Showing 345 items
matching box factory
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City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Manufactured objects, safety matches Bryant & May Ltd, 20thC
Bryant and May was a United Kingdom (UK) company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London. They later opened other match factories in the United Kingdom and Australia, such as the Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne; and owned match factories in other parts of the world.Bryant and May survived as an independent company for over seventy years, but went through a series of mergers with other match companies and later with consumer products companies. To protect its position Bryant and May merged with or took over its rivals. In 1971 the Northern Ireland factory, Maguire & Patterson closed down following a terrorist attack.. In the 1980s, factories in Gloucester and Glasgow closed too leaving Liverpool as the last match factory in the UK, until December 1994. The former Australian match factory, in Melbourne, closed in the mid-1980s. The registered trade name Bryant and May still exists and it is owned by Swedish Match, as are many of the other registered trade names of the other, formerly independent, companies within the Bryant and May group. The British match brands continue to survive, as brands of Swedish Match, and are made outside the UK. Matches were first produced by Bryant & May in Australia in 1909. The Redhead name applies to the red striking heads of the matches which were introduced to Australia in 1946. The logo on the matchbox depicted the head and shoulder of a redheaded woman and has had four major updates since that time with a number of special issues depicting animals, birds and notable persons also producedThe Bryant & May Ltd factory in Church St Richmond is a listed building and has been converted to apartments following the closure of the Company 1980. Bryant & May's Ltd were influential in fighting against the dreadful disease known as Phossy jaw which was caused by white phosphorus used in the manufacture of the early matches. They were also the object of the 'Match Girls Strike' in London 1888, which won important improvements in working conditions and pay for the mostly female workforce working with the dangerous white phosphorus. The public were slow to purchase these safety matches because of the higher price .A box of safety matches with unused matches made by Bryant & May Pty Ltd , Richmond Victoria Australia. The tray containing the matches slides inside the open ended cover.. The striking patch is on both sides of the cover.PREVENT FIRES/ BRYANT & MAY'S / a crown in an oval shape / SAFETY MATCHES/ MOTORISTS USE ASHTRAY/ AV. CONTENTS 60 / Made in Australiasafety matches, bryant & may's pty ltd, phosy jaw disease, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, richmond, cheltenham, lights, lamps, tobacco -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Containers, tin, Tobacco ‘Champion’, c1940
W.D & H.O.Wills (Australia) Ltd began manufacturing tobacco products in 1913 at its Raleigh Park factory in Kensington, Sydney. In 1945 an estate of 16 acres was purchased at East Bentleigh, Melbourne, with a further 22 acres purchased later and the Virginia Park manufacturing branch was established. The 1950s were to be one of the most successful decades in the company’s history and it enjoyed a peak of 83 per cent market share in 1954. But this was also a period of increased competition as Phillip Morris and Rothmans entered the Australian tobacco market. By 1972, increased competition meant that the company’s market share had slipped to 39%. By the time tobacco advertising was banned on Australian radio and television in 1976, Wills' market share had fallen a further 6%. In 1985 Wills combined the separate factory operations in Sydney and in Melbourne into one site at Pagewood, Sydney which took on the name Virginia Park. In 1989 W.D & H.O.Wills (Australia) became a subsidiary of the British American Tobacco Industries group of companies. 1999 British American Tobacco merged with global competitor Rothmans International. Rothmans in Australia and Wills merged to form the wholly-owned subsidiary British American Tobacco Australia. The merger left British American Tobacco Australia, Phillip Morris and Imperial Tobacco Australia A tin with a hinged lid for 'Champion' Tobacco flakesCHAMPION / HIGHEST GRADE / CUT TOBACCO / MANUFACTURED BY / THE BRITISH AUSTRALIAN TOBACCO CO.PTY.LTDtobacco, cigarettes, brittish australian tobacco co. pty. ltd., moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, , wd &h.o.wills pty. ltd., east bentleigh, kensington , virginia park east bentleigh, champion flake tobacco -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Containers, tin, tobacco 'Log Cabin', 20thC
W.D & H.O.Wills (Australia) Ltd began manufacturing tobacco products in 1913 at its Raleigh Park factory in Kensington, Sydney. In 1945 an estate of 16 acres was purchased at East Bentleigh, Melbourne, with a further 22 acres purchased later and the Virginia Park manufacturing branch was established. The 1950s were to be one of the most successful decades in the company’s history and it enjoyed a peak of 83 per cent market share in 1954. But this was also a period of increased competition as Phillip Morris and Rothmans entered the Australian tobacco market. By 1972, increased competition meant that the company’s market share had slipped to 39%. By the time tobacco advertising was banned on Australian radio and television in 1976, Wills' market share had fallen a further 6%. In 1985 Wills combined the separate factory operations in Sydney and in Melbourne into one site at Pagewood, Sydney which took on the name Virginia Park. In 1989 W.D & H.O.Wills (Australia) became a subsidiary of the British American Tobacco Industries group of companies. 1999 British American Tobacco merged with global competitor Rothmans International. Rothmans in Australia and Wills merged to form the wholly-owned subsidiary British American Tobacco Australia. The merger left British American Tobacco Australia, Phillip Morris and Imperial Tobacco Australia Virginia Tobacco, or Flue-cured tobacco, is named after the US state where it was first cultivated. It is also called ‘bright tobacco’ because of the yellow to orange colour it achieves during curing. It grows particularly well in subtropical regions with light rainfall, such as Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas in the USA, Southern Brazil and Zimbabwe. In Australia, blends are predominantly Virginia, for example, Dunhill and Winfield. Virginia blends contain only flue-cured Virginia tobacco W.D & H.O. Wills Pty Ltd - In 1945 an estate of 16 acres was purchased at East Boundary Road, East Bentleigh, Melbourne, with a further 22 acres purchased later and the Virginia Park manufacturing branch was established. The plant was closed 1985 when the firm moved to Pagewood, Sydney New South WalesA circular tin with a lid that is opened by twisting a coin in the rim and closed by screwing the lid down. Instructions written on base of tin. Contained ‘Log Cabin’ tobacco.lid :LOG CABIN / FLAKED GOLD LEAF / TOBACCO / base ; LOG CABIN / SKRU SEAL / To open twist coin / to reseal screw lid / TOBACCOtobacco, cigarettes, smoking pipes, cigarette papers, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, log cabin tobacco, w d & h o wills pty ltd , british american tobacco ltd, rothmans international ltd, east bentleigh -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Containers, tin, Tobacco 'Capstan' ‘Navy Cut’, c1940
W.D & H.O.Wills (Australia) Ltd began manufacturing tobacco products in 1913 at its Raleigh Park factory in Kensington, Sydney. In 1945 an estate of 16 acres was purchased at East Bentleigh, Melbourne, with a further 22 acres purchased later and the Virginia Park manufacturing branch was established. The 1950s were to be one of the most successful decades in the company’s history and it enjoyed a peak of 83 per cent market share in 1954. But this was also a period of increased competition as Phillip Morris and Rothmans entered the Australian tobacco market. By 1972, increased competition meant that the company’s market share had slipped to 39%. By the time tobacco advertising was banned on Australian radio and television in 1976, Wills' market share had fallen a further 6%. In 1985 Wills combined the separate factory operations in Sydney and in Melbourne into one site at Pagewood, Sydney which took on the name Virginia Park. In 1989 W.D & H.O.Wills (Australia) became a subsidiary of the British American Tobacco Industries group of companies. 1999 British American Tobacco merged with global competitor Rothmans International. Rothmans in Australia and Wills merged to form the wholly-owned subsidiary British American Tobacco Australia. The merger left British American Tobacco Australia, Phillip Morris and Imperial Tobacco Australia. Virginia Tobacco, or Flue-cured tobacco, is named after the US state where it was first cultivated. It is also called ‘bright tobacco’ because of the yellow to orange colour it achieves during curing. It grows particularly well in subtropical regions with light rainfall, such as Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas in the USA, Southern Brazil and Zimbabwe. In Australia, blends are predominantly Virginia, for example, Dunhill and Winfield. Virginia blends contain only flue-cured Virginia tobacco The W.D.&H.O.Wills Ltd manufacturing plant was situated in Boundary Road East Bentleigh 1945 – 85. Virginia Park is still a Commercial Business Area A tin with a hinged lid for 'Capstan' "Navy Cut tobacco Lid: CAPSTAN / NAVY CUT / W.D. & H.O. WILLS LTD inside lid - This tin of which only a / limited number will be / issued will be found convenient / for smokers as a vest / pocket container and can / easily be refilled with the / contents of the ordinary 1oz / packets of 'Capstan Tobacco'tobacco, cigarettes, cheltenham, moorabbin, early settlers, smoking pipes, cigarette papers, bentleigh, navy cut tobacco, w d & h o wills pty ltd , british american tobacco ltd, rothmans international ltd, east bentleigh, capstan tobacco -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Containers, 2 x tins 'Welcome Nugget' flake tobacco, c1900
