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Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Black and white, Coronation Day May 12 1937, Melbourne, Australia
Crew of the Nyanza - Glasgow, dressed up for the photo taken on board the ship on the day of the Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth. George VI ascended the throne upon the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, on 11 December 1936.Even far way from their country the seamen were celebrating their new king.Photograph of the Nyanza crew on the day of Georges VI coronation.Coronation Day May 12 1937, Melbourne, Australiacrew, nyanza, glasgow, 12 may 1937, coronation day, georges vi, elizabeth, england, flag, union jack, ship, sailors, seamen, seafarers, buoy, crews and ships -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Sepia, Stevedore Strikers, 1928
A stevedore is a waterfront manual laborer who is involved in loading and unloading ships. In 1920s discussions about overtime work as stated in the Argus: Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Monday 13 September 1920, page 7Small sepia photograph in album depicting a group of men (stevedores)stevedores, strikes, fan album -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Letter - Letter - Mr Williams to his daughter Eleanor Rebecca Jones, William Jones, 17/10/1854
These letters came to Portland on the 'City of Sydney' under Captain Henderson. This ship was owned by the Henty brothers. Captain James Fawthrop was the harbour master at Portland and also captain of the Portland Lifeboat crew at the time of the wrecking of the Admella in 1859.Hand-written letter in glass bottle. Letter written by Mr Williams Jones, Launceston, to his daughter Eleanor Rebecca Jones who was staying with Captain James Fawthrop at Windsor Cottage, Portland.captain james fawthrop, letter, bottle, windsor cottage -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Award - Medal, ca. 07-11-1856
The medal was presented to Captain Thos. Smith (Thomas Smith) for his assistance in saving the crew of the wrecked barque, the Eleanor Lancaster, at Newcastle in N.N.S.W. (New South Wales). The ship was wrecked during a storm on November 7th, 1856. This medal is significant as a form of recognition of the bravery of Captain Thos Smith.Medal; round, silver, with silver rope border, anchor and rope decoration on top and central inscription on the front, plain back. Black leather-covered case with blue velvet-covered insert and white silk-lined lid. The medal was hand engraved and later presented to Captain Thomas Smith."Presented to CAPT THOs SMITH As a public testimonial of his successful exertions in assisting to save the crew of the Barque ELEANOR LANCASTER during the storm of the 7th Novr" "NEWCASTLE" "N.S.W." "1856"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, medallion, shipwreck eleanor lancaster, captain thomas smith, shipwreck newcastle november 7th 1856, eleanor lancaster, newcastle, thos smith, storm, thomas smith, 7th november 1856, n.s.w. shipwreck, newcastle shipwreck, silver medal, hand engraved, life saving, australian award -
Montmorency/Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Functional object - Christmas Day Menu H.M.A.H.S. Wanganella
During World War II, Wanganella was converted to serve as an Australian Hospital Ship (AHS). Between 19 May 1941 and 1946, AHS Wanganella carried wounded and sick evacuees from the Middle East, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Borneo and the South Pacific, travelling over 251,011 nautical miles (464,872 km) and transporting 13,385 wounded. A.H.S Wanganella 2/2nd Australian Hospital ship. Ref: "Hospital Ships" Rupert Goodman SLV LT 359.8364 0994 G62H Trip 8 Depart 12th Nov 1942 Melbourne Fremantle Aden 10th - 11th Dec 1942 Port Tewfik, Egypt 21st - 22nd Dec 1942 Colombo, Sri Lanka 01 Jan 1943 Fremantle Adelaide Melbourne Sydney Arrived 13th Jan 1943 Brisbane Wanganella left Colombo 22nd December 1942 for Fremantle, with patients who boarded at Port Tewfik in Egypt arriving on New Year's day 1943. The menu is printed on fawn cardboard. The menu has been torn along the spine and rearranged at some time to put on display. There is evidence of glue or tape damage at the back of each corner of the card. Some grease and finger marks are evident on the front and back of the card. The printing is very legible. The heading 'Christmas Greetings' is at the top of the front page and 'Christmas Day 1942' at the bottom of the page. Originally the menu was assembled as a leaflet with the menu on the inside of the second sheet. Since this time, the menu has been torn along the middle fold and the second page sheet taped to the first page. There is a red cross on the front page with a printed illustration of the Wanganella superimposed over the top. H.M.A.H.S. Wanganella and the dinner menu are printed in dark blue ink. The Christmas greetings and the names of the commander and officer in command of the troops are printed in light blue ink. h.m.a.h.s. wanganella, w.w.ii hospital ship -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wood sample, 1855
The artefact is a piece of ship’s timber from the wreck-site of the SCHOMBERG, a vessel which collided with the Peterborough reef on her maiden voyage in December 1855. This small wooden remnant of the disaster has been concreted on one side by the accrual of marine sediment while submerged. The build-up of sediment over the remains of the vessel is typical of the site as a whole. This artefact illustrates the reclaiming power of the ocean and the gradual disappearance of timber constructed vessels that have come to grief along this coastline (for example, the THISTLE in 1837, and the CHILDREN in 1838). The SCHOMBERG was a 2,000 ton clipper ship, specifically designed for the Australian immigration trade (back-loading wool for Britain’s mills), and constructed in Hall’s shipyard in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was owned by the Black Ball Line and launched in 1855. Alexander Hall & Son were renowned builders of sleek and fast 1,000 ton clippers for the China trade (opium in, tea out) and were keen to show they could also outclass the big North American ships built by Donald Mackay. Consequently the SCHOMBERG was ‘overbuilt’. Her hull featured five ‘skins’ of Scotch Larch and Pitch Pine overlaying each other in a diagonal pattern against a stout frame of British Oak. Oak has been favoured by builders of wooden ships for centuries. Its close, dense grain made it harder to work, but also gave it great strength and durability. In addition, the lateral spread of its branches supplied a natural curvature for