Ground sheets such as this were typically used as rain protection by German troops. Two or more zeltbahn (ground sheets) could be attached together via the button holes to form a tent for two or more people. Some models of ground sheets, particularly those which are triangular in shape, could also be fashioned into personal raincoats worn by soldiers. Grounds sheets have also been known to have been used to wrap deceased bodies in prioir to burial.This groundsheet, despite a lack of clear provenance, is a representative example of the types of ground sheets used by the German forces during wartime. The zeltbahn (ground sheet) also has social significance in that they were known to have been used to wrap deceased bodies in prior to burial.Large square sheet constructed of biege/brown coloured water resistant material. 67mm hem folded over and sewn along all edges with brown stitching. Metal buttons are spaced at 200mm intervals along parallel edges, next to a button hole which can be used to attach to another ground sheet. Four corners bear a large round eyelet in silver-coloured metal in between three smaller eyelets; two of four corners have short lengths of brown cord attached to these eyelets. One corner has only two smaller eyelets surrounding the larger.Printed in black ink in the centre of the sheet is the incriptions "OVS 1298."ground sheet, zeltbahn, tent, raincoat, german

This shirt is part of the uniform worn by Sister Winifred Ride during World War 2. Nurses played a key role in the conflict through their care and compassion to the servicemen who were wounded and sick.The nurses uniform is symbolic of the sacrifice and service of the many women who served their country in WW2. Cream Cotton Shirt, long sleeves and separate collar. Front fastening with five bakelite buttons. Cuff of each sleeve fastened with one bakelite button. Button hole on back of neck to attach collar.Makers mark on back neck "1180 1943 Made in Australia.

This Collar is part of the uniform worn by Sister Winifred Ride during World War 2. Nurses played a key role in the conflict through their care and compassion to the servicemen who were wounded and sick.The nurses uniform is symbolic of the sacrifice and service of the many women who served their country in WW2. Cream Cotton Shirt Collar with buttonhole to attach the collar to shirt with stud. One button hole on each end of collar band for shirt stud fastenerSize "131/2" printed on neck band underside. Name of owner "W.M. RIDE" printed on top side of neck band.

This motorcycle club overlay belonged to former Roo BC [Roo Bike Club] President Owen Huckel, and dates from the mid 1970s. Prior to joining Roo BC, Huckel was a member and President of Australia's first gay motorcycle club, South Pacific Motor Club or SPMC, established in 1970. Among the Papers of Noel Lewington held by the Australian Queer Archives are two large photograph albums compiled by Huckel documenting his involvement in SPMC and Roo BC, including one which documents a trip to the USA in 1972-1973, comprising 366 photographs, maps, and ephemera documenting club runs with many west coast clubs. Sleeveless denim jacket, with yellow ribbon trim around the sleeve holes, with small patches and a metal badge on the chest, and a large back patch on the back.gay, motorcycle club

This Roo BC overlay was worn by Colin Simon int he 1970s and 1980s, and documents the wealth of club activities undertaken by one of the earliest gay motorcycle clubs in Sydney, NSW, Australia.Sleeveless blue denim jacket, or overlay, with yellow and green ribbon trim on the sleeve holes, and a large number of cotton patches, as well as metal and enamel badges on the front, and a large club patch on the back.motorcycle club, gay

Typed below one of photographs, "Recreational man made lake on north side of Loughnans Hill. It was the local swimming hole. Was in Werac Drive gully beyond Kubis Drive." Printed on photo "Lake Loughnan Ringwood"

These biscuits were supposedly issued to Jacob Perry when he served in the Boer War in South Africa in 1899. Jacob Perry was a member of an early family in Orbost and these biscuits were donated by George Perry. Hard tack biscuits were part of a soldier's individual ration in the Boer War and were so hard that they were often soaked in water before consumption if this was possible. Made of 13 parts flour to one part of water, the biscuits were slowly dried in the baking process, rendering them so hard that they deterred attacks from weevil pests and allowing them to be transported with little breakage. Hard ration biscuits were a staple of soldier's diets. This item is an example of an early ration supplied to soldiers serving overseas.Three dry biscuits, hard tack, roughly rectangular shape and with 6 prick holes.army-biscuits boer-war-biscuits

