This document contains the Probate Papers following the death of Richard Bright, a Warrnambool stonemason who died in August 1897. No other information has been found on Richard Bright but he must have been a successful tradesman as he left real estate to the value of £680 and personal estate to the value of £94. His executors were his son, Daniel Bright of Terang and the law clerk, Thomas Goodall. Richard Bright left a number of properties to his wife, Elizabeth, his sons, Daniel and John and his daughters, Adelaide Scown and Martha Head. This document was in the possession of Thomas Goodall , a law clerk managing the Ernest Chambers legal offices in Warrnambool and it was eventually passed on to the law firms operating from the same premises in Kepler Street. It was handed to the Historical Society when it was found in the premises once occupied by the law firm of Mackay Taylor. Tait collection: item 14 of 62This document is of interest as it originally was drawn up by a local lawyer. Ernest Chambers, and the probate papers are for a local Warrnambool resident, Richard Bright. This is a piece of parchment paper, folded in two, with handwriting on all pages. There is a seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria attached with a green ribbon and a red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. There are ruled black lines on three pages and pencilled writing in the margin of the first page. Some of the writing is a little faded. ‘In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria, In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Richard Bright, late of Warrnambool in the Colony of Victoria, Mason, deceased. Probate. I certify that no duty is payable herewith. J. Poole, Officer under Sec. 96, Act 1060, 16/11/97. E.J.W. Chambers, Proctor, Warrnambool’ernest chambers, thomas goodall richard bright, richard bright, tait collection

This cash book, found in the old Mackay Taylor building in Kepler Street, contains entries relating to Costs Accounts and Trust Accounts for the Warrnambool firm of Fletcher and Mackay which had been formed from the amalgamation of the law firms of George Mackay and James Fletcher in 1893. In the 1920s the firm became Mackay and Taylor after J. McD. Taylor became the partner with George Mackay. This firm was a prominent one in Warrnambool until the 1990s. This cash book is of considerable interest as the entries show the names of many well-known residents of Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. The firm of Fletcher and Mackay was an important one in Warrnambool at that time and George Mackay, one of the partners of the firm, was prominent in local community and civic affairs. This is a ledger with black binding and buff-coloured spine and corner reinforcements. There are 135 double-sided pages. The pages have been printed with red ruled lines for accounting purposes. There are red and blue mottled coloured cardboard pages at the beginning and end of the book. There are two loose pages which appear to be scrap notes only. The entries are written in black ink.White paper pasted on front cover: ‘Cash Book from April 26th 1898 to March 22nd 1902’ Spine: ‘1898-1902 Cash Book’ james fletcher and george mackay, warrnambool law firms, warrnambool

This ledger contains an Index to Drafts for Mortgages, Conveyances and Deed of Covenants etc (1896 to 1913) which was in use by the Warrnambool solicitor, Ernest Chambers. He had offices in Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy in the late 19th century and early 20th century and Thomas Goodall was his manager in Warrnambool until 1899 when Chambers took up permanent residence in Warrnambool. The ledger was found in the old Mackay Taylor offices in Kepler Street and presumably came into the possession of this law firm at a later stage when Ernest Chambers was no longer operating in Warrnambool. The firm of Mackay Taylor was originally established in 1898 from the amalgamation of the law firms of George Mackay and James Fletcher. In the 1920s the firm became Mackay and Taylor when J. Taylor joined as a partner and this business was prominent in Warrnambool until the 1990s.This ledger has some significance as it contains the names of many Warrnambool and district residents of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and gives some indication of what type of legal transaction they were involved with. It therefore has some historical and social connotations useful for researchersThis is a ledger with a black cover and red bindings on the spine and corner reinforcements. There are 273 pages with printed red lines for accounting purposes. The entries are written in black ink. The inside front and back covers of card paper material have a red and blue mottled pattern. Front cover: ‘Index to Drafts, E.T.H.Chambers’ Spine: ‘8-4-96 to 14-9-15 Index to Drafts’ ernest chambers, solicitor mackay taylor legal firm

