RMS EURIPIDES

Artist John Allcot (Australian, 1888 - 1973)

Date1923

Object number00000438

NamePainting

MediumWatercolour

DimensionsOverall: 205 x 300 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA watercolour painting of RMS EURIPIDES near Sydney Heads by maritime artist John Allcot.HistorySS EURIPIDES, launched on 29 January 1914 had her maiden voyage on 1 July 1914. She was the largest troop ship to depart Australia in November 1914 and was given the official number of A14. EURIPIDES was one of the first three transports to be fitted out in Brisbane. When completed on 18 September 1914 she had berths for 136 officers and 2204 other ranks, and stalls for 20 horses. An account of her first war departure in 1914, "EURIPIDES made a quick passage of the Great Australian Bight, and after waiting in Albany for the remainder of what was now known as Convoy 1 to assemble, sailed with the fleet from Western Australia on 1 November, 1914. Joining with the twenty-six Australian transports were another ten from New Zealand with an escort provided by the cruisers HMS MINOTAUR, HMAS MELBOURNE and HMAS SYDNEY. Weather conditions for the departure were ideal with hundreds of onlookers lining the surrounding hills to see ‘the awe-inspiring sight’. The Australian transports sailed in three columns with the New Zealand vessels following behind in two columns of their own. EURIPIDES led the convoy’s 3rd Division comprising the fastest vessels, but SOUTHERN, the formation’s slowest ship actually set the pace. Even with heavy stoking she could barely average 10 knots. " (www.navy.gov.au/history) Built for the Aberdeen Line in 1914, acted as Australian troopship WWI. Transferred to the White Star Line in 1929 and then to Shaw, Savill & Albion in 1932 and renamed AKAROA. SignificanceThe EURIPIDES was one of the first ships to be commissioned and outfitted as a troop carrier for Australia in WW. She departed Western Australia for war on 1st November, 1914.