The British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) was a board of Australian, British, and New Zealand representatives who managed extraction of phosphate from Christmas Island, Nauru, and Banaba (Ocean Island) from 1920 until 1981. Captain S.G. Ellams Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships. George Garrett Kitching (1926 - 2005) was second mate on the following ships onboard which he records the events: MV Gorgon : 5-12-46 to16-1-48 SS Titan: 25-1-49 to 16-6-49 MV Orestes: 5-8-49 to 22-9-50 MV Astyanax: 28-4-51 to 7-5-51 (Coasting) MV Trienza: 8-4-53 to 9-10-53Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS Reynellaanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation, m.v. trienza, s.s. titan, captain s.g. ellams, bpc, ship log, captain g.g. kitching, m.v. orestes, m.v gorgon, m.v. astyanax, denis ryan, dinny ryan, dennis william ryan

The British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) was a board of Australian, British, and New Zealand representatives who managed extraction of phosphate from Christmas Island, Nauru, and Banaba (Ocean Island) from 1920 until 1981. Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships.Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS Reynellaanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, hezzanith, sextant, nautical instrument, navigation, captain g.g. kitching, m.v. trienza, m.v. triaster, m.v. triellis, bpc, ship log, radiogram, phosphate, nauru

The British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) was a board of Australian, British, and New Zealand representatives who managed extraction of phosphate from Christmas Island, Nauru, and Banaba (Ocean Island) from 1920 until 1981. Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships.Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS Reynellaanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, hezzanith, sextant, nautical instrument, navigation, captain g.g. kitching, m.v. trienza, m.v. triaster, bpc

SS Iberia was an ocean liner completed in 1954 for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O). Along withother liners, Iberia mainly provided passenger service between the United Kingdom and Australia. In the Annual Report 1954, Padre Oliver mentions: " Two fine new P & O ships made their maiden voyages during the year: "Arcadia" and "Iberia". In each case I was privileged to help to represent the Mission at the official luncheon."Marine artColour printed reproduction of a painting or lithograph print featuring 20th C passenger liner, hull and superstructure primarily painted white, under steam at sea. Small tug/fishing vessel in foreground. Larger steam ship on horizon. Print on plain board backing with plain mitred timber frame. Eyelet screws with wire.Printed signature lower right. 'JOHNSTON'iberia, passenger ship, p&o, marine painting, passenger ships, artwork-paintings, peninsular and oriental steam navigation company

The original ship was built in Glasgow in 1899 by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co for the Orient Line. It was the largest Orient Line passenger ship completed in the nineteenth century and was the third vessel of the Line to bear the famous “O” prefix, which was traditional through to the last ship, the mighty 'Oriana'. Her dimensions were 8,130 gross tons, length 490.6ft x beam 56.6ft (149.50 x 17.22m). She had one funnel, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 18½ knots. Her maiden voyage from London, via Suez, to Melbourne and Sydney commenced on 3rd February 1899. She was the largest British flag ship sailing to Australia at the time and continued to regularly sail between London, Melbourne and Sydney throughout her life. She last sailed as a passenger ship between Melbourne and Sydney on the 3rd November 1916. During World War I, she was converted to a troopship and was used to transport soldiers and assist with military operations. She was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine UB-52, 40 nautical miles (74km) off the coast of Sardinia in the 12 May 1918. She was on her return journey from Alexandria to Marseilles with six other transports, carrying troops of the 52nd and 74th divisions when she was lost, resulting in one casualty. Her maiden voyage brought her to Melbourne in 1899. The ship carried the first Australian troops from Brisbane to WWI in September 1914.A large ship builder's model of the 'SS Omrah' an Orient Line one funnel passenger steamer of 1899. The model is displayed in a large glass and polished timber case on legs.2 Plaques at foot of model: "MODEL/ OF TWIN SCREW STEAMER/ "OMRAH"/ BUILT FOR/ ORIENT STEAM NAVIGATION CO LTD/ BY/ THE FAIRFIELD SHIPBUILDING & engineering CO LTD/ DIMENSIONS/ 507-0X56-9X37-6MLD/ GROSS TONNAGE 8291 TONS SPEED 18 1/2 KNOTS on boat: "OMRAH"

