Part of hostess/stewardess uniform of 1950's era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue hostess side cap. Crown is folded, creating a pleat. Has an upturned brim with a peak each side. Wool gabardine material outside. Gray fabric interior lining.wool, navy blue, hostess, stewardess, flight attendant, uniform, headwear, 1950's, side cap

Part of Ansett Airways hostess/stewardess uniform 1958-1964Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy check (houndstooth) lined hostess cap. ansett airways, navy, hostess, flight attendants, stewardess, pillbox

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform designed for Ansett Airlines of Australia 1969 to 1972. Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire 1969 to 1972.Beige pillbox hat, with a flat crown and straight, upright sides.Turned brim, featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy duty cotton fabric with reinforcing stitches. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream Bem silk lining. Gold coloured badge features 1968-1981 Ansett logo: A Delta"Nivek Headware Reg. Melb" on label inside. Blue ink numeral 21 handwritten on label. Possibly size 21 inch hat.hostess, 1970's, flight attendants, ansett airlines of australia, stewardess, pillbox, 1969-1972, beige, nivek headwear

Ansett Airlines of Australia 1972-1977Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Orange bowler hat, with black stripe on band and around crown, lined in cream material. This hat comes with the round Ansett Delta - golden A shape on black enamel - insignia attached in front. Made by NIVEK HEADWARE. Reg. Melb. Donor: EDDY hostess, flight attendant, uniform, orange, 1972-1977, bowler, nivek headwear, stewardess, ansett, delta

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Worn by former Ansett employee.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue cotton pull-on bucket hat with button in middle of crown. Hanging loop on brim. Navy blue cotton inside lining.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by M. Crawford, pilot with Ansett Airlines.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl flat-topped crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal plastic band. Leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black vinyl strap above visor is secured by black buttons.Insignia features a five-pointed silver star above a golden bird in flight, on red background, surrounded by a wreath of golden feathers. Black mounting. Brisbane Cap Co. Pty. Ltd. Hat belonged to M. Crawford, uniform, pilot, m. crawford, ansett airlines

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. No interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid peak/visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated by Shirley Boles, to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Part of hostess/stewardess uniform designed for Ansett Airlines of Australia 1969 to 1972.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire 1969 to 1972.Beige pillbox hat, with a flat crown and straight, upright sides.Turned brim, featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy duty poly-cotton fabric with reinforcing stitches. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream Bem silk lining. Gold coloured badge features 1968-1981 Ansett logo: A Delta." by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb" on label inside. Red ink numeral 21 handwritten on label. Possibly size 21 inch hat. Handwritten initial "SB" in red ink on manufacturer's label. Commercial name tag, labelled Shirley Boles hand sewn to Grosgrain ribbon.beige, hostess, 1970's, flight attendants, ansett airlines of australia, stewardess, pillbox, shirley boles, 1969-1972

This hat complements the stewardess uniform designed for Ansett Airlines of Australia between 1969 to 1972. It was donated by Shirley Boles, to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Shirley Boles was an air hostess with ANA in the early days of Ansett. Shirley has made a considerable contribution of items to the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. She was a popular staff member who worked for many years with the company.Beige pillbox hat, with a flat crown and straight, upright sides.Turned up brim, featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy duty cotton fabric with reinforcing stitches. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream Bem silk lining. Gold coloured badge features 1968-1981 Ansett logo: A Delta" by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb" on label inside. Red ink numeral 21 & 1/2 handwritten on label. Possibly size 21 inch hat. beige, hostess, 1970's, flight attendants, ansett airlines of australia, stewardess, pillbox, shirley boles, 1969-1972

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum by Shirley Boles Ansett Airlines of Australia 1969-1972 Uniform designed for Hostess/Stewardess uniform. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire 1969-1972.Shirley Boles was an air hostess with ANA in the early days of Ansett. Shirley has made a considerable contribution of items to the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. She was a popular staff member who worked for many years with the company.Beige coloured pillbox hat , with flat crown and straight, upright sides. Turned up brim featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy-duty poly-cotton (?) fabric with reinforcing stitching. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream bemsilk lining. Gold coloured badge features 1968-1981 Ansett Logo A Delta "by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb" on label inside. Pencil numeral 20 & 1/2 hand written on label. Commercial Name Tag hand sown Shirley Boles customer service staff, pill-box hat, 1970s, beige, hostess, stewardess, shirley boles, flight attendants, 1969-1972