John Wilson Younger was the proprietor of J Younger & Co Warrnambool, which was a former branch of Melbourne Cash Stores. The Youngers store operated in Liebig St Warrnambool until the 1980’s as a department store James Younger died in 1939 and the store was operated by his son in law, Carlos Gordon for many years. John Younger was involved in many areas of social and community life in Warrnambool. In 1903 he lived at Riccalton 3 Darling St, Warrnambool. He was a director of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill and was Mayor around 1910 for two terms. He purchased the property Dwarroon and divided it among his four children.A common item which provides a link to one of Warrnambool’s largest and longest running businesses.Wooden hangers with rounded corners and metal hooks. Printed names engraved and painted in black with business name.J Younger & Co Warrnamboolwarrnambool, youngers, j younger warrnambool

These labels come from the Warrnambool Reeves Cordial Factory. John Reeves came to Warrnambool about 1900 and managed the cordial bottling plant in Banyan Street for Jim Kelly who traded under the name of the previous cordial manufacturer, J. S. Rowley. In 1931 John Reeves purchased the cordial factory in Koroit Street from the estate of John Fletcher. John Reeves’ son, Reg managed the cordial business in Koroit Street until 1946 when he took over from his father and carried on the business until his death in 1972. In 1977 Reeves’ son-in-law carried on the business under the trading name of Reeves. The building in Koroit Street that stands today was erected in 1957 when the original building was demolished. These labels are of interest because they are colourful and pleasing to the eye and because the Reeves Cordial Factory was a major business in Warrnambool for several decades in the 20th century..1 to .9 Piece of paper with curved edges with multi-coloured printing and coloured geometric decoration. .10 A piece of paper with yellow, red and white printing and images of a crown and a stage curtain. .1 Reeves’ Imitation Cordial Vanilla .2 Reeves’ Imitation Cordial Caramel .3 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Lime .4 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Chocolate .5 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Chillie .6 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Orange .7 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Orange & Lemon .8 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Fruit Cup .9 Reeves’ Flavoured Cordial Pineapple .10 Queen’s Toast Artificially Coloured Reeves Warrnambool reeves cordial factory, history of warrnambool

"Dear Kevin, Everybody home here is well, hope you and Bobby are well. Sid, Laurie home, hear regular from Eddie. Lots love Polly DAD" Post Card sent to Private K.J. Arrowsmith, VX54102, 6th Line Section, 8 Div, Malaya via Prisoner of War Post, Australian Prisoners of War, C/o Prisoners of War Information Bureau Tokyo, Japan from his sister Polly (Mercia Castledine). “After the cholera had been evidence for a few days, the Nips decided that the works on the railway had to be carried on and so isolated all the cases (a number more had developed since we were first quarantined) and sent all other men back to work. By this time, the number of men unfit for work had increased tremendously and the medical officer and medical orderlies were hopelessly overworked. Volunteers were called for to assist in this cholera ward; a disease highly contagious and with a terrific death rate. This meant isolation, but did not deter many men from offering their services, Bob and Kevin Arrowsmith being selected.” - Through the Burma-Thailand Railway, pp234-5, author unknown This post card is significant for its rarity as very few ever made it through and were saved. In these instances the information provided by Polly was cryptic informing Kevin and Bob Arrowsmith that brother Eddie and brothers-in-law, Laurie Mears and Sid Castledine were all still alive.Digital image of original held in private collection of Joan Castledine, daughter of Sid and Polly (nee Arrowsmith) Castledine.bob arrowsmith, burma-thailand railway, eddie arrowsmith, joan castlemaine, kevin j. arrowsmith, laurie mears, lucy mears (nee arrowsmith), mercia (polly) castledine (nee arrowsmith), postcards, prisoner of war post, sid castledine

"Dear Kevin, Hope you are both well, everybody well home here, constantly thinking of you, hear regular, Eddie, Laurie, Sid. Lots love Polly Dad" Post Card sent to Private K.J. Arrowsmith, VX54102, 6th Line Section, 8 Div, Malaya via Prisoner of War Post, Australian Prisoners of War, C/o Prisoners of War Information Bureau Tokyo, Japan from his sister Polly (Mercia Castledine). “After the cholera had been evidence for a few days, the Nips decided that the works on the railway had to be carried on and so isolated all the cases (a number more had developed since we were first quarantined) and sent all other men back to work. By this time, the number of men unfit for work had increased tremendously and the medical officer and medical orderlies were hopelessly overworked. Volunteers were called for to assist in this cholera ward; a disease highly contagious and with a terrific death rate. This meant isolation, but did not deter many men from offering their services, Bob and Kevin Arrowsmith being selected.” - Through the Burma-Thailand Railway, pp234-5, author unknown This post card is significant for its rarity as very few ever made it through and were saved. In these instances the information provided by Polly was cryptic informing Kevin and Bob Arrowsmith that brother Eddie and brothers-in-law, Laurie Mears and Sid Castledine were all still alive.Digital image of original held in private collection of Joan Castledine, daughter of Sid and Polly (nee Arrowsmith) Castledine.bob arrowsmith, burma-thailand railway, eddie arrowsmith, joan castlemaine, kevin j. arrowsmith, laurie mears, lucy mears (nee arrowsmith), mercia (polly) castledine (nee arrowsmith), postcards, prisoner of war post, sid castledine

