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Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Bottle - Cordial, 1950's - 1960's
Cordial drinks came in bottles bought at the local grocery store or at a large city store on a shopping expedition. The shape of the bottles changed as did the stopper used to seal it. Bottles were re cycled remaining the property of the manufacturer. History of O. T. Ltd. Australia.Historical: Change of bottles - shape, glass, stopper, embossing, use Aesthetic: Display showing embossing and shape.Clear glass cordial bottle with straight sides half way up. Gently tapered with embossed vertical lines to neck which continues tapering to a lip and then screw top. Heavily embossed with print in capital letters around the circumference at the bottom.Circumference around bottom: 'This Bottle Always (number '2' above Always) Remains The Property of O.T. Limited Australia' Base: Common seal on top 'A' with 'M' in bottom half of the 'A'. Across middle: 'ISM 83' and '2' belowcordial, drinks, bottle, o.t. ltd. australia, household -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Bottle, c. 1840s - 1870s
This olive green glass bottle has been handmade from about the 1840s to 1870s. The bottle, possibly used to store or soda or mineral water, was found in the coastal waters of Victoria. It is part of the John Chance Collection. Glassblowers made bottles like this one by blowing air through a long pipe into the molten glass blob at the end of the pipe. The glass was blown out to fit into the shape of the cylindrical dip mould. Once it hardened, the glass was removed from the mould and the glassblower would continue using the pipe to create the neck while carefully using a tool to hold the base. A 'ponty' tool would have been used to form the push-up base. The mouth of the bottle was cut off from the blowpipe and a piece of soft glass would be added to the mouth to then form the collar. Bottles like this would usually be sealed with a cork.Although this bottle is not linked to a particular shipwreck, it is recognised as a historically significant example of handmade, 1840s to 1870s beverage bottles imported for use in Colonial Victoria. The bottle is also significant for its association with John Chance, a diver in Victoria’s coastal waters in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Items that come from several shipwrecks have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value.Bottle, olive glass. Applied straight lip with bumps and bubbles. Shoulder seam. Body tapers inwards towards base. Heel has uneven thickness. Concave push--up base. Some imperfections, blow lines and scratches in glass. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, john chance, glass bottle, antique bottle, handmade, mouth blown, blown bottle, collectable, bottle, dip mould, soda bottle, beverage bottle, green glass, olive glass -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - GRAYDON COLLECTION: WOMEN'S STRAIGHT FULL LENGTH PETTICOAT, 1870-1890
Clothing. Women's straight full length white cotton petticoat. Fold over waistband (4.5 cm) with cotton tape drawstring fastening at centre back above 7 cm opening. Decorative geometric pattern stitching above hemline.Tag at centre front waistband, ''Cherry lane by French Connections'', ''100% cotton'' ''Hand wash''.costume, female, women's straight full length petticoat -
Hume City Civic Collection
Straight jacket
Worn by patients at Sunbury Asylum.Straight jacket made from unbleached canvas. Sleeves stitched into pocket-like patches on sides. Front closed with four pairs of ties and brass screw fittings. Waist has broad band with two pairs of ties and brass fittings.Front left breast, handwritten "Canvas Locked jacket" inside right back neckline "S.T.C. M-6A"costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection -
Brighton Historical Society
Suit, 1940s
This suit was tailor-made for Latvian dancer, choreographer and dance teacher Vija Vetra, who lived at the Old Hall, 93-95 Bay Street, Brighton and ran a dance academy at 97 Bay Street during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born in Riga, Latvia in 1923, at the age of sixteen Vija ran away from home in order to study classical, character and modern dance at the Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts. She spent several years performing on European stages. When Latvia was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1944, more than 100,000 Latvians fled, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Vija's sister, mother and aunt were among them, managing to join her in Vienna. The following year, all four had to flee again when the Soviets moved into Austria. Escaping to Bavaria, they spent three years in displaced person camps before emigrating to Sydney as refugees