Showing 80 items
matching harbour dredging
-
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Portland Harbour, n.d
... funnel over area to be concreted. Dredge and harbour... area to be concreted. Dredge and harbour in background. Lee ...Port of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, lee breakwater -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph, n.d
... ; dredge in harbour; KS Anderson.... area under construction: Part of Ocean Pier; dredge in harbour ...Port of Portland Authority ArchivesBack: Dec 1961 --- pencilport of portland archives, portland harbour, construction, ocean pier, dredging -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Historical, maritime, 1900s to 1930s
... 1919 to remove the heavy silting in the Harbour. Both dredges.... The dredge belonged to the Ports and Harbours department in Melbourne ...This photograph shows the steam dredge Pioneer working to remove silt in Lady Bay, Port of Warrnambool. The dredge belonged to the Ports and Harbours department in Melbourne. Also in the photograph are two moored vessels, and the Warrnambool Lifeboat shed and Rocket house built on the Warrnambool Breakwater. The Warrnambool Harbour had been experiencing heavy silting and sanding for many years. The problem continued even after the construction of the Breakwater in 1890. The Ports and Harbours' new, larger suction hopper dredge, the Matthew Flinders, was also employed in May 1919 to remove the heavy silting in the Harbour. Both dredges were sent up from Melbourne when required over the years to periodically attend to the silting. The Matthew Flinders was still dredging the Harbour even in the 1930s. (The ship’s original master was J G Rosney. In February 1922 Percy Taylor from Ports and Harbours joined the Matthew Flinders as a Mate. 1923 the master in charge was Captain Dunbar. In August 1926 Percy Taylor was appointed as her Master and was later transferred to the Pioneer as Master in 1933.) 1930 the dredges were no longer required as the Harbour was no longer suitable as a port. However, one source notes that the Matthew Flinders was still dredging the Harbour in 1938.This photograph is significant for its association with the Port of Warrnambool, the Warrnambool Breakwater, and the issue of the silting in Lady Bay. The photograph is significant historically as it shows a point in time when efforts were employed to keep the Port of Warrnambool functioning, allowing shipping activities to continue operating. The need for dredging in the Warrnambool Harbour was a serious and ongoing problem, as silting continued to happen after a series of measures were taken to try and resolve the issue. Eventually, the Harbour could no longer function successfully as a port.Photograph, black and white, showing two similar images and printed together. Images of Lady Bay, Warrnambool, the dredge 'Pioneer' on the left, ships and the Warrnambool Lifeboat and Rocket House on the right, beside the Breakwater. Ca. 1900 to 1930."BL016"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, dredge, mathew flinders i, warrnambool harbour, lady bay, sanding, silting, breakwater, captain dunbar, ports & harbours, marine technology, percy taylor, matthew flinders, pioneer, dredge pioneer, lifeboat house, rocket house -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Plaque - Nameplate, Morts Dock & Engineering Co. Ltd, Matthew Flinders I, 1917
... to dredge the heavy silting in the Warrnambool Harbour in May 1919... to dredge the heavy silting in the Warrnambool Harbour in May 1919 ...This nameplate was attached to the steel steamer Matthew Flinders I, a Suction Hopper Dredge used for pumping up sit and sanding from seabeds. It was donated by the Marine Engineer, Neville Dodds, from Ports and Harbours, from the Matthew Flinders I. The Matthew Flinders was constructed by Morts Dock & Engineering Coy. Ltd in Sydney, New South Wales. Identified as Ship No. 40, the dredge had twin screw engines that were made in Sydney. Its gross tonnage was 1180. It was launched on July 15th, 1916, and registered in 1917 at the Port of Melbourne by the owner, the Department of Public Works in Victoria. Unlike bucket dredges, the Matthew Flinders did not use permanent moorings but instead had bow and stern anchors. It travelled forward on the bow anchor, taking up a strip of even-depth wilt from the bed below. A local newspaper noted that the Matthew Flinders has many advantages that were especially useful for its work at Warrnambool. Warrnambool Harbour had been experiencing silting and sanding for many years. The problem continued even after the construction of the Breakwater in 1890, which was overseen by New Zealand engineer Arthur Dudley Dobson. Melbourne’s Department of Ports and Harbours sent the new Matthew Flinders to dredge the heavy silting in the Warrnambool Harbour in May 1919. This work was previously done by the smaller dredge, the Pioneer. However, after a month of work, the Matthew Flinders was returned to Melbourne for alterations to make it suitable for work in the heavy seas it experienced at Warrnambool. Both dredges were sent up from Melbourne when required over the years to periodically attend to the silting in the Harbour, but the Matthew Flinders was preferred because of its efficiency. It was still dredging the Harbour even in July 1938. The ship’s original master was J G Rosney. In February 1922 Percy Taylor from Ports and Harbours joined the Matthew Flinders as a Mate. 1923 the master in charge was Captain Dunbar. In August 1926 Percy Taylor was appointed as her Master and was later transferred to the Pioneer as Master in 1933. 1930 the dredges were no longer required as the Harbour was no longer suitable as a port. However, one source notes that the Matthew Flinders was still dredging the Harbour in 1938.This nameplate is significant for its association with the suction hopper dredge Matthew Flinders I, which was used to remove the build-up of silt and sand from the Warrnambool Harbour, allowing shipping activities to continue to operate in the Port of Warrnambool. The nameplate identifies the vessel and shows that it was built in Australia in the early 20th century for use within Australia. The need for dredging in the Warrnambool Harbour was a serious and ongoing problem, as silting continued to happen after a series of measures were taken to try and resolve the issue. Eventually, the Harbour could no longer function successfully as a port.Brass nameplate, rectangular with cut-away corners and moulded text, mounted with screws on timber. The plate is from a vessel, the dredge Matthew Flinders I, ship no. 40, built by Morts Dock & Engineering Coy Ltd in Sydney, and registered in 1917. A small rectangular engraved plaque below the nameplate gives further details of the ship and the donor.On nameplate: "MORTS DOCK / & / ENGINEERING COY. LTD. / SHIP BUILDERS / SYDNEY 1917 / SHIP NO 40" On small plaque: "Donated by / NEVILLE DODDS / PORTS & HARBOURS / MARINE ENGINEER / EX "MATTHEW FLINDERS I"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, dredge, mathew flinders i, steel steam ship, twin screw engines, nsw, state of victoria, suction hopper, public works melbourne, warrnambool harbour, lady bay, sanding, silting, breakwater, morts dock & engineering co ltd, captain dunbar, ship no. 40, niville dodds, ports & harbours, marine engineer, marine technology, ship relic, percy taylor, matthew flinders, pioneer -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Biography, He heard Dickens, Disraeli, 21-Jul-44
... .; In 1905 got Concession from Siam to form the Tongkah Harbour Tin....; In 1905 got Concession from Siam to form the Tongkah Harbour Tin ...Handwritten article about Captain Edward Thomas Miles 21-Jul-1944, copied from a newspaper.This is a handwritten copy from an unnamed newspaper. Refer also to the Australian Dictionary of Biography.; 21-Jul-1944 - Newspaper.; He heard Dickens, Disraeli; Captain Edward Thomas Miles who died recently at Ringwood where he had lived in retirement for many years, was born in Hobart 1849 and gained Master Mariners Certificate at 21 and his first command two years later. Served in the China, South African and Indian Wars. Was on the China - London tea run.; Pioneered the coastal trade of Tasmania.; was warden of Hobart marine Board, Member for Glamorgan in the Tasmanian House of Assembly for 12 years and also a minister before Federation.; In 1905 got Concession from Siam to form the Tongkah Harbour Tin Dredging Company, which later won 2,000,000 pounds worth of Tin. Sons and Grandsons managed the original company until present war, and one son and three grandsons remained to become prisioners of war.; Met Cecil Rhodes when he went to the Cape with his first sample of diamonds from the Kimberley.; With all other ship's officers was called out as special policeman to quell the Fenian riots in London.; Heard on several occasions Charles Dickens reading his own works. Listened to Disraeli and Gladstone speaking in the House of Commons.; With his partners built the Zeehan to Strahan railway, Tasmania, 29 miles. Was shipwrecked 3 times.; His first memory was that of travelling with his parents to the gold diggings in Victoria by bullock cart in 1852 at the age of three years. +Additional Keywords: Miles, Captain Edward Thomas / Dickens, Charles / Disraeli / Rhodes / Gladstone -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Plan - Vessel, Public Works Department (P.W.D.), Matthew Flinders I, 8-11-1911