The clippings in this book relate to the Ballarat School of Mines. Hard covered scrapbook with newspaper clippings relating to the Ballarat School of Mines.ballarat school of mines, scrapbook, ballarat technical art school, clay, ceramics, pottery, native clay, maurice copland, h.h. smith, c.h. beanland, technical schools, albert e. dowling, john dulfer, jenkin swimming shield, r.s. dale, j.y. mcdonald, a.f. heseltine, stained glass windows, amalie feild, richard dale, ballarat school of mines museum, ballarat junior secondary school, war criminal trials, j.f. crichton, repatriation department, w.o.f. close, soldiers vocational classes, world war one, alexander peacock, ballarat junior technical school opening, effie holmes, cornell chemist, w.k. moss, ken moss, obituary, j. vickery, w.d. hill, r.w. richards, shackelton, antarctic exploration, t.h. trengrove, samuel mayo, vera lindsay, bessie robertson, victor greenhalgh, repatriation classes closure, repatriation classes termination, university college, vocational training, arbor day, j.b. corbet, ballarat school of mines procession, ballarat junior technical school honour board, harold herbert, albert steane, a.w. steane, francis davis, tree planting, clyde lukeis, trade classes, old boys association, alfred james higgin, blackill color and oxide company, electric supply company, state school exhibition, state education jubilee, scholarships, clay deposits, james coad, t.a. williams, copland memorial, e.j. mcconnon, alfred mica smith, ponsonby carew smyth, d. maxwell, lena rutherford, dorothy whitehead, examination results, geoffrey nicholls, robert dowling, j.b. robinson, percy trompf, j.c. bush, white flat reserve, rubbish tip, sports ground, broken hill excursion, old boy's association, school of mines procession, white flat improvements, empire exhibition, ballarat school of mines literary society, school reunion, john rowell, d.e. mullins, g. renkin, t.m. shattock, new law courts, supreme court building transferred to ballarat school of mines, buildings, ballarat state offices, ballarat school of mines museum closed, ballarat school of mines and industries, k.b. brown, sir r. garran, alf hannah, macrobertson scholarship, simone fraser, violet hambley, alfred bayley, j. heriot, c.r. pittock, i.r. bradshaw, ballarat exhbition, e. parkin, c.m. harris, mica smith bust, william henry nicholls, daniel walker, paul montford, w.h. corbould, j.w. sutherland, technical training for girls, girls education, amalie colquhoun, ken moss obituary, opening of the ballarat junior technical school, j.s. vickery, j.s. vickery obituary, ida v. johnson, john rowell exhibition, max meldrum, w.g. coates, g.f. fitches, walter white, sewerage plumbing, villers brettonneux school

Jack Yarrow enlisted on 13.7.15 in the 8th reinforcements 21st Batt AIF. He transferred to the 60th Batt on 26.2.16. Hospital with Influenza on 15.3.16. KIA 25.9.17. See also item no 1884. Harris and Yarrow were brothrs in law killed one day apart.Medal set, court mounted, set of (2) re Jack Yarrow. 1. British War Medal 1914-19. 2. Victory Medal. "3648 Pte J Yarrow 60 Bn AIF"numismatics-medals-military, metalcraft

