The gold cross was discovered by Victorian scuba diver Julie Wilkins, who had already experienced more than 500 dives in Australia and overseas. She was holidaying in Peterborough, Victoria, and looking forward to discovering more about the famous Loch Ard ship, wrecked in June 1878 at Mutton Bird Island. The fast Glasgow-built clipper ship was only five years old when the tragedy occurred. There were 54 people on board the vessel and only two survived Julie's holiday photograph of Boat Bay reminds her of her most memorable dive. Submerged in the calm, flat sea, she was carefully scanning around the remains of the old wreck when, to her amazement, a gold coin and a small gold cross suddenly came up towards her. She excitedly cupped them in her hands, then stowed the treasures safely in her wetsuit and continued her dive. She soon discovered a group of brass carriage clock parts and some bottles of champagne. It was a day full of surprises. The items were easily recognisable, without any build-up of encrustations or concretion. Julie secretly enjoyed her treasures for twenty-four years then packed them up for the early morning train trip to Warrnambool. After a short walk to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village, her photograph was taken as she handed over her precious find. She told her story to a local newspaper reporter, lunched a café in town then took the late afternoon train home. Her generous donation is now part of a vast collection of Loch Ard shipwreck artefacts, including the gold watch and the Minton Majolica model peacock. The small decorative cross dates back to on or before 1878, when the Loch Ard had set sail. The loop and ring have been added, perhaps as a pendant, pocket watch accessory or similar purpose. It may have been worn for ‘good luck’ or a ‘blessing’ on the long journey to Australia, where ships had to carefully navigate the treacherous Bass’s Strait before arriving at their destination of Melbourne. Sadly, many met their fate on that short stretch of ocean aptly named the Shipwreck Coast. The cross is very recognisable even though it was exposed to the wrecking of the ship, its consequent movement, and the sea's turbulence. Its scratched, pitted and worn condition, and the damage near the loop, is part of its story. The red-brown-black discolouration is similar to that found on other gold coins, sometimes called the ‘corrosion phenomena’. Studies suggest the possible cause is contaminants in the minting process reacting to the coins’ environment. Three edges of the cross have slightly raised narrow ridges of gold which could have been cause by the gold being cast liquid gold into a mould.This gold cross pendant is significant as a symbol of Christianity, a sign of hope and safety, and a sample of the religious following on board the Loch Ard, although not everyone wears a cross for this reason. This cross is a sample of jewellery owned by people migrating to Australia in the late 19th century. The cross and the guinea recovered together from the wreck of the Loch Ard are made of gold and help interpret the financial status of some of those on board.Gold cross; yellow gold with decorative hand engraved foliage design on the front, fitted loop and ring on top. The simple Latin or Roman variation of the cross, with an elongated vertical arm, has no figure on it and the reverse has no decoration. The right, left and base edges have sections of narrow, long slightly raised ridges. The top edge has remnants of red-black colour. Victorian era cross, ca. 1878. The cross was recovered from the wreck of the ship Loch Ard.Engraved foliage design. Slightly raised long ridges on sides and base edges. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, gold cross, religious cross, religious trinket, religious jewellery, engraved cross, cross pendant, cross with ring, victorian era, 1878, antique cross, crucifix, religious symbol, christian symbol, christian jewellery, contamination phenomena, gold corrosion, good luck, lucky charm, blessing, pendant, loch ard, wreck of the loch ard, mutton bird island, peterborough, scuba diver, 1980s, shipwreck artefact, relic, latin cross, roman cross, pectoral cross, julie wilkins

This private late-nineteenth-century four-wheeled carriage has been built to transport a family or group of passengers with a coachman in the front seat. It can be pulled by one horse, or by two horses if the T-pole is attached. The button fittings along each side of the carriage indicate that a folding roof or hood was once attached. The frame across the front of the carriagewas likely to have been a ‘dashboard’ with a leather or wood covering to prevent water, mud and other particles from splashing onto the passengers. The rear step between the two side-facing bench seats is adjustable to allow for ladies’ long skirts. These rear seats appear to be removable, in which case the carriage could be converted to a wagon to transport goods and equipment. The carriage could have been illuminated by oil or carbide lamps placed into the lamp holders on the sides. The carriage was kept under cover for many years in an open-front sandstone building that also included living quarters and an area that may have been stable. It was at ‘Murweh’ a Warrnambool property at 203 Liebig Street. The home is now Heritage and National Trust Listed and described as a ‘gentleman’s