... was responsible for the dredging operations of coastal ports and harbours.... It was still dredging the Harbour even in July 1938. The ship’s ...These plans are line drawings by the State of Victoria for a Suction Hopper Dredge, which used a suction pump to bring up material from the bottom of a body of water. The plans are contained in a box from the Public Works Department, Ports and Harbours Division in Melbourne, which in the year 1910 was responsible for the dredging operations of coastal ports and harbours, and inland waterways. The stamped signature is that of Arthur Edward Cutler, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department of New South Wales. The steel steamer Matthew Flinders was constructed by Morts Dock & Engineering Co Ltd in Sydney, New South Wales. Identified as Ship No. 40 by the ship builders, this dredge, had twin screw engines that were made in Sydney. Its gross tonnage was 1180. It was launched on July 15th, 1916, and registered by the owner, Department of Public Works in Victoria, at the Port of Melbourne in 1917. Unlike bucket dredges, the Matthew Flinders did not use permanent moorings but instead had bow and stern anchors. It travelled forward on the bow anchor, taking up a strip of even-depth wilt from the bed below. A local newspaper noted that the Matthew Flinders has many advantages that were especially useful for its work at Warrnambool. Warrnambool Harbour had been experiencing silting and sanding for many years. The problem continued even after the construction of the Breakwater in 1890, which was overseen by New Zealand engineer Arthur Dudley Dobson. Melbourne’s Department of Ports and Harbours sent the new Matthew Flinders to dredge the heavy silting in the Warrnambool Harbour in May 1919. This work was previously done by the smaller dredge, the Pioneer. However, after a month of work, the Matthew Flinders was returned to Melbourne for alterations to make it suitable for work in the heavy seas it experienced at Warrnambool. Both dredges were sent up from Melbourne when required over the years to periodically attend to the silting in the Harbour, but the Matthew Flinders was preferred because of its efficiency. It was still dredging the Harbour even in July 1938. The ship’s original master was J G Rosney. In 1923 the master in charge was Captain Dunbar. In 1930 the dredges were no longer required as the Harbour was no longer suitable as port.These plans are significant for their close association with the suction hopper dredge, the Matthew Flinders I, which was call upon often to remove the silting of Warrnambool Harbour and allow shipping to continue in the Port of Warrnambool until 1930, when the Port of Warrnambool ceased to be suitable as a port. The work done by the Matthew Flinders is significant for its association with the Warrnambool Breakwater and the on-going issues with the silting of the Harbour. Plans with line drawings for the suction hopper dredge Matthew Flinders, rolled, in open-top wooden box. Created for the Public Works Department, Melbourne, Victoria. Stamped with signature and dated November I, 1911. Inscriptions: label on box, handwriting on box, drawings and outer layer of paper. Freighted by 1 Star, New Zealand Express Cargo.Signature stamp “A E Cutler” Date stamp “NOV 8 – 1911” Printed on one page “STATE OF VICTORIA / SUCTION HOPPER DREDGE / GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS OF MAIN ENGINE ROOM / SCALE 1/2 IN = 1 FT.” Label on box "1 [star symbol] / THE NEW ZEALA- - - / EXPRESS CAR - –“ Handwritten on base “PUBLIC WORKS / DEPARTMENT / - - LBOURNE” Handwritten in pencil on cover paper “MATTHEW Flinders”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, plan, line drawing, dredge, pioneer, steel steam ship, twin screw engines, a e cutler, arthur edward cutler, chief engineer, public works department, new south wales, nsw, 1911, state of victoria, suction hopper, main engine room, public works melbourne, warrnambool harbour, lady bay, sanding, silting, breakwater, morts dock & engineering co ltd, j g rosney, captain dunbar, ship no. 40, matthew flinders i, matthew flinders, 1 star, new zealand express cargo -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Anchor, John Trotman, 1852 to early 1900s
... , by the crew from Birdon Dredging, who had been hired to dredge..., by the crew from Birdon Dredging, who had been hired to dredge ...This Trotman’s pattern stock anchor is the southernmost anchor on display at Flagstaff Hill’s Anchor Graveyard. This large Trotman design anchor was patented in 1852 by John Trotman and was widely used on merchant ships. On April 15th 2001 around midday this anchor was raised from the seabed of Lady Bay, Warrnambool, by the crew from Birdon Dredging, who had been hired to dredge the Harbour. The spokesperson Steve Walker, who worked for the firm, said that the anchor and long chain were found after the chain became tangled in the cutter blade of the dredging equipment. The anchor was lifted from the water and onto the Breakwater then a front-end loader placed it onto a truck that then delivered it to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum & Village. Howard Nichol, Museum Manager at the time, had estimated the anchor to be up to 130 years old. The previous Museum Manager, Peter Ronald, who was also a diver, had identified the anchor as a Trotman’s type and similar to those used on some of the major wrecks in the region. According to Nicholl, Museum staff believed it was possible that the anchor is one of two used as a mooring line that had been used to catch driving vessels and prevent ships from washing aground on the sand bar. The mooring line was shown as a dotted line on the 1890 chart of Lady Bay, approved by Lieutenant Stanley of the British Admiralty. by Lieutenant Stanley [British Admiralty]. The location of the anchor corresponds to a point on that map and the length of the chain supports that theory. “The map is quite a detailed survey of the Bay and it shows two anchors with buoys on the ends with probably about 100 yards of chain stretched between them. The ships would drop anchor and was the chain as a snag because this was a treacherous bay before the Breakwater was built and this was a way to eliminate that problem, "said Nichol. The mooring chain was put in place to catch drifting vessels during wild stormy weather. It was identified. ABOUT TROTMAN’S ANCHORS- The British Admiralty wanted an anchor design that had more holding power. The Committee of 1852 on Anchors was appointed to assess and report on the qualities of various anchors including Trotman’s anchors. Trotman’s pattern anchor received the highest score. The anchor is similar to the Admiral’s design but features arms that pivot when the anchor settles and the upper fluke moves to rest against the shank. The anchor then sits lower, which in turn greatly reduces the chances of the anchor’s chain, cable or rope getting tangled. The top of the shank has a fitting that allows a quick release of the anchor’s chain if this becomes necessary. This Trotman’s anchor is significant as a part of the maritime history of the Port of Warrnambool regardless of whether it belonged to one of the 29 ships that were stranded or wrecked in Lady Bay. The anchor is connected to the many attempts to maintain Warrnambool as a safe and manageable port, including the various plans for the construction of the Breakwater.Anchor: an iron Trotman’s pattern style with a rectangular-section shank that is wider in the middle and has a base that extends on two opposite sides in a ‘fork prong’ manner. A crescent-shaped, double-ended arm is fitted into the base of the shank with a bolt, enabling it to pivot. Each arm has a fluke in the shape of an upward palm with an attached metal plate that forms a horn at the back of the palm. A long, round-section pipe is fitted to the top of the shank at 90 degrees to the arms; one side has an elbow bend parallel to the arms, and both ends have an attached metal sphere. The pivoting ring at the top of the shank can be lifted for a quick release of the chain.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, anchor, mooring, trotman, lady bay, breakwater, admiralty, ship equipment, stock anchor, john trotman, 1852 patent, 2001, birdon dredging, steve walker, howard nichol, peter ronald, british admiralty, lieutenant stanley, committee of 1852 on anchors -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph (collection) - Sinking of the Self Propelled Bucket Dredge "Geo Kermode", 31/03/1976 and 1/4/1976
b.d. "geo kermode". lino bresciani.b.d. "geo kermode". lino bresciani. -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, W'bool harbor board pages Harbour - stamp, 1928
This is a receipt book issued by the Warrnambool Harbour Board to masters of ships that took on fresh water in Warrnambool Harbour. The Port of Warrnambool was administered by various bodies since the early 1850s with Harbour Masters, Pilots, Boatmen and Customs officials appointed by the Colonial Government. In those times these officials were responsible to the Chief Harbour Master and the Ports and Harbours Department in Melbourne but over the ensuing years the Port of Warrnambool came under different colonial and State Departments and the titles of the harbour officials in Warrnambool changed accordingly. In 1928 the Warrnambool Harbour Board was formed with Captain James Menzies as the Warrnambool Harbour Master. This Board was dissolved in 1937 and Captain Menzies was transferred to Portland where he stayed until 1945. Warrnambool ceased to operate as a port in the early 1940s. This receipt is of maritime interest. The book records the names of several ships in Warrnambool from 1927 to 1937, including the ‘Casino’, ‘Chillagoe’, the dredge ‘Pioneer’, and ‘Kapera’. This is a receipt book used by the Warrnambool Harbour Board. The book has mostly the pink copy of the receipt issued but there are a couple of the original receipts still intact. The receipt book has been printed and the details on the receipts have been handwritten in ink. The cover is cardboard with brown taping and the stamp of the Warrnabool Harbour Board is on the back cover. ‘Warrnambool Harbour Board’ warrnambool harbour board, captain james menzies, maritime history of warrnambool. -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Diary, John Kennedy, John Kennedy's Ballarat School of Mines Lecture Notes, 1889
