Showing 45 items matching "australia - description and travel"
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Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, G. Bell & Sons, By flood and field : adventures ashore and afloat in North Australia, 1912
... Northern Australia - Description and travel... Australia - Description and travel Northern Australia - Economic ...Factual account of life in the Northern Territory in the late 19th century; - 1st section - Authors adventures as a shipwrecked mariner at Wark Aboriginal Settlement and Port Essington; 2nd section - Detailed narrative of the authors work & explorations as a customs official and as a patrol police officer, stationed at Port Darwin; Description of Malays and their trading ventures by proas; Relations between Malays and Aborigines employment of latter in collecting, trepangs, pearls, tortoise-shells - physical and cultural influences (e.g. intermixture, and language) feuds and murders; Notes on food gathering and hunting (use of wommera) - tracking - corroborrees settling of disputes by simulated fighting - group murder and guilt rites (Malays and Chinese), canoes decorated - Maria Is. sacred burial ground qualities of Aborigines; noted; Intertribal fighting - Woolna tribe against local Darwin Aborigines; Cannibalism at Limba Luchumbo - King River; Contact between Aborigines and settlers, ranging from extreme cruelty to great friendships; Aboriginal girls stolen for domestic work causing trouble; Further accounts of Chinese - opium & gold smuggling; Search for Dylompo - Groote Eylandt unsuccessful.Ill, p.327.non-fictionFactual account of life in the Northern Territory in the late 19th century; - 1st section - Authors adventures as a shipwrecked mariner at Wark Aboriginal Settlement and Port Essington; 2nd section - Detailed narrative of the authors work & explorations as a customs official and as a patrol police officer, stationed at Port Darwin; Description of Malays and their trading ventures by proas; Relations between Malays and Aborigines employment of latter in collecting, trepangs, pearls, tortoise-shells - physical and cultural influences (e.g. intermixture, and language) feuds and murders; Notes on food gathering and hunting (use of wommera) - tracking - corroborrees settling of disputes by simulated fighting - group murder and guilt rites (Malays and Chinese), canoes decorated - Maria Is. sacred burial ground qualities of Aborigines; noted; Intertribal fighting - Woolna tribe against local Darwin Aborigines; Cannibalism at Limba Luchumbo - King River; Contact between Aborigines and settlers, ranging from extreme cruelty to great friendships; Aboriginal girls stolen for domestic work causing trouble; Further accounts of Chinese - opium & gold smuggling; Search for Dylompo - Groote Eylandt unsuccessful. northern australia - description and travel, northern australia - economic relations -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Hamish Hamilton, Rum Jungle, 1953
Rum Jungle at the time was a recently discovered uranium mine. The book's principle theme is the sudden appearance of modern science in a region which has not really been civilised by white man. Anecdotal accounts of the authors travels in northern Australia, mainly NT; includes comments and stories about Aborigines; including Albert Namatjira.Ill, maps, p.154.non-fictionRum Jungle at the time was a recently discovered uranium mine. The book's principle theme is the sudden appearance of modern science in a region which has not really been civilised by white man. Anecdotal accounts of the authors travels in northern Australia, mainly NT; includes comments and stories about Aborigines; including Albert Namatjira.northern territory - description and travel, rum jungle - northern territory -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Penryn Goldman, To hell and gone, 1932
... Northern Australia - Description and travel... Australia - Description and travel Australia - Social life ...A record of a 1929-30 historical trip by a Baby Austin car from Adelaide to daly Waters in the Northern Territory, then the return journey to Melbourne in a Vauxhall.p.268non-fictionA record of a 1929-30 historical trip by a Baby Austin car from Adelaide to daly Waters in the Northern Territory, then the return journey to Melbourne in a Vauxhall.northern australia - description and travel, australia - social life and customs -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, McMillan and Co et al, The cruise of Her Majesty's ship Bacchante, 1879-1882 v.1, 1886
... Australia - Description and Travel... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Australia ...A description of a world cruise taken by Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales.Ill, charts, maps, plans, p.675.non-fictionA description of a world cruise taken by Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales.australia - description and travel, voyages around the world -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, McMillan and Co et al, The cruise of Her Majesty's ship Bacchante, 1879-1882 v.2, 1886