Thomas C Williams 1831 -89, Richmond Virginia USA. 1850 he formed a partnership with R.A. Patterson in a tobacco business which was very successful. The British-American Tobacco Company, Ltd., was established in 1902 by an agreement between the Imperial Tobacco Co. of Great Britain and its rivals, the American Tobacco Co. and its associates. The headquarters was located in London, England, and the office at 111 5th Ave. in New York City handled the purchase of leaf and manufacturing in the U. S. In 1903 the company acquired the formerly independent export businesses of the T. C. Williams Co., David Dunlop, and the Cameron family who were then the largest exporters of manufactured tobacco. T.C.Williams Co had been in existence for fifty years, and its export business in chewing tobacco amounted to nearly 5,000,000 pounds of tobacco a year.2 tins a) circular and b) rectangular with lift off lids that contained 'Welcome Nugget' flake cut tobacco made by T.C Williams Co.Top of Lid ; T.C WILLIAMS Co. / WELCOME NUGGET / FLAKE / CUT / TOBACCO. around lid WELCOME NUGGET FLAKE CUT HERMETICALLY SEALED. on base High / Grade / TOBACCO /Packed in a round airtight / tin to preserve the / original fine flavour / and to ensure / perfect condition / 2 0zs. NETT Factory weight / when packed.* tobacco, cigarettes, smoking pipes, t c williams co ltd, richmond virginia, moorabbin, cheltenham, bentleigh, the british-american tobacco company ltd., american tobacco company, cameron & cameron ltd., imperial tobacco company, patterson r a , williams thomas c snr., -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Containers, matchbox 'Redhead' with matches, 20thC
On 15th December 1909, Bryant & May, Australia’s first match factory at Church Street, Richmond, Victoria. was opened by The Honourable Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister of Australia, and Mrs. Deakin. It was heralded by the first Commonwealth Government of newly-federated Australia because the government of the day was anxious to encourage secondary industry and pledged tariff protection of local manufacturers. The building was constructed in 1909 as the Empire Works to a design by prolific Melbourne architect William Pitt and was purchased soon after by British safety match manufacturer Bryant and May, who significantly expanded the building, adding another level and the landmark clock tower. Bryant and May were unique in that they operated as a model factory, providing workers with conditions and amenities that even today seem generous. These included a dining hall and sports facilities such as a tennis court and bowling green which were constructed in the 1920s. Bryant and May ceased Australian match manufacture in the early 1980s as a result of import competition. Their iconic Redheads matches are now imported from Sweden. The complex has since been converted for use as offices and showrooms but is extremely well preserved. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Bryant and May was a United Kingdom (UK) company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London. They later opened other match factories in the United Kingdom and Australia, such as the Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne; and owned match factories in other parts of the world. Bryant and May survived as an independent company for over seventy years, but went through a series of mergers with other match companies and later with consumer products companies. To protect its position Bryant and May merged with or took over its rivals. In 1971 the Northern Ireland factory, Maguire & Patterson closed down following a terrorist attack.. In the 1980s, factories in Gloucester and Glasgow closed too leaving Liverpool as the last match factory in the UK, until December 1994. . The registered trade name Bryant and May still exists and it is owned by Swedish Match, as are many of the other registered trade names of the other, formerly independent, companies within the Bryant and May group. Two French chemists, Henri Savene and Emile David Cahen, proved in 1898 that the addition of phosphorus sesquisulfide meant that the substance was not poisonous, that it could be used in a "strike-anywhere" match, and that the match heads were not explosive. British company Albright and Wilson, was the first company to produce phosphorus sesquisulfide ( Red Phosphorous) matches commercially. The company developed a safe means of making commercial quantities of phosphorus sesquisulfide in 1899 and started selling it to match manufacturers. Matches were first produced by Bryant & May in Australia in 1909. The Redhead name applies to the red striking heads of the matches which were introduced to Australia in 1946. The logo on the matchbox depicted the head and shoulder of a redheaded woman and has had four major updates since that time with a number of special issues depicting birds, animals and notable persons also produced.The Bryant & May Ltd factory in Church St Richmond is a listed building and has been converted to apartments following the closure of the Company 1980. Bryant & May's Ltd were influential in fighting against the dreadful disease known as Phossy jaw which was caused by white phosphorus used in the manufacture of the early matches. They were also the object of the 'Match Girls Strike' in London 1888, which won important improvements in working conditions and pay for the mostly female workforce working with the dangerous white phosphorus. The public were slow to purchase these safety matches because of the higher price .A box of safety matches with unused matches made by Bryant & May Pty Ltd , Richmond Victoria Australia. The tray containing the matches slides inside the open ended cover.. The striking patch is on both sides of the cover. Av. CONTENTS 50 MADE IN AUSTRALIA / Brymay / 1/3 / Safety Matches / Redheads / a colour picture of a Kookaburra / Laughing KOOKABURRAsafety matches, bryant & may pty ltd, phossy jaw disease, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, lights, lamps, tobacco, white phosphorous, phosphorus sesquisulfide, swedish match pty ltd, pitt william, savens henri, cahen emile david , richmond victoria, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Personal Effects, cigarette case c1950, c1950
A silver plated case to hold, and protect from crushing, cigarettes in a coat pocket. A cigarette is a narrow cylinder containing tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking. "Tailor-made" in relation to cigarettes means cigarettes that have been mass-produced in a factory and usually have a filter tip inserted at the mouth piece. 'Hand-rolled' cigarettes or 'roll-your-own'. were made by the person themselves by rolling thin paper around a pinch of loose cut tobacco. After World War 2 1914- 1918 tailor made cigarettes were mass produced in large factories and were inexpensive and easy to obtain world wide. Residents of City of Moorabbin used a cigarette case like this to carry their tailor made cigarettes in their coat pocketsc1950 A silver plated cigarette case with spring hinge and metal strip inside case that holds cigarettes in place early settlers, market gardeners, silver smiths, jewellers, cigarettes, tailor made cigarettes, craven a cigarettes, phillip morris pty ltd, post world war 2 estates, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, highett, cheltenham, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Kitchen Equipment, cutlery butter knife, c1930
Rodd's was established by George & Ernest Rodd in Melbourne in 1919.They were manufacturers and wholesalers of precious metal jewellery. Later they began to manufacture high quality silver plated cutlery under the brand name “Rodd”. They then expanded into holloware when they took over Platers Pty. Ltd. who produced a very high quality range of silver plated Sheffield Reproduction Silverware, under the brand name “Hecworth”. Rodd’s established a large factory at 150 Barkly St., St. Kilda, Melbourne. During WW2 with a staff some 200, the factory produced ordnance components to help with the war effort. Rodd’s established sales offices in the main city centres of all States. The company prospered. In December, 1960, Rodd [Australia] Ltd. was merged with Mytton’s Ltd., Melbourne, and became part of the newly formed company Mytton Rodd [Australia] Ltd. Mytton’s were also producers of silver plated cutlery under the brand name “Grosvenor” and were strong competitors to the Rodd brand of cutlery Australia wide. It was a friendly take over and the Directors of Rodd [Aust.] Ltd. were appointed to the board of Mytton Rodd [Aust.] Ltd., and some to the Holding Company Mytton’s Ltd. Mytton’s were heavy manufacturing engineers producing a large range of stainless steel products including: kitchen sinks of various design, beer barrels [9 and 18 gallon kegs] for the breweries, milk vats for cooling and storing milk on dairy farms, a large range of dairy and industrial vessels, road transport tanks, LPG tanks, low pressure pre-mix vessels for the soft drink industry. They also produced a range of domestic bathes, steel railway sleepers, using their 3000 ton hydraulic presses. Mytton’s also had their own non ferrous foundry and rolling mill which produced nickel silver sheet used in the manufacturer of their silver plated cutlery. They also produced copper sheet for their own and industrial use. Mytton’s had factories in York St., South Melbourne and Port Melbourne. Rodd [Aust.] Ltd. set up a manufacturing, distribution plant in Auckland, New Zealand, circa 1960. This company began producing precious metal jewellery in a rented space in the premises of Matthey Garret Ltd., Bullion Merchants, in Drake St., Auckland. Later they moved into their own building in Sale St., Auckland. The company prospered and purchased land and built a factory at 121 Apirana Ave. Glen Innes, Auckland, circa 1964. ( B. McCulloch Rodd Pty Ltd)A butter knife with stainless steel blade and bone handle c1930on blade; RODD / STAINLESScutlery, stainless steel, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, rodd aust ltd, mytton rodd pty ltd, aukland, port melbourne -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Personal Effects, safety razor blade 'King Gillette'', 20thc
