Showing 500 items
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Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Equipment - Tap, brass
Along with the wrecks of the Light of the Age (1868 - American-built wooden clipper ship) and Sussex (1871 - Blackwall frigate) nearby these vessels represent the three major design classes, and span the evolution of commercial and immigrant sailing ships used by the British in the colonial Australian trade in the last half of the nineteenth century. Taken as a group, it can be seen that the Great Ocean Road area wrecks constitute an extremely rich resource of historical and archaeological information.The Victoria Tower is archaeologically significant as the wreck of an international inward-bound passenger and cargo vessel. It is educationally and recreationally significant as a coherently intact example of a British built iron clipper Brass tap with key (handle)shipwrecks, victoria tower, tap with key -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Leisure object - Model MV Duntroon
The MV Duntroon was a 10,346 ton passenger liner built for the Melbourne Steam Ship Co. by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson's yard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1935. One of the last purpose-built passenger & general cargo ships for the Australian coastal trade, the Duntroon was also known for its role as a troopship (1942-1949) and for the tragic incident on 20 November 1940 when she hit and sank the small auxiliary minesweeper HMAS Goorangai off Queenscliff with the loss of all 24 of Goorangai crew. This was the first RAN ship to be lost during the Second World War.Scale model of MV Duntroon Scale 1:48model mv duntroon -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Functional object - Marconi Shed, Geelong Trade School, 2005
Replica shed built in 2005 to house radio equipment for the centenary celebration of the first radio transmission from mainland Australia to Tasmania in 1906. A re-enactment was performed in Royal Reserve between Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff. The replica radio equipment inside was supplied by the Geelong Amateur Radio Club Inc [GARC Inc]. The shed was built by a Geelong Trade School with materials donated by Fagg Bros Pty Ltd.Commemoration of a local historical event.Building, Marconi shedradio transmission, marconi -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Functional object - Deckhouse from Shandon, Robert Duncan & Co, 1883
The Shandon was a 1387 ton iron sailing ship, of length 245.9 feet, beam 37.8 feet and draught of 21.3 feet. She was built in 1883 at Port Glasgow and had a chequered career as a trader for nearly 40 years. She was converted to a lighter until the end of WWI then re-rigged as a barque and spent the next four years trading across the Pacific Ocean. In 1922 she was in use as a coal hulk in Adelaide. During WWII she was a coal hulk in Townsville. Shandon had one moment of glory in 1934 when she was involved in Victoria's 100th anniversary celebrations. The Shandon will eventually open as a public display, after restoration. c1912 Barque rigged 1924 Laid up and used as a coal hulk again. 1946 While under tow, got ashore in a cyclone 1935 Re-rigged for Centenary Maritime Exhibition at Melbourne then reverted to coal hulk. Original deckhouse from sailing vessel Shandon. Deckhouse would have been used as crew's quarters including galley, eating and sleeping space as well as room for storage. 4 portholes and 2 doors with separate galley compartment with own split door. deck house, shandon -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Leisure object - Model SS Edina, Les Hess
The SS ‘Edina’ is one of the most remembered vessels that plied the waters of Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay. Often referred to as the ‘Old Lady of Port Phillip’. Her active service included the North Sea trade, ‘Crimean War’, ‘American Civil War’, Victoria’s west coast run, New Zealand to Melbourne trade, Queensland coastal trade, and of course, the Port Phillip Bay runs between the years 1880 to 1938. ‘SS’ being an abbreviation for ‘Screw Steamer’ signifying that she was propelled by a steam engine rotating a single propeller, or ‘screw’ as it was know at the time.Model of a well known bay steamer operating in Port Phillip between 1880 and 1938.Model of SS Edinamodel, ss edina, screw steamers, port phillip, bay steamers -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Furniture - Doctor's desk from 'Manunda'