John Kennedy was born on 04 April 1862, the son of ship carpenter Robert Kennedy and his wife Florinda (Aitken), and the brother of Malcolm and Colin Kennedy. In 1860 the family migrated to Melbourne where Kennedy senior set up as a shipwright. In 1879 Malcolm and John, who trained as a naval architect, joined their father as Robert Kennedy & Sons, shipbuilders and shipsmiths. On 27 December 1883 at North Melbourne, Malcolm married Ann White with Presbyterian forms. Next year Robert Kennedy & Sons removed to Hobart where with John W. Syme and W. J. Duffy, partners until 1889, they took over the Derwent Ironworks & Engineering Co., a foundry formerly owned by the (Alexander) Clark family. The Kennedys also acquired the patent slipyard, formerly Ross's, at Battery Point. After the shipbuilding industry in Hobart began to flag John also turned to mining: he attended the Ballarat School of Mines, and reopened the Hobart smelters which had been an adjunct of the Derwent Ironworks in the 1870s. He made several voyages overseas on smelting business and as mining promoter, and was a member of the London Stock Exchange. In 1913-14 he was manager of Tongkah Compound (1910); Robert Kennedy & Sons was reputed to have contributed to the success of the Hobart-run Tongkah Harbour, Thailand, tin mines by developing a suitable dredge. The brothers also held shares in the Irrawaddy Burma Co. John was a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers and from 1932 an honorary life member of the American Institute of Mining & Metallurgical Engineers. John died in Hobart on 10 January 1937. (Ann G. Smith, 'Kennedy, John (1862–1937)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kennedy-john-7092/text11963, published first in hardcopy 1983, accessed online 24 April 2020.) A book covered in black leather with 'John Kennedy' embossed on the front in gold. The book contains notes from the time he studies at the Ballarat School of Mines. The beginning of the book has an alphabetical section where John Kennedy has created an index.Inside front cover 'John Kennedy Nena Wharf Hobart Tasmania.' john kennedy, australasian institute of mining engineers, ausimm, american institute of mining metallurgical engineers, ballarat school of mines, lecture notes, lecture notebook, antinomy, brick clay, carbon, coal, copper, chemistry, clay, chrome, electricity, fire clay, gas, gold, gold bullion, glass, gold test for, iron metallurgy, light, lead, metallurgy, mica, mineralogy, pyrites, sulphur in pyrites, sugar, slags, wolfram, preparation of pure gold, scorification, gold bullion assay, petrography, melting poinys of bodies, metric system, geology, mount morgan, queensland, rock salt, assay of tailings, classification of rocks, muffle furnace, ballarat school of mines wind furnace, assay of antinomy, recovery of silver from solutionsheat pyrometer, spectroscope, organic acids, metallurgy of iron, assat of copper, cornstock lode nevada, mount morgan queensland, scarification, elmwood, metallurgy of lead, specific gravity, copper assay, seperation of gold from other metals, test for gold, wet assay, mercury -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Rowlock, early 20th century
This row lock was fitted onto the Warrnambool Lifeboat, which is also on-site at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The construction of the lifeboat 'Warrnambool' began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by Great Britain's Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whale back decks fore and aft, mast and centre board, and rudder and tiller hung from the stern post. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was a foreman boat builder. Mr Beagley built the lifeboat with his fellow workmen. It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight with watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature was on the plaque that was found concealed in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. His signature and the dates of the start and finish of the boat's construction are penciled on the raw timber 'plaque' found in the hull in the early 1990s when the lifeboat was being restored. It is interesting that the 'Melbourne Directory' of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, It is quite possibly the business of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill's documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at 'Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne the name 'Myers' can also be spelled 'Meiers', which could be the same person as the Meiers in "McAuley and Meiers" (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named 'Warrnambool' was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built-in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, with new sea-going qualities such as greater maneuverability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was made the vessel difficult to capsize and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has plenty of free board. The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The Warrnambool lifeboat was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in the early 1900s. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be ready for action in case of an emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool lifeboat in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990, she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name 'WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The subject row lock is significant due to its association the Warrnambool Lifeboat which was an integral part of an important service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel for a half-century. One of the lifeboats many achievements was when it was used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ship Antares. Rowlock from the Warrnambool Lifeboat.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifeboat warrnambool, life boat, life saving vessel, 1910 vessel, port fairy, boat builder plaque, rescue boat, beagley, government dockyard, williamstown, v.e.e. gotch, royal lifeboat institution, captain ferguson, non-capsizeable lifeboat, self-righting lifeboat, antares shipwreck, double diagonal planking, captain carrington, rowlock, lifeboat rowlock -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Rowlock, early 20th century
This row lock was fitted onto the Warrnambool Lifeboat, which is also on-site at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The construction of the lifeboat 'Warrnambool' began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by Great Britain's Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whale back decks fore and aft, mast and centre board, and rudder and tiller hung from the stern post. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was a foreman boat builder. Mr Beagley built the lifeboat with his fellow workmen. It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight with watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature was on the plaque that was found concealed in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. His signature and the dates of the start and finish of the boat's construction are penciled on the raw timber 'plaque' found in the hull in the early 1990s when the lifeboat was being restored. It is interesting that the 'Melbourne Directory' of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, It is quite possibly the business of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill's documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at 'Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne the name 'Myers' can also be spelled 'Meiers', which could be the same person as the Meiers in "McAuley and Meiers" (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named 'Warrnambool' was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built-in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, with new sea-going qualities such as greater maneuverability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was made the vessel difficult to capsize and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has plenty of free board. The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The Warrnambool lifeboat was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in the early 1900s. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be ready for action in case of an emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool lifeboat in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990, she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name 'WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The subject row lock is significant due to its association the Warrnambool Lifeboat which was an integral part of an important service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel for a half-century. One of the lifeboats many achievements was when it was used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ship Antares. Rowlock from the Warrnambool Lifeboat.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifeboat warrnambool, life boat, life saving vessel, 1910 vessel, port fairy, boat builder plaque, rescue boat, beagley, government dockyard, williamstown, v.e.e. gotch, royal lifeboat institution, captain ferguson, non-capsizeable lifeboat, self-righting lifeboat, antares shipwreck, double diagonal planking, captain carrington, rowlock, lifeboat rowlock -