King Camp Gillette observed in 1902 that as existing, relatively expensive, razor blades dulled quickly and needed continuous sharpening, a razor whose blade could be thrown away when it dulled would meet a real need and likely be profitable. Safety razors had been developed in the mid-19th century, but still used a forged blade that dulled and rusted. In the 1870s, the Kampfe Brothers ( Germany) introduced a type of safety razor Gillette improved these earlier safety-razor designs, and introduced the high-profit-margin stamped razor blade steel blade. Gillette's innovation was the thin, inexpensive, disposable blade of stamped steel. Gillette's safety razor retailed for a substantial $5 half the average working man's weekly pay — yet sold by the millions. The most difficult part of development was engineering the blades, as thin, cheap steel was difficult to work and sharpen. This accounts for the delay between the initial idea and the product's introduction. To sell the product, Gillette founded the American Safety Razor Company on September 28, 1901 (changing the company's name to Gillette Safety Razor Company in July 1902). Gillette obtained a trademark registration (0056921) for his portrait and signature on the packaging. Production began in 1903, when he sold a total of 51 razors and 168 blades. The following year, he sold 90,884 razors and 123,648 blades, thanks in part to Gillette's low prices, automated manufacturing techniques and good advertising. By 1908, the corporation had established manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, England, France and Germany. Razor sales reached 450,000 units and blade sales exceeded 70 million units in 1915. In 1918, when the U.S. entered World War I, the company provided all American soldiers with a field razor set, paid for by the government, and as they were allowed to take them at discharge they continued their use of this product thus ensuring future sales. The company continues in the present day as the Gillette brand of Procter & Gamble, USA. Throughout the 20thC most men used this type of safety razor with disposable stainless steel razor blades to shave their beards prior to the introduction of affordable electric razors in 1960'sA blue packet of unused 'King Gillette' safety razor blades.on top of packet; Press with thumb / and snap end open / GILLETTE QUALITY THE / SAME THE WORLD OVER / FACTORIES IN / USA / CANADA , GREAT BRITAIN / MEXICO , FRANCE / COLUMBIA, GERMANY / BRAZIL, SPAIN / ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA / GILLETTE TRADE MARK / KING C GILLETTE / RED. TRADE MARKS / GILLETTE (AUST.) PTY. LIMITED / MELBOURNE / DE 2023 / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / shaving equipment, safety razors, gillette king, proctor & gamble, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Manufactured object, Cigar Box J.Van Maurik c1950, c1950
This is an empty Justus Van Maurik cigar box made c1950 by appointment to the House of Lords, London and the cigars were used by George Reed who was a draftsman in City of Moorabbin c1950. c1700 The Dutch East India Company brought spices from South East Asia and tobacco from the New World to Sumatra and Java in Indonesia. 1794 Justus van Maurik Senior established a tobacco factory in the centre of Amsterdam and his son, Justus van Maurik Junior, spread the company’s fame well beyond the borders of (Holland) Netherlands as he travelled the world successfully promoting the family’s tobacco business.Dutch cigars were popular c1950 in the City of Moorabbin and Justus van Maurik Pty Ltd was a quality producer from Amsterdam , Holland (Netherlands) commencing production c1794. George Reed was a draftsman who lived in City of Moorabbin c1950 A plywood hinged cigar box Lid ; JUSTUS VAN MAURIK / BY APPOINTMENT TO / FAMOUS H T/M L SINCE 1754/ THE / HOUSE OF LORDS / IMPERIALES Inside Lid ; as above cigars, justus van maurik pty ltd., holland, amsterdam, netherlands, dutch east india company, redheads safety matches, safety matches, bryant & may pty ltd, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, tobacco, reed george, draftsman, architect, moorabbin shire, city of moorabbin, post world war 2 estates -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Functional object - Sewing Machine, Melber, Early 20th Century
Melber sewing machines were first sold in Australia in the late 1870s. The 'Box Cottage' Melber Treadle Sewing Machine was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster / Closter, wife of Alonzo Box , the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler The machine was bought in 1909, and is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The cottage has both the Receipt, cat 00004.1 and Guarantee, cat 00004.2, for the sewing machine. This machine was possibly built by Wertheim Pty Ltd Hugo Wertheim (1854 – 1919) arrived in Melbourne in 1875. He became a successful agent for sewing machines manufactured by his father’s cousin Joseph Wertheim in Frankfurt, Germany. Hugo married Joseph’s daughter Sophie Emilie and they settled in Richmond Melbourne Australia. Hugo made many trips back to the main factory in Germany and, with extensive advertising, established a thriving business for sewing machines, bicycles, pianos under various ‘brand names’ - Wertheim, Electra, Planet, Griffin, Hapsburg. It has been said that Dame Nellie Melba preferred a Wertheim piano for her performances. In 1908 Hugo opened a large piano factory in Bendigo St Richmond, Victoria and his son Herbert maintained the business until 1935 The sewing machine was donated in 1985 by, a descendant of the Box family. The machine is complete, and in good condition. William and Elizabeth Box purchased 'Box Cottage' in 1865 from a pioneer settler who had bought part of the land noted in Dendy's Special Survey 1841 Brighton. They raised their family there and established a market garden to supply produce to the population of Melbourne. Their nephew Alonzo married Mary Kloster/ Closter in 1918 and she brought with her this 'Melber' sewing machine that she used to provide clothing for the family. 'Melber'Treadle Sewing Machine that was owned by Mary Box, nee Kloster/ Closter. It was bought in 1909, and it is a good example of its kind. This type of sewing machine was widely used in many homes, in an era when hand-made clothes were the “norm.”, and clothes were mended, or ‘re-made’ into another garment. The Box Cottage Museum has both the Receipt, and Guarantee for the sewing machine. 'MELBER' stamped on sewing machine.dendys special survey, treadle sewing machine, box cottage, mary kloster, alonzo box, melber, wertheim hugo, wertheim sewing machine manufacturer, richmond melbourne victoria, -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Aug 2007, August 2007
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, a past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers tamed the Sandbelt’, the Lawson family were early settlers, Dr Graham Whitehead, is Historian for Kingston CC and the Henry Lawson Society promotes the Poet’s works.A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 3 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in August 2007. Members of the CMHS are shown 3 photocopies of ‘quaint Account Overdue ‘ notices c 1940,. An excerpt from the 1962 Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter, edited by the President Tom Sheehy, describing the 1860’s decade that saw ‘the establishment of Edward Zorn’s Tomato factory in Clayton’s Road in 1862 and then Henry Comport’s Sauce factory in Cheltenham. ‘New settlers’ arriving in the area were William Highett , near Hampton, Mr McKinnon , an Oakleigh farmer, and Mr Stephen Tuck and wife to Cheltenham while Mr John Kingston was looking for land.. 60 children were enrolled at St Stephen’s Common School on Tucker Road. George Higginbotham., William Highett and Tommy Bent were confident of the years ahead.’ Upcoming events at CMHS were August 26th Mr Bob Lawson will talk about World War 1, on October 28th a talk by Dr G Whitehead titled ‘Murder’, and at the last meeting for year November 25th Frank Thatcher, CMHS, will welcome the Henry Lawson Society and Australian Natives Association who will again come to Box Cottage to celebrate their Bryan Kelleher Memorial Picnic Day. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / AUGUST 2007 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, oakleigh, kingston, highett, hampton, clayton, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, sheehy tom, thatcher frank, tucker road, st stephen’s common school, henry lawson society, australian natives association, whitehead dr graham, lawson bob, lawson nan, kelleher bryan, comport henry, zorn edward, highett william, bent tommy, higginbotham george, kingston john, le roy tracy pty.ltd, sydney, tomato sauce factory -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Aug 2008, August 2008