This hat belongs to the uniform era 1972-1977.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Orange bowler hat, with black stripe on band and around crown, lined in cream material. This hat comes with the round Ansett Delta - golden A shape on black enamel - insignia attached in front. Thin elastic chin strapMaker label: by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb. Owner label: Shirley Bolesuniform, hat, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, nivek headwear, orange, badge, delta, ansett airlines, shirley boles

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Frank McClelland.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Acrylic interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Worn by former Ansett employee.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue cotton pull-on bucket hat with button in middle of crown. Hanging loop on brim. Navy blue cotton inside lining.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Orange cotton flat-topped crown. Orange cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal leather band. Interior lining of green cotton under plastic. Perforated leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black cloth strap above visor is secured by orange buttons.Insignia features a five-pointed silver star above a golden bird in flight, on red background, surrounded by a wreath of golden feathers.Label inside reads "Emerco Melbourne 36 1218 Made in Australia".

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. black cotton treated crown. black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Acrylic interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Black mounting. Gold strap above peak on frontNo inscriptions. No markings.peak cap, crown, black, cap badge

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Brown cotton flat-topped crown. Brown cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal leather band. Interior lining of green acrylic fabric. Leather sweat band. Rigid leather visor covered by brown plastic on top and green plastic on bottom. Brown plastic strap above visor is secured by brown button on left side. Button missing from right side. Missing insignia.No label for manufacturer, designer, or supplier.

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Black wool treated crown. Black woollen exterior band supported by leather band. Acrylic interior lining. Has leather sweat band. Rigid black visor cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Black mounting. No inscriptions. No markings.peak cap, crown, black, cap badge

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Orange cotton flat-topped crown. Orange cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal leather band. Interior lining of green cotton under plastic. Perforated leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black cloth strap above visor is secured by 2 orange fabric buttons on either side.Label inside reads "Emerco Melbourne 36 1218 Made in Australia".

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. black cotton treated crown. black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor covered by black cotton fabric. Insignia features a red and black bird in flight, with a depiction in black as background, beneath a royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Black mounting. Gold strap above peak on frontNo inscriptions. No markings.peak cap, crown, black, cap badge

[article by Bettina Woodburn in EDHS Newsletter No. 97, July 1994:] THE WARRANDYTE MYSTERY TOUR MAY 29TH 1994 - Members of the Eltham Historical Society met at the Old Post Office, now converted into the Warrandyte Historical Museum, for a picnic lunch on the sunny back verandah overlooking the shimmering Yarra River. Interesting photographs and artefacts filled various rooms outlining the history of this area, and told tales of Aboriginal and more recent neighbours of the Eltham Shire. The weather was calm, cloudy mostly with only occasional sunny patches, but it wasn't cold, although the autumnal leaf colours had changed to wintry brown. "All Aboard" and we set off in the Warrandyte Community Bus (with the School Bus sign displayed at the rear) to learn about local places of "Pride and Joy” from Bruce our guide and Tom the driver. Almost directly opposite we entered Whipstick Gully to explore the first of the district's hidden treasures - the Victory, one of the largest of the six or so major mines, past the old quarry now used for abseiling practice. By torchlight we entered the rocky hillside and saw the seams of quartz the miners had followed in their search for gold. Stamping batteries, and there was one in this gully, converted discarded rock into 'road metal'. Warrandyte is proud to be the first declared Goldfield in 1851, and one of the longest surviving, into the 1920s. A pleasant drive across the Bridge and along Bradley's Lane to Norman's Reserve brought us to see another Tunnel at Pound Bend through which the Yarra was diverted to allow about three miles of river-bed to be used for prospecting for alluvial gold. Still on this side of the river we visited the Old Slab Hut in Castles Road. This remnant of miners' housing is preserved because it had been incorporated into a weatherboard house, and saved from the bulldozers - a last minute reprieve, for preservation, by the National Trust. Devastating bush fires have destroyed other old cottages built of wattle and daub, with bark roofs and stone fire-places. The Cairn commemorating the disclosure of Gold Discovery at Warrandyte on June 30th 1851 beside Anderson's Creek Road was our next point of historical interest. We drove on to South Warrandyte and circled back to above the ford on Anderson's Creek to the entrance of the 4th Hill Mine. Again we crept along with our torches, careful of the low roof-rock, and side shafts. At a junction in a large cavity we were able to stand, look up a long air-vent which some 'cavers' climb down, and marvel at, and experience an aspect of a miner's life. Outside we heard the same bird songs, the trills and bell-pealing, saw the same straggly eucalypts, and a silver leafed wattle in flower, native grasses and ferns, and the neat present day houses, often of Warrandyte stone, perhaps veneered only. The day ended pleasantly, seeing more of the Yarra from Everard Drive, and the water rushing out of the Tunnel at Pound Bend, before returning to afternoon tea or coffee at the Museum. A great day for all concerned - many thanks to the Organisers.Colour photographslab hut, warrandyte, "warrandyte miner's cottage"

