Showing 831 items
matching ammunition
-
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - BATTLE DRESS, WINTER, 1942
.1) Khaki Woollen jacket. Four front pockets. The front is held shut with four shiny buttons. AMF Motif. Epaulettes have 3 pips each (Captain) and shiny badge "AUSTRALIA". The arms have a triangular colour patch, bisected, having a black triangle over a red triangle. On the collars are brass badges of the 17th Prince of Wales Light Horse. .2) Trousers Woollen khaki. Brown buttons on fly. Side pocket and pressed metal buttons around waist. .3)Lanyard - purple. .4) Bandolier, brown leather. Five Ammunition pockets, brass buckle. .5) Belt - leather, brown. Brass, two pin buckle. Brass fittings to add a sword and shoulder strap..4) Written on back of Bandolier = “L.W. Baker R. Heath 4/3152”passchendaele barracks trust, uniform, pre and post ww2, army -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - SOLDIERS PHOTOGRAPH, c.1914 - 15
Carl HOLMBERG No 314 enlisted in the 8th Light Horse Regt on 14.9.1914. Embarked for Egypt 25.2.1915 then Gallipoli 16.5.1915. Transferred to Machine Gun Section 28.5.1915. WIA 7.8.1915 GSW's to neck, face and right shoulder. DOW's complicated by septicemia at sea. Buried at sea between ANZAC cove and Mudros Island. Henry HOLMBERG initially enlisted as No 334. There is some confusion to it, possibly 234 in the 8th Light Horse Regt. Embarked for Egypt 25.2.1915 then Gallipoli 16.5.1915. Hospitalised with dysentery 7.8.15 then diagnosed as gastroenteritis. Embarked for Australia 16.10.1915 classed as enteric fever. Classed fully fit he embarked for England 7.9.1916 as No 26673 in 3rd reinforcements 8th FA Brigade. Transferred to 1st Div Ammunition Column 23.3.1917, mustered as Driver 4.7.1917. WIA 6.10.1917 with GSW's to left thigh, right knee, shoulder and arm severe. Discharged from the AIF 29.8.1918. The brothers were both big men for the time at 6'1" and 6'3". Refer also 626, 609P. Collection re Mrs May Burns.Photo post card B & W re Carl and Henry HOLMBERG in Light Horse uniform. Carl is standing and Henry sitting.On rear in blue ink “Holmbergs”photography, portraits, military history, souvenirs -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Munition, Trench Art
A set of two spent ammunition rounds complete with projectile, which are souvenirs of World War 1. These are from the 1 inch Nordenfelt machine gun, the projectiles are made from solid steel with a brass jacket, have an exposed steel tip and have a groove near the base. Both the brass cartridge case and the projectile are highly polished and have been chromed (?). These are examples of trench art having been engraved with floral patterns and the words "to Fred from NL". These items were owned by Frederic Harley MM, s/n 910, a WW1 Artillery Gunner in the 36th Australian Heavy Artillery Group who served in France. He enlisted in Frankston and lived in Frankston after returning to Australia. Further details of the Nordenfelt MG are available, refer AWM < http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RELAWM10737.005/ >One of the cartridges has the following stamped on the base: "RɅL" or "R↑L", "1884" and "lV" image "DɅD" or "D↑D" -
Lilydale RSL Sub Branch
Postcard - Two Framed Postcards, 1915
Postcard (1) Beach Scene/ Postcard (2) Three local men on top of PyramidPostcard (1) The back of this postcard bears the inscription - " This is a scene on the beach. Just fancy a shell bursting among this crowd. They often do. The Turks have got a gun they train on this place alone. I have seen seventeen knocked one day with one shell. They can't fire too often as they are short of ammunition, they would get thousands here I suppose. The gun that does fire here has killed more than any other gun in the war. The Boys call him (possibly "bracky") Bill. Postcard (2) The back of this postcard bears the inscription "This is one of some niggers taken on the top of the pyramids" -
Victoria Police Museum
Record of Conduct and Service (Leslie Moore Vincent)
When the First World War broke out, Australian men from all backgrounds and professions were called to serve their country. Members of the Victorian Police force were some of the first to answer the call with twenty men joining the first convoy of soldiers who left Australian shores in October 1914. Over the course of four long years, one hundred and thirty-eight Victorian Police enlisted from stations across the state. Of these, twenty-seven lost their lives. Whilst the fate of each man was different, a deep commitment to protecting and serving the public was common to all. Victoria Police service: Joined 2/03/1903; Granted leave without pay 1/09/1916; Resumed duties 6/08/1919; Retired 23/01/1941; Highest rank: Sergeant WW1 service: Enlisted 5 May 1916; Highest rank: Lance Sergeant; Regiment: 3rd Australian Divisional Ammunition Column; Fate: Returned to Australia 8 May 1919; Medals: 1914-1915 Star, British War and Victory MedalsOfficial documentworld war 1, 1914-1918; victoria police; vincent, leslie moore 5080 -
Woodend RSL
Medal - 1914-1918 WW1 medal, 1919
This medal was awarded, posthumously to Pte. Dash. He was born in Burwood(a small town near Sydney). He joined the Army 12/6/1915. Strangely, he did his medical inspection in May. He is listed as being in 1st Battalion from 18 May until 5 August. 6th August he arrived at the Battalion (on the Gallipoli Peninsular). He was wounded 7 August, whilst delivering ammunition, by machine gun with wounds to the neck and shoulder. From there, there was no record of him and was catergorised as Missing in Action". His father received notification with scroll 21/12/21. He received his Victory Medal Jan 18 1923. Pte Dash is interred in the Lone Pine cemetery, in Turkey. He was originally interred in Brown's Dip cemetery, but this site was deemed unsuitable for cemetery due to the changing landscape due to flood waters. Pte Dash was discovered in Lemnos, convalesencing after being hospitalised, 1st October 1915. However the board of inquiry made no mention of his sighting in Lemnos. He was interred in Gallipoli, so the sighting in Lemnos appears to be a mistake.British World War 1 Medal issued to Australians Round 36 mm Ribbon Royal Blue/Black/White/16 mm orange/White/Black/Royal Blue The Observse side is a bust of the King (George V). The reverse is a horseman astride his steed.2220 PTE F N DASH 1 BN AIF -
Montmorency–Eltham RSL Sub Branch
Medal - Medal Group, WW1, 2166 Lieutenant Reginald Frank Barratt
