In this week’s throwback journey, let’s explore maritime life seen in the past, led by dazzling lights of an Australian cruiser in 1914 and more offered in the photographic archives from The Commons.

While escorting the first convoy of ANZAC troops bound for Europe on 9 November 1914 the Royal Australian Navy light cruiser HMAS Sydney engaged the infamous German commerce raider SMS Emden. The two light cruisers fought a 90 minute battle. The Emden’s guns had more range and fired first, but Sydney’s more powerful main guns pounded the Emden until it was disabled and beached on North Keeling Island. The Royal Australian Navy’s first great test of war ended in a comprehensive victory.

Quatsino Indian family in canoe
Photographer/Studio: Leeson, Ben W.
Content: Note on copy negative envelope, ‘Korpreno Tom or Sealing Tom showing young Indian son how to throw a double pronged sealing spear.’
Topic: Kwakiutl Indians
Location: British Columbia – Quatsino

The icebreaking steamer ‘Baikal’ was built at Walker in Newcastle, in 1896.

Photograph of birds on antenna supports for LORAN tower on Sand-Johnston Island, 1963.

Rough sea, Bognor, England [between ca. 1890 and ca. 1900].

Crew member taking a movie of ice berg from the ship, Greenland, 1939.
Photograph was taken during Bob Bartlett’s expeditions to the Arctic.

The Thames at Gravesend
Maker: F.C. Gould & Son
Date: 9 October 1902

Convair, XF2Y, Sea Dart
Built in 1953, this prototype created for the U.S. Navy never went into production. According to Wikipedia, it’s the only seaplane capable of going beyond the speed of sound.

To join this series, tweet @flickr with your favorite photos, and include the hashtag #ThrowbackThursday. And if you’d rather not tweet, simply include the same hashtag in your Flickr photo title, or tag it with ThrowbackThursday. We can’t wait to see what time period and subjects show up next in pictures. From old scans to new photos of throwback memories, we like them all. In the meantime, you can also find inspiration in The Commons on Flickr.

Last Thursday: Throwback Thursday: War