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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Stretcher, 1965 to 1999
A Neil Robinson stretcher is a lightweight carrying device modelled on Japanese bamboo litters, the Neil Robertson rescue stretcher was developed in the early 1900s by John Neil Robertson. Used for lifting an injured person vertically. The stretcher is made from stout canvas reinforced with bamboo slats. The stretcher is designed for removing an injured person from spaces wherein access, doors or hatches are too small to permit the use of regular stretchers. Spaces such as ship engine room spaces, cargo holds, pump rooms, boiler rooms etc. are a few examples of such compact spaces.An item designed to transport injured personnel from tight places, either at sea or on land.A rescue stretcher made from white canvas reinforced with bamboo slats and adjustable canvas straps. The canvas straps are secured with metal buckles and there is a metal ring attached to lengths of ropes at both ends. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, stretcher, neil robertson, neil robertson rescue stretcher, rescue equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Bullet Probe
Bullet probe, stainless steel, long narrow spiral like flexible section for feeling for bullets.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, bullet, probe -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Toothkey
Toothkey used for extracting teeth.Dental Toothkey, large, brown knurled handle. It has an inscription on it. "L.1" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, toothkey, tooth key, dental, tooth, extractor -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Prosthetic Arm, Early 20th century
This prosthetic arm has been made to assist a person who has part of his or her arm missing. The hook fixed to the end is an attempt to give the wearer extra assistance in replacing some of the functions of a hand. Prosthetic hook arms like this one have existed for centuries. Archaeological evidence shows that prosthetic limbs have been designed and used since almost 6000 years ago. Hooks for seafarers were made from whatever materials were readily available onboard the ship., such as metal, wood and leather. Often the prosthetic arms were simple lock-jointed pieces with basic hand positions. During the 19th century, advanced technology led to improved appearance and movement of prosthetics. Further development in the 20th century included lightweight, durable materials and electronic robotic movement of the hook, along with a more aesthetic appearance.This prosthetic arm is an example of an aid used to assist people with missing limbs, whether born that way or as a result of injury. Prosthetic or artificial arm. Brown leather cylinder with elbow pad and straps with buckles. A single rotating metal hook has been fixed to the end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, prosthetic, artificial arm, artificial limb, prosthetic arm, false arm, hook hand, amputee's aid, medical equipment, medical assistive aid, assistive aid, rotating hook, fake arm -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Axe
Axe; may have been used as a fire axe. Pole axe with axe head and spike, and flared wooden handle. Section on axe head has been soldered back on. Inscription is stamped on the head. Made in London, UK. Stamped on head "LONDON AFS 20733"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, axe, fireman's tool -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Knife
Diver's Knife, rare first class ca. 1900 (wooden handle) Siebe Gorman diving knife, two edge blade, and a push-in brass scabbard. The leather carrying strap is missing. The blade is imprinted Siebe Gorman & Co The blade is imprinted "Siebe Gorman & Co"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, diver's knive, knife, siebe, gorman -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Torch, 1935-1960
Diver's Submarine Electric Torches were first developed to give illumination for close examination work. They have to be self-contained, the older ones are powered by an accumulator type battery which could be recharged. Some models were fitted with a switch to turn the light off saving on the battery power. The lens is of a convex type and magnifies the light. Sometimes there was a protective grill across the glass or prongs to protect the glass from an impact. When fully charged the battery would last about seven hours. Torches are made from non-ferrous metal so as not to corrode in their watery environment. Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd has been producing hand-held, battery-powered, submarine electric torches for divers and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) since the 1920s. In 1961, the famous diving manufacturer C.E. Heinke merged with Siebe Gorman, and for a short while, torches were made with the combined 'Siebe Heinke' inscription. However, this linked inscription was later dropped, with a return to the Siebe Gorman name tag. Date of manufacture for these torches can be determined by their Admiralty Pattern (AP) number that was used to identify a particular item and were for naval stores use. Before NATO stock coding became more widely used, earlier MOD torches often have a simple four-digit group of AP numbers such as AP4456 or AP4458. In 1975 Siebe Gorman moved from their Neptune Works at Chessington in Surrey to a new location at Cwmbran in Wales and by this time their manufacture of diving equipment had declined. (For additional historic company information on Siebe & Gorman see notes section this document.)The item is significant as it gives us a snapshot into marine history and the development of diving equipment generally, especially that used for salvage operations before and during WW2. The company that made the torch Siebe Gorman was a leading inventor, developer and innovator of marine equipment with its early developments in helmets, compressors and other diving equipment. Items that are today eagerly sought after for maritime collections around the world. The items that have been donated to the Flagstaff Hill collection give us an insight as to how divers operated and the dangers they faced doing a very necessary and dangerous job.Diver's Torch brass with heavy glass screw on piece with four lugs attached contact spring inside. Leather hand strap missing."Siebe Gorman and Co Ltd, Makers, London." Has "A.P.4458" inscribed on front above glassflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, siebe, gorman, diver's torch, torch, diver, diving accessories -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Shoe Stretcher
Cast Iron Shoe or Boot Stretcher patented 19th December 1882. Inscription on object. " patented 19th December 1882.”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, shoe stretcher, boot stretcher, shoe maker -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Travelling cot, 1910 to 1940
A mass produced item made for domestic use. There is no history or manufacturing provenance currently available.The child's travelling cot is believed to have been produced before 1950.Child's folding travelling cot made from canvass, cord and leather., with wood support bars.Nonewarrnambool, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, cot, crib, travelling cot, baby s cot -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Maul
Large ship’s maul..flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, maul, ship's maul -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Dowel Maker (Moot), Mid to late 19th Century indication of this date range is due to the engraved handles and brass ferrules often used on hand tools of this era
A dowel is a cylindrical rod, usually made of wood. In its original manufactured form, a dowel is called a dowel rod. Dowel rods are often cut into short lengths called dowel pins.These are commonly used as structural reinforcements in cabinet making and in joining large timbers together. To make a dowel, a piece of wood is split or whittled to a size slightly bigger than desired and to place the stock into a vice then rotate past a fixed knife, or alternatively, to rotate the knife around the stock such as the subject tool was used. Machines based on this principle emerged in the 19th century. Frequently, these are small bench-mounted tools, prior to this time dowels had to be cut by hand. The tool is an example of early to late 19th century hand tool used to make timber dowels. It is not associated with an historical event, person or place, makers provenance is unable to be determined at this time. Many small American and British tool manufactures were taken over by Stanley tools after 1843 when the company was established and this item could have been made by one of these. However the subject item appears to be rare and would be regarded as a collector's item.An adjustable woodworking tool know as a Moot, used for making Trunnels or Treenails (Dowels) for fastening joints in timber. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, moot, trunnels, treenails, circular, dowels, woodworking tool -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Coopers Adze, Mathieson and Son, First quarter of the 20th Century
An adze is an ancient and versatile cutting tool similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. Adzes are used for smoothing or carving wood in hand woodworking, and as a hoe for agriculture and horticulture. Two basic forms of an adze are the hand adze (short hoe) a short handled tool swung with one hand and the foot adze (hoe) a long handled tool capable of powerful swings using both hands, the cutting edge usually striking at foot or shin level. Mathieson & Sons Maker: In 1792 John Manners had set up a workshop making woodworking planes at 14 Saracens Lane Glasgow. He also had employed an apprentice Alexander Mathieson (1773-1851). But in the following year at Saracen's Lane, the 1841 census describes Alexander Mathieson as a master plane-maker now at 38 Saracen Lane with his son Thomas Adam working with him as a journeyman plane-maker. Presumably, Alexander must have taken over the premises and business of John Manners. Now that the business had Thomas Adam Mathieson working with his father it gradually grew and became more diversified, and it is recorded at the time by the Post-Office Glasgow Annual Directory that by 1847-1848 Alexander Mathieson was a “plane, brace, bit, auger & edge tool maker” In 1849 the firm of James & William Stewart at 65 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh was taken over and Thomas was put in charge of the business, trading under the name Thomas A. Mathieson & Co. as plane and edge-tool makers. Thomas company went on to acquire the Edinburgh edge-tool makers “Charles & Hugh McPherson” and took over their premises in Gilmore Street. In the Edinburgh directory of 1856/7, the business is recorded as being Alexander Mathieson & Son, plane and edge-tool makers at 48 Nicholson Street and Paul's Work, Gilmore Street Edinburgh. The 1851 census Alexander is recorded as working as a tool and plane-maker employing eight men. Later that year Alexander died and his son Thomas took over the business. Under the heading of an edge-tool maker in the 1852/3 Post-Office Glasgow Annual Directory the firm is now listed as Alexander Mathieson & Son, with further entries as "turning-lathe and vice manufacturers". By the early 1850s, the business had moved to 24 Saracen Lane. The directory for 1857/8 records that the firm had moved again only a few years later to East Campbell Street, off the Gallowgate area, and that through further diversification was also manufacturing coopers' and tin men's tools. The ten-yearly censuses report the firm's growth in 1861 stating that Thomas was a tool manufacturer employing 95 men and 30 boys; in 1871 he had 200 men working for him and in 1881 300 men. By 1899 the firm had been incorporated as Alexander Mathieson & Sons Ltd, even though only Alexander's son Thomas appears ever to have joined the firm so the company was still in his fathers' name. In September 1868 Thomas Mathieson put a notice in the newspapers of the Sheffield & Rotherham Independent and the Sheffield Daily Telegraph stating that his firm had used the trade-mark of a crescent and star "for some time" and that "using or imitating the Mark would be proceeded against for infringement". The firm had acquired its interest in the crescent-and-star mark from the heirs of Charles Pickslay, the Sheffield cutler who had registered it with the Cutlers' Company in 1833 and had died in 1852. The year 1868 seems also to be the one in which the name Saracen Tool Works was first adopted; not only does it figure at the foot of the notice in the Sheffield press, it also makes its first appearance in the firm's entry in the Post-Office Glasgow Annual Directory in the 1868/9 edition. As Thomas Mathieson's business grew, so too did his involvement in local public life and philanthropy. One of the representatives of the third ward on the town council of Glasgow, he became a river Bailie in 1868, a magistrate in 1870 and a preceptor of Hutcheson's Hospital in 1878. He had a passion for books and was an "ardent Ruskinian". He served on the committee handling the bequest for the setting up of the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. When he died at Coulter Maynes near Biggar in 1899, he left an estate worth £142,764. The firm of Alexander Mathieson & Sons was one of the leading makers of hand tools in Scotland. Its success went hand in hand with the growth of the shipbuilding industries on the Firth of Clyde in the nineteenth century and the emergence of Glasgow as the "second city of the Empire". It also reflected the firm's skill in responding to an unprecedented demand for quality tools by shipyards, cooperages and other industries, both locally and far and wide.Coopers Adze steel with wooden handle No 194 A Mathieson & Sons Glasgowflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Machine - Lawn Mower, Alex Shanks & Sons Ltd Engineers Arbroth London, 1903-1925
The firm of Alexander Shanks & Sons Ltd of Arbroath, were engineers, founders and boiler makers the company was incorporated in the year 1893. At the Dens Iron Works, purchased by the firm in the same year, a wide variety of products was manufactured including cranes, hoists, pumps and lawnmowers. In the 1960s the firm was taken over by Alexander Shanks (1801-1845) was an Inventor of the modern lawnmower, who lived in Arbroath Scotland. While credit is usually given to the Englishman Edwin Budding (1795-1846) for the invention of the lawnmower, it is Shanks' machine which was the direct predecessor of the modern mower. Shanks' innovation was a machine which rolled the grass as well as mowing it. Although Shanks himself died at a young age, his son showed the mowers at the Great Exhibition in 1851 which led to a successful business that continued into the 20th century, supplying mowers to cut the tennis courts of Wimbledon, the cricket grounds at Lords and the Old golf course at St Andrews. The firm was also well known for the manufacture of portable steam engines and steam cranes. In 1968, the company was taken over by Giddings & Lewis Fraser Ltd, Engineers of Arbroath. The subject item is a good example of an early lawn mower made by the company that is credited with being the first to patent and manufacture such a machine. The company Alexander Shanks founded was known throughout the world as significant manufactures of large steam machines used from the middle of the 19th century to the first quarter of the 20th century. The subject item is now regarded as a collector's item.Lawnmower, cast iron handles has two wooden ends and two wooden rollers at front. Blades driven by chain fixed to metal roller. Shanks's Standard Chain. Shanks's Standard Chain Arbroth London. Alex Shanks & Sons Ltd Engineers Arbroth Londonflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, hand mower, lawn mower, mower, shanks, arboth -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Treadle Scroll Saw, Hobbies Ltd, Manufactured by Hobbies in England from 1928- 1965