in 1948. Vija found success as a dancer in Sydney. She toured Australia and New Zealand with the Bodenwieser Ballet, formed a Latvian folk dancing group and established a dancing school. By the mid-1950s she had gained recognition as a recitalist in her own right. She developed a passion for Indian classical dance. In the late 1950s she moved to Victoria. She opened a dance school in Bay Street, Brighton, while continuing to perform on stage in productions such as the musical 'Kismet' and the ballet 'Corroboree'. In 1959 she starred in the four-part live ABC television program 'Music and Dance'. She left Australia in 1964 for a tour of the United States and Canada, ultimately settling in New York City. Interviewed in the 'ABC Weekly' in 1957, Vetra described her taste in clothing as minimalist, saying she preferred to own as few clothes as possible to save the trouble of deciding what to wear: "And no bows or extravagances, but always a simple line."Two-piece women's suit made of maroon corded silk; comprising fitted jacket (.1) and straight skirt (.2). Jacket fastens with one large black faceted glass button. Jacket lined with pink satin; skirt unlined. vija vetra, migration, brighton, refugee, dancer, 1940s -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Bendigo tram 22 at Depot - set of 2, 1947
Photograph of Bendigo Tram 22 at the depot, side on view and end on showing the destination of "Depot". Shows the straight sill or floor of the tram which made boarding difficult. Former MMTB No. 153. It was not a popular tram due to the high steps and was scrapped in 1956.Yields information about Bendigo tram 22.Photograph, black and white, with notes on rear.In ink "No 22 car Bendigo 1947" and Ken Magor stamp on both.tramways, trams, bendigo, tram 22 -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Album - Ringer's River by Des Martin - Plate 14 - O'Day visits the O'Hara's homestead
Daylight O'Day swims the river alone and, instead of going straight back to Gooloora, rides up-river a little to call at O'Hara's slab homestead where he is given a very warm welcome by young Erin O'Hara. Ellen Tenteye as Erin O'Hara.The album and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Ringer's River Album Coloured photo Plate 14des martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Razor Strop
This razor strop is made like a leather strap. ABOUT STROPS Straight razors and cut throat razors were the major tools for shaving before the safety razor was invented in the 1880’s and even today specialty shaving shops still sell the straight razors. Along with the razor, the process of shaving would commonly involve lathering up shaving soap using a shaving brush with boar bristles. Men could own several razors and rotate them through the week and some shops sold the razors in a set, a razor for each day of the week. Straight razors could require stropping more than once during the shaving of a heavy beard, and stropping would also be performed at the end of each shave. Honing would only be performed two or three times a year, preserving the blade’s edge. A lot of skill was needed to hone and strop the blades of these early razors and the methods to do so were a large part of the curriculum in Barber colleges. The razor would be sharpened on a grinding wheel then honed on sharpening stone and finally finished using a strop. Straight edge razors would usually be sold unfinished and that process would be completed by the customer. A razor strop, usually made from leather, thick canvas or light timber, would be used to straighten and polish the straight razor for shaving. Strops could also be used to polish other blades such as knives, small metal tools and chisels. Sometimes an abrasive polishing compound is also used to give a mirror finish. Some strops, such as this one in our Collection, are designed to be used while hanging from a nail or peg, while others are hand held. To use the strop draw the spine of the blade down along the strop with the blade following, without putting any pressure on the blade. At the end of the stroke, rotate the blade over its spine then draw the spine along the strop again so that the edge moves away from the top. The finer grade of leather strap is used to give the final finish. Double Swing Razor Strop. Use for honing razors.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, strop, swing razor strop, barber's equipment, shaving equipment, personal accessory -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Paddle Strop
