This letter was written by a representative of the crew of the SS Siltonhall to the Mission to Seafarers in Oct 1929. Their ship caught fire in the Indian Ocean and were rescued by the SS Anthea. The crew was sent to Melbourne and spent some time at the Mission. Article in the Argus, Tuesday 15 October 1929, page 6 "THE SILTONHALL'S SEAMEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS Sir, the story of the disaster to the s.s. Siltonhall is still fresh in the public mind. The ship caught fire and she was abandoned and sank in the Indian Ocean. The crew took to the boats and were rescued and brought safely in to Melbourne. They have been with us now for nearly a week now, taking full advantage of the hospitality of the Mission to Seamen Institute.So far they have been provided with the bare necessities of one complete suit of clothing by the shipping authorities. They leave here to return home to England on Wednesday. If anyone will kindly contribute any articles of clothing or boots they will be most acceptable, especially as the men will be going to a cooler climate. Please send them to me. Yours Sincerily, HOWARD S. BAILEY, Chaplain, Missions to Seamen, Australian Wharf, Oct. 14."This letter and photograph indicate the valuable service that the Mission to Seafarers provides to crews of ships wrecked off the Australian coast. The smiling crew of the S.S. Siltonhall evidently appreciated that when they were in desperate need they were cared for. The picture was possibly taken in a nautical context, perhaps at the docks or on board a ship.B/W photograph of group of 22 men. Letter signed T. Bateman from crew of the SS Siltonhall dated Oct. 16th 1929. "Oct 16th 1929. / The members of the crew of the SS Siltonhall, / which caught fire in the Indian Ocean, and / was abandoned on Sept 21st 1929, wish to / thank the 'Missions to Seamen', and all those / concerned, for their hospitality, in the way of / Concerts, Socials, etc., also for boots and clothing / gratefully received. / On behalf of the crew. T. Bateman." photograph, letter, 1929, siltonhall, ship, crew, mission, seafarers, wreck, fire, bateman, melbourne, australia, shipwreck, reverend howard s. bailey, j. bateman

This document one of several papers and objects from the estate of Mr Arthur O. Dixon, an ex-master mariner and later smallhold farmer. Other correspondence and papers gifted to the Mission indicates the year 1919 (post his service in World War 1) was a time of some changes for Mr Dixon, possibly leading to his subsequent re-location to Australia show that he served as a crew member on the Merchant vessel "Hororata" a vessel which is noted in the MTSV records including an image of the crew in the early 1920s. (see VC record ).This vessel is also mentioned in a narrative poem by a de-mobbed Soldier of WW1 as the transport for a number of returning servicemen and families. The poem is held in the National Library of Australia.Unusually for the early 20th C. era of Mr Dixon's service at sea two images of Mr Dixon were included in the gift of papers. Personal objects included an unusual small travel size New Testament (see VC record ) heavily annotated provide further insights into the experience of early 20th C. seafarers. Officially printed document, and official copy of an original certificate of competency issued by the office of the Register General of Shipping and Seamen recognising Arthur Oswald Dixon as an Extra Master. At right angles to the certificate is a small margin at left indication the current document is an approved copy in 1919 of the original certificate issued in 1904. See image for both sides of the document for extensive text.certificate of competency, master, captain, sailor, arthur oswald dixon, seamanship, sailors, seamen, seafarers, officers, 1904

The bottom stone was the foundation stone for the main building laid Tuesday 5 February 1907, and the middle stone was the foundation stone for the chapel, laid Tuesday 1 December 1908. The two stones were inserted on the wall of the current Mission building probably when the Siddeley Street institute was demolished. The stones are located in the courtyard on the wall of the former chaplain's office. next to the chapel.The stones are the few remnants of the first Central Institute.Photograph depicting the two foundation stones of the former Seamen's Institute located on Siddeley Street.siddeley street institute, reverend a. gurney-goldsmith, sir thomas david gibson carmichael (1859–1926), governor of victoria, lord henry stafford northcote (1846–1911), governor general of australia, flinders street mission, australian wharf