Information from "The AIF Project" Lieutenant Reginald Frank Barratt was born in 1879 in Withington, Manchester, Lancashire, England. Regimental number 2166. 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, Military District 3 and Military District 6. Arrived in Australia in 1903 aged 24. Address was Mount Street, Heidelberg, Victoria. Occupation - Farmer. Enlistment date was 17th August 1914. Served with the 68 Battery Royal Field Artillery during the South African War. Rank on enlistment was Sergeant. Embarkation details - Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board Transport A2 Geelong on 19th September 1914. Rank Lieutenant - Unit 1st Divisional Ammunition Column. Information from the Roll of Honour - Awarded Royal Human Society Medal for saving three lives from drowning in Orange River during South African War. Wounded at Zillebeke, near Ypres, Belgium. Died of wounds 22nd August 1917 at the age of 38. Buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Enclosure No 2, (Plot 1, R0w F, Grave 23), Zillebeke, Belgium. Panel number , Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial British War Medal - The medal was struck by the Royal Mint, is a silver disc 36mm in diameter with a straight clasp suspended without swivel. The obverse shows Sir Bertram Mackennal's bare headed effigy of King George V facing left with the legend 'GEORGIVS V BRITT:OMN:REX ET IND:IMD - "George V, King of all the British Isles & Emperor of India". The reverse, designed by William McMillan, shows St George, naked on horseback and armed with a short sword, an allegory of the physical & mental strength which achieved victory of Prussianism. The horse tramples on the Prussian eagle shield and the emblems of death, a skull and cross bones. In the background are ocean waves and just off centre near the right upper time is the risen sun of victory. The years 1914-1918 appear on the perimeter in the left and right fields respectively. The watered silk ribbon is 32mm wide with 3mm wide royal blue band, 2mm wide black band, 3mm wide white band repeated in reverse order and separated by 16mm wide orange band. Victory Medal - The medal is bronze disc 36mm in diameter with a winged figure of Victory on the obverse. The reverse has the words 'THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION 1914-1918', all surrounded by a laurel leaf. The watered silk ribbon is 32mm wided has two rainbow design with the violet from each rainbow on the outside edges, moving through to a central red stripe where both rainbows meet.The recipients name, rank and unit are impressed on the bottom edge of the medals - Lieut F Barratt AIF -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - REMEMBRANCE PHOTO, Vincent Kelly, Post 1919
George Frederick PIERCE No 2839 AIF. The photo shows him wearing the award of the “DCM” which has been superimposed on the photo. George enlisted on 29.6.1915 age 20 years in the 9th Reinforcements 6th Bn AIF, embarked for Eygpt 9.10.1915, embarked for France 2.4.1916, Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917, KIA Belgium 4.10.1917, no known grave. DCM award. For Conspicious Gallantry and Devotion to Duty. He took Command of his Lewis Gun Section in an attack and bombed an enemy Machine Gun post single handed and captured the Gun. He later carried ammunition to the front line through heavy barrages. He set a splendid example of devotion and courage. This photo has been cropped out of the original which had 3 soldiers in it. Refer Cat No 5459P This is the first item in a large collection that belonged to William (Bill) Thomason. Bill served in the RAN from 1947 - 1949. He was the Author of 3 books: "Marching On", Cat No 4821, "March to Ranau", Cat No 862 and "March to Waikato", Cat No 5289. Bill was a collector and ran a small Military Museum in View Street Bendigo for a time.Photo B & W, portrait of a soldier with studio background pasted onto a larger grey background with flowers, flags, kangaroo, emu and details under. On the cardboard, writing relates to the award of the “DCM”. The grey background has a darker surround and red stamp in the right hand corner.“No 2839 Pte G.F.PIERCE DCM (Infy)”photography, military, remembrance -
Victorian Interpretive Projects Inc.
Photograph - Digital, Troopship Wiltshire, 1918, c1918
The HMAT A18 Wiltshire (1912-1922) weighed 10,390 tons with an average cruise speed of 13.5 knots or 25.00 kmph. Described as a refrigerated steamship it was b uilt 1912 by John Brown, Clydebank for the Federal S N Co Ltd, London and was propelled by a twin screw, quadruple expansion engine 2 x 4 cylinders each 6500 hp. Owned by the Commonwealth & Dominion Line Ltd, London, it was leased by the Commonwealth until 2 October 1917. It embarked from Egypt on 2 February 1918. On 18 October 1914 at Melbourne embarked the 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) A, B & C squadron & their Machine Gun Section, the 2nd Field Ambulance (Victoria) First Division. The disembarked the 4th Light Horse Regiment in Egypt on 10 December 1914. On 01 November 1914 The Wiltshire assembled with the first convoy at King George's Sound, Albany Western Australia in transporting the first detachment of the Australian and New Zealand Imperial Expeditionary Forces. It completed nine transport voyages from Australia commencing 18 October 1914 until final voyage from Sydney 9th November 1918. During that time The Wiltshire carried the 4th Field Artillery Brigade (Victoria) 2nd Division Artillery and their 1st Reinforcements, 1st Division Ammunition Column 1st Division Artillery 4th Reinforcements, thirty-four Infantry Battalion Reinforcements, the 10th, 11th & 12th Field Artillery Battery (Victoria) 4th Field Artillery Brigades, the 4th Brigade Ammunition Column 4th Field Artillery Brigade, the 1st Siege Artillery Brigade 15th Reinforcements, the 4th Light Horse Regiment (Victoria) A, B & C squadron & their Machine Gun Section, six Light Horse Brigade Reinforcements, the 1st Veterinary Section (New South Wales) 11th Reinforcements, the 1st Mobile Veterinary Section (New South Wales) 1st Division 11th Reinforcements, the 2nd Mobile Veterinary Section (Victoria, New South Wales) 2nd Division 11th Reinforcements, the 1st Cyclist Battalion (New South Wales and Queensland) 3rd Reinforcements, the 2nd Field Ambulance (Victoria) First Division & Medical Officers. After the conclusion of World War One is was wrecked Rosalie Bay, Great Barrier Island New Zealand 31 May 1922 on passage London for Dunedin. Onboard was a crew of 103 plus 1 stowaway, and 10,000 ton of general cargo. No lives lost and is now a well frequented 'Dive' wrecksite. (http://www.flotilla-australia.com/hmat.htm#A18)Photographic postcard of the troopship Wiltshire out at sea.world war one, world war, wiltshire, troop ship, mmm -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Print Torakina, Torakina
