Captain S. Robinson of the 'Empress of Asia' (1913)

A full-length portrait of Captain Samuel Robinson (1870-1958), master of the passenger liner 'Empress of Asia' (1913). Robinson is shown in uniform, standing outside his quarters on the starboard side of the Officers' House; he is holding a pair of binoculars in his right hand.

Captain Robinson was master of the 'Empress of Asia' between June and December 1913. This photograph was probably taken shortly before her departure from Liverpool on 14 June 1913. The maiden voyage was a round the world cruise ending at Vancouver.

Captain Robinson is well remembered for having been in command of the passenger liner 'Empress of Australia' (1914) when she was caught in the earthquake at Yokohama on 1 September 1923. He was awarded the CBE, the silver medal of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, the Lloyd's Medal for Meritorious Service, and the Japanese Red Ribbon Medal for his gallant work in saving the ship and helping with relief work.

He had been in the service of the Canadian Pacific Railway Co for 37 years when he retired in 1932.

Object Details

ID: G10732
Collection: Historic Photographs
Type: Glass plate negative
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Bedford Lemere & Co
Vessels: Empress of Asia (1913)
Date made: 1913
People: Captain Samuel Robinson; Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 305 mm x 254 mm