Although born in Australia, Rob comes from a Scottish family with strong connections to the sea and ships. He has followed the family pursuit of research & maritime studies since 1963 and is responsible for a significant Australian archive of maritime history centred on the ships and services of both the P & O and Orient Line companies.
With an enviable 170-year history in passenger shipping, P&O was a pioneer in the early part of the 19th century gaining contracts for the carriage of the Royal Mails, first to the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean ports, then extending East of Suez to India, the East and Austra
lia by steamships. In 1889 the Orient Line introduced regular cruise schedules from British and European ports which laid the foundation of the modern cruise industry.
P&O's pre-eminent historical role in shipping regularly makes it the first source of maritime enquiries from institutions, press and the public, not just for P&O but also Cunard and many other British shipping lines. This resulted in P&O/Carnival Australia recalling Rob from retirement in 1995 to assume the role of Historian and also to give regular presentations on cruises from Australasia which will be continued on selected cruises in 2010. In addition he gave a successful series of lectures on P&O UK's Ventura from Southampton in May 2009, which is likely to be repeated.
In addition, he is well known for regular articles he writes on shipping history and is recognized through his work at as a significant source of information.
In his presentations, Rob makes full use of the archive which is a rare collection of thousands of images covering every aspect of shipping from posters, books, brochures and photographs, most of which is only ever seen in his lectures.
Have you ever searched the internet and googled in frustration while trying to find information on a P&O or Orient Line sailing to and from Britain and Australia, or sought the dates and itineraries for the cruises of yesteryear? Then why not ask Rob if he can help? You'll be surprised at the detail he can provide or alternatively advise where the information can be sought.