August 1945 saw Major Hugh St Clair Brockway accepting the surrender of a Marine Brigade of Japanese, at Bonis Northern Bougainville, from Naval Commander Takahashi the representative of the Japanese High Command. For a month Major Brockway concentrated on transporting the Japanese out and returning the area, as far as possible, to a pre-war condition. "The Japanese were in a bad way, saying no ship had resupplied them since 1942. They had lived off fish from the sea and what they could grow. Many were sick and they had few medicines. "Our job was basically to evacuate the Japanese and ship the troops out to a POW compound at Torakina, on the mid-eastern coast of Bougainville." Major Brockway had a small group of about 30 to execute the operation, which included destroying all Japanese arms and ammunition of the 3000 strong naval brigade. "They had been cut off since about 1942 and we had to clean the place up for civilian occupation again." Source "the Wargin Argus" BY VEANA SCOTT 27 Apr, 2005 09:36 AM Wagin Argus cnr Tavistock and Ranford Streets Wagin WA 6315 [email protected] Phone: 08 9861 1200Photograph in very faded colour (mainly pale pink with a square of colour visible under label) of Japanese P.O.W's resting en-route to compound at Torakina Digitally rescanned in greyscale -
Woodend RSL
Patern 37 utility pouch
The item is representative of utility pouches in use in the Commonwealth forces in the mid 20th century.Utility Pouch of rectangular web case. Of rectangular parallelepipped shape made of thick and sturdy fabric (canvas). The pouch is of faded olive colour.. Front view - Rectangular shape with overlapping closing flap with a press-stud fastener to maintain closed. Left and right views - Both sides are identical. Made of a one piece of fabric forming the base as well ("U" shape) Back view - Rectangular with metal hooks on the middle part for attachment to a belt. There is a Twigg buckle on the top part of the pouch mounted on another piece of canvass ending in a triangular shape. . Bottom view - ‘the fabric forming the base is also forming the sides of the pouch. Top view - closing flap overlapping on 3 sides and forming part of the back of the pouch. Inside view - The inside of the closing flap contains 3 small inserts (for special ammunition used in the firing of certain rifle grenade). There is excess fabric from the back panel that forms an additional layer at the base of the pouch..Inside of closing flap: has a circular (round) stamp with the arrow symbol. On the inside of the press button stud (closing mechanism) is inscribed 'United xxxxx Canada" (second word is not readable) There is evidence of writing on the internal face of the back flap (just under the connection with the top cover) but it is not readable. pattern 37, webbing -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Document, Packet: Ringwood Rifle Club schedules, receipts, events. Mostly 1950s and 60s
Rifle Club schedules, receipts and eventsPacket includes: . 4009a- Collection of fixtures, receipts, newspaper clippings, miscellaneous Club notes, results and meeting reports. . 4009b- Letter dated 14th February 1960 written by Ron Pullin of the Ringwood Historical Research Group detailing the history of the formation of Ringwood Rifle Club in 1954. . 4009c- Plan of site of Ringwood rifle range dated 22.10.1954. . 4009d- Honorary Life Membership Certificate presented to James Mitchell,esq, dated December 1961. . 4009e- Certificate presented to Ron Pullin for services as Treasurer 1957-63. . 4009f- Invitation to the Official Opening of the Ringwood Rifle Range on 12 September 1959. . 4009g- Invitation to Ron Pullin to 20th Anniversary 'Invitation Match' on 23rd March, 1974. . 4009h- Receipt dated 3.10.1960 from Victorian Rifle Association for £57.10.0 for ammunition. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Letter - LETTERS WW2, 2) 20.10.1940
Harold James Thomas Johnson TX3956 enlisted on 25.7.1940, aged 37. Served with the 7th Division Ammunition Supply Coy A.A.S.C as a driver. He was discharged om 30.11.1945 with the rank of L/Cpl. .1) Letter is to 'Dear Mrs Johnson". The contents of the note relate to the writer picking up the note which was thrown over the side of the Queen Mary and they picked it up form the water and later posted it on. .2) Note torn in half from "TX3956 B Section 7 DIV AMN COY 2nd AIF ABROAD" To "Mrs H. JOHNSON HOLLAND HOUSE WILMOT ST BURNIE TASMANIA, Husband on Queen Mary Everything okay, Love Harold". This is believed to be the note thrown overboard in .1). .3) The letter from H, Johnson is to "Brooks McGlashan & ?? PTY LTD", thanking them for parcels received VIA the Aust. Comforts Fund. Point .1) on the rear has three handwritten names in pencil: "TX3930, Thomas Charles Munn, 7th AFG Brighton" "TX3422, Pte. K.V. Smith 6th Rfts I.T.D Brighton" "30337 AC1 Sayer Group 37 - Ascot Vale" All three enlisted in 1940. Munn was discharged 23.6.1946 in 8 Div AASC Smith was discharged 12.11.1945 in 2/8 Fld Regt. Sayer was discharged 9.11.1945 in 7 AIRCRAFT Depot (RAAF) Refer to Cat. No. 4052.7P for photos. .1) Letter, pink paper, letterhead, "STANDARD SERVICE STATIONS" with drawing above, tyre at bottom, letter written in ink. .2) Letter, yellowed, ruled lines, map of Australia with Red Shield centre "The Salvation Army". Note written in pencil. Note has been torn from rest of page. .3) Letter, yellowed paper, hand written in ink from H. Johnson.letters, 7th, aasc -
Bendigo Military Museum
Postcard - POSTCARDS, PHOTOGRAPHIC WW1, (.1) Dec 7.12.15, (.2) 31.10.16
Both letters to “Lena” are from Tom WATT. As well as his signature someone has written his name as in blue pen. One letter is just signed “Tom” the other “Gunner T H Watt”. It is believed this is "Thomas Henry WATT", born Bendigo. He had pre war service in the 67th Bn Senior Cadets, no dates given. Regt No 3670 shows he enlisted on 20th or 28th Dec 1915 in the 8th reinforcements 21st Bn age 20 years. It shows he embarked just 9 days or 1 day later on 29.12.1915. He transfers to the 60th then 57th Bn and then on 17.3.1916 5th Div Artillery. he is mustered as “Gunner” and transfers to 5th DIV DAC (Ammunition Column) on 25.5.1916. (.1) The letter is dated Dec 7.12.1915 two weeks or so prior to enlistment dates. The end of the letter talks about being sick and possibly missing going with the next draft. There are 3 other sketchy records showing enlisted 12.7.1915, 5th DAC 15.7.1915, AWL Bendigo 4.11.1915. This would fit in better than enlisting and embarking in not much more than a week. Tom married Margaret McCALL in Scotland 25.4.1919 prior to coming home. Refer Cat No 3996P re “Lena” and other cards, 4000.2 from “Tom”.(.1) Postcard photo, B & W showing a soldier seated on a chair with a crop, studio background. On rear extensive letter in black pen to “Dear Lena”. (.2) Postcard photo, B & W, portrait of a soldier, no hat, bandolier over shoulder, clear background. On rear brief letter in black pen addressed to “Dear Lena”. postcard, lena, 21st, thomas henry watt -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Bullet Mould, From 1600s to early 19th century