This razor strop is called a paddle strop. ABOUT STROPS Straight razors and cut throat razors were the major tools for shaving before the safety razor was invented in the 1880’s and even today specialty shaving shops still sell the straight razors. Along with the razor, the process of shaving would commonly involve lathering up shaving soap using a shaving brush with boar bristles. Men could own several razors and rotate them through the week and some shops sold the razors in a set, a razor for each day of the week. Straight razors could require stropping more than once during the shaving of a heavy beard, and stropping would also be performed at the end of each shave. Honing would only be performed two or three times a year, preserving the blade’s edge. A lot of skill was needed to hone and strop the blades of these early razors and the methods to do so were a large part of the curriculum in Barber colleges. The razor would be sharpened on a grinding wheel then honed on sharpening stone and finally finished using a strop. Straight edge razors would usually be sold unfinished and that process would be completed by the customer. A razor strop, usually made from leather, thick canvas or light timber, would be used to straighten and polish the straight razor for shaving. Strops could also be used to polish other blades such as knives, small metal tools and chisels. Sometimes an abrasive polishing compound is also used to give a mirror finish. Some strops, such as this one in our Collection, are designed to be used while hanging from a nail or peg, while others are hand held. To use the strop draw the spine of the blade down along the strop with the blade following, without putting any pressure on the blade. At the end of the stroke, rotate the blade over its spine then draw the spine along the strop again so that the edge moves away from the top. The finer grade of leather strap is used to give the final finish. Wooden paddle strop, (or raxor strop or cushion strop). Strop has two leather sides, numbered 1 and 2, on a slotted paddle. Marked on handle “Hamon”. Sides are numbered 1 and 2. Has two slits in body of strop. "Hamon" stamped on handle. "Hamon" stamped on handle. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wooden strop, paddle strop, strop, razor strop, shaving accessory, barber's equipment, personal grooming -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Paddle Strop
This razor strop is called a paddle strop. ABOUT STROPS Straight razors and cut throat razors were the major tools for shaving before the safety razor was invented in the 1880’s and even today specialty shaving shops still sell the straight razors. Along with the razor, the process of shaving would commonly involve lathering up shaving soap using a shaving brush with boar bristles. Men could own several razors and rotate them through the week and some shops sold the razors in a set, a razor for each day of the week. Straight razors could require stropping more than once during the shaving of a heavy beard, and stropping would also be performed at the end of each shave. Honing would only be performed two or three times a year, preserving the blade’s edge. A lot of skill was needed to hone and strop the blades of these early razors and the methods to do so were a large part of the curriculum in Barber colleges. The razor would be sharpened on a grinding wheel then honed on sharpening stone and finally finished using a strop. Straight edge razors would usually be sold unfinished and that process would be completed by the customer. A razor strop, usually made from leather, thick canvas or light timber, would be used to straighten and polish the straight razor for shaving. Strops could also be used to polish other blades such as knives, small metal tools and chisels. Sometimes an abrasive polishing compound is also used to give a mirror finish. Some strops, such as this one in our Collection, are designed to be used while hanging from a nail or peg, while others are hand held. To use the strop draw the spine of the blade down along the strop with the blade following, without putting any pressure on the blade. At the end of the stroke, rotate the blade over its spine then draw the spine along the strop again so that the edge moves away from the top. The finer grade of leather strap is used to give the final finish. Wooden strop, paddle strop design (sometimes called razor strop). Has leather attached to one side. Has two slits in body of strop. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, strop, paddle strop, personal effects, shaving equipment, razor strop, barber's equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Paddle Strop