These butter pats are typical of the period when food processing was done at home. It would have been before the time of mass food processing factories.A pair of small wooden butter pats with ridged surface on one side and smooth on the back . Each has a hole in the handle for hanging. butter-pats domestic food-preparation

Following the use of flat irons the base of the iron was made into a container to put glowing coals inside it and keep it hot a bit longer. This was called a charcoal iron. It had a hinged lid and air holes to allow the charcoal to keep smouldering. They are sometimes called ironing boxes, or charcoal box irons, and may come with their own stand.This item is an example of a domestic appliance in common usage before the advent of electricity.This is a charcoal iron which was heated by burning charcoal inside it. It is made of iron and has wooden handles, one on top for lifting it and one on the catch at the front that keeps the iron closed. Both of these handles were needed to load the iron with charcoal easily. As wood does not conduct heat well, these handles made the task of filling the iron much easier. The holes around the base of the iron are for letting the fumes out.Top- "M.G."iron-charcoal domestic

This calendar is one of a series published annually by East Gippsland Historical Society. It cost $10.This item is a useful reference tool.A 2010 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland". On the turquoise coloured front is a black/white photograph of the main street of Rosedale before the time of motor vehicles. It contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print.

This is one of a series of calendars published annually by East Gippsland Historical Society.This item is a useful reference tool.A 2011 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland". On the purple coloured front is a black/white photograph of The Blue Duck Hotel at Angler's Rest on the road to Glenn Wills C/1940. It contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print. calendar-old-views-of-gippsland photographs-historic-gippsland

This item is one of a series of calendars published annually by East Gippsland Historical Society.This item is a useful reference tool.A 2012 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland". On the light tan coloured front is a black/white photograph of Main Road Walhalla looking south towards the Star Hotel C / 1951. It contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging.The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print.

This item is one of a series published annually by East Gippsland Historical Society.This item is a useful reference tool.A 2013 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland". On the red coloured front is a black/white photograph of Bruthen - Omeo Royal Mail and Bus service run by Charles Mitchell of Bruthen, It contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print.

This is one of a series of calendars published annually by East Gippsland Historical Society.This item is a useful reference tool.A 2014 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland". On the blue coloured front is a black/white photograph of carriage horses being crossed through a lake entrance presumed to be Lake Tyers around the turn of the century C 1900 . It contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print.

This is one of a series of calendars compiled and published by east Gippsland Historical Society.This is a useful reference tool.A 2015 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland". On the pale green coloured front is a black/white photograph of a Bowling Club Opening Day 7 December 1901 in front of trees in botanical gardens in the background. The photograph is credited as from the Ron Yeats Collection. The calendar contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print. calendar-old-views-gippsland-2015 photographs-historic-gippsland

This item is one of a series of calendars compiled and published by East Gippsland Historical Society.This item is a useful reference toolA 2016 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of Gippsland". On the light blue coloured front is a black/white photograph of Tongio Gap, Omeo, showing Mitchell's coach which ran from Bairnsdale to Omeo. The calendar contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print. calendar-old-views-gippsland photographs-histporic-gippsland

This is one of a series of calendars compiled annually by East Gippsland Historical Society.This is a useful pictorial reference tool.A 2017 stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of East Gippsland". On the turquoise coloured front is a black/white photograph of Eagle Point, Mitchell River C 1875 with a family group, possibly Alfred Howitt and children, on the bank of the Mitchell River opposite Eagle Point Bluff.. It contains early photographs of East Gippsland,. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print. calendar-old-views-of-east-gippsland photographs-historic-east-gippsland

This is one a series of calendars compiled annually by East Gippsland Historical Society.This is a useful pictorial reference tool.A 2018stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of East Gippsland". On the purple coloured front is a black/white photograph of a punt on the Tambo River. It has a manual winding winch, three men on a small wharf, one man is fishing. It contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print. calendar-old-views-of-east-gippsland photographs-historic-east-gippsland