Adelaide Steamship Co. MV 'Manunda' built Glasgow 1927, commenced coastal passenger service in Australia 1929, converted to 2/1 Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) in 1940 for service to Middle East, New Guinea and New Zealand. Returned to coastal trade in 1948, sold to Japan 1956, broken up in 1957. 9 drawer timber desk with brass drawer pull handles. Several stamps on the inside of top middle draw - 'Radio Maintenance Store, Transmitting Station Essendon' and 'Paul.J.Barton, 33 Bellbird Cres, Vermont 3133''Manunda' stamped on back of deskship, furniture, manunda, doctor'sdesk, desk, steamship, ahs -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Domestic object - Crockery
The MV Duntroon was a 10,346 ton passenger liner built for the Melbourne Steam Ship Co. by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson's yard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1935. One of the last purpose-built passenger & general cargo ships for the Australian coastal trade, the Duntroon was also known for its role as a troopship (1942-1949) and for the tragic incident on 20 November 1940 when she hit and sank the small auxiliary minesweeper HMAS Goorangai off Queenscliff with the loss of all 24 of Goorangai's crew. This was the first RAN ship to be lost during the Second World War.Crockery; 7 pieces from the Melbourne Steamship Co. off the MV Duntroon; 2 tea cups with saucers, 2 side plates, 1 small milk jug, floral border pattern Crest on front: Melbourne Steamship Co. Ltd. On base: C McD Mann and Co. Ltd. Hanley Staff, 101 Leadenhall St. London. Made in Englandmv duntroon, goorangai, melbourne steamship co ltd -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Functional object - Fishermans Cottage, Built in 1870/1880 for Thomas and Anna Ikin
This low-lying northern-most tip of Queenscliff saw its physical origins in 1863 with allotments let to a burgeoning fishing community previously accommodated on the site of the current railway station and whose construction in 1879 necessitated eviction. Among this community, Chinese fishermen are thought to be of the first international settlers. The success of the fishermen’s settlement was due in part to commercial trading prospects the railway afforded and the size of catch available to those fishing in Bass Strait. Salmon, snapper and particularly barracouta led to the success of the local industry.Original Fishermans Cottage previously located at Swan Bay end of Bridge Street Queenscliff. Timber - Weatherboardfishermen's cottage, fishermen's flat, queenscliff -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Pressure Gauge
HMVS Lonsdale is significant as one of only three surviving second-class torpedo boats that were used in the defence of the Australian and New Zealand colonies. HMVS Lonsdale is historically significant as a rare representative of a Victorian second-class torpedo boat. Lonsdale demonstrates technical significance as an early example of the development of the fast attack torpedo craft.Round brass pressure gauge from HMVS Lonsdale with white face and black numbers. range: 0-350 lbs/sq. inchE.Boudon's Pantent Trade Mark: Delta Hannan & Buchcananhmvs, lonsdale, pressure gauge, torpeto boat -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Tool - Line Firing Gun, manufactured by B.S.A. [Birmingham Small Arms Company], Birmingham Small Arms
A line firing rifle used in rescue training by the lifeboat Queenscliffe crew from 1926 to 1976.A rare representation of old life saving line throwing mechanisms in use up to the 1970s. Metal breech loading gun with wooden stock and rope canaster for attaching rescue line Trade Marks, B.S.A., [three rifles leaning together].lifeboat, rescue, line firing, queenscliffe, rifle, bsa, birmingham small arms company -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Water colour painting of the Katoomba, Katoomba, 1929
Arthur V Gregory b.1867, d.1957 worked from studio at 326 Albert Road South Melbourne established by his father G F Gregory in 1852 SS KATOOMBA of McIlwraith, McEacharn & Co entered the Australian trade in 1887 bringing immigrants from Britain to Queensland. They entered into the fierce competition for passenger trade in the first decades of the 20th century when competition for passengers required companies to provide more than converted cargo vessels. In 1909 their ship KAROOLA won a reputation for its salubrious accommodation and its size, and was the first Australian ship to exceed 7,000 tons. The company maintained the advantage in 1912 by commissioning KATOOMBA, which was larger and more luxurious than all its generation of passenger ships. KATOOMBA was requisitioned as a troopship in both World War I and World War II. It was sold to a Greek company in 1949 and sold for scrap in Japan in 1959.Water colour painting in painted gilt frameA.V Gregory 1929katoomba, a.v. gregory, water colour, painting -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Instrument - Ship's Binnacle
