QUORNA. QUORNA was utilised by the Adelaide Steamship Company for numerous services departing from Adelaide. The most popular run was that to Port Lincoln, Wallaroo, Port Broughton, Port Victoria and Port Hughes. However a larger ship was eventually required to meet the demand and with the arrival of MORIALTA in 1947, QUORNA was retired, having served an extra ten years of service than was originally intended. In 1950 the partially dismantled hulk of QUORNA was sunk as bombing target by the RAAF off Kangaroo Island.
The Adelaide Steamship Company was originally founded in 1875 by a group of South Australian small ship operators to trade between Melbourne and Adelaide. They also capitalised on the need for passenger services on this route and the company grew rapidly, quickly becoming a household name in Australia.
Many of the company's ships were requisitioned during the World War I with one vessel, WARILDA, sunk by a submarine in August 1918. By World War II, the company owned thirty ships and many served with distinction during the war. One such ship was MANUNDA, a passenger vessel that had been converted to a hospital ship in 1940. MANUNDA saw service in several different campaigns and was present in Darwin during the Japanese air raids. MANUNDA was damaged during the bombing, however proved a vital resource during this incident, acting as a casualty clearing station and later carrying injured patients to Freemantle.
Throughout the latter half of the 20th Century the Adelaide Steamship Company continued to grow and expanded its interests into activities such as airline operations and shipbuilding.
In 1964, the Interstate fleet merged with McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co, and the partnership developed the world's first purpose built container ships. However, in 1973, the company ceased its shipbuilding operations, and in 1977, its 103rd year of operation, sold its shipping related businesses, and ceased connection with ship owning and operating, retaining interests only in tugboat operations.
In June 1997, the tugboat operations were floated on the Australian Stock Exchange under the name Adsteam Marine. In 2006, Adsteam Marine was acquired by AP Moeller-Maersk, removing the Adelaide Steamship name from the Australian Stock Exchange and Australian Company registers.
Adsteam Marine Limited was acquired by Svitzer Australasia in 2007.
SignificanceBefore a ship was built a half model such as this was created as a means of planning a vessel's design and to demonstrate the vessel's dimensions to clients and ship builders. These skilfully crafted models are replicas of their full scale counterparts and provide important information relating to the design and build of individual vessels. The Adelaide Steamship Company was a prominent Australian shipping line and the passenger vessel SS QUORNA serviced the company's popular cruise routes from Adelaide for nearly 30 years.