... Australia - Description and Travel... Main Rd Monbulk yarra-valley-and-the-dandenong-ranges Australia ...A description of a world cruise taken by Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales.Ill, charts, maps, plans, p.803.non-fictionA description of a world cruise taken by Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales.australia - description and travel, voyages around the world -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Tobruk to Turkey
The travels of Frank Clune in the Middle East in World war twoIll, map.p.292.non-fictionThe travels of Frank Clune in the Middle East in World war twoaustralian comforts fund, travel and description - middle east -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Frank Fox, Peeps at many lands : Oceania, 1912
... Australia - Description and Travel... - Description and travel Australia - Description and Travel Includes ...Includes general statements on Aboriginal origins; population numbers; description; warfare; their futureIll, maps, p.203.non-fictionIncludes general statements on Aboriginal origins; population numbers; description; warfare; their future oceania - description and travel, australia - description and travel -
The Celtic Club
Book, Edwin Carton Booth, Australia in the 1870s, 1975
... Australia - Description and travel..., South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia - Pictorial works Australia ...A facsimile of the original volume. First published 1873-1876 with engravings. There are brief references to aborigines.Maps, ill, facsim, p.232, 2 vols.non-fictionA facsimile of the original volume. First published 1873-1876 with engravings. There are brief references to aborigines.australia - pictorial works, australia - description and travel -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Book - Wodonga Australia - Victoria's Top Industrial Town, Wodonga Promotions Committee, 1966
Winning the top award for "Industrial Development" in the Victorian Premier Town Contest 1964, Wodonga was recognised and declared the chief industrially developing town outside the Melbourne metropolitan area. This publication outlines the key features of Wodonga supplemented with photos and maps.non-fictionWinning the top award for "Industrial Development" in the Victorian Premier Town Contest 1964, Wodonga was recognised and declared the chief industrially developing town outside the Melbourne metropolitan area. This publication outlines the key features of Wodonga supplemented with photos and maps.wodonga description and travel, wodonga development -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Book - The Big Rivers: Murray Darling Murrumbidgee, Max Colwell, 1978
... description and travel south australia... south australia A geography, description and travel guide ...A geography, description and travel guide to the "Big Rivers" of the Murray- Darling basin, including many photos of the region.non-fictionA geography, description and travel guide to the "Big Rivers" of the Murray- Darling basin, including many photos of the region.murray river (n.s.w.-s.a.), murray river valley, darling river, murrumbidgee river, description and travel nsw, description and travel south australia -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Kegan Paul Trench Trubner and Co, In Australian tropics, 1907
... Northern Australia - Description and travel... Australia - Description and travel Ethnography Early history of N.T ...Early history of N.T. and explorations; Detailed account of intercepting Macassan proas around coast of Arnhem Land whilst author was Sub-Collector of Customs for 14 years; Names of proas and masters, Malay camps & smoke houses along coast & nearby islands; Natives employed by Malays in trepang fishing and collecting tortoiseshell, relationships between Malays and Aborigines; influences (physical & cultural); Habit of exchanging children between tribes (Roper R. & Normanton) for the purpose of learning each others language & customs; Description of native camps at Fort Dundas (1895) shelters, finding of bark water bags, types of canoes used; Platform burial at Daly R.; Sacred burial site on Maria Island; Geographical features, vegetation, climate etc., general ecology, depredations & murders by natives; Cannibalism practiced by Fitzmaurice River tribes.Ill, maps, p.373.non-fictionEarly history of N.T. and explorations; Detailed account of intercepting Macassan proas around coast of Arnhem Land whilst author was Sub-Collector of Customs for 14 years; Names of proas and masters, Malay camps & smoke houses along coast & nearby islands; Natives employed by Malays in trepang fishing and collecting tortoiseshell, relationships between Malays and Aborigines; influences (physical & cultural); Habit of exchanging children between tribes (Roper R. & Normanton) for the purpose of learning each others language & customs; Description of native camps at Fort Dundas (1895) shelters, finding of bark water bags, types of canoes used; Platform burial at Daly R.; Sacred burial site on Maria Island; Geographical features, vegetation, climate etc., general ecology, depredations & murders by natives; Cannibalism practiced by Fitzmaurice River tribes. northern australia - description and travel, ethnography -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Dennis, Anthony et al, Ticket to Ride: A Rail Journey Around Australia, 1989