Since 1895, Hobbies Ltd have been supplying model makers and enthusiasts throughout the world with a wide range of quality model kits, accessories, tools, components and handbooks. The Hobbies Company began life in Dereham, Norfolk in 1881 with a London Office opened later (1922) at 65 New Oxford Street, WC1. In 1895 Hobbies began supplying model makers with their products and in 1897 were incorporated into a Public company. In 1922 at a British Industries Fair the company had a stand advertising their products as "The All-British Firm with a World reputation". Fretwork Outfits. Fretwork Machines. Carpentry Outfits. Strip work Outfits. Also manufactures of Fretwork Tools and Benches, Wood, Circular Saws, Lathes, Picture Framing Outfits, Tools, etc. In 1947 the company had expanded and was still making tools and materials for the amateur craftsman in wood. They had acquired a reputation as manufacturers of quality Fretwork Outfits, Tools, Treadle Machines, Model Maker's Tool Kits. The company also publishers of ‘Hobbies Weekly magazine’ and also sold plans for fretwork, model making and wooden toys. In 1961 they were still manufacturers and retailers of craft tools and materials, timber merchants, light engineers and Government contractors with around 500 employees. A vintage tool made for hobbyists and distributed throughout the world by a British company that is still in existence today. The item is significant as it catalogues the manufactures history at a specific time in the company's development.Foot operated treadle Fret saw called "GEM" subject item is a short saw , the stand in the background is the base for a Delta Q3 model scroll saw. Gem inscription cast into the cast iron frameworkflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, saw, treadle saw, fret saw, pedal saw, the gem, tool, hobbies ltd, treadle, foot operated -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Foghorn, 20th century
A marine foghorn gives an audible navigational signal to warn vessels of dangers, hazards and the presence of other vessels in fog conditions. The foghorn signal is a series of long and short sounds with short or long pauses between them. These common signals conform to a code called the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and provide such information as whether the vessel is under sail or motor, large or small, aground or at anchor. The designs of foghorns vary but they all use a column of air to make a loud sound. Some use vibrating plates or metal reeds, others force air through holes in a revolving cylinder or disk, sounding like a siren, and some use a clockwork mechanism to open the valves that let the air into the horn. They are usually built to meet particular specifications e.g. U.S.C.G. (US Coast Guard). This Tyfon plunger foghorn has a horizontal handle attached to a vertical rod that moves up and down inside a cylinder. When the handle is plunged down, in a similar way to a bicycle pump, the air is forced out of the bottom of the cylinder into a pipe with a bell-shaped horn on the end, making a loud, low sound. The wider base of the cylinder helps to keep it stable. The original type Tyfon foghorns were manufactured in about 1910 by Kochums Mechanical Workshop (Kockums Mechanical Werkstad, Ltd.), Malmo, Sweden. The company was established in 1840, became a Limited company in 1866, and established a shipyard at the Port of Malmo, Sweden, in 1870. The civilian ship production in Malmo ceased in 1987. As well as building ships the company built large industrial and agricultural machinery and maritime goods.this replica foghorn represents the design of a Swedish, Tyfon model 1910. It is an example of the type of safety equipment used on marine vessels to signal other vessels and signal to land. Replica foghorn; portable marine, plunger operation. It has a brass cylinder and adjustable brass horn. The plunger handle and base are wooden. Inscriptions are on the plaque on the horn and moulded into the air intake. Facsimile of a Kockums of Malmo, Sweden, Tyfon model 1910 Fog Horn.Impressed into the attached plaque "KOCKUMS MLK. VERKSTAD / MALMO SWEDEN" and "TRADE TYFON MARK" Also added to the plaque individually "288938" Molded around the circumference of the air intake "TYFON PATENT"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, foghorn, fog horn, tyfon foghorn, kockums mlk verkstad, malmo sweden, replica, warning signal, safety equipment, ship's equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Flensing Iron, Circa 1830 - 1840
Only known one is in the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, Tongarew. Flensing Iron, also called a “Cutting Spade”, used in the whaling industry to cut the blubber. Has Scorrar London etched into blade"Scorrar London" etched into bladeflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, flensing, flensing iron, whaling, blubber, scorrar, cutting spade -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Octant, Mid to late 19th Century