Ship's binnacle mounted on wooden stand possibly ornamentalTrade Mark 'Sistral', Henry Brown & Son Ltd, Station Works, Barking, Essex, Type SJbinnacle, compass -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Furniture - Chair
The SS Edina's active service included the North Sea trade, ‘Crimean War’, ‘American Civil War’, Victoria’s west coast run, New Zealand to Melbourne trade, Queensland coastal trade, and of course, the Port Phillip Bay runs between the years 1880 to 1938.A saloon swivel timber chair with green velvet cushion and cast iron base from the SS Edinachair, steamers, ss edina -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Newsletter - Essay by J McGrath "Some famous clippers"", Typed essay by J McGrath about American built clippers trading around Australia's coast, unknown date of production
Trading clipper shipsAustralian coastal tradeTyped essay by J McGrath about American built clippers trading around Australia's coast.Reverse - " NIL ".historical references -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Photograph - Black & white photograph of the fishing boat ALMA c1931, Photo of the ALMA in Swan Bay, c1931
Trading clipper shipsAustralian coastal tradeBlack & white photograph of the fishing boat ALMA c1931Reverse - " NIL ".historical references -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Photograph - Black & white photograph of lifeboat crews, wreck of the GANGE & newspaper clippings, Photos of lifeboat crew & the wreck GANGE c1887, c1931
Trading clipper shipsAustralian coastal tradeBlack & white photograph of the fishing boat ALMA c1931Reverse - " NIL ".historical references -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Photograph - B & W photocopy of the ship CASINO & written details & news articles, CASINO photo & article, Between 1882 & 1932
SS CASINO, coastal trader vesselTrading vessel photo & details.B & W copy of a photo of the steamer CANBERRA, photo & details copied from an unknown book.Reverse " NIL "historical references -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Document - B & W photo & news clipping re "Eye of the Wind" brigantine, "Eye of the Wind" photo & clippings, c1985, Circa 1985
EYE of the WIND details & partial historySquare rigged Brigantine EYE of the WIND"Eye of the Wind" photo & news clippings c1985.Reverse " See catalogue worksheet for complete Copyright statement "trading ships/brigantines -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Pamphlet - Port of Geelong Trade Statistics 1971, Port Statistics 1971, 31 December 1971
Port of Geelong trade figuresPort of Geelong Trade StatisticsStaple bound, 12 page pamphlet/booklet re Port of Geelong, 1971, Trade Statistics.Reverse " NIL " -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Document - copy of extract
Title: The romance of the "Edina" : the world's oldest screw-steamship : with chapters on the auxiliary steamship :Great Britain", and the Port Phillip Bay steamers past and present / by C. Dickson Gregory Author: Gregory, C. Dickson (Charles Dickson) Publication Information: Melbourne : Robertson & Mullens, 1935 Physical Description: xii, 84 p., [24] p. of plates : ill. ; 23 cm Series Link: Queenscliffe Maritime Museum General Note: Item no. Corporate Subject: Edina (Ship) Great Britain (Ship) Subject Term: Shipping -- Victoria Geographic Term: Port Phillip Bay Region (Vic.) -- History Format: Books Holds: 0 Copies: 2This iron hull single screw steamer had a long and distinguished carrier operating between 1853 and 1938. She served in the Crimean war carrying stores and horses to the Black Sea and later trading in the Mediterranean, and carrying cotton for the Confederate States in the American Civil War. Edina arrived in Melbourne under sail in March 1863 and was purchased by Stephen Henty for use from ports in western Victoria and later carried gold prospectors across the Tasman to New Zealand. After a refit in 1870 she was used in the coastal trade along the Queensland coast for Howard Smith until returning to Victoria and the Melbourne-Geelong trade as a cargo-passenger vessel. The Edina had two narrow escapes from destruction in 1898 and 1899 when she collided with other steamers, both being sunk. A further refit in 1917 altered her appearance with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck. By 1924 Edina had made over 12,000 Melbourne-Geelong passages and carried over one million people on the service. A further collision in July 1931 which sank the tug Hovell forced Edina onto a mudbank on Port Phillip Bay. She was taken out of service in 1938 but was later renamed Dinah and used as a lighter until 1958 when she was broken up and her remains used as land-fill.Extract from the book 'The Romance of the Edina' showing signatures of her last voyage crew in 1938.'The Romance of the Edina'ss edina, port phillip, steam ships -