Steel screw steamer launched 1889 at Newcastle on Tyne by Palmers & Co., built for Archibald Currie and Partners - the Currie Line of Melbourne. Gross tonnage: 2,792, Length: 99.06m (325'). Width: 12.3m (40.3'). Triple expansion steam engines producing 363 nhp. Avge speed 11 knots. Coal consumption 26 ½ tons per 24 hours. Steel hull, one funnel, two masts, barque rig. • 1889: Argus launched. Worked in the Australia to India trade, passengers, goods and horses. • 1891 July: While taking coal from Newcastle to Singapore, ran onto sunken rock in Gaspar Strait (in Indonesia). Watertight bulkheads held, got to Singapore, was repaired for two months, 60,000 Straits dollars (about £12,000). • 1895 July: While taking 400 horses to Colombo, ran onto reef near Somerset, North Queensland. holed, water in two compartments. 400 tons coal jettisoned, finally got off in spring tides. • 1901 Feb: During Boer War took Victorian contingent, 5th Mounted Rifles, fromMelbourne to Durban and Cape Town, with 500 horses. • 1901 Dec: Took horses for Boer War from Brisbane to Durban. • 1903 31 July: Leaving Sydney for Calcutta with 86 horses, 20 passengers including the Sultan of Johore, was rammed by the incoming steamer Mildura (on the wrong side of the channel). Argus's side plating was cut from deck to below waterline, had to be beached on Goat Island to prevent sinking. Refloated 2 August and repaired. • 1905: Argus sold to the Japanese shipping company, Osaka Shosen Kaisha. Renamed Giran Maru. • 1907 11 Sept: Wrecked in Soya Strait, between Hokkaido & Sakhalin Island.Built for Archibald Currie & Partners, Melbourne. Carried passengers between Australia and India and between western and eastern Australia.Large ship builder's model in glass case

SS Iberia (1873-1903) was built by John Elder & Co. (Govan yard no.162 Glasgow) and launched 6 December 1873 at a cost £151,600. However, due to strike delays, her maiden voyage was not until 21 October 1874. The Iberia was one of the last of the barque-rigged, clipper-bow type of steamer built for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company. At the time, she was also the second largest ship in world, after the Great Eastern. In 1877, a joint Orient Line and Pacific Steam Navigation Co. venture began a fortnightly mail service, first sailing between England and Australia on 12 May 1880, via Gibraltar, Naples, Port Said, Ismalia, Suez, Colombo, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney. Details: - Tonnage: 4,671 g, 2,982 n. - Dimensions: 433ft 6in (132.13m) x 45ft (13.72m) x 35ft 1in (10.69m). - Powered by a single screw, compound inverted 2 cylinder; 750 NHP; 4,000 IHP engine with steam pressure of 70 lbs, 4 cylindrical boilers, 2 to each funnel. - Speed 14 knots - 1873 Passengers: 100 1st, 150 2nd, 340 3rd Class. - 1893 Passengers: 140 first, 50 second, 800 third Some significant dates in her history include: - 1881: Replaced "Aconcagua" as standby vessel on the London - Suez- Melbourne - Sydney route - 1882: Government transport during the Egyptian Arabi Pasha Campaigns - 1883 Jan 25: Placed on regular service to Australia - 1890 Jun 11: Reverted to the Liverpool - Valparaiso route - 1893: Iberia sailed to Australia to replace a disabled ship. The journey via the Cape was non-stop at 14 knots in 32 days - 1893- Fitted with triple expansion engine; 3 cylinders, 600 NHP; 4 cylindrical boilers; 13 knots; fitted by J.Rollo & Sons, Liverpool - 1903: Broken up at Genoa. 1873 single screw, compound inverted, 2 cylinder; 750 NHP, 4000 IHP, Steam pressure 70 lbs, 4 cylindrical boilers, 2 to each funnel, 14 knots. Second largest ship in the world in 1874 (after the Great Eastern). Cost 151, 600 pounds. 1893 Triple expansion engine fitted. 3 cylinders 600 NHP, 4 cylindrical boilers, 15 knots, fitted by D Rollo and Sons, LiverpoolThe body of the model is carved and molded wood painted in black and white, the planked deck with detailed fittings and rigging, raised on a wooden base with simulated waves. At this time yards removed. "Iberia"

