The Shenandoah Ball

[PeterT]

While the ship was undergoing repairs, Officers of the CSS Shenandoah attended a ball in their honour in the gold rush town of Ballarat (nowadays an hour and half drive from Melbourne). The ball was held at Craig's Hotel (now Craig's Royal Hotel as a result of royal patronage). I had to go to Ballarat recently and I made a detour to capture some current day photos of the hotel and the room the ball was held.

This is a drawing of the ball from the State Library of Victoria collection, together with a colourised version of same. Note the Confederate flag, the Union Jack and the French flag. Australia was not a country then but a British colony.

 

[PeterT]

This the honour roll of guests that have stayed at Craig's Hotel. Captain Waddell has pride of place at the top.

 

[Bee]

Now there's a name that I remember well from studying the Boer War: General Lord Horatio Kitchener! He was definitely a forward military thinker -- too forward for his time (he is sort of the godfather of the modern Concentration Camp).

 

[PeterT]

This is the photo of the actual room where the ball was held. I was only allowed in at the entrance due to the renovations underway. The scaffolding (and the guy at the top) prevented the shot I was after but never mind..

These are other rooms that would have been used for the function according to the staff member who showed me around.

 

[PeterT]

And some shots of Craig's Royal Hotel from the outside.

 

[JohnW.]

Thanks for sharing this @PeterT . Very interesting and it looks pretty swanky. Definitely befitting an illustrious crew from an illustrious ship.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Thanks for sharing this @PeterT . Very interesting and it looks pretty swanky. Definitely befitting an illustrious crew from an illustrious ship.

Agreed, JohnW. The photos are most impressive and it's incredible how well kept the hotel is in its original state. Thanks for sharing PeterT

 

[donna]

Thanks for story and photos. It is a beautiful hotel.

 

[MaryDee]

Wonderful, @PeterT! I was particularly entranced by the moldings (mouldings to you)! Also the list of celebrities with Capt. Waddell at the top! thank you for the photos!

 

[Kip124thNY]

Thank you for sharing the photos and stories.

 

[PeterT]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I will be up that way again in the next few months. I might try and get another look at the inside after the restoration work has been completed.