Passenger ship ESPERANCE BAY

Maker Kodak (American, founded 1888)

Date1922-1955

Object number00002963

NamePostcard

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 84 x 135 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

Australia

DescriptionThis postcard features a black and white photographic image of the single funnel two-masted passenger ship ESPERANCE BAY underway, as seen from the starboard side. The Aberdeen Line - along with the Orient and Sitmar Lines - transported thousands of child migrants from the UK to Australia until the child migration schemes ended in the 1960s.HistoryFrom the 1860s, more than 100,000 children were sent from Britain to Canada, Australia and other Commonwealth countries through child migration schemes. They were sent by charitable and religious organisations, with government support, in the belief that their lives would improve, and that they would provide much-needed labour and increase the population. Few were orphans; many came from families who were unable to care for them. The lives of these children changed dramatically and fortunes varied. Some succeeded in creating new futures. Others suffered lonely, brutal childhoods. All experienced disruption and separation from family and homeland. Child migration schemes received criticism from the outset, yet continued until the 1960s. Until the early 1960s most child migrants to Australia travelled by sea, sailing on vessels of the Aberdeen, Orient and Sitmar Lines. Names such as STRATHNAVER, ORMONDE, ORONSAY and FAIRSKY still evoke powerful memories for many former child migrants. ESPERANCE BAY was built as HOBSONS BAY by Vickers, Barrow for the Commonwealth Government Line. Built to accommodate 12 First Class and 720 Third Class passengers, the vessel's maiden voyage was from London to Brisbane on 28 February 1922. In 1928 it was sold to the White Star Line who converted the vessel in 1931 to accommodate 512 Tourist Class passengers. It was transferred to the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line in 1933, continuing the UK - Australia service. In 1936, the original ESPERANCE BAY was transferred to Shaw Savill Line and renamed ARAWA, and HOBSONS BAY was renamed ESPERANCE BAY. During World War II, it was fitted out as an Armed Merchant Cruiser and was operated by the Royal Australian Navy. ESPERANCE BAY returned to the London - Sydney passenger run and was scrapped at Faslane in 1955.SignificanceThis postcard relates to a significant period in Australia's migration history, when thousands of children and youths emigrated from the UK through various church and philanthropic schemes as labour for rural Australia - all while bolstering the population with 'good British stock'.