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 -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Photograph, A V Gregory, S.S. Rotomahana
First ocean going vessel in world built of mild steel. Was known as the "Greyhound of the Pacific". Laid up December 1920 and hull sunk in Bass Strait in 1928.RealismMounted sepia photograph of a painting by A V Gregory of the steam ship S S RotomahanaS S Rotomahana and A V Gregorysepia photograph, a v gregory, ss rotomahana, steam ship -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Drawing - Mounted etching style drawing of the "Steam Packet Wharf, Mack's Hotel, etc Geelong, Photographer unknown, Plate and title, 1856
An original newspaper cutting from The Illustrated London News 28 August 1852 regarding the steam-packet Great Britain leaving London for Port Phillip and Sydney.Realism, historical, etchings, artworkCard mounted etching style drawing of the "Steam Packet Wharf, Mack's Hotel, etc Geelong and features the paddle steamer PS CITIZENOn the reverse - "PS Citizen - 196 tons Built 1843 Ran Melbourne - Geelong Trade till Oct 15th 1862 when she left for New Zealand and was never seen again"geelong, steam packet wharf, ps citizen, mack's hotel -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Painting - Beltana, Dacre Smyth, SS Beltana
Beltana was launched in 1921 at a cost of £179,000. She was a passenger liner built specifically for the UK-Australia emigrant service via the Cape of Good Hope. In October 1917, she was requisitioned for Transatlantic service where she carried munitions and supplies, returning to emigrant service in 1919. On 31 March 1930 she was sold for £27,000 to Toyo Hogei Kabushiki Kaisha, Japan for conversion for the whaling trade. She was not renamed, being laid up in Japan. She never traded under the Japanese flag. In 1933 she was sold to Gentaro Kasegawa, Kobe for demolition. Mrs B SmythFramed oil painting of the ship BeltanaBeltanass beltana, transatlantic supply transport, wwi, migrant ship -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Port Navigation Lamp, Genton & Kessler Ltd, 1900 -1920
Alfred Frederick Samuel Genton was born in Switzerland around1869 and arrived in England date unclear. By 1901 the Kelly’s Directory of Birmingham had listed the Genton & Kessler company as manufactures of all kinds of ship & railway lamps, fog horns and general ship fittings with their factory listed as the Bingley Works King Edward Place Birmingham UK that is listed in 1896 as being was owned and run by J E & H Player. Then in February 1905 it appears the partnership of Alfred F S Genton & Julius Rudolf Kessler was dissolved and Alfred F S Genton continued to carry on the business on his own. The company continued on managed by family members until 1961 when it ceased trading.A marine lamp made by a significant maker in Birmingham England in the early part of the 20th century. This item is now regarded as a collectors item. Brass lamp with 'Port' marking with 2 small chain hook locking mechanisms, and hinged lid. Clear glass with red lens filter. Fuel tank and wick burner removed. Stamped Seahorse GB trade mark No 54987flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Document - Poster, Warrnambool Steam Navigation Co, ca.1938
This poster is typical of posters displayed by steam packet companies of the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. It advertises the passage and freight available on a local coastal trader. The steamships operated between the major ports along the western coast of Victoria between Melbourne and Portland. The traveller was not guaranteed the passage times due to possible weather changes. Discounts were offered for return trips within a month of the ticket's issue. The price of freight included 'lighterage', which was the service of a smaller vessel called a 'lighter' expressly designed to transport goods between ship and shore. This particular poster has been recreated; it advertises the services of the screw steamer SS Edina. The information on the poster applies to the years between 1871 and 1873. During that period the Master of the Edina was Captain John Thompson, the Edina was owned by the Warrnambool Steam Navigation Company and the secretary of the firm was Thos. Mackay. The