residence’. It was built by James Wotton Shevill in the 1860s. Shevill was a councillor from 1875 to 1878, serving in 1878 as Mayor of the Borough of Warrnambool. Jeremiah Wade lived at Murweh there from 1879-1880. By 1915 F.B. Whitehead and his family were living there, and by 1930 the address was used by Mr T.J. Rome and his family. Thomas James Rome was still using that address in September 1973 after his 100th birthday. It is believed that one of the property’s owners had been an Obstetrician in Warrnambool. The current owner re-told the story that children used to hide in the back section of the carriage and smoke, hidden from the sight of onlookers. He had heard the story from a previous owner.The well-appointed horse-drawn four-wheeled carriage is likely to have first belonged to a local councillor and past Mayor of the town of Warrnambool, J.W. Shervill, whose 1860s city property was the carriage location for many years. The carriage is a rare local example of a town-based lifestyle befitting a prosperous personality of the late 19th century. It adds to the story of Warrnambool's development as a town influenced by the port, wealth gained from shipping and the home place of prominent local people such as the Councillor and later Mayor. The side-facing rear seating is unusual for a passenger carriage. It has the feature of removable rear bench seats, allowing for the dual purpose of a carriage or wagon.Carriage; the Victorian-era horse-drawn four-wheeled open carriage has a coachman’s bench seat across the front and two side-facing bench seats in the rear. There are steps at the front on each side and a centre adjustable step and the back. It has a hinged shaft, two lamp holders and a separate T-pole. The bench seats have padded backrests upholstered in green leather and each has padded armrests at the ends. A rectangular metal frame, likely to have been a dashboard, is mounted across the front of the carriage. It has two inner vertical bars. The carriage's body is painted dark green with crimson highlights on some of the panelling. Decorative oval panels with hand-painted motifs are mounted along the sides. The side panels of the carriage have metal fastener buttons attached. The iron-rimmed wheels have sixteen wooden spokes and copper cuffs on the outside of the hubs, and the rear wheels are higher than the front wheels. Wooden brake blocks are mounted onto the back wheels and are active by a metal lever at the front right side of the carriage. The undercarriage is fitted with leaf springs on each side, mounted from front to back axles. Included are: (1) The separate T-pole that allows two horses to be harnessed to the carriage (2) Leather horse winkers with metal hardware and oval brass plate on the side of each winkerMotif painted on an oval panel [a musical lyre within a blue floral wreath flanked by scrolls] flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, murweh, buggy, cart, carriage, wagon, horse-drawn vehicle, victorian buggy, four-wheeled carriage, coachman’s seat, bench seat, side-facing benches, upholstered seats, victorian decals, heritage vehicle decoration, antique hand painting, hand painted decals, motifs, iron-rimmed wheels, wooden brake blocks, leaf springs, t-pole shaft, rear step, equine carriage, 19th century vehicle, victorian transport, transport, gentleman’s vehicle, james wotton shevill, councillor, mayor, jeremiah wade, f.b. whitehead, thomas james rome, warrnambool obstruction, warrnambool genealogy, warrnambool pioneers, victorian carriage, one horse carriage, two horse carriage, horse drawn carriage

The company that made this piano was founded in 1728 by Burkat Shudi, a Swiss harpsichord maker. John Broadwood, a joiner and cabinetmaker, worked for Shudi and eventually married his daughter and became a partner in the firm. Broadwood continued in this business after Shudi died in 1773. John's son James also worked for the firm and in 1795 they became John Broadwood & Son, then when a third son joined as partner in 1808 they become John Broadwood & Sons Ltd. and the name has continued on even now. Pianos manufactured by John Broadwood are of world renown.This piano is significant as a historical musical instrument. It is an example of the type of instruments used for entertainment and worship from the mid-19th to early-20th century. Piano, cottage upright, wooden casing in dark wood with a rich grain. The piano features a pair of brass candlesticks, a music holder and a fitted lock on the keyboard cover. Decorative design etched in panel between candlesticks, Maker's name is in fancy lettering behind the keyboard. Made by John Broadwood and Sons, London. Painted in fancy text "John Broadwood & Sons/ / London"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, piano, upright, candlestick holder, john broadwood & sons london, musical instrument, upright cottage piano, antique piano, victorian entertainment

