walshbay

Tried to write this on the blog but was rejected three times. The State Library NSW has several prints of this image - one of them is dated "Approx.1917" - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=190057# . And . . . there is another 'half' to this photo (also dated "c.1917") showing the stern of the 'Star', the west side of the new wharf, and an unidentified liner - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=190056# I wonder if State Records have this other photo in their collection in a better condition and resolution, so that the liner's name can be read. I have a hunch that this ship could be the RMS Niagara ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Niagara ) which was an early visitor to the new wharf in July 1913 ( trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15439011 ). Just a hunch!

beachcomber australia I think it might be the number of links in your comment, you wouldn't be rejected for anything else :D I'll try and put your comment over on the blog. Very interesting note about the other 'half' of this photo - we'll dig around and see if we can find something... AB

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection Ha! Too many links spoil the blog! Thanks for posting that for me. Trying to find a comparison stern view of the Niagara . . .

I am fairly sure the ship in the companion photo is the 'Niagara' when the stern is compared with this photo at full zoom - goo.gl/IX1b . The ship, at the time named "The Titanic of the Pacific" and on her maiden voyage, had enough history for a couple of movies. It makes sense that a Maritime Services Board (Sydney Harbour Trust?) photographer would take a photo of the new wharf with a new large ship alongside. So imho the July 1913 date is accurate. And the 'Star' is not really the star of this show!

I am fairly sure the ship in the companion photo is the ‘Niagara’ when the stern is compared with this photo at full zoom – www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?BU=htt... . The ship, at the time named “The Titanic of the Pacific” and on her maiden voyage, had enough history for a couple of movies. It makes sense that a Maritime Services Board (Sydney Harbour Trust?) photographer would take a photo of the new wharf with a new large ship alongside. So imho the July 1913 date is accurate. And the ‘Star’ is not really the star of this show! [repost - Flickr did not like the Google shortened link]

The J.M.S. 'Aki Maru' was at No.7 Wharf, Walsh Bay from 8-25 December 1919. Arrival - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15868280 Passengers inbound - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15864704 Departure (6am, 25/12/1919) and passenger list - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15881274 Trove makes it too easy, assuming it is 1919. The 'Aki Maru' was a regular visitor at the time.

Wait up! I thought 16 days rather long to turn around in Sydney. The 'Aki Maru' went on to Melbourne on 11/12/1919 and returned to Sydney on 16/12/1919.

See also www.photosau.com.au/cos/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=...

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection Umm ... its not Darling Harbour. This stretch of Hickson Road is in Walsh Bay. The raised roadway in the foreground extends from near the bottom of Ferry Lane. It now leads to the InterPark Bond Store One Car Park.

pellethepoet Yes, not Darling Harbour, but 3 March 1949 (a Thursday) looks about right from the vehicles. I am wondering if the object of interest is the wooden truss bridge, later replaced by a metal one?

This is obviously Walsh Bay which is not really Darling Harbour by any reasonable stretch of the definition. Its the current location of the entrance of the Wharf Theatre.

Thanks everyone, caption amended to Walsh Bay!