Seaworks Maritime Museum
List of Pennants
Has recently been framed and laminatedFramed list of pennants signifying ships and signals hand drawn with coloured pencil in 1915 on paper. Later corrections made in 1933 in black penM. H. T./SIGNALS/FOR THE USE OF FLOATING PLANT OCT 1915 1915/Corrected Feb 1933/ HUME/ J. A. BOYD/WILLIAM PITT/WILLIAM STRONG/CHAS DUCKETT/EDWARD NORTHCOTE/ H C PIGGOTT/BATMAN/FAWKNER/FRANCIS DUNCAN/WILLIAM ANDREWS/COMMISSIONER/PENGUIN (at Geelong)/ RED BIRD/GELLIBRAND/MOTOR BOAT NO 2 TATEGAMI/MOTOR BOAT NO 3/MOTOR BOAT NO 4/ENGINEER/HARBOR MASTER/LADY STANLEY/HOVELL/ W. S. MOUNTAIN/W.M. COWPER/G.F.H./D. YORK SYME/ SUPER of DREDGING/ASSISTANT/HARBOR MASTER/SUPER of MACHINERY/ELECTRICIAN/INSP of DREDGING/INSP of MACHINERY/INSPECTOR WHARVES/(F WILLIAMS)/INSPECTOR DOCKING/& SHIPWRIGHTS/DIVERS WANTED/ACCIDENT SEND/MEDICAL ASSISTANCE/WAITING FOR/EMPTY BARGES/DREDGING STOPPED/WEATHER UNFAVOURABLE/TAKE AWAY/EMPTY BARGES/TUG WANTED/DERRICK PUNT/WANTED/TAKE DERRICK/PUNT AWAY/TAKE AWAY/COAL BARGE/BUCKETS FOULED/OBSTRUCTION SEND/DERRICK PUNT &/DIVERS/ DREDGING STOPPED/REPAIRING/DREDGING RESUMED/ B. Harris 16.8.15/ Drawing No 3415melbourne harbour trust (mba) -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Booklet - Manual, Sailing directions for Port Phillip, in the colony of Victoria including the ports of Melbourne and Geelong, 1854
Captain Charles Ferguson was born in Scotland in 1813. He was the Master of the "Rajah" from 1838 to 1850 on voyages from England to Australia and vice versa. He became the First Chief Harbour Master for the port of Melbourne in 1852 after being the first Harbour Master and Water Police Officer in Geelong for 12 months. On the 5th of April 1841, the Rajah sailed with James Donovan M.D. as Surgeon Superintendent, and the Rajah sailed from Woolwich with 180 female convicts. The Rajah arrived on the 19th of July in Hobart, with 179 females (one died during the voyage) and 10 children. Miss Kezia Elizabeth Hayter was the matron on board. On page 28 of the "Sailing directions for Port Phillip, in the colony of Victoria including the ports of Melbourne and Geelong", a mention is made of the Mariner's Hospital and Floating Church soon to be established. There were discussions to built the hospital in Williamstown but instead the Government decided to build it in Melbourne. The Harbour Master and a commiittee decided to use the water police hulk, Emily, left unsold in 1856, to create a floating church: the Bethel was open in July 1857 with Reverend Kerr Johnston as Chaplain. Latrobe wrote a letter to Captain Cole in 1869, a few months after learning his death : "To Captain George Ward Cole † [from a draft in another’s hand] Clapham House, Lewes, Sussex, January 28th, 1869. My dear Captain Cole, Last mail will have taken out the sad intelligence of the death of our excellent old friend, Captain Ferguson. This will have been a terrible blow to his children and to his friends in the colony, who may have held reason to expect his early return to his home, with a not unreasonable prospect of ultimate restoration to health and activity. In the course of last October I went up to town with one of my children, mainly with the purpose of finding my way to Pinner, where he and Mrs. Ferguson were staying with an intimate friend. I found him in excellent health and spirits, and enjoying the prospect of a speeding resumption of the service to which he had devoted his best days, and upon the furtherance of which his entire energy was still directed. A week or two later Captain and Mrs. Ferguson went to Dover for change of air, and being still under the impression received from the advisers by whom they had been guided during their residence at a hydropathic establishment at Matlock, felt encouraged to plan almost immediate return to the colony by the Jerusalem early in December. However, certain misgivings in the mind of a medical gentleman, then in England, under whose care Captain Ferguson had at one time placed himself in Williamtown, led them to consider it judicious before departure to take the advice of some surgeon of eminence in London. Accordingly they came up to town at the close of November. The first London practitioners they consulted shook their heads, and advised consultation with Sir Wm. Ferguson. The result was that amputation, without loss of time, was pronounced necessary. The rest is soon told. He received the painful intelligence with calmness and full resignation to God's will, and underwent the operation at King's College Hospital with exemplary firmness and Courage on the 28th of November. Perfect success seemingly attended it, and there seemed, humanly speaking, to be every prospect of a prompt cure and early convalescence; everything seemed in his favour. A few days later, however, all was clouded by symptoms of hospital fever (pyoe æm ia). This resisted all control, and finally carried him off on the 27th of December, just one month after the operation. He had lived a Christian life, and his death was the peaceful and resigned death of a Christian. It was a melancholy satisfaction to me to be able to join a few friends in following his remains to their resting place in one of the outlying London cemeteries on the last day of the year. You know Mrs Ferguson well, and will be prepared to hear me say that her whole conduct and demeanour throughout this period of suspense and bitter trial has been worthy of her high character and steadfast principle. Come what will, and happen what may, I have the fullest conviction that neither the widow nor the children will be forsaken, however doubtful and clouded the future may appear, in consequence of the irreparable loss which, they have sustained. And now, dear Captain Cole, it is possible that you may already have heard all this from other sources, but I have dictated it to you under strong impulse, for I feel assured that there is no member of the community in which you live who will more sincerely deplore the loss of Captain Ferguson on private grounds; at the same time that there is no one who, from long acquaintance with his official character and services, will be in a better position to estimate their real value or the loss which the colony has sustained. The circumstances in which Captain Ferguson's family are left not only demands the utmost display of sympathy and interest on the part of friends, but may call for decided and prompt action; therefore I cannot rest satisfied without discharging what I consider my duty, and seeking to strengthen your hands as far as I may in bringing the character of his long services before the existing colonial authorities. Of his private career previous to his entering the service of the Colonial Government in 1851 nothing need be said. Captain Ferguson was appointed as the Harbour Master at Geelong in April, 1851 – a few months before the separation of the colony from New South Wales. He there did excellent service in a variety of ways calculated to advance the interests of the port, and to introduce www.latrobesociety.org.au 27 order, where, from circumstances, but little order had hitherto prevailed. His was the first appointment of this class in that locality. The separation of the colony from New South Wales took place in the month of July following. Shortly after, the late Captain Bunbury resigned the Harbour Mastership of Port Phillip. Captain Ferguson was at once (February, 1852) appointed to succeed him, and from that time performed all duties of Chief Harbour Master of the colony. The previous year (May 1851) the first gold discoveries in New South Wales had taken place, and in the month of August those of our colony followed. At the time of Captain Ferguson’s taking charge of the Port of Melbourne their influence had begun to be fully felt, and in no department more seriously than in that of the Harbour Master. This is no place for statistical details, but they must bear me out in reminding you of a few facts connected with our late friend’s career. At the time of separation that department comprised only 30 individuals of all ranks, and when he took charge the number was much reduced. There were at that time, according to the returns, no fewer than 54 vessels, registering 26,785 tons, in Hobson’s Bay alone. The crews on arrival numbered 1,235 men. Of this number only 463 remained on board, 500 having deserted, and the rest having been discharged by arrangement or pure necessity. For the first six months after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office as Harbour Master the duties of Police Magistrate and Chief of the Water Police were superadded, and how much labour they involved may be surmised from the fact that from 1st of April to the 31st July, 1852, four months only, no less than 236 marine cases were brought before the bench at Williamstown - sometimes as many as 30 in a day. A year later (March 1853) the returns show that the number of vessels in the harbour in Hobson’s Bay alone were 91, tonnage 43,754; and passing on to the still later returns of May, 1853, two years after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office, we find from the records that the number of ships in port had increased to 129; tonnage, 63,292; crew on board on arrival, 2872, and at the date of report, 1628; the amount of desertions at that time having, however, proportionally diminished, in consequence of the abatement of the gold fever, caused by the non-success attendant upon the labours of thousands at the goldfields. The above numbers take no account of the large number of vessels and amount of tonnage lying at the wharves at Melbourne or