Musket balls are the ammunition used in muskets the weapons used during the English and American Civil Wars. The balls could be made from any metal alloy, but many were made from lead. Lead can be melted at reasonably low temperatures and so lead musket balls could be made over a camp fire. Lead could be readily sourced from such places like church roofs or even coffins, and recast from old musket balls, so it was an easy material to work with while preparing for battle. The soldier would carry a crucible in which to melt the lead, he would put the material into it and place it over the fire until it had formed into a liquid. Musket ball moulds like the subject item, had a small hole above one of the domes where the liquid could be poured into once the two domes were closed together. The soldier would wait until it cooled then opened the mould to reveal a solid lead ball inside. Because these were cast in halves even though pressed together, there would always be a small amount of liquid lead leakage which would form a thin crust around the ball. These needed to be filed off before being used inside a musket, so some soldiers would pop a few in their mouths and roll them around, chewing off the excess until the ball was smooth. The obvious downside to this method is that lead is poisonous. A tool used to make ammunition for black powder firearms either muskets or pistols from the early part of the 18th to mid 19th century. After this time enclosed brass cartridges that held the propellent powder and bullet were starting to come into wide spread use, negating the need for a firearm to first have black powder placed in a barrel then the ball rammed on top and finally the firearm primed with powder or a percussion cap.Musket rifle/ pistol bullet mold. Makes .50 -caliber- round balls with a sprew cutter to cut off excess lead.Marked 50flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, shot pliers, lead shot, shot, armoury, firearms, bullet, cast bullet, lead ball, lead shot, scissor mould -
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Document, 1876
Presented to the Major The Honorable F. T. Sargood together with the V.R.A. Challenge Cup on 8 December 1876. The cup was competed for by all the volunteer corps in Victoria. The following extract is from The Argus (Melb), Sat 9 Dec 1876, page 9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5912315 The second quarterly official inspection of the St Kilda Battery was held last night by Colonel Anderson. The gun drill was held in the orderly-room, and afterwards the corps was put through field movements in the drill around. At the termination of the inspection Colonel Anderson expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which the drill had been performed. Colonel Anderson then presented Major Sargood with the Victorian Rifle Association Challenge Cap, which had been won by the St. Kilda Battery three times. The cup has been competed for the last 12 years, and in that time the cost of the ammunition used in the contest and markers' fees amounted to about £3.000. The value of the cup is 20 guineas. An address to Major Sargood was then read by Captain Hearn. On receiving the cup Major Sargood said that he was afraid from the state of his health he would either have to retire from command of the battery, or obtain a long leave of absence. He said that six years ago he bad been presented with a sword which he wore that evening, and he was glad to see that there was no diminution of the goodwill then expressed towards him. Red leather folder lined with ecru coloured watered silk containing a illuminated copy of the address on the presentation of the V.R.A. Challenge Cup to Major The Honorable F. T. Sargood. The cover has a gilt decorated embossing around its border and gilt text.On front: "ADDRESS TO MAJOR THE HON. F. T. SARGOOD." "ST KILDA BATTERY" "R.V.V.A."rippon lea, sargood, frederick thomas, sir -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Newspaper - Framed newspaper article, The Age, 15/1/2024
The Age newspaper dated Monday January 15, 2024, page 30 - Obituaries - Frank McGovern October1,1919-May 24,2023 WW2 great survivor lived to be 103 - In 1939 McGovern aged 19 enlisted in the RAN and served on HMAS Westralia for 18 months prior to being deployed to HMAS Perth. On February 28 1942, two weeks after the fall of Singapore and having survived the Battle of Java HMAS Perth together with USS Houston entered the Sunda Strait coming into contact with the Japanese invasion convoy. HMAS Perth was vastly outnumbered and with no ammunition remaining the order came to abandon ship. Frank survived the sinking but 347 sailors including his older brother, ultimately perished. Frank became a prisoner of war and put to work on the Burma Railway for 12 months prior to being transported along with over 1000 Australian and British prisoners aboard the Rakuyo Maru to Japan. On September 12 1944 Rakuyo Maru and another prisoner transport ship were struck by American torpedos. As a result 1559 POW’s perished of which 543 were Australian. For the second time Frank survived a torpedo attack only to become a prisoner of war. Frank was a prisoner of war for 3 1/2 years and in 2019 was awarded the Order of Australia for services to veterans and their families, HMAS Perth Association and HMAS Perth Prisoner of War Association.Black frame containing newspaper article with three imagesfrank mcgovern, ran, ww2, pow, hmas perth, battle of sunda strait -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - CERTIFICATE OF DISCHARGE WW2, 8.12.1944
William Graham GOODMAN VX11397 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 27.3.1940 age 33 years 2 months. 8.4.1940 posted to 2/5th Batt. 14.4.1940 embarked for the Middle East. 22.5.1940 hospitalised with Otitis Media (ear infection). Rejoined unit 27.5 1940. 14.6.1940 hospitalised with a throat infection. Rejoined unit 16.6.1940. 27.7.1940 transferred to 6th Division ASC. From here he served in Ammunition and Composite Coy’s in 6th Div ASC and graded Group 2 Mechanic MT. 24.3.1941 embarked for Greece. 5.6.1941 reported as missing. 15.12.1941 officially reported as POW in Stalag V111B. 17.5.1944 as part of a POW exchange he embarked from Barcelona to Algiers then Alexandria arriving on 2.6.1944. He is admitted to No 5 NZ GH with Dyspepsia and discharged on 9.6.1944. 28.8.1944 embarked for Australia as a medical casualty. 29.9.1944 arrived Sydney. Hospital again with Dysentry and is medically down graded to D. 6.12.1944 marched out to GDD for discharge. 18.2.1945 discharged from the Army. A document in his records that he supplied details states his POW No 24198. He was captured on 1.6.1941 on Crete and they were on rear guard action at their post when the Island capitulated. It also details living conditions, clothing issue, food, sanitary, treatment, parcels etc. Ref Reg No's 3768, 3569, 3570, 3571, 3572, 3573. A4 certificate, yellowed, folded 8 times. Certificate of Discharge for VX11397 William Graham GOODMAN, Certificate No 151615. AIF Royal Park 8.12.1944.certificate, discharge, aif -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, As You Were 1949, 1949
