This ceramic cover was recovered from the wreck of the 1882-1883 George Roper between the late 1960’s to early 1970’s. It is one of the shipwreck artefacts in the John Chance Collection. The purpose of the cover is unclear. The holes could be for ventilation. The cover may have been used to protect food or keep it at an even temperature. It may also have been used for covering fragrant petals, allowing some scent to escape through the holes. The residue around the underside of the holes and their random placement indicate that the cover could be partially handmade. The discolouration could have come from its time in the sea. The GEORGE ROPER 1882 - 1883 - The George Roper was a 4-masted iron sailing ship built in Liverpool, England, in 1882 for fast international trade with Australia. The large vessel was launched in February 1883. The ship was on its first trip, departing Liverpool for Melbourne, captained by John Ward and a crew of 31. She had almost reached her destination on July 4 1883, approaching Port Phillip Bay and being towed by the steam tug William. The weather changed to rough with fog and both the George Roper and the William hit the dangerous Lonsdale Reef at Port Phillip Heads. The Captain and crew were eventually rescued and taken to Queenscliff. Salvage syndicates were able to recover a lot of the cargo before the George Roper broke up and sank. Amongst the cargo was soft goods, draperies, household items, spirits of malt and distilled liquors, chemicals, dynamite, and 1,400 tons of steel rails for the Victorian Government. Also in the hold were Russell Stourbridge bricks, as paying ballast. The ventilated cover is as an example of domestic ceramic ware of the 1880s. The cover also holds significance as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver from the wreck of the George Groper in the 1960s-70s. Items that come from several wrecks along Victoria's coast have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value. The George Roper is considered historically and archaeologically significant and as such, is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database, VHR S286. It is an example of a vessel built specifically for fast travel to and from Australia with a large shipment of cargo. The George Roper’s cargo of steel rails adds to the historical significance of international trade to the growing colony of Australia and Victoria in particular, with rail transportation soon to become a faster and safer form of transportation between colonial towns. Divers can still access parts of the scattered wreck and other artefacts recovered in the 1970s and 1980s can be viewed in both public and private collections. Cover; unglazed white ceramic, oval shape. The cover has holes randomly poked through its surface, one large hole is a six pointed star shape. Underneath there is a narrow rim placed slightly inside the edge. There is residue on the underneath around the holes. There is orange-brown discolouration and areas where the surface is lighter coloured. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john chance, west coast trader, george roper, w. h. potter & sons, w.t. dickson and son, captain john ward, russell stourbridge bricks, port phillip heads, lonsdale reef, dive wreck, vhr s286, coastal trader, ceramic, vintage, ventilated cover, domestic item

One of a collection of over 400 photographs & clippings in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a newspaper clipping for the Golden Wedding Anniversary of William & Annie McFee. Celebrated at the home of Annie's parents in Box Hill on the 15th July 1874.william thomas mcfee, annie mcfee, annie aspinall, golden wedding, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a Portrait of Surgeon George Bass seated facing half on with hands crossed at wrist and cane in left hand"Surgeon George Bass". Sailing from Sydney in an open Whale Boat with six chosen seamen. He discovered Phillip Island on January 5th, 1798 at 7 o'clock in the morning.local history, photography, photographs, exploration, maritime, phillip island, george bass, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of the First Map of Phillip Island ever drawn. An eye sketch by Bass.As written on front of map - "Western Port on the South Coast of Nw. South Wales from GE Bass's Eye-sketch 1798"local history, photography, photographs, exploration, maritime, documents, maps, george bass, phillip island, bryant west, john jenner

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a painting by F Wheatley National Portrait Gallery, of Vice Admiral Arthur Phillip standing on beach between water and rocks. Small boat with sailor nearby and ship under sail in background.Vice Admiral Arthur Phillip - first Governor of New South Wales. The man after whom Phillip Island was named.local history, photography, photographs, exploration, maritime, governor arthur phillip, arthur phillip, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of an early Map of Phillip Island not drawn to scale. Copy from Records Office, London.On back of photo - "If used must bear acknowedgement - reproduced by permission of the Hydrographer of the Navy" "Received 18/3/1955 from London Records Office per Mr mcGrigor-Phillips" Printed on Map "Phillip Island"local history, photography, photographs, maritime documents, maps, exploration, john jenner, bryant west, phillip island map

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a Pen Drawing of First Dwelling of White People on Phillip Island. Thatched or Bark Hut. Group of Sealers in foreground. Possibly situated at Sealers Cove (now Cat Bay)local history, photography, historic, dwelling, huts, sealers, building - historic, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of an etching depicting the Cowes Jetty and the Isle of Wight Hotel 1880.local history, photography, photographs, jetties, phillip island, isle of wight hotel, john jenner, bryant west, cowes jetty

