On 18 June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne 12 March 1854 was usually known as 'T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton has a cottage built at Point Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family had stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy No.4 of set of 27 - Irene Burrows Morton (Rene). Miss Davey, (music teacher) and Dolly Holder in swimming costumes at beachholder, dolly, davey, miss, morton, irene burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 5 of set of 27 - Family group at seaside outside beach box: Dorothy Morton, Thomas Richards Burrowes Morton, Cousin George, Miss Davey (music teacher), Louisa Morton (under umbrella), Doll, Dr Yule, Stan and Rene. 1913morton thomas richards burrowes, morton, louisa mary esther, rene, holder, doll, yule, dr., stan, davey, miss

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 6 of set of 27 - Stan Holder, at back of swing, Rene Morton and Tommie (son of Frank Holder) on swingholder, stan, tommie, frank, morton, irene burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 7 of set of 27 - Stan Holder, Doll (Mrs Frank Holder), Rene and Miss Davey (music teacher) at the beachholder, stan, doll, morton, rene, davey, miss

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 8 of set of 27 - Family group at beach. Six adults and 1 child; no details givenmorton, thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 9 of set of 27 - Stan B. Holder holding Tommie Holder, son of Dolly and Frank Holderholder, stan b., dolly, frank, tommie

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 10 of set of 27 - Family group sitting on beach. Man in World War 1 uniform part of group. No details given.morton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 11 of set of 27 - Tommie Holder as a child on Dorrington verandah. (Ref. Dorrington see History)holder, tommie

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 12 of set of 27 - Bobbie Holder as child, with Thomas Richards Burrowes Morton at beach.morton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 13 of set of 27 - Rene James with Bobbie Holder as child at beachjames, rene, holder, bobbie

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 14 of set of 27 - Woman and child at beach. Unnamed. Inscription: 'First attempt to stand'morton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 15 of set of 27 - Jack and Tommie Holder at beachholder, jack, tommie

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 16 of set of 27 - Unnamed child at beach. Inscription: 'Tasting the water'morton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 17 of set of 27 - Bobbie and Jack at the beach, naked. Surnames not recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 18 of set of 27 - Bobbie and Jack (dressed) at beach. Surnames not recorded.morton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 19 of set of 27 - Jack as a small child at beach. No surname recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 20 of set of 27 - Dorothy aged 5 months on verandah of Dorrington (See History for Dorrington) No surname recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 21 of set of 27 - Jack and Bob as children in canoe, 'Swan'. No surnames recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 22 of set of 27 - Dorothy as small child at beach. No surname recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 23 of set of 27 - Dorothy and Bob James as children at beach, with Billy the dogmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 24 of set of 27 - Dorothy as child at beach. No surname recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 25 of set of 27 - Bob, Dorothy and Jack in swimming costumes at beach. No surnames recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 26 of set of 27 - Dorothy in canoe at seaside. No surname recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

On 18th June 1853 the 839 ton ship 'Earl of Charlemont' was wrecked near Barwon Heads. Her 450 passengers and crew struggled ashore without loss of life. Among them were John and Anne Morton, their 3 sons and 5 daughters. Before leaving Ireland, their eldest son George Pickering Morton, had married Anne Eliza Burrowes. Their son, Thomas Richard Burrowes Morton, born in Melbourne on 12 March 1854, was usually known as ' T.R.B.' Aged 26 he married Louisa Mary Esther Morgan. In 1909 Louisa Morton had a cottage built at Points Lonsdale and named it 'Dorrington', surname of her Welsh Grandmother. During previous holidays the family stayed at the 'Terminus'. They travelled by train from Blackburn to Port Melbourne, paddle-steamer to Queenscliff and horse-bus to Point Lonsdale.Black and white copy, No. 27 of set of 27 - Dorothy and Bob in the water at beach. No surnames recordedmorton thomas richards burrowes

A sheave is a pulley with a grooved wheel for holding a belt, wire rope, or rope. The grooved wheel spins on an axle or bearing inside the frame of the block. This allows the wire or rope to move freely minimizing friction and wear on the cable. Sheaves can be used to redirect a cable or rope, lift loads, and transmit power. The words sheave and pulley are sometimes used interchangeably. The sheave was recovered at the time of the discovery of the Loch Ard wreck site in the 1970s. History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Pulley sheave; round wooden block with metal disc in centre. Metal disc has large central machined hole and three equidistant small holes closer to the edge. Part of the rope groove is uneven. Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Noneflagstaff 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, pulley sheave, pulley, ship rigging

