Collection of eight photographs belonging to Captain Robert McKilliam
Date1913 - 1933
Object numberANMS0225
NameArchive series
MediumSilver gelatin print
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert Laurence and Robert D McKilliam
DescriptionThis collection of eight photographs belonged to Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam. The photographs feature images of sailing and steam ships, passengers and crew on the deck of a ship, and photographs of ship’s officers onboard various vessels. The photographs are dated c1913.HistoryScottish-born Captain Robert Basil Vincent McKilliam served in the Aberdeen White Star Line between 1876 and 1908. A native of Aberdeen, he was apprenticed at 14. He served under famous clipper captains like Robert Kemball and on famous clippers like THERMOPYLAE and SALAMIS, mostly in the Britain-to-Australia service. He also served in the modern steamers of the day. After 32 years he retired from the sea and soon after, in 1910, he married. In 1913 he brought his family to live in Sydney. Appointed Assistant Manager of Darling Island Wharf, he worked as a superintendent stevedore in Sydney from World War One up to the Great Depression. He died at his home in North Sydney in 1934.