This calendar is pert of a series of calendars compiled by East Gippsland Historical Society.This item is a useful pictorial reference tool.A 2019stapled calendar, titled "Old Views of East Gippsland". On the pale orange coloured front is a black/white photograph of S.S, Gippsland on the Mitchell River, Eagle Point C 1920. IThe calendar contains early photographs of East Gippsland, one for each month. There is a hole for hanging. The title is at the top and the year at the bottom in black print. calendar-old-views-of-east-gippsland photographs-historic-east-gippsland

This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost from 1906 to 1910. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council. In Australian suburbs and rural towns where the sewer wasn't connected, people usually had an outside toilet. The toilet seat was made of a plank of wood secured at its ends to the walls of the building with a large round hole in the middle. Underneath was the removable sanitary pan and on a regular basis, usually weekly, the full pan was taken away and replaced with an empty one. This was the job of the sanitary carter. the sanitary depot was in Martins Lane, Orbost Development of the Orbost Wastewater Treatment Facility began in the 1960’s with the construction of four treatment lagoons. Shortly after the construction of the lagoons the sewerage system was installed throughout Orbost.This item is a record of accounting for the local government. The collection of sanitary pans was a necessary service before the Orbost township was had its own wastewater treatment facility.A large register of pan fees for the Shire of Orbost. A black hard cover book with red binding and marbled end pages. Entries are hand-written in black ink.On spine - "PAN FEES REGISTER: in gold lettering. In centre of front cover in gold - "SHIRE OF ORBOST (underlined) PAN FEES REGISTER"orbost-shire-council ledger-pan-fees sewage orbost-township-sanitary-service

The Percy Uebergang family lived at Tooram Park, Allansford from 1912 until 1992. Percy and Myrtle Uebergang's children were twins, Ray and Joyce born in 1926 who lived at Tooram Park until their deaths, Ray in 1986 and Joyce in 1992. Neither Ray nor Joyce married and following the death of her brother Joyce set up the Ray and Joyce Uebergang Foundation which supports the local community. This hot water bottle is part of the collection of items given into the care of the Cheese World Museum. Uebergang catalogue No.F61 Brown stoneware cylindrical hot water bottle with dark brown knob at one end used as a handle; a round hole in dark brown on top used to fill the bottle, stopper missing; slightly flattened base to prevent rolling.Uebergang No. F61 (on base)

Possibly part of the Uebergang collection. The moulds are placed under pressure during the maturation process with excess moisture being forced out through the holes in the lid. This is one of a set of moulds with a size range 5lb, 10lb, 15lb, 20lb, 40lb, 80lb.Round galvanised steel cheese hoop with strap handles soldered to the sides. The round lid has 6 holes.

The Percy Uebergang family lived at Tooram Park, Allansford from 1912 until 1992. Percy and Myrtle Uebergang's children were twins, Ray and Joyce born in 1926 who lived at Tooram Park until their deaths, Ray in 1986 and Joyce in 1992. Neither Ray nor Joyce married and following the death of her brother Joyce set up the Ray and Joyce Uebergang Foundation which supports the local community. This cream cooler is part of the collection of items given into the care of the Cheese World Museum. See reference in Chandler catalogue p.167 Uebergang catalogue No.N17 A steel cream cooler with a trough mounted on top of a rippled rectangular section. The trough has 10 small holes in the base, which allows the cream to filter over the rippled faces. Water ran through the centre of the washboard to cool the cream. There are two outlets at the side, one to attach the to the water source, the other to an outlet.Joyce [in raised lettering on both sides at the top. Uebergang No. N17]allansford, uebergang, joyce dairy utensils, cream coolers, coolers, dairying

This cruet set belonged to the Orr family of Addington, family of the donor.This is typical of a table condiment set.This cruet set has a diamond-shaped silver plated tray with four knobs for legs. A hoop-shaped frame is screwed underneath and holds four circular frames for holding condiment bottles. The frame has a truncated triangular top. Four crystal cut bottles with a diamond pattern fit into the framework. Two have crystal cut glass stoppers and two have silver-plated lids. One silver lid is hinged and has a spoon hole and the other has many small holes (for pepper?).allansford, orr family, addington, tableware, dining setting, condiments, eddington

