History of shipwrecks and strandings from Port Campbell to Anglesea, with photographs, locations and gravesites, and some mention of areas either side of the main wrecks.Wrecks around Cape Otway. Shipwrecks and strandings from Port Campbell to Anglesea. J.K. Loney. 1st ed. Apollo Bay (Vic); J.K. Loney; nd. iv, 50 p.; illus. Soft cover.cape otway; shipwrecks; strandings; port campbell; anglesea; apollo bay; lorne; j.k. loney;

Shipwreck W.B. Godfrey Corroded brass and glass port hole from wreck of W.B. Godfrey w. b. godfrey, port hole, shipwreck, lorne

Photograph of shipwreck unknown. Taken as a sterograph photo.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

The plumbing fitting has been recovered from the sea, as shown by the encrustations on its surface. The source of the fitting is unknown but i is likely to have been part of the fittings of a shipwreck, probably a urinal.The plumbing fitting is an example of a fitting from a ship, late 19th to early 20th century.Plumbing fitting, metal, from an unknown shipwreck. Top of fitting is bowl-shaped with a narrow inlet pipe. Wide pipe attaches to the centre of the bowl and to a threaded fitting at its base. There is a bar across the inside of the threaded fitting and a bolt joined to the bar's centre.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck artefact, great ocean road, flagstaff maritime museum, plumbing, ship's plumbing, urinal

This fork was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. It is the Old English design that has been very popular since the 19th century. It has been restored to resemble its original state prior to the disaster in 1878. The for was originally plated with silver, which is when a base metal such as nickel or nickel alloy with copper and/or zinc has been plated or coated with a thin layer of silver. Wear on the metal will cause the base metals to appear through the silver plating. Some manufacturers gave a warranty that the cutlery was ‘white throughout’ but didn’t necessarily say it was solid silver. LOCH ARD 1873-1878 – The Scottish-built clipper ship Loch Ard was bound for Melbourne in 1878 with 54 people on board. The mixed cargo it carried included items for the 1880 International Exhibition in Melbourne, one of which was the now famous Majorca ware Minton ‘Peacock’ statue. The Loch Ard was wrecked on June 1st when the ship crashed into Mutton Bird Island, east of Port Campbell. The only survivors were Tom Pearce, a crew member, and Eva Carmichael, a young passenger who was rescued by Pearce. The Gibsons, owners of nearby Glenample Homestead, cared for Tom, and for Eva who stayed longer before returning to Ireland. The wreck of the Loch Ard was discovered in 1967, before the introduction of the Victorian historic shipwreck legislation. In 1969 it was decided that all recovered material should be lodged with the Receiver of Wrecks. In 1980 Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Divers received a permit to recover artefacts from the wreck to safeguard them from looters. In 1982 the site was listed as a Historic Shipwreck, and the Maritime Archaeology Unit recovered loose artefact material. The fork is recognised as being historically significant as an example of cutlery either as part of the flatware service of the ship ‘Loch Ard’ or part of the ship’s cargo, imported for use in Colonial Victoria in the 19th to early 20th century. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Fork; silver plated. The fork is the Old English design and is embossed with several marks. it has recently been restored. Shipwreck artefact from the Loch Ard. 3 letters within an oval (- - S) 4 letters within circles (E) (P) (N) (S) 1 letter within a shield appears to be a [B] flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, loch ard, victoria, eva carmichael, tom pearce, cutlery, silver flatware, silver plate, antique, old english flatware pattern, eating utensil, fork, silverware, dining utensil

