| Accession Number | ART96270 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Sheet: 33.8 x 49.2 cm |
| Object type | |
| Physical description | Colour lithograph on paper |
| Maker |
Artist unknown |
| Date made | c. 1913 |
| Conflict |
Period 1910-1919 First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
HMAS Australia
Description
The Royal Australian Navy was formed on 10 July 1911 and HMAS Australia was commissioned as the Navy's first flagship vessel. Built in Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, HMAS Australia arrived in Sydney on 4 October 1913 and was joined by the remainder of the Australian fleet. This included cruisers HMAS Encounter and HMAS Melbourne and the destroyers HMAS Warrego, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Yarra. HMAS Australia was deployed following the outbreak of the First World War.
Dated to c. 1913, this colour lithograph by an unknown artist is likely to have been produced in response to the arrival of the Australian Fleet in Sydney Harbour on 4 October 1913. This event was seen as highly significant, not only as it promoted the Royal Australian Navy, but also because it produced an immense sense of national pride amongst the general public. Produced in colour, the work is highly detailed, documenting all of the main features of HMAS Australia. This includes the vessel's arament of guns and torpedo tubes as well as the four-shaft team turbines.