Watch, Fob, Sinking of 'Marquette'; Unknown maker; 1900-1915; RI.W2002.1768
Watch, Fob, Sinking of 'Marquette'
About this object
This watch was owned by Nurse Annie Johanna McKay who was aboard the troop transport ship 'Marquette' when it sunk in the First World War, torpedoed by a German submarine in late October of 1915.
The hands of the timepiece stopped when she entered the water at 9:07am, but she survived after treading water and waiting for hours on a raft. A total of 10 New Zealand nurses were killed in this tragic event, along with 22 New Zealand men and 135 others.
The sinking of the 'Marquette' was a wound felt by the entirety of New Zealand, especially so soon after Gallipoli, and coupled with the fact that the loss of the medical staff could have been avoided. Had they travelled on the empty British hospital ship, the 'Grantully Castle', that left port the same day, they would likely have never been targeted by the submarine.
More information about the sinking of the 'Marquette' and a short video can be found here, on the New Zealand History website.
Manufacturer
Date Made1900-1915
Period1900s
Place Made Medium and Materials
inorganic, processed material, metal, alloy, gold alloy, 18 karat gold
inorganic, processed material, glass
inorganic, processed material, metal, alloy, copper alloy, brass
Gold mark '18K' on the watch crown
Measurementsh 65 mm x w 45 mm x d 10 mm
Subject and Association KeywordsDisasters (including floods and fires)
Subject and Association Keywords Subject and Association Keywords Subject and Association Keywords Object Type Object numberRI.W2002.1768
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