This razor strop is called a paddle strop. ABOUT STROPS Straight razors and cut throat razors were the major tools for shaving before the safety razor was invented in the 1880’s and even today specialty shaving shops still sell the straight razors. Along with the razor, the process of shaving would commonly involve lathering up shaving soap using a shaving brush with boar bristles. Men could own several razors and rotate them through the week and some shops sold the razors in a set, a razor for each day of the week. Straight razors could require stropping more than once during the shaving of a heavy beard, and stropping would also be performed at the end of each shave. Honing would only be performed two or three times a year, preserving the blade’s edge. A lot of skill was needed to hone and strop the blades of these early razors and the methods to do so were a large part of the curriculum in Barber colleges. The razor would be sharpened on a grinding wheel then honed on sharpening stone and finally finished using a strop. Straight edge razors would usually be sold unfinished and that process would be completed by the customer. A razor strop, usually made from leather, thick canvas or light timber, would be used to straighten and polish the straight razor for shaving. Strops could also be used to polish other blades such as knives, small metal tools and chisels. Sometimes an abrasive polishing compound is also used to give a mirror finish. Some strops, such as this one in our Collection, are designed to be used while hanging from a nail or peg, while others are hand held. To use the strop draw the spine of the blade down along the strop with the blade following, without putting any pressure on the blade. At the end of the stroke, rotate the blade over its spine then draw the spine along the strop again so that the edge moves away from the top. The finer grade of leather strap is used to give the final finish. Wooden strop, paddle strop design (sometimes called razor strop). Has leather attached to one side. Sides are numbered 1 and 2. Has two slits in body of strop. Stamped Hamon Paris France. "Hamon Paris France. "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, paddle strop, strop, shaving equipment, personal effects, barber's equipment, personal grooming accessory -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Bottle - Soft Drink
Soft drink came in bottles bought at the local grocery store or at a large city store on a shopping expedition. The shape of the bottles changed as did the stopper used to seal it.Historical: Change of bottles - shape, glass, stopper, embossing, use. Aesthetic: Display showing embossing and shape.Clear glass bottle with straight sides half way up tapering gently to a round opening. The tapered half is embossed with 7 wavy circles going around the circumference. The bakelite stopper has a rectangular shaped grip to make it easier to screw.Embossed around the bottom near the base "This bottle remains the property of W. Woodroofe Ltd. Norwood S.A." And above this - embossed: 'A1857' and further along a '4'soft drink bottle; -
Port of Echuca
A black and white photographic postcard, approx 1920s
John Trestrail Freeman was an engineer who in 1889, with a partner named Olsen, established Freeman's Border Foundry in Murray Esplanade, Echuca. The Foundry later became known as Freeman Brothers when sons Harry and Tres took over the business. This business played an important part in shipbuilding in Echuca, fitting engines, building paddlewheels and carrying out repairs. It is thought this photograph is of Tres' mother or it could be his wife (Dolly Dean).The Freeman family is an important family in the history of Echuca boat building and engineering in the early 20th century. The business produced paddlewheels, fitted engines and conducted repairs on riverboats in the area. After the riverboats ceased the foundry went into engineering works producing agricultural implements and other general foundry works. It is thought that this photograph is of Tres junior's mother but the dates of the photograph would indicate it is more likely to be his wife, Dolly.Black and white photographic postcard of a woman dressed in a vibrant floral dress with string of pearls and another longer necklace. She has a brooch attached to her blouse. She has cropped straight hair and is wearing circular metal framed spectacles.On reverse: Printed "Post card/ Correspondence/ address only/Kodak Austral". Handwritten in pencil:" Member of Freeman family. Tres' mother?echuca boatbuilding, freeman family, freeman brothers foundry, echuca. -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Bottle - Sauce, Early 1930's
Sauce & coffee / chicory was stored in bottles bought at the local grocery store or at a large city store on a shopping expedition. The shape of the bottles changed as did the stopper used to seal it.Historical: Change of bottles - shape, glass, stopper, embossing Aesthetic: Display showing embossing and shapeClear glass bottle used for storing sauce, coffee or chicory. The base is square with a slight indent inwards and has embossing. The straight sides go two thirds of the way up, taper quickly to the neck and then form a lip and opening for a cork stopper.Base: 'M ??6'glass bottle, sauce, coffee, chicory, household -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Bottles - Milk x2, 1940's