This sheet of copper sheathing or Muntz metal has been recovered from the sea at the wreck-site of the ship SCHOMBERG. . It has been damaged by the reaction of the metals to the sea, it has encrustations from the sea such as sand, and has other damage that has caused the edges to break away or fold over. Early timber sailing ships had a problem of the timber hulls being eaten through by the marine animals called Teredo Worms, sometimes called ‘sea worms’ or ‘termites of the sea’. The worms bore holes into wood that is immersed in seawater and the bacteria inside the worms digest the wood. Shipbuilders tried to prevent this problem by applying coatings of tar, wax, lead or pitch onto the timber. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the outsides of their ships were sheathed in copper sheathing or a combination of 60 per cent copper and 40 per cent zinc (called Muntz metal). The ships would be re-metalled periodically to ensure the sheathing would remain effective. In more recent times the ships are protected with a toxic coating. ABOUTH THE SCHOMBERG- When the ship Schomberg was launched in 1855, she was considered the most perfect clipper ship ever to be built. James Blaine’s Black Ball Line had commissioned her to be built for their fleet of passenger liners. At a cost of £43,103, the Aberdeen builders designed her to sail faster than the quick clippers designed by North American Donald McKay. She was a three masted wooden clipper ship, built with diagonal planking of British oak with layers of Scottish larch. This luxury vessel was designed to transport emigrants to Melbourne in superior comfort. She had ventilation ducts to provide air to the lower decks and a dining saloon, smoking room, library and bathrooms for the first class passengers. At the launch of Schomberg’s maiden voyage, her master Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, drunkenly predicted that he would make the journey between Liverpool and Melbourne in 60 days. Schomberg departed Liverpool on 6 October 1855 with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended the build the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. The winds were poor as Schomberg sailed across the equator, slowing her journey considerably. She was 78 days out of Liverpool when she ran aground on a sand-spit near Peterborough, Victoria, on 27 December; the sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to Schomberg and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS Queen at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS Queen approached the stranded vessel and all of Schomberg’s passengers were able to disembark safely. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the Schomberg. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. After two of the men drowned when they tried to reach Schomberg, salvage efforts were abandoned. In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery. Flagstaff Hill also holds ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the Schomberg. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill.The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its dayCopper sheathing or Muntz metal recovered from the shipwreck Schomberg. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, schomberg, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, muntz, coppper sheathing, ship building, sea worm

Margaret MacKenzie had first hand knowledge of many shipwrecks along Victoria's treacherous 'shipwreck' coast. In her later years her failing sight caused her to attend the nearby eye specialist Dr W.R. Angus in Warrnambool. Dr Angus designed the cover for Margate's book. Margaret's daughter assisted in the writing due to her mother's failing sight.Shipwrecks by M.E. MacKenzie, part of the W.R. Angus Collection. An authentic account of wrecks from Peterborough to Cape Otway, Victoria. Cover printed in blue, black and white, depicts sailing ship approaching cliffs, and a map of the coast of south west Victoria, showing Peterborough and Cape Otway. Art work for cover was done by Dr. W.R. Angusflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecks, m e mackenzie, peterborough, cape otway, shipwreck coast, book, w.r. angus

Handle from a revolving cruet set. Possibly from shipwreck site.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cruet set

Colour slide in a mount. Shipwreck Coast, Great Ocean Road, Victoriaslide, robin boyd

There are only seven shipwrecks in Victoria that have had more than 100 objects recovered from them reported as a result of the Commonwealth Amnesty held in 1993-94. These are the Loch Ard (1878), Schomberg (1855) and Fiji (1891) - all situated along the western district 'Shipwreck Coast' - and the George Roper (1883), Light of the Age (1868), Joseph H. Scammell (1891) and Victoria Tower - all situated along the short section of the 'Surf Coast' between Point Lonsdale and Torquay.The Victoria Tower is archaeologically significant as the wreck of an international inward-bound passenger and cargo vessel. It is educationally and recreationally significant as a coherently intact example of a British built iron clipper ie: representative of a class or type. Along with the wrecks of the Light of the Age (1868 - American-built wooden clipper ship) and Sussex (1871 - Blackwall frigate) nearby these vessels represent the three major design classes, and span the evolution of commercial and immigrant sailing ships used by the British in the colonial Australian trade in the last half of the nineteenth century.2 Doors from the 'Victoria Tower' made from teak and mahoganydoors, salvage, shipwreck, torquay, victoria tower

Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. 11 large spoons recovered from the shipwreck of the Loch Ard. Spoons are 8¼" long. Have encrustation and concretion. Have silver hallmark on back.Have silver hallmark on back.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, silver, spoon, cutlery