This calendar was found in a shed and is interesting because of the phone number being Poowong 1, when the telephone exchange was at the local post office. the Butter factory is no longer operating nor is the Foodland grocery store that was part of the same business.Only known calendar in existence.grubby cardboard calendar 1961 front page hanging off. centre colour picture has a small hole in it. Staples are rusted. The months January and Feb. dates printed either side of picture. Five of pictures depict seaside views and one is of a waterfall.1961, calendar, poowong butter factory, poowong foodland calendar complimentary calendar

The item was purchased from Robinson & Moffatt department store at Post Office Place Melbourne between 1884 when the store opened. Between 1911 and 1934 Robinson & Moffatt appeared to have sold out along with other businesses to became part of the Myer Emporium. Robinson & Moffatt were an early upmarket department store for the wealthy with a branch in Perth that was opened in 1899. During their time in business Robinson & Moffatt appear to have imported goods from England and Europe. The hatbox appears to be a British pattern made for a beaver type top hat around late 19th or early 20th century. A personal item made for Robinson and Moffatt department store, imported from England and sold to a wealthy colonial gentleman sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The item was purchased from one of the earliest department stores in Melbourne, that later was incorporated into what has become an iconic Australian department store operating out of one of Melbourne's iconic building locations,the Myer emporium.Gents leather oval hat Box, with concave lid reinforcing strap and leather handle. Has metal locking device and key hole. Handle held to top with 2 studs. Velvet inside lid. Catch inside box."Made for Robertson & Moffatt Melbourne"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, hat box, gentleman's hat, gent's hat box, hatbox

This oil painting is in a handmade, carved frame, dates back to the period of the old Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery. The two-masted, sail-and-steam-powered ship has the sails and bow shape of a tall clipper ship plus the extra power of steam. It dates to the transition between the clipper ships with their billowing sails and the steam-powered ships, which happened in the late 19th to early 20th century. The flag flown from the stern is that of the British Merchant Navy that traded around the world to transport cargo, and later passengers, from one destination to another. The painting was originally catalogued as the "S.S. Warrnambool" although it has a different design. It was also attributed to the ship portrait painter, the renowned C.K.M. - Charles Keith Miller - but differs from his style. Further research is being carried out at this time. In 1966, between the closure of the old Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery and the distribution of the painting to Flagstaff Hill, this painting was repaired by David Heysen, son of the German-born artist Hans Heysen OBE. David was born in Hahndorf (called Ambleside for a short period of time), South Australia, married Lyly Refshauge from Melbourne, and they raised a family on their property in Kalangadoo, near Penola, in South Australia.The painting's frame is an example of handmade carving and joinery created in the late 19th century. The artist has depicted the image of a historical sail-and-steam ship of the type in which cargo was traded across the world, including to and from Australia. Vessels such as this also brought migrants to Australia.Painting, oil on board, in hand carved wooden frame with floral and geometric pattern, inner border painted gold. Image of a two-masted sail and steam ship, sails raised, black funnel emitting smoke. Hull is black with white horizontal stripe and white trim around sides of deck. Three lifeboats are visible. Bow is ‘clipper shape’ with what appears to be a figurehead. A red ensign flag flies at the stern and a blue and red flag is attached to the mainmast. The frame has been assembled using Mortice and Tenon joints, one of which is exposed on the back, lower right corner. Chandelier chain has been attached for hanging. There is no visible signature, date or title on the front of the painting. The back board has empty holes spaced around the edge and is held in place by staples. The visible surface has remnants of adhesive from two rectangular attachment s. There are two small white stickers attached, one with a hand written inscription. There are pencil and pen inscriptions. The painting is protected by cardboard with inscriptions in marking pen.On back board, written in the style used by the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery: - On white sticker, in pen “A-P31/1-74” - Pencil “A27/1883 / Artist CKM 1883 / Title SS Warrnambool / oil on board” Written in pen by the repairer - “Repaired & re-drilled – cleaned etc. / David Heysen 11/66” Written by Flagstaff Hill’s Cataloguer - Pencil “3031” On cardboard wrapper, in marking pen: - “S.S. Warrnambool / by / C.K.M. 1883” - “A-P/31/1-74” - “3031”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, s s warrnambool, charles keith miller, charles miller, steam and sail ship, british merchant navy, slipper shaped bow, 19th century sea trade, warrnambool museum and art gallery, old warrnambool art gallery, hand carved picture frame, mortice and tennon picture frame, migrants, c.k.m.

