SS CHINGTU returning from the Boxer Rebellion

Artist John Downs Castle (1858-1928)

Date1901

Object number00000151

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour and gouache on paper

DimensionsOverall: 4350 x 5880 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionAustralian troop transport SS CHINGTU is shown returning to Sydney on 25 April 1901 with naval contingents who participated in the quelling of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901. A companion painting of SS SALAMIS (00000152) shows the troops on their outgoing voyage.HistoryAustralia took its first step into East Asian conflicts in 1900, when three colonies sent support to the British at the Boxer War. This was a joint action by several nations including Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Russia and the USA to crush a violent uprising against foreigners in China. The action was immortalised in the Hollywood movie "55 days in Peking". The term Boxer was a Western corruption of the original Chinese name. South Australia lent its steel twin screw gunboat HMCS PROTECTOR (Her Majesty's Colonial Ship) with a crew of 110 to assist the British Royal Navy. Victoria and New South Wales sent naval brigade contingents totalling 462 men. The Aberdeen Line cargo passenger ship SS SALAMIS was requisitioned by the New South Wales government to transport the contingent to the conflict. The China Navigation Company Limited vessel SS CHINGTU was requisitioned to bring the contingents home. They steamed through Sydney Heads on 25 April 1901. Arriving after the main conflict was over; their main duty was guarding and policing Tianjin (Tientsin) and Beijing (Peking). The Australian colonial forces returned home by May 1901 and all men were issued with a medal known variously as the Boxer Rebellion medal, the Queen's China War medal and the Third China War medal. SignificanceThis image represents one of the first overseas actions Australian naval brigades fought in. Victorian, New South Wales and South Australian troops were responsible for guarding and policing Tianjin (Tientsin) and Beijing (Peking) during the Boxer Rebellion.