Milk was produced at the local dairy and then delivered to the stores and / or each household. The shape of the bottles changed as did the stopper used to seal it. The cardboard one predating the aluminium seals. Milk bottles were recycled by the dairy for re use. Liquids were measured in pints pre 1966.Historical: Change of bottles - shape, stopper, embossing Aesthetic: Display showing embossing and shapeClear glass milk bottle with straight sides half way up tapering to the top where there is a thick lip on the outside. Opening is wide. There is an inner rim inside the opening. A cardboard disc fitted on to the inner rim to seal the contents. Heavily embossed.On side near base: 'One Imperial pint' On base: Common Seal: 'A' with 'G' and 'M' inside the 'A'. 'F 1297' is across the middle and 'M' is underneath. In front of the 'M' one bottle has '2' and the other '6'.milk, diary, glass bottle, household, farmer -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF GREYHOUNDS RACING
Blac, and white photograph of greyhounds racing. 11/6/94. Vinnie Shannon Grade 5 (race 2) 1st place - No. 1 Neerak, 2nd place - No. 8, Elusive Prince, 3rd place - (not in picture), Blairminda. Down the finishing straight.clubs and associations, sport, greyhound racing -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Textile - LACE TABLECLOTH
Textiles, brown cream lace tablecloth. Machine made. Large flower in centre 67 cm diameter, Floral patterns in corners and along sides. Two opposite sides have scalloped edges. Other two sides have straight sides.textiles, domestic, lace tablecloth -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - FAVALORO COLLECTION: WOMAN'S PINK SATIN PANTIES, 1950's
Clothing. Pink satin woman's panties with gussett and straight legs trimmed with 4cm coffee coloured lace. 15 cm opening with placket on LHS fastened with two X 1 cm white plastic buttons. Turned over hem on waistband.Tag on inside seam, ''BURCHARD LINGERIE'' ''IRON WHILE DAMP USING WARM IRON'' ''MADE FROM CELANESE TRADE MARK''.costume, female underwear, woman's pink satin panties -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Accessory - Brooch, 1940's
Made by internee at Camp 3, TaturaOval shaped brooch made from a coin (copper penny). Has decorative/dotted edging and 2 capital letters inscribed on front. Small gilt pin attached by soldering to back. Top and bottom of penny have been cut straightMBbrooch, penny, beilharz, h, baumert m, camp 3, tatura, ww2 camp 3, costume, accessory, jewellery -
Hume City Civic Collection
Cotton shirt, inmate's
Navy cotton, white pinstripe. Straight cut, short set-in sleeves, patch pocket on left breast. Front closure to midriff with two black four-hole buttons. Soft shirt-style collar. Shirt tail longer than front.Nonecostume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Womens Suit, 1987
Donor, Valda Arrowsmith wore the suit during her time as Mayor of Nunawading at official functions in 1987/8.1987 Two piece black woollen suit. Skirt is straight hand woven and is lined. Top is woven wool with panels in shades of blue lurex, wool, braid, chenille and black lurex. Sleeves are magyar style. Black ribbed band at waist.costume, female -
Parks Victoria - Days Mill and Farm
Container - Bottles
These bottles were found in an above ground rubbish pile at Days Mill & Farm.Two small very similar thick glass bottles. One has a green/blue tinge and the other has a pinkish tinge to the glass colour. Both bottles have inbuilt spouts at the top. Straight sided with sharp shoulders and a short neck.ann day, william day, joseph day, robert day, days mill and farm -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, William (Bill) Lewis
Photograph is of William James Lewis 1860-1922, the second son of William and Ann Lewis (née Keating). He married Mary Ann Devitt in 1890.Enlarged black and white copy of original photograph, mounted on white card. Photograph shows head and shoulders of a young man with short, straight hair and a moustache. He is wearing a dark jacket, which appears to be buttoned up, and a stiff, white collar.william (bill) lewis -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Sailmaker's Hook, Mid-20th century
A sailmaker's hook is also called a sail hook, bench hook, stretching hook or third hand. It is used to hold the canvas of a sail or similar object while pulling tight with the left hand. This ensures the canvas is tight while stitching, keeping the sewn seam straight. This tool is still in use today wherever a canvas sail requires stitching. it's design has not changed since it was invented centuries ago as a sailor's third hand, helping to keep canvas sails taught during edge stitching or repairs.Hook; sailmaker's bench hook. Metal rod with a hook at one end and a flat head at the other end. This tool would be used in conjunction with a brass swivel and a lanyard.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, sailmaker's hook, sail hook, bench hook, stretching hook, third hand, sailmaker's tool, sailmaking, canvas sewing, maritime trade, sailmaker -
Unions Ballarat
Oliver Cromwell (Don Woodward Collection), Buchan, John, 1941
This book is a history intended to set the record straight about Cromwell. The book is also an account of Cromwell's boyhood. Oliver Cromwell was an English military officer and political leader. He was Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Cromwell lived from 1599 to 1658. History of the United Kingdom and biographical interest.Book; 459 pages. Cover: red background; gold lettering; author's name and title on the spine.Inside cover: "Sheilagh Butler" in black ink.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, cromwell, oliver, politics and government - united kingdom, military - united kingdom, history - united kingdom, biography -
Vision Australia
Education kit - Object, Maths trainer
A hollow wooden box with an 8 pointed hole cut in top. A wooden block fits into the hole. The block is rectangular and one end has a straight bar along one side, the other end has two pointed parts on one side. There are no accompanying instructions.1 square light brown wooden box with block inserted assistive devices, education aids and devices -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Wal Jack, 3/01/1945 12:00:00 AM
Black and White print contained within the Wal Jack Bendigo and Geelong Album, see Reg Item 5003 for more details. Photo of No. 25 and 1 at the junction between the Newtown and East lines, in Pakington St. Photo by Wal Jack 3/1/1945. City of Newtown and Chilwell offices on the right hand side. i1 - scan of print in the album i2 - rear of image i3 - scan of negative at 3200dpi added 29/6/2020. Has the rear in ink "SEC Geelong No. 25 from Beach to Newtown, No. 1 from East to Chilwell (straight down hill) Newtown Junc. Pakington St 3-1-45". Has the Wal Jack copyright stamp on the rear with the number T326 written in.trams, tramways, geelong, pakington st, newtown, east, tram 25, tram 1 -
Carlton Football Club
Letter to player, Letter to Roger Skien from Stephen Gough
A formal letter written from 1984 Carlton Football Manager Stephen Gough, to Roger Skien. In a year where the club finished 3rd on the VFL ladder, and were eventually knocked out of finals in straight sets by Collingwood. This was Roger's first year at the club as the Team Manager. Paper letter, written on typewriter Well done Roger; a great effort in your first year and one that I truly appreciate as do many others who have been involved. Signed Stephen Gough -
Vision Australia
Functional object - Object, White screw together three piece cane
This white cane consists of three wooden parts that screw into each other to form the straight cane. The top section has grooves to indicate the top of the cane as well as a hole, through which the user could attach a rope or elastic cord to ensure the cane stayed in hand.3 pieces with screw connections that form a white caneorientation and mobility, equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Souvenir - Rope Sample, before September 1891
The rope was part of the distress rocket used during the time that the sailing ship Fiji was in distress, before it became a 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 distress 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 Cartland, 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 Ryan's 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 River nook, 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 last man 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 River nook 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.This rope is part of the collection of artefacts from the wreck of the Fiji. 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).Rope, plaited, brown in colour, cut straight at one end, and the other end is separated into 3 pieces, from distress rockets used during the wreck of the sailing ship Fiji. Rope was in envelope printed with an address, and a description, and there was a display card with further details on it. Printed on the envelope: "Shire of Hampden / PO Box 84, Camperdown 3260" Hand written "rope of wreck of Fiji / 7cm / Mr Wm "Boyce" Display card with rope includes words "Piece of Rope from the Fiji distress rockets and was donated to Flagstaff Hill by a private donor in 1989"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, rope, the fiji, william boyce, distress signal, rocket rescue, life saving equipment