Marco Polo, well known emigrant ship of the fifties, 1959, by Thomas Robertson.
Source: La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria
From Clippers to Steamers: Aberdeen, Thermopylae, Marco Polo, Jervis Bay, Great Britain and the Orient.
Did you know...?
- The majestic Great Britain, one of the first steam ships to bring English migrants for the gold rush, later became a floating wool and coal storage, and is now a museum.
- ‘Bully’ Forbes, captain of the Marco Polo, donned a duck-billed pistol inscribed ‘Hell or Melbourne’ for the maiden voyage to Melbourne, and jailed his crew on a return trip to England, so as not lose them to the gold rush.
- The same ship was later commanded by Captain James Clarke, who had a cow onboard to ensure children had fresh milk.
- Passenger liner Jervis Bay became a merchant cruiser and was subsequently sunk by German battleship Admiral Scheer.
These colourful stories and more were part of the Ship Reunion Day held on Sunday 21 August at the Immigration Museum.
This lively and intimate affair featured speaker Jenny Carter, a renowned historian with 29 years experience in family history and shipping. Jenny discussed topics including speed, shipboard revelries and first impressions upon sailing through Port Philip Heads.
Visitors also shared their stories and brought along related objects. Mrs Ila Cox reminisced about her passage to Australia from England on the Jervis Bay, recalling ‘having a great time playing with the other children and being served hot milk and sugar bread for breakfast.’
Ila also brought along her original passenger ticket (costing seventy pounds) and donated a coloured newspaper lift-out featuring British soldiers on leave in Australia during the Second World War.