1-157-844 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Unloading frozen meat from Australia, South West India Dock, Millwall, London, 1881. Interior of the hold of the 'Catania', which sailed on 28 August from Sydney with nearly 120 tons of meat. The hold was fitted with Haslam's refrigeration machinery. The cargo was sent by McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co who shortly before had sent first historic consignment in the 'Strathleven'. Refrigeration offered Australia great opportunities to develop meat exports. Prior to this, the majority of carcasses were rendered down and exported as by-products such as tallow.