[article by Bettina Woodburn in EDHS Newsletter No. 97, July 1994:] THE WARRANDYTE MYSTERY TOUR MAY 29TH 1994 - Members of the Eltham Historical Society met at the Old Post Office, now converted into the Warrandyte Historical Museum, for a picnic lunch on the sunny back verandah overlooking the shimmering Yarra River. Interesting photographs and artefacts filled various rooms outlining the history of this area, and told tales of Aboriginal and more recent neighbours of the Eltham Shire. The weather was calm, cloudy mostly with only occasional sunny patches, but it wasn't cold, although the autumnal leaf colours had changed to wintry brown. "All Aboard" and we set off in the Warrandyte Community Bus (with the School Bus sign displayed at the rear) to learn about local places of "Pride and Joy” from Bruce our guide and Tom the driver. Almost directly opposite we entered Whipstick Gully to explore the first of the district's hidden treasures - the Victory, one of the largest of the six or so major mines, past the old quarry now used for abseiling practice. By torchlight we entered the rocky hillside and saw the seams of quartz the miners had followed in their search for gold. Stamping batteries, and there was one in this gully, converted discarded rock into 'road metal'. Warrandyte is proud to be the first declared Goldfield in 1851, and one of the longest surviving, into the 1920s. A pleasant drive across the Bridge and along Bradley's Lane to Norman's Reserve brought us to see another Tunnel at Pound Bend through which the Yarra was diverted to allow about three miles of river-bed to be used for prospecting for alluvial gold. Still on this side of the river we visited the Old Slab Hut in Castles Road. This remnant of miners' housing is preserved because it had been incorporated into a weatherboard house, and saved from the bulldozers - a last minute reprieve, for preservation, by the National Trust. Devastating bush fires have destroyed other old cottages built of wattle and daub, with bark roofs and stone fire-places. The Cairn commemorating the disclosure of Gold Discovery at Warrandyte on June 30th 1851 beside Anderson's Creek Road was our next point of historical interest. We drove on to South Warrandyte and circled back to above the ford on Anderson's Creek to the entrance of the 4th Hill Mine. Again we crept along with our torches, careful of the low roof-rock, and side shafts. At a junction in a large cavity we were able to stand, look up a long air-vent which some 'cavers' climb down, and marvel at, and experience an aspect of a miner's life. Outside we heard the same bird songs, the trills and bell-pealing, saw the same straggly eucalypts, and a silver leafed wattle in flower, native grasses and ferns, and the neat present day houses, often of Warrandyte stone, perhaps veneered only. The day ended pleasantly, seeing more of the Yarra from Everard Drive, and the water rushing out of the Tunnel at Pound Bend, before returning to afternoon tea or coffee at the Museum. A great day for all concerned - many thanks to the Organisers.Two colour photographswarrandyte, activities, pound bend