... Australia -- Description and travel -- 1976-1990... Prahran Railroad travel -- Australia Australia -- Description ...Compelling and often hilarious cavalcade of Australian life during a 20,000 km rail odyssey around Australia and whatever came along in between, from Sydney's Central Station and back again.index, ill, p.144.non-fictionCompelling and often hilarious cavalcade of Australian life during a 20,000 km rail odyssey around Australia and whatever came along in between, from Sydney's Central Station and back again.railroad travel -- australia, australia -- description and travel -- 1976-1990 -
Falls Creek Historical Society
Book - Skier's Guide to Australia and New Zealand, Richard Shears & Isobelle Gidley, 1983
... Australia-Description and travel...-Description and travel Australian Skiing A complete guide book ...A complete guide book for enthusiasts of the great winter sport of snow skiing-a sport which attracts over one million bookings a year to Australian and New Zealand resorts. A Skier's Guide to Australia and New Zealand aimed to answer questions about ski locations in one up-to-date package. It covers where to go and how to get there, where to stay, tariffs and facilities, emergency services, equipment hire, restaurants and night spots, and information about package deals. Regional maps show where the ski areas are situated with village maps of the major resorts and full colour maps of the ski runs offering a guide to the slopes.A book of 188 pages including illustrations and maps. The cover is blue with white text. It features a map and a list of ski fields included in the publication.non-fictionA complete guide book for enthusiasts of the great winter sport of snow skiing-a sport which attracts over one million bookings a year to Australian and New Zealand resorts. A Skier's Guide to Australia and New Zealand aimed to answer questions about ski locations in one up-to-date package. It covers where to go and how to get there, where to stay, tariffs and facilities, emergency services, equipment hire, restaurants and night spots, and information about package deals. Regional maps show where the ski areas are situated with village maps of the major resorts and full colour maps of the ski runs offering a guide to the slopes.skis and skiing- australia-guide-books, australia-description and travel, australian skiing -
Ballarat Base Hospital Trained Nurses League
Priscilla Wardle - Trainee Ballarat District Hospital, 27/02/1905 to 01/03/1908 and WW1 Nurse. Also Edith Popplewell & Lily MacKenzie
No 1: Matron Eagleton with Nursing Staff, Ballarat & District Hospital. Priscilla Wardle, far right - trainee nurse 1905-1908. No 2: This could be a group of trainee nurses at Ballarat Hospital. Circa 1906/1907. The nurses with the grey looking sleeves in this black and white photograph may be wearing the lilac uniform of Trainee nurses. The sitting nurse on the far right may already be qualified because she appears to be wearing the white of a trained nurse. Sitting in the middle with the cheeky grin could be Priscilla and the standing nurse on the far left could be Edith Popplewell. No 3: This photograph is labelled 1907 and Priscilla would have just commenced her training. She appears to be “fanning” a female patient presumably to cool her down. This could be upstairs in the Queen Victoria’s Women’s Ward. Priscilla graduated as a nurse in 1908. In this photograph Priscilla was at age 23 years. No 5: Sheila Kelly (left) and Priscilla Wardle. This photograph is labelled 1909 and shows Priscilla in an all white uniform indicating she has qualified as a nurse. Sheila Kelly appears to have darker sleeves/blouse (lilac) and may still be a trainee. No 6: There is a very good chance that this photograph is Edith Popplewell, standing left, Lily MacKenzie , standing on the right and Priscilla seated. Writing in her album is very hard to read but it appears to be “Pop McK & I”. The arm bands with the St John Cross denote they are “charge nurses” maybe in charge of a ward. Taking all this into account the photograph could be circa 1909/1910. No 8 & 9: Priscilla painting what appears to be a gate while wearing her nurse uniform. She has a big grin on her face. Together with Lily MacKenzie they were the principals in the Mount Stuart Private Hospital at 18 Duke Street. Daylesford. This property is now known as Mount Stuart House. Priscilla appears to be on Central