elsewhere. From these figures alone it may be judged what must have been a struggle in which the Chief Harbour Master was engaged from the very outset to secure order, and answer the innumerable calls on every branch of his department, at the same time that there was for many months an almost complete impossibility of securing subordinate agency, such as boatmen, pilots, and police, at any price. But I may bear witness to the untiring diligence, energy, and self-devotion with which Captain Ferguson grappled with the difficulties of his position, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles which stood in his way. Ashore and afloat he was always ready, showing the same directness of purpose, intelligence, and forgetfulness of self. He shunned no responsibility, and turned his hand from no work, whether within or beyond the ordinary scope of his duty, which the hard necessity of the times forced the Government to bring under his notice. Already in 1852, when the overflowing of our gaol and stockade rendered the adoption of other methods of restraint absolutely necessary, and addition to the existing buildings could not be thought of, it was Captain Ferguson who first suggested the employment of hulks; and it was with his personal assistance and supervision, and under his unflagging energy, that the three first of these – the Success, the President, and the Sacramento – were purchased, fitted up, and made available for the purpose in view, and the rules and regulations for the employment and safety of the men afloat and ashore prescribed and carried out. He carried the same energy into every branch of his department, and his influence was soon apparent. His subordinates of every class became actuated by his spirit. As time moved on, the range of his duties, both ordinary and extraordinary, increased. In the formation of the quarantine station at the heads, in the management if not the erection of lighthouses, sailing directions, port and wharf regulations, buoys, signal stations, www.latrobesociety.org.au 28 steam dredging &c., he was the main and most active agent. The whole pilot establishment and regulations, men, and vessels, were under his charge; and when I left the colony in May, 1854, the entire range of ports outside Port Phillip Heads from Point Lonsdale to Portland, as well as that of Geelong had felt the influence of his intelligent supervision and care. The entire department of Chief Harbour Master, which I have numbered at the period of separation about thirty individuals, then numbered 230. The character of Captain Ferguson’s unbroken service during the fourteen years which have elapsed since I left the colony must be well known to the Government and the people he has served so long and so faithfully. I confine myself to recalling to mind those earlier, and what must have been the hardest and most difficult, period – none can know how difficult but those who were in that fierce struggle for the maintenance of order under so many disadvantages; and on this subject I have spoken advisedly and with reason, for I may truly say he worked under my own eye. I had sincere regard for the man, and just pride in the qualities of his heart, head, and hand. Whatever mistakes may have been made by the Government of the colony in those hard and difficult times (and I am quite ready to admit that there were many, especially if the past is to be judged by the light of the present), I never have hesitated in believing that, in appointing Captain Ferguson to the office he has so long filled, it was the right man in the right place. I shall be heartily rejoiced to find that the Government and inhabitants of the colony admit that this has been the case, and to learn that they have not forgotten the strong claims of one who has served them so long and so faithfully, and who, removed by God’s providence, so to say, in the maturity of his powers, has left a widow and young family behind him. I have done, I leave you to make use of this communication, or any portion of it, which you may think judicious and called for. There may be among Ferguson’s friends those who may not be sorry to be reminded of facts. By-the-bye, I may mention as a proof how completely Captain Ferguson’s mind was engrossed by devotion to his public duty, that while in Dover, only ten days before the operation, he took an opportunity to drag himself up into the lantern of the S. Foreland Lighthouse, and made a most careful scrutiny of the whole apparatus and arrangement, with a view of the adoption of any hint for the perfection of those under his charge in the colony. And now, goodbye. I trust this will find you in good health, and in comparative vigour. Believe me ever, dear Captain Cole, Yours very truly, C. J. La Trobe"The attempt for a floating church was made as early as 1853 following similar examples in London like the Seamen's Hospital. Captain Ferguson was instrumental in the foundation of the Bethel Church.Digital copies of the 37 pages ; 22 cm.1854, hobsons bay, geelong, melbourne, williamstown, sandridge, mariner's hospital, floating church, seamen's hospital, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), kezia elizabeth hayter (1818-1885), rajah quilt, prison hulks, water police, harbour master, harbor master, gaols -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Lee Breakwater, Portland, n.d
Port of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, lee breakwater, tanker berth, wharf, harbour, barge -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Oar, early 20th century
This oar is from the Lifeboat Warrnambool, which is on sit at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The construction of the lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later, 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by the Great Britain’s Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whaleback decks fore and aft, mast and centreboard, and rudder and tiller hung from the sternpost. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was foreman boat builder. Mr Beagley built the lifeboat with his fellow workmen. The boat was described as “… a fine piece of workmanship and does credit to her builders and designers…” It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight and watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature was on the plaque that was found concealed in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. His signature and the dates of the start and finish of the boat’s construction are pencilled on the raw timber 'plaque' found in the hull in the early 1990’s when the lifeboat was being restored. It is interesting that the ‘Melbourne Directory’ of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, (Victorian Heritage Database, ‘Contextual History, Maritime Facilities’), It is quite possibly the business of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill’s documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at ‘Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne’ – the name ‘Myers’ can also be spelled ‘Meiers’, which could be the same person as the Meiers in “McAuley and Meiers” (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named ‘Warrnambool’ was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. A winch was used to bring it in and out of the water. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, build and sea-going qualities such as greater manoeuvrability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was “practically non-capsizeable” and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has “… plenty of freeboard, high watertight spaces between the deck and bottom… through which pipes lead…” The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The lifeboat Warrnambool was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in early 1900's. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares, and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen, which they brought back to Warrnambool. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be manned by a strong and competent crew, ready for action in case of emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River, bolted to the Port Fairy lifeboat. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990 she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name ‘WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The oar is significant for its association with the lifeboat WARRNAMBOOL, which is significant for its half century service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel. She was also used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ANTARES. Large wooden oar, shaped two handgrip with tapering shaft to large flattened blade, (2) copper reinforcing strips on blade. Sweep oar is from the Lifeboat Warrnambool. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, oar, lifeboat warrnambool, sweep oar -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Financial record - Bank Transaction Book, Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited, before 1931