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. The Blackman family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire A4 paper printed both sides x1. Issue 8 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in August 2008. Notices of a talk by Dorothy Booth, “ The Historic Mentone Railway Gardens’ on August 31st and a request for volunteers to begin an Inventory of the Box Cottage artefacts and to assist at upcoming Open Days. An excerpt from the CMHS Newsletter March 1965 ‘ Three Pieces of Paper’, by Mrs Nance Blackman, a member, describing items from “The Moorabbin News” ‘ 1907 that included The Cheltenham Butter Factory, and advertisements aimed at the local people and their occupations. Note is made of 3 businesses run by Women – butcher, milk delivery and a ‘delicatessen’ - and an ‘Oriental Laundry’ in Cheltenham, as well as the trading hours for shops and weekly wages. Gas light and candles were in common use because Electricity did not come to Bentleigh until 1916 and several Fire Brigades were formed in the Shire. A photocopied photograph of an Electric Power pole c1930.CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / AUGUST 2008 NEWSLETTER city of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, mentone, mordialloc, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, farmers, dairymen, confectioner, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, blackman nance, box cottage museum, highett, booth dorothy, mentone railway station gardens, cheltenham butter factory, beazley hannah, redstron mrs., bickerton mrs., oriental laundry cheltenham, biehl mr., matthews mr., gas-light, electric light, smith j.l., journeaux james, king george, grommann’s hotel mordialloc, telephones, fire brigades -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Feb 2009, February 2009
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts which are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum . Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest.Helen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS. Tom Sheehy, past President of CMHS, was an Historian and Author of ‘Battlers Tamed the Sandbelt’. 2 x A4 paper printed on 3 sides Issue 10 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in February 2009. The Victorian Bushfire tragedy around Marysville is still unfolding as this Newsletter is written. The first meeting for the year is February 22nd and subscriptions are due. An excerpt is transcribed from the City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter October 1962, “A Piece of History in Ormond” by an unknown eyewitness author, describing the original “Box Cottage” situated in Mr J. Reitman’s cement products factory at 306 Jasper Road, Ormond prior to demolition. The current Editor gives information obtained from further recent research . An Article by Tom Sheehy, past President and Historian, February 1979 “The Vineyards of Moorabbin”. The ‘Brighton Estate” began when Henry Moor brought Vine cuttings from Camden NSW 1848 and they were productive after 3 years. Many Vineyards then appeared from Port Phillip Bay to East Boundary Road and produced 2/3 of the annual Victorian grape crop. Disease or insect caused failure in1858 and the land reverted to market gardens. A coloured photocopied photo of Box Cottage 2005. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / FEBRUARY 2009 NEWSLETTERcity of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, sheehy tom, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, vineyards, fruit growing, vine diseases, winemaking, grapes, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, moorabbin shire, box cottage museum, dairy, port phillip bay, brighton estate, moor henry, cambden estate, reitman j., reitman w., cement, pottery, jasper road ormond, east boundary road brighton, dendy’s special survey 1851, point nepean road, south road brighton, thomas street brighton, north road brighton, county of bourke, box h., box william, bruton william, brighton brewery, parish of moorabbin, parish of prahran, markets, shingle roof, weather-board, downward mr., mckinnon -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, lady's nylon stockings 'Worth', mid 20thC
Leon Worth Hosiery Manufacturer Pty Ltd made nylon stockings for women from a factory in Melbourne until the business was sold 1989.A pair of unworn lady's brown bri-nylon stockings made by 'Leon Worth Pty Ltd' , in the original box.Inside Lid of box : WORTH / 60 DENIER / SATIN STRETCH DENIER / 2 / months written guarantee. On Stocking top : WORTH / SATIN S-T-R-E-T-C-H / 2 X 30 DENIER SEAMLESS / BRI / Nylon / 10 ½ - 11clothing, stockings, hosiery, leon worth pty ltd melbourne, fashion, nylon, bri-nylon, bentleigh, cheltenham, moorabbin -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Ornaments, 'Carlton Ware' Heron / Egret, c1890 - c1930
Carlton Ware was a famous Stoke-on-Trent based pottery manufacturer. The company was established in 1890 by James Frederick Wiltshaw, William Herbert Robinson and James Alcock Robinson trading under the name of Wiltshaw and Robinson. The trademark "Carlton Ware" was introduced in 1894, and the company's factory was renamed the Carlton Works. It reached its artistic high-point with superb hand-painted domestic pottery in high art deco styles during the 1920s and 1930.A china ornament representing a Heron or Egret'Carltonware'pottery, porcelain, craftwork, carlton ware, stoke on trent, wiltshaw james frederick, robinson william herbert, robinson james alcock, herron john, bentleigh, moorabbin, ormond, ornaments, early settlers -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, boy's first underpants, 1907
These white cotton underpants were made for Mr Geoff Maggs by his mother in 1907 as his first underwear at age 2 years old. The Maggs family were early settlers in the Moorabbin ShireThe pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. White, cotton underwear for a 2 year old boy. Made at home on a sewing machine with hand feather stitching and factory-made guipure lace on leg-bands. Buttons at waist, and a tuck pleat to let down as child grows.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, dressmakers, market gardners, early settlers, maggs geoff -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Functional object - Clocks, small 'Ansonia' c1887, c1887
Ansonia Clocks were made by a clock manufacturing business which started in Ansonia, Connecticut, in 1851 and which moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1878. An enormously successful business, it turned out thousands of clocks in a large number of styles.This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family of Miss Carol Green in Moorabbin Shire c 1887This Ansonia clock was owned by the pioneer family of Miss Carol Green in Moorabbin Shire c 1887A small ANSONIA clock. c1887 with a winding key and pendulum and a hinged front glass door This Ansonia clock was restored by Mr Frank M. Gowan.c 1960damaged label on back : AWARD PARIS..... / SMALL SHAR..... / ANSONIA CLOCK / none genuine without ' ( symbol) ' / factories at ANSONIA Conn. Brook / Salesroom .....19 Cliff Street ....../ansonia clock company, connecticut, america, phelps anson, terry theodore, andrews franklin, brighton, moorabbin, furniture, pioneers, clocks, market gardeners, early settlers, green carol, gowan frank -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, lady’s petticoat, mid 20thC
As the market gardeners and new settlers became more prosperous they were able to purchase manufactured clothing. Hilton Hosiery Pty Ltd manufactured stockings and lingerie at its Fitzroy factory from 1936.Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the development of the textile factories in Melbourne as population and wealth increased. Hilton Hosiery Pty Ltd commenced business in 1936 A lady’s, silk slip with embroidery on bodice and hem mid 20th CLabel ' HILTON / Size 14/ 'melbourne, clothing, brighton, moorabbin, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, fitzroy, textiles, factories, hilton hosiery pty ltd -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Domestic object - Ornaments, Green Vase, mid 20th C
The Cambridge Glass Company was chartered in 1873 by a group of Cambridge, Ohio businessmen. But it was not until 1899, when the site was purchased by the newly formed National Glass Company, that funds became available to start the construction of this new glass factory. n 1901, The Cambridge Glass Company was organized by the owners of the National Glass Company of Pennsylvania Arthur J. Bennett, a native of England, was hired to manage this new factory. Having experience in the china and glass trades. Many of the patterns were of Mr. Bennett's own design. Sometime around 1903-1904 the company's first trademark came into being, the words "Near Cut" pressed into the glass. Cambridge Glass soon became known worldwide for quality in both "crystal and colours, pressed and blown’. 1984. The National Cambridge Collectors purchased many of the moulds, all of the etching/decorating plates and other assets of Cambridge Glass from Imperial. The Cambridge Glass factory building was demolished in 1989A shallow factory made, frosted green glass vase. The central "frog" is a figurine in the shape of a draped lady, with ten holes at her base to hold flowers. The lady's shape is poorly moulded, indistinct and would have been cheaply made. No Makers Mark. Appears to be similar to vases made by Cambridge Glass Co, Ohio, America, (1901 - 1958), during the Depression. glassware, cambridge glass company, ohio, bennett arthur j., orme wilber l., national glass company, pennsylvania, imperial glass company, bellaire, pioneers, early settlers, herron john, bentleigh, market gardeners, moorabbin, cheltenham -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Domestic object - Kitchen Equipment, 'Brockoff' SR flour bag
