PS NAMOI

Artist Chas Ocklan

Datec 1886

Object number00049068

NamePainting

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall (Framed): 712 x 490 x 20 mm, 2.4 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionAn oil painting of PS NAMOI by Chas Ocklan depicting the paddle steamer in rough seas. The PS NAMOI was a steel paddle steamer built by J Key & Sons, Kinghorn for the Hunter River New S N Co Ltd.HistoryThe arrival of the PS NAMOI to Sydney caused much interest for those on the north coast of New South Wales and its arrival was celebrated in the local press: "NEW STEAMER FOR THE HUNTER" The Singleton Argus 12 April, 1884 MONDAY morning witnessed the arrival of one of the finest passenger boats that has ever come into Port Jackson. The NAMOI is the latest acquisition to the Hunter River New Steam Navigation Company’s fleet, and has been specially designed for the Hunter River passenger and cargo trade, for which she is doubtless well adapted. The NAMOI has come from Granton, Scotland, via the Suez Canal and Singapore. She was built by Messers. J. Key and Sons, the well-known ship builders, of Kirkaldy, Scotland...The NAMOI is a paddle-steamer, possessing very graceful lines and is a fine specimen of naval architecture. The steamer has been built for both speed and comfort, and mainly with these points in view the company have had her constructed. The run from Sydney to the Northern city usually occupies six hours, but it is expected the NAMOI will accomplish the passage in a much shorter space of time. The following are the dimensions of the NAMOI: Length between perpendiculars, 245 feet; breadth of beam inside of paddle-boxes, 321 feet 6 inches; depth of hold, 13 feet 9 inches; depth from floor of hold to awning deck, 21 feet 9 inches. The awning or spar deck extends the whole length of the vessel. The main saloon and fore cabin, are on the main deck. Accommodation for passengers is also provided in staterooms and ladies saloon aft, on the spar deck. Amidships, on the spar deck, are a large and well fitted smoking room, two state rooms, and captain's cabin. Forward, on the spar deck, is a second class saloon for women. Berths are fitted for 150 first-class, and 90 second class passengers. Accommodation for the officers is provided in sponson houses on the main deck, and the crew are located forward on the main deck. Besides the usual ports and windows for admitting air, Norton's system of ventilation has been provided to withdraw the vitiated air from the saloons, state rooms, Captain's and officer's cabin, forecastle, and holds. The air is exhausted through air-tight piping running from the saloons, &c., to an air-pump actuated by a small independent engine in the engine-room. The saloons are tastefully decorated in white and gold. and various colours, and are well furnished with every conviniance for the comfort of passengers. The upholstery and fittings are well designed, and finished in the most approved style. Smith's patent lavatories are fitted in the saloon and state rooms, and there is a complete system of communication with the stewards department by means of pneumatic bells...” After nearly 40 years of service, the PS NAMOI was scuttled in the Sydney Disposal Area on 16 June 1933. This painting is part of the Young Collection. Herbert Edward (Bert) Young assembled a collection of maritime objects, books, papers, images and ephemera, and established Young's Maritime Museum from his home in Forestville, a suburb of Sydney, in the late 1960s. This private museum was short-lived and in 1972, Young presented his collection to the Department of Shipping and Transport to hold for incorporation into a future national maritime museum. The collection was transferred to the Australian National Maritime Museum in1987. SignificanceThe PS NAMOI was part of a history of coastal and river trade in the Hunter region that enabled early colonists of New South Wales to utilise areas difficult to reach overland. Like an inland highway, the river system opened up vast tracts of land in a short period of time.