Compilation of articles, short stories and poems of events and experiences of servicemen and women. This volume recalls the courage and humour, the boredom and the achievements, the travel and adventure and misdeeds, and above all the good comradeship of the services in the war years.Historical recount through stories, poems and illustrations of Australians in World War 2As You Were 1949 Illustrations, photographs, Green coloured hardcover front and back with light green test on front page 'As you were' and '1949'. There is a rectangular relief showing three tri servicemen. The inside front and back covers have illustrations of Air force, Navy and Army on a dark green background. The Southern Cross is also a feature of the illustrations.To the memory of the fallen ' They gave their lives. For that public gift they received a praise which never ages and a tomb most glorious - not so much the tomb in which they lie, but that in which their fame survives, to be remembered forever when occasion comes for word or deed...'george alan vasey, palestine, gaza, italian pow's, ae2, sea of marmora, noic naavy information operations command, captain sir ross smith, no.1 squadron, greece retreat, new guinea, tregonning, ammunition, de ruyter, exeter, perth, java, houston -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wood Sample, 1840
This shipwreck artefact is a section of wood from the vessel “Success, a former immigrant ship, and later a convict hulk at Melbourne. The sailing ship “Success” was a teakwood vessel built in Natmoo (Natmaw), Tenasserim, Burma (now Myanmar) in 1840 for Cockerell & Co., Calcutta. Over its lifetime of 106 years, it was used to trade in the Indian subcontinent, to transport free emigrants to Australia, as a prison hulk in the Port of Melbourne for both hardened criminals, and later for women and boys, as a storage vessel for ammunition, a reformatory, and as a floating museum sent around the world to tell the tale of the convict era. During the time “Success” was used as a museum, pamphlets were distributed to paying customers advertising erroneously, that the “Success” was the oldest ship in the world. The “Success” sank and was re-floated twice: the first in Sydney in 1885, the second in the USA in 1918, before it was finally burned and sank July 4, 1946 in Lake Erie, near Sandusky, Ohio in 1946. Although the “Success” was home to prisoners while berthed in the Port of Melbourne, it was not used as convict transport. There has been speculation that Ned Kelly’s infamous armour was displayed on the “Success”, but this cannot be verified. Another link to Ned Kelly is Henry Johnson, an Irish prisoner on the Success, who was implicated in the murder of the ship’s warder, and later Johnson was supposedly a bushranger with Ned Kelly. It is also rumoured that Ned Kelly’s father John was a passenger on the Success, but this is also unverified. There are over 16 other ships named “Success”, although one in particular causes some confusion when researching “Success” in Australia. This other ship – the “HMS Success” was a 28 gun frigate built in1823, which was broken up in 1849. It also sailed to Australia. Statement of Significance: This piece of wood from the “Success” is connected to the ship Success, built in Burma in 1840. The “Success” is connected to the history of Australia because she was used as a merchant ship to transport immigrants to Australia, as a prison ship in Melbourne, a storage vessel, and as a floating “convict” museum, which travelled the world. Section of wood from ship “Success”. Wood appears to have been partially burnt, saw marks faintly visible on wood, remnant of a label with handwriting in black inklabel marked in script handwriting “Convict ship / “Success””flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sailing vessel success, wood sample of sailing ship success, cockerell & co. calcutta -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Work on paper - VMR, Labour and Shipping Strike
Probably originally drawn for publication in Melbourne newspaper showing detachment of Victorian Mounted Rifles on way to establish order at a strike site during the Labour and Shipping Strike of August 1890. During the strike armed troops were deployed to support the police in Melbourne and in Newcastle and a number of other ports around the country. In Melbourne, the announcement that a public meeting was going to be held on 31 August 1890 to support the maritime strikers sent the Victorian government into precautionary mode. On the eve of the meeting, the Victorian Mounted Rifles were briefed by their commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Tom Price: 'Men of the Mounted Rifles, one of your obligations imposes on you the duty of resisting invasion by a foreign enemy, but you are also liable to be called upon to assist in preserving law and order in the colony. ... To do your work faintly would be a grave mistake. If it has to be done effectively you will each be supplied with 40 rounds of ammunition, leaden bullets, and if the order is given to fire, don't let me see any rifle pointed in the air; fire low and lay them out so that the duty will not have to be performed again.' Price was quite clear and quite unapologetic about his intentions. He only wanted ′'to hit the strikers in the legs ... not to kill them outright. He explained that the term 'lay them out' was used in his regiment to mean 'temporary disablement'. A force of 1,000 militia and mounted police and another 1,000 special constables were embodied by the time of the meeting. These forces, apart from a troop of mounted police were held in reserve out of the way and the 40,000 who attended the meeting, although enthusiastic, were orderly and the forces were not called in. Framed coloured artistic work with three works depicting soldiers on horseback in midst of angry crowds.military, strike, melbourne, maritime, vmr -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Ship's Wheel, 1840