An octant is an astronomical instrument used in measuring the angles of heavenly bodies such as the sun, moon and stars at sea in relation to the horizon. This measurement could then be used to calculate the altitude of the body measured, and then the latitude at sea could also be calculated. The angle of the arms of an octant is 45 degrees, or 1/8 of a circle, which gives the instrument its name. Two men independently developed the octant around 1730: John Hadley (1682–1744), an English mathematician, and Thomas Godfrey (1704–1749), a glazier in Philadelphia. While both have a legitimate and equal claim to the invention, Hadley generally gets the greater share of the credit. This reflects the central role that London and the Royal Society played in the history of scientific instruments in the eighteenth and nineteenth century's. There were also two others who are attributed to having created octanes during this period, Caleb Smith, an English insurance broker with a strong interest in astronomy (in 1734), and Jean-Paul Fouchy, a mathematics professor and astronomer in France (in 1732) In 1767 the first edition of the Nautical Almanac tabulated lunar distances, enabling navigators to find the current time from the angle between the sun and the moon. This angle is sometimes larger than 90°, and thus not possible to measure with an octant. For that reason, Admiral John Campbell, who conducted shipboard experiments with the lunar distance method, suggested a larger instrument and the sextant was developed. From that time onward, the sextant was the instrument that experienced significant development and improvements and was the instrument of choice for naval navigators. The octant continued to be produced well into the 19th century, though it was generally a less accurate and less expensive instrument. The lower price of the octant, including versions without a telescope, made it a practical instrument for ships in the merchant and fishing fleets. One common practice among navigators up to the late nineteenth century was to use both a sextant and an octant. The sextant was used with great care and only for lunar sightings while the octant was used for routine meridional altitude measurements of the sun every day. This protected the very accurate and pricier sextant while using the more affordable octant for general use where it performs well. The invention of the octant was a significant step in providing accuracy of a sailors latitude position at sea and his vessels distance from land when taking sightings of land-based landmarks.Octant with metal handle, three different colored shades are attached, in wooden wedge-shaped box lined with green felt. Key is attached. Two telescope eyepieces are in box. Some parts are missing. Oval ink stamp inside lid of box, scale is graduated to 45 degrees. Ink stamp inside lid of box "SHIPLOVERS SOCIETY OF VICTORIA. LIBRARY"instrument, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, octant, navigation, nautical instrument, navigation instrument, john hadley, sextant, astronomical instrument -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Kerosene Lamp, Bef. 08-02-1984
The kerosene lamp was one of the most common oil lamps used and was manufactured until the 1980s. This lamp appears to be a modern reproduction of an earlier optional wall-mounted kerosene lamp. The lamp has been produced as an example of a 19th and early 20th-century marine kerosene navigation lamp. Marine lamp; portside metal kerosene lamp with two flat sides, and a curved front. The front has a red ridged glass lens insert and the name "port" is inscribed on a fixed brass plaque. A round chimney is on top of the lid and it has a catch. The fuel tank and wick can be removed through the base. The metal appears to be electroplated.Inscribed on the plaque; "PORT"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, lamp, ship lamp, port lamp, marine lamp, navigation lamp, port, lantern, kerosene lamp, marine technology, ship light, portable lamp -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Purse, c. 1855
This small purse belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Purse, leather, rectangular shape with metal frame and catch. Purse was amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.schomberg, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, warrnambool, shipwreck, purse, leather purse, personal effects, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Basket, c. 1855
This small cane basket belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Small rectangular cane basket with timber base, firm carry handle across width. Basket is covered with brown fabric. The inside of the basked and the handle are covered with embossed orange fabric, and a rosette of the same orange fabric is at the base of each end of the handle. Basket was amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, schomberg ship, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria, cane basket, schomberg basket -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Iron
This iron used its own fuel to heat up the iron rather than earlier flat irons that required heating on top of the stove."Comfort Self Heating" clothes iron. Spirit iron with wooden handle and metal tank for spirit fuel (probably benzene.). Different fuels were used, some with dire resultsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, spirit iron, self, heating iron, comfort iron, comfort self heating iron -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Accordion, International Accordion Company, 1930's