School of Mines Ballarat was a predecessor of Federation University.Correspondence from SMB Girls' Ex students association including letters from the secretary, invitations to attend meetings, apologies and acceptances, minutes, inaugral dinner menus and members lists. All documents vary in size.school of mines and industry ballarat, girls' ex student association, b. dulfer, g. kingsley sutton, dorothy richards, phyllis mcgregor, s. shillington, mrs a.l. arkinstall, mrs s. francis, miss ouida worthington, mrs k hale, mrs jones, mrs m mckenzie, mary green, lorna yates, denise kidd, peg wells, eileen hayes, barbara paddle, lynette atkinson, francis dowler, janet wells, rita lewis, joy mills, bonnie cody, elizabeth kinnane, beverley jennings, fay cosgrove, miss m chamberlain, gwen williams, maureen mann, nonie robertson, margaret lyttle, kathleen button, marilyn jones, rosemary paddick, nancy rimmington, mrs mary osborne, mary nolan, r. anglin, janet steele, margaret maun, mrs clare attwood, mrs d. ditchfield, heather mccallum, evelyn ditchfield, joan shearer, glenis sleeth, mrs m. mctaggart, betty hearn, mrs k. campbell, d. clemence, m. clemence, beth dalton, florence shurs, claudia mason, gwen murdoch, june murdoch, m. bailey, j. baker, j. banes, i. barr, w. beckwith, j. bilston, f. blake, v. boddinar, a. bosher, b. brookman, j. cameron, h. chasey, d. coad, r. cockburn, b. coombs, e. coombs, p. coombs, m. connell, l. cooper, m. coulter, p. crosbie, e. curnow, h. darby, d.j. davis, n. dunstan, b. elliott, o. elliott, n. eltringham, h. everleigh, m. everleigh, e. fitzgerald, m. gallie, g. gough, e. greenwood, b. guy, d. hambly, p. halse, g. harrison, h. hearn, o. hellings, d. henderson, n. henderson, m. hewitt, g. hoffman, v. hoffman, c. king, h. knox, b. lancaster, b. law, d. lawrie, g. lawry, m. lochhead, p. maloney, m. malpass, m. martin, j. matthews, morgan, g. murdock, j. murdock, b. murfett, i. murfett, c. mcilvena, e. norris, m. norris, b. patterson, h. patterson, e. prowse, l. rollan, b. ross, f. saunders, f. sheers, e. stevens, g. stevens, l. strick, v. taylor, j. trescowthick, b. veitch, j. waller, j. wallis, ms, d. williams, s.e. williams, b. william, b. willian, k. windsor, s. wyres, t. yeoman, margaret steele, r.w. richards

A collection of articles all relating to Phillip Islanders.A collection of Press Cuttings relating to people, buildings, wildlife and history of Phillip Island. 358-01: Item relating to the Broadwater homestead being pulled down after 75 years. Mrs Oswin Roberts bought Broadwater in 1912 and made it a famous koala hospital in 1940 after fire swept Phillip Island. Mrs Roberts was given permission to keep a koala as a pet - called Edward who died in 1944. He now resides in the museum. 358-02: A letter to the Powlett Express dated 8/11/1940, from Mr Clarrie Taberner correcting an article that stated it was roughly 65 years since the first settler arrived. Mr Taberner pointed out the his mother-in-law was living on the island over 83 years ago. 358-03: An article (1942) about a table made for the Phillip Island and Westernport Historical Society from the limb of a cypress tree planted by the late J. D. McHaffie about 100 years ago. 358-04: An article in the Powlett Express about the proposed shift of the Speke Figurehead from the Cowes State School. The Figurehead now resides in the museum. 358-05: An article in the Powlett Express - July 6, 1961 - about the funeral of the late Mr Percy Herbert McFee of Rhyll. He died at 79 in the Warley Bush Nursing Hospital. Article tells of part of his life on Phillip Island. 358-06: An article in the Powlett Express - May 5, 1960 - telling about Mr Stan McFee who was at the 90th Anniversary of the Cowes church of England where he had been attending for 65 years. 358-07: An article in the Powlett Express - August 26th 1949 - telling about the life in a year of the "Mutton Birds of our Bass Strait". (Shearwaters) stan mcfee, percy mcfee, mrs oswin roberts, edward the koala, mutton birds, shearwaters, broadwater, st philip's church of england, speke figurehead, margaret rixon

