Black and white photographs of the crew and Westinghouse family members of “Southern Cross” in Victoria BC in 1940. The backs have been stamped with the date that they were printed September 11, 1940.
The photos are labeled by Agnes Westinghouse on the back as Victoria 1940. Information provided by the donor includes a newspaper blurb that the yacht “may be seen again in BC waters if a proposed northern development scheme is given government approval. Southern Cross…made a wartime visit to Vancouver in 1940”.
Southern Cross was a Swedish yacht owned by Axel Wenner-Gren, and was one of the fifth or sixth largest private motor yacht in the world at the time. She was previously owned by Howard Hughes and was built in 1930 for Lord Inchcape who died in 1932. The figurehead was made in the likeness of Lord Inchcape's daughter, Elsie Mackay, who disappeared whilst attempting to fly the Atlantic in 1928.

Photo of the bow of “Southern Cross” docked, primarily the figurehead and ornamentation. The figurehead was made in the likeness of Lord Inchcape's daughter, Elsie Mackay, who disappeared whilst attempting to fly the Atlantic in 1928.

Photo of the first mate, Wilson on the bow the Southern Cross. He is standing with arms cross and foot resting on wire on the bow of the ship by the figure head. the bottom of the figure head and the ornamentation is visible.

Photo of 7 people on the dock, the women are aware photo is being taken, all men except one were turned away from the photographer. The back has all the names of the people in the photo. Some are illegible, including the Captain’s name, and there is a note for engineer and Wilson. Included in the picture is Violet and Tom Westinghouse. The siblings of Agnes (Westinghouse) Simpson, who is believed to be taking the photo.

Photo of an angled profile view of the ship leaving. There is some land visible to the right of the ship. On the back of the photo it is written that the ship is off for Nassau.

Photo of Wilson in uniform with his hand in his pocket standing in front of “Southern Cross” with people working in the background in the distance on the dock.