This MEZON brand button accordion was made specifically for Lyons, Musical Instrument Importer, 207 Bourke Street Melbourne, as can be seen on the embossed lettering on the top of the accordion. The hand inscribed nameplate indicates that the owner was T H Betts. On August 19th, 1903, Michael Edward Lyons applied to the Trade Mark’s Office of Sydney for registration of “The Invented word “MEZON” to be applied to musical instruments. In 1908 he was advertising himself as sole agents for MEZON accordions. He had been at that address for 15 years (since 1893) and was moving to larger premises at 256 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Still at this address in 1925, Lyons advertises MEZON accordions as “The ideal Xmas present, Maker your friends happy, This Xmas let the Present be a MEZON”. There was a choice of three styles: The Organ, The Wonder and The Grand Organ. They came with a Fibre Case with Lock and Key and a Leather Handle. The promise was “They Give Satisfaction”. They were obtainable at all stores or from Sole Distributors in Australia. In 1927 the MEZON was sold by Albert & Sons in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland as well as by Lyons in Melbourne. The favoured German accordion brands were Monarch and Sterling, which were made by the International Accordion Company in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany. The company was founded in 1871 by Ernest Deines and made a variety of musical instruments. The company closed business in 1834. The International Accordion Company’s accordion range made the International brand and others such as MEZON, Globe, and Dienst. Australia imported the MEZON brand. American companies imported a range of the popular German branded accordions until World War II, when they were no longer available. In general, accordions produced after the war were not as high a quality and not loud enough to be heard over the electronic guitars and the drum kit of the bands. This accordion represents the type of musical instruments used in the late 19h and early 20th century, locally and Australia wide. In colonial Australia musical instruments like this one were imported from Germany as well as other countries. At that time, German made instruments represented good quality. This accordion is significant for being especially imported into Australia by a Melbourne retailer. Music was a part of family and social life, associated with dances, song and general fun.Button accordion with case. Accordion with steel reeds, three bass valves and ten treble valves. It is coloured black with very dark green trim, decorative silver metal reinforcing on main corners, gold reinforcing on corners of the bellows and delicate printed, gold printed patterned trims. Hand support for buttons is made of fabric. Folds of the bellows are light coloured with fine dark pattern. It has a nameplate on the front. Black wooden case has red lining, two brass hinges, two brass hook and eye catches and a swivel brass lock. The base of the case has a loose brass fitting. The top has a thin metal handle. Inscription on hand inscribed name on front, label inside case lid, silver reinforcing, leather on bellows top, and frame of accordion. Manufactured with the brand MEZON in Saxony, Germany, for Lyons of Melbourne. Once the property of T H Betts.Printed on label “MEZON ACCORDEONS.” Impressed in metal corners and reinforcing “MEZON” with logo [circle enclosing entwined capital D and E] “MADE IN SAXONY” Embossed in gold on frame “Made in Saxony”, “MEZON Accordion/ manufactured for LYONS / MELBOURNE, Bourke Street” Name inscribed by hand “T H Betts”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, mezon accordion, lyons, made in saxony, t h betts, betts, mezon, squeeze box, musical instrument, button accordion, germany, michael lyons, international accordion company, ernest deines, circle enclosing d e, d e, e d, german accordion -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Teapot
Electro Silver Plated teapot. Pot has fern pattern. Has some concretion and corrosion. Has remains of what could be a bone handle.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, tea pot, kitchen utensil -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Chest of drawers, early 20th century
This medical bureau / cabinet shows several signs of being used for a different purpose before being a medical bureau. It once had the words "GENUINE PURE QUALITY" lettered across the top of the front, as can been still seen from the impression left behind in the stained timber. On each drawer above the handle is a faint impression of something long and rectangular, as though there had been a label attached. The front panel of the drawers is made of the same wood as the rest of the outer cabinet, most probably blackwood. The handles on the drawers are not the original handles either. There are 3 filled-in holes that would form the corners of a triangle, apex at the top, around the perimeter of the current handles. The sides of the drawers are made from plywood and the base made from alternating lengthwise strips of oak and beech wood pressed together, rounded corners at the back and joined to the front panel with metal brackets. The backs of the base of the drawers have four round impressions in them. Along the back edge of the base, in the centre, is a rectangular hole. Between the front pair of round holes is a faint black rounded marking, like the impression made by rubber. The cabinet may have once been a filing cabinet, with the drawers used as document drawers, each with a spring-loaded clamp attached to the back of them to secure documents within. The original handles could have been the half-cup type used for filing cabinets. The construction and use of plywood could place this cabinet in about 1950's.Chest of drawers (or Medical Bureau, or Apothecary Chest, or Filing Cabinet) wooden, dark stained, with 30 small drawers (10 rows, 3 columns). The outer wood of cabinet is possibly blackwood and the edges of top and sides have carved wood decoration. Drawer fronts have bevelled edges and round silver-coloured metal knobs. Drawers have plywood sides, and oak and beech wood bases/, Each drawer has four round depressions (in a square-shaped arrangement) at the back plus a small rectangular hole cut in the centre back of base. A faint impression from previous lettering is evident in the wood stain across top front of cabinet.Impression of previous lettering across top front of cabinet "GENUINE PURE QUALITY". flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, drawers, bureau, cabinet, chest of drawers, furniture, bedroom furniture, household storage, medical bureau, apothecary cabinet, document drawers, filing cabinet -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Bench
Bench wooden trestle leg style modern replica of a sail maker's bench. Holes bored into bench to hold fids and/or spool holders, end of bench enclosed by wood to form tray to prevent tools from rolling off. Wooden fid in place, drawer at side.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, bench, sail makers, fid -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ink pot
Traveler's Ink pot, glass cylindrical, small, inside metal container with spring in lid to stop movement when travelling.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, traveler's ink pot, ink, nib pen, writing, ink well, writing accessory -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Hat box, 1890-1910
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 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Sailmaker's Palm
Leather sailmaker's or roping palm. Left hand- simular to a seaming palm, except for the much heavier indentations in the eye and thicker moulded leather guard to the thumb hole. Rd No 666761.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, sail maker's palm, sail making, roping palm -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Historical, maritime, Charles Nettleton, Mid-to-late 19th century
Photograph of Port Melbourne, typical scene of a large port in the 19th century, loading and unloading cargo from tall ships vial cranes and a network of rails and carriages.Photograph, black and white, framed, mounted on Masonite timber, behind glass. Several tall ships docked at a pier, with rails and carriages for cargo. Buildings on pier, small boats in water. Location is Williamstown, Melbourne. Victoria. Photographer is Charles Nettleton. Inscriptions below photograph and on backing board.Under matte at base of photo: "NETTLETON PHOTO" and "(undecipherable)" Handwritten on backing board "WILLIAMSTOWN, MELB., VIC."photograph, photo, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, williamstown breakwater, breakwater, nettleton, charles nettleton, williamstown pier, 19th century williamstown -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Complex Moulding Plane, Late 19th to early 20th Century
A smoothing or wood plane is a wood plane used for making a smooth or decorative moulding to the surface of wood. Traditionally these planes were made from blocks of wear resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape or size required. The blade, or iron was likewise formed to the intended flat or ornamental profile and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding and smoothing planes for the full range of work to be performed. Large crown Mouldings or smoothing plane surfaces required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other worker to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. This plane is a coffin pattern smoothing plane and is unmarked so the maker is unknown however it's design and patina indicate it was probably made in the mid to late 19th century and would be regarded as a vintage or antique item sought after today by collectors of vintage tools. A vintage tool made by an unknown maker, that was made commercially for firms and individuals who worked in wood and needed a tool that could produce a flat or level finish to timber. These types of planes came in various shapes and sizes to achieve the required finish to timber surfaces used in cabinet making. This item is a significant tool from the mid to late 19th century that today is quite rare and sought after by collectors. It gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other decorative finishes were created on timber by the use of hand tools only. Complex moulding wood planeNoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, plane, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, plane, moulding plane, complex moulding plane, cabinet makers tools