passenger fares are in line with fares from that period, as seen in a display advertisement published in the Hamilton Spectator on January 17th, 1872. The 1853 Glasgow-built Screw Ship Edina had a long life. The ship served in both the Crimean War and the American Civil War. The Edina also traded in UK and European waters. The Henty family of Portland, Victoria, purchased Edina in 1863 for use as a coastal trader. The Edina had several owners and spent many years of service along the South West Coast of Victoria between Melbourne and Portland. The vessel transported passengers and freight in Port Phillip Bay, between Melbourne and Geelong, between 1880 and 1938. After 84 years of service, the Edina was renamed ‘Dinah’ and was stripped down for use as a lighter. The vessel was broken up in 1957 at Footscray, Melbourne. The remains of Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. The poster was owned by the donor's grandfather, Bruce Duff (1922-2003) who was an avid sailor and a lover of nautical history. He and his wife Mona (1924-2014) were buried in Portarlington Cemetery, Victoria. Duff would have been about 13 years old when the Edina was finally retired from service in 1938. His interest in the Edina could have come from a trip on the vessel or from watching it in operation in the ports along the coast. Duff has collected this poster as a memento of the Edina and is likely to have preserved it at a much later date when the lamination process was readily available. [Flagstaff Hill's collection includes a photograph of the Edina at the Moorabool Street Wharf, Geelong, which was in Duff's locality. The References for this poster include a link to Museum Victoria's photograph of two boys watching the Edina from a jetty.] Flagstaff Hill's Village has its own 'Examiner' Office where volunteers demonstrate the historic printing press in that building. They use original letter-type to create posters, print labels onto lolly bags and designs on fabrics. One of the volunteer printers has produced a poster closely resembling the donated poster. His replication includes a woodcut of the ship, which he skilfully crafted himself.This poster advertises the sailing of the steamer SS Edina and the information has local and State significance for its association with the trading ports of the Edina, and the associated names on the poster; Warrnambool Steam Navigation Company, Captain John Thompson and Thos. Mackay. This poster's message has a strong connection to the history of the businesses and community of Warrnambool and the people of Port Phillip Bay, where it was a passenger ferry for many years. The poster is an example of advertising used by shipping agents in the mid-19th to early 20th centuries. Its information includes the accurate costs to passengers and freighters and the type of timetable the vessels were likely to follow. The poster's connection with the Screw Steamship Edina is historically significant, as the vessel was the longest serving screw steamer in the world. The ship spent its first nine years overseas then arrived in Melbourne. The vessel's work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The Edina is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. Poster, A3 size, brown text on cream paper, laminated. Re-created poster of the Warrnambool Steam Navigation Company (Limited) advertising passage and freight on its Screw Steamship, SS Edina. It states days, times and fees for passage and freight from Warrnambool to Melbourne, and return. It names the ship's Master, Captain John Thompson and the Company's Secretary, Tho. Mackay. It displays a line drawing of a 3-masted ship with full sails.Printed image [side profile of a 3 masted vessel, bow facing left] Printed text includes "The Warrnambool Steam Navigation Company (Limited). The Company's Steam Ship "EDINA", Captain John Thompson, Will leave Melbourne for Warrnambool on Tuesdays, returning from Warrnambool every Thursday, At Five o'clock p.m. (weather permitting). FARES: Saloon £2 0 0 Steerage £1 0 0 Saloon return £3 0 0 Saloon return £1 10 00 - Children under 13 years half fares - Refreshments supplied onboard at a moderate scale of charge. Freight, including lighterage, - From Melbourne to Warrnambool - 12s per ton; from Warrnambool to Melbourne, 15s per ton. Passengers are requested to obtain their tickets at the offers, and shippers to make early application for space. Return tickets available for one month from date of issue. - THO. MACKAY, secretary. "warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, fair maid of judea, steam navigation, pleasure steamer, ss edina a, trade 19th century, travel 19th