Landing frozen meat from Sydney in the South West India Dock, Millwall, London, on board the Catania.

Landing frozen meat from Sydney in the South West India Dock, Millwall, London, on board the Catania. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: 58_5575

Description: Australia and New Zealand became major meat exporters. This ship-load of frozen meat on board the 'Catania' was sent by McIlwraith, McEacharn and Co. This company was the first to import frozen meat from Australia in 1878, on board the 'Strathleven'. The 'Strathleven' trial had been inspired by the voyage of the 'Paraguay' from Buenos Aires to Marseilles in 1878. It was the first entirely successful frozen meat shipment in history.

Creator: 'The Illustrated London News'

Date: 1881