Circa early 1900s. Flour was a staple ingredient of bread, as well as being used for general cooking. This 7lb bag of flour would have been purchased for domestic use by a housewife living in the Moorabbin district. Used bags were often made into shade blinds, underwear, sleepwear, aprons by the industrious early settlers who could not afford to waste any material.This flour bag is typical of the type that would have been found in every housewives' kitchen in the Moorabbin district. It recalls the fact that flour was being made in Melbourne. Unbleached, cotton bag., with faded black lettering. Bag held 7lbs of flour.A.F.BROCKOFFS / 7 LBS / coat of arms – spread eagle with flags - /Trade mark / SELF FLOURS/ RAISING/ FACTORIES / MELBOURNE / SYDNEY AND FREMANTLE flour, cooking, kitchen, moorabbin, housewife, housewives. -
Geelong RSL Sub Branch
Hexamine Stove, There are no makers marks, circa 1960
This type Hexamine Stove was used by members of the AIF during postings to Vietnam.This Stove is an original issue to a member of the AIF who served in Vietnam.Painted black, metal, oblong Hexamine Stove with four fuel Tablets.There are no markings on the Stove. The Fuel Packet is marked on the front of the Box - Fuel, Compressed Hexamine Contents: 4 Tablets, Explosives Factory, Maribyrnong. On the back of the Box - Directions for Use, numbered one to four.stove, vietnam, aif -
Federation University Historical Collection
Equipment - Scientific Instrument, Nobel Explosives Co. Ltd, Nobel's Explosives Co Galvanometer, Between 1877 and 1926
Nobel Industries Limited was founded in 1870 by Swedish chemist and industrialist Alfred Nobel for the production of the new explosive dynamite in the United Kingdom. Ardeer, on the coast at Ayrshire, was chosen for the company's first factory. Between 1877 amd 1926 it was known as Nobel’s Explosives Company Limited. The business later diversified into the production of blasting gelatine, gelignite, ballistite, guncotton, and cordite. At its peak, the factory employed nearly 13,000 men and women. In 1926, the firm merged with Brunner, Mond & Company, the United Alkali Company, and the British Dyestuffs Corporation, creating a new group, Imperial Chemical Industries, then one of Britain's largest firms. Nobel Industries continued as the ICI Nobel division of the company. Small black timber box with small screw holding back on, and leather handle on top. A pivoted needle remains vertical as box angle changes. Graded scale behing top end of needle. Two adjusting points at top.No 10070nobel, ballarat school of mines, scientific instruments, galvanometer -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Mauser Rifle, Turkish Arms Factory, 1935
Turkish Model 1893 Mauser Rifle, based on the German Gewehr 98 infantry rifle. Stamped on receiver is Turkish crest / AS.FA / ANKARA / 1935 (ASFA is basically Turkish Arms Factory). Various Turkish and importer markings may be found scattered over the rifle. Many Imported by Century Arms International and so marked on the barrel muzzle on this example. Internal staggered box magazine, 5 rounds, 7.92 x 57 mm (8mm) Mauser caliber. Used by the Turkish Army in World War One.Turkish Mauser Rifle mounted on a wooden display board.No 556 on the bolt No 16344 on the breach. Also AF.SA Ankara 1935. The sights are numbered from 1-20rifles,guns,ww1,turkish army rifle,lara r.s.l. -
Blacksmith's Cottage and Forge
Stockings-box
... on box). An example of local history, factory and shop. box ...Bacchus Marsh had a prestige Hosiery Factory for a short time approximately 1945/1950. Not known where this pair were made but possibly bought at Shepards shop (written on box).An example of local history, factory and shop.Cream cardboard box containing one pair of used nylon stockings, light brown with a seam on back. One stocking has a ladder and is mended with nail varnish. Re-inforced foot.Side of box-T5 Denier nylons "enchantment 10" Top of box-"Prestige- Parallels" Ultra Sheer Nylons/ Shepards Bacchus Marsh WA/Abox, stockings, prestige, shepards, nylons -
Blacksmith's Cottage and Forge
Wireless/ Radio, 1950 (estimated)
This unit was designed and manufactured in a factory where many local people of Bacchus Marsh worked. Ref. Historical Notes-Significance Assessment Study ( October 2008)Bakelite tabletop radio,small box,camel-coloured leatherette covered,glass front,three dials,electrical cord,4 vlave reflex super heterodyne, cord attached, incription on set reads "MARSHMAN MUSIC MASTER".Maker's mark in blue print "MARSHMAN MUSIC MASTER" (Inscription on the central area of the glass front of the unit) "BROADCAST" is printed in cream twice in the area of the radio Frequency Band listings.electrical, , bacchus marsh, bakelite, radiogram, bob butler, post war invention, leatherette, technology, 1950 s, small scale radio, heterodyne, cabinet radio, arbee supply c0, civilian radio, manufacturer s drawings, wiring layout, console model -
Blacksmith's Cottage and Forge
Matchbox and Matchbox Holder, Box : Bryant and May's, early 20th. century
The Bryant and May Factory is located in the suburb of Cremorne in Melbourne, Australia. It was constructed in 1909 as the Empire Works to a design by prolific Melbourne architect William Pitt. It was purchased soon after by British safety match manufacturer Bryant and May who significantly expanded the building adding an additional level and the landmark clock tower. Bryant and May were unique in that they operated as a model factory providing workers with conditions and amenities which even today seem generous. These included a dining hall and sports facilities such as a tennis court and bowling green which were constructed in the 1920s. Bryant and May ceased Australian match manufacture in the early 1980s as a result of import competition. Their iconic Redheads matches are now imported from Sweden. The complex has since been converted for use as offices and showrooms but is extremely well preserved. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Source: www.wikipedia.org Local social history of Bacchus MarshMetal matchbox holder for a matchbox-one side has a photo of a local cricket team, the other side has a caricature of a man's face when held one way up is smiling and when turned up the other way the face is looking unhappy. The cover is blue with yellow. The matchbox cover is made of a thin veneer wood. The makers inscription is in blue and red.Cover/spine: Strike The Border Inn Bacchus Marsh for a good spot Phone 16 Cyril Jones, Proprietor. Cover/side: This man always calls in at the Border Inn. This Man wishes he did Matchbox:Bryant & May's "Crown" Safety Matchesbox, souvenir, sport, item, cricket, match, team, cyril, jones, border, inn, cover, novelty -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Butter Churn, Cherry and Sons, Circa 1890-1920
The subject item is a good example of a large, hand-operated Bentwood box butter churn used to make up to 14 pounds of butter. It was made in Gisborne, Victoria, by the famous manufacturer, E. Cherry, and is known as an Improved Patent No.2 model probably dating from the late 1800s. The Cherry works specialised in making all types of butter churns and equipment for both domestic use on farms and small butter factories during the late nineteenth and early to mid. twentieth centuries. Milk was "separated" to retrieve the cream which was then beaten to make butter. E Cherry began making various models of Cherry butter churns in 1858, Edward Cherry migrated from Herefordshire England to Australia in 1855 with his wife Ann Appleby, nee Davis, and established a joinery workshop at Gisborne, Victoria. He began by making butter churns in his spare time and his product soon became popular allowing him to establish a viable business. A factory was established in 1875 and he started to make churns of all sizes including up to industrial scale. He exported his products to many countries around the world, Edward Cherry died in 1909 and the business was then run by his son George until he died in 1917. E Cherry's other son Thomas (1861-1945) was also involved in the firm maintaining an interest for several years. He had been born in Gisborne and became a senior house medical surgeon at the Melbourne Hospital in 1890. He continued his studies at Kings College London, eventually becoming a renowned bacteriologist and agricultural scientist. A significant giving an snapshot into how early rural and industrial manufacturing became established in Australia.Rectangular butter churn, a footed wooden box containing an X-shaped wooden interior rack, which is joined to an exterior metal hand crank with turned wood handle, through a hole in the box. Beneath the hand crank is a hole from the interior lined with metal. The lid has a carry handle affixed to the lid on two cross pieces attached to the lid by brass screws.Lettering in black on a transfer "CHERRY & SONS PTY LTD. GISBORNE VICTORIA". Model 00warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, butter churn, gisborne, edward cherry, george cherry, thomas cherry, ann appleby, dairy equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Furniture - Door, 1871 or earlier
