Place | Asia: Japan, Hiroshima |
---|---|
Accession Number | REL35801.002 |
Collection type | Heraldry |
Object type | Heraldry |
Physical description | Ceramic |
Maker |
Unknown |
Date made | Unknown |
Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Source credit to | This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government. |
Ceramic dish, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
Small white ceramic dish decorated with a dark blue floral motif on the base and a geometric design on the lip. A piece has broken off on one side of the dish and the overall shape of the dish has been distorted by the heat of the blast. On the base of the dish is a maker’s symbol written in kanji.
This dish was collected in Hiroshima, 1945, by Merchant Seaman Francis Smith.
The damage to the dish was caused by the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Post war, Japanese ports became a frequent stop over for many vessels travelling through the Pacific as well as the point of repatriation for Prisoners of War who were interned in Japan. Hiroshima quickly became a popular tourist attraction during this time. With no knowledge of the dangers of radiation, foreign visitors would visit the site, often collecting or purchasing damaged items to take home as souvenirs.
Smith was a professional seaman before the Second World War and had joined the Merchant Navy as a Bosun. During the war, he served on several ships including the MV Macdhui and the hospital ship Manunda and he was said to be sunk five times.