The Australasian United Steam Navigation Company Ltd (AUSN) was formed in 1887 and remained one of Australia’s most prominent coastal shipping companies until its collapse in 1961. The SS Famaka was built in 1922 for the Khedivial Mail Steamship Company, however, it was not until 1927 that the AUSN purchased the vessel and renamed it SS Ormiston.
After arriving in Sydney in poor condition, repairs were completed before Ormiston could commence the Australian coastal passenger trade between Cairns and Melbourne. After servicing this route until 1935, Ormiston was chartered as a cargo transport from Newcastle to Fremantle. During the next couple of years, Ormiston also served the Sydney to Tasmania passenger route.
Although the vessel continued to service the east coast route until 1942, Ormiston suffered substantial damage when she was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off Coffs Harbour. Whilst receiving repairs to the hull on the portside of the ship, Ormiston was taken over by the Royal Australian Navy and requisitioned as a troop transport. After fulfilling this function for the remainder of the war, Ormiston recommenced the passenger coastal service between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
In 1955, Ormiston was withdrawn from service, being the last passenger vessel to be operated by AUSN. These fascinating photos from
Australian National Maritime Museum that captured life of passengers on board SS Ormiston from 1927 to 1939.
 |
| Man and woman reading to children possibly on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Passengers possibly on the deck of SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Portrait of a Captain Loreard, possibly of SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Portrait of a man and woman in front of a lifeboat possibly on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Portrait of a man and woman possibly on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Portrait of two women and a baby possibly on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| SS Ormiston about to depart from a wharf, Sydney, New South Wales, 1927-1939 |
 |
| SS Ormiston about to depart from a wharf, Sydney, New South Wales, 1927-1939 |
 |
| SS Ormiston about to depart from a wharf, Sydney, New South Wales, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Three children playing a board game possibly on SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Three females on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Three women sitting on deck chairs possibly on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Two men possibly on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Two women and three men possibly on the deck of SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
 |
| Two women seated on deck chairs on board SS Ormiston, 1927-1939 |
0 comments:
Post a Comment