This large brass porthole is from the sailing ship Newfield this would have been one of the many port holes in the vessel used for light and ventilation. The Newfield was a three-masted iron and steel barque, built in Dundee, Scotland, in 1869 by Alexander Stephen and Sons. It was owned by the Newfield Ship Company in 1890 and later that year It was registered in Liverpool to owners Brownells and Co. The Newfield left Sharpness, Scotland, on 28th May 1892 with a crew of 25 under the command of Captain George Scott and on 1st June left Liverpool. She was bound for Brisbane, Australia, with a cargo of 1850 tons of fine rock salt. On the night of 28 August 1892, the Captain mistook the Cape Otway light for that of Cape Wickham (King Island) and altered tack to the north and east putting the vessel on a collision course with the Victorian coast. At around 3:40 am the Newfield struck rocks about 100 yards from shore, and 5 feet of water filled the holds immediately. The captain gave orders to lower the boats which caused a disorganised scramble for safety among the crew. The starboard lifeboat was cleared for lowering with two seamen and two apprentices in her, but almost as soon as she touched the water she was smashed to bits against the side of the vessel, and only one of the four reached safety ashore, able seaman McLeod. The rough sea made the job of launching lifeboats very difficult. The first two lifeboats launched by the crew were smashed against the side of the ship and some men were crushed or swept away. The third lifeboat brought eight men to shore. It capsized when the crew tried to return it to the ship for further rescue The rescue was a difficult operation. The Port Campbell Rocket Crew arrived and fired four rocket lines, none of which connected with the ship. Peter Carmody, a local man, volunteered to swim about one mile offshore to the ship with a line to guide the fourth and final lifeboat safely to shore. He was assisted by James McKenzie and Gerard Irvine. Seventeen men survived the shipwreck but the captain and eight of his crew perished. The Newfield remained upright on the reef with sails set for a considerable time as the wind slowly ripped the canvas to shreds and the sea battered the hull to pieces. The Marine Board inquiry found the wreck was caused by a "one-man style of navigation" and that the Captain had not heeded the advice of his crew. For his heroic efforts, Peter Carmody was awarded the Bramley-Moore medal by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for Saving Life at sea on January 21st 1893. The medal and a letter of congratulations were donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum by Peter Carmody's granddaughter Norma Bracken and her son Stuart Bracken on 25th May 2006. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Newfield is significant for its association with the shipwreck Newfield, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Registry. The collection is additionally significant because of the medal awarded to a local man Peter Carmody. The Newfield collection historically also represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history and its association with the shipwreck.Heavily encrusted large brass porthole, complete with glass intact object is a circular, thick glass window surrounded by a round brass frame and attached to a round brass porthole frame with 9 bolt holes. This porthole was recovered from the wreck of the NEWFIELD.Nonewarrnambool, peter carmody, newfield, port campbell, shipwreck, nineteenth century, ship, victorian shipwrecks, peterborough, peter ronald, dog screw, newfield porthole, bramley-moore medal, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck artefact, ship fitting, ship window

