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Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, mounted, Reverend John Ashley, D.D. - Pioneer Chaplain in the Bristol Channel
Reverend John Ashley was a key initiator of missionary services to seafarers isolated and confined to moored ships or islands with families in the Bristol Channel of the 1830s. Attention was also focussed by other individuals, groups and churches in ports and led eventually to the establishment of the Mission to seamen, London which in turn inspired establishment of similar services in other countries and ports. Rev'd Kerr-Johnson who arrived in Australia was appointed by a Bethel Union of non-conformist churches in late 1856 and delivered the first shipboard service in 1857 for the Victorian Mission to seamen. refs: 1895-1905 Epitomised history... (MtsV) and Dr Ashley's Pleasure Yacht publication MTSV collection.John Ashley portraits are rare and this is the only image of him held in the collection at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. See also History for full significance.Sepia toned photograph of John Ashley mounted on dark blue card. Text at the bottom section of the photograph reads "THE REV.JOHN ASHLEY, D .D. /Pioneer Chaplain in the Bristol Channel"city of bristol, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, reverend john ashley (1801-1886) -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
legal record (item) - Register, Marriage Register, Circa 1947
The register documents twenty-five weddings that took place in the Mission to Seamen's church district between the 21st of April, 1947 to the 8th of June 1950. Each certificate is a record of all the information needed to legalise a marriage under Commonwealth law, such as names, dates of birth, marital status, parents and employment. Within the register, there are four Forms of Consent, used when the bride or groom were below the age of twenty-one. There is a memo confirming the death of one bride's previous husband, a letter confirming one groom was actually a bachelor, and letters from a ship's captain, swearing a bride and groom are both unmarried.The register is a historical record of weddings performed at the Mission to Seamen church between 1947 to 1950.On front cover, handwritten in blue ink: REGISTER NO 6 / 21-4-47 - 8-6-50 / NOTE NO 94 (underlined) / CELEBRATED AT ST NICHOLAS'MARINERS'CHURCH / WILLIAMSTOWN / NO 103 (underlined) AT ST ANDREWS " " / PORT MELBOURNEwedding, marriage, 1947-1950, register, church, marriages, dio-marriages, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Can McKenzie's Coffee, mid to late 1900's
This tin which once contained coffee with chicory was purchased in a period when the importation of coffee beans into Australia was quite expensive and to counter that local distributors of coffee mixed it with Chicory, a blended coffee, flavoured slightly milder depending on the amount of coffee(percentage) per serve. This provided a cheaper cup of "coffee" drink. This mixture was a spin off from the 1930's Great Depression and the naval blockages of World War II (imports from India and other regional coffee growers) and the scarcity of secure ship supplies. As supplies became more secure "pure" coffee as a drink became available at reasonable costs. This "insignificant" coffee/chicory tin is very significant as it demonstrates that the Kiewa Valley was becoming more accessible to reliable coffee supplies and general food items.This was brought about through reliable roads and an ever increasing population The need for travelling supply caravans to the area, and with the establishment of grocery stores in Tawonga and Mount Beauty the supply of previously "hard to get" groceries vanished. This transition was precipitated by the SEC Vic Hydro Scheme of the 1940's to 1960's which increased the valley population two fold.This container of McKenzie's Coffee and Chicory is made from pressed steel and has a tight fitting lid (steel with a protruding lip to allow finger pressured removal). The tin has one pressed seem (holding the cylinder together). The backdrop of the outside of the tin is "grained" brown painted with dark brown (worn) lettering and central between McKenzie's/Coffee is a figure of an eagle with its wings outstretched. All the letters and figure have been embossed into the tin surface. The weighted contents are listed at a capacity of 1Ib Net.On one side (front) "McKenzie's Coffee and Chicory 1lb Net". On the other side "COFFEE & CHICORY" underneath "Guaranteed under the Victorian Pure Food Act 1905" "No. 1000 guaranteed under the Pure Food Act 1908, N.S.W. by Jas F. McKenzie & Co. Pty Ltd., No. 1000." "No 22 Guaranteed under the Food and Drugs Act 1910 by Jas F. McKenzie Pty. Ltd No. 22 (Tasmania)." Further "No. 1000 Guaranteed under the Health Acts by Jas. F McKenzie & Co. Pty Ltd No. 1000 (Queensland) "Containing not less than 50 percent of coffee." And at the bottom Jas.F. McKENZIE & Co. Pty Ltd Melbourne and Sydney"tin food/drink mild steel containers, food/drink storage containers -
Federation University Historical Collection
Map, British New Guinea, 1893, 1893
The map was surveyed by ship compass, distances by estimation or rate of launch by officers of the Government ; supervised and compiled by J.B. Cameron, G.S. March 1893. This map was in the possession of Charles Carty Salmon (1860-1917), politician, born on 27 July 1860 at Amherst, Victoria. (http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/salmon-charles-carty-8328 ) Although living in Melbourne Charles Carty Salmon kept property at Talbot. The property was leased, then purchased by the donor's family. A copy of "The Goulburn Weir and its Dependent System of Works" and this map (in a government envelope addressed to Salmon) were left at the property. See http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-rm1894-1 .1) Sketch map showing the rivers and an outline of the coast from Long. 144?30'E. to Long. 146?30'E. Gulf of Papua British New Guinea Scale [ca. 1:316,800]. .2) Large envelope addressed to The Hon Charles Carty Salmon M.P., Talbot, Victoria. The map was folded and stored in this envelope. Map extending from Port Bevan to Kaikavau Pt, showing rivers and notes on soil and vegetation. Relief shown by hachures and spot heights. Also available in an electronic version via the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.map-rm1894-1 .1) "Enclosure in Despatch No. 32 of 3rd May 1893 - Appendix G.". "Map no. 4 British New Guinea report 1892-93". .2) "This envelope can only be lawfully used by Government Officials on public business. Any use by Officials on private business, or by others under any circumstances, is punishable." "Commonwealth Celebrations. General Secretary's Office, Melbourne."carty salmon, charles carty salmon, new guinea, j.b. cameron -