century, warrnambool to melbourne, warrnambool to geelong, warrnambool to port fairy, warrnambool to portland, screw steamer, coastal trader, crimean war, american civil war, gold export, h r h duke of edinburgh, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay, lighter edina, port phillip bay steamers, vhr s199, dinah, warrnambool steam navigation company, advertising poster, shipping agent, flier, maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, great ocean road, block printing, woodblock printing, relief printing, moorabool st wharf, western steam navigation company, tho. mackay, re-created poster -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Painting - Lithograph, Iron S.S. Champion Frank Helpmann Esq. Comr, 1853 or later
Captain Benjamin Francis (Frank) Helpmann was once the owner of the S.S. CHAMPOIN, then owned it in partnership with S. G. Henty. S.S. CHAMPION was an early steamship and one of the first coastal traders to operate between Melbourne and Portland in Victoria from December 1853 until August 1857, when she collided with the S.S. LIRDY BIRD in the open sea off Cape Otway. CHAMPION was returning from Melbourne, and sank with thirty-two people still on board. The thirty others were saved by the LIRDY BIRD (ref. The Story of a Port : Portland, Victoria, by Noel F. Learmonth)This picture Lithograph) is associated with the S.S. Champion, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S110. The wreck of the SS Champion is significant historically as one of Victoria's worst shipwrecks. As an early steamship it played an important part in the development of and communications between the Western district and Melbourne . Although the site has not yet been located it is predicted to be highly significant archaeologically with the potential to yield information about early coastal shipping and the western district passenger and cargo trade. It is significant technically as an example of an early iron screw steamship, and is part of the western district steamship resource including the SS Casino, SS Coramba and SS Julia Percy.Painting. Lithograph of the schooner S S Champion, hand coloured watercolour, in a cedar frame behind glass. Unusual cross member bracing on the corners of the frame (one missing). Title "Iron S.S. Champion Frank Helpmann Esq. Comr" (in script) on bottom of picture.On the bottom of the painting "Iron S.S. Champion" (in printing), "Frank Helpmann Esq. Comr" (in script) shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, lithograph, frank helpmann, henty -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Artwork, other - Shipwreck Board, The Eye of the Needle: Shipwrecks, Stranding's and Collisions, ca 2002
The Shipwreck Board is a feature of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village/ its subject is explained briefly in the Museum's handbook, The Flagstaff Hill Navigator, published in 2008: - "Known as the ‘Eye of the Needle’ the treacherous entrance to Bass Strait is littered with the wreckage of large international vessels and smaller sail and steam craft used in coastal trade. The vessels bringing emigrants and cargo to Australia found the western entrance to Bass Strait the most dangerous part of their voyage. They had to thread their way between the southern point of Victoria (Cape Otway) and the northern point of King Island, a stretch of water less than 90 km wide. Many smaller coastal vessels were lost at Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool and Apollo Bay which are not safe harbours in certain weather conditions. "The Shipwreck Board shows shipwrecks, strandings and collisions which occurred in this area up to the year 1940. Wrecks are identified by a yellow light and collisions/strandings by a green light. These lights also identify the decade the wreck occurred by lighting up when the relevant decade button is pushed. Interesting happenings of the decades are listed next to the buttons." The Shipwreck Board's demonstration of The Eye of the Needle is an interactive visual display that helps teach the perils and dangers faced by early settlers in Victoria. It tells of the vast number of lives lost. It lists the names of many infamous shipwrecks and significant events.The large stained and lacquered timber board is mounted in a timber, frame. It is painted with a small sketch of Australia, and an enlarged outline of the southern coast of Victoria, King Island and the North West coast of Tasmania. The interactive display highlights the shipwrecks, standings and collisions suffered by many vessels as they navigated the 'Eye of the Needle', a narrow stretch of Bass Strait. The locations of the Lighthouses