the ribs of a vessel’s hull, as well as providing the small corner or curved pieces (‘knees’ and ‘elbows’) that fit them together. The shape and texture of this wood sample suggests a dense hardwood like Oak. The timber has been cut off at one end since its recovery from the sea, exposing a smooth and almost shiny surface. Seasoned English Oak has a similar light brown colour and tight grained finish. At the launch the SCHOMBERG’s 34 year old master, Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships; MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. It also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off, Due in large part to the captain's regarding a card game as more important than his ship, it eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to SCHOMBERG and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS QUEEN at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS QUEEN approached the stranded vessel and all of SCHOMBERG’s passengers and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the SCHOMBERG. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 1864 after two of the men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG, salvage efforts were abandoned. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck now lies in 825 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen scattered about nearby. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the SCHOMBERG. One of the SCHOMBERG bells is in the Warrnambool Library. The SCHOMBERG collection as a whole is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S612. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the SCHOMBERG is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the SCHOMBERG. The SCHOMBERG collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing 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 collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day. The SCHOMBERG 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. A piece of wood, concreted in sediment, from the wreck of the SCHOMBERG (1855). The limestone accretion includes sand, shell grit and marine worm casings. The exposed surface of the wood is broken and worn smooth along the grain. One end of the timber has been cut or sawn off across the grain, presenting a smooth and shiny surface.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wood segment, schomberg, shipwreck timber, alexander hall and son, limestone concretion, oak-framed hull -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BLACK BALL SHIPPING LINE 1861 PASSENGER TICKET, 1861
Paper, Passenger Ticket No 21835 issued to Charles Lee, aged 22 years from Black Ball Line of British and australian Ex-Royal Mail Packets, and 'Eagle' Line of Packets. Ship named 'Great Britain, 3209 tons scheduled to leave from Liverpool to Melbourne on the eighteenth of October 1861. Charles Lee Market Gardener born in China buried in Bendigo Cemetery. Died April 12th 1921 aged 86 years. Married 1874 to Louisa Yates. Florence Maude Tooley daughter. Catalogue No 6733 provides cutting from The Australian Women's Weekly-Jan 13 1971 describing history and restoration details of the 'Great Britain'. Ticket Reverse. Outline of conditions and provisions ship owners supply to passengers. Stamped 'Paid' Oct 16th 1861 Liverpool. Name of Charles Lee with age 22years.person, individual, charles lee -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Religious Book, Oxford University Press, The Holy Bible, 1859
Young Henry Pitts sailed from Liverpool, England, in about October 1860, on a ship called the 'British Trident'. About three months later, on January 7th 1861, he arrived in Sydney, Australia. While he travelled from one side of the world to the other, Henry attended lessons on the ship with his onboard teacher, Joseph Benton. On the day before the ship arrived at Sydney, Henry was given a Holy Bible by his teacher. The small black book had a hardcover and many printed pages of very thin paper. Henry must have felt special when he read his teacher’s beautifully written message that said the gift was a ‘mark of respect’ towards Henry. Maybe Mr Benton taught Henry to write with a pen and ink because Henry wrote his name several times inside the front of the book and again below his teacher’s message. Henry may have even learned to read from a Bible, which many passengers included in their luggage. The immigrants on board the British Trident were mostly new arrivals to Australia. Like Henry, they planned to make Australia their new home. Many also hoped to find work in this new country. Some passengers had family and friends waiting for them, people who deposited money towards their trip. Henry’s relative, Charles Pitts, had helped him pay for the ship’s passage, and William Oberthan paid money towards Joseph Benton’s fare. He may have planned for Joseph to work as a teacher in Australia. The Single Females were allowed to leave the ship the day after it docked at Sydney, but the Families and Single Men, including Henry and Joseph, had to stay onboard until Thursday. This Holy Bible is significant for its age, as it was published in 1859. The inscriptions within this small Bible are significant as they show that during a ship's voyage passengers had the opportunity to teach and to learn. They also show a relationship of encouragement had been built between the teacher and pupil. The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated out of the original tongues: and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty's Special Command. approved to be read in churches. Publisher and printed at the Oxford University Press, Sold by E. Gardner and Son, at the Oxford Bible Warehouse, Paternoster Row, London; and by J. and C. Mozley, Derby. Date: 1859 (in Roman Numerals) Handwritten black ink inscriptions are inside the front and back covers. The book once belonged to Henry Pitts and was presented to him by Joseph Benton in 1861.Front left side: " H Pitts H Pitts / - - - - - - of this Book / C - - - - - - - - -K " Front right side: "Given / to / Henry Pitts / As / A Mark of Respect / From / His Teacher on Board / the / British Trident / January 6th 1861 / Joseph Benton" "Henry" Back left: (indecipherable character)warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, holy bible, henry pitts, joseph benton, immigrant ship, 1861, single male, single female, charles pitts, william oberthan, british trident, hyde partk -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Vessel - Sailing Ship, 1875-1905
