This image from a glass plate negative, produced between 1902 and 1917, shows Mosman Bay and Curraghbeena Point near Mosman on the north shore of Sydney Harbour. The image is taken from Cremorne Point looking east to Curraghbeena Point. On the left is the roof of a large house which was known as Laurels Guesthouse after World War II. In the immediate foreground is a public path which runs from near the Mosman wharf to near the Cremorne Point ferry wharf.
The steam ferry 'Koree' is heading from Old Cremorne wharf (obscured) towards Musgrave Street wharf on Curraghbeena Point. Fenced footpaths zig zag up from the wharf to streets in the suburb of Mosman. The 'Koree' ferry commenced service in 1902, a double-ended steamer 141 feet (43 metres) in length she could carry 1080 passengers. The ferry was retired and broken up in 1934. To the right of the ferry is a small wooden trading ketch. It has reduced sail and is ghosting (sailing gently in light wind), probably towards the ferry wharf. The ketch seems to have a crew of one and is carrying a load of timber logs, probably firewood.
To the right of Musgrave Street wharf is a smaller wharf which was the original one. Large and expensive houses dominate the point. At the far right is Bradley's Head. In Athol Bight to the right are two moored cargo ships. One is a steamer, probably owned by Ellerman's City Line, and the other is a three-masted barque.
Graeme Andrews OAM, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences volunteer under the supervision of Margaret Simpson, Curator, August 2015.
This photographic negative was published by the Sydney firm Charles Kerry & Co. and is part of the Powerhouse Museum's Tyrrell collection which contains over 2,900 glass plate negatives by Kerry & Co. Although a few appear to be from the 1880s most were produced between 1892 and 1917. Over this period, and well into the early 1900s, prints from these negatives appeared in many Australian publications and albums of views. In 1903 the company began producing postcards from these negatives, further establishing the images as some of the most significant and best known early views of New South Wales.
Some of the more significant themes covered by the collection include; views of New South Wales, Queensland, country towns, Sydney, Indigenous Australians, the South Pacific, rural life, native flora and fauna, and sentimental views. In addition a number of significant events from the 1900s are covered by the collection including; embarkation of troops for the Boer War, Hordens fire, the Inauguration of the Commonwealth in 1901, the arrival of the Great White Fleet and the Burns verses Johnson boxing match at Rushcutters Bay in 1908.
Geoff Barker, Curatorial, January, 2009
Newton, Gael, Shades of Light; Photography and Australia 1839 - 1988, Australian National Gallery, Canberra, 1988
David, Millar, Charles Kerry's Federation Australia, Sydney, David Ell Press, 1981
Tyrell, James, Australian Aboriginal and South Sea Islands Implements, Weapons and Curios, James Tyrell, Sydney, 1929