Auxiliary steamer SS OCEAN wearing the ASN Co house flag

Datec 1878

Object number00047427

NameOil painting

MediumOil on canvas, wood

DimensionsOverall: 460 x 600 x 15 mm, 500 g

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Trustees of the Sydney Training Depot

Collections

Ship portraits

Terms

DescriptionSS OCEAN was painted by an unknown artist during the year (1878-79) it was owned by the ASN Co. It was later renamed GAMBIER and sunk in Port Phillip Bay on 28 August 1891 in a collision with the ship EASBY, with 21 lives lost.
HistoryThe SS GAMBIER sank in 1891 near Pope's Eye in the West Channel of Port Phillip Bay after colliding with the SS EASBY. Because of the threat to shipping, the owners of the SS GAMBIER were ordered to remove her from the West Channel and the ship was destroyed by explosives.

SignificanceThe painting records a vessel that was involved in a significant Victorian maritime disaster.