This journal provides the reader with glimpses of the adventures and hardships of a seaman's life. Many of the stories are of sailing ships.Contributes to our knowledge of the importance of shipping and places on record those stories of the sea which would otherwise be lost.Contents Foreword - Commodore Dacre H. D. Smyth, R.A.N. - 7 Editorial - Pondering on Polly - 9 Progress Of The "Polly Woodside" - J. F. Yuncken - 13 Nearly Another "Birkenhead" - E. J. Batten - 21 Pawn Of The Storm - N. S. Smith - 27 The "Golden Plover" - I. L. Barton - 35 The "Brier Holme" - Ross Osmond - 43 The "Joseph H. Scammell" - A. D. Long - 47 A Western Port Boatman - Arthur Woodley - 51 Apology To A Freighter - C. E. Bonwick - 52 When Ships Burned Coal -- The 'Black Gang' - E. Carpenter - 53 From The Galley -- Fried Chicken - R.G.E. - 57 Just a Bit Outside The Law - Captain C. Meyer - 59 More Of Pearling Off The ARU Islands - Capt. W. J. Cowling - 63 A Medal Well Earned - L. A. Marchant - 70 The Tale Of The "Komet" - Harrow Morgan - 72 A Passage From England To Australia in the "Gauntlet" - Sven Tvermoes - 79 A Tug Of The Past - H. R. Watson - 94 Commodore Beal To The Rescue - Capt. F. K. Klebingat - 98 The Peacock From The Sea - J. M. MacKenzie - 106 The Man From Timbuctoo - L. de Neumann - 110 H.M.A.S. "Tingira" - D. C. Ricketts - 112 Inverneill At Iquiqui 1912 - Major M. H. O. Forbes - 116 The "Bear" - S. A. E. Strom - 121 Book Reviews - - 125 Glossary - - 128 More After Thoughts - W. F. Cook - 129sailing ships, steamships, shipping, seafaring life, shiplovers' society of victoria, dog watch, polly woodside

This Almanac records the many various organisations, such as churches schools councils and law related information.It lists public holidays, members of Parliament as well as births and deaths natural events such as rainfall, sunrise/sunsets and moon charts. it records mail charges and coach timetables.A middle section presents a calendar for 1870 with a record of events which were deemed important since the time of settlement It lists such things as the first telegram from Melbourne to Sydney1858, Governor Bligh deposed 1808, Burke and Wills funeral 1863. At the bottom of the page is a Warrnambool Business Directory which includes J S Rowley Corio brewery, Royal Hotel , J H Rule Painter, plumber and glazier, J Brady , tinsmith and A Lanagan , Golden Boot The Warrnambool Examiner was founded by John Wilkinson and Richard Osburne in 1851. After a gap of a couple of years Richard Osburne resumed publication in October 1853 and continued until 1867. William Fairfax and Henry Laurie then leased the paper (1867 to 1872) before Richard Osburne again became the proprietor from October 1872 to April 1878 and from December 1879 to December 1880 when publication ceased. Fairfax and Laurie were the proprietors of the paper when this Almanac was published. William Fairfax was a member of the Fairfax family which was, and still is, associated with the publication of many Australian newspapers. Henry Laurie later became well-known as a Melbourne University Philosophy Professor.This single sheet of newspaper is an interesting and valuable record of Warrnambool and its people in 1870. There are names of many local people recorded and it also gives an insight into the variety of businesses and orhganisations which were established by 1870. It is also interesting to note that there are at least ten different styles of print on the page.Large single broadsheet of newspaper with large black heading and eight columns of print. The back of the page is blank.Fairfax and Laurie's Almanac for 1870 presented with the Warrnambool Examiner. Published as a supplement to the Warrnambool Examiner of 7th January 1870 Vol.XX No 1597.warrnambool, warrnambool almanac 1870,, examiner almanac warrnambool, fairfax and laurie, examiner warrnambool

This item was given to the Historical Society in 1972, with the donor indicating that the spirit level belonged to the Henty family. The Hentys of Portland are regarded as the first permanent settlers in the State of Victoria (1834). Stephen Henty, with his brother Edward, was involved in the whaling industry in Portland. He also had shipping interests, operating a regular Western District shipping service (‘Champion’, ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Western’, ‘Edina’ etc) and a property ‘Cadnook’, near Harrow. Stephen Henty had close connections with Warrnambool not only because of his shipping interests but also because he was the brother-in-law of an early Warrnambool Harbour Master, Captain Frank Helpman. A spirit level was an essential tool for early settlers as they often built their own homes and constructed the roads nearby, needing to ascertain if what was being constructed was on level ground.It does not seem possible to establish whether this item belonged to the Henty family or to a Henty property. But in the Historical Society collection we have a piece of sheet music which includes the handwriting ‘Mrs Smalpaige, Cadnook’, ‘S. J. Henty’ and the date ‘8th August 1859’. Also the Warrnambool Art Gallery has an authentic Henty piano dating from 1837 and Stephen Henty’s wife died in Hamilton in 1906 so it is possible that the spirit level came to us from a Henty family descendant living nearby via Mr N. Kelly. If the Henty provenance can be proved then this item is of high significance.This is an unvarnished wooden spirit level, apparently home made, with a bubble in the centre. The top has been attached with eight screws, now much rusted. There appears to be some letters in the bubble area but they have not been deciphered “Hentys spirit level, oldest in Australia” is written in ink on the back of the objectspirit level, henty brothers portland, warrnambool, henty family

Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century. A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses.Two clear glass bottles with rib pattern and circles at bottom of neck. Transfer label with small white circles and one larger red one. Top is white with orange writing. Contains Dry Ginger.Enjoy Reeves’ ice cold on the front, Bottled by R.J Reeves Warrnambool. Preservative added artificially coloured. Net contents 7 FL. OZ. warrnambool, reeves, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial.

Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century.A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses. Two clear glass. Cylindrical with 12 ribs. Chrome metal top with lever and spout. Logo etched on front of bottles Inscriptions and Markings: “R. J. Reeves” engraved on side of lid. “R. J. Reeves Warrnambool in oval surrounding RJR. This syphon remains the property of R. J. Reeves Warrnambool and its use by others is prohibited.British syphon company Limited London.warrnambool, reeves, soda syphon, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial.

This toy dog was part of the cargo from the Fiji and amongst the articles salvaged from the wreck. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are bisque (or china) toys, (including miniature animals, limbs from small bisque dolls), rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife.Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history.China toy dog salvaged from the wreck of the Fiji. This moulded toy is made of bisque (sometimes described as bisque or porcelain) and is tan in colour. The dog is solid with a pitted surface1891, china, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, porcelain, moonlight head, wreck bay, cargo, bisque, toys

This sheath knife belonging originally to German seaman Julius Gebauhr and an artifact associated with the story of the survivors of the wreck of Fiji. A three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a varied cargo consisting of cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, various spirits, sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos and other musical instruments. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in a squally and boisterous south-west wind, the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers' calculation of his position. At about 2:30 am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed Fiji struck rock only 274 meters from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Efforts were made to lower boats but all capsized or became swamped two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after the line broke. The other, 17-year-old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt without a line, which he had cut loose with his sheath-knife when it becomes tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the cliffs in search of help. At about 10 am on Sunday a party of land selectors including F. J. Stanmore, Leslie Dickson found Gebauer. They were on their travels back from Princetown towards Moonlight Head. Gebauer was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in a singlet, socks, belt and his sheath-knife. His rescues gave him food and brandy and some clothing and gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stanmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and was set up on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line the light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, as many as five at a time, however, some were washed off. Only 14 of the 24 men who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. The wreck of Fiji has smashed apart within 20 minutes of the last man being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6 m of water. Of the 26 men on Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach. They were buried on the clifftop above the wreck. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship and his Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe who had dragged the captain out of the surf with his silver cased pocket watch, the only possession that he had left, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother in law Gilbert Hulands as payment of a debt. Since that time it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stanmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle has a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200 m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are china miniature animals, limbs from small china dolls, rubber balls, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with this sheath knife and Captain Vickers’ pocket watch. Flagstaff Hill’s collection from the wreck of the Fiji and Julius Gebauhr knife is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the vessel, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S 259). The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th-century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo still evident. Also the story of the heroic attempt by many to save the crew of the Fiji. The knife also represents an aspect of shipping history and fits in well with Victoria's framework of historical themes of living with natural processes as items such as these contribute to a better understanding of Victoria’s cultural history.Knife, metal with black wooden handle. Handle is riveted to knife in 3 places, with shaft of knife between the 2 parts of the handle. The handle also has a carved ring around the end, possibly for attaching a wrist strap. Knife blade is pointed in the centre of the tip and is rusty. The knife has a rectangular metal plaque on handle with inscription. The hand crafted dark brown, soft leather sheath is shaped to fit the knife and joined at the back with cross stitching. The sheath also has a leather belt strap that has come away from the sheath at one end.Metal plaque “FROM JULIUS GEBAUHR/”FIJI” /TO F.J.S.” (F J Standmore recipient)1891, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, knife, fiji, pocket watch, moonlight head, gebauhr, stansmore, wreck bay, sheath knife