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Farewell to the troopship ASCANIUS
Farewell to the troopship ASCANIUS

Farewell to the troopship ASCANIUS

Photographer (Australian, 1858 - 1921)
Date27 May 1916
Object number00027620
NamePhotograph
MediumPhotographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 121 x 165 mm, 1 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionFarewell to the troopship ASCANIUS at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1916. This black and white photograph depicts an elevated view of the midship deck of the troopship ASCANIUS packed with soldiers who throw streamers to the crowd of civilians on the wharf below. A gangway is still in place with people on it and soldiers are crowded onto the bridge and lifeboats. The bow of the lifeboats are marked `A11' and the reverse of the print has a lead pencil inscription reading `ASCANIUS 27-5-16'.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.