St Michael Paternoster Royal accommodates the offices of the central Mission to Seafarers in LondonColour photograph depicting the Missions to Seamen flag in St Michael Paternoster Royal, Londonst michael paternoster royal, london-uk, mission to seafarers, pat dann

Flag of dark blue rectangle with white writing 'The Missions To Seamen' & flying angel imageflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, the missions to seamen, flag

A Williamstown local, Ethel Margaret Musther nee Barber (1872-1956) was the daughter of Captain John Henry Barber (1842-1924), a sea pilot and Janet Lidell (1846-1891) Her grandfather, Captain Lidell, was also a seaman. In 1900, she married Nathan George Musther,(18..-1933) a chemist, and dentist in the Navy. They had two daughters: Rosamund Janet Musther(born 1903) and Nanoya Gwendoline Musther (born 1906). She was the principal of the Ladies' College in Footscray. She was involved in many philantropic associations especially for sailors but also during WWI and WW2. She worked for the Anzac Club, the Red Cross, She formed: 1941: the R.A.N. Friendly Union of Sailor's Wives and Mothers. 1943: the Lightkeepers Auxiliary to help the Mission raised funds. The plaque was a gift of the Lightskeeper Auxiliaire and unveiled on 30 July 1959 at the St Nicholas Chapel, by her eldest daughter, Mrs Jean McDonald. It was originally on stained and polished hardwood mount made by Mrs Murdoch (AR1959, page 24). On the day, a desk service-book was also dedicated in memory of Dr John Thompson at the request of his daughter, Mrs Sparrow.In early 1943, Ethel Margaret Musther formed the Lightkeepers' Auxiliaire and raised funds for the third building purchased for the Williamstown branch of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, the former E,S & A Bank. Thanks to her philanthropic work, she was rewarded with a Medal of the British Empire in 1953 for all her charitable work. Large rectangular with decorative clover corner Engraved: "In affectionnante and grateful memory / of / Ethel Margaret Musther, M.B.E. / Founder of / The Williamstown Lightkeepers Auxiliary / Of the / Victoria Missions to Seamen / Remembered always for this and many other / Philantropic works / Died 17th of September 1956 / Her deeds live after her.1956, ethel margaret musther, m.b.e., medal of the british empire, 1953, lightkeepers' auxiliary, williamstown, seamen's mission

Sepia photo of a group of soldiers & seamen assembled onboard a troopship for what appears to be a sea burial.photography-photographs, military history - army, burial

Gathering of seafarers and MTS clergy and LHLG members, at Heildelberg property, 1906Small monochrome photograph depicting a large group of seamen, ladies from the Guild during a picnicheildelberg, cup day, 1906

Typical outdoor photo of group of seafarers benefitting from a mission excursion out to one of the larger properties, in this case Orchard House, Malvern.Group o 21 seamen standing or sitting on the grass, with Reverend Gurney Goldsmith standing on the right.orchard house, 1907, malvern, george higgins, picnic, cup day, beatrice elizabeth higgins (nee shuter), charles shuter, picnics, entertainments, social events, goldsmith album, bowler hat, boater hat, sailor cap

The illustration published in the Illustrated Australian News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1876 - 1889), p. 144, on 2 September 1885, depicts Sandridge now Port Melbourne in 1885 from a seamen's point of view on board a ship.This engraving is a rare depiction fo the Bethel church as there is no early photograph. The Sailors' Rest is located at the back. In 1887, the church was demolished to erect the building still standing on the corner of Nott Street and Beach Road.Copy of an engraving depicting a sailor sitting on the mast of the ship and looking at the shore from the sea. A Bird's-eye View Of Melbourne From Sandridge.nott street, sandridge, melbourne, port melbourne, beach road, seamen, ships, sails, sailing ships, customs house, bethel church

