Sailors disembarking from HMAS Australia before the ship was scuttled

This image depicts sailors and officers on the deck of the former HMAS AUSTRALIA I before its scuttling on 12 April 1924, some 24 miles from inner South Head of Sydney.
An article in 'The Sydney Morning Herald' explains the scene:
'Blue jackets in two boats from the BRISBANE went alongside the AUSTRALIA, to bring back the officers and the men who were on board the old flagship, thus making the final preparations for her burial beneath the sea.'
[‘The Last Scenes’, The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 14 April 1924, p 10]
This photo is part of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Samuel J. Hood Studio collection. Sam Hood (1872-1953) was a Sydney photographer with a passion for ships. His 60-year career spanned the romantic age of sail and two world wars. The photos in the collection were taken mainly in Sydney and Newcastle during the first half of the 20th century.
The ANMM undertakes research and accepts public comments that enhance the information we hold about images in our collection. This record has been updated accordingly.
Photographer: Samuel J. Hood Studio Collection

Object no. 00034980