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Thursday Island harbour
Thursday Island harbour

Thursday Island harbour

Date1900-1920
Object numberANMS0227[056]
NamePhotograph
MediumSilver gelatin print
DimensionsOverall: 151 x 200 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert D McKilliam
DescriptionA black and white photograph of the harbour at Thursday Island, Waiben, north Queensland. The township is laid out to the right and a number of various sized vessels are moored in the harbour on the left. The title of the photograph is 'Thursday Island'. HistoryKnown locally as Waiben, Captain Stanley from HMS RATTLESNAKE named Thursday Island in 1848. Thursday Island soon became a European settlement for administration and industry due mainly to the ptroliferation of the pearling industry. The colony of Queensland annexed the islands in 1879 and by 1883 over 200 pearling vessels were based in the harbour. SignificanceThis image is a part of the Captain Robert McKilliam collection. Captain McKilliam worked for the Aberdeen White Star Line for 32 years and sailed aboard such famous clipper ships as SALAMIS and THERMOPYLAE. He moved to Sydney in 1913 where he served as Assistant Wharf Master on Darling Island.