The wooden door was salvaged from the wreck of the sailing ship Eric the Red, which was a wooden, three masted clipper ship. Eric the Red was the largest full-rigged ship built at Bath, Maine, USA in 1871, having had a 1,580 tons register. She was built and registered by Arthur Sewall, later to become the partnership E. & A. Sewall, the 51st ship built by this company. The annually-published List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. shows Bath was still the home port of Eric the Red in 1880. The vessel was named after the Viking discoverer, Eric the Red, who was the first European to reach the shores of North America (in 980AD). The ship Eric the Red at first traded in coal between America and Britain, and later traded in guano nitrates from South America. In 1879 she was re-metalled and was in first class condition. On 10th June 1880 (some records say 12th June) Eric the Red departed New York for Melbourne and then Sydney. She had been commissioned by American trade representatives to carry a special cargo of 500 exhibits (1400 tons) – about a quarter to a third of America’s total exhibits - from America for the U.S.A. pavilion at Melbourne’s first International Exhibition. The exhibits included furniture, ironmongery, wines, chemicals, dental and surgical instruments, paper, cages, bronze lamp trimmings, axles, stamped ware, astronomical and time globes, samples of corn and the choicest of leaf tobacco. Other general cargo included merchandise such as cases of kerosene and turpentine, brooms, Bristol's Sarsaparilla, Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, Wheeler’s thresher machine, axe handles and tools, cases of silver plate, toys, pianos and organs, carriages and Yankee notions. The Eric the Red left New York under the command of Captain Z. Allen (or some records say Captain Jacques Allen) and 24 other crew including the owner’s son third mate Ned Sewall. There were 2 saloon passengers also. The ship had been sailing for an uneventful 85 days and the voyage was almost at its end. On 4th September 1880 the Eric the Red approached Cape Otway with a moderate north-west wind and hazy and overcast atmosphere. Around 1:30am Captain Allen sighted the Cape Otway light and was keeping the ship 5-6 miles offshore to stay clear of the hazardous Otway Reef. However he had badly misjudged his position. The ship hit the Otway Reef about 2 miles out to sea, south west of the Cape Otway light station. He ordered the wheel to be put ‘hard up’ thinking that she might float off the reef. A heavy sea knocked the man away from the wheel, broke the wheel ropes and carried away the rudder. The sea swamped the lifeboats. The mizzenmast fell, with all of its rigging, then the mainmast also fell and the ship broke in two. Some said that the passenger Vaughan, who was travelling for his health and not very strong, was washed overboard and never seen again. The ship started breaking up. The forward house came adrift with three of the crew on it as well as a longboat, which the men succeeded in launching and keeping afloat by continually bailing with their sea boots. The captain, the third mate (the owner’s son) and others clung to the mizzenmast in the sea. Then the owner’s son was washed away off the mast. Within 10 minutes the rest of the ship was in pieces, completely wrecked, with cargo and wreckage floating in the sea. The captain encouraged the second mate to swim with him to the deckhouse where there were other crew but the second mate wouldn’t go with him. Eventually the Captain made it to the deckhouse and the men pulled him up. At about 4:30am the group of men on the deckhouse saw the lights of a steamer and called for help. At the same time they noticed the second mate and the other man had drifted nearby, still on the spur, and pulled them both onto the wreck. The coastal steamer Dawn was returning to Warrnambool from Melbourne, its sailing time different to its usual schedule. Captain Jones sent out two life boats, and fired off rockets and blue lights to illuminate the area. They picked up the three survivors who were in the long boat from Eric the Red. Two men were picked up out of the water, one being the owner’s son who was clinging to floating kerosene boxes. At daylight the Dawn then rescued the 18 men from the floating portion of the deckhouse, which had drifted about 4 miles from where they’d struck the reef. Shortly after the rescue the deckhouse drifted onto breakers and was thrown onto rocks at Point Franklin, about 2 miles east of Cape Otway. Captain Jones had signalled to Cape Otway lighthouse the number of the Eric the Red and later signalled that there was a wreck at Otway Reef but there was no response from the lighthouse. The captain and crew of the Dawn spent several more hours searching unsuccessfully for more survivors, even going back as far as Apollo Bay. On board the Dawn the exhausted men received care and attention to their needs and wants, including much needed clothing. Captain Allen was amongst the 23 battered and injured men who were rescued and later taken to Warrnambool for care. Warrnambool’s mayor and town clerk offered them all hospitality, the three badly injured men going to the hospital for care and others to the Olive Branch Hotel, then on to Melbourne. Captain Allen’s leg injury prevented him from going ashore so he and three other men travelled on the Dawn to Portland. They were met by the mayor who also treated them all with great kindness. Captain Allen took the train back to Melbourne then returned to America. Those saved were Captain Z. Allen (or Jacques Allen), J. Darcy chief mate, James F. Lawrence second mate, Ned Sewall third mate and owner’s son, John French the cook, C. Nelson sail maker, Clarence W. New passenger, and the able seamen Dickenson, J. Black, Denis White, C. Herbert, C. Thompson, A. Brooks, D. Wilson, J. Ellis, Q. Thompson, C. Newman, W. Paul, J. Davis, M. Horenleng, J. Ogduff, T. W. Drew, R. Richardson. Four men had lost their lives; three of them were crew (Gus Dahlgreen ship’s carpenter, H. Ackman steward, who drowned in his cabin, and George Silver seaman) and one a passenger (J. B. Vaughan). The body of one of them had been found washed up at Cape Otway and was later buried in the lighthouse cemetery; another body was seen on an inaccessible ledge. Twelve months later the second mate James F. Lawrence, from Nova Scotia, passed away in the Warrnambool district; an obituary was displayed in the local paper. The captain and crew of the Dawn were recognised by the United States Government in July 1881 for their humane efforts, being thanked and presented with substantial monetary rewards, medals and gifts. Neither the ship, nor its cargo, was insured. The ship was worth about £15,000 and the cargo was reportedly worth £40,000; only about £2,000 worth had been recovered. Cargo and wreckage washed up at Apollo Bay, Peterborough, Port Campbell, Western Port and according to some reports, even as far away as the beaches of New Zealand. The day after the wreck the government steam ship Pharos was sent from Queenscliff to clear the shipping lanes of debris that could be a danger to ships. The large midship deckhouse of the ship was found floating in a calm sea near Henty Reef. Items such as an American chair, a ladder and a nest of boxes were all on top of the deckhouse. As it was so large and could cause danger to passing ships, Captain Payne had the deckhouse towed towards the shore just beyond Apollo Bay. Between Apollo Bay and Blanket Bay the captain and crew of Pharos collected Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, nests of boxes, bottles of Bristol’s sarsaparilla, pieces of common American chairs, axe handles, a Wheelers’ Patent thresher and a sailor’s trunk with the words “A. James” on the front. A ship’s flag-board bearing the words “Eric the Red” was found on the deckhouse; finally those on board the Pharos had the name of the wrecked vessel. During this operation Pharos came across the government steamer Victoria and also a steamer S.S. Otway, both of which were picking up flotsam and wreckage. A whole side of the hull and three large pieces of the other side of the hull, with some of the copper sheathing stripped off, had floated on to Point Franklin. Some of the vessels yards and portions of her masts were on shore. The pieces of canvas attached to the yards and masts confirmed that the vessel had been under sail. The beach there was piled with debris several feet high. There were many cases of Diamond Oil kerosene, labelled R. W. Cameron and Company, New York. There were also many large planks of red pine, portions of a small white boat and a large, well-used oar. Other items found ashore included sewing machines (some consigned to ‘Long and Co.”) and notions, axe and scythe handles, hay forks, wooden pegs, rolls of wire (some branded “T.S” and Co, Melbourne”), kegs of nails branded “A.T. and Co.” from the factory of A. Field and Son, Taunton, Massachusetts, croquet balls and mallets, buggy fittings, rat traps, perfumery, cutlery and Douay Bibles, clocks, bicycles, chairs, a fly wheel, a cooking stove, timber, boxes, pianos, organs and a ladder. (Wooden clothes pegs drifted in for many years). There seemed to be no personal luggage or clothing. The Pharos encountered a long line, about one and a half miles, of floating wreckage about 10 miles off land, south east of Cape Otway, and in some places about 40 feet wide. It seemed that more than half of it was from Eric the Red. The ship’s crew rescued 3 cases that were for the Melbourne Exhibition and other items from amongst the debris. There were also chairs, doors, musical instruments, washing boards, nests of trunks and fly catchers floating in the sea. Most of the goods were saturated and smelt of kerosene. A section of the hull lies buried in the sand at Parker River Beach. An anchor with chain is embedded in the rocks east of Point Franklin and a second anchor, thought to be from Eric the Red, is on display at the Cape Otway light station. (There is a photograph of a life belt on the verandah of Rivernook Guest House in Princetown with the words “ERIC THE RED / BOSTON”. This is rather a mystery as the ship was registered in Bath, Maine, USA.) Parts of the ship are on display at Bimbi Park Caravan Park and at Apollo Bay Museum. