Skip to main content
Advanced Search
The new steamship, AUSTRAL, of the Orient Line
The new steamship, AUSTRAL, of the Orient Line

The new steamship, AUSTRAL, of the Orient Line

Maker (Established 1842)
Date1882
Object number00001090
NameEngraving
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 400 x 280 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA page from the Illustrated London News 27 May 1882 titled 'The new steam-ship, AUSTRAL, of the Orient Line'. There are three views, one of the ship, one of the dining saloon and one of the passage around the ship.HistoryThe SS AUSTRAL was also engaged in the early frozen meat trade between Australia and Europe. She was loading coal in Neutral Bay in the early hours of 11 November 1882 when she quickly and unexpectedly sank with the loss of 5 crew. It has been suggested that the ship was ill balanced with the coal loading, the amount of iron she already had on board and that the portholes were left open which let the water in. The AUSTRAL was refloated and taken to Glasgow where she was refitted and recommenced her passenger trade between the UK and Australia until 1903.