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a Map of Phillip Island. The first to show Fort Dumaresq, track to beach and beginning of road to South coast. local history, photography, photographs, exploration, maritime, documents, maps, phillip island, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of an etching depicting the Cowes Jetty, Jetty Shed, Chicory Kiln in Thompson Avenue. Inset illustration of Francis Bauer, first licensee of Isle of Wight Hotel.local history, photography, photographs, cowes foreshore, phillip island, jetties, isle of wight, thompson avenue cowes, chicory kiln, john jenner, bryant west, cowes jetty shed

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Sandy Island near Lady Nelson Point about 1925. It has since disappeared beneath the waves.local history, photography, photographs, topography, island, black & white photograph, coast line, islands, sandy island rhyll, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of a Sketch of Head Station of Messrs. W & W J McHaffie by W. & E. Liardet. Copy of water colour by Victoria's earliest artist late 1840's.Hand written inscription by W. J. McHaffie - "Sketch of Head Station of Mssrs. W & J.M. McHaffie of Phillip Island by W.F.E. Liardet."local history, photography, photographs, painting, early settlement, black & white photograph, farming, settlement, mchaffie, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Launch and Punt with two cars aboard and one driving up the Newhaven Beach. San Remo in the background across The Narrows.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, launch towed punt - newhaven, black & white photograph, punt and launch, motorcars, newhaven, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph looking north along Thompson Avenue from Chapel Street. HMAS Australia shown in the distant between Cowes and Sandy Point. Part of Cowes Garage also depicted.local history, photography, photographs, film maritime technology, boats, thompson avenue - hmas australia - cowes garage, black & white photograph, cowes, thompson avenue, shipping, hmas australia, cowes garage, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph along west side Cowes Jetty showing "Genista" departing.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, ferries, ferry "genista" - cowes jetty, black & white photograph, genista, cowes jetty, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandClose Photograph of HMAS Australia in Western Port taken from off the starboard bow.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, shipping, - western port - hmas australia, black & white photograph, hmas australia, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of W. J. Kennon's Excursion Schooner "Royal" Starboard side. This boat was lengthened by 10 feet, the section being fitted amidships.local history, photography, photographs, boats, excursion schooner "royal", black & white photograph, shipping, schooners, w j kennon, schooner "royal", john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph showing Newman's Punt unloading Utility Truck - six men standing by.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, newman's punt, black & white photograph, eastern passage, motor vehicle, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of W. J. Kennon's two masted Schooner "Ivy Florence" starboard sidelocal history, photography, photographs, film maritime technology, boats, schooner "ivy florence", black & white photograph, shipping, schooners, w j kennon, ivy florence, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of freight vessel "Vision" beached in surf at Ventnor Beach - port side - with two horses and drays and men loading bags of Chicory and Onions - three dogs. Ventnor beach was used when wharf charges were high.local history, photography, photographs, film maritime technology, cargo handling, freighter "vision" - loading chicory and onions, black & white photograph, freight vessel vision, ventnor beach, chicory and onions, horses and drays, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of relieving Ferry SS "Plover" at Jetty. Numerous passengers on board and Jetty crowded.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, ferries, relieving ferry s, "plover", black & white photograph, shipping, ss plover, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of O. Underdown's first boat gaff rigged "Sea Gull" - bought about 1920.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, sail boat, black & white photograph, sailing boats, o underdown, sail boat sea gull, the "seagull", john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of SS "Oscar" - port side. Some crew visible. The old "Oscar" was renamed "Ventnor".local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, ss "oscar", black & white photograph, shipping, ss oscar renamed ventnor, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of SS "Killara". First vehicular Ferry arriving at Jetty Cowes.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, ferries, cowes jetty - ferry ss "killara", black & white photograph, transport, cowes jetty, vehicular ferries, ss killara, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPort side Photograph of Vehicular ferry SS "Killara" at speedlocal history, photography, photographs, film maritime technology, ferries, ss "killara", black & white photograph, shipping, ss killara, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of the Ferry SS "Alvina" - port bow.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, ferries, ss "alvina", black & white photograph, shipping, ss alvina, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of cars unloading from the Ferry SS "Killara"local history, photography, photographs, film maritime technology, ferries, ss killara - motor vehicles, black & white photograph, shipping, motor vehicles, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of the Ketch "Wairana" in full sail coming up the bay to Cowes.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, ketch "wairana", black & white photograph, shipping, ketches, wairana, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of aeroplane on Cowes Beach with Ferry SS "Killara" at the Jetty in the background. Plane delivering the Herald.local history, photography, photographs, aviation, aeroplane "herald" delivery, sepia photograph, aeroplanes, beach, newspaper herald, shipping, jetty, ss killara, john jenner, bryant west

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of O. Underdown's Yacht "Vanguard" in full sail. Vanguard was the winner of 10 races on Westernport between 1920 - 1923.local history, photography, photographs, maritime technology, boats, yacht, black & white photograph, shipping, yachts, sailing races, o underdown, vanguard, john jenner, bryant west