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village also has part of the helm (steering wheel), a carved wooden sword (said to be the only remaining portion of the ship’s figurehead; further research is currently being carried out), a door, a metal rod and samples of wood. Much of the wreckage was recovered by the local residents before police and other authorities arrived at the scene. Looters went to great effort to salvage goods, being lowered down the high cliff faces to areas with little or no beach to collect items from the wreckage, their mates above watching out for dangerous waves. A Tasmanian newspaper reports on a court case in Stawell, Victoria, noting a man who was caught 2 months later selling tobacco from the wreckage of Eric the Red. Some of the silverware is still treasured by descendants of Mr Mackenzie who was given these items by officials for his help in securing the cargo. The gifts included silver coffee and tea pots, half a dozen silver serviette rings and two sewing machines. The wreck and cargo were sold to a Melbourne man who salvaged a quantity of high quality tobacco and dental and surgical instruments. Timbers from the ship were salvaged and used in the construction of houses and sheds around Apollo Bay, including a guest house, Milford House (since burnt down in bushfires), which had furniture, fittings and timber on the dining room floor from the ship. A 39.7 foot long trading ketch, the Apollo, was also built from its timbers by Mr Burgess in 1883 and subsequently used in Tasmanian waters. It was the first attempt at ship building in Apollo bay. In 1881 a red light was installed about 300 feet above sea level at the base of the Cape Otway lighthouse to warn ships when they were too close to shore; It would not be visible unless a ship came within 3 miles from it. This has proved to be an effective warning. The State Library of Victoria has a lithograph in its collection depicting the steamer Dawn and the shipwrecked men, titled. "Wreck of the ship Eric the Red, Cape Otway: rescue of the crew by the Dawn". “The Eric the Red is historically significant as one of Victoria's major 19th century shipwrecks. (Heritage Victoria Eric the Red; HV ID 239) The wreck led to the provision of an additional warning light placed below the Cape Otway lighthouse to alert mariners to the location of Otway Reef. The site is archaeologically significant for its remains of a large and varied cargo and ship's fittings being scattered over a wide area. The site is recreationally and aesthetically significant as it is one of the few sites along this coast where tourists can visit identifiable remains of a large wooden shipwreck, and for its location set against the background of Cape Otway, Bass Strait, and the Cape Otway lighthouse.“ (Victorian Heritage Database Registration Number S239, Official Number 8745 USA) Door from the wreck of the ship Eric the Red. The wooden singular rectangular door includes three insert panel sections. The top section is square shaped and is missing its panel or glass. The centre timber panel is about a third of the height of the top panel and the bottom timber panel is approximately equal in height to the total height of the two upper panels. The door fastenings include both a metal door latch and traditional door bolt. They are both attached to the front right hand side of the door. The bolt is just below the top panel, and the door latch is in approximately the centre of that side. The door latch has a round mark where a handle could have been attached. The wood of the door has scraping marks in a semi-circle around the door latch where the latch has swung around on its one remaining fastening and grazed the surface. There is a metal hinge at the top section of the door on the opposite side to the latch. The painted surface has been scraped back to expose the wood. The door is shorter than the average height of a person. On the reverse of the door there are lines on the panels, just inside their edges, is what appears to be pencil. The door is not aligned straight but is skew to centre.warrnambool, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, eric the red, jaques allen, sewall, 1880, melbourne exhibition 1880, cape otway, otway reef, victorian shipwreck, bass strait, eric-the-red, door -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wood Sample, about 1871
This piece of timber from the ship Eric the Red has been 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 sea water and bacteria inside the worms digest the wood. Shipbuilders tried to prevent this problem by using coatings of tar, wax, lead or pitch. In the 18th and 19th centuries the outside of their ships were sheathed in copper or a combination of copper and zinc (called Muntz metal) and would be re-metalled periodically to ensure the sheathing would remain effective. In more recent times the ships are protected with a toxic coating. The American ship Eric the Red was a wooden, three masted clipper ship. She had 1,580 tons register and was the largest full-rigged ship built at Bath, Maine, USA in 1871. She was built and registered by Arthur Sewall, later to become the partnership E. & A. Sewall, the 51st ship built by this company. The annually-published List of Merchant Vessels of the U.S. shows Bath was still the home port of Eric the Red in 1880. The vessel was named after the Viking discoverer, Eric ‘the Red-haired’ Thorvaldsson , who was the first European to reach the shores of North America (in 980AD). The ship Eric the Red at first traded in coal between America and Britain, and later traded in guano nitrates from South America. In 1879 she was re-metalled and was in first class condition. On 10th June 1880 (some records say 12th June) Eric the Red departed New York for Melbourne and then Sydney. She had been commissioned by American trade representatives to carry a special cargo of 500 exhibits (1400 tons) – about a quarter to a third of America’s total exhibits - for the U.S.A. pavilion at Melbourne’s first International Exhibition. The exhibits included furniture, ironmongery, wines, chemicals, dental and surgical instruments, paper, cages, bronze lamp trimmings, axles, stamped ware, astronomical and time globes, samples of corn and the choicest of leaf tobacco. Other general cargo included merchandise such as cases of kerosene and turpentine, brooms, Bristol's Sarsaparilla, Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, Wheeler’s thresher machine, axe handles and tools, cases of silver plate, toys, pianos and organs, carriages and Yankee notions. The Eric the Red left New York under the command of Captain Zaccheus Allen (or some records say Captain Jacques Allen) and 24 other crew including the owner’s son third mate Ned Sewall. There were also 2 saloon passengers on board. The ship had been sailing for an uneventful 85 days and the voyage was almost at its end. As Eric the Red approached Cape Otway there was a moderate north-west wind and hazy and overcast atmosphere. On 4th September 1880 at about 1:30am Captain Allen sighted the Cape Otway light and was keeping the ship 5-6 miles offshore to stay clear of the hazardous Otway Reef. However he had badly misjudged his position. The ship hit the Otway Reef about 2 miles out to sea, south west of the Cape Otway light station. Captain Allen ordered the wheel to be put ‘hard up’ thinking that she might float off the reef. The sea knocked the helmsman away from the wheel, broke the wheel ropes and carried away the rudder. The lifeboats were swamped, the mizzenmast fell, with all of its rigging, then the mainmast also fell and the ship broke in two. Some said that the passenger Vaughan, who was travelling for his health and not very strong, was washed overboard and never seen again. The ship started breaking up. The forward house came adrift with three of the crew on it as well as a longboat, which the men succeeded in launching and keeping afloat by continually bailing with their sea boots. The captain, the third mate (the owner’s son) and others clung to the mizzenmast in the sea. Then the owner’s son was washed away off the mast. Within 10 minutes the rest of the ship was in pieces, completely wrecked, with cargo and wreckage floating in the sea. The captain encouraged the second mate to swim with him to the deckhouse where there were other crew but the second mate wouldn’t go with him. Eventually the Captain made it to the deckhouse and the men pulled him up. At about 4:30am the group of men on the deckhouse saw the lights of a steamer and called for help. At the same time they noticed the second mate and the other man had drifted nearby, still on the spur, and pulled them both onto the wreck. The coastal steamer SS Dawn was returning to Warrnambool from Melbourne, its sailing time different to its usual schedule. She was built in 1876 and bought by the Portland and Belfast Steam Navigation Co. in 1877. At the time of this journey she was commanded by Captain Jones, and was sailing between Melbourne and Portland via Warrnambool. The provedore of the Dawn, Benjamin Lear, heard cries of distress coming through the portholes of the saloon. He gave the alarm and the engines were stopped. Cries could be heard clearly, coming from the land. Captain Jones sent out crew in two boats, and fired off rockets and blue lights to illuminate the area. They picked up the three survivors who were in the long boat from Eric the Red. Two men were picked up out of the water, one being the owner’s son who was clinging to floating kerosene boxes. At daylight the Dawn then rescued the 18 men from the floating portion of the deckhouse, which had drifted about 4 miles from where they’d struck the reef. Shortly after the rescue the deckhouse drifted onto breakers and was thrown onto rocks