The financial account book was used by the Warrnambool Harbour Board for its Emergency Account. It records transactions made with The Warrnambool branch of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited during the year 1931. The Secretary of the Warrnambool Harbour Board would have used this book in 1931. James Menzies, Pilot arid Harbour Master from 1929, was appointed as Acting Secretary for the Board in 1932 and held this office until the Board ceased in 1936. Warrnambool’s CBC Manager during this time was L E Whitney; he was Manager from 1924 to 1939. The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited opened in 1893. On January 1, 1927 the CBC amalgamated with the Bank of Victoria. In 1981 the CBC merged with the National Bank of Australasia Limited and on January 1, 1983 the bank started using the abbreviated name of the National Australia Bank (NAB). Warrnambool Harbour Board- The Warrnambool Harbour Board was constituted by Order of Council on May 29, 1928, under the Harbour Board’s Act of 1927, taking over from the Ports and Harbours Branch of the Public Works Department of Victoria. The Board was then the only body with power to manage and control the whole Port, including shipping, facilities upkeep and improvements of the port. The work it carried out involved dredging, building of port facilities and drafting of port regulations, and collecting taxes, tolls, rates and charges. The Board was officially dissolved on June 30, 1936, at which time the Public Works Department again had control. The Warrnambool Harbour Board had rented out the Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters from the 1920s until 1936, when the Board closed down. However, rentals continued with other currently unknown landlords until Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village opened in 1975 and began renovating the Cottage, in stages. Text on the fly page of the book is as follows – “The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited with which is Amalgamated THE BANK OF VICTORIA LIMITED. Head Office – SYDNEY. Melbourne Office: 237 COLLINS STREET. BANKING Business of every description transacted. BRANCHES throughout VICTORIA, NEW SOUTH WALES and QUEENSLAND, and ADELAIDE BRANCH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, and AGENCIES throughout AUSTRALASIA and NEW ZEALAND on which DRAFTS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT Are issued and also on LONDON BRANCH and AGENCIES in all the PRINCIPAL CITIES of the world. Telegraphic Remittances made, Bills Negotiated or Forwarded for Collection, Advances made, Deposits received, Current Accounts kept. FURTHER PARTICULARS ON APPLICATON. “ This bank transaction book is of local and state significance for its association with the Port of Warrnambool and the Warrnambool Harbour Board. The Warrnambool Harbour Board was the only board formed under the 1927 Harbour Boards Acts, even though other Victorian ports were eligible. The book is also significant as an example of bank records used by Australian and overseas branches of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited, and the Bank of Victoria Limited.Maroon coloured rectangular book with textured cover and cream coloured label attached. Label has a printed title on book plus hand written titles added in black and red. The corners of the book are rounded. The white pages have pre-printed text and lines. The book was used for transactions between the Warrnambool Harbour Board’s Emergency Account and the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited during the year 1931.Handwritten in black “WARRNAMBOOL HARBOUR BOARD “, “EMERGENCY A/C” Printed in black “IN ACCOUNT CURRENT WITH”, “The Commercial Banking Coy. Of Sydney Ltd.”, “WITH WHICH IS AMALGAMATED”, “THE BANK OF VICTORIA LIMITED”, “Page …”warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, warrnambool harbour board, financial account, emergency account, financial record, commercial banking company of sydney limited, 1931 bank book, bank of victoria limited, transaction book, financial management, stationery, deposit book, public works department, ports and harbours, commercial banking company of sydney ltd., james menzies, harbour master, l e whitney, cbc manager warrnambool, harbour board act, port of warrnambool, warrnambool harbour, lady bay, harbour pilot -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Plan - Vessel Line Drawing, Life Boat for Warrnambool, ca. 1900-1909
The plans were used for the construction of the lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’, which began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by Great Britain’s Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whaleback decks fore and aft, mast and centreboard, and rudder and tiller hung from the sternpost. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was the foreman boat builder. Mr Beagley built the lifeboat with his fellow workmen. The boat was described as “… a fine piece of workmanship and does credit to her builders and designers…” It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight and watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature was on the plaque that was found concealed in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. His signature and the dates of the start and finish of the boat’s construction are pencilled on the raw timber 'plaque' found in the hull in the early 1990s when the lifeboat was being restored. It is interesting that the ‘Melbourne Directory’ of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, (Victorian Heritage Database, ‘Contextual History, Maritime Facilities’), It is quite possibly the business of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill’s documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at ‘Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne’ – the name ‘Myers’ can also be spelled ‘Meiers’, which could be the same person as the Meiers in “McAuley and Meiers” (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named ‘Warrnambool’ was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. A winch was used to bring it in and out of the water. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, build and sea-going qualities such as greater manoeuvrability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining design was “practically non-capsizeable” and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has “… plenty of freeboard area, high watertight spaces between the deck and bottom… through which pipes lead…” The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The lifeboat Warrnambool was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in the early 1900s. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen, which they brought back to Warrnambool. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be manned by a strong and competent crew, ready for action in case of emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River, bolted to the Port Fairy lifeboat. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990, she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name ‘WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The line drawing is significant for its connection with the lifeboat WARRNAMBOOL. The lifeboat is very significant to local and state history for its use in the lifesaving rescues of seafarers, particularly in Lady Bay. It was part of the local rescue equipment. It gave a half-century of service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel, including its involvement in retrieving the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ANTARES. Line drawing in black ink and pencil on rectangular parchment or waxed linen. Drawing has diagrams of three profiles of a vessel, with measurements and connecting pencil lines on the left quarter. The plan is for the lifeboat named “Warrnambool”, which was built in Melbourne and completed in 1910. Old blue copies of the Lifeboat plan are archived also.“LIFE BOAT / FOR / WARRNAMBOOL” “Scale, One Inch to One Foot” “ “Length as shown 30’ – 8” “ “Breadth “ “ 8’ – 6 ½ “ “ “Depth “ “ 3’ – 4 ¾” “flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifeboat, warrnambool lifeboat, boat plans, lifeboat plans, boat construction, boat building, line drawing, plan for lifeboat, life boat, life boat 'warrnambool', clinker design, 1910 lifeboat, life saving equipment, shipbuilding -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Document - Report, Jet Probings, Warrnambool Harbour, 16-10-1929
This report lists the depths of water and the consistency of the seabed surrounding the Warrnambool Harbour in October 1929, The information, often referred to as 'soundings', was obtained by Jet Probing,. In earlier days a lead line was used to perform a similar task. The author of the document is unknown. Jet Probing is a method used for underwater archaeology, cable installation and coastal engineering. A jet probe is a machine that produces a strong jet of water that penetrates the layers of sediment on the seabed, determining their depth, thickness and consistency. It provides a survey of the seabed and can be used as an aid to engineering design and construction. The report mentions lining up with the wooden jetty, the end of the breakwater and the leading lights. It mentions sand, loose rock and rock. It tells of stopping work due to the water being too rough, the pipe choking, difficulty in connecting pipes, and pipe joint breaking as it tried to get through the sand, The report in the document is significant for its connection with the Warrnambool Harbour, Warrnambool Breakwater, Warrnambool Jetty and Lady Bay. The report gives figures for the depth and consistency of the water and seabed at a particular point in time and can be used to compart with similar figures taken at different times. The results could determine plans for future engineering works.Report, titled 'Jet Probings, Warrnambool Harbour'. Two pages of cream coloured paper with hand written notes in pen and ink. Report covers three days of Jet Probings, with resulting figures and comments, for the depths of the surroundings of the Warrnambool Harbour. The report is in point form, with some underlining. Dates of recordings are 14-10-29, 15-10-29 and 16-10-29. (1929) The situation of the harbour had become a real problem by 1910 and required continuous dredging. In 1914 the Breakwater was extended but proved to be a failure because the work began to subside and by 1920 about two thirds of the harbour was silted up. Alterations made in the 1920's increased the silting problem. The soundings and Jet Probings were done after the Royal Commission of 1923, when the damaged stonework on the seaward side of the Warrnambool Breakwater, caused by the action of the sea, was the subject of enquiry. A conference between the Public Works, Water Commission and the Harbour Trust concluded that it would less costly to make repairs to prevent further damage rather than replaced the damage portion of the wall. A contract was raised in late 1924 to deposit rubble on the damaged side of the breakwater to minimise the Southern Ocean’s destructive action and work had started by August 1925. By the 1940's the harbour was no longer used. More alterations were made in the 1950's and 1960's. document, depth, warrnambool harbour, 1929, soundings, jet probe, jet probing, seabed, map of seabed, underwater engineering, warrnambool jetty, warrnambool breakwater, breakwater upgrade, leading lights, chart the harbour, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, lady bay, port of warrnambool, breakwater, jetty, pier, vhr h2024, royal commission, 1923, public works, water commission, harbour trust, victorian harbours -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Document - Navigation Chart, Admiralty Office, Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour, 1893
