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AUSTRALIA passing GUSTAV on Sydney Harbour
AUSTRALIA passing GUSTAV on Sydney Harbour

AUSTRALIA passing GUSTAV on Sydney Harbour

Photographer (Australian, 1877 - 1951)
Date1926-1927
Object number00010974
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Transfer from the Mitchell Library
DescriptionA black and white image of the 18 foot skiff AUSTRALIA sailing past the iron hulled Norwegian barque GUSTAV anchored on Sydney Harbour. Negative ID number, 1614.HistoryThe four-masted steel barque AUSTRASIA was built for J and W Goffey of Liverpool by Russell and Company in Glasgow in 1892. In May 1910, it was sold to Aug Bolten of Hamburg, Germany and renamed GUSTAV. It was sold again in 1913 to Vinnen Gebr of Hamburg. On 19 December 1926, GUSTAV arrived in Sydney after a 14-day voyage from Auckland. The barque anchored in Rose Bay to load a full cargo of wheat. On 1 February 1927 the barque sailed for the United Kingdom. Later that year, GUSTAV was sold to HWFM Engel of Altona, Victoria and renamed MELBOURNE; however, within a year it was sold again to Captain Gustaf Erikson of Mariehamn in Aland, Finland. In June 1930, the barque was run down and sunk by the tanker MT SEMINOLE off South Fastnet, Ireland. The captain and 10 members of the crew were drowned while 15 others survived.SignificanceThe Hall photographic collection provides an important pictorial record of recreational boating in Sydney Harbour from the 1890s to the 1930s. The collection documents the lively sailing scene in Sydney during this period and features images of vessels ranging from large racing and cruising yachts to the great array of skiffs and the emerging technologies of motorboats. Images of the many spectators and crowds who supported and followed the sailing races are also included in this visual record.