This wooden spoke handle is from the wheel of the sailing ship “Success”, a former immigrant ship and later a convict hulk at Melbourne. The sailing ship “Success” was a teakwood vessel built in Natmoo (Natmaw), Tenasserim, Burma (now Myanmar) in 1840 for Cockerell & Co., Calcutta. Over its lifetime of 106 years, it was used to trade in the Indian subcontinent, to transport free emigrants to Australia, as a prison hulk in the Port of Melbourne for both hardened criminals, and later for women and boys, as a storage vessel for ammunition, a reformatory, and as a floating museum sent around the world to tell the tale of the convict era. During the time “Success” was used as a museum, pamphlets were distributed to paying customers advertising erroneously, that the “Success” was the oldest ship in the world. The “Success” sank and was re-floated twice: the first in Sydney in 1885, the second in the USA in 1918, before it was finally burned and sank on July 4, 1946 in Lake Erie, near Sandusky, Ohio, in 1946. Although the “Success” was home to prisoners while berthed in the Port of Melbourne, it was not used as convict transport. There has been speculation that Ned Kelly’s infamous armour was displayed on the “Success”, but this cannot be verified. Another link to Ned Kelly is Henry Johnson, an Irish prisoner on the vessel Success, who was implicated in the murder of the ship’s warder. and later, Johnson was supposedly a bushranger with Ned Kelly. It is also rumoured that Ned Kelly’s father John was a passenger on the Success, but this is also unverified. There are over 16 other ships named “Success”, although one in particular causes some confusion when researching “Success” in Australia. This other ship – the “HMS Success” - was a 28 gun frigate built in1823, which was broken up in 1849. It also sailed to Australia.Thiswooden ship's wheel handle was once part of the ship’s wheel of the sailing ship “Success” , which was, built in Burma in 1840. The “Success” is connected to the history of Australia because she was used as a merchant ship to transport immigrants to Australia, and was also used as a prison ship in Melbourne, a storage vessel, and as a floating “convict” museum, which travelled the world. Ship's wheel handle. Hndle from the wheel of sailing ship, the “Success”. The shaped handle is domed at one end, becoming narrower towards the other end, then flattened out into a beveled circle. The handle has an inscription written in pencil."Success"flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, sailing ship success, ship's wheel spoke, ship's steering wheel, prison ship, prison hulks, convict ship, spoke handle, ship's wheel, navigation equipment, steering wheel -
Puffing Billy Railway
Explosives Wagon, unkown
This 2 foot 6 inch (762mm) gauge wagon was used for carrying explosives and was used with the Greenbat Battery loco. It was donated to the Walhalla Goldfields Railway on long term loan in 2013 along with a large quantity of narrow gauge trollies and light rail from Orica’s now closed munitions factory in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory Orica Deer Park in Melbourne’s west has been used since circa 1875 for various forms of manufacturing and storage of chemicals. Although the site is bounded by Ballarat Road, Station Street, Tilburn Road and the Western Ring Road, the current entry point for industrial operations is situated at Gate 6 of Tilburn Road. Operations include: • a specialty chemicals facility producing products for mining services operations • quarry services • other chemical manufacture activities. The Deer Park factory complex The factory complex is of historical significance for the major role it played in Australia's manufacturing and mining industries through the development of progressively more efficient and safer explosives. It also contributed to wartime production in ammunition, initiators and the development of synthetic ammonia production and construction of the Defence Explosives Annexe No 5 (later the Albion Explosives Factory) during World War Two. The factory complex is also of technical significance for the unusual and specialised design of many of the buildings and structures, both in the layout of the works and the individual design of buildings. Blast protection and safety measures such as mounds around the buildings, 'cleanways' and buffer zones between production areas were employed extensively. A characteristic of many production buildings was the elimination of cavities where explosive compounds could lodge. The combination of concrete barriers and light-weight construction was designed to direct explosion debris away from operators or other buildings. The narrow gauge tramway, which ran through the explosives section, is a rare survivor of nineteenth century materials-handling methods. Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge Railway - Wagon for carrying Explosives at the Orica - Deer Park Munitions factory, Deer park, Victoria, Australia Wagon for carrying explosives made from Timber and steelwagon for carrying explosives, puffing billy, industrial narrow gauge railway, orica - deer park munitions factory, explosives wagon -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Document - Military Submission, John Ferres, Government Printer, Defences of the Colony, 1864
1864 group of 4 submissions bound in to one document. Heavy paper sewn together with twine, black print on white.portland battery, military, major scratchley, commodore wiseman, governor, john ferres -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Memorabilia - Pack Saddle
Believed to have been made 1939/43. In 1904 the British Army adopted a new General Service (GS) pack saddle with an adjustable tree, known as the Mark V pack saddle. The main innovation was the adjustable tree created by having the front and back steel arches jointed to the wooden sidebars, which allowed them to turn to adjust to the size of the back of whatever animal carried the saddle, from the largest horse to the smallest donkey, and eliminated the need to manufacture saddles in different sizes. The saddle could be adapted, by the addition of hanging bars, or universal slats, to carry a wide variety of stores, tools and equipment, and also wounded men. The GS pack saddle was used in both world wars by both the British and Australian armies. The use of pack saddles was especially important in the campaign in Palestine during the First World War where wheeled transport was often not an option. Each machine gun carried by light horse units was transported on a pack saddle, and was accompanied by a second pack animal carrying spare ammunition. During the Second World War pack animals were routinely used by patrols, and larger units such as Norforce, in remote areas of northern Australia. The saddle shown here has two separate girths, which crossed under the animal's belly. Most later versions of the saddle used a shorter single girth buckled to a 'V' attachment, which was in turn buckled to the sidebars. Use of the 'V' attachment gave greater strength and stability to the saddle, and decreased 'rocking' of the load. -
