Pencil sketch of MV TRIASTER
Artist
Frank Norton
(1916-1983)
Date1 November 1935
Object number00027989
NameDrawing
MediumBoard, pencil
DimensionsSheet: 186 x 167 mm
Overall: 186 x 167 mm, 0.007 kg
Overall: 186 x 167 mm, 0.007 kg
Copyright© Lynne Norton
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionFrank Norton has depicted the stern of the ship MV TRIASTER in dry dock at Cockatoo Island Dockyards, Sydney. The propeller and damaged blade is supported by scaffolding on which several figures stand.HistoryMV TRIASTER was owned by the British Phosphate Commission, which was a mining company involved in extracting phosphate from the Pacific islands of Nauru, Christmas Island and Ocean Island.
Cockatoo Island is the largest island in Sydney Harbour and was first established as a penal settlement by the NSW colonial government in 1839. In 1851 the construction of a dockyard commenced and in 1857 the first ship was drydocked there. In 1913 Cockatoo Island was transferred to the Commonwealth Government and the dockyards evolved in pace with the technical development of ships.
With the formation of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1911, Cockatoo Island Dockyards began to construct naval ships, the first being HMAS WARREGO. The period during and after the First World War was busy and profitable, with the peak of employment occurring in 1919. However, the Great Depression severely affected the shipyard and in 1933 the Commonwealth Government transferred control of the island to Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Company. Due to a gradual increase in naval activities, the Dockyards were able to slowly recover and the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 again allowed the Dockyards to increase productivity.
After the Second World War, Cockatoo Island Dockyards continued to be an important part of the Australian maritime infrastructure, but the controlling company changed hands many times until in 1992 when the Dockyards were decommissioned.
Today, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has administrative control of Cockatoo Island it is used as a venue for many arts and entertainment events.SignificanceThis drawing represents the maintenance methods for large ships. Dry docks allow maintenance workers access to parts of the vessel that are located under the water line.
