PRESENTED is an original chromolithograph tin advertising picture of the S.S. CAMERONIA, the first ship of this name, as she appeared in 1915. Tin advertising was a popular method that companies used to promote their goods and services in the last quarter of the 19th Century and the first quarter of the 20th Century. They are highly sought after as collectables today.

 

This very large, 37 1/2" L x 25" H example is formed with an integral frame of imitation wood grain and scrollwork surrounding the portrait of the CAMERONIA as she steams in gentle seas. Her approach to New York City is evidenced by the American flag flying from her foremast.

 

The painting was made from a picture of the ship that was used by the Anchor Line in its pamphlets and schedules and its shown below.

 

The following is hard to see in the pictures and is imprinted on the frame, top and bottom, in this order:

After section of ship

Forward section of CAMEDONIA

CONDITION: The overall condition of this rare sign is good with some loss of color in the upper left sky and the lower water. There are very light rust speckles on the surface with a concentration at the lower left corner as seen in the photographs and on the left vertical of the frame. The are a few minor scratches on the frame and a loss 1 1/4" x 1/4" of the membrane which shows light blue on the upper left 11 o'clock position, and elsewhere, and white on the frames right edge. When viewed from a few feet away these become almost unnoticeable.  

The chromolithograph accurately depicts the real ship below which is a photograph that was used by the Anchor Line in many of its publications.

BRIEF HISTORY OF CAMERONIA: The first ship of this name was launched on 27 May 1911, the Cameronia embarked on its maiden voyage for the Anchor Line on 13 September of that year.  Her assigned route was Glasgow - Mowville - New York.  In 1915, the Cameronia was employed in a joint Anchor-Cunard service on the Glasgow - Liverpool - New York route which she began that February.  That June the ship managed to outpace a submarine west of the Skerries, Anglesey.

Both the Cunard Line official site and Arnold Kludas state that the Cameronia was not requisitioned for troop transport until January 1917.  If that is the case, then what was being done to the Cameronia on 1 May 1915 that led to the deaths of thirty-some people on board the Lusitania?  Contemporary accounts suggested that the Cameronia was on her way to Halifax, Canada to carry supplies and Canadian troops.
 
The Cameronia's first trooping voyages were from Davenport to the Mediterranean.  Her base was subsequently relocated to Marseilles, France.  On 15 April 1917 the Cameronia was torpedoed by the German submarine U-33 enroute from Marseilles to Alexandria, Egypt while carrying 2650 troops and 150 nautical miles from Malta.  The Cameronia sank in 40 minutes, resulting in 210 deaths.  Some of the survivors were picked up by the escorting destroyer, HMS Rifleman. As the U-boat was in the area, the remaining survivors had to be picked up the next morning by a sloop from Malta.

OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original condition and packaging. Returns must be insured for their full value. All that is required is a prior email authorization by us for the return. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling unless we are at fault.

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