Skip to main content
TSS KATOOMBA and TSS COOMA
TSS KATOOMBA and TSS COOMA

TSS KATOOMBA and TSS COOMA

Artist (Australian, 1906 - 1989)
Date1919 - 1922
Object number00027492
NamePainting
MediumWatercolour on paper
DimensionsOverall: 395 x 575 mm, 0.05 kg
Copyright© Hallett Robertson Bartlett
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Geoffrey Martin
DescriptionTwo watercolour paintings by Hallett Bartlett. On one side of the page is a view of the Melbourne SS Co. steamship KATOOMBA a passing a lighthouse on the shoreline. On the reverse side is the twin screw steamship COOMA of the Howard Smith Line leaving Farm Cove and flying the Royal Mail flag. A small fishing vessel is approaching from the left. These watercolours were painted by Hallett Bartlett when a teenager (thirteen years old to sixteen years old) and were originally part of a watercolour album. See 00027420 - 00027528.HistoryThis album illustrates, in the popular style of the period, portraits of ships and some aeroplanes; all identified. The ships are mainly those of the Australian coastal trade including merchant and government vessels, troopships and cargo vessels in Sydney Harbour and elsewhere, although many intercontinental vessels on the Australian run are featured. Bartlett has also incorporated company house flags and pennants into the works. The aircraft depicted are those seen in Australian skies at the conclusion of WWI. Hallett Bartlett was born in Young, New South Wales. His father Charles Henry Falkner Hope Bartlett was a distinguished solider and aide-de-camp to the governor-general, the Earl of Dudley. Although not a lot is known about 'Hal' Barlett, anecdotal evidence suggests that he had aspirations to be an architect at a young age. His craftsmanship is clear in these drawings as is his attention to detail shows a clear military influence, possibly from his father's career and WWI. Bartlett himself joined the armed forces first with the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a voluntary reservist and later to the RAAF where he served in the Middle East. After his return to Australia due to an injury sustained during service, little is known about Bartlett or whether he continued with his love of drawing. His brother, Faulkner 'Hope' Bartlett, was a well-known race driver in Australia and New Zealand and there is evidence that Hal Bartlett was also involved in the automobile industry. SignificanceThis album of drawings by Hallett Bartlett reflect the aeroplanes and ships of the WWI era that captured the imagination of young Australians.
TSS KATOOMBA and NATICA
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
28 January 1921
HMS RENOWN and TSS ULIMAROA
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
TSS OXFORDSHIRE and TSS WESTMORELAND
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
TSS VIRGINIAN and TSS CERAMIC
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
TSS MEGANTIC and SS WOOLGAR
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
TSS COMERIC and TRÁS-OS-MONTES
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
SS TUNCURRY, SS EXCELSIOR and TSS CITY OF LINCOLN
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
SS CANADIAN PROSPECTOR and TSS ELAMREN
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
SS WONIORA, TSS TINTENBAR, SS MAHENO and tug boat HERO
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922
TSS MARELLA and SS COORANGA
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1920
TSS TITAN and HMS FANTOME
Hallett Robertson Bartlett
1919 - 1922