Included in the G W Duncan collection this item of memorabilia from 1948 may have been acquired quite early in the donor's career as a ship's engineer. The menu provides a glimpse of shipboard diet and especially celebratory food.Mariner Duncan had a particular regard for the Mission to Seafarers. This plate for display on a commissioned new table at the MTSV chapel acknowledges his bequest and the material donated. Collectively the G W Duncan material includes: photographs, professional data memorabilia and written and commercially printed resources. The memorabilia relates to his career at sea and in particular the role of an engineer, including a handwritten manual of notes and references relating to the mechanical and engineering aspects and areas of responsibility for maintenance. Single fold heavy card menu with colour cover featuring birds of Australia: King parrot, Rifle bird, Leadbetter's cockatoo. Inside cover typed sheet of paper with menu listing adhered to card.see imagesmenu, birds, australian, christmas, ss athenic, shaw savill line, george winfield duncan (1922-2017), ship engineer

Several items were given by a seafarer, Mr Nicholas Garlick (1926-2009) into the care of Father Brady who retired from St Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne in 2018. Father Brady later donated the collection of objects, documents and an extensive collection of cruise ship menus (1937-end of 20thC) to the Mission via the intermediary William Hastie, volunteer at the Mission for Seafarers.One of the reasons the gift has been accepted is because there are a number of items that relate to images or records of visits in the collection. Crews of ships such as the Orontes and the Orsova were regular donors to the Mission in the 20th century. Launched in 1929, the Orient Line passenger ship SS Orontes was one of the longest serving on the England to Australia route, carrying tens of thousands of British and European migrants to new lives in Australia from 1948 to 1962 and Nicholas Garlick may have worked on the ship during that time. During World War II, Orontes became a troopship, serving that role from 1940 to 1947.Glass ashtray or trinket dish with black and white printed transfer image of the RMS Orontes at sea.S.S.ORONTESss orontes, nicholas garlick (1926-2009), father brady, william hastie, nick garlick, ship engineer, passager ship, ship liner, orient line, migrant ship, troopship, ww2, smoking

The Wikipedia page indicates that the SS Binurra was sold to Malaya three years after the date of this menuCream coloured paper menu for tea /typed on company template. SS63 is printed top LH corner above the blue arc "The Australian National Line". The angled company flag,in red and blue, is centred below. The blue menu design is printed with the typed name of the ship "Binburra" below. The menu of the day 31 October 1966 is also typed.A small pencil edit appears on the lower RH side of the typed menuss binurra, anl shipping company, menu, australian national line, anl

SS Northern Star was an ocean liner completed in 1962 for the United Kingdom-based Shaw, Savill & Albion Line's tourist class round the world service via South Africa and Australia.ss northern star, passenger ships, passengers liners, 1962, shaw savill line

The Groote Beer was a passenger ship between the Netherlands and Australia and New Zealand between 1951 and 1962. Possibly Wellington, New Zealand on the picture?rotterdam, ss groote beer, passenger ships

HMAS Koolonga was a cargo ship built by Sunderland Shipbuilding Company, England, in 1914 and bought by McIlwraith, McEacharn Line Pty Ltd, Melbourne and named SS Koolonga. She was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy on 6 August 1914, as a collier and supply ship and commissioned as HMAS Koolonga. She participated during the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force occupation of German New Guinea until May 1915 when she was later returned to her owners. After being returned, she was employed on cargo trades from Whyalla, South Australia to Newcastle, New South Wales. She was sold in October 1917 through Scott Fell & Company, Newcastle to BHP Shipping and renamed Iron Monarch, before being sold again in 1920 to Interstate Steamships Ltd. This ship linked to record VC 0747. The ship played a role in WW1 small black and white photograph of steamship.steam ships, world war 1, hmas koolonga, fan album, ss koolonga

