POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Ferry, Mosman Bay, Sydney Harbour

Object No. 2013/23/12-57

This photograph, produced between 1880 and 1900, shows the double-ended propeller ferry SS 'Wallaby' at the entrance to Sydney's Mosman Bay. The position of the yet-to-be-built Old Cremorne Wharf was (originally) on the small spit seen just above the ferry's bow at right. The area is being developed with new expensive housing. The North Shore Ferry Co. began running a regular scheduled ferry service from 1878. Towards the mouth of the bay are two ship moorings. One is not in use, the other has a sizeable, very dishevelled sailing vessel secured. The ship's rigging is awry and one mast may be missing. Perhaps the vessel is awaiting repair. In the foreground two private yachts lie to their moorings. Both are rigged as cutters and both have lifting centreboards which can clearly be seen. Graeme Andrews OAM, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences volunteer under the supervision of Margaret Simpson, Curator, May 2016 This photographic print is from an album of mainly 'tourist' photographs of Sydney and New South Wales. It provides an interesting insight into the types of images collected in the 1890s and early 1900s. At the time increased leisure and improved transport combined to bring holidays within the reach of most working people. Photographic studios such as that of Charles Kerry in Sydney built up profitable businesses commissioning and selling views of interesting and significant tourist destinations. In her album Emily Marsh has put together a significant collection of these commercial images and what appear to be amateur works. It is also part of the Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS) collection which was donated to the Powerhouse Museum in 1981. The Society was formed in 1901 and is the oldest historical society in Australia. As a result many of the objects it collected are of great significance to Australia and to New South Wales. Some are associated with people and families like the Marsdens, Henry Parkes, Mawson, and John Verge. Others, like the convict handcuffs, and the Ben Hall Wanted Poster, are significant relics from Australia's past. The importance of the entire collection and the way in which it was acquired adds to the significance of this object. Kimberley Weber, Curatorial, 2005 & Geoff Barker Curatorial 2012 References Alan Davies,An eye for photography: the camera in Australia, 2004s