WWI troopship HMAT ASCANIUS about to depart 10 November 1915

Images(2)

WWI troopship HMAT ASCANIUS about to depart 10 November 1915

Photographer Josiah Earl Barnes (Australian, 1858 - 1921)

Date10 November 1915

Object number00027611

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 112 x 156 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPhotograph by Josiah Barnes of the troopship ASCANIUS about to depart a Melbourne wharf. The black and white image depicts the steamship ASCANIUS at right flooded with troops. The wharf is crowded with civilians saying farewell. The vessel is marked 'A11', signifying that it is a WW1 troopship. The reverse of the print has a handwritten inscription in pencil reading: 'ASCANIUS 10/11/15'.HistoryMelbourne based photographer Josiah Barnes had two sons, Norm and Victor, who left for war in 1916 (both returned to Australia after their service). Barnes appears to have taken an interest around this time in photographing the troopships as they departed for war from Melbourne. ASCANIUS was built in 1911 and was, along with ANCHISES and AENEAS, one of three sister ships that served with the Blue Funnel Line. The ships were twin screw steamers with accommodation for just under 300 first class passengers. ASCANIUS served as a troopship during WW1 without mishap however came close to disaster during WW2 when, on 30 July 1944, the vessel was torpedoed by a German U-boat. However ASCANIUS did not sink and survived the war to be resold and renamed SAN GIOVANNINO in 1949. The vessel was scrapped at Spezia in 1953.