St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Archives
Certificate, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne Nurses Training School certificate awarded to Nurse Mary Freitag, 6th June 1910, 06/06/1910
This certificate was issued to Mary Freitag on 6th June 1910 on completion of her three years' training at St. Vincent's Training School for Nurses. It is signed by Mary Berchmans Daly, the Mother Rectress, and by A. E. Rowden-White, the honorary lecturer. Mary Freitag registered as a nurse and then went on to join the Australian Army Nursing Service in June 1917 and was posted to the Deccan War Hospital at Poona, India, which had 1,200 beds. There she tended the wounded soldiers brought from the battlefiends of Mesopotamia (Iraq). In March 1919, Mary then served on the hospital ship Varela before leaving the nursing corps to marry in September 1919.This item is of historical significance as an example of a graduation certificate that was issued to nurses at that time. It is a record of the service of Mary Freitag and it includes the signature of the Mother Rectress, Mary Berchmans Daly.Certificate hard bound in board covered with black leather. Gold lettering and a gold border decorate the front of the cover. The cover folds out to show printed certificate inside. Certificate inside is printed with nurse's name and signatures in black fountain pen.Nurse's name handwritten in black ink on the certificate: "Nurse Mary Freitag" Certificate is signed at the bottom: "A. E. Rowden-White, Mr" Hon. lecturer and "Mary Berchmans Daly", Mother Rectress. "6th June 1910" is written on the lower left of the certificate.nursing, world war i, graduation certificates, australian army nursing service, hospital ship varela, deccan war hospital, st vincent's hospital melbourne -
Victorian Interpretive Projects Inc.
Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni, Sculpture of Portuguese explores at Warrnambool, 02/09/2012
The sculptural installation was a gift from the Portuguese government and presented to Warrnambool City Council. The sculptor, Jose Nuncio, completed the work in 1999, and it was inaugurated at Warrnambool in 2001. Prince Henry the Navigator founded a school of navigation in Sagres, Portugal. This led to navigation techniques that made the 15th century voyages of discovery possible. The vision of Prince Henry brought together ship builders, cartographers, instrument makers and mathematicians. Vasco de Gama rounded the southern tip of Africa and sailed across the Indian Ocean to India in 1496. This started a new era of trade and exploration, expanding the boundaries of the known world, and linking the east with west.Six colour photographs of a sculptural installation at Warrnambool. Busts of Vasco De Gama and Prince Henry the Navigator feature in the installation. Images also include two informative plaques containing information on De Gama and the Prince.warrnambool, exploration, navigator, de gama, prince henry the navigator, portugal, portuguese, david atkinson, john pandazopoulos -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Ring, 1940's
The ring was made for the donor by her father in Camp 3, Tatura. The Wied family were settled in Palestine upon the beginning of WWII. Being of German nationality, they were considered a threat to security by Allied forces & were interned in temporary camps, before being shipped to Australia. In Australia they were interned in Camp 3, Tatura, a family camp for enemy nationals. Many of the internees came with few possessions. This item is just one of the handmade domestic items fashioned in the camp from largely scrap materials to give some home comforts in the initially barren surroundings of the camps, particularly to those interned with families and young children. Small brown metal ring, with a small heart soldered to the ring. camp 3, tatura, world war ii, internment camps -
City of Ballarat
Artwork, other - Public Artwork, Angelo Bertozzi, Spring by Angelo Bertozzi, Circa 1880
Thomas Stoddart (1828 - 1905) bought 12 white marble statues during a visit to Italy. Stoddart arranged for them to be shipped to Victoria and placed on pedestals of Sicilian marble and on bases of Victorian granite. These statues were unveiled in the gardens on Queen Victoria's birthday, 24th May, 1884. His intention was for the statues to adorn and add interest to the gardens. Spring is represented by the image of a young woman who is crowned with a floral wreath and carrying a posy. Her dress is a one-shoulder toga dress in the Greco-Roman style. In ancient times the welcome return of spring was celebrated with lengthy pagan festivals this tradition was adapted into Christians cultures.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratWhite marble figure of a woman wearing a toga dress, floral wreath headress and carrying a posy.Springspring, stoddart, botanic gardens -
City of Ballarat
Artwork, other - Public Artwork, Angelo Bertozzi, Hercules by Angelo Bertozzi, circa 1880
Thomas Stoddart (1828 - 1905) bought 12 white marble statues during a visit to Italy. Stoddart arranged for them to be shipped to Victoria and placed on pedestals of Sicilian marble and on bases of Victorian granite. These statues were unveiled in the gardens on Queen Victoria's birthday, 24th May, 1884. His intention was for the statues to adorn and add interest to the gardens. Stoddart's gift inspired the moves to make Ballarat a "City of Statues". Hercules was is one of the best-known heroes in Greek and Roman mythology. Hercules was renown for his great strength and courage, here he is depicted raising his mighty club and wearing a lion skin as a trophy.The artwork is of aesthetic and historic significance to the people of BallaratMarble figure of a man with raised club and wearing a lion skin around his loinsHerculeshercules, stoddart, botanic gardens -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Equipment - Recognition Plaque
In the early 1920s Australia was gifted six J class submarines from the Royal Navy. These were the latest and largest submarines built by the RN for service in World War I. They were competent but were in service with the Royal Navy for only a short time before the end of the war. Once in Australia they were placed into service but there was little appetite for submarines or in fact any other military endeavour in the early ‘twenties’. The world was exhausted from a long and dirty war followed by a devastating Influenza Epidemic. The J class boats were soon retired and sunk as breakwaters or scuttled in the ship graveyard area off the mouth of Port Phillip Bay.Popular diving sites in Ships Graveyard outside the rip between Point Lonsdale and Barwon HeadsCircular brass plaque inscribed with J5 North Sea 1917 1918 made from a piece of navigational equipment used on the submarine J5 mounted on woodSubmarine J5 North Sea 1917 - 1918j class submarines, j5, ships graveyard, port phillip -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Machine - Link Trainer A13-89, 1942
Historical Details: Serial number DA-389 trainer number D-2-3608, part of the contract DA W535 AC-147, shipped to New York 8-8-1942. Received 1SD 23-11-1942, 7SFTS 1-1-1943, 1SD 27-6-1946, RAAF Station Pt. Cook 9-2-1949.. Description: While it was not the first flight simulator the Link Trainer is, arguably, the most famous. Designed in America by Edward Link in 1936, it was originally intended as a childrens ride for amusement parlours before being adapted as a flight simulator. At. Level of Importance: Regional -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Photograph, Billing, Nathanial
Nathanial Billing was born in Brightwell Oxfordshire England on 5th May 1821. He emigrated to Australia on the ship 'Ballarat' in 1853 on arrival in Victoria he entered Government service and worked in the Warrnambool and Belfast districts until 1857. He then left the Public Service and commenced private practice. In 1850 Nathaniel and Henrietta Heybourne were married on July 17 at Hillingdon Parish, Middlesex, England. In Belfast Victoria he designed St Johns Church of England, the Bank of Australasia, and worked on St Patricks Catholic church from plans by English architect Hansom. He died on January 29 1910 in St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Architect of 3 significant public buildings in Belfast/Port FairyBlack and white portrait of gentleman with black full beard and striped cravatpioneer, settler, portrait, people, architect, st johns church of england,, st patricks catholic church, bank of australasia, nathanial billing -
Melbourne Legacy
Document, Letter from Legatee Donovan Joynt, 1980s
A letter about the Shrine that was sent by Legatee Donovan Joynt to the President. The date is unknown. He outlines concern that buildings that are proposed along St Kilda road will block the view of the Shrine from different perspectives. The original plans of the Shrine being at the Domain site emphasised that it would be visible on many axis, including from a ship passing through the heads of Port Phillip Bay. He accuses Legacy of being lax in fighting for the original plans being upheld and fighting inappropriate development. Was in a binder of documents that is passed from an outgoing President to the incoming President. It is primarily from the 1930s to 1990s. Most documents are being catalogued separately.A record of a concern by a Legatee about the sanctity of the Shrine being encroached upon by inappropriate buildings nearby.White A4 paper x 2 pages with black type of an undated letter from Legatee Donovan to the President.Signed in pencil 'Donovan Joynt'.shrine of remembrance, donovan joynt -
Parks Victoria - Gabo Island Lightstation
Flagpole
Found on a wood heap near the tractor shed. Only the top portion remains. The former fixture is the tapered top section of the wooden flagpole that formerly stood at the front of the head keepers quarters. There is a hole with attached metal pulley near the top which allowed for hoisting the flags to signal passing ships. Signal flags were hoisted on the flagpole and were used to communicate with passing shipping. Messages were then relayed by the overland telegraph line to Eden. Remains of black paint provide evidence of the blackout measures implemented during World War 11. The pole is currently fixed to a stand to allow for its display.The pole remnant has second level significance for its historic value and provenance.Top sction of a flagpole. At the top it is tapered and fashioned into a square section. Near the top of the pole is a hole with a metal pulley inside. There is black and white paint flaking off leaving bare wood. -
Melbourne Legacy
Newspaper - Document, newspaper article, The War I saw: That morning we were spotted by three planes
Story by Cdr Ashley Brown, officer of the watch about an attack by Japanese aircraft on the HMAS Austrlia May 7, 1942. Also an account of an accidental bombing of the ship by the United States Airforce. It was part of a series of articles called 'The War I saw' published in the Herald Sun newspaper. Date unknown. This document was from a file of information about guest speakers (see also 00812-00822 and 00830-00837). So it is assumed that Cdr Ashley-Brown was approached to speak at a Legacy function. Legatees met regularly and had guest speakers to entertain and inform on different subjects at their Tuesday Luncheons. The Programme Committee was responsible for organising the speakers.A record that the speakers at legacy functions came from a wide variety of backgrounds and the subjects spoken on were varied. An eyewitness account of how lucky you can be.Newsprint article, black and white photo of a cruiser shooting at Japanese torpedo bombers, black type.Handwritten Cdr Ashley Brown in blue pen.speakers, world war two -
Bendigo Military Museum
Memorabilia - PHOTOGRAPHS, 1954- 1959 approx
“FARELF” Far East Land Forces (Malaya) “BCFK” British Commonwealth Force Korea. All photos relate to the collection of Francis William (Dinky) DEAN BEM, VX93960 2nd AIF, 3742 1 RAR 1943 - 1975. Refer Cat No 124.2 for his service history.All photos are B & W. (.1 - .4) Three soldiers sitting at a table with one standing looking over. (.5) Soldier throwing water over himself. (.6) Soldier kneeling with an Owen gun aimed. (.7) Soldier cleaning a weapon. (.8) Two soldiers looking out through an aeroplane door. (.9) Soldier, no shirt on aiming a pistol. (.10) Soldier with a dart or rod in his mouth. (.11) Soldier kneeling aiming what appears to be a shotgun. (.12) Soldier inspecting the bar real of an Owen gun. (.13) Soldier inspecting a pistol. (.14 - .15) Two Nurses talking to two soldiers. (.16) Large group of soldiers on the deck of a ship.(.1 - .15) On rear stamped in purple. “Public relations Australian Army Force GHQ FARELF, GUN ....... MC” After GUN on each photo is an individual number. (.16) On rear stamped in purple. “Photo No, please credit to Public relations HQ BCFK” In pencil. “2961”photography, military, korea, malaya -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Set of two flyers and one letter, Mission to Seamen, Sea Sunday October 20th 1985, a. September 1985; b. October 20; c.July 10
One letter (1490.a) and two flyers (b and c) a. A covering letter dated September 1985 to Anglican congregations and their representative on Mission letterhead with a typed message headed Sea Sunday' from Michael Chin, Senior Chaplain. b. Monotone flyer with red colour title 'Your Daily Bread Costs Him His Family Life' depicts bearded man holding photo of woman and child aboard a ship. There are four different associated organisation logos. c. Deep blue three-colour flyer titled 'Remember Seafarers on Sea Sunday; July 10th' features a graphic of a silhouetted figure framed by porthole looking at tanker out to sea; features three logos below. Additional inscriptions and logos: a. The Mission letterhead in blue featuring the Missions to Seamen flag. b. The sub-title 'Sea Sunday Oct 20 is your chance to remember him and his family in your prayers' and featuring four logos; the International Christian Maritime Association circle, the Apostleship of the Sea flag, the British Sailors Society flag and The Missions to Seamen flag. c. The sub-titles 'Seafarers are members of God's family too' and 'The Church serving ALL seafarers' and featuring three logos; The Mission to Seamen flag, the Apostleship of the Sea flag and the British Sailors Society flag.mission to seamen, international christian maritime association, apostleship of the sea, british sailors society, flyer, reverend michael chin, sea sunday, 1985 -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Medal, Mercantile Marine War medal, abt 1918
The Mercantile Marine War Medal was awarded by the Board of Trade of the United Kingdom to members of the Merchant Navy for one or more voyages through a war or danger zone during the course of World War I. Miniature with ribbon. Description of full size medal: A circular, bronze medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. The obverse has a bareheaded effigy of King George V, facing left, with the legend: GEORGIVS V BRITT : OMN : REX ET IND : IMP : The reverse shows a merchant ship ploughing her way through stormy seas, an enemy submarine sinking and a sailing vessel in the background. The base of the reverse has the inscription FOR * WAR * SERVICE / MERCANTILE MARINE / * 1914 - 1918 * in three lines. Around the edge of the rim is a laurel wreath. The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and is coloured green, white (thin middle stripe), and red (represent starboard and port running lights with the masthead steaming light in the centre). medal mercantile marine -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - MAGIC LANTERN COLLECTION: MAGIC LANTERN SLIDES
Wooden box with sliding lid - (bottom of box has a War Cry newspaper clipping dated 9.9.1893). Containing assorted glass antique Circa 1870's - 1900s (produced by Ernst Plank ?). Magic Lantern slides, 1 x red bordered slide - showing initials E.P.- Ernst Plank ? 7 inches x 2 inches -pictures include nursery rhyme / 8 x green bordered slides with ships / 7 x blue bordered slides 7 inches x 2 inches pictures include nursery rhymes / 1 x slide - pink border -6 x 1 1/2 inches (x ref 7535.2)photography, projectors - still -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Photograph board, Seven aerial views of J Kitchen & Sons site, Port Melbourne, J Kitchen & Sons Pty Ltd. Port Melbourne 1951, 1951
Large brown cardboard with seven (7) B&W aerial photographs pasted on it. Taken in 1951. Photo 1 - South East direction with Boundary Street in foreground, Kitchens buildings and Football Ground (cricket being played) Photo 2 - South West direction towards the Bay showing Station and Princes Piers, with ships in the distance. Photo 3 - almost directly above Kitchens Photo 4 - directly above kitchens Photo 5 - looking West including the Yarra River Photo 6 - looking North with Kitchen's storage and football ground in foreground Photo 7 - looking north east with football ground in foregrpound left and Yarra River top right.industry - manufacturing, built environment - industrial, piers and wharves - princes pier, piers and wharves - station pier, sport - australian rules football, sport - cricket, sport - recreational grounds, j kitchen & sons pty ltd, port melbourne football and cricket ground, north port oval -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - JENNY FOLEY COLLECTION: MALTHOUSE
Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from 1999. Malthouse: The Albion Brewery (Steward Brothers), Eaglehawk, circa 1900. The brewery dates back to 1853. James Steward was born in 1830 at Bury-St-Edmonds, Suffolk, England, and was educated in the brewing of ale before he boarded the American ship, the James L. Logert, bound for Australia in 1852. He made his way to the Bendigo diggings where he soon won his share of the precious metal until 1857 when he purchased a brewery in Letherby's Rd, Sailors Gully. The brewery covered five acres, had a house opposite with creeper covered walls and was described as one of the most attractive in the area.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Tramway Board, Dalgety and Co, "Lives of North Melbourne City Section ropes during 1917-18", 1918
Report - six sheets, were paper clipped together, three foolscap (marked 4370A) and two quarto sheets (marked 4370C) titled "Lives of North Melbourne City Section ropes during 1917-18", regarding a claim made through Dalgety and Company (3/1/19 and 6/1/1919) for damage on a section of rope that was on a ship that was sunk by enemy action. Has a three page report on the cable life and insurance claim made by the Tramway Board in 1918, looking at the life of the cable compared to previous ropes. Quite a detailed study made and costs incurred. A small sheet (marked 4370B) has pencil notations - was pinned to the top of the two Dalgety and Co letters..1 - has stamp "Copy to Engineer" in top left hand corner.trams, tramways, cable trams, reports, cables, insurance, world war 1 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - ARTHUR GEORGE HOLLEY PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUM, HMAS Hobart 1941 Mediterranean and early 1942 Singapore
Items in the collection relating to ARTHUR GEORGE HOLLEY no 13556 RAN Refer cat no 2134 for his service record. The photographs are from his personal album, and are mainly official photographs widely available among the services. The photographs are from Australian , British and American sources. This set coincide the Hobart's service in the Mediterranean theatre in 1941 and Singapore in early 1942 Whilst not taken personally, they do capture some of the events he and his Hobart crewmates would have experienced and witnessed.Each description is preceded by an approximate date e.g.1940 06 is June 1940. 1. 1941 German bombs in Mediterranean.jpg 2. 1941 Hobart 2.jpg 3. 1941 Hobart in Bight heavy weather.jpg 4. 1941 Hobart Supermarine Walrus decommissioned June 1941 2.jpg 5. 1941 Hobart Supermarine Walrus decommissioned June 1941 3.jpg 6. 1941 Hobart Supermarine Walrus decommissioned June 1941.jpg 7. 1941 Hobart.jpg 8. 1941 Mediterranean German bombs 1941.jpg 9. 1942 02 Dutch medics Batavia from 013.jpg 10. 1942 02 combat ships under attack 042.jpg hmas hobart, aden, mediterranean theatre, arthur george holley ran, fall of singapore -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Article, Argus newspaper, The propose Seaman's Hospital at Williamstown, 9 June 1852
"A meeting for the purpose of considering the best means of estabishing an Institution of this kind, at the above place was held at the Ship Inn on Monday evening. Charles Ferguson, Esq, being voted to the Chair, briefly stated the intention of the present meeting, and that all must concur as to the necessity of founding same Institution for the relief of the numerous cases daily occuring in this port, amongst so great a number of ships, large at present but small in comparison to what may be expected in a short time. For the last five months ending May 31st, five hundred and eleven vessels en-tered Hobson's Bay, amounting to a tonnage of ninety-five thousand three hundred and seventy-two tons, which, in tho same proportion for twelve months, would give two hundred thousand tons annually and, calculating four men for each one hundred tons, shows that eight thou-sand sailors arrive at this port in the space of a year, for whom, at present, there is no provision made for either sickness or accidents. A lengthened conversation ensued, in th» course of which several instances were pointed out of he great benefit conferred upon the ship ping interest, by the establishment of an hospital at various ports named, and all agreed that such would be a great boon here. After some further discussion as to the wording of the re solution, the following was proposed by Captain Beaseley, and seconded by Captain Goss, «That this meeting is convinced of the necessity exist ing for a Seaman's Hospital, at Williams Town; and that a committee be appointed to draw up a menorial to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, respectfully praying, that a sum of money be placed on the Estimate for the en suing year, fur this purposoe ; and that the memorial be given to William Westgarth, Esq. M.L.C. in order to its presentation, -and that the committee accompany Mr Westgarth at the presenting of the said memorial. This proposi tion was carried unanimously, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to draw up the memorial: Captain Berzeley (Clifton), Captain Ross (Kashemy), Captain Baker (City of Manchester), Captain Goss (Candahar), Capt Luke (Diana), Captain Nicholson (Calphurnia), Captain Hammach (Cambodia); and for carrying out the above, a meeting is appointed to take place on board the Clifton, this day, at four p.m. A vote of thanks to the Chairman being proposed by Thomas Hunt, Esq, and seconded by A. A. Broadfoot, Esq. the meeting adjourned."With the increase of commercial and migrant shipping, it was made obvious that seamen needed specific attention. The hospital in Williamstown was the first attempt to provide such service.argus, seaman's hospital, williamstown, the ship inn, welfare, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868) -
Parks Victoria - Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
Anvil
As quoted from Wikipedia, ‘An anvil is a block with a hard surface on which another object is, struck. The block is as massive as it is practical, because the higher the inertia of the anvil, the more efficiently it causes the energy of the striking tool to be transferred to the work piece’. The lightstation’s anvil is a red-painted iron block with a conical beak or horn at one end that was used for hammering curved pieces of metal. It would have stood on a heavy free-standing pedestal, such as a large tree stump, to allow complete access to the item being hammered. Some anvils display the manufacturer’s name in the metal on the side, but this is not the case here, and its age, although unknown appears to be quite old, perhaps c.1900. It appears to have had a lot of use, and although no record of this survives, it is presumed that a forge operated on site for hammering, cutting, shaping and repairing tools such as bolts, nails, hooks, chain segments, pulley blocks, hinges, crow bars, picks, chisels, horseshoes and harness hardware. A hames hook (which forms part of the collar worn by a draught horse) survives at the lightstation as do many other heavy metal tools and pieces of equipment. The anvil is an example of the necessary resourcefulness and self sufficiency practiced by lightkeepers working and living in a remotely located workplace and home, and many of the iron items in the collection may have been repaired or even made on its working surface. As a lightstation manager Chris Richter used the anvil to manufacture pulley blocks for sash windows, repair brass door hinges & sharpen cold chisels, crowbars and picks and other lightkeepers have used this anvil for many fabricating jobs such as manufacturing ducting for the generator room ventilation system."The lightship only came in every three months with supplies and there would have been repairs to do between visits from a blacksmith - who would have had to travel on the ship. Also, the ship was only anchored in the bay long enough to unload supplies and collect and deliver lightkeeping staff – probably not enough time to get much smithy work done – especially if the weather packed it in and the ship had to depart. Lightkeepers in our time had to be self sufficient, resourceful and innovative and I imagine that would have been the case in the past." It has second level contributory significance.Red painted blacksmith's anvil. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ceramic - Tile, circa 1878
This Minton floor tile is from the wreck of the LOCH ARD along with other examples of this manufacture recovered from the wreck site and form part of the collection at Flagstaff Hill. The iron-hulled clipper ship from the Loch Line was heading for Port Phillip from London when it ran into the cliffs of Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell and was wrecked on June 1st, 1878. The LOCH ARD was laden with high-value cargo including luxury goods intended for display at the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. One notable survivor from the ship’s freight manifest was the well-packed Minton porcelain peacock, a two-metre-high ceramic masterpiece of vivid glazed colours. The almost total loss of life and property from the LOCH ARD registered as a shocking tragedy for the Colony of Victoria, at a time when social confidence and economic optimism were otherwise high. The wealth generated from Gold and Wool was increasingly being spent on grandiose private residences and imposing public buildings. The demand for quality furnishings and fittings was therefore strong. Among the products consigned to burgeoning colonial markets by the Milton Pottery at Stoke upon Trent, were their new range of colourfully patterned but very durable floor tiles – ideal for the high-traffic spaces in the large civic buildings then being constructed in Australia and America. These new floor tiles were “encaustic”, meaning that their designs and colours were encased “within” the depth of the tile. Rather than their decorative patterns being glazed onto the surface of the tile, their inlaid designs were created during the manufacturing process, as “coloured slips” (or liquid clay) were poured into a deep pre-moulded casting. When fired, the resulting tile was colour-fast and design-fast. A brief history of the Loch Ard (1873-1878): - The sailing ship Loch Ard was one of the famous Loch Line ships that sailed from England to Australia. Barclay, Curdle and Co. built the three-masted iron vessel in Glasgow in 1873. It had sailed 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 recently married, 29-year-old Captain Gibbs. It 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, and a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. Other cargo included items intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The Loch Ard had been sailing for three months and was close to its destination on June 1, 1878. Captain Gibbs had expected to see land at about 3 am but the Loch Ard ran into a fog that greatly reduced visibility and there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. The fog lifted at 4 am and the sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast were much closer to them than Captain Gibbs expected. He tried to manage the vessel but failed and the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. The top deck loosened from the hull, and the masts and rigging crashed down, knocking passengers and crew overboard. The lifeboat was launched by Tom Pearce but crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. He clung onto its overturned hull and sheltered under it. He drifted out to sea and the tide brought him back to what is now called Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore and found a cave for shelter. A passenger, Eva Carmichael, had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening and was confronted by towering cliffs above the ship. She was soon swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He swam out and dragged her to the shelter of the cave. He revived her with a bottle of brandy from a case that had washed up on the beach. Tom scaled a cliff in search of help and followed some horse hoof prints. He came from two men from Glenample Station, three and a half miles away. He told the men of the tragedy and then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. They reached Loch Ard Gorge and took the two shipwreck survivors 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 and was presented with a medal and some money. 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. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. 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 artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The Minton floor tile is significant for its hard-wearing yet attractive design. The shipwreck of the LOCH ARD is of State significance. Victorian Heritage Register S417. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best-known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. A square Minton floor tile with a black and apricot pattern against a chocolate brown background. There is a large chip missing. This decorative floor tile was recovered from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD. On the back, or base, of the tile is inscribed the number “46” and the letters “Minton & Co Patent Stoke upon Trent”.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, encaustic tile, melbourne international exhibition, floor tile, minton floor tile -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Vessel - Sailing Ship, Original image taken between 14 November 1908 and early January 1909
The photograph was taken towards the ESE from Peterborough headland. It reproduces an original landscape view of the FALLS OF HALLADALE shipwreck which occurred at 3 am on 14 November 1908 (and confirms that the vessel was on an ENE tack at the time of the collision). The image includes three groups of formally dressed Edwardian sightseers on the cliff top and an adjacent rock ledge. Subsequent versions of this well-known image are usually cropped to present a striking portrait view, emphasising the vertical lines of the ship’s masts and sails, and excluding the groups of sightseers on the right hand of the original image. The small girl in the foreground and the loose sail on the foremast are common to both the landscape and edited portrait versions of this memorable scene. The photograph was taken at an early stage of the ship’s final days, somewhere between the date of her grounding in mid-November 1908 and early January 1909 (when salvagers began dynamiting her iron masts so they could get to the valuable cargo still in her holds). Firmly wedged between two parts of the reef and with all of her square-rigged sails fully set, the FALLS OF HALLADALE provided a spectacle for many miles along the coast. Over these weeks she attracted hundreds of sightseers, and photographers, before the pounding seas finally broke her weakened hull and she disappeared back into deeper waters. The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale, was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual beautiful green American slates (roofing tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. ABOUT THE ‘FALLS OF HALLADALE’ (1886 - 1908) Built: in1886 by Russell & Co., Greenock shipyards, River Clyde, Scotland, UK. The company was founded in 1870 (or 1873) as a partnership between Joseph Russell (1834-1917), Anderson Rodger and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co., they standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships over that time. In 1886 they introduced a 3000 ton class of sailing vessel with auxiliary engines and brace halyard winches. In 1890 they broke the world output record. Owner: Falls Line, Wright, Breakenridge & Co, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Configuration: Four masted sailing ship; iron-hulled barque; iron masts, wire rigging, fore & aft lifting bridges. Size: Length 83.87m x Breadth 12.6m x Depth 7.23m, Gross tonnage 2085 ton Wrecked: the night of 14th November 1908, Curdies Inlet, Peterborough south west Victoria Crew: 29The shipwreck of the FALLS OF HALLADALE is of state significance: Victorian Heritage Register No. S255. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976). The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).Photograph; sepia-toned black and white, mounted on grey card. Image of a fully rigged sship, the Falls of Halladale, stranded near the shore with a group of people in the foreground seated on the ground. The photograph is well-worn. Description of Image: Quadrant 01, vessel with full set of sails perched on reef with stern submerged; Quadrant 02, predominantly clear sky over flat calm sea; Quadrant 03, two groups of standing sightseers on rocky promontory with three individuals approaching from left foreground; Quadrant 04, fifteen well-dressed sightseers seated on grassed cliff top including one child and six women. There is a deliberately obscured inscription in white ink along the lower border or foreground of the photograph.Lettering of white uppercase in grassed foreground of initial image is smudged out by subsequent development process and largely indecipherable. However pencilled writing on rear of card ― “Mrs Francis” and “Wreck of ‘Falls of Halladale’ Peterborough 1908”.flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, peterborough reef, shipwreck photograph, falls of halladale, warrnambool, flagstaff hill, shipwrecked image, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwrecked coast, maritime museum, edwardian sightseers, shipwreck spectacle, photograph, mrs francis, wreck of falls of halladale, peterborough 1908, 1908, peterorough, shipwreck -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Line throwing pistol, 1925-1945
This is a SPRA, or Schermuly’s Pistol Rocket Apparatus. The large firearm type pistol would have been used to throw a line between ships, usually in the event of saving lives. The line throwing pistol consists of a long barrel with handle attached, a pistol grip and trigger, which fires a short blank cartridge. Accessories for the pistol included: flares, 12 gauge adaptor (to shoot 12 gauge flares), a wood plunger, and boxes of faked line. The stamp on the handle, Crown over "NP" is a Birmingham Proof House mark that dates the pistol between 1904 and 1954. However Schermuly's line throwing pistol was invented in the 192s and used on British Naval Ships from 1929. The serial number '22507' is only 806 numbers later than one on sale as a British Military WWII issue SRPA '21701'. This pistol appears to be made 125-1945. The apparatus was used as a life saving device for crew and passengers on vessels in distress that were only a few hundred metres from shore, often eliminating the need to launch a boat and risk lives to go out to the vessel in dangerous conditions. It could also be used from ship to ship rescue. The pistol would launch a line from shore to the vessel. The line would be attached to the vessel, then shore crew would send out equipment, including a breeches buoy, in which the stranded people could be pulled to shore. It has saved many lives at sea. The cartridge is loaded into the breech of the pistol and the rocket is inserted into the muzzle. On pulling the trigger, the gases generated by the fired cartridge eject the rocket on its correct line of flight, and at the same time, burst through the waterproof disc and ignite the propellant mixture, which carries the rocket and line on the remainder of the flight. The rocket consists of a weldless steel case filled with propellant mixture sealed in by a waterproof disc. Fixed to the rocket case is a direction bridle, to the end of which a short length of flexible steel wire is attached, this in turn being connected to the end of the line to be thrown. A complete rocket set, or line throwing kit. would include a wood carrying case, two coils of faked line in separate compartments, three rockets and a can of six cartridges. William Schermuly (1857 – 1929) - Founder of the Schermuly business. In 1897 he invented a trough-fired, line throwing apparatus. In 1920 he and his third son, Alfred James Schermuly, invented the pistol rocket apparatus and promoted this overseas during the 1920s. The system was approved by the British Navy in 1929 through an Act of Parliament, which made it compulsory for ships over 500 tons to carry this equipment. The company, Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Ltd., grew quickly during and after World War II but business eased off during the 1970s before it eventually closed in the 1990s. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. This line-throwing pistol is part of he Rocket Launching Equipment used to perform life-saving rescue at sea from the 1920s. It is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Pistol, line-throwing, SPRA (Schermuly's Pistol Rocket Apparatus). This line throwing pistol has a wooden pistol grip, brass trigger mechanism, and a long, wide, steel barrel with Bakelite handle attached to the top. Inscriptions are stamped onto the pistol.Stamped on handle: "5" and "[symbol of a Crown] above NP" , "22507", "[within oval] SPRA" Stamped on barrel: "L22507".gun, pistol, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, line throwing, line throwing pistol, spra, schermuly's pistol rocket apparatus, sea rescue, pyrotechnicks, marine technology, schermuly pistol rocket apparatus ltd., william schermuly, alfred schermuly, pistol line thrower, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, beach rescue set, rocket set, schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, pistol rocket apparatus, line throwing cartridge, line-throwing rocket, firearm, life saving, lsrc -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Canvas Bag, mid-to-late 19th century
This drawstring canvas bag is amongst the Rocket Rescue equipment. It could have been used to carry equipment, clothing or provisions between the crew on the shore and the victims of a shipwreck or other rescue need. It could be worn on the shoulder or as a backpack or winched out to a vessel on the block and pulley system. The strong canvas could be weatherproof and waterproof to a large extent, provided the drawstring was pulled tight. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. Rocket Rescue Method - The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to a rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy apparatus was in use. The apparatus was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. The British Board of Trade published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a lightweight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A tally board was then sent out to the ship with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line, then secure the attached whip block to the mast or other sturdy part of the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser was then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. Beach apparatus equipment - In the mid-1800s the equipment could include a line throwing set, coiled line in a wooden carrying case, rockets, cartridges, breeches buoy, hawser and traveller block, line-throwing pistol, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, crotch pole, and tools such as spade, pick, mallet and hawser cutter. Around the 1860s Warrnambool had a Rocket House installed beside the Harbour. This canvas bag is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Canvas bag; thick beige canvas bag, cylindrical with a round base. The top has a thin rope in a drawstring closure. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, survival kit, rescue kit, canvas bag, storage bag, carry bag, equipment bag, drawerstring bag -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Line faking box, Government of Victoria, 1860s
The rocket line faking box with lid has a frame inside with a specifically designed perimeter of faking pegs. The rocket shot line has been faked, or skilful wound, around these pegs to prevent it from tangling. The line is stored in the box, ready for attaching to the line throwing rocket. Some line faking boxes have a false base that is removed before firing the line-throwing pistol, leaving the line to feed out from the box when the rocket is fired. After the line is attached to the rocket the box tilted slightly and faced towards the wreck to allow it to be freely dispatched. The equipment often includes more that one faking box to make allowance for possible errors, broken lines or the need for a heavier line. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it. In 1858 the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for lifeboat stations in Victoria, and in 1864 a rocket house was built to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Rocket Rescue Method - The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. The British Board of Trade published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A tally board was then sent out to the ship with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line, then secure the attached whip block to the mast or other sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser was then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. This rocket line faking box is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Rocket line faking box with loose fitting lid, painted blue on the outside. Rectangular box has two rope handles within wooden rope holders fixed onto each long side and one at each end. The box has a hook and ring at the base each end for releasing the top from the inserted faking frame. The line faking frame is inside the box. It has seventeen wooden pegs along each long side of the frame and three pegs along each short side. A continuous length of rocket line has been faked around the pegs in a specific pattern.flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, maritime accidents, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, rocket apparatus, beach apparatus, petticoat breeches, breeches buoy, rocket house, rocket shed, lifeboat men, rocket equipment, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, marine technology, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, beach rescue set, traveller, hawser, faking, faking box, faked line, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, breakwater, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket rescue method, rocket rescue apparatus, shore to ship, italian hemp, line-throwing pistol, line throwing cartridge, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, tally board, light line, whip line, endless whip, petticoat buoy, traveller chair, traveller block, her majesty’s coast guard, harbour board, line thrower, line throwing, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, hawser cutter, life jacket, faking board, welsh hand barrow, rocket set, rocket line faking box, faking frame