Metal tankards often come with a glass-bottom. There is a legend that the glass-bottomed tankard was developed as a way of refusing the King's shilling, i.e. conscription into the British army or navy. The drinker could see the coin in the bottom of the glass and refuse the drink, thereby avoiding conscription. However, this is likely to be a myth, for the Navy could use force by using “press gangs” to conscript recruits rendering this type of deception unnecessary. Other legends are that in a bar fight, a recipient with a glass bottom tankard could see if a first punch was thrown whilst they had the tankard raised to drink. Another has it that the glass bottom was implemented so the drinker while drinking could observe his surroundings and the dubious people within the Tavern such as thieves, ladies of the night or anyone that could, or may do him harm. A further story is that the glass bottom merely allowed the drinker to judge the clarity of their drink while forgoing the expense of using a fragile and expensive pint glass. If this item is an early tankard from the 18th or 19th century it would be a significant item. Also if a known maker from these time periods could be established it would make the tankard quite valuable. Tankards from this time are snapshots of peoples past everyday lives and form a significant part of our social history so are worthy of preservation in all there forms. Pewter tankard with glass bottom, marine encrusted, recovered from unknown shipwreck.tankard, pewter, mug, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, vessel, drink, tavern, drinkware, kings shilling

The Shipwreck Board is a feature of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village/ its subject is explained briefly in the Museum's handbook, The Flagstaff Hill Navigator, published in 2008: - "Known as the ‘Eye of the Needle’ the treacherous entrance to Bass Strait is littered with the wreckage of large international vessels and smaller sail and steam craft used in coastal trade. The vessels bringing emigrants and cargo to Australia found the western entrance to Bass Strait the most dangerous part of their voyage. They had to thread their way between the southern point of Victoria (Cape Otway) and the northern point of King Island, a stretch of water less than 90 km wide. Many smaller coastal vessels were lost at Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool and Apollo Bay which are not safe harbours in certain weather conditions. "The Shipwreck Board shows shipwrecks, strandings and collisions which occurred in this area up to the year 1940. Wrecks are identified by a yellow light and collisions/strandings by a green light. These lights also identify the decade the wreck occurred by lighting up when the relevant decade button is pushed. Interesting happenings of the decades are listed next to the buttons." The Shipwreck Board's demonstration of The Eye of the Needle is an interactive visual display that helps teach the perils and dangers faced by early settlers in Victoria. It tells of the vast number of lives lost. It lists the names of many infamous shipwrecks and significant events.The large stained and lacquered timber board is mounted in a timber, frame. It is painted with a small sketch of Australia, and an enlarged outline of the southern coast of Victoria, King Island and the North West coast of Tasmania. The interactive display highlights the shipwrecks, standings and collisions suffered by many vessels as they navigated the 'Eye of the Needle', a narrow stretch of Bass Strait. The locations of the Lighthouses are pinpointed. Lists of groups of ships are below the coastlines. A painted scroll shows eight major shipwrecks with the number of lives lost for each one. A table shows historical facts associated with the decades from pre-1830 to 1940. A system of coloured lights compares the decades with the vessels that suffered damage. The board was created by artist and signwriter, Alex O'Flynn Computer Signs.flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, eye of the needle, shipwreck locations, bass strait, basses strait, king island, north west tasmania, south coast of victoria, cape otway, victorian lighthouse, king island lighthouse, strandings, coastal tracers, emigrant ships, sea trade, 1930s-1940s, shipwreck board, the eye of the needle, collosions, alex o'flynn, alex o’flynn computer signs, shipwrecks of western victoria

