Troop Ship Collection

BIRKENHEAD SINKS
The sinking of the Birkenhead troopship

Birkenhead Wrecked B+W
Laden with soldiers, the troopship strikes a rock off Simons Bay, South Africa : 184 are saved by the boats, 454 lives are lost

The evacuation of the troopship SS Tyndareus, 6 February 1917 (oil on board)
5929455 The evacuation of the troopship SS Tyndareus, 6 February 1917 (oil on board) by Wood, Stanley L. (1866-1928); National Army Museum

Transport arriving in French Harbour', 1914 (lantern slide)
5925388 Transport arriving in French Harbour', 1914 (lantern slide) by Newton & Co. (1858-1953); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Transport arriving in French Harbour', 1914)

American Soldiers leaving Fort Slocum, New York, 1917 (b / w photo)
4072618 American Soldiers leaving Fort Slocum, New York, 1917 (b/w photo) by Bain, George Grantham - Bain News Service (1865-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: American soldiers on a boat)

Life on Board a Troop-Ship (engraving)
1105452 Life on Board a Troop-Ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Life on Board a Troop-Ship)

Life on Board a Troop-Ship (engraving)
1589979 Life on Board a Troop-Ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Life on Board a Troop-Ship)

Life on board a Troopship: a favourite occupation, 1899 (w / c en grisaille)
5920719 Life on board a Troopship: a favourite occupation, 1899 (w/c en grisaille) by Paget, Henry Marriott (1856-1936); National Army Museum

The Ashantee War, transhipping Stores from a Troop Ship to Surf Boats off Cape Coast Castle (engraving)
1049153 The Ashantee War, transhipping Stores from a Troop Ship to Surf Boats off Cape Coast Castle (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Ashantee War)

Life on Board a Troop-Ship, Early Morning Coffee in the Saloon (engraving)
1055203 Life on Board a Troop-Ship, Early Morning Coffee in the Saloon (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Life on Board a Troop-Ship)

South Africa and the Kaffir War (engraving)
1589983 South Africa and the Kaffir War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: South Africa and the Kaffir War)

The Reinforcements for Canada, Dinner-Time and serving out the Grog on Board a Troop-Ship at Woolwich (engraving)
1620105 The Reinforcements for Canada, Dinner-Time and serving out the Grog on Board a Troop-Ship at Woolwich (engraving) by English School

HM Troopship Euphrates arriving in Spithead from Bombay, 5th Dec, 1879
5925054 HM Troopship A EuphratesA arriving in Spithead from Bombay, 5th Dec, 1879, bringing home the 3rd (East Kent, The Buffs) Regiment of Foot (oil on canvas) by Robins

Embarkation of Troops, from Scenes of life in an Infantry Regiment
5926898 A Embarkation of TroopsA, from A Scenes of life in an Infantry RegimentA, 1850 circa (w/c) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); National Army Museum

Life on board a Troop-Ship (engraving)
1621076 Life on board a Troop-Ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Life on board a Troop-Ship)

The Serapis, New Troop-Ship for the Indian Service (engraving)
1611165 The Serapis, New Troop-Ship for the Indian Service (engraving) by Weedon, Edwin (1819-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Serapis, New Troop-Ship for the Indian Service)

The Reinforcements for the Transvaal, Notes on Board a Troop-Ship (engraving)
1037612 The Reinforcements for the Transvaal, Notes on Board a Troop-Ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Reinforcements for the Transvaal)

Homeward Bound from China, Notes on a Troop-Ship (engraving)
1045645 Homeward Bound from China, Notes on a Troop-Ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Homeward Bound from China, Notes on a Troop-Ship)

Eastwood Ho! Engraving by William Luson Thomas after the 1857 painting by Henry Nelson O Neil. The picture shows soldiers on a British troopship saying farewell to family

HMT SOMALI
H.M.T. Somali, troopship employed by the British government to carry troops to China and elsewhere. The ship was at Gallipoli in World War One

Leaving Liverpool
May 1919: Canadian troops leave Liverpool Docks aboard the Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Britain. (Photo by A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

To War
December 1914: Australians soldiers embarking at Melbourne to fight in WW I. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Metal Ship
The forbidding stern of the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth towers above the dry dock in Southampton, the worlds largest liner in the worlds largest dry dock

To War
December 1914: Australians soldiers embarking at Melbourne to fight in WW I. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

RMS Mauretania in war camouflage
RMS Mauretania in dazzle camouflage during World War I. The ship was painted with this camouflage while serving as a troop ship

Steamship Samaria
Passenger liner of the Cunard White Star line, employed as a troopship in World War One. Date: circa 1915

President Wilson arriving at Dover on SS Brighton
The American President, Thomas Woodrow Wilson, arriving at Dover on the SS Brighton, probably after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles following the First World War

Coaling operation WWI
Arabs in Port Said coaling the troopship Caledonia, which was carrying Wessex troops to India during World War I

German troops at Oesel Island
German troops, wearing lifebelts, in a small boat having disembarked from the larger troopship alongside, prepare to make an amphibious landing on Oesel Island (Saaremaa)

Fencing on board a Troopship, 1876
Engraving of soldiers fencing on board a troopship, perhaps the Himalaya - judging by lifebelt in the background. When troops were ordered to distant wars or postings

Deck Quoits on board a Troopship, 1876
Engraving of some soldiers playing deck quoits on board a troopship. When troops were ordered to distant wars or postings

Boxing on board a Troopship, 1876
Engraving of soldiers boxing on board a troopship. When troops were ordered to distant wars or postings, the long journeys under canvas meant plenty of time to spend on deck sports and pastimes

Cock Fighting on board a Troopship, 1876
Engraving of soldiers cock fighting on board a troopship. When troops were ordered to distant wars or postings, the long journeys under canvas meant plenty of time to spend on deck sports and pastimes

Indian Troopship Sunk
East Africa : a ship bringing Indian reinforcement troops to support the Allied campaign against the Italians is destroyed by the Italian navy in the Red Sea

Ww1 Troopship in Med
A ship transporting the " Old Contemptibles", the name adopted by British troops of the regular army, meets a man- of-war in the Mediterranean Sea

Christmas in India
A childrens party on board a troopship returning from India to Britain

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"Troop Ship: A Glimpse into the Lives of Soldiers" The haunting image of the Birkenhead sinking, captured in black and white, serves as a reminder of the perils faced by those aboard troop ships. The wrecked vessel stands as a testament to the sacrifices made during times of conflict. In contrast, an oil painting depicts the evacuation of SS Tyndareus in 1917, showcasing the bravery and resilience exhibited by soldiers amidst chaos. Similarly, a monochrome photograph captures American soldiers leaving Fort Slocum in New York, their determined expressions reflecting their commitment to duty. The colorful depiction of HM Steamship Birkenhead's wreckage offers a vivid portrayal of destruction at sea. Meanwhile, engravings provide glimpses into life on board these vessels - from favorite pastimes to morning coffee rituals - revealing both camaraderie and monotony experienced by troops during long voyages. An engraving depicting transhipping stores during The Ashantee War showcases logistical challenges faced while resupplying troops via surf boats off Cape Coast Castle. Another engraving portrays dinner-time on board a troop-ship at Woolwich during reinforcements for Canada; it highlights moments when soldiers found solace through shared meals and grog distribution. These historical artifacts shed light on various conflicts such as South Africa's Kaffir War, offering insights into how troop ships played crucial roles in transporting forces across vast distances. Through these diverse hints capturing different aspects experiences over time, we gain appreciation for the courage displayed by those who served onboard these vessels and glimpse into their lives amidst war's tumultuous backdrop.