at Point Franklin, about 2 miles east of Cape Otway. Captain Jones had signalled to Cape Otway lighthouse the number of the Eric the Red and later signalled that there was a wreck at Otway Reef but there was no response from the lighthouse. The captain and crew of the Dawn spent several more hours searching unsuccessfully for more survivors, even going back as far as Apollo Bay. On board the Dawn the exhausted men received care and attention to their needs and wants, including much needed clothing. Captain Allen was amongst the 23 battered and injured men who were rescued and later taken to Warrnambool for care. Warrnambool’s mayor and town clerk offered them all hospitality, the three badly injured men going to the hospital for care and others to the Olive Branch Hotel, then on to Melbourne. Captain Allen’s leg injury prevented him from going ashore so he and three other men travelled on the Dawn to Portland. They were met by the mayor who also treated them all with great kindness. Captain Allen took the train back to Melbourne then returned to America. Those saved were Captain Zaccheus Allen (or Jacques Allen), J. Darcy chief mate, James F. Lawrence second mate, Ned Sewall third mate and owner’s son, John French the cook, C. Nelson sail maker, Clarence W. New passenger, and the able seamen Dickenson, J. Black, Denis White, C. Herbert, C. Thompson, A. Brooks, D. Wilson, J. Ellis, Q. Thompson, C. Newman, W. Paul, J. Davis, M. Horenleng, J. Ogduff, T. W. Drew, R. Richardson. Four men had lost their lives; three of them were crew (Gus Dahlgreen ship’s carpenter, H. Ackman steward, who drowned in his cabin, and George Silver seaman) and one a passenger (J. B. Vaughan). The body of one of them had been found washed up at Cape Otway and was later buried in the lighthouse cemetery; another body was seen on an inaccessible ledge. Twelve months later the second mate James F. Lawrence, from Nova Scotia, passed away in the Warrnambool district; an obituary was displayed in the local paper. Neither the ship, nor its cargo, was insured. The ship was worth about £15,000 and the cargo was reportedly worth £40,000; only about £2,000 worth had been recovered. Cargo and wreckage washed up at Apollo Bay, Peterborough, Port Campbell, Western Port and according to some reports, even as far away as the beaches of New Zealand. The day after the wreck the government steam ship Pharos was sent from Queenscliff to clear the shipping lanes of debris that could be a danger to ships. The large midship deckhouse of the ship was found floating in a calm sea near Henty Reef. Items such as an American chair, a ladder and a nest of boxes were all on top of the deckhouse. As it was so large and could cause danger to passing ships, Captain Payne had the deckhouse towed towards the shore just beyond Apollo Bay. Between Apollo Bay and Blanket Bay the captain and crew of Pharos collected Wheeler and Wilson sewing machines, nests of boxes, bottles of Bristol’s sarsaparilla, pieces of common American chairs, axe handles, a Wheelers’ Patent thresher and a sailor’s trunk with the words “A. James” on the front. A ship’s flag-board bearing the words “Eric the Red” was found on the deckhouse; finally those on board the Pharos had the name of the wrecked vessel. During this operation Pharos came across the government steamer Victoria and also a steamer S.S. Otway, both of which were picking up flotsam and wreckage. A whole side of the hull and three large pieces of the other side of the hull, with some of the copper sheathing stripped off, had floated on to Point Franklin. Some of the vessels yards and portions of her masts were on shore. The pieces of canvas attached to the yards and masts confirmed that the vessel had been under sail. The beach there was piled with debris several feet high. There were many cases of Diamond Oil kerosene, labelled R. W. Cameron and Company, New York. There were also many large planks of red pine, portions of a small white boat and a large, well-used oar. Other items found ashore included sewing machines (some consigned to ‘Long and Co.”) and notions, axe and scythe handles, hay forks, wooden pegs, rolls of wire (some branded “T.S” and Co, Melbourne”), kegs of nails branded “A.T. and Co.” from the factory of A. Field and Son, Taunton, Massachusetts, croquet balls and mallets, buggy fittings, rat traps, perfumery, cutlery and Douay Bibles, clocks, bicycles, chairs, a fly wheel, a cooking stove, timber, boxes, pianos, organs and a ladder. (Wooden clothes pegs drifted in for many years). There seemed to be no personal luggage or clothing. The Pharos encountered a long line, about one and a half miles, of floating wreckage about 10 miles off land, south east of Cape Otway, and in some places about 40 feet wide. It seemed that more than half of it was from Eric the Red. The ship’s crew rescued 3 cases that were for the Melbourne Exhibition and other items from amongst the debris. There were also chairs, doors, musical instruments, washing boards, nests of trunks and fly catchers floating in the sea. Most of the goods were saturated and smelt of kerosene. A section of the hull lies buried in the sand at Parker River Beach. An anchor with chain is embedded in the rocks east of Point Franklin and a second anchor, thought to be from Eric the Red, is on display at the Cape Otway light station. (There is a photograph of a life belt on the verandah of Rivernook Guest House in Princetown with the words “ERIC THE RED / BOSTON”. This is rather a mystery as the ship was registered in Bath, Maine, USA.) Parts of the ship are on display at Bimbi Park Caravan Park and at Apollo Bay Museum. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village also has part of the helm (steering wheel), a carved wooden sword (said to be the only remaining portion of the ship’s figurehead; further research is currently being carried out), a door, a metal rod, several samples of wood and a medal for bravery, awarded to Nelson Johnson, a crew member of the S.S. Dawn by the U.S. President, for the rescue of the crew. Much of the wreckage was recovered by the local residents before police and other authorities arrived at the scene. Looters went to great effort to salvage goods, being lowered down the high cliff faces to areas with little or no beach to collect items from the wreckage, their mates above watching out for dangerous waves. A Tasmanian newspaper reports on a court case in Stawell, Victoria, noting a man who was caught 2 months later selling tobacco from the wreckage of Eric the Red. Some of the silverware is still treasured by descendants of Mr Mackenzie who was given these items by officials for his help in securing the cargo. The gifts included silver coffee and tea pots, half a dozen silver serviette rings and two sewing machines. A Mr G.W. Black has in his possession a medal and a purse that were awarded to his father, another Dawn crew member who was part of the rescue team. The medal is inscribed and named “To John Black ….” (from “Shipwrecks” by Margaret E. Mackenzie, 3rd edition, published 1964). The wreck and cargo were sold to a Melbourne man who salvaged a quantity of high quality tobacco and dental and surgical instruments. Timbers from the ship were salvaged and used in the construction of houses and sheds around Apollo Bay, including a guest house, Milford House (since burnt down in bushfires), which had furniture, fittings and timber on the dining room floor from the ship. A 39.7 foot long trading ketch, the Apollo, was also built from its timbers by Mr Burgess in 1883 and subsequently used in Tasmanian waters. It was the first attempt at ship building in Apollo bay. In 1881 a red light was installed about 300 feet above sea level at the base of the Cape Otway lighthouse to warn ships when they were too close to shore; It would not be visible unless a ship came within 3 miles from it. This has proved to be an effective warning. Nelson Johnson, recipient of the medal for bravery, married Elizabeth Howard in 1881 and they had 10 children. They lived in South Melbourne, Victoria. Nelson died in 1922 in Fitzroy Victoria, age 66. In 1895 the owners of the S.S. Dawn, the Portland and Belfast Steam Navigation Co., wound up and sold out to the Belfast Company who took over the Dawn for one year before selling her to Howard Smith. She was condemned and sunk in Suva in 1928. The State Library of Victoria has a lithograph in its collection depicting the steamer Dawn and the shipwrecked men, titled. "Wreck of the ship Eric the Red, Cape Otway: rescue of the crew by the Dawn".The wood (timber) sample is listed on the Collections Australia Database, Heritage Victoria, number 239 00010 A “The Eric the Red is historically significant as one of Victoria's major 19th century shipwrecks. (Heritage Victoria Eric the Red; HV ID 239) The wreck led to the provision of an additional warning light placed below the Cape Otway lighthouse to alert mariners to the location of Otway Reef. The site is archaeologically significant for its remains of a large and varied cargo and ship's fittings being scattered over a wide area. The site is recreationally and aesthetically significant as it is one of the few sites along this coast where tourists can visit identifiable remains of a large wooden shipwreck, and for its location set against the background of Cape Otway, Bass Strait, and the Cape Otway lighthouse.“ (Victorian Heritage Database Registration Number S239, Official Number 8745 USA) Wood sample from the wreck of the ship Eric the Red. Triangular shaped, full of sea worm (Teredo worm) holes. The wood is dark in colour and is very light in weight.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwreck-artefact, eric-the-red, zaccheus-allen, sewall, 1880, melbourne-exhibition, cape-otway, otway-reef, wood-sample, s.s.-dawn