Early 20th C. image of crew members on board ship. It is thought that the basins were used to collect their meals as a way of ensuring minimum spillage when the vessel was under way. The Barque Crocodile out of Liverpool is documented in an Annual report as donating 15 shillings and sixpence from the crew towards the building fund for the Mission Building. This image may well depict some of those crew members who 'chipped in'.Small monochrome photograph (faded) depicting small group of seamen aboard the Barque Crocodile performing chores.Hanwritten in pencil on verso: 12barque crocodile, crew, apprentices, life on board, dinner, meals

Small sepia photo depicting 11 members of a soccer team (likely to be seamen) with a soccer ball on a pitch.football, sports, soccer, crews and ships, fan album

The photograph was published in the 1936 Annual Report with the title: Cadet-ship "Nardana" Communion group of Cadets, showing, on extreme right, our Wellington Chaplain, Rev. B.J WilliamsSmall black and white photograph depicting gathering of seamen and Reverend Wellington, at 717 Flinders Street Docklandsofficers, reverend b.j. williams, wellington mission, cadet ship, nardana, cadets

Colour photograph (possibly printed from slide), of 5 members of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild with two seamen sitting on lawn. A basket of apples, a plate of sandwiches and teacups laying on the grass. In the background, behind a wooden fence, a large white tent, and part of a bus or van with colour lettering (63 Charles St, Footscray).picnic, seamen, apples, sandwiches, tea, teacups, tent, lawn, footscray, camera, hlg, marjorie smith nee fraser, camberwell branch

W.H.C. Darvall was a solicitor; ha became the Honoray Secretary of the Mission in 1895. Interested in libraires and archives, he kept a scrapbook of the events organised at the Mission during his time. He also wrote an Epitomised History. Hugh Reid ws a member of the Harbour Trust, the Sailors' Home and the Mission.This letter of recommandation shows that W.H.C. Darvall was highly respected.Typewritten letter in purple ink onto creamy colour paper with The Victorian Seamen's Mission, Institute & Rests letterhead.hugh ronald reid, william henry charles darvall (1830-1906)

The postcard depicts the St Peter chapel in its early years with all the gifts for donors and the original carpet in the sanctuary.The postcard depicts the original, untouched look of the chapel with the fleur-de lys carpet, pews, lectern, choir stalls, pulpit, altar, altar lectern, credence and alm's dish.Postcard depicting the interior of the St Peter chapel of the Centre Seamen's Institute shot in the centre of the have and focusing on the sanctuary.At the back in blue ink: With love from Dad/ This was taken some time ago/ They now have candles on the altar. Top corner in the stamp area in pencil: 2flinders street, pews, altar, st peter chapel, flag, chapel, pulpit, choir stalls, credence table, alm's dish, vases, flowers, carpet, fleur de lys

Photographed by Pat Grainger, volunteer during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly: Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen, tower stairwell, window wallsmissions to seamen, built environment, architecture, pat grainger, harry a norris