This navigation cart of Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour was originally surveyed in 1870 but this version includes the update for magnetic variation in 1893. Since the printing of the chart several annotations have been added. These include an additional stamp dated 15-8-1910, a handwritten comment across the top of the page dated August 1910, and another handwritten comment regarding the ‘Proposed Extension of Dock’ dated 19-2-1925, plus connected drawings, notes and figures. The 1925 proposal on this chart may have been a reaction to the Royal Commission of 1923, when the damaged stonework on the seaward side of the Warrnambool Breakwater, caused by the action of the sea, was the subject of enquiry. A conference between the Public Works, Water Commission and the Harbour Trust concluded that it would less costly to make repairs to prevent further damage rather than replaced the damage portion of the wall. A contract was raised in late 1924 to deposit rubble on the damaged side of the breakwater to minimise the Southern Ocean’s destructive action and work had started by August 1925. The Breakwater construction had begun in 1874 and was completed in 1890. The Victorian Government had commissioned Sir John Coode, a British harbour engineer, to present a plan to complete the Warrnambool Breakwater but his original plan was too expensive. He prepared a revised plan for a shorter structure. The construction proved to be too short to protect adequately from the weather and didn't allow enough depth for larger vessels to come into port. The decreasing trade was further affected by siltation in the bay due to the breakwater, and the completion of the railway line. The situation of the harbour became a real problem by 1910 and required continuous dredging. In 1914 the Breakwater was extended but proved to be a failure because the work began to subside and by 1920 about two thirds of the harbour was silted up. Alterations made in the 1920's increased the silting problem and by the 1940's the harbour was no longer used. More alterations were made in the 1950's and 1960's. This chart is significant for its strong connection to the maritime history of Warrnambool Harbour and Lady Bay and the Warrnambool Breakwater. The Warrnambool Breakwater is registered as a place of significance on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHR H2024). The Warrnambool Breakwater is one of the most important late 19th century maritime engineering projects in Victoria and significant in the development of Victorian coastal shipping. It is also significant for its connection with British harbour engineer, Sir John Coode. The chart is a historical record of structures existing in 1893; the Warrnambool Jetties, Warrnambool Breakwater in Lady Bay, the leading lights (lighthouses), streets, roads, bridges and many buildings. It also shows the lay of the land and seabed. Navigation Chart: Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour, Australia - South Coast - Victoria. Surveyed by Nav. Lieut. H.J. Stanley, R.N., 1870. Updated for Magnetic Variation, 1893. The rectangular chart is printed on heavy cream paper. Stamps are shaped rectangular, oval and round. Around the Breakwater and Jetty area are handwritten notes, dotted and joined lines, numbers and signatures, and shading of red and green. The chart shows the surrounds of Warrnambool Harbour, Lady Bay, the Breakwater and Jetty, roads, bridges and the streets in Warrnambool. It has sounding details, and angles of line from the leading lights.Stamp, rectangular, including "AUG 1910" Stamp, double oval " - - - -CHART" Stamp, hand drawn, red circle, with "B" inside Hand written note "22-8-1910 - - - - - of surveying C. Ca - - - request of 15-8-10 [initials] " Notes and lines in red pen, including a grid of sounding numbers: "1300" "1050" "1200" "Possible Extension of Dock" "19-2-25" "Dock Dredged to 20 Ft" Notes and lines in blue pen "Extension of Dock to accommodate vessels drawing 20 Feet" and "Light not visible south of this line" Red dots (4) with yellow highlight at both leading lights, breakwater and jettyflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, map, chart, navigation chart, plan, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, breakwater, jetty, pier, dock extension, proposed extension, vhr h2024, 1870, 1893, 1910, 1925, warrnambool town late 1800s, warrnambool streets late 1800s royal commission, 1923, public works, water commission, harbour trust, victorian harbours, sir jon coode -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Rowlock, early 20th century
Rowlock from the Lifeboat Warrnambool, which is on site at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The construction of the lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later, 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by the Great Britain’s Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whaleback decks fore and aft, mast and centreboard, and rudder and tiller hung from the sternpost. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was foreman boat builder. Mr Beagley built the lifeboat with his fellow workmen. The boat was described as “… a fine piece of workmanship and does credit to her builders and designers…” It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight and watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature was on the plaque that was found concealed in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. His signature and the dates of the start and finish of the boat’s construction are pencilled on the raw timber 'plaque' found in the hull in the early 1990’s when the lifeboat was being restored. It is interesting that the ‘Melbourne Directory’ of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, (Victorian Heritage Database, ‘Contextual History, Maritime Facilities’), It is quite possibly the business of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill’s documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at ‘Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne’ – the name ‘Myers’ can also be spelled ‘Meiers’, which could be the same person as the Meiers in “McAuley and Meiers” (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named ‘Warrnambool’ was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. A winch was used to bring it in and out of the water. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, build and sea-going qualities such as greater manoeuvrability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was “practically non-capsizeable” and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has “… plenty of freeboard, high watertight spaces between the deck and bottom… through which pipes lead…” The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The lifeboat Warrnambool was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in early 1900's. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares, and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen, which they brought back to Warrnambool. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be manned by a strong and competent crew, ready for action in case of emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River, bolted to the Port Fairy lifeboat. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990 she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name ‘WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The rowlock is significant for its association with the lifeboat WARRNAMBOOL, which is significant for its half century service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel. She was also used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ANTARES. Rowlock, iron, upper ends scroll over, from the Lifeboat Warrnambool.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, life boat, life saving vessel, 1910 vessel, port fairy, boat builder plaque, rescue boat, beagley, government dockyard, williamstown, v.e.e. gotch, royal lifeboat institution, captain ferguson, non-capsizeable lifeboat, self-righting lifeboat, antares shipwreck, double diagonal planking, captain carrington, rowlock, lifeboat rowlock, lifeboat warrnambool -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Vehicle - Vessel, Lifeboat Warrnambool, 01/09/1910