This well-produced but water-damaged book of Longfellows Poetry, was part of the former Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Library and Museum collection. The custody of this collection was assumed by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in the 1970s. Supporting provenance indicates the book was retrieved from the sea at Loch Ard Gorge soon after the shipwreck of the same name in June 1878. This book was given to the Warrnambool Museum curator Joseph Archibald by its finder, the Warrnambool Standard editor Henry Davis in October 1883. A letter from Mr Davis describing the poignant circumstances of his discovery is also in the Flagstaff Hill collection. A transcript of this letter is displayed next to the book in the Great Circle Gallery at the Maritime Village (reg. no. 2292). The story behind this book prompted Mr Archibald to write to the sole surviving female passenger from the LOCH ARD, Eva Carmichael, asking if the book was hers. Miss Carmichael replied by handwritten letter in January 1884, advising that the volume of poems did not belong to her: “We had a ‘Longfellow’, but our book had a green cover”. This letter is also in the Flagstaff Hill collection (reg. no. 2290.4).The book is rare as it has survived a shipwreck in relatively good condition. It is an example of personal possessions carried by a shipboard passenger in the 1870s. It holds significance for its connection to the renowned poet, Henry Wardsworth Longfellow. The book is important for its probable association with the wreck of the vessel Loch Ard in 1878. The LOCH ARD shipwreck is of State significance and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register S417. A volume of poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is bound in blue-purple cloth on thick board, with black lettering and curling-vine design, framed by gold border. In the centre of the front cover is a raised smooth-white ellipse with crimped edges, now worn bare but with traces of an original brightly coloured floral design. This white centre of supple leather is also framed by a decorative gold border. The upper case lettering on the front cover reads ‘Longfellow’s Poetical Works’. The edges of the blue material are faded and worn. The pages are corrugated by water damage but their original gold-edged condition is still evident. The front and back covers are scored with singed holes approximately 1.5cm diameter, situated about the centre edge of each side and in roughly corresponding positions. These holes may be from an original book-latch or fastening. However they have since been damaged by a hot piercing object, which has blackened the holes and extended the damage into the enclosed pages. The spine of the book features a stylised oak tree in gold, rising from bared roots to serrated leaves and acorns. The letters “LON[DON]” at the top of the spine and “W.P.NI[MM]O” at the bottom. The book cover has separated from the majority of stitched pages, along with a number of title pages, which are now loosed from the binding. The books condition is fragile from a handling perspective, but stable in terms of further deterioration. ‘Inscribed “Loch Ard June 1 1878” in pencil within ― believed to be a salvage from the shipwreck’ (Mechanics Institute Library auditor, June 1996).warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, longfellow’s poems, loch ard, eva carmichael, warrnambool mechanics institute library, warrnambool museum, joseph archibald, henry davis, william p. nimmo, poetry, heny longfellow, henry wadsworth longfellow, poetical works, 1870s, 1877, longfellow’s poetical works

This Minton floor tile is from the wreck of the LOCH ARD along with other examples of this manufacture recovered from the wreck site and form part of the collection at Flagstaff Hill. The iron-hulled clipper ship from the Loch Line was heading for Port Phillip from London when it ran into the cliffs of Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell and was wrecked on June 1st, 1878. The LOCH ARD was laden with high-value cargo including luxury goods intended for display at the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. One notable survivor from the ship’s freight manifest was the well-packed Minton porcelain peacock, a two-metre-high ceramic masterpiece of vivid glazed colours. The almost total loss of life and property from the LOCH ARD registered as a shocking tragedy for the Colony of Victoria, at a time when social confidence and economic optimism were otherwise high. The wealth generated from Gold and Wool was increasingly being spent on grandiose private residences and imposing public buildings. The demand for quality furnishings and fittings was therefore strong. Among the products consigned to burgeoning colonial markets by the Milton Pottery at Stoke upon Trent, were their new range of colourfully patterned but very durable floor tiles – ideal for the high-traffic spaces in the large civic buildings then being constructed in Australia and America. These new floor tiles were “encaustic”, meaning that their designs and colours were encased “within” the depth of the tile. Rather than their decorative patterns being glazed onto the surface of the tile, their inlaid designs were created during the manufacturing process, as “coloured slips” (or liquid clay) were poured into a deep pre-moulded casting. When fired, the resulting tile was colour-fast and design-fast. A brief history of the Loch Ard (1873-1878): - The sailing ship Loch Ard was one of the famous Loch Line ships that sailed from England to Australia. Barclay, Curdle and Co. built the three-masted iron vessel in Glasgow in 1873. It had sailed three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of recently married, 29-year-old Captain Gibbs. It was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, and a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. Other cargo included items intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The Loch Ard had been sailing for three months and was close to its destination on June 1, 1878. Captain Gibbs had expected to see land at about 3 am but the Loch Ard ran into a fog that greatly reduced visibility and there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. The fog lifted at 4 am and the sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast were much closer to them than Captain Gibbs expected. He tried to manage the vessel but failed and the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. The top deck loosened from the hull, and the masts and rigging crashed down, knocking passengers and crew overboard. The lifeboat was launched by Tom Pearce but crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. He clung onto its overturned hull and sheltered under it. He drifted out to sea and the tide brought him back to what is now called Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore and found a cave for shelter. A passenger, Eva Carmichael, had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening and was confronted by towering cliffs above the ship. She was soon swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He swam out and dragged her to the shelter of the cave. He revived her with a bottle of brandy from a case that had washed up on the beach. Tom scaled a cliff in search of help and followed some horse hoof prints. He came from two men from Glenample Station, three and a half miles away. He told the men of the tragedy and then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. They reached Loch Ard Gorge and took the two shipwreck survivors to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome and was presented with a medal and some money. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The Minton floor tile is significant for its hard-wearing yet attractive design. The shipwreck of the LOCH ARD is of State significance. Victorian Heritage Register S417. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best-known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. A square Minton floor tile with a black and apricot pattern against a chocolate brown background. There is a large chip missing. This decorative floor tile was recovered from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD. On the back, or base, of the tile is inscribed the number “46” and the letters “Minton & Co Patent Stoke upon Trent”.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, encaustic tile, melbourne international exhibition, floor tile, minton floor tile

