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Mrs Cherry's illustrated journey from England to Australia onboard SS ORMONDE
Mrs Cherry's illustrated journey from England to Australia onboard SS ORMONDE

Mrs Cherry's illustrated journey from England to Australia onboard SS ORMONDE

Artist (1887 - 1972)
Date1931-1932
Object number00029325
NamePainting album
MediumWatercolour on paper, ink, metal binder, cloth covered boards
DimensionsOverall: 147 x 242 x 32 mm, 0.55 kg
Copyright© Mabel Edith Cherry
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
DescriptionThis pictorial album is a humorous account of amateur cartoonist Mrs M E Cherry’s journey onboard SS ORMONDE from England to Adelaide, South Australia in 1931-1932. Each watercolour captures her travel experiences and shipboard life during the voyage. The book includes representations of Mrs Cherry and her two sisters Dorothy and Norah Lungley. The album of watercolours served as a keepsake and reminder of Mrs Cherry's journey to Australia. HistoryEach watercolour from this album vibrantly and vividly depicts typical and often humorous events experienced by travellers onboard passenger voyages during the 1930s. The individual paintings capture Mrs Cherry while dining with the captain, attending fancy dress events and experiencing bouts of seasickness. Few details are known about the identity of the work's creator, Mrs M E Cherry. A newspaper clipping found inside the album, published in the Social News of an unidentified Adelaide newspaper, mentions Mrs Cherry had been visiting with her sister 'Missus Lungley' in Adelaide, and was scheduled to leave Australia for England with her children onboard SS ORMONDE. SS ORMONDE launched in 1917, was built at Clydebank, Scotland by John Brown and Co and embarked on its maiden voyage from London to Australia in 1919. In 1933 it was converted to a tourist class only ship and in 1947 commenced service from London to Australia as a one class emigrant ship. In 1939 ORMONDE was requisitioned as a troopship and took part in troop evacuations from Norway and France. ORMONDE returned to commercial service in 1947 and was broken up in Dalmuir, Scotland in 1952.SignificanceMrs Mabel E Cherry travelled onboard SS ORMONDE to visit family in Adelaide, South Australia in 1931. This album provides a humorous insight into the life and experiences she enjoyed during her voyage to Australia. The paintings offer a unique look at the typical activities and experiences of travellers on board ships voyaging between England and Australia during the 1930s. This album of watercolours served as a souvenir and keepsake, a permanent reminder of Mrs Cherry's journey to Australia.