TSMV DUNTROON
Artist
Frank Henry Mason
(1876 - 1965)
Maker
Melbourne Steamship Company Limited
(1884 - 1961)
Date1935
Object number00007890
NamePrint
MediumWooden frame under glass. Paper.
DimensionsOverall: 1085 x 1595 x 35 mm. Dimensions are of frame.
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA framed print of the TSMV DUNTROON at sea after Frank H. Mason. A gilt inscription on the frame reads 'MELBOURNE STEAMSHIP LINE' and '19 KNOTS T.S.M.V. "DUNTROON" 10,500 TONS'.
Signed and dated lower right corner '[illegible name] after Frank H. Mason '35'.HistoryTSMV DUNTROON built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne, and entered service in 1939 for the Melbourne Steam Ship Company for its East-West Australian coastal passenger service.
DUNTROON was initially requisitioned at the start of WWII with the thoughts of turning it into an armed merchant cruiser but this idea was discarded and DUNTROON resumed cargo and passenger services. On 20 November 1940 DUNTROON collided with the minesweeper HMAS GOORANGAI in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. GOORANGAI and all 24 crew were lost in the incident becoming the first Royal Australian Navy ship lost in World War II, the first RAN surface ship lost in wartime and the first RAN surface ship lost with all hands.
In December 1941 DUNTROON was used to transport captured officers from the German ship KORMORAN from Fremantle to Victoria. In 1942 she was requisitioned for the Australia Army to transport US troops and equipment to India and later was involved in Allied troop transport in the Middle East and the Pacific.
In 1943 the DUNTROON was involved in yet another collision when it collided with the USS PERKINS off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The USS PERKINS was cut in two and nine crew were killed. However the captain of the DUNTROON was cleared of any charges and after repairs the DUNTROON resumed duties.
DUNTROON was not returned to her owners until March 1949 and returned to regular commercial coastal and cruising routes until 1960 when the ship was sold and left Australian waters.
The ship's bell of DUNTROON is located at the Royal Military College in Canberra.
Frank Henry Mason was born in England in 1876 and educated on the training ship CONWAY. He later become an engineer in the ship building industry at Leeds and Hartlepool. He took up marine painting, mainly in watercolour and during the WWI served in the Royal Naval volunteer reserve as a Lieutenant.
Mason exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1900 and also illustrated books, designed posters for railway companies and a series of advertisements for "Senior Service" cigarettes.
SignificanceDespite being involved in two fatal collisions TSMV DUNTROON had a long and productive working life both commercially and in war service for the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy. By the end of WWII it is estimated the ship had transported over 170,000 troops, personnel and prisoners of war.
before 1955
