Historical information
Barque Metropolis was possibly that of the 1887 4 masted barque built by R & J Evans, Liverpool. Officers of the Barque Metropolis are also joined by crew of the Penryhn Castle in port at the time. The ladies on the far right of the funeral party may be relatives but more likely to be representatives from the Mission to Seamen offering sympathy to fellow crew members and honouring the burial of the apprentice, Ray Rattley name also reported in the LHLG newsletter as Rutley. The Apprentice was ill after arriving from S. America in August 1914 and was taken to a local hospital but died the following day. The Mission chaplain attended him.
Significance
The image of the burial is significant in the depiction of a multi-cultural crew and the presence of local women representing and symbolising the concern and sympathy felt for the apprentice's family and the plight of young seafarers far from home ports. The inscription with identifying names provides a valuable chronological link with seafarers and clergy attending the burial and funeral.
Physical description
Black and white photographic print adhered to mount board with handwritten inscription identifying some of the people depicted photographed while attending an internment and funeral service.
Inscriptions & markings
Inscriptions in black ink along the lower edge of the mount beneath Photograph: Left to right
names of crew and chaplain see image.at Lwr left printed in cursive : 'The Swiss Studios' and at right corner: "Melbourne" on reverse: in Pencil handwritten cursive " To Rev A G Goldsmith / from Capt P Jones / Barque Metropolis "
Subjects
References
- The Metropolis in an unidentified port [ prg 1373/13/61] Brief description of specifications of the four masted Metropolis built 1887
- Jottings from our Log (LHLG newsletter) no 36, Michaelmas 1914 Report of the fate of young apprentice arriving on the Barque metropolis from South America who had fallen ill and died the following day after being hospitalised.