The construction of the lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later, 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by the Great Britain’s Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whaleback decks fore and aft, mast and centreboard, and rudder and tiller hung from the sternpost. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was foreman boat builder when he and his fellow workmen built the boat. The boat was described as “… a fine piece of workmanship and does credit to her builders and designers…” It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight and watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature, along with building dates, is pencilled on a concealed timber 'plaque' in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. It is interesting that the ‘Melbourne Directory’ of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, (Victorian Heritage Database, ‘Contextual History, Maritime Facilities’), It is probably the company of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill’s documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at ‘Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne’ – the name ‘Myers’ can also be spelled ‘Meiers’, which could be the same person as the Meiers in “McAuley and Meiers” (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named ‘Warrnambool’ was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. A winch was used to bring it in and out of the water. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, build and sea-going qualities such as greater manoeuvrability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was “practically non-capsizeable” and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has “… plenty of freeboard, high watertight spaces between the deck and bottom… through which pipes lead…” The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The lifeboat Warrnambool was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in early 1900's. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares, and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen, which they brought back to Warrnambool. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be manned by a strong and competent crew, ready for action in case of emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River, bolted to the Port Fairy lifeboat. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990 she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name ‘WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.”The lifeboat WARRNAMBOOL is significant for its half century service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel. She was also used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ANTARES. Lifeboat "Warrnambool", a wooden, clinker hull, 'self-righting, self-draining design, single mast, pivoting centreboard. Complete with sail and yardarm. A 'plaque' was found inside the hull of the lifeboat, made of untreated wood, disc-shaped with one straight edge (Diam 15.5cm), inscribed by one of the boat builders in pencil script "Life Boat Start building / 15/9/09 - complete 1/9/10 / (signature looks like H Meiers) / Boat Builder)."'Plaque' inside body of boat is inscribed in pencil, script writing "Life Boat Start building / 15/9/09 - complete 1/9/10 / (signature looks like H Meiels) / Boat Builder)." flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifeboat, life boat, vessel, life saving, 1910 vessel, port fairy, boat builder plaque, rescue boat, beagley, williamstown, government dockyard, v.e.e. gotch, royal lifeboat institution, captain ferguson, meiers, nelson place, non-capsizeable, self-righting, titan crane, double diagonal planking, captain carrington, barge, antares, self righting, crew of twelve, capacity of 30 survivors -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Rowlock, early 20th century
This row lock was fitted onto the Warrnambool Lifeboat, which is also on-site at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The construction of the lifeboat 'Warrnambool' began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by Great Britain's Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whale back decks fore and aft, mast and centre board, and rudder and tiller hung from the stern post. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was a foreman boat builder. Mr Beagley built the lifeboat with his fellow workmen. It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight with watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature was on the plaque that was found concealed in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. His signature and the dates of the start and finish of the boat's construction are penciled on the raw timber 'plaque' found in the hull in the early 1990s when the lifeboat was being restored. It is interesting that the 'Melbourne Directory' of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, It is quite possibly the business of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill's documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at 'Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne the name 'Myers' can also be spelled 'Meiers', which could be the same person as the Meiers in "McAuley and Meiers" (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named 'Warrnambool' was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built-in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, with new sea-going qualities such as greater maneuverability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was made the vessel difficult to capsize and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has plenty of free board. The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The Warrnambool lifeboat was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in the early 1900s. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be ready for action in case of an emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool lifeboat in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990, she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name 'WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The subject row lock is significant due to its association the Warrnambool Lifeboat which was an integral part of an important service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel for a half-century. One of the lifeboats many achievements was when it was used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ship Antares. Rowlock from the Warrnambool Lifeboat.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifeboat warrnambool, life boat, life saving vessel, 1910 vessel, port fairy, boat builder plaque, rescue boat, beagley, government dockyard, williamstown, v.e.e. gotch, royal lifeboat institution, captain ferguson, non-capsizeable lifeboat, self-righting lifeboat, antares shipwreck, double diagonal planking, captain carrington, rowlock, lifeboat rowlock -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Annual Report, H Thacker, The Geelong Harbor Trust Commissioners' Third Report for the year ending 31st December 1908, 1909
In 1908 the Geelong Harbor Trust commissioners were George Frederick Holden, Edward Harewood Lascelles and James Hill. The officers were Walter S. Crowle (Secretary), A.C. McKenzie (Engineer), Captain G.A. Molland (Harbor Master), E.R. Hitch, (Assistant Harbor Master, Portarlington.)Red soft covered foolscap report of 101 pages. Includes two photographic reproductions of teh New Cargo Shed on Yarra Pier, and Twin S.S. "G.F. Holden" (formerly the 'Pelican' (built in 1898 by Fleming & Ferguson, Paisley, England, for the Western Australian Government).Seal of the Geelong Harbour Trust Commissionersgeelong, harbour trust, commissioners, report, finance, properties, dredging, portarlington, barwon heads, ocean grove, shipping, engineer's report, assets, liabilities, harbor trust, geelong harbor trust, grain shipping berthage, corio quay, cool stores, dock accomodation, floating plant, hopetoun channel, moorabool pier shed, sparrovale irrigation farm, thomas gibson-carmichael, yarra pier cargo -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - dredging, 1958
... Authority archives Port of Portland Archives dredging 1958 1950s ...Port of Portland Authority archivesFront: (no inscriptions) Back: 18 Nov. 1958 (purple stamp, upper left)port of portland archives, dredging, 1958, 1950s, portland harbour trust -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - dredging, 1958
... Authority archives Port of Portland Archives dredging 1953 1950s ...Port of Portland Authority archivesFront: (no inscriptions) Back: 18 Nov. 1958 (purple stamp, upper left)port of portland archives, dredging, 1953, 1950s, portland harbour trust -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Film - Film - Harbour Construction 1950s-1960s, n.d
Port of Portland AuthorityFront: Harbour Construction/ Portland (B & W) (blue pen and white sticky tape, top of reel)port of portland archives, film -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Main Breakwater construction, Portland, n.d
Port Of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, harbour construction, development, wharf, barge -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Main Breakwater construction, Portland, n.d
Port of Portland Authority Archivesport of portland archives, harbour construction, development, wharf -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Film - Colour Film - construction works, Portland Harbour, 1956-1958
Port of Portland AuthorityFront: (Colour) Oats/ Handling (blue pen on white tape, top of reel) Harbour/ Construction/ NOT EDITED (Colour) (Blue pen on white tape, top of reel)port of portland archives, 16mm film