Spring Road with the Daylesford Post Office in the background. Photograph 9 is labelled 1914 which would make it near the end of their tenancy between 1911 and 1914. No 10: This photograph raises some questions. Priscilla appears to have darker sleeves /blouse (lilac) which may indicate she is still a trainee however Priscilla is also wearing a “charge nurse” arm band. While my research shows trainee nurses can be a “charge nurse” this is not common practise. The scene appears to be at the door of a house/home. I am not sure if the children’s ward/orphanage at the Ballarat Hospital at this time was in such a building. It could be that it is at the Mount Stuart Hospital but this would mean Priscilla and Lily have duplicated the wearing of the “charge nurse” arm band. The St John’s logo looks different too. Priscilla Isabel “Pearl” Wardle (1884-1967). The armband indicates Priscilla is a Charge Nurse at the Ballarat Hospital. Nothing else known. No 11: Mary & I at Mount Stuart – House Daylesford – This is probably the nursery at the Mount Stuart House Private Hospital being run by Priscilla Isabel “Pearl” Wardle (1884 – 1967) and Selina Lily (Lil) MacKenzie or McKenzie (1882 – 1975) between 1910 and 1914. Mary is certainly Mary Young MacKenzie or McKenzie (1865- 1942) Lily’s stepsister who trained at Ballarat Hospital as “Mary Young “at the same time as Priscilla and Lily. Mount Stuart House still stands at 18 Duke Street Daylesford. Photo date 1912. No 12: Priscilla wearing her distinctive Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve cape and badge. Possibly while nursing in London for a month in 1919 after the war. No 12A: Priscilla Wardle - WW1 Diary, OCR enabled. No 13: Priscilla and friends at No. 7 General Hospital, Malassises, Saint Omer, France in July 1915 The old monastery being used as a hospital can be seen in the background. The tents are the nurses quarters. This photograph may have been taken at the same time as the group photograph on page 250 of the diary transcription. Priscilla is thought to be the nurse at the centre in the QAIMNSR uniform. The nurses quarters at the No 7 General Hospital in Saint Omer in France where Priscilla worked for most of the first year of her Diary. Their Monastery (Hospital) at Malassises can be seen in the background. No 15: Priscilla is an Acting Sister working at the 2nd General Hospital for Officers in Havre, France, between March and July 1918. The nurses were enjoying their “tea party”. (see also page 253 of the Diary transcription) No 17: Priscilla at Havre - at 2nd General Hospital (Officers Hospital) in Havre., France Friday 29 March 1918 to Monday 29 July 1918 note the two dark bands on her right sleeve denoting that she is an “Acting Sister”. Priscilla is 34 years of age in this picture and in the three weeks prior to this posting she met Cyril Terence Charles Kirby (1892-1968) her future husband at the 42nd Stationary Hospital in Flixecourt while he was serving with the British Army during the battle and evacuation of Amiens. No 18: Priscilla Wardle at No 8 Stationary Hospital Wimereux, France - from Saturday 24 June 1916 to Tuesday 18 September 1917, Priscilla worked at this hospital for 15 months her longest time in one hospital. during the war. While at Wimereux on Sunday 1 July 1917 she was appointed an Acting Sister. Priscilla once said she disliked nursing in her cape and badges and here she is in her favourite “uniform” for work “the robe” as she called it. She may be leaving the “operating theatre” at Wimereux in this photograph. No 19: Priscilla worked in various operating theatres throughout France. This could be after she became an anaesthetist in 1918 and worked with this team. She is wearing her favourite uniform which is more comfortable. She did not like the collars and capes that were required to be worn. No 20: Priscilla and Sister Michael Meeke? (details not found) are having a quiet drink at the 2nd General Hospital for Officers in Havre, France. Note the dark bands on their sleeves denote their rank as nursing “Sisters”. While it looks like they are smoking look more closely they are in fact holding a “flute” style probably “cocktail” glass. Tea parties and cocktails, Havre could almost have been fun. No 22: 1913 – Ballarat nurse Priscilla Isabell “Pearl” Wardle (1884-1967) in Cannes on the French Riviera during leave from between Friday 20 February 1918 and Friday 6 March 1918.Priscilla is second from the left wearing her distinctive QAIMNSR cape of grey with dark “wine” coloured border. The other nurses are wearing their “travelling” army uniform. They were rudely called “Salvation Army Lassies” by American nurses for the way they were dressed. (see page 232 of Priscilla’s War Diary) The description of 1913 on this photograph is confusing. No 23: Priscilla with her best friend Edith Victoria Donaldson somewhere in the “mysterious far east” on their trip on the Orontes. Priscilla is second from left - this may have