This photograph is an image of the Loch Vennacher, taken while she is docked. The photograph is very similar to another in our collection taken by Fred. Kruger, a renowned Victorian photographer, between 1875-1905 and possibly in the Port of Melbourne. Loch Vennachar made many journeys from Britain to Australia and was well-known in Australian ports. On one of its homeward-bound journeys from Australia, the ship sank in the River Thames. Its cargo included 850 tonnes of preserved canned rabbits from Warrnambool's Western Meat Preserving Company. The ship was raised and continued trading for another four years. On 14th June 1905, Loch Vennachar departed Glasgow for Adelaide and Melbourne. The last known sighting of it was on 6th September 1875 when overtaken by the SS Yongala; the captains exchanged the “all well” signals. After that, the ship disappeared with loss of all 27 lives, according to a list that was received by Fremantle through the English mail. The list indicated that there were no passengers on that voyage. Sadly, other Loch Line ships med with similar disasters. The list of lost crew on the Loch Vennachar included Thomas. W. Pearce, apprentice, Southampton. His father was Tom Pearce, one of the two survivors of the Loch Ard, wrecked in 1878. Also, Thomas’ grandfather, James Pearce, was the captain of SS Gothenburg at the time of her wrecking in 1875. Consequently, the wrecking of the Loch Vennachar and the Loc Sloy near the southwest point of Kangaroo Island, a lighthouse was erected, officially opening in June 1907. The northern headland of West Bay was named Vennachar Point in memory of the ship in 1908. The wreck was discovered in 1976 by divers from the Society for Underwater Historical Research, over seventy years after being lost off Kangaroo Island.The Loch Vennachar performed a significant role in Australia’s colonial trade, taking goods between Great Britain and Australia. These goods included locally preserved tinned rabbits processed at a factory in Warrnambool for overseas trade.Black and white photograph of Loch Vennachar (aka Loch Vennacher) at a wharf. There are photo mounts in each corner. The vessel was was built in 1875 and wrecked on Kangaroo Island with the loss of all hands; she was last seen September 6th 1905 flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, loch vennachar, loch vennacher, loch line ship, glasgow shipping co, 1875 clipper ship, loch vennachar image., kangaroo island shipwreck, 1905 shipwreck, photograph loch vennachar, fred kruger photographer, canned rabbits, preserved rabbits, western meat preserving company -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Figureheads, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.Colour photograph of figureheads at the Cutty Sark exhibition.cutty sark,, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london,, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade, figureheads -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Figureheads, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade, figureheads -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Figureheads, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Figureheads, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Figureheads, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade, figureheafs -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Figureheads, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Figureheads, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, underside, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Colour, Cutty Sark vessel and exhibition, Greenwich, England, underside and rudder, 6 November 2016
The Long John Silver Collection of Figureheads is displayed alongside the Cutty Sark. It is the largest collection of Merchant Navy figureheads in the world. It was given to Cutty Sark in 1953 by Sydney Cumbers, also known as Captain Long John Silver because of his eye patch. These figure heads come from vessels mostly dating from the 19th century and the collection, like Cutty Sark herself, is dedicated as a memorial to the men of the Merchant Navy. The Cutty Sark was launched on 22 November 1869. She was named by the wife of George Moodie, the ship's first master who had also supervised her construction. Cutty Sark left the Clyde on 13 January 1870. A month and two days later, she set sail from London for China. Cutty sark was designed and built by Scott & Linton of Dumbarton for 16,150 pounds. But much of the money was to be paid by Willis when the ship was launched. Just before they finished her, Scott & Linton ran out of money and went bankrupt. She was completed by William Denny & Brothers. The Cutty Sark was the first ship to reach London with a tea cargo in 1877. But she was one of only nine sailing ships that returned that year - in 1870 there had been 59. Steamships were now dominating the tea trade. In 1883 the Cutty Sark joined the booming trade in transporting Australian wool. Every year until 1895 she set out in the summer for Australia, to load a cargo of wool bales and return to England in time for the wool sales ini the first three months of the new year. Cutty Sark soon established herself as the fastest of the wool clippers. Under her last master, Richard Woodget she set record times of 70 days or less for the voyage which no other sailing ships could match.cutty sark, exhibition, wool, australia, china, sailing, woodget, moodie, london, willis, dumbarton, scott & linton, william denny, tea, cargo, immigration, trade -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book (Item) - Scrapbook, Edith E Hitchcock, Victoria Missions to Seamen, Spencer Street Railway Station, 1931-1943
The scrapbook, compiled by Edith E Hitchcock, displays a variety of newspaper clippings with photographs relating to ships, sailors, their hobbies, Padre Oliver. Page 1 - Map of the British Empire Page 3 - Newspaper clipping with photographs: "Happy Sailors Lads" onboard the CB Pedersen C.1935 Page 5 - Photograph depicting three children watching of a ship at sea Page 7 - 1937: article: with photograph"Sea Captain and Artist": Captain A.C.G. Dreillek, Swedish ship Yngaren (similar photo published in 1937 in the Courier Mail Brisbane) Page 9 - 1935: "Reunited": Dog Patsy with ship Pegasus crew members / "Sydney Harbour Bridge": Phillip Vanderhill, Cook of the Kota Inter and its sitar creation Page 11: Mr G. Gatty and Tim, the cat from the Esperance Bay / Herbert the hen, pet on the ship King Arthur / Frank Simpson, quartermaster and painter from the ship City of Dieppe. Page 13: Conway Seymour and shipmate aboard the Orford. Page 15: 3 photographs of French sailors from the cruiser Rigault de Grenouilly in 1936. Page 16: Photograph of A.J. Kramer working on a ship model aboard the Dutch ship, Kota