The steam engine indicator, or dynamometer, is an instrument used on a steam engine (such as that of a vessel or train) to measure and record the change in the pressures of the engine’s cylinders during their operating cycle. The engineer would use it to identify problems or defects such as bad valve settings or constricted steam pipes. It could indicate the difference in efficiency caused by adjustments made to the engine, being able to instantly measure the variation of pressure from the engine stroke at any given time. This force of power would be registered by a pencil, fitted to the adjustable arm, which would trace a line on paper wound around the cylinder. The recorded information could be used in conjunction with mathematical tables. This particular instrument was made by T.S. Mc Innes, one of the better manufacturers of engine indicators. Mc Innes engine indicators were still being used in the mid 1900’s. This specific instrument was used by Mark Forsythe of North Berwial, Scotland and late of Ararat, Victoria when he was chief engineer on the “SS Talawena” in 1892. The Port of Warrnambool, in Victoria, harboured steam ships that carried both passengers and cargo along the south west coast in the late 1800’s and into the 1900’s. The engineer of a steam ship was responsible for reaching and maintaining the optimum level of steam energy to serve the locomotion and efficiency of the steam ship. The engineer would use a steam engine indicator to measure and record information to achieve this purpose. Engine Dynamometer or Steam Engine Indicator in square, fitted oak case. This brass instrument is used to measure and record steam pressure for setting up and adjusting valves on a steam engine. It has an oscillating recording drum with vertical, silver clip attached for holding paper in place around the drum. The drum oscillates left to right. There is a pulley attached to a length of cord, which is attached to the drum. Beside the drum is a fine metal arm, vertically adjustable, small hole in the end to hold a pencil. Inscription stamped into bracket of the arm. The engine indicator is mounted on a hinged side of the case that swings out ready for use. Attached chains prevent the side from opening past vertical. There is storage for other accessories and an empty compartment in the base (where a scale or ruler may have been located). The case has a collapsible wooden handle, brass hinges and two brass, hook-shaped catches. There is a code stamped inside the lid. It contains a brass, ‘T’ shaped steam-cock (or stop cock) with two open ends made of metal pipe with different sized threads. (Turning the handle on top opens and closes the space in the pipe and would close off the flow of steam from one end to the other.) Also inside the case are three different spiral springs, each with a threaded nut on the end that has a threaded hole inside it. Used by Mr Mark Forsythe when chief engineer on the SS Talawena in 1892 “T.S. MC INNES PATENT” and “522 _ _” (last 2 digits are unreadable) pressed into the arm of the brass indicator. “[ ] X ’ stamped inside the lid of the case. The 3 springs all have a number stamped into them: (1) “32” and “12” (2) “12” and “16” [above] “12” (3) “64” and “150” Card that came with instrument “This instrument was used by Mark Forsythe of North Berwial Scotland and late of Ararat, Victoria when chief engineer on the SS Talawena in 1892" dynamometer, steam engine indicator, t.s. mcinnes, glasgow, dobbie mcinnes, port of warrnambool, warrnambool, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road

The toy soldier is a relic from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD in 1878. It has a companion piece in the Flagstaff Hill collection. The toy soldier is unpainted, but the style of uniform, and the weapons carried (a musket and a basket-handled cutlass), indicate it is a representation of the Napoleonic Wars period from the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mass-produced toy soldiers made of cast metal (lead or tin) became popular during the 1800s. Heyde of Germany manufactured silhouette-shaped flat toy soldiers early in the century. Mignot of France released three-dimensional solid figures and later around 1893 W. Britain, a toy company became known for its die-cast lead toy soldiers. These innovations were designed to make sets of toy soldiers more affordable for middle and lower-class children, extending the market beyond the intricately made and hand-crafted replicas that were the preserve of the rich in the eighteenth century. Wooden military figures, specially carved and unpainted ones, were therefore not particularly common at the time when the Loch Ard foundered on Victoria’s southwest coast. Mignot was the first to sell unpainted soldiers, leaving their customers to fill in the colours according to their own patriotic preferences. It is, therefore, possible the two figures in the Flagstaff Hill collection were part of a new set intended for sale, rather than part of a passenger’s existing collection. Loch Ard History: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Lochard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Lochard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Lochard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Lochard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The toy soldier represents a 19th-century child's interest in military history. The item is one of two toy soldiers recovered from the Loch Ard in Flagstaff Hill's collection. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulations of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections of objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history, allowing us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.An unpainted, cream-coloured toy soldier, recovered from the Loch Ard. The figure wears a Napoleonic Wars-era uniform, a plumed helmet, a short jacket with tails, bib-front trousers with button closure, straps crossed at the front and back, and epaulettes. The figure is in marching posture with one foot extended forward, and is bearing a musket at the slope-arms position, with a sabre or cutlass slung behind. It is unable to stand on its own. There are reddish-brown and orange-brown stains on the head and body. The body has seams along both sides that are uneven at the lower leg. There is a hole in the back and the inside is hollow. The material has a rough texture.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch ard, toy soldier, napoleonic uniforms, military toy, moulded soldier