Birthday Books are personal record books for names and birth dates of friends and relatives. This book includes a quote from Charles Dickens for each day of the year. The books were published in many editions, with different publishers, illustrators, covers and designs. This Dickens Birthday book was presented as a gift to fifteen-year-old Clara Skirrow on January 19th 1911, by Mr and Mrs B Watson, perhaps the 'Benji Watson' in the book, whose birthday was July 1st, 1887. The entries in the book include several with the surnames Watson and Skirrow. Interestingly, names are entered in various writing styles, perhaps because each entry was written by the person of that name, similar to an autograph book. Curiously, there are two entries for Connie Watson, one in brackets on March 16th, the other on March 23rd, without brackets. The artist, Pilford Fletcher Watson (1892-1907), was born in London. He moved to Sydney, where he became a prominent and well-established artist and a founding member of the Academy of Arts, Australia, established in 1891. His works included local scenery, architecture, and the interiors of historic buildings. Many of his pieces were bequeathed to the State Library of New South Wales. The firm, Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd, was a printer and publisher that operated in London from 1866 to 1960. Its logo was the artist's easel, palette and brush. The firm that specialised in greeting cards and produced puzzles. It also became the world’s largest postcard publisher. In 1960, the firm amalgamated with others to become the British Printing Corporation. The fly page states that Ralph Tuck & Sons, Ltd. was the publisher to Their Majesties, the King and Queen, and Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales. This would suggest that this book was published from 1901 to 1910, when King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and Prince George and his wife Princess Mary were permitted to use these titles. NAMES LISTED IN THE BIRTHDAY BOOK (the museum has photographs of every entry in the book, which are available on enquiry): - January 1 Mrs J (or S) Watson January 11 Wilfred Skirrow, 1904 January 16 Elsie Watson, 1897 January 17 Elsie Hartley, 23/06/2012 [error?] January 21 Frances Victoria Haieck January 29 Annie Skirrow, 1884 February 14 Willie Illingworth February 17 Bessie Watson February 19 Mrs Butterfield, 22 Apperley Rd, Idle [UK] February 27 William Ernest Futter ? March 13 Carrie Barker March 16 Connie Watson March 19 Hilda Graham March 20 Mrs W. Illingworth March 23 Connie Watson April 5 Mrs Ruth Ann Skirrow April 6 William Dickinson Goldsbrough April 11 Norman Goldsbrough April 16 May Jessen April 19 Mrs A Dixon April 20 Mrs S Watson April 23 John Fred Stansfield, 1912 April 24 Reginald Goldsbrough May 12 Bertha Ellis May 18 Gladys McInnes May 28 Mrs Arthur Watson June 3 Jack Watson, 1910 June 10 Mr James Watmough June 18 Miss Hilda Hodgson, 1895 June 26 Sarah Atkinson, 1894 June 30 Mary A Bannister, 1896 July 1 Benji Watson, 1887 July 1 Ester Watmough, 1896 July 2 Clara Skirrow, 1896 July 2 Aunt Jinni July 2 Aunt Hannah July 10 Ellen Gertrude Connolly July 11 Violet Mathieson July 23 Hady Rogers July 26 Sarah Atkinson August 2 Allan Watson August 3 George Skirrow August 6 Thomas Skirrow August 6 Gladys Patten August 8 John Waite, 1909 August 21 Lilian Pattison, 1909 August 25 Ethel Watson, 1889 August 25 Evellyn Goldsbrough September 4 Miss Frances Barker September 12 Ernest Hartley, 1888 September 14 Harry Stansfield, 1895 September 20 Harry Padgett September 25 Leslie Watson September 26 Florrie Wise, 1896 September 27 Dorothy Watson, 1909 October 1 Madge Ferrier October 3 Elizabeth Padgett, 1896 October 5 Violet Altridge, 1895 October 13 Elsie Hodgson, 1893 October 18 Arthur Watson October 21 Emily Bradshaw November 14 Mr A Dixon December 27 Laura Hartley, 1890 December 29 Arther Skirrow, 1894 December 29 Dolly GrahamThis early 20th-century Birthday Book is significant for containing quotes by the famous writer Charles Dickens. It is also connected to the popular and prolific publisher and printer, Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd, and the renowned illustrator and artist, Pilford Fletcher Watson. Ownership of a rare and beautifully presented book like this indicates the value placed on keeping records of family and friends, and remembering their birthdays, in the early 1900s. The book is highly significant for the entries of local family names, some with birth dates. Book: small book with padded maroon leather hard cover and embossed with gold text on cover and spine; cover also has a gold motif. The pages include coloured illustrations, sketches, and lines for personal entries. The first pages are about Charles Dickens. Title: The Dickens Birthday Book, with six illustrations in Colour by P. Fletcher-Watson Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd, Britain Printed in England 1901-1910 Artist: P. Fletcher-Watson This padded red leather hardcover book has embossed gold text on the front cover and spine. The six colour illustrations throughout the book were by artist P. Fletcher-Watson; one is a portrait of Dickens. Each day has a quote from Charles Dickens' works and blank lines below. The drawing on the fly page depicts a stone building with side pillars and a logo in the centre of the horizontal beam. It has a gift inscription for Clara Skirrow on January 19th, 1911. There are handwritten entries under many of the dates, some include years that range from 1884 to 1912, and one includes an address in the U.K.. Embossed on cover and spine: “The DICKENS Birthday Book” Handwritten in black ink: "From Mr & Mrs B. Watson / To Clara Skirrow / With Best wishes / January 19th 1911" Illustration on fly page: Logo [artist's palette, brush and easel] Publisher information: “Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd, London, Paris, Berlin, New York, Montreal,” “Publishers to their Majesties the King and Queen, and T.