Puffing Billy Railway
1920's Station Cash Box Tin - Hobbs & Co London, 1920's
1920's Station Cash Box Tin Made by Hobbs & Co London Lever Machine Made Alfred Charles Hobbs (October 7, 1812 – November 6, 1891) was an American locksmith and inventor. Hobbs went to London as a representative of the New York company of Day & Newell, which was exhibiting at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Hobbs had brought with him his boss's (Robert Newell) Parautoptic lock, designed to compete with, and surpass, the locks available at the time in Britain. He was the first one to pick Bramah's lock and the Chubb detector lock at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and forced the lock manufacturers to improve their designs. The lock controversy continues a subject of great interest at the Crystal Palace, and, indeed, is now become of general importance. We believed before the Exhibition opened that we had the best locks in the world, and among us Bramah and Chubb were reckoned quite as impregnable as Gibraltar— more so, indeed, for the key to the Mediterranean was taken by us, but none among us could penetrate into the locks and shoot the bolts of these masters. The mechanical spirit, however, is never at rest, and if it is lulled into a false state of listlessness in one branch of industry, and in one part of the world, elsewhere it springs up suddenly to admonish and reproach us with our supineness. Our descendents on the other side of the water are every now and then administering to the mother country a wholesome filial lesson upon this very text, and recently they have been "rubbing us up" with a severity which perhaps we merited for sneering at their shortcomings in the Exhibition. In 1854 he was awarded a Telford Medal by the Institution of Civil Engineers for his paper 'On the Principles and Construction of Locks'. Sign on a strong room door. Hobbs became one of the founders of the lock making firm of Hobbs Hart & Co. Ltd. The company started in 1851 and was formally registered as Hobbs and Co. in 1852. But by 1855 it had become Hobbs, Ashley and Company. The name then changed to Hobbs, Ashley and Fortescue, with an address at 97 Cheapside in London. Then for the next ninety years the address was 76 Cheapside in London. In 1860 Hobbs returned to America and lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and went on to hold a dozen patents for firearm ammunition manufacturing. In 1880 he listed himself as a "Superintendent Of Cartridge Factory" Info from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Charles_HobbsHistoric - Railways - Station Cash Box Tin 1920's Station Cash Box Tin - Hobbs & Co London Metal Tin - painted Black, Gold and Red with Brass Lock and HandleHobbs & Co London Lever Machine Made1920's station cash box tin, puffing billy -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Candle Snuffer, Harris and Sheldon, circa 1840
This mechanical candle snuffer tool was made in Birmingham, England, by Harris and Sheldon Ltd. The candle snuffer was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Street, Williamstown, Victoria. It was donated to Flagstaff HIll and is part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection The enterprise of Harris and Sheldon was established in 1880 by Sydney Harris. They made shop fittings such as cabinets, shelving, cupboards, tables and stationery. During WWII they made aircraft parts, ammunition boxes and pumps. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served the world's seafarers since 1856 in Great Britain. Its symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This candle snuffing tool is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. Candle snuffer tool. A bamboo and brass pole with a spring-action handle that operates a brass pinching mechanism at the other end. The mechanism has been inserted into the hollow bamboo handle. Maker's inscription on the pinching mechanism. Made in Birmingham, England, by Harris & Sheldon Ltd. This is one of the original items in our st Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection."HARRIS & SHELDON LTD.", "BIRMINGHAM"religious service, harris and sheldon ltd, birmingham manufacturer, sydney harris, sailors rest, ladies harbour light guild, mission to seamen williamstown, library tool, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religion, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, joy club for fighters, ladies lightkeepers’ auxiliary, mission to seafarers, flying angel’s club, st nicholas seamen’s church williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, candle snuffer, candle extinguisher, flame snuffer, flame extinguisher -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wood Sample, c. 1854
This sample of wood is from the American clipper ship LIGHTNING was a 3 masted, fully rigged extreme clipper ship. She was commissioned by James Baines, of the Black Ball Line in Liverpool, England, during the time of the Australian Gold Rush for the trade of passengers and cargo between England and Australia. Her cargo listed early consignments of livestock and animals, including rabbits sent to Thomas Austin of Barwon Park, Winchelsea, Victoria. The LIGHTNING was built in 1854 by shipbuilder Donald McKay, of East Boston, USA. She was described as spacious and comfortable, and one of the smartest ships known. The LIGHTNING set many speed records for her sea crossings, and became one of the most famous of the racing clippers and one of the fastest ever launched. In 1854, with Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes and Mate ‘Bully’ Bragg, LIGHTNING made the return trip from Melbourne to Liverpool in only 64 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes; a record for all time. Captain Enright became the new Master of LIGHTNING soon afterwards. He has been described as one of the finest mariners in the Australian trade. One of Captain Enright’s innovations was to publish a ship’s paper called The Lightning Gazette. (Captain Forbes had left to captain the SCHOMBERG.) In January 1855 Capt. Enright sailed the LIGHTNING from Liverpool with over 700 passengers and returned home carrying gold as her cargo. In 1857, for a very brief time under Capt. Byrne the LIGHTNING was used as a troop ship, taking British officers and soldiers, stores and ammunition, to fight in India. In 1859 she then returned to her run between Liverpool and Melbourne, apart from 1867 when she made a special trip between Melbourne and Port Chalmers in New Zealand. In 1869 the LIGHTNING was sold to Thomas Harrison of Liverpool, and she continued to sail for the Black Ball Line. Master of LIGHTNING, Captain Henry Jones, sailed her to Geelong in October 1869, and whilst docked, he had her loaded with a cargo of wool, copper, wire, tallow and other goods. At about 1am on 31st October 1869, whilst still docked and fully laden, a fire was noticed on the LIGHTNING. Efforts to extinguished the fire were unsuccessful, so she was towed to the shoals in Corio Bay, where she eventually sank, losing all cargo but no lives. The area is now known as Lightning Shoals. The LIGHTNING is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S415. She is historically significant for being one of the fastest wooden ships ever built, the first clipper built in the USA for British owners and being the worst shipping disaster in Geelong's history. It spent its whole career carrying cargo and immigrants from England to Australia.Sample, wooden, varnished, from wreck the Lightning. Has a groove along one edge.