Summary

Part of a collection of magic lantern slides relating to British naval history originating from the St John's Home for Boys. These slides were produced in Melbourne after the First World War with images from books and other sources. They are believed to have been used to illustrate lectures to the children in St John's Homes. Several of the slides are marked with the name 'Boreham'. This may indicate a link to Reverend Frank William Boreham (1871-1959), a noted Baptist writer and preacher who used lantern slides to illustrate talks in Melbourne and Tasmania however St John's was an Anglican institution.

Established as St John's Home for Boys in 1923, the home was located in Balwyn Road, Canterbury at 'Shrublands', a mansion formerly the property of investor & businessman John Hindson (1839-1919). His widow Alice Hindson (nee Henty) donated 'Shrublands' to the Anglican Church as a memorial to her husband and William, her late son, to be used as a home for "needy and destitute' boys on the condition it was named 'St John's'. It was officially opened on 22 November 1924 after extensive renovations to accomodate 30-40 boys, also paid for by Alice Hindson. There was a physical link with British naval history as Dame Nellie Melba donated a chapel lantern to St John's Home supposed to be one of those used by Admiral Lord Nelson in the cabin of his flagship HMS Victory. She also donated a cabin bell and wooden spars from HMS Victory. The latter were turned into candle holders.

Description of Content

The US Navy battleship USS Tennessee was commissioned in 1920. This image shows the ship on her speed trial which took place in Long Island Sound in October 1920. In 1922 Tennessee joined the US Pacific Fleet ans was still serving there in December 1941 when she was damaged during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. After extensive repair and modification, Tennessee took part in many landing actions during the Pacific War mostly providing gunfire support with her 12 14-inch gun main armament. A kamikaze pilot hit the Tennessee off Okinawa in April 1945. After the war, Tennessee was kept in reserve but was scrapped in 1959-60.

Physical Description

Standard format black and white Lantern Slide with black binding tape.

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