SS ORIENT
Maker
Fred Dawson
(c 1890-1925)
Date1906
Object number00003168
NamePainting
MediumWatercolour on paper
DimensionsOverall: 158 x 288 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA watercolour depicting the Orient Line passenger liner SS ORIENT by Fred Dawson. It is signed and dated 'F Dawson 1906' in the lower right corner of the image.
HistorySS ORIENT was a steamer built in 1879 by John Elder and Co. in Glasgow for the Orient Steam Navigation Co. for the line's Australian mail service. It had the capacity for 120 first class, 130 second class and 300 third class passengers. Converted to HMS ORIENT during the Boer War in 1903 the vessel became a troopship with the capacity to carry 1,500 troops.
SS ORIENT made its last voyage to Australia in 1909 and the following year it was sold to Italian shipbreakers.
SignificanceThe SS ORIENT was one of the best-known migrant ships of the time and at the time of its launch was the largest steamship built for the Australian migration trade.