are pinpointed. Lists of groups of ships are below the coastlines. A painted scroll shows eight major shipwrecks with the number of lives lost for each one. A table shows historical facts associated with the decades from pre-1830 to 1940. A system of coloured lights compares the decades with the vessels that suffered damage. The board was created by artist and signwriter, Alex O'Flynn Computer Signs.flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, eye of the needle, shipwreck locations, bass strait, basses strait, king island, north west tasmania, south coast of victoria, cape otway, victorian lighthouse, king island lighthouse, strandings, coastal tracers, emigrant ships, sea trade, 1930s-1940s, shipwreck board, the eye of the needle, collosions, alex o'flynn, alex o’flynn computer signs, shipwrecks of western victoria -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Pattern, Briggs Brass Foundry, Early 20th century
The wooden pattern was possibly made for casting a part for Craftman Marine, makers of engines for boats and other machines. It is part of a set that is stored in a strong wooden crate. It was used at Briggs’ Brass Foundry for making sand casts. The traditional craft of sand casting is over 2000 years old. The handcrafted process produces brass and copper alloy goods that are well suited to marine use; bells, boat hooks, cowls, propellers, handles, lids, rowlocks, hooks, letters, bolts, rail holders, brackets, deck plates, flanges, rudder guides, portholes and covers. Briggs’ Bronze mixture is a copper-based alloy made from local ingots of copper, tin, zinc and lead in carefully measured quantities. The finished product is non-ferrous and can last indefinitely. The crate of patterns was donated by the Briggs family in the early years of Flagstaff Hill, along with other related items such as brassware, tools and machinery. The donated items were displayed in a simulated Brass Foundry in the Village along with other working crafts, trades and services found in a Maritime town. The items were on show from the completion of the building in 1986 until 1994 when the building was repurposed. The patterns represent the trades of foundering and metalwork, both supporting maritime industries such as shipwrights and boatbuilders. Farmers, manufacturers and other local industries also needed the castings made by foundries. The Brass Foundry included a historic Cornish chimney set up as a working model, to tell the story of smelted metal heated in furnaces then be poured into the sand moulds. This chimney was made from specially curved bricks and is now about two-thirds of its full height when originally located at the Grassmere Cheese factory. The craft of sand-casting from carved wooden patterns to create metal is an example of skills from the past that are still used today. The foundry pattern set is significant for its association with brass foundries locally and generally in coastal areas of Victoria. Marine industries such as ship and boat building rely on good quality castings for their machinery, equipment and fittings. Briggs Brass was especially formulated using non-ferrous metals to ensure their longevity. The patterns are associated with the long-running firm Briggs Brass Foundry that specialised in cast goods for the marine industry, ready to supply the needs for once-off or mass-produced items. Their products would have been fitted to sail and steam vessels along coastal Victoria including Warrnambool. Briggs Marine was also a bell-founder specialist and is also associated with the Schomberg Bell at Flagstaff Hill, having restored it to is former state as a fine example of the bell from a luxury migrant vessel from the mid-19th century. Pattern; rectangular wooden block with a corner cut diagonally. A five-sided shape has been carved into the centre, with one side curved inwards and slightly shallower than the other sides. The cut-out area is painted black. Three holes are drilled in the cut-out side to align the pattern with another piece of work. A wooden slat is fixed across the diagonal side. The back of the pattern has a handwritten inscription, possibly by two writers. The pattern is part of a set of foundry patterns from Briggs Brass Foundry and is connected to Craftman Marine.In black handwriting: "1 # H AL" Handwritten in a different hand: "CRAFTMAN MARINE" Written the the first hand: BRIGGS" (or "BRICK")flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, briggs' bronze, traditional method, trade, sand cast, cast, brass alloy, copper alloy, pattern, mould, foundry, brass foundry, metal foundry, casting, sand mould, sand casting, marine equipment, marine tools, marine fittings, copper tin zinc lead, non-ferrous, non-corrosive, brassware, metalware, foundering, metalwork, maritime, bell founders, ship chandlers, marine products, biggs, briggs family, herbert harrison briggs, h h briggs, george edward briggs, cyril falkiner mckinnon briggs, cyril briggs, briggs & son brass foundry, h h briggs & sons foundry, briggs marine, alliance casting & engineering solutions, grassmere cheese factory, cornish chimney, curved bricks, collingwood, moorabbin, collingwood foundry, moorabbin foundry, 1912, craftman marine, craftsman marine -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Pattern, Briggs Brass Foundry, Early 20th century