Inten. Page 17: 1936: Photographs of sailors from the French ship Rigault de Grenouilly and the American ship: California State berthed in Prince's Pier. (plus two large loose clippings with portraits of same sailors). Page 18: 1934: Ball on the Manunda to raise funds for the Mission: photograph of Captain Robert Sunter, Padre Oliver, Moira Oliver, Mrs Harold Clapp. Page 19: Photograph of French sailors from the Rigault de Grenouilly in a bus en route to the Dandenong Ranges. Page 21: Photographs of a shipwreck (probably Kakariki in 1938, see next page). Page 23: Aerial photograph of the shipwreck Kakariki in Hobson's Bay in 1937 Page 25: Photograph of the shipwreck Kakariki in Hobson's Bay in 1937. Page 26: Photograph of the shipwreck Kakariki in Hobson's Bay in 1937. Page 27: Photograph of the survivors from the shipwreck Kakariki in the Mission in 1937: A. Bunyard, W. Fisk, J. Greene, L. Tarlington, J. McInnes, G. Coote, G. Sugar. Page 28: Photograph of the survivors from the shipwreck Kakariki in the Caradale in 1937: W. Fisk, T.W. White. Page 29: Missioneers talk to Firemen: Padre Oliver and his assistant, L.V. Owen talking to ship's firemen.(the Argus, 24 July 1931) Page 31: 3 articles with photographs: American cadets from the California State / Governor's Surprise Visit: Lord Huntingfield visiting Padre Oliver in the Mission (the Argus, 19 May 1936) / Sea Scouts on Liner: Padre Oliver on the P&O Cathay (the Argus, 16 June 1936) Page 33: Harbour Lights: padre Oliver, Lord Somers and Rev. R. Kerdell / Visit of the Duchess to the Mission (the Argus, 26 february 1945). Page 34: Photograph titled "An old salt still yearns for the sea- 369 miles away". Page 35: two clippings : Presentation of cheques for Merchant Navy: Betty Raymond giving a cheque to Padre L.L. Elliott / A cheque for the Seamen's Mission: Photograph of Padre Oliver with a cheque. Page 37: 4 clippings with photographs: Padre Oliver playing the piano for the cadets of the C.B. Pedersen / Miss Gladys Grant with parcels (from the Age 10 November 1943) / All Nations' Dance / Christmas at the Flinders Street mission, Padre Oliver cutting the cake (The Age, 15 December 1942) Page 39: Unveiling of the Memorial window to Captain Robert Sunter in 1936. Page 41: 2 clippings: At the Seamen's Mission: photographs of J. W. Neill and Padre Oliver / Married: Albert Robertson and Beryl Landrigan / Postcard of the St Peter Chapel. Page 43: 2 postcards: The Cloisters / The Mission view from Flinders Street. Page 45: Postcard of the windvane. / clipping of Sailors from the Zealandic. Page 46: 2 clippings: Virtually a Man without a country: Frans Nobel on the ship Milleeta / Seaman, Soldier, Waiter, Singer, Cook Finds Peace (Frans Nobel).(1939) Page 47: That Land Looks Good: two seamen from the tanker British Fame Page 48: large clipping of the C.B. Pedersen "Like a page from the past".(april-May 1935) Page 49: Photograph of Padre Oliver in his army uniform.This scrapbook is significant because it makes reference to contemporaneous events related to the Mission to Seafarers. On the inside cover is the name Edith E. Hitchcock.edith e. hitchcock, scrapbooks, c.b. pedersen, hobbies, ship models, painting, frank leslie oliver, mv manunda, captain robert sunter, windvane, rigault de genouilly, french, german, california, kakariki, ship pegasus, sydney harbour bridge, sugar, kota inten, philip vanderhill, lord somers, reverend r. kerdell, r.m.s. moldavia, victoria dock, ww2, pets, bird, dog, cat, gladys grant, alphonse polo, eugene emonin, raoul gannson, esperance bay, g. gatty, captain a. macwhirter, frank simpson, city of dieppe, conway seymour, orford, a.j. kramer, dutch, moira bird oliver (nee good), mrs harold clapp, caradale, 3uz radio, betty raymond, l.l. elliott, j.h. bustard, merchant navy patriotic fund, g.h. martin, j.w. neill, albert robertson, beryl landrigan, zealandic, frans nobel, milleeta, british fame -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Functional object - Face mask, Mission to Seafarers Victoria, 2020
During the Covid 19 pandemic, the Mission to Seafarers was forced to close and stopped its activities on site. However the staff continued the ship visiting, shopping and delivering their goods to the seafarers. The wearing of the face mask was enforced during the second lockdown.The face mask is the symbol of the 2020 pandemic. Melbourne had one of the longest lockdowns in the world and the wearing of face masks became a symbol of the pandemic.Blue fabric face mask with black elasticLogo of the Mission to Seafarers with the Flying Angelcovid 19, pandemic, lockdown, face mask, marketing, 2020, mission to seafarers, mtsv shop -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Instrument - Slide Rule in box, Shanghai Slide Rule Factory, 1978
Sextant belonging to Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships. According to the website SLide Rule Museum this is the Flying Fish 1017 Chemical V2 Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS ReynellaSextant in wooden boxInscription in Chinese on the boxanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, nautical instrument, navigation, slide rule, flying fish 1017 -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Functional object - Telescope
The barque 'Eliza Ramsden', 395 tons, struck Corsair Rock on July 24, 1875 Ref: Victims of the Corsair Rock Page 6]. The telescope was found on board the ship by William Shapter Senior while attempting to tow for salvage.One of the many wrecks in the locality of the Rip and QueenscliffeA brass telescope from the 'Eliza Ramsden'Alexander Dobbie, 24 Clyde Place, Glasgowtelescope, eliza ramsden, corsair rock, salvage, william shapter -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Artwork, other - Model Ship, Lady Nelson, 2016-17
The Lady Nelson was the first decked ship to enter Western Port at the beginning of 1801, captained by Lt James Grant, who named Churchill Island after a man in Dawlish, Devon who gave him a quantity of a variety of seeds, including wheat, which he sowed on CI. Lady Nelson returned at the end of the year under the command of Murray, who reported that most of the seeds had grown. He harvested the wheat to feed to the swans they had on board for fresh meat. Friends of Churchill Island Society commissioned the building of the model ship from David Lumsden, who built it for FOCIS for the cost of materials.See historical information for the significance of the Lady Nelson to Churchill Island.1:24 scale model of the Lady Nelson (c.1801) made from cardboard, wood, cord, string, wool. Carvill Hull black ochre-yellow colour, brown timbers. Masts fawn with black trim and fittings. Lifeboat hull clinker built black and white. White inside, brown floor. Brown oars x 4. Tied onto Lady Nelson deck. LN flags: jack on stern gaff yard, and Royal Naval pennant on peak of rear mast."LADY NELSON" on stern white lettering on black. -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Framed Graphite Print, 13/05/2005