This photograph was taken at the scene of the wreck of the HMAS Warrnambool J202 on September 13th 1947. The photographer has captured the crew being rescued, transferring from one vessel to another, which is likely to be the HMAS Swan II. The HMAS Warrnambool J202 was commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy for use as a minesweeper during World War II. The Bathurst Class Corvette, fitted out with a range of armaments, was launched in Sydney 1941. The ship began service in Bass Strait in 1941. At the end of the year it called into its namesake city, Warrnambool, where the crew paraded for the public marching eastwards along Timor Street. A gift of books for the ship’s personnel and a plaque bearing the City of Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms were presented to the ship. The ship was involved in evacuating a family of nine from the Dutch East Indies that was later successful in its challenge of Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act (White Australia Polity). The ship had many other appointments around Australia. On 13th September 1947 HMAS Warrnambool was leading a flotilla of minesweepers in northern Queensland’s coastal waters, clearing mines previously laid to defend Australia. The ship hit a mine, which exploded and very quickly sunk the ship. Boats from the nearby ships rescued most of the seamen although one was killed at the time. The survivors were taken by the HMAS Swan II to Darwin, and they went from there to hospitals in Brisbane and Sydney. Three of these men later died from their injuries. A number of items were recovered by Navy divers in 1948 including the ship’s bell and a plaque with Warrnambool’s Coat of Arms. In 1972-75 the wreck was sold and other items were salvaged. In 1995 a memorial plaque was erected in Warrnambool near the RSL. NOTE: The RAN built a second HMAS Warrnambool FCPB204, launched in 1981 and decommissioned in 2005. There was also a steam ship SS Warrnambool built in London 1892 and broken up in 1926. [A more detailed history can be found in our Collection Record 3477.] This photograph is significant for its association with the lifesaving rescue of the crew and the sinking Royal Australian Navy vessel, HMAS Warrnambool (J202). The HMAS Warrnambool played a nationally significant role in overturning Australia’s Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (colloquially known as the White Australia policy). The ship rescued, and brought to Australia, Samuel and Annie Jacob and their family after they evacuated Dutch East India. The family was threatened with deportation and made the first successful appeal to High Court regarding that Act. The HMAS Warrnambool has - Local significance for being the namesake of the City of Warrnambool - Local significance, having docked in Warrnambool Harbour - Local significance, the crew having paraded in Timor Street, Warrnambool - State significance for its first patrol being in Bass Strait. - National significance, being present in Timor at the Japanese surrender - National significance, shown by the significance of the ship’s bell being curated as Military Heritage and Technology at the Australian War Memorial. - National significance as part of Australia’s defence force history, being one of only four Bathurst class corvettes lost while in Australian service, the only Bathurst class corvette lost after World War II, the only RAN vessel to be sunk by a mine, and associated with the last four Navy deaths of WWII Photograph of the rescue of the crew from shipwreck HMAS Warrnambool, sunk on 13-09-1947. Survivors are helped from one vessel to another by seamen. This black and white photograph is one of a series of photographs taken at the time.flagstaff hill, maritime village, maritime museum, warrnambool, shipwreck coast, mort's dock & engineering co ltd, h.m.a.s. warrnambool, hmas warrnambool, hmas warrnambool i, hmas warrnambool j202, hmas swan ii, j202, world war ii, bathurst class corvette, royal australian navy, ran, sydney built ship, bass strait patrol, sea mine patrol, mine sweeper, mine clearance, navy divers, great barrier reef, cockburn reef, southern cross diving and salvage, warrnambool city council, cr j r astbury, mayor j r astbury, warrnambool patriotic fund, seal, coat of arms, dedicatory plaque, hmas warrnambool 1941, shipwreck by sea mine 1947, sinking ship, sunk ship, sea rescue, life saving, lifesaving, minesweeper

Nothing is known about this young sailor but the photograph was possibly taken by the mission's staff for their newsletter or report.This photograph demonstrates this importance of the mission in delivering messages, letters and news to the seafarers.The young sailor is probably in front of the Seamen Institute Siddeley Street. The building in the background on the right of the photograph could be the Goods Shed.sailor, seaman, letter, seamen's mission, melbourne

Photographed by Pat Grainger, volunteer during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly: Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen, detail of iron railing in tower stairwellmissions to seamen, built environment, architecture, pat grainger, harry a norris

The visitor book provides an insight into the nationalities of visiting seafarers. This visitor book was effectively ended in 1999 but a few sailors added their names in 2002.The logbook provides an insight into which ships and the origins of their crews were visiting Melbourne in 2007. On the cover the words: "Visitors book", "The Mission to Seamen" are written in black ink. There is a white note taped to the cover on which the words: "Melbourne Visitors Log 20-05-96 to 27-04-2002" are written. A second note was later added covering the date 27/4/1996 to 27/1/1999sailors, seamen, seafarers, ship, nationality, seamen mission, mission to seafarers, flinders street, crew