This example of a sailing ship’s ‘dead-eye’ is from the wreck of the Loch Ard, which sank near Port Campbell in 1878. 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 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, 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.A weathered ship’s rigging deadeye, showing signs of submersion and erosion in sea water. The flat sides of this thick wooden disc have three holes drilled through in a triangular configuration.Noneflagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, deadeye, rigging

Black and white photograph showing cottage, The Beacons, on dune, beacon pole to right of cottage, trees and vegetation on dune, logs along beachfront to stop erosion. Lakes Entrance Victoriahouses, jetties, waterfront

Photograph shows fallen trees with road in background. This the headwaters of the Plenty River and clearing of timber can cause problems such as erosion.Part of the John Ramsdale collection of slides and audio visual material.Colour photograph scanned from slide.No maker's marks. No caption on slide.plenty river

Black and white photograph showing lake shoreline on western side of entrance piers, with rock retaining wall, walings and crane left middle distance and front of Schnapper cottage, dense vegetation on dune and some erosion to beach. Lakes Entrance Victoriajetties, machinery, boats and boating, waterfront

BHS CollectionEighty-seven pages book titled: The Flora of the Far North-west of Victoria. Its distribution in relation to soil types, and its value in the prevention of soil erosion. Written by W. J. Zimmer, dip. For. F.L.S. Divisional Inspector of Forests. Aileen and John Ellison Collection.On front cover in black pen: John Ellisonflora, northwest victoria

Diggers & Mining: The Digging - The Diggers. Slide: Information is continued from slide 1802.72 . Mentions lack of trees, lots of dust road. Erosion on the hills, gravel pits, stone quarries. The article is from the Argus, March 22, 1852. Markings: 26 994.LIF:6. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins which can be seen in the Sunbury area and surrounding districts. These ruins are found in varying degrees of structural damage caused by erosion, vegetation growth and vandalism. The dry stone wall is at Crowes Hill at Yuroke.A coloured photograph of a dry stone wall with a row of shaped cypress trees running off at right angles to the fence. A small tree covered hill is in the distance.stone structures, dry stone walls, crowes hill, george evans collection

Marram grass (1st year) South Beach about 1884 planted to stop the erosion of the sand dunes having been stripped of all the tea tree and native grass cover, the tea tree bark being used for tanning leatherBlack and white Photograph of the dunes above Boarding School Bay sewn with Marram grass Marram grass (1st year) South Beach about 1884marram grass, south beach, agriculture, dunes

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins which can be seen in the Sunbury area and surrounding districts. These ruins are found in varying degrees of structural damage caused by erosion, vegetation growth and vandalism. This is the remains of a bluestone quarry on the 'Oaklands' property at Oaklands Junction.A coloured photograph in portrait format of a basalt rock ruined structure which has been dug into a hillside with a line of trees in the background.stone structures, oaklands quarry, george evans collection

Black and white photograph of eroded creek banks Diamond Creek near Susan Street Elthamdiamond creek, eltham, susan street, erosion, george w bell collection

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins which can be seen in the Sunbury area and surrounding districts. These ruins are found in varying degrees of structural damage caused by erosion, vegetation growth and vandalism. The post and stone fence at Emu Creek at Bulla is more intact in this photograph.A coloured photograph of a post and stone fence surrounded by sun drenched paddocks.stone structures, post and stone fences, emu creek, george evans collection

The first year planting of Marrum Grass on Boarding School Bay dunes to stop the erosion of the sand caused by denuding the dunes of the scrubby tea tree that would have covered the dunes. They cut the tea trees down to use for tanning animal hides for leather and clothing rare photograph of the first years progress of the planting of marrum grass on the dunes of Boarding School Bay to halt the sand drift caused by the removal of tea trees.black and white photograph of the newly planted Marram Grass on the dunes at South Beachhandwritten: About 1884 See also 10.00.002 --- W.H.Storey - Marrum Grass. 1st Year. Boarding School Bay. Port Fairybotanical, marrum grass, boarding school bay, samuel avery

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins which can be seen in the Sunbury area and surrounding districts. These ruins are found in varying degrees of structural damage caused by erosion, vegetation growth and vandalism. The bluestone structure was a sheep dip on the 'Karoora Park' property near Jacksons Creek.A coloured photograph of the stone remains of a sheep dip constructed from basalt rock. The ground at the entrance slopes down into a narrow walled channel. The surrounding paddocks are covered with tussocks of grass and there are bare hills in the background. The grass is brown.stone structures, sheep dips, basalt rock, 'karoora park', george evans collection

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins which can be seen in the Sunbury area and surrounding districts. These ruins are found in varying degrees of structural damage caused by erosion, vegetation growth and vandalism. The remains of the post and stone fence can be seen near Emu Creek at Bulla.A coloured photograph of the remains of a low post and stone fence in a sunburnt paddock. There are a few low growing bushes dotted across the paddocks.stone structures, dry stone walls, post and stone fences, george evans collection

Australian Forestry School. Handed onto the ANU in 1965. Covering: rainforests; botany; erosion; Murray River; USA Forestry services; Pine plantations; Forests Commission Victoria;Tasmania forest scenes. 500 slides in 10 wooden boxes and 16 small cardboard packets.Glass lantern slide collection - approx 600 slidesMultiple boxes of glass slides. Many are in 'Hammer Lantern Plates' slide boxes.

This is a photograph of one of the many stone ruins which can be seen in the Sunbury area and surrounding districts. These ruins are found in varying degrees of structural damage caused by erosion, vegetation growth and vandalism. The adit and mullock heap is from one of the mines on Redstone Hill. It was known as Batey's Mine.A coloured photograph of the remains of a mullock heap and adit from a mine. The entrance is surrounded by low growing trees and grass.stone structures, batey's mine, gold mining, redstone hill, george evans collection

This was the seal for the snowy River Improvement Trust (1952-1997). The trust inaugurated the push with governments and government authorities to return the environmental flow of fresh water to the Snowy River at Jindabyne. During its existence the Trust worked hard to improve the health of the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers (revegetation, erosion prevention, fencing, drainage).This Common Seal will remind the lower Snowy district of the beneficial work of the Snowy River Improvement Trust during its existence from 1952 to June 30 1997.Common seal for the Snowy River Improvement Trust - 1952-1997. It is made of metal and has a lever to press down for the embossing stamp. The lever is spring loaded.snowy-river-improvement-trust snowy-river embossing-machine white-max

Colour photograph of bank protection works, using large stones at the Diamond Creek Sports oval. Note the eroded state of the bank above the rock liningeltham, diamond creek, erosion, protection, stone, diamond creek sports oval

This set of photos is from a leather bound album bearing the inscription "HUME RESERVOIR AUSTRALIA" plus 'The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M .P.' all inscribed in gold. It was presented to The Rt. Hon. L. C. M. S. Amery, P. C., M. P, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs on the occasion of his visit to the Hume Reservoir on 2nd November 1927. This album is of local and national significance as it documents the planning and development of the Hume Reservoir up to 1927. It was the largest water reservoir in the British Empire. The album records the pioneering engineering work that went into its construction.DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, N.S.W. RIVER MURRAY WATERS SCHEME. HUME RESERVOIR. 18. Stilling pool opposite outlet section of dam. New South Wales. December 1925 A stilling pool is a structure at the downstream side of a dam, designed to take away some of the energy from overtopping water flowing down the spillway, to reduce the risk of erosion of the ground near the dam and the dam itself.hume reservoir australia, river murray waters scheme, hume reservoir construction

A fossil refers to any remains or traces of past life that are preserved in the rock. It could be remains of plants or animals. Fossil leaves are commonly found on different types of rocks. These fossils can go as far back as the Triassic Age just like the series of fossil plants collected at Denmark Hill, Ipswich in Queensland. Fossils leaves are formed when dead plants get buried by sediments like mud, sand, or volcanic ash. Often, it gets detached cleanly from stems along a special layer of weak cells, then twigs, and, less commonly, cones of conifers and fruits and seeds of flowering plants. Over time, the leaves or pieces of leaves get buried by more sediments and eventually gets 'lithified' or hardened into a rock. Erosions and mining can cause the rocks to break and reveal the fossils buried in it. Fossilisation frequently takes place at sites in the lowlands where deposits of clay, silt, sand are found. This is usually due to weathering and erosion of rocks. Fossil leaves can provide information about ancient Australia's way of living. It contributes to Victorian biodiversity records and its botanical collections. It also contributes information on the geographical profile of Victoria as fossilisation usually occur at estuaries and deltas of rivers, river flood plains, ponds and lakes. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Piece of light brown rock with fossilised leaves in shades of golden yellow and brown.Existing label: Fossil Leaves / Locality unknown / might be worth checking if this is Glossopteris, a Permian age plant. / C. William 16/4/21 geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, fossil leaves, fossilization, 1868 geological survey of victoria, lithified, rocks, fossilised leaf, rock, fossils, leaves

Signage in the Pauline Toner Butterfly Reserve asking visitors to keep to marked tracks. The Reserve at the corner of Pitt Street and Eucalyptus Road, Eltham is managed by Parks Victoria. It is named for Pauline Toner M.P. who after the re-discovery of the rare Eltham copper Butterfly in large numbers in Eltham in 1987 worked to preserve its habitat.Born Digitalpauline toner reserve, eucalyptus road, copper butterfly, nature reserve, walking trail, sign, erosion

This photo shows the first Delley's Bridge, built to cross the Fyans Creek to provide access to Halls Gap and beyond in the 1880's. The bridge was swept away a number of times in floods. This bridge was replaced by a higher timber structure but constant erosion of the creek bank eventually led to its replacement by a timber and concrete structure. After nearly 50 years of its use, wear and tear necessitated a fourth bridge to be erected in 2001.A log bridge across a creek with a man standing on the bridge. A woman in a white dress and hat is beside the creek and a man is standing near her on the bank. In the left background a house can just be seen through the trees.structures, bridges