The wooden pattern is part of a set that are stored in a strong wooden crate. It was used at Briggs’ Brass Foundry for making sand casts. It may fit together with one of the other patterns with a similar outline. The traditional craft of sand casting is over 2000 years old. The handcrafted process produces brass and copper alloy goods that are well suited to marine use; bells, boat hooks, cowls, propellers, handles, lids, rowlocks, hooks, letters, bolts, rail holders, brackets, deck plates, flanges, rudder guides, portholes and covers. Briggs’ Bronze mixture is a copper-based alloy made from local ingots of copper, tin, zinc and lead in carefully measured quantities. The finished product is non-ferrous and can last indefinitely. The crate of patterns was donated by the Briggs family in the early years of Flagstaff Hill, along with other related items such as brassware, tools and machinery. The donated items were displayed in a simulated Brass Foundry in the Village along with other working crafts, trades and services found in a Maritime town. The items were on show from the completion of the building in 1986 until 1994 when the building was repurposed. The patterns represent the trades of foundering and metalwork, both supporting maritime industries such as shipwrights and boatbuilders. Farmers, manufacturers and other local industries also needed the castings made by foundries. The Brass Foundry included a historic Cornish chimney set up as a working model, to tell the story of smelted metal heated in furnaces then be poured into the sand moulds. This chimney was made from specially curved bricks and is now about two-thirds of its full height when originally located at the Grassmere Cheese factory. The craft of sand-casting from carved wooden patterns to create metal is an example of skills from the past that are still used today. The foundry pattern set is significant for its association with brass foundries locally and generally in coastal areas of Victoria. Marine industries such as ship and boat building rely on good quality castings for their machinery, equipment and fittings. Briggs Brass was especially formulated using non-ferrous metals to ensure their longevity. The patterns are associated with the long-running firm Briggs Brass Foundry that specialised in cast goods for the marine industry, ready to supply the needs for once-off or mass-produced items. Their products would have been fitted to sail and steam vessels along coastal Victoria including Warrnambool. Briggs Marine was also a bell-founder specialist and is also associated with the Schomberg Bell at Flagstaff Hill, having restored it to is former state as a fine example of the bell from a luxury migrant vessel from the mid-19th century.Pattern; thick square mostly unopainted wooden block with a solid half-cylinder added to the top, which has rounded shoulders. A disc is added to the front, aligned with the curve at the top. The top curve has orange paint and the dial is pink. Three holes are drilled in the back, in a triangular configuration. It is similar in shape to a mantle clock or an early-style radio. The pattern is part of a set of foundry patterns from Briggs Brass Foundry.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, briggs' bronze, traditional method, trade, sand cast, cast, brass alloy, copper alloy, pattern, mould, foundry, brass foundry, metal foundry, casting, sand mould, sand casting, marine equipment, marine tools, marine fittings, copper tin zinc lead, non-ferrous, non-corrosive, brassware, metalware, foundering, metalwork, maritime, bell founders, ship chandlers, marine products, biggs, briggs family, herbert harrison briggs, h h briggs, george edward briggs, cyril falkiner mckinnon briggs, cyril briggs, briggs & son brass foundry, h h briggs & sons foundry, briggs marine, alliance casting & engineering solutions, grassmere cheese factory, cornish chimney, curved bricks, collingwood, moorabbin, collingwood foundry, moorabbin foundry, 1912