The ship was originally requisitioned by the RAN as a collier and supply ship. It was decommissioned from RAN service in 1915 which may have required a caretaker. This image is one of several attached to loose album pages which include some images with miscellaneous undated and handwritten inscriptions. This ship served in WW1. As an Australian ship may well have visited Melbourne and the Mission staff may have made ship visits and made this image.A sepia image of an older gentleman with moustache in a long jacket and a flat cap stands on a ship deck near a cargo hatch. An inscription / title is drawn from an album page. (see image)hmas koolonga, caretaker, ss koolonga, fan album, ships

THE SEAS IN WARTIME During WWII, as many as 27,000 men of the merchant and the King’s navy perished during active service. Dedicated to seafarers’ wellbeing, the Mission’s spiritual roots also make it a place for reflection on the loss of human life at sea. The Mission to Seafarers’ ministry offers its support in hundreds of seaports around the world, and has played an important role in supporting those who have lost friends and family at sea during wartime. Many of the stained glass windows in the chapel are dedicated to these people, and represent many close maritime community relationships. This window was installed in 1947 in recognition of the heroism and courage of those who have served in the Merchant Navy, and in particular to those who lost their lives aboard the armed merchant cruiser, ‘Jervis Bay’. This vessel was attacked by an enemy packet battleship whilst leading an escort from Nova Scotia to the UK in 1940.Reflections of the Sea was an exhibition of 10 framed montage of photographs from the mission's archive collection showcasing 10 stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel. This exhibition curated by Georgia Melville and Catherine McLay, and funded by PROV and Creative Victoria, was displayed in the World Trade Centre Wharf Gallery in June July 2013 and toured to Queenscliff Maritime Museum. The photographs of the windows were taken by scientific photographer Justine M. Philip. This frame is showcasing the memorial window to the Jervis Bay crew, a group photograph of the seamen from the SS Siltonhall and a group photograph of seamenFramed and mounted on black cardboard of black and white and colour reproductions from the MTSV collection for the exhibition Reflections of the Sea with brief label signageon label: ABOVE: VThe crew of the SS Siltonhall found refuge at the Mission in October, 1929, after their ship had caught fire and was abandoned in the Indian Ocean BELOW: A group of seafarers enjoying refreshments at the docks provided by volunteers from the Missionreflections of the sea, georgia melville, exhibition, 2013, world trade centre, wtc, hms jervis bay, ss siltonhall, siltonhall, ww2, creative victoria, prov, mission to seafarers, stained glass windows, justine m. philip, flinders street, catherine mclay, arthouse

This is a reproduction of the original 1897 Captains' petition to build a Central Institute on the Yarra river. "To the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, Melbourne. "Ladies and Gentleman, "We, the undersigned captains of several ships now lying at the Melbourne wharves think it most desirable that the Victorian Seamen's Mission, being the mission that has for so many years shown a most part their interest in the spiritual, moral, and social well-being of the seamen of all nationalities, shall him on the banks of the Yarra an institute such as that at Port Melbourne, where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings. At almost every other seaport in the world such institutions are being provided for seamen, and we are satisfied from our opinion of the Melbourne public that the matter needs only to be prominently brought under their notice to be accomplished. We are confident that the good work of the mission is being hampered by its not having such a place near the shipping at the Melbourne wharves. Our crews are at present placed at a great dis advantage through not having an institute more convenient to the scene of their labours than that at Port Melbourne, which, on a very wet or a very hot, is not easily reached. If a site could be obtained immediately above the Gasworks but on the other side of Flinders street extension, that is to say, on the lower part of the land on which the Harbour Trust offices are built, it would be most convenient for the shipping on both the north and south side of the river. Trusting that it may be possible to do some thing to meet this long felt want, We suscribe ourselves, Yours respectfully, Geo.H Steven, master ship Dharwar; Thos. Curd, master ship Narcissus; James Horne, master ship Loch Garry; T.Tait, master ship Loch Ryan; T. Nilsen, master ship Hebe; G. Ch Christian, master ship Anna; R.E. Peasley, master ship Seminole; Wm. Martin, master ship Loch Ness; T.C. Martin, master ship Loch Tay; W.H. Bennett, master ship Loch Vennachar; J. Raglan Brodie, master s.s. Warrnambool; James E. Coles, master ship Mermerus; J. H. Walker, master ship Hinemoa; R.J. Johns, master ship Ariel; D. Gorchem (sic. Gerckens), master ship Matador; H. Petersen, master ship Nesaia; Wm. J. Reid, master s.s. Star of New Zealand; A. F. Svhanstrom, master ship Hermes; Alex. Smith, master ship Sophocles; W. Y. Bunn, master ship Carmanian; William Anderson, master ship Loch Katrine."Framed and mounted reproduction of Captains' petitionpetition, seamen's mission, yarra river, captains, victoria, melbourne, ships, australia-wharf, signatures, 717-flinders-street-docklands, maritime welfare services, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, mermerus, captain coles, sir john coode, loch line, loch ness, loch gary, loch ryan, ss warrnambool, loch tay, loch vennachar, matador, nesaia, d. gerckens, h. petersen, a.f. svhanstrom, hermes, ariel, loch katrine, william anderson, dharwar, narcissus, hebe, anna, hinemoa, sophocles, carmanian, early origins, 2016, exhibitions