This design of ink bottle was commonly referred to as a ‘penny ink well’ because it was very inexpensive to produce. It is also known as a dwarf ink bottle. Pen and ink has been in use for hand writing from about the seventh century up until the mid-20th century up until around the mid-19th century a quill pen made from a bird’s feather was used. In the 1850s the steel point pen was invented and could be manufactured on machines in large quantities. In the 1880s a successful portable fountain pen was designed, giving a smooth flowing ink and ease of use replacing the quill or dip pen. History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from "Loch Ard" a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen, and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead, and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Lochard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy that had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost families in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce, and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Lochard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Lochard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Lochard Gorge. Cargo and artefact's have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.This ink well is historically significant as it represents methods of hand written communication that were still common up until the mid-20th century, when fountain pens and ballpoint pens took over in popularity and convenience. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefact's from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefact's from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collection's objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.Stoneware penny Ink bottle ironstone salt-glazed, stoneware cylindrical shape with small mouth and squat neck, broad shoulders brown colour, . with light coloured encrustation spots.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill 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, penny ink well, writing equipment, domestic, stoneware, clay, ceramic, pottery, ink well, inkwell, ink bottle, dip pen, ink, hand writing, business, vintage, dwarf ink

The Asiatic Pheasant pattern is a transfer design and was the most popular design of the 18th & 19th centuries and is still being produced today. The design was produced as high quality, decorative dinnerware by the potters in the Staffordshire area of England, from the late 1830’s, but no-one is sure exactly who the original designer was. This particular example was made by William Adams of Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire at the Greengates Potteries probably after or around 1863 and is believed to have been part of a passengers goods. The Adams family have a long line of making pottery since 1584 until 1966 when they were acquired by the Wedgewood group of companies. But this items pattern is attributed to the Adams potteries. History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch which lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Lochard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Lochard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Lochard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Lochard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition in. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Plate recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Earthenware dinner plate with blue and white transfer design (Asiatic Pheasant) with a clear over-glaze. The outer rim is scalloped. Stickers with inscriptions "Rec 373 A" "L 102" "From Loch Ard Wreck (1878) - - -" Design logo [Floral wreath with ribbon and text "Asiatic Pheasant" and text below "- - - -"}flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill 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, asiatic pheasant, china dinner plate, earthenware plate, w adams potteries

These desert spoons are from the wreck of the Loch Ard, that sailed from Gravesend, London. The manifest listed an array of manufactured goods being exported to the Colony of Victoria. Included in the cargo manifest was a large number of hardware and cutlery items. These spoons are representative of similar items of silver electro-plated cutlery salvaged from the Loch Ard wreck site, comprising nickel silver electroplated spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape and design. History of the Loch Ard: - The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Large conglomerated group of nickel silver plated spoons with fiddle-back design handle, narrow stem with flared collar and elongated bowl; twenty parts of spoons are visible. The spoons were recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.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, dessert spoon, petrified timber, conglomerated cutlery, silverware, dining utensil, spoons, conglomeration of spoons

This tablespoon was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard that sailed from Gravesend, London. The manifest listed an array of manufactured goods being exported to the Colony of Victoria. Included in the cargo manifest was a large number of hardware and cutlery items. These spoons are representative of similar items of silver electro-plated cutlery salvaged from the Loch Ard wreck site, comprising nickel silver electroplated spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape and design. History of the Loch Ard: - The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Spoon, tablespoon; nickel silver plated spoon with fiddle-back design handle, narrow stem with flared collar and elongated bowl. Marker's marks are impressed on the back of the handle. It was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.Crown with diamond with W P inside Oval with anchor or key Square with cut corners with fancy cross inside Circle with lion Diamond with "P"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, dessert spoon, petrified timber, conglomerated cutlery, silverware, dining utensil, spoons, conglomeration of spoons, spoon, tablespoon, cutlery

This fork was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard that sailed from Gravesend, London. The manifest listed an array of manufactured goods being exported to the Colony of Victoria. Included in the cargo manifest was a large number of hardware and cutlery items. These spoons are representative of similar items of silver electro-plated cutlery salvaged from the Loch Ard wreck site, comprising nickel silver electroplated spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape and design. History of the Loch Ard: - The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Fork, nickel silver plated spoon with Fiddle-back design handle, narrow stem with flared collar.Fork has maker's marks. It was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.Shapes of Crown, Square with cut corners, 2 circles, diamondflagstaff 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, silverware, cutlery, dining utensil, fork, dining fork