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sailing ship lightning, extreme clipper ship, american clipper ship, record breaking clipper ship, james baines, black ball line, donald mckay shipbuilder, captain ‘bully’ forbes, australian immigration, liverpool to melbourne migration, captain enright, captain byrne, captain henry jones, lightning shoals geelong, rabbits introduced to australia, wood sample from a ship -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wood Sample, c. 1854
This piece of wood is from the American clipper ship LIGHTNING was a 3 masted, fully rigged extreme clipper ship. She was commissioned by James Baines, of the Black Ball Line in Liverpool, England, during the time of the Australian Gold Rush for the trade of passengers and cargo between England and Australia. Her cargo listed early consignments of livestock and animals, including rabbits sent to Thomas Austin of Barwon Park, Winchelsea, Victoria. The LIGHTNING was built in 1854 by shipbuilder Donald McKay, of East Boston, USA. She was described as spacious and comfortable, and one of the smartest ships known. The LIGHTNING set many speed records for her sea crossings, and became one of the most famous of the racing clippers and one of the fastest ever launched. In 1854, with Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes and Mate ‘Bully’ Bragg, LIGHTNING made the return trip from Melbourne to Liverpool in only 64 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes; a record for all time. Captain Enright became the new Master of LIGHTNING soon afterwards. He has been described as one of the finest mariners in the Australian trade. One of Captain Enright’s innovations was to publish a ship’s paper called The Lightning Gazette. (Captain Forbes had left to captain the SCHOMBERG.) In January 1855 Capt. Enright sailed the LIGHTNING from Liverpool with over 700 passengers and returned home carrying gold as her cargo. In 1857, for a very brief time under Capt. Byrne the LIGHTNING was used as a troop ship, taking British officers and soldiers, stores and ammunition, to fight in India. In 1859 she then returned to her run between Liverpool and Melbourne, apart from 1867 when she made a special trip between Melbourne and Port Chalmers in New Zealand. In 1869 the LIGHTNING was sold to Thomas Harrison of Liverpool, and she continued to sail for the Black Ball Line. Master of LIGHTNING, Captain Henry Jones, sailed her to Geelong in October 1869, and whilst docked, he had her loaded with a cargo of wool, copper, wire, tallow and other goods. At about 1am on 31st October 1869, whilst still docked and fully laden, a fire was noticed on the LIGHTNING. Efforts to extinguished the fire were unsuccessful, so she was towed to the shoals in Corio Bay, where she eventually sank, losing all cargo but no lives. The area is now known as Lightning Shoals. The LIGHTNING is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S415. She is historically significant for being one of the fastest wooden ships ever built, the first clipper built in the USA for British owners and being the worst shipping disaster in Geelong's history. It spent its whole career carrying cargo and immigrants from England to Australia.Sample of wood from the wool clipper LIGHTNING, 1854-1869, The sample has a label and a card with information about the ship and a person. Card, typewritten, "PIECE OF TIMBER FROM FAMOUS WOOL CLIPPER / "LIGHTNING". BUILD IN DONALD McKAY'S SHIPYARD / IN BOSTON, U.S.A.. SHE WAS BURNT TO TOTAL LOSS / IN GEELONG IN 1869"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sailing ship lightning, extreme clipper ship, american clipper ship, record breaking clipper ship, james baines, black ball line, donald mckay shipbuilder, captain ‘bully’ forbes, australian immigration, liverpool to melbourne migration, captain enright, captain byrne, captain henry jones, lightning shoals geelong, rabbits introduced to australia, wood sample from lightning -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Wood Sample, c. 1854
This sample of wood is from the American clipper ship LIGHTNING was a 3 masted, fully rigged extreme clipper ship. She was commissioned by James Baines, of the Black Ball Line in Liverpool, England, during the time of the Australian Gold Rush for the trade of passengers and cargo between England and Australia. Her cargo listed early consignments of livestock and animals, including rabbits sent to Thomas Austin of Barwon Park, Winchelsea, Victoria. The LIGHTNING was built in 1854 by shipbuilder Donald McKay, of East Boston, USA. She was described as spacious and comfortable, and one of the smartest ships known. The LIGHTNING set many speed records for her sea crossings, and became one of the most famous of the racing clippers and one of the fastest ever launched. In 1854, with Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes and Mate ‘Bully’ Bragg, LIGHTNING made the return trip from Melbourne to Liverpool in only 64 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes; a record for all time. Captain Enright became the new Master of LIGHTNING soon afterwards. He has been described as one of the finest mariners in the Australian trade. One of Captain Enright’s innovations was to publish a ship’s paper called The Lightning Gazette. (Captain Forbes had left to captain the SCHOMBERG.) In January 1855 Capt. Enright sailed the LIGHTNING from Liverpool with over 700 passengers and returned home carrying gold as her cargo. In 1857, for a very brief time under Capt. Byrne the LIGHTNING was used as a troop ship, taking British officers and soldiers, stores and ammunition, to fight in India. In 1859 she then returned to her run between Liverpool and Melbourne, apart from 1867 when she made a special trip between Melbourne and Port Chalmers in New Zealand. In 1869 the LIGHTNING was sold to Thomas Harrison of Liverpool, and she continued to sail for the Black Ball Line. Master of LