SS Empress of Australia Canadian Pacific 1936 silver ships wheel badge

A scarce original fine quality 'S.S.Empress of Australia ship's wheel brooch', mounted to the centre a highly enamelled maple leaf representing the Canadian voyages this Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd' shipping line company ship undertook; the reverse bearing Birmingham silver hallmarks for 1936 and maker's details "R.Bros" (Randle Brothers). Very good condition, retaining original pin fittings, no damage to the enamel.
Diameter 31mm.

The 'S.S.Empress of Australia' of the Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd' started life as the 'Admiral Von Tirpitz' for the Hamburg America Line, she was launched in 1913 and renamed 'TirpitzI' in 1914. Work on her ceased with the outbreak of war and in 1920 she was then completed and sold to Canadian Pacific in 1921 and renamed 'Empress of China' and again In 1922 'S.S.Empress of Australia'. Her last Quebec to Southampton crossing started on 2nd Sep.1939 and she was then engaged as a troopship until 1952 after which she was sold for scrap.