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales” “Printed in England” Handwritten entries with names, some dates, and one address. flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, birthday book, p. fletcher-watson, raphael tuck & sons ltd, 1901-1910, illustrated, 19-01-1911, mr & mrs b. watson, clara skirrow, red cover, british printing corporation, king and queen and trh prince and princess, king edward vii and queen alexandra, antique book, rare book, atkinson, bannister, barker, bradshaw, butterfield, connolly, dixon, ellis, ferrier, futter, goldsbrough, graham, hartley, hodgson, illingworth, jessen, mathieson, mcinnes, padgett, patten, pattison, rogers, stansfield, waite, watmough, watson, wise, dickens birthday book, charles dickens, dickens quotes, skirrow

This metal travelling trunk belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. They left for Australia on the Schomberg clipper ship on October 6 that same year, joining the other passengers for the luxury sailing ship’s first voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. The Schomberg was grounded on a sand spit near Peterborough. All passengers and crew were safely rescued. They had been allowed to take something small with them when leaving the sinking vessel, and as such, Alice took a small cane basket and coin purse. The metal trunk was also amongst the couple’s possessions, along with a pair of candlesticks and a Bible. Their trunk was later retrieved from the ship’s deck by the crew of a steamer sent from Melbourne. At that time, David was 23 years old (born in Wales, in 1832) and Alice was 26 (born in Ireland, 1829). The couple lived in Tasmania for a short period before settling in the Western Districts of Victoria. David worked as a gardener and, when land in the area was available to purchase, David and Alice claimed a selection on Noorat Road near Terang. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding the property that they named, ‘Allambah’, and had six children. David died in 1911, aged 79, and Alice passed away the following year, aged 83. B, B & B. Brand: - The company was renowned for its strongly constructed and high-quality travel goods. In 1906 the company was sold and renamed Buffalo Trunk Manufacturing Co. Interestingly, the trunk maker’s promise on its printed label is certainly fulfilled: - "B B BRAND. These Goods are manufactured of the best steel sheets, and are guaranteed to give every satisfaction, and will last for years."David and Alice Ellis’s donated possessions have great significance as a group of personal belongings saved from the sinking luxury clipper ship, the Schomberg, in 1855. The strong, well-crafted metal trunk is an example of high-quality travel luggage owned by newlyweds on their journey to a new life across the world. The well-made trunk is a rare shape. It joins Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg shipwreck, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The ship has historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, built to carry emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. The ship’s design included the technical advances needed to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. The relationship of the objects in Flagstaff Hill’s Schomberg collection allows has potential interpretation of the story of the Schomberg. The collection of objects is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship, as it represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history, in addition to its association with the shipwreck and the ship.Traveller's metal trunk; small brown woodgrain patterned trunk with dark red features and brass lock. This well-made strong and sturdy piece of secure hand luggage has rounded corners and sides, with the ends of the lid slightly bulbous. The lid is reinforced inside across the centre. The lid and sides have dark red metal D-shaped handles that fold down. The two hinges on the lid have their fittings inside the trunk which is hinged across the back. Two dark red painted latches secure the front along with a brass rod and lockable latch in the centre front. The metal is shaped with a group of corrugated ribs on each side of the centre, around the trunk. A white printed and lacquered label is inside the lid and has additional handwritten text. The truck was the luggage of David and Alice Ellis on the sailing ship SCHOMBERG in 1855. Printed on the label: "B B BRAND./ These Goods are manufactured of the best / steel sheets, and are guaranteed to give every / satisfaction, and will last for years." Handwritten on the label: "8/3- 7/-" (possibly meaning Eight shillings and three pence, Seven shillings)flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, schomberg, sailing ship, 1855, david and alice ellis, schomberg passengers, b b brand, american made, traveller's trunk, hand luggage, metal trunk, schomberg ship, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria, antique trunk, vintage trunk, travel goods, travelling trunk, steel trunk, tin trunk, schomberg trunk, newlyweds, b b & b, boyd boyd & boyd, pittsburgh, rare shape, luggage, vintage luggage, victorian era, travel trunk, three locks, steamer trunk