Poster published by the Department of Transport , Communication, Federal sea Safety and Surveillance CentreSafety at sea InitiativePoster depicting a reproduction of 'The Shipwreck' by JMW Turner with the heading 'Let's make the next 200 years safer' poster, public awareness, safety at sea, turner, 'the shipwreck'

This historic bronze nail dates back to 1790s to 1890s. Nails such as this one were used for ship building, as deck fasteners and many other uses. This nail was made at a time when the shanks of nails were usually machine cut but the heads were hand formed by blacksmiths. The nail was recovered from a shipwreck along the coast of Victoria in around 1968 and is part of the John Chance Collection. The nail is significant historically as an example of hardware used when building wooden ships in the early to mid-19th century. The nail is historically significant as an example of the work and trade of blacksmith. The nail is also significant as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver in Victoria’s coastal waters in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Items that come from several wrecks have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value.Nail; bronze, deck nail. Rounded rectangular head, rectangular shank cross-section, tip flattened to a rounded wedge shape. The surface is pitted and rough and has blue-grey, green and orange concretion and degradation on the nail's surface. Recovered from an unspecified shipwreck along the coast of Victoria. Part of the John Chance Collection. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john chance, fastener, nail, square nail, machine cut mail, blacksmith, historic nail, bronze nail, hand forged, coastal shipwreck, victorian shipwreck

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of the restored figurehead of the shipwrecked "Speke". Now resides in the Phillip Island & District Society Museum in Cowes - 2017.local history, photography, figurehead of the "speke", black & white photograph, sailing ships, figureheads, john jenner, bryant west

This historic bronze nail dates back to 1790ss to 1890s. Nails such as this one were used for ship building, as deck fasteners and many other uses. This nail was made at a time when the shanks of nails were usually machine cut but the heads were hand formed by blacksmiths. The nail was recovered from a shipwreck along the coast of Victoria in around 1968 and is part of the John Chance Collection. The nail is significant historically as an example of hardware used when building wooden ships in the early to mid-19th century. The nail is historically significant as an example of the work and trade of blacksmith. The nail is also significant as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver in Victoria’s coastal waters in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Items that come from several wrecks have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value.Nail; bronze, deck nail. Rounded rectangular head, rectangular shank cross-section, tip flattened to a rounded wedge shape but cut straight down at the end instead of a point. The surface is pitted and rough and has yellow and orange concretion and degradation on the nail's surface. Recovered from an unspecified shipwreck along the coast of Victoria. Part of the John Chance Collection. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john chance, fastener, nail, square nail, machine cut mail, blacksmith, historic nail, bronze nail, hand forged, coastal shipwreck, victorian shipwreck