Sextant belonging to Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships.Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS ReynellaSextant in wooden boxanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, hezzanith, sextant, nautical instrument, navigation

Sextant belonging to Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships. According to the website SLide Rule Museum this is the Flying Fish 1017 Chemical V2 Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS ReynellaSextant in wooden boxInscription in Chinese on the boxanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, nautical instrument, navigation, slide rule, flying fish 1017

Pocket book with red cover; 292 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation

Small book with black cover; 195 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation, prayers, army, navy, soldiers, balikpapan, borneo, indonesia, battle of balikpapan, lt d. bacon

Small book with blue cover and damaged yellow and black dust jacket; 194 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation

Large book with green cloth cover ;222 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation

Small book with green cloth cover; 100 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation

The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925. Page 1 S/S City of Norwich Port Said My Dear Old Lillie, Well, I never got so much of a shock in my life, when your postcard turned up 2 days before my birthday, wishing me many happy returns, for which I thank you sincerely, and am sorry to say I had forgotten yours, or being very quiet about your various qualities, you would not tell me. Well to get on with the news, the next day I had a telegram to report at the Line head office, on the 15th Aug. early, imagine how I swore, as a little do was to [be] held at night, they immediately shored me on this ship S/S City of Norwich to go to Port Said, then join the City of Corinth bound for Boston & New-York so I may come out to “little Aussie” again from there with a little luck, any way we ought to be in New-York about the 19th Sept to stay a month, I will write you more in detail from there, if you feel inclined and have forgiven me for being so long about answering your last letter, could you write to S/S City of Corinth, C/o Norton Lilly & Co, New-York. U.S.A. I would jump like L”l Page 2 how is the cow milking going on, but still that joke is as unfair as the small joke about my age now, both afflictions being cured by now I hope. Well really I am no letter writer and can find very little to interest you on paper Lillie, and my photo, I hate being taken as much as you, but will do my best, if you can wait a little please, hoping you are getting one that awfully exciting week with the mission as you call it. You must be A.1 actresses to amuse such a motley crew. Hoping you are all well at home, give Mr & Mrs Duncan my kind regards, sending my best love to you dear. Hoping you will recognize me if I can come along. with tons of love, Howard. P.S. I hope to be a little more sophisticated when I come next time [-] you may be able to tell me. Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from Howard in three parts: Part 1.1 (0007.1) Envelope Part 1.2 (0007.2) First page of letter Part 1.3 (0007.3) Second page of letter The pages, as is the envelope, are a creamy yellow colour with black cursive writing on one side of the page. Page 1 of the letter begins with the salutation "My Dear Old Lillie...". Page 2 of the letter concludes with "...you may be able to tell me".The envelope is torn across the top for access to its contents. It has two stamps on the top right hand corner both with the text "Port Said 23AU25.4.5P".lillie duncan, howard, port said, lhlg, ss city of norwich