Used by local apiarist J Laidlaw until the 1980s.Bee smoker consisting of a metal cylinder with a hook, attached bellows, and a hinged lid enclosed in a wire cage. The lid has a spout for puffing the smoke into the hive, and a covered air vent. Fuel is placed in the cylinder and ignited. A triangular wedge-shaped bellow with wooden sides and a leather insert is attached.laidlaw, apiaries, apiarists, beehives, hive smokers, allansford

This item was found in Val Ryan's father's shed in Melbourne. The paint was used on windows during WWII to prevent the glass splintering during air raids.Tin of Taubman's anti-shatter solution with label listing directions for use.Definitely reduces the splintering and prevents the flying of glass from blasts during air raids or gun fire.

The fireplace was the main heating source for small houses before 1900, so a bellows to coax a flame from a dying fire was important. Early bellows were a bag made from the skin of a small animal and a piece of metal, usually brass, to direct the gust of air created by squeezing the bellows to fan the flames. Such bellows existed in China at least since the 5th century BC, when it was invented, and had reached Europe by the 16th century. In 240 BC, The ancient Greek inventor Ctesibius of Alexandria independently invented a double-action piston bellow used to lift water from one level to another.An item in domestic use in homes to coax a domestic fire into flame, the subject item was probably used in the late 19th to early 20th century home with open fireplaces as a domestic object. It gives a snapshot into how domestic heating was provided using wood or coal before electricity or gas came into regularly used.Bellows wood, leather and metal, parts Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, bellows, blacksmith bellows, fire bellows

This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Ball, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A round woven cane ball, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre. The rod has a loop at each end, then a concave, octagonal metal plate that rests on the outside surface of the ball, serving as a washer. The rod has swivels at each end.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, distant signal, signal, maritime signal, ball signal, signal shape, flagstaff signal, signal station, masthead signal, communications, marine technology, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, day shape, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Cone, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A woven cane cone, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre and two crossed metal bars at the base. The central rod has a loop at the top and passes through the bars at the base, finishing in a metal loop. The rod has swivels at each end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, marine navigation, marine communications, communication signal, lifesaving, ship at sea, day shape, masthead signal, day signal, day mark signals, marine technology, safety equipment, navigation equipment, marine day shape, day marker, cane day shape, signal cone, day signal cone, cone signal, cone day shape, distant signal, flagstaff signal, signal station, communications, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Ball, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A round woven cane ball, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre. The rod has a loop at each end, then a concave, octagonal metal plate that rests on the outside surface of the ball, serving as a washer. The rod has swivels at each end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, marine navigation, marine communications, communication signal, lifesaving, ship at sea, day shape, masthead signal, day signal, day mark signals, marine technology, safety equipment, navigation equipment, marine day shape, day marker, cane day shape, signal ball, day signal ball, ball signal, ball day shape, distant signal, flagstaff signal, signal station, communications, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

The tool is used for establishing a horizontal plane, it consists of a small glass tube containing alcohol or similar liquid and an air bubble. The tube is sealed and fixed horizontally in a wooden or metallic block or frame with a smooth lower surface. The glass tube is slightly bowed, and adjustment to the horizontal is indicated by the movement of the bubble. The device is on a level surface when the bubble is in the middle of the glass tube. The level sensitivity is proportional to the radius of the curvature of the glass. The spirit or bubble level consists of a sealed glass tube containing alcohol and an air bubble. It was invented in 1661 and was first used on telescopes and later on surveying instruments, but it did not become a carpenter's tool until the factory-made models were introduced in the mid-19th century. The circular level, in which a bubble floated under a circular glass to indicate the level in all directions, was invented in 1777. But It lacked the sensitivity of the conventional level.A hand tool that has not changed much since its invention in 1661, this tool is used today and although the materials it is made from have changed it's use has not.Spirit level wooden with two windows one of which has a piece of brass sheet metal protecting it.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, hand tool, spirit level, carpenders tool, builders tool, surveyors instrument