been taken at Durban during Priscilla's return to Australia in 1919. No 25: Priscilla Wardle, Ballarat nurse in her Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR) uniform. Notice the distinctive grey cape with “wine coloured” border Priscilla is also wearing her QAIMNSR qualification badge (medal) on the right side. Because she has no dark (wine coloured) bands on her sleeves so this photograph may be before 1 July 1918. No 26: Priscilla met her husband to be English army Lieutenant Cyril Terrence Charles Kirby during the battle and subsequent evacuation of Amiens in France. As an army nursing “Sister” Priscilla also held the rank of Lieutenant. Priscilla was stationed at the 42nd Stationary Hospital between 7/3/18 and 23/3/18. She had just completed a fortnight break at Cannes on the French Riviera. They were married at Priscilla’s home “Waverley" at 215 Dawson Street Ballarat on Saturday 15 November 1919. Nov 15, 1919 – Mr and Mrs Kirby. The bride Priscilla Isabell “Pearl” Kirby (nee Wardle) (1884-1967) and the groom Cyril Terence Charles Kirby (1892– 1968) on their wedding day. Priscilla was 34 years of age and Cyril 27 years of age however their marriage certificate states that they were both 34 years of age. Their marriage certificate states they were married at Waverley, Dawson St, South, Ballarat in a Presbyterian service conducted by the Rev. John Walker, a Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Moderator General of the Church we think for Victoria. Was it in an outdoor setting as the surrounds in this photograph seem to indicate. Their witnesses were Robert and Olive, Priscilla’s brother and sister. Cyril signed as C. Terence. C. Kirby and Priscila signed as Priscilla I. Wardle. The certificate lists Cyril (Terence) as a Bachelor, Born at sea on a British ship and his occupation as Sailor. His father interestingly is listed as Charles John Kirby, of independent means and his mother as Emily Newman. Priscilla is listed as a Spinster, born in Ballarat with occupation as a Nurse. Her father is listed as Henry Thomas Wardle, Timber Merchant and her mother as Isabella Allan. They are both resident at 215 Dawson St. Ballarat which was Waverley the Wardle family home. No 28: Reverse in Poppy’s handwriting: “Lovingly yours Poppy, Dec 1908” Taken the year after Poppy qualified at BBH. No 29: Reverse in Poppy’s handwriting: “With much love to you Cilla, Poppy 1915” This picture was taken in the same year as the Marquette sinking incident. Edith Catheina Popplewell RRC (1884-1972) in her New Zealand Army Nursing Service (NZANS) Uniform. Poppy is at age 29 years in this photograph. Poppy was awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC) medal for her heroism during the sinking of the Marquette transport ship. She lost her best friend NZ nurse Lorna Ratray. No 30: Taken in Cairo. Poppy is in the centre and wearing her New Zealand army badge and cape. The two nurses on either side are Australian nurses probably wearing their unique silver Australian Army sunrise badge and cape. No 31: Reverse in Poppy’s handwriting: “Ward 7 on Xmas day 1917, with my love, Poppy, A Happy New Year to you – had the sweetest letter from Bobbie”. (Bobbie is Priscilla’s brother Robert). It is thought the nurse in the centre of the three on the left is Poppy. It is 1917 two years after the Marquette sinking. Poppy appears to be a “sister” note the two dark bands on her sleeve. The uniform also matches that of Poppy 2. This photograph is in Post Card form very common during WWI. Edith Popplewell RRC is the “Sister” in the middle of the group of three nurses on the left. She is a sister not a general nurse because of the two bands on her left wrist denoting her rank. She was in fact the Charge Nurse ( in charge) of Ward 7 at this time. Note the Christmas decorations. Poppy is at age 33 years of age in this photograph.Bobbie is Priscilla’s brother Robert Norman “Bobbie” Wardle (1895-1979). No 32: Lilly MacKenzie & Poppy – Otaki - Australian nurse Selina Lily (Lil) MacKenzie sometimes McKenzie (1882– 975) grew up and trained as a nurse in Ballarat Victoria. After completing her training Lily and Priscilla Isabell “Pearl” Wardle (1884 – 1967) conducted the Mount Stuart House Private Hospital in Daylesford Victoria. In late 1913 Lily travelled to Otaki, 32 kms north of Wellington in New Zealand and worked at the Otaki Cottage Hospital with close friend Edith Catheina Popplewell “Poppy” (1884-1976) who also grew up and trained as a nurse at the Ballarat Hospital. In 1914 Lily was matron of a private hospital in Taihape 150kms north of Wellington. Both Lily and Poppy volunteered for New Zealand but as New Zealand were not accepting Australian trained nurses she returned to Australia and enlisted in the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) in October 1915. Lily went on to serve in Egypt, England, France and Italy where she was awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC) medal for her service. This photograph is while Lily and Poppy were working at Otaki Cottage Hospital in New Zealand. Circa 1914. trainee, charge sister, ballarat, hospital, 1905, 1908, ww1, mount stuart house, sleeman, wardle, popplewell, mackenzie, military, queen alexandra's imperial military nursing service reserve, daylesford, nurses, private hospital, edith popplewell, france, cairo, diary, ww1 diary, havre, lily mackenzie, eagleton, matron, otaki, new zealand, donaldson, malassises, kelly, young, kirby, priscilla -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Textile - Wall Hanging, curtain, 1854-1855
