Summary

Glass negative stereograph showing the British Cruiser, Juno, docked at Port Melbourne. It is part of the G. H. Myers Collection which consists of 73 photographs taken by Godfrey Henry Myers, an electrician and amateur photographer, in Melbourne during May 1901. 72 of these photographs depict preparations for the celebrations that surrounded Federation; all but one are glass stereographs. This collection represents Myers' one venture into commercial photography. It is significant for its images of the crowds, which do not feature so prominently in commercial photographs. The remaining photograph is a family portrait.

The opening of the Australian Parliament on May 9 1901 was an occasion for great celebrations in Melbourne. Ten days of festivities (from 6-16 May) were planned to mark the Federation of the new nation and honour the Royal visitors, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The city was transformed with decorations - flags, bunting, colourful lights and festive arches - and a series of public events were held, including a military tattoo and several street parades. Unprecedented numbers of people arrived in Melbourne from the rest of Victoria and throughout Australia to take part in the celebrations.

Description of Content

British Cruiser 'Juno', Port Melbourne City Pier, Federation Celebrations, Melbourne, May 1901. Launched in 1895, commissioned in 1899, the cruiser Juno was 350' long, 54' in breadth and had a draught of 21'. It carried five 6'' guns, nine 12 pounders plus other smaller guns. The hull was painted black, the masts and funnels yellow. It had two funnels for its coal fired steam engines and with its twin-screw propellers the iron plated warship achieved 20 knots. Masts from sailing days were retained for elevated machine gun platforms, for searchlights and for wireless telegraphy. At the stern is a separate viewing platform, presumedly for the Captain H.P. Routh, or for the officers. Along with the warship St George it escorted the Royal yacht Ophir on its voyage to Australia. This photograph was taken on a day that the Juno was an open for public access. One man is wearing a formal dress shirt under his waist coat, many are wearing rosettes in their lapels.

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