HMS Torch at anchor, [attrib. Sydney], 27 August 1855, watercolour sketch by Conrad Martens
More from this collection
Related by When
Related by Where
Research Help!
Where: Unknown
Try to find the spot where the photographer was standing.
When: Unknown
Try to find the date or year when this image was made.
HMS Torch at anchor, [attrib. Sydney], 27 August 1855, watercolour sketch by Conrad Martens
In 1852 HMS Torch sailed to Australia as a tender for HMS Herald, the British flagship of the Australian Squadron. She was under the command of Lieutenant William Chimmo and visited Sydney a number of times between 1852 and 1855 when Martens made this sketch of her at anchor.
The Torch was an iron steamer of 350 tons (315,616 kilograms) and had engines which could generate 134 kilowatts of power. Being low in the water she was mounted with a long 32 pound (14.5 Kilogram) pivot gun and nets around the sides of the vessel to ward off any pirates trying to board the ship.
As a government vessel she supplied coal and did surveying work in conjunction with HMS Herald as well as being commissioned to undertake specific tasks for the New South Wales Government.
One of the more significant of these was her rescue of the survivors of the shipwrecked Chinese Junk the Ningpoto in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, off Papua New Guinea, in 1854. This trip was conducted mainly under sail to try to save her coal supplies for navigating the reefs and after searching the island for five days they found the 19 survivors on ‘Middle Huon Island’. Chimmo hoped to be able to steer the Torch back to Fiji to continue her duties with HMS Herald but a lack of coal forced her to return to Sydney.
In the same month Martens did this sketch the New South Wales Government was arguing about the continued funding of the Torch and its role as a gunship to protect Sydney Harbour. Although there were protests made about the realities of such a small ship acting as a defence against a foreign fleet they eventually voted to provision and pay the wages of the ship for 1856.
HMS Torch at anchor, [attrib. Sydney], Australia, 27 August 1855, watercolour sketch by Conrad Martens, from Sketchbook of scenes in and around Sydney, ca. 1855-1856, DL PX 16 collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/nZNvqzmn#w64VlxADMNrRx
Source: Flickr Commons
Views: 13598
In 1852 HMS Torch sailed to Australia as a tender for HMS Herald, the British flagship of the Australian Squadron. She was under the command of Lieutenant William Chimmo and visited Sydney a number of times between 1852 and 1855 when Martens made this sketch of her at anchor.
The Torch was an iron steamer of 350 tons (315,616 kilograms) and had engines which could generate 134 kilowatts of power. Being low in the water she was mounted with a long 32 pound (14.5 Kilogram) pivot gun and nets around the sides of the vessel to ward off any pirates trying to board the ship.
As a government vessel she supplied coal and did surveying work in conjunction with HMS Herald as well as being commissioned to undertake specific tasks for the New South Wales Government.
One of the more significant of these was her rescue of the survivors of the shipwrecked Chinese Junk the Ningpoto in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, off Papua New Guinea, in 1854. This trip was conducted mainly under sail to try to save her coal supplies for navigating the reefs and after searching the island for five days they found the 19 survivors on ‘Middle Huon Island’. Chimmo hoped to be able to steer the Torch back to Fiji to continue her duties with HMS Herald but a lack of coal forced her to return to Sydney.
In the same month Martens did this sketch the New South Wales Government was arguing about the continued funding of the Torch and its role as a gunship to protect Sydney Harbour. Although there were protests made about the realities of such a small ship acting as a defence against a foreign fleet they eventually voted to provision and pay the wages of the ship for 1856.
HMS Torch at anchor, [attrib. Sydney], Australia, 27 August 1855, watercolour sketch by Conrad Martens, from Sketchbook of scenes in and around Sydney, ca. 1855-1856, DL PX 16 collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/nZNvqzmn#w64VlxADMNrRx
Info:
Owner: State Library of NSWSource: Flickr Commons
Views: 13598
steamship
williamchimmo
tenders
australiansquadron
hms
torch
ship
sydney
colonial
australia
shipping
paddlesteamer
Add Tags
Add Tags
ɹǝqɯoɔɥɔɐǝq
Wonderful painting! 27 August 1855 was a Monday ... hence the crew's washing hung out to dry?! I think Conrad Martens was on the west side of Farm Cove, before the sea wall was built. About here, going by Bradley's Head etc - goo.gl/maps/s9sVb1dxksmWMZub6
State Library of NSW
I agree - this painting has such a wonderful feel - and thanks for the pointers on the location.
John Carson Essex UK.
Please dear friend, accept my compliments for this wonderful photo I would be honoured if you would join my group and here is my personal admin invitation in this selected group: Tallships ★★★★ counts as your first award. ★★★★ → Click the blue Admin button to accept this invitation ←
Or Left click on photo to take you there
Awarding is Encouraged Post 1 Award at least 1
Get Three awards Post in Hall of Fame
If you have any more tall ship photos
please add them
►Tallship Invite by the Admin John ◄
John Carson Essex UK.
Wow Brilliantly captured Photo and Wishing you a wonderful Sunny Day and stay safe and well from this Coronavirus pandemic
Seen and admired in Tall ships
Awarding is Encouraged Post 1 Award at least 1
Get Three awards Post in New Hall of Fame
► Tallship award by the Admin John ◄