To commemorating 40 years since The Dawn Of a New Era for the Royal Australian Navy - 1965-2005 - A limited release of a graphite print of Guided Missile Destroyers HMA Ships PERTH (38), HOBART (39) and BRISBANE (41) served the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1965 and 2001.These ships were the first for the RAN to have been designed for the 'Missile Era' and were also the first to be not of a British design instead they were purchased from the United States of America. All 3 served with distinction on the 'Gun Line' during the Vietnam War and the BRISBANE also saw operations of the First Gulf War.Framed print drawn in graphite depicting three Guided Missile Destroyers at sea RAN - Commemorating 40 years since The Dawn Of a New Era for the Royal Australian Navy - 1965-2005 Limited Edition 3/50ran, hmas perth, hobart and brisbane, guided missile destroyers -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Instrument - Bearing compass hand held
Formerly of Station Works, Wakering Road, Barking, Essex, Henry Browne & Son were important British compass makers. The company was founded in the nineteenth century in Barking and London. They were respected English instrument makers who made fine quality compasses, ships clocks, inclinometers, sextants and chandlery items for over 140 years. Their "Dead Beat" compass, which was well dampened to reduce oscillation, was fitted to many Allied ships during the Second World War. Sestrel was their famous Trade Mark brand. The company was sold to John Lilley & Gillie Ltd and SIRS Navigation, both UK companies, in 1993. Example of a hand held compass used in WWIIA Sestrel hand held bearing compass with wooden handle in own glass fronted, wooden container.Sestrel Henry Browne & Son Ltd Barking Londoncompass, navigation -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Legal record - Power of Attorney, 18/02/1862
Captain Mackenzie Luckie was born in 1821. From 1853 he commanded eight ships. He died on board the Michael Angelo off the coast of New Zealand in February 1875. After the ship arrived in Nelson, The Argus (Melbourne) reported on 12 February 1875 that Captain Luckie was found dead in his cabin, from heart disease. His appointed Attorney Mr George William Knight selected land in Sunbury in 1860 and then arrived in Bendigo on 2 April 1870. For more information about George William Knight see https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/227853797?searchTerm=george%20william%20knightCaptain McKenzie Luckie a. Document appointing George William Knight of Sunbury or elsewhere in the Colony of Victoria as a lawful attorney to act for Mackenzie Luckie of 15 Tredegar Square, Bow in the County of Middlesex (now London), Master Mariner. Dated 18 February 1862. Witnessed by William Charles White. Five page document - two blue flimsy sheets, one light card sheet and two grey flimsy sheets. b. Transcript from The Age (Melbourne) 27 November 1937. The letter from H. Daniel, Monte Video, South America, is responding to an earlier letter from the grand daughter of Captain Mackenzie Luckie. It includes a record of the career of Captain Luckie from 1853. captain mackenzie luckie, master mariner -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Brass Finial, Russell & Co, circa 1886
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution meant that shipbuilders could build ships using iron. These iron ships could be much larger, with more space for cargo and they didn't need as much work to keep them in good condition. Isambard Kingdom Brunel's "Great Britain" built in 1843, was the first ship to be built entirely of wrought iron. In the 1880's steel began to be used instead of iron. Ships also began to be fitted with steam engines although a great deal of coal was needed to travel even short distances. For this reason, ships continued to be fitted out with sails even though many came with engines. The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale, was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual beautiful green American slates (roofing tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. ABOUT THE ‘FALLS OF HALLADALE’ (1886 - 1908) Built: in1886 by Russell & Co., Greenock shipyards, River Clyde, Scotland, UK. The company was founded in 1870 (or 1873) as a partnership between Joseph Russell (1834-1917), Anderson Rodger and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co., standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships over that time. In 1886 they introduced a 3000 ton class of sailing vessel with auxiliary engines and brace halyard winches. In 1890 they broke the world output record. Owner: Falls Line, Wright, Breakenridge & Co, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Configuration: Four masted sailing ship; iron-hulled barque; iron masts, wire rigging, fore & aft lifting bridges. Size: Length 83.87m x Breadth 12.6m x Depth 7.23m, Gross tonnage 2085 ton Wrecked: the night of 14th November 1908, Curdies Inlet, Peterborough south west Victoria Crew: 29 The Falls of Halladale was a four-masted sailing ship built-in 1886 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the long-distance cargo trade and was mostly used for Pacific grain trade. She was owned by Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow and was one of several Falls Line ships, all of which were named after waterfalls in Scotland. The lines flag was of red, blue and white vertical stripes. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the ‘windjammers’ that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new, raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck stormy conditions. This idea is still used today on the most modern tankers and cargo vessels and has proved to be an important step forward in the safety of men at sea. On 4th August 1908, with new sails, 29 crew, and 2800 tons of cargo, the Falls of Halladale left New York, bound for Melbourne and Sydney via the Cape of Good Hope. The cargo on board was valued at £35,000 and included 56,763 tiles of American slate roofing tiles (roof slates), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6,500 gallons of oil, 14,400 gallons of benzene, plumbing iron, 117 cases of crockery and glassware and many other manufactured items. The Falls of Halladale had been at sail for 102 days when, at 3 am on the night of 14th November 1908, under full sail in calm seas with a six knots breeze behind and misleading fog along the coast, the great vessel rose upon an ocean swell and settled on top of a submerged reef near Peterborough on the south-west Victoria’s coast. The ship was jammed on the rocks and began filling with water. The crew launched the two lifeboats and all 29 crew landed safely on the beach over 4 miles away at the Bay of Islands. The postmistress at Peterborough, who kept a watch for vessels in distress, saw the stranding and sent out an alert to the local people. A rescue party went to the aid of the sailors and the Port Campbell rocket crew was dispatched, but the crew had all managed to reach shore safely by the time help arrived. The ship stayed in full sail on the rocky shelf for nearly two months, attracting hundreds of sightseers who watched her slowly disintegrate until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. The valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. Further salvage operations were made from 1974-1986, during which time 22,000 slate tiles were recovered with the help of 14 oil drums to float them, plus personal artefacts, ship fittings, reams of paper and other items. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson’s navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The shipwreck is a popular site for divers, about 300m offshore and in 3 – 15m of water. Some of the original cargo can be seen at the site, including pieces of roof slate and coils of barbed wire. This particular artefact was one of many found by John Laidlaw (a local Warrnambool diver) when diving on the Falls of Halladale in the 1960's. In August 1973, John Laidlaw and Stan McPhee went on to discover the underwater location of the Schomberg - a passenger ship that ran aground on December 26th 1855 near Peterborough and which now lies in 825 metres of water. When John Laidlaw died, his family donated a number of artefacts to Flagstaff Hill. The brass finial may have been part of a larger decorative item such as a lamp or clock bracket.This item is significant as it was taken from the Falls of Halladale shipwreck which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976)A brass, bell shaped object with a body approximately 3 cm high. It has an outer lip, straight sides that taper in and a flat "cap". The inside of the object is plain with evidence of vertigris. It has a decorative topping almost 2 cm high which has a double concave hollow neck.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill divers, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, warrnambool, falls of halladale, falls of halladale wreck, shipwreck artefact, artefact, brass artefact, brass finial, brass fitting, shipwreck coast, diver, john laidlaw -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Metal ship's bolt, Russell & Co, Circa 1886
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution meant that shipbuilders could build ships using iron. These iron ships could be much larger, with more space for cargo and they didn't need as much work to keep them in good condition. Isambard Kingdom Brunel's "Great Britain" built in 1843, was the first ship to be built entirely of wrought iron. In the 1880's steel began to be used instead of iron. Ships also began to be fitted with steam engines although a great deal of coal was needed to travel even short distances. For this reason, ships continued to be fitted out with sails even though some came with engines. The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale, was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual beautiful green American slates (roofing tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. ABOUT THE ‘FALLS OF HALLADALE’ (1886 - 1908) Built: in1886 by Russell & Co., Greenock shipyards, River Clyde, Scotland, UK. The company was founded in 1870 (or 1873) as a partnership between Joseph Russell (1834-1917), Anderson Rodger and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co., standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships over that time. In 1886 they introduced a 3000 ton class of sailing vessel with auxiliary engines and brace halyard winches. In 1890 they broke the world output record. Owner: Falls Line, Wright, Breakenridge & Co, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Configuration: Four masted sailing ship; iron-hulled barque; iron masts, wire rigging, fore & aft lifting bridges. Size: Length 83.87m x Breadth 12.6m x Depth 7.23m, Gross tonnage 2085 ton Wrecked: the night of 14th November 1908, Curdies Inlet, Peterborough south west Victoria Crew: 29 The Falls of Halladale was a four-masted sailing ship built-in 1886 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the long-distance cargo trade and was mostly used for Pacific grain trade. She was owned by Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow and was one of several Falls Line ships, all of which were named after waterfalls in Scotland. The lines flag was of red, blue and white vertical stripes. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the ‘windjammers’ that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new, raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck stormy conditions. This idea is still used today on the most modern tankers and cargo vessels and has proved to be an important step forward in the safety of men at sea. On 4th August 1908, with new sails, 29 crew, and 2800 tons of cargo, the Falls of Halladale left New York, bound for Melbourne and Sydney via the Cape of Good Hope. The cargo on board was valued at £35,000 and included 56,763 tiles of American slate roofing tiles (roof slates), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6,500 gallons of oil, 14,400 gallons of benzene, plumbing iron, 117 cases of crockery and glassware and many other manufactured items. The Falls of Halladale had been at sail for 102 days when, at 3 am on the night of 14th November 1908, under full sail in calm seas with a six knots breeze behind and misleading fog along the coast, the great vessel rose upon an ocean swell and settled on top of a submerged reef near Peterborough on the south-west Victoria’s coast. The ship was jammed on the rocks and began filling with water. The crew launched the two lifeboats and all 29 crew landed safely on the beach over 4 miles away at the Bay of Islands. The postmistress at Peterborough, who kept a watch for vessels in distress, saw the stranding and sent out an alert to the local people. A rescue party went to the aid of the sailors and the Port Campbell rocket crew was dispatched, but the crew had all managed to reach shore safely by the time help arrived. The ship stayed in full sail on the rocky shelf for nearly two months, attracting hundreds of sightseers who watched her slowly disintegrate until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. The valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. Further salvage operations were made from 1974-1986, during which time 22,000 slate tiles were recovered with the help of 14 oil drums to float them, plus personal artefacts, ship fittings, reams of paper and other items. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson’s navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The shipwreck is a popular site for divers, about 300m offshore and in 3 – 15m of water. Some of the original cargo can be seen at the site, including pieces of roof slate and coils of barbed wire. This particular artefact was one of many found by John Laidlaw (a local Warrnambool diver) when diving on the Falls of Halladale in the 1960's. In August 1973, John Laidlaw and Stan McPhee went on to discover the underwater location of the Schomberg - a passenger ship sailing from Liverpool that ran aground on December 26th 1855 near Peterborough which now lies in 825 metres of water. When John Laidlaw died, his family donated a number of artefacts to Flagstaff Hill.This item is significant as it was recovered from the Falls of Halladale by a local diver. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).A thick metal bolt with a flattened head at one end, a smooth shaft approximately 4 cm long followed by a 6 cm long screw section - some of which is damaged and flattened. The end appears to have had a part broken off and is showing rust damage. flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill divers, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, great ocean road, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, falls of halladale, falls of halladale wreck, shipwreck artefact, artefact, diver, john laidlaw, bolt, metal bolt, metal artefact, ship's bolt -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Brass rod, Russell & Co, Circa 1886
In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution meant that shipbuilders could build ships using iron. These iron ships could be much larger, with more space for cargo and they didn't need as much work to keep them in good condition. Isambard Kingdom Brunel's "Great Britain" built in 1843, was the first ship to be built entirely of wrought iron. In the 1880's steel began to be used instead of iron. Ships also began to be fitted with steam engines although a great deal of coal was needed to travel even short distances. For this reason, ships continued to be fitted out with sails even though some came with engines. The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale, was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual beautiful green American slates (roofing tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. ABOUT THE ‘FALLS OF HALLADALE’ (1886 - 1908) Built: in1886 by Russell & Co., Greenock shipyards, River Clyde, Scotland, UK. The company was founded in 1870 (or 1873) as a partnership between Joseph Russell (1834-1917), Anderson Rodger and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co., standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships over that time. In 1886 they introduced a 3000 ton class of sailing vessel with auxiliary engines and brace halyard winches. In 1890 they broke the world output record. Owner: Falls Line, Wright, Breakenridge & Co, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Configuration: Four masted sailing ship; iron-hulled barque; iron masts, wire rigging, fore & aft lifting bridges. Size: Length 83.87m x Breadth 12.6m x Depth 7.23m, Gross tonnage 2085 ton Wrecked: the night of 14th November 1908, Curdies Inlet, Peterborough south west Victoria Crew: 29 The Falls of Halladale was a four-masted sailing ship built-in 1886 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the long-distance cargo trade and was mostly used for Pacific grain trade. She was owned by Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow and was one of several Falls Line ships, all of which were named after waterfalls in Scotland. The lines flag was of red, blue and white vertical stripes. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the ‘windjammers’ that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new, raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck stormy conditions. This idea is still used today on the most modern tankers and cargo vessels and has proved to be an important step forward in the safety of men at sea. On 4th August 1908, with new sails, 29 crew, and 2800 tons of cargo, the Falls of Halladale left New York, bound for Melbourne and Sydney via the Cape of Good Hope. The cargo on board was valued at £35,000 and included 56,763 tiles of American slate roofing tiles (roof slates), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6,500 gallons of oil, 14,400 gallons of benzene, plumbing iron, 117 cases of crockery and glassware and many other manufactured items. The Falls of Halladale had been at sail for 102 days when, at 3 am on the night of 14th November 1908, under full sail in calm seas with a six knots breeze behind and misleading fog along the coast, the great vessel rose upon an ocean swell and settled on top of a submerged reef near Peterborough on the south-west Victoria’s coast. The ship was jammed on the rocks and began filling with water. The crew launched the two lifeboats and all 29 crew landed safely on the beach over 4 miles away at the Bay of Islands. The postmistress at Peterborough, who kept a watch for vessels in distress, saw the stranding and sent out an alert to the local people. A rescue party went to the aid of the sailors and the Port Campbell rocket crew was dispatched, but the crew had all managed to reach shore safely by the time help arrived. The ship stayed in full sail on the rocky shelf for nearly two months, attracting hundreds of sightseers who watched her slowly disintegrate until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. The valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. Further salvage operations were made from 1974-1986, during which time 22,000 slate tiles were recovered with the help of 14 oil drums to float them, plus personal artefacts, ship fittings, reams of paper and other items. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson’s navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The shipwreck is a popular site for divers, about 300m offshore and in 3 – 15m of water. Some of the original cargo can be seen at the site, including pieces of roof slate and coils of barbed wire. This particular artefact was one of many found by John Laidlaw (a local Warrnambool diver) when diving on the Falls of Halladale in the 1960's. In August 1973, John Laidlaw and Stan McPhee went on to discover the underwater location of the Schomberg - a passenger ship that ran aground on December 26th 1855 near Peterborough which now lies in 825 metres of water. When John Laidlaw died, his family donated a number of artefacts to Flagstaff Hill.This item is significant as it was recovered by a local diver from the Falls of Halladale. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).Long, slender, smooth brass rod tapering from 1.5 cm diameter at one end to .8 cm and widening back out to 1.5 cm at opposite end. One end has a smooth, rounded edge and the other end curves in and out with the end showing evidence of a piece having been broken off.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill divers, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, falls of halladale, falls of halladale wreck, shipwreck artefact, artefact, brass artefact, brass rod, brass fitting, diver, john laidlaw -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wood encrustation, 1855
The object is a mass of small shipwreck debris that has been concreted together by sediment and marine growth. It was retrieved from the wreck-site of the SCHOMBERG, which ran aground near the mouth of the Curdies River near Peterborough in 1855. The conglomerate of preserved wood impressions, rusted metal pieces, a small square of copper alloy, and black glass-like stones, presents too disjointed a collection to provide information on their purpose or function on the ship. The natural and gradual process of limestone accretion is a significant feature of the wreck-site, which was rediscovered by fishermen and skindivers in 1973. In his book “Exploring Shipwrecks of Western Victoria”, experienced diver and former director at Flagstaff Hill, Peter Ronald writes that the SCHOMBERG’s “triple layered wooden hull has disintegrated almost without trace…The turbulent shallow waters have promoted particularly heavy marine growth which tend to disguise the wreckage…the most prominent feature being a corroded mass of railway iron…Close inspection reveals small artefacts firmly embedded in the marine concretion which…is quite literally as hard as iron”. The huge oblong mass of concretion that now distinguishes the site covers the remains of this heavy cargo. A contemporary account of the SCHOMBERG’s fate (told by two of her passengers to the Melbourne Argus) alleges the ship “was overloaded, drawing over 25 feet when she left, and the cargo was chiefly iron and plant for the Geelong Railway”. The SCHOMBERG was a 2,000 ton clipper ship, specifically designed for the Australian immigration trade (back-loading wool for Britain’s mills), and constructed in Hall’s shipyard in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was owned by the Black Ball Line and launched in 1855. Alexander Hall & Son were renowned builders of sleek and fast 1,000 ton clippers for the China trade (opium in, tea out) and were keen to show they could also outclass the big North American ships built by Donald Mackay. Consequently the SCHOMBERG was ‘overbuilt’. Her hull featured five ‘skins’ of Scotch Larch and Pitch Pine overlaying each other in a diagonal pattern against a stout frame of British Oak. Oak has been favoured by builders of wooden ships for centuries. Its close, dense grain made it harder to work, but also gave it great strength and durability. In addition, the lateral spread of its branches supplied a natural curvature for the ribs of a vessel’s hull, as well as providing the small corner or curved pieces (‘knees’ and ‘elbows’) that fit them together. The shape and texture of this wood sample suggests a dense hardwood like Oak. The timber has been cut off at one end since its recovery from the sea, exposing a smooth and almost shiny surface. Seasoned English Oak has a similar light brown colour and tight grained finish. At the launch the SCHOMBERG’s 34 year old master, Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships; MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. It also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off, Due in large part to the captain's regarding a card game as more important than his ship, it eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to SCHOMBERG and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS QUEEN at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS QUEEN approached the stranded vessel and all of SCHOMBERG’s passengers and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the SCHOMBERG. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 1864 after two of the men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG, salvage efforts were abandoned. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck now lies in 825 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen scattered about nearby. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the SCHOMBERG. One of the SCHOMBERG bells is in the Warrnambool Library. This object is listed on the Shipwreck Artefact Register, No S/49, and is significant because of its association with the ship SCHOMBERG. The SCHOMBERG collection as a whole is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S612. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the SCHOMBERG is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the SCHOMBERG. The SCHOMBERG collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing 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 collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day. The SCHOMBERG 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. The object is an aggregate of limestone sediment that formed at the wreck-site of the SCHOMBERG (1855). It is an irregularly shaped conglomerate of sand, shell-grit and marine worm casings from the ocean floor, but also incorporates an assortment of manufactured metal pieces and pipe fittings (corroded with red rust), a small rectangular piece of copper sheet, some ‘petrified’ wood remains (hardened and a soft brown colour), and pieces of black shiny stone (roughly cube shaped and possibly glass or porcelain remnants). There is an impression left in the stone of a joist or plank end but the original timber that the sediment formed around has since been dispersed by the sea.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwreck timber, alexander hall and son, shipwreck debris, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen