'Paddle Tennis' set in red box with a lid label featuring image of game played on street before a crowd. Contains two solid wood paddles a string net and two rubber balls. Materials: Cardboard, Ink, Wood, Metal, Natural fibre, Felt, Bonetennis

A black and white photograph of Engineers from 17 Construction Squadron, build a bridge across on of the many creeks and streams which had been previously destroyed by NVA/VietCong forces and some as long ago as the war with the French. These bridges were built with solid steel foundations.photograph, 17 const sqn, nva/vc, gibbons collection catalogue

Two photos of the statue at the Shrine of a man and a donkey. It was erected in commemoration of the valour and compassion of the Australian solider by the Red Cross Society. These photos were taken at the same time as views of the Legacy Garden and the plaques at the base of trees at the Shrine of Remembrance. Photos were in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1983 to 1991.A record of a statue at the Shrine.Colour photo x 2 of the 'Man with the Donkey' statue at the Shrine of Remembrance.Printed on reverse 'shrine of remembrance, statue

Cross country boots are no longer attached to the ski by three holes hooked onto 3 'nails'. Very dark brown solid leather boots with 3 steel loops each side on the lower and 2 steel hooks on the upper section of the opening. The tongue is high and padded. The laces are thick and yellow. The sole is a thick rubber with 3 toe holes (to attach to skis) at the front end.Outer side: embossed 'V'. Inside tongue: 'Vasque / Boots'. Bottom of sole: 'Vibram / 'Made in Italy'cross country boots, skiing boots, falls creek, snow, cross country skiing

Glass bottles and glass jars are in many households around the world. The first glass bottles were produced in south-east Asia around 100 B.C. and the Roman Empire around 1 AD. America's glass bottle and glass jar industry were born in the early 1600s when settlers in Jamestown built the first glass-melting furnace. The invention of the automatic glass bottle blowing machine in 1880 industrialized the process of making bottles. In 2019, plans were made to re-introduce milk glass bottle deliveries to Auckland in early 2020 The earliest bottles or vessels were made by ancient man. Ingredients were melted to make glass and then clay forms were dipped into the molten liquid. When the glass cooled off, the clay was chipped out of the inside leaving just the hollow glass vessel. This glass was very thin as the fire was not as hot as modern-day furnaces. The blowpipe was invented around 1 B.C. This allowed molten glass to be gathered at the end of the blowpipe and blown into the other end to create a hollow vessel. Eventually, the use of moulding was introduced, followed by the invention of the semi-automatic machine called the Press and Blow. In 1904 Michael Owens invented the automatic bottle machine. Before this time most glass bottles in England were hand blown. This is one of four bottles in our Collection that were recovered by a local diver from the quarantine area just inside the Port Phillip Heads. Ships were required to pull into this area to check for diseases etc before they could head up to Melbourne. Quite often they would drink and throw the bottles overboard. Handmade glass bottle, manufactured in the 1850s-1900s. The bottle gives a snapshot into history and a social life that occurred during the early days of Melbourne's development and the sea trade that visited the port in those days. 1850's Pontiled Black Glass Stout/Porter/Ale Beer Bottle, solid colour brown glass,concave base with Pontil scar, tapering slightly wider towards shoulder then inwards towards neck; ring of glass just below opening cork and wire type.Label "c.1850's "Stubby ale" hand made in England flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, brown glass bottle, handmade glass bottle, handmade beer bottle, handmade late 19th century bottle

This bottle is sometimes referred to as a black glass 'Gallon' bottle. It is used for storing and transporting liquor such as port or madeira. Glass bottles and glass jars are in many households around the world. The first glass bottles were produced in south-east Asia around 100 B.C. and the Roman Empire around 1 AD. America's glass bottle and glass jar industry were born in the early 1600s when settlers in Jamestown built the first glass-melting furnace. The invention of the automatic glass bottle blowing machine in 1880 industrialized the process of making bottles. In 2019, plans were made to re-introduce milk glass bottle deliveries to Auckland in early 2020. The earliest bottles or vessels were made by ancient man. Ingredients were melted to make glass and then clay forms were dipped into the molten liquid. When the glass cooled off, the clay was chipped out of the inside leaving just the hollow glass vessel. This glass was very thin as the fire was not as hot as modern-day furnaces. The blowpipe was invented around 1 B.C. This allowed molten glass to be gathered at the end of the blowpipe and blown into the other end to create a hollow vessel. Eventually, the use of moulding was introduced, followed by the invention of the semi-automatic machine called the Press and Blow. In 1904 Michael Owens invented the automatic bottle machine. Before this time most glass bottles in England were hand blown. This is one of four bottles in Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum collection that were recovered by a local diver from the quarantine area just inside the Port Phillip Heads. Ships were required to pull into this area to check for diseases and other medical issues before they could head up to Melbourne. Quite often they would drink and throw the bottles overboard. Handmade glass bottle, manufactured in the 1850s. The bottle gives a snapshot into history and a social life that occurred during the early days of Melbourne's development and the sea trade that visited the port in those days. Bottle, glass, solid dark purple (black), round, matt surface. Glass ring below mouth, neck is slightly bulbous, body tapers slightly inward from shoulder to base. Base is concave with pontil mark. Bottle has no inscription. Generally used for storing port.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, handmade bottle, handmade english beer bottle, pontil bottle, black glass, gallon, purple bottle, ale bottle, porter bottle

Chair donated to Melbourne City Mission (probably in 1941) by Mrs RODDA of Williamstown and used at the Port Branch (Jubilee Hall) until its closure . From the 1950s it was used by Sister Norma BARNETT, who kept it until her death. It then went to her 'sister' Janne RAY, and on her death to Janne's daughter Tracey RAY. She donated this plus related items to PMHPS in 2017 (refer 1506 and 3906).01 - solid wooden chair with peaked/pointed shaped back. Arms have rounded ends. Upright section of chair has two indented pieces and a small 4 leaf shape under the top of the point with a small brass plaque attached under it. .02 - Cushion - velourOn plaque "Presented to the Port Melbourne Branch of the Melbourne City Mission in loving memory of my husband N.P.Rodda. Died 28th November 1941 at Williamstown. A life lived for others. Lead kindly light.religion - melbourne city mission, sister norma jean barnett, jubilee hall, tracey jane ray, janne ray

A 'Defiance' tennis racquet with oval non-bevelled head, solid convex throat and fishtail handle. String whipping around shoulders and model name imprinted across throat on obverse. Two deep furrows on handle. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Gut, String, Painttennis

A Pastime tennis racquet, featuring: solid convex throat; gut stringing; fine-grooved handle; and leather end wrap and cloth butt cover. Decal of model name features across throat, on obverse. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Leather, Gut, Cloth, Inktennis

A Wright and Ditson "The Club" tilt-top tennis racquet, with: solid, convex throat; smooth, rounded handle; and leather end wrap and butt cover. Inscription across crown and throat on obverse: "THE CLUB"/WRIGHT & DITSON/BOSTON. Materials: Wood, Gut, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Leathertennis

In 1906 and 1907, students were taught to write with the letters joined. To achieve this booklets were designed to enable the student to copy the example and to repeat this, often to gain perfection. A student could be practising his/her writing while the teacher attended to other students and/or classes.Oliver Fisher lived at Mongan's Bridge a small, remote, rural area in the Kiewa Valley.Soft covered small booklet - grubby blue on back and very faded 'blue' on front with black writing. Held together with 2 staples. "For Tracing with lead pencil or pen. / Introductory Book, Price One penny" Writing surrounded by fancy graphics. Border is thick but not solid black line.Inside book letters have been copied but joined up to practice writing eg. m m m and then mu mu mu Each page is different. On some pages the date has been writteneducation, writing, mongan's bridge, oliver fisher, school

This doll's leg was one of a set of artefacts recovered from the shipwreck of the Loch Ard that were donated together. The doll's leg could have been from the ship's cargo or personal effects. Dolls from this era were often made from fabric, which would have quickly deteriorated in the ocean. Ceramic limbs were joined to the body by tightening the fabric around the grooves on the limbs. There are other doll's limbs in our collection that were recovered from the Loch Ard The object is now one of the shipwreck artefacts in Flagstaff Hill’s Mc Culloch Collection, which includes items recovered from the wrecks of the Victoria Tower (wrecked in 1869) and Loch Ard (wrecked in 1878). They were salvaged by a diver in the early 1970s from the southwest coast of Victoria. Advanced marine technology had enabled divers to explore the depths of the ocean and gather its treasures before protective legislation was introduced by the Government. The artefacts were donated to Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) by a passionate shipwreck lover and their locations were verified by Bruce McCulloch. In 2017 the Department repatriated them to Flagstaff Hill where they joined our vast collection of artefacts from Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast.The Loch Ard: - The three-masted, square-rigged iron ship Loch Ard belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. The ship was built in Glasgow in 1873. The Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. The Loch Ard: - The Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo included straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that were intended for display in the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition, including the famous Loch Ard Peacock. On June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land but visibility was reduced by fog. As it lifted, the sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came much closer than expected. The captain was unable to steer away and the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. The top deck was loosened from the hull, the masts and rigging came down and knocked passengers and crew overboard, and even the lifeboat crashed into the side of the ship and capsized. Of the 54 people on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael. The well-packed Minton porcelain peacock also survived, safe inside its crate. Much of the cargo was washed up, smashed and broken, and some was salvaged. Other cargo is still with the wreck at the base of Mutton Bird Island, now protected by Government law. The artefact is an example of cargo or personal items on board a ship in 1878. It provides a reference point for classifying and dating similar items. This artefact is significant for its association with the sailing ship Loch Ard, one of the best-known, and one of the worst, shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. 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. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history. Doll's leg, cream-coloured ceramic leg with two seams, a flat solid top and a glazed green ankle-length heeled boot. A shallow groove runs around the leg just below the top. An inscription is stamped into the leg below the groove. Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Inscribed "2"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, wreck dive, mcculloch collection, bruce mcculloch, loch ard, 1878, loch line, victorian heritage register, sailing ship, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, migrant ship 1878, cargo ship 1878, doll's leg, ceramic doll leg, porcelain doll leg, doll's limb, 1870s doll, 1870's toy, ceramic limb from doll, children's toy, children's recreation, doll's leg with green boot

The lectern is part of the original furnishings of St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown, Victoria. The church was operated by the Missions to Seamen organisation. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This lectern is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The lectern is historically significant for its connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. The connection of this lectern to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Solid wooden Lectern on two supporting legs. Top section has an angled back and small shelf at front, designed to support a bible. The two legs are supported by decorative wooden bar. The two legs have decorative feet. There appears to be a rectangular label in the centre front of the small shelf.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religion, religious service, church furniture, religious furniture, lectern

Silver plaque mounted on solid wood depicting seven fighter jets, five at top, one flying downwards with a dragon in the cockpit, one at bottom with a full length dragon atop of fighter jet. Sgn Ld Alan r Reed is a Life member of the Grand Order Of tap DragonsFor head-sup, hook-down excellence in the emergency snaggin' and draggin' of the nylon tape of the land-based aircraft arresting equipment at Tan Son Nhut, Vietnam on 21st Sept 1968plaque, alan reed, tan son nhut

A wooden tennis racquet, apparently manufactured by Feltham, with extreme tilt-top head; solid convex throat; gold ribbon collar (now missing); and fine-grooved rounded handle. Impressed across throat on obverse: HENRY V. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Gut, Glue, Ribbontennis

A wooden tennis racquet with solid convex throat fixed with one metal bolt. Head shape is oval though top slightly flattened. Rounded handle with 'Fish head' end. Trace remains of silver decal on throat (indecipherable). Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Gut, Inktennis

A wooden tennis racquet with solid convex throat. Octagonal handle with leather end wrap. Model name: 'THE MSD' imprinted across throat on obverse. Along throat on reverse is imprinted: MADE FOR/MELBOURNE SPORTS DEPOT/MADE IN ENGLAND. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Leather, Guttennis

A wooden racquet with a solid, convex throat and a fine-grooved handle. Decal across throat on obverse: FAVORITE. Decal of company trademark across throat on reverse, inscription in front of large 'W' reading: THOS.E.WILSON & CO. Materials: Wood, Gut, Metal, Ink, Lacquer, Glue, Leather, Clothtennis

A wooden racquet with a solid, convex throat and a fine-grooved handle. Decal across throat on obverse: FAVORITE. Decal of company trademark across throat on reverse, inscription in front of large 'W' reading: THOS.E.WILSON & CO. Materials: Wood, Gut, Metal, Ink, Lacquer, Glue, Leather, Clothtennis

A Spalding 'Union Club' flat-top tennis racquet, featuring: solid concave throat; bevelled head; and fine-grooved, slender octagonal handle. Model name, and Spalding logo within ball trademark impressed across throat on obverse. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Guttennis

Register: faded patterned maroon cover with solid maroon binding on spine. Lined pages containing registration details of residence Sandhurst district, Sandhurst Division. Alphabetical index with smaller pages loose inside front cover. Dates from 26 June 1893 to 5 October 1894.place, bendigo, sandhurst, land sales, residence areas register

Originally had corrugated iron roof, additions to house in 1950's, internal alterations, roof tiled.Colour photograph of a Californian Bungalow style dwelling at 15 Barkes Avenue. Outer walls of timber and cement render. Tiled roof has hips and valleys, gables above the veranda. Brick and concrete solid square veranda columns. Upper windows with leaded quarries. Lakes Entrance Victoriahouses, heritage study

Notes give history of the SEC's operation of the tramway, the reconditioning, their condition, lack of capital expenditure, rolling stock and track age, possible abandonment, but finally, we must solider on. Appears to have been written for staff and explain the lack of capital expenditure on the system, but we must continue to run a safe and reliable system.Yields a information about the history of the SEC in Bendigo. Almost apologetic in its tone in not spending enough money on the tramway system. Gives notes about the overall engineering status of the system.Typed statements (1 to 11) on two foolscap sheets, carbon copy, titled "Bendigo Tramway Service - Notes" about the Bendigo Tramways, the SEC's position and status. Dated 27-7-1959, with initials ACS.VMcC in top right hand corner. In top right hand corner in black ink "BTPS 405"trams, tramways, bendigo, sec, maintenance, reports

MMTB bus No. 16, Thornycroft J chassis, body by James Motors. For details of the chassis see MMTB Drawing R1912, Has the driver, an Inspector and Conductor standing alongside the bus on the Melbourne to Elsternwick via High Street route. Note the solid tyres and the small windscreen providing some limited protection to the driver. Yields information about the second MMTB Thorncroft buses.Black and white photograph of the MMTB No. 16 with an Inspector and crew. Smaller print held as well.tramways, buses, mmtb, thornycroft, crews, inspectors

Sad irons, also called flat irons or smoothing irons, are shaped pieces of metal that are flat and polished on one side and have a handle attached to the other, created for the purpose of de-wrinkling fabric. “Sad” is an Old English word for “solid,” and the term “sad iron” is often used to distinguish the largest and heaviest of flat irons.This iron is representative of the domestic appliances used throughout Australia up until electricity became widely available for domestic use.A small cast iron flat iron. The triangular shape of the iron made it easier to iron around buttonsdomestic appliances, flat irons, sad irons

Three Australian soldiers in World War 1 uniforms. Two are holding rifles with bayonets, the officer in the centre holds a Union Jack flag. The solider on the left has a VC medal as well as first world war medals. The link with Legacy is unknown but Legacy was founded by men who had served in World War 1. The photo is an example of first World War uniforms and equipment.Black and white photo of three soldiers from World War 1 mounted on dark grey cardboard.A degraded label on the back says 'Picture / Framers / ? / Beaments(?) / Camberwell / Glenferrie ?'world war one, soldiers, uniforms

Used by workers in the Kiewa Valley.Formerly KV110. 3 quarters of an inch diameter and 9 inches long and made of solid steel. Used to cut and shear hard materials such as metal and masonry. The descriptor cold means that metal is not preheated before using the tool. It is ideal for cutting through thick metal stock when a hacksaw is unsuitable.cold chisel, metal work, tool

This toy monkey was part of the cargo from the Fiji and amongst the articles salvaged from the wreck. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are bisque (or china) toys, (including miniature animals, limbs from small bisque dolls), rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife. This toy monkey is classified as Fiji 5 on the SWR Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents 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 Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. China toy monkey salvaged from the wreck of the Fiji. The monkey is in a seated pose with its arms around its knees. This solid, moulded toy is made of bisque (sometimes described as bisque or porcelain) and the material is an pinkish brown colour with darker orange in its lap. The surface is worn and slightly pitted.1891, china, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, porcelain, moonlight head, wreck bay, cargo, bisque, toys, miniature animals, monkey