The striking fabric of this wall hanging was recovered from the sinking Schomberg. It was originally one of the many curtains adorning the captain’s cabin and ladies’ saloons that attracted first-class passengers to this luxury vessel, built for comfort and speed. The clipper ship was on its maiden voyage, full of passengers emigrating to Australia in 1855. Its commander was Captain James Nicol Forbes, who had been selected by James Baine & Co for his navigation skills, experience, and reputation for breaking sailing records. However, on December 26th, 1855, the vessel became stranded and sank west of Cape Otway, not quite reaching its destination of Melbourne. A reporter explored the Schomberg before its journey; the following detailed description is an excerpt of his article published in a newspaper after the disastrous voyage was announced. “ … descending by a flight of stairs, covered with carpet of a very rich pattern, we came to the saloon passengers’ cabin. This is a noble place, and all that refined taste would suggest has been done to make each berth a miniature palace. The bedding is of the very best material, and the fittings are replete with every convenience. The carpets are of various coloured velvet pile, and the curtains are of satin damask, lined with white satin … The fronts of the berths are highly decorated, and festoons of flowers are painted on the panels … No two berths are furnished with the same-coloured material … the visitor is, therefore, much pleased with the variety which he has to inspect….” (Trove: Shipping Gazette and Sydney General Trade, 31 Dec 1955, p. 283) The curtain material, ‘folded into a single piece and parcelled for protection’, has been passed down through generations of Captain Forbes’ relatives, starting with his half-sister Isabella Jeffrey Nicol. The curtain has remained with the family, although some transition details are incomplete. About a century later, Isabella and Blakiston Robinson’s great-grandson and his wife had the fabric professionally mounted as a wall hanging to showcase the beauty of the woven brocade. Eventually, the custodianship of the curtain was transferred to the donor, who is also a great-grandson of Isabella and Blakiston. He and his wife hung the curtain on the wall of a high-ceilinged room in their home, away from direct light, making it visible for all to appreciate its beauty and significance. In 2024, they donated the curtain for inclusion among the collection of artefacts that help tell the story of the Schomberg and those who sailed on its first and last voyage. The donor’s aunt was highly involved in the family’s history. She had collected and recorded information that dates back to pre-1341. A footnote included in a handwritten letter dated April 20, 1959, from the late Arthur William Rudd, OBE, MA, LLB, husband of another of the donor’s aunts, states, “The curtains you mentioned came from the Schomberg. AWR.” CAPTAIN JAMES NICOL FORBES (1821-1874) and the donor’s family: - Captain Forbes was born in Aberdeen. In his late teens, he moved to Liverpool, a hub for international trade and an emigration port. By the age of 25, he was master of the Prince of Waterloo and later, the Wakefield. He then commanded the Cleopatra for the James Baines Co., which, two years later, transferred him to command the Maria, providing fast and lucrative passage to the gold fields in Ballarat, Australia. James Baines Co. and shipbuilder Thomas Mackay formed the Black Ball Line of clipper ships in 1852. Forbes was appointed master of the largest ship in the fleet, the marvellous Marco Polo. He broke the record time for the passage to Australia, taking only 68 days at sea, and the return journey in only 76 days, a total of 5 months and 21 days. On his second voyage to Melbourne in the Marco Polo the following year, he took 75 days, and 95 days on the return trip. His accomplishment made him famous. James Baines reported that the Marco Polo was the only ship, sail or steam, to do the round trip within 6 months, and it had done it twice. Captain Forbes then took command of the American-built clipper Lightning, one of four built for the Black Ball line. His 19-year-old half-sister, Isabella Jaffray Nicol, was also onboard when he sailed for Melbourne in 1854. During the 77-day voyage, Isabella met Blakiston Robinson, and not long after the ship