This document reveals the way in which Mission to Seafarers grew in response to demand. With increased shipping to Australia for all purposes, the need for the then existing Mission to grow to be conveniently located and to accommodate seafarers became increasingly evident. This document also shows the formal nature of documents and petitions in the 1890s and documents the names of twenty-two contemporaneous ships and their respective captains. The Anna, Dharwar and Mermerus arrived in port at the end of July 1897. The Carmanina arrived on the 21 October 1897. The Loch Katrine, at the end of the list, arrived on 5 November 1897. The letter was published in the Argus, 22 December 1897: "APPEAL FOR SEAMEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS. Sir, I beg that in the interests of the Victorian Seamen's Mission you will be kind enough to publish the appended testimony of the ship masters who for many years have been trading to this port, and therefore have had many opportunities of judging the effects of his work. The mission has much need of monetary assistance, and, should any of your numenous leaders deem it worthy of support, the committee would feel most grateful for any help that may be given in this direction. It has been the pleasure of the committee as far as possible to supply the crews of all outward bound steamers and sailing vessels with literature for their use on the voyage. My former appeals through your columns for leading matter have always been liberally responded to, and I trust that should any of our booksellers have any surplus stock of periodicals, religious and secular, illustrated or otherwise, at the end of the year, they will kindly remember the Victorian Seamen's Mission and the sailors. Private individuals also who may have stacks of literature by them, if they would kindly send some to the Seamen's Institute, Beach street, Port Melbourne, would cause the cheering of many a dark and lonely hour in the seamen's life. From 900 to 1.200 parcels have hitherto been given to the sailors and firemen annually by this mission, and we should be extremely grateful to those who would place us in a position to continue such donations in the future. Yours, &c. , E. JAMES, Chaplain to the Mission. Seamen's Institute, Beach street, Port Melbourne, Dec. 10." -------------------------------------------------- "To the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, Melbourne. "Ladies and Gentleman, "We, the undersigned captains of several ships now lying at the Melbourne wharves think it most desirable that the Victorian Seamen's Mission, being the mission that has for so many years shown a most part their interest in the spiritual, moral, and social well-being of the seamen of all nationalities, shall him on the banks of the Yarra an institute such as that at Port Melbourne, where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings. At almost every other seaport in the world such institutions are being provided for seamen, and we are satisfied from our opinion of the Melbourne public that the matter needs only to be prominently brought under their notice to be accomplished. We are confident that the good work of the mission is being hampered by its not having such a place near the shipping at the Melbourne wharves. Our crews are at present placed at a great dis advantage through not having an institute more convenient to the scene of their labours than that at Port Melbourne, which, on a very wet or a very hot, is not easily reached. If a site could be obtained immediately above the Gasworks but on the other side of Flinders street extension, that is to say, on the lower part of the land on which the Harbour Trust offices are built, it would be most convenient for the shipping on both the north and south side of the river. Trusting that it may be possible to do some thing to meet this long felt want, We suscribe ourselves, Yours respectfully, Geo.H Steven, master ship Dharwar; Thos. Curd, master ship Narcissus; James Horne, master ship Loch Garry; T.Tait, master ship Loch Ryan; T. Nilsen, master ship Hebe; G. Ch Christian, master ship Anna; R.E. Peasley, master ship Seminole; Wm. Martin, master ship Loch Ness; T.C. Martin, master ship Loch Tay; W.H. Bennett, master ship Loch Vennachar; J. Raglan Brodie, master s.s. Warrnambool; James E. Coles, master ship Mermerus; J. H. Walker, master ship Hinemoa; R.J. Johns, master ship Ariel; D. Gorchem (sic. Gerckens), master ship Matador; H. Petersen, master ship Nesaia; Wm. J. Reid, master s.s. Star of New Zealand; A. F. Svhanstrom, master ship Hermes; Alex. Smith, master ship Sophocles; W. Y. Bunn, master ship Carmanian; William Anderson, master ship Loch Katrine."This petition is historically significant as it is documentary evidence of the need for a new facility for seafarers signed and presented by the captains of 21 ships, including several of the sister ships of the Loch Ard. The need for a new facility was a result of changes in shipping and the use of the Melbourne ports in the 1890's and this document supported the pressure on the Harbour offices to finally release land for an appropriate building in the early 20th C.Mounted hand-written petition to the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seaman's Mission Melbourne. The letter petitions the Executive Committee to create a facility on the wharves, "where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings." This portion of the letter takes up three quarters of the document. The remainder has two lists, one of twelve captain's signatures and the other of the names of their ships. The list is continued on the reverse side with an additional nine signatures and corresponding ship names.In cursive handwriting: To The Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamans Mission', / Melbourne / Ladies and Gentlemen / we the undersigned captains....... We subscribe / ourselves respectfully, Captain signatures and names of ships ( NB Ship names in upper case for this entry ): Geo H. Stevens - DHARWAR / Thomas Curd - NARCISSUS; / James Horn - LOCH GARRY / T.Tait - LOCH RYAN ; / T.NIlsen - Hebe ; / G.C. Christians - ANNA ;/ R E Peasley - SEMIOLE ; / William Martin - LOCH NESS ; / T C Martin - LOCH TAY;/ W H Bennett - LOCH VENNUACHAR; / RJ Raglan Brodie - SS WARRNAMBOOL; ; / James E. Coles - MERMERUS; / ( signatures continue overleaf) J H Walker - HINEMORA ; / R J Johns - ARIEL; / D Gorchem - MATADOR; / H Petersen - NESAIA;/ William J Reid - STAR of N. ZELAND [sic] ; / TJ Sohanstrom - HERMES;/ Alex Smith - SOPHOCLES; / W Y Bunn - CARMANIAN;./ William Anderson - LOCH KATRINE;/ Handwritten in red ink on the front of the parchment: "8182" NB The second digit in the number sequence appears to have been written over and could also be a "9", an "8" or a "3". paper Watermark "HERCULES". Prior to conservation and taped to the glass on the reverse side of the parchment was a small piece of paper reading: "Letter written in 1897 and signed between the last week of October and the first week of November." T and C probably stands for Trade and Customs and 8382 is the file no." (H8.4 x W11.8)victoria, melbourne, ships, petition, australia-wharf, captains, signatures, 717-flinders-street-docklands, maritime welfare services, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, mermerus, captain coles, sir john coode, loch line, loch ness, loch gary, loch ryan, ss warrnambool, loch tay, loch vennachar, matador, nesaia, d. gerckens, h. petersen, a.f. svhanstrom, hermes, ariel, loch katrine, william anderson, dharwar, narcissus, hebe, anna, hinemoa, sophocles, carmanian, captains' petition

The SS Diomed was the last ? of the Blue Funnel Line's coal burners and the 4th (of 5 vessels) bearing the name Diomed and built in 1922. She made her last voyage from Australia to England in 1952, where she was broken up. The ship had been in service in Australia for 30 years and as a parting gesture the ship's bell was presented to the Mission by Alfred Holt & Co., the ship's owner. The bell was originally presented to the Port Melbourne Mission to Seafarers. It seems to have been a mark of respect for one of the Mission workers who regularly visited the ship. On closure of the Port Melbourne Mission in the late 20thC , the bell was transferred to the Melbourne facility and has been in permanent residence since then. The bell underscores the strong working relationship between the Mission to Seafarers, as an organisation, and the various companies and agencies that work on the oceans. It also represents the traditional relationship between Australia and England in that seafarers who visited the Mission were once primarily of British backgrounds or descent. While this situation has changed in more recent times, it is that traditional relationship that saw the establishment of the Mission in Australian ports in the first instance.(NB the previous 2 Diomed's had both been sunk in WW1 1915 and 1918 and the re-use of the name indicates it was a well respected name subsequently re-allocated to the 1922. and 1956 vesselsA brass bell with the word "Diomed" embossed on its waist and the word has also been painted black. The bell is mounted overall on a heavy carved wood base with brass dolphins at either side forming a support frame for the brass crossbar mount from which the bell is suspended. The clapper has a pull rope attached to it but the casing of the mounting prevents the bell from being fully rung.Embossed at the waist of the bell: "Diomed". Brass plaque on wooden mounting: "PRESENTED BY/ALFRED HOLT & CO/BLUE FUNNEL LINE/LIVERPOOL ENGLAND/1922-52/APRIL 1953"diomed, blue funnel line shipping, alfred holt & co, bell, ship's bell, dolphins, mission to seafarers, r. stewart murray, randall stewart murray, lay reader, port melbourne, 1953

The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925.Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from N.H. (Nelson), Paul & Gray, Ship Chandlers, Scott St, Newcastle, NSW in three parts. Part 0100.1 Envelope Part 0100.2 Newspaper clipping Part 0100.3 Letter Both the envelope and the letter are creamy yellow in colour with black curly writing on one side of the envelope and on both sides of the letter. The letter begins "My Dear Lilly, Once again at seas, I am..." and concludes with "P.S.S Don't forget to answer this soon and write to...". In the top right hand corner of the letter is the ships details (S.S. Peterson, Brisbane). The newspaper clipping is titled "Oversea Vessels" dated London, April 13.The envelope has been torn across the top and alongside the flap to access its contents. It has an ink stamp with the text "Brisbane May 21 7-PM 1926" in the top middle of the envelope. Towards the right corner is a six wavy line ink stamp with the text "Post Early/Queensland/Each Day" partially covering an upside down red 1 1/2 cent stamp with the text "Australia Postage Three Halfpence"handwriting, correspondence, love letters, lillie duncan, nelson, lhlg, ss peterson, brisbane

The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925.Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from Ted in three parts: Envelope (0112.1) Letter page 1 (0112.2) Letter page 2 (0112.3). Both the envelope and the letter are creamy yellow in colour with black curly writing. Both sides of each page of the letter are written on. The first page of the letter begins with "Write. c/o Graham Trading Co. Calcutta. cancelled" placed at the top left of the page and "S.S. Matheran Calcutta 28-8-27" placed at the top right of the page. The first line begins with "Dear Lillie, Very many thanks for...". The reverse side of the first page starts "...thickness of solid steel fracturing is it not?". The second page begins with "...be home two months..." and the reverse side concludes with "Hope if you write to me you will use the address below, that will find me. 'Lyndale 117 Greenway Road, Taunton, Somerset, England".The envelope is torn across the top for access to its contents. The address has been typed in black ink. It has one red stamp to the top right hand corner of the envelope with the text "Ceylon 9c". There is also a black ink stamp in the form of several horizontal lines running from top left to top right of the envelope with "Colombo" written in the middle.ss matheran, calcutta, ss mangalore, colombo, ted, lillie duncan, lhlg

This is one in a series of letters written by various seafarers to Lillie Duncan. Lillie was a member of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild during the 1920s. She seems to have struck up a number of friendships with seafarers who used the facility. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild was responsible for much of the fundraising that constructed and maintained the organisation from its inception in 1902. They were also responsible for arranging dances and other social activities designed to make seafarers welcome in a strange environment.The purpose of the Mission to Seafarers is, as it always was, to provide comfort and welfare services to visiting seafarers. This letter, and the series of which it is a part, underscores the importance of making relationships abroad for those who earned their living on the seasHand written letter in five parts consisting of a white envelope with four white pages of handwritten text in black ink using only the face of the page. There are two post marks, one at the top and central on the face of the envelope, the other at the top right. The first reads: 31 AU 28 3.50/ PORT SAID/A". The second post mark reads: "31 AU28 0.50/ PORT SAID/A""melbourne, ted, letters, 1928, stamps, envelope, missions-to-seamen, mission-to-seafarers-melbourne, ladies-harbour-lights-guild, 11-paxton-street-east-malvern-melbourne-australia, lhlg, lillie duncan, port said, ss mandasor