Ball given on board the Japanese corvette TSUKUBA

Publisher Illustrated Australian News (1876 - 1896)

Date1882

Object number00006161

NameEngraving

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 263 x 272 mm
Display Dimensions: 262 x 278 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis newspaper engraving depicts scenes from a ball held on board the visiting Japanese warship TUSUKUBA in 1882 in Melbourne. Depicted from top left: the crew of the vessel help female guests aboard in the rain; arrival of the boat and boarding; interior scene of the ballroom; four men view the vessel and fireworks from the shore.HistoryThe ship-rigged corvette TSUKUBA was built in 1853 as the wooden screw sloop HMS MALACCA for the British Royal Navy. It was re-engined in 1862 as a screw corvette and sold in 1869; and then sold again this time to the Japanese Navy where she was renamed TSUKUBA. The ship carried a complement of 333 and was one of the first warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Its primary role was as a training ship for officers and sailors of the Japanese Navy. TSUKUBA departed Tokyo on 4 March 1882 for an international cruise visiting Hong Kong, Melbourne, Hobart and Auckland. TSUKUBA made several visits to Australia including Sydney in 1878 and 1886. TSUKUBA was broken up in 1806.