arrived in Melbourne on July 31, the couple married, with James Nicol Forbes as a witness, on August 16. When Forbes returned to Liverpool, he took a record-breaking 63 days, which has never been bettered. James Baines Co. ordered a new luxury emigrant ship from Alexander Hall of Aberdeen; the Schomberg was the largest sailing ship ever built in Britain. On October 6, 1855, the vessel departed Liverpool commanded by Captain Forbes, with 430 passengers on board, 54 of whom were First Class. It had almost completed its voyage to Melbourne when, on the night of December 26, it ran aground west of Cape Otway. Captain Doran, master of the steamer Queen, responded to the distress signal while on its way to Portland and, with the agreement of his passengers, rescued as many as possible from the Schomberg and returned to Melbourne with them. Captain Helpman, master of the steamer Champion, rescued most of the remaining Schomberg passengers on December 27. On Friday, 28th, Captain James Lawrence was on his way to Adelaide in the steamer Burra Burra, and called past the Schomberg. He reported that the remaining crew were all doing their duties, but the Schomberg was deteriorating on a sand spit and had about 16 feet of water in its hold. That same day, the schooner Jane Elizabeth collected 220 packages of passengers’ luggage to deliver to Melbourne on the 29th. Two steamers also arrived on the 29th with 20 men to collect passengers’ luggage and valuable ship’s cargo items. They were accompanied by water police, customs agents, company representatives and a Lloyds agent. The decision was made to abandon ship on the 30th due to rough and unsafe conditions. The officials and Captain Forbes voyaged to Melbourne, while the seamen remained behind awaiting rescue. Evacuation by sea became too risky, so on January 2, 1856, while the first Mate and Steward remained at the wreck site, the rest of the crew began the 70-mile march to Warrnambool, led by the band. They arrived on January 5th and left for Melbourne on the steamer Champion on January 10th. Parts of the Schomberg wreck ended up in New Zealand. The curtain is important for its connection to the Schomberg, which was unique for being designed and built in Aberdeen, and commanded by an Aberdonian who was the most celebrated clipper captain of the age. The ship was the largest sailing ship ever built in Britain, and reported as the largest vessel that sailed to Australia. The curtain is an example of the rich decorative furnishings available in 1855. The preservation and respect the donor and his family have shown towards the curtain over many decades reflect its important role in telling the family’s history; the journey, the romantic attachment, the family connection to the sea, and travel in gold rush times. The curtain is significant for its connection to James Nocol Forbes, a famous sailing ship commander who broke several sailing records, one of which has never been bettered. This wall hanging, also known as the Schomberg Curtain, was created from a curtain recovered from the stranded luxury ship Schomberg in December 1855. The woven satin damask fabric in blue and cream has been meticulously joined to blend the intricate pattern. The reverse features a soft cream lining. The hems at the top and bottom of the fabric hold wooden rods. The side edges feature decorative braid that has been hand-stitched in place. On the reverse, the bottom hem includes the same braid, which remains unseen from the front, and the centre of the top hem has a hand-worked, unused buttonhole. Each of the hems varies in depth. The curtain was tastefully mounted later to highlight the beauty of the original saloon curtain. A decorative twisted cord of cream silk threads, accented with gold highlights and decorative tassels, was coiled and attached to the ends of the top rod. The elegant display was completed with an ornate gold hook, chosen to complement the wall hanging.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, shipwreck artefact, memorabilia, curtain, saloon curtain, schomberg, wall hanging, decorative object, domestic item, warrnambool, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, maritime history, shipwreck, stranding, schomberg curtain, schomberg wall hanging, luxury ship, 1855, damask, silk damask, blue and cream, captain’s cabin, ladies’ saloon, clipper ship, migrant, emigrant, liverpool to australia, captain james nicol forbes, james forbes, captain forbes, bully forbes, james baines & co, james baines, cape otway, aberdeen, prince of waterloo, wakefield, cleopatra, maria, thomas mackay, black ball line, marco polo, sailing record, lightning, isabella jaffray nocol, blakiston robinson, alexander hall, steamer queen, captain helpman, james lawrence, steamer burra burra, steamer jane elizabeth, water police, customs agents, lloyds agent, ship’s band, walk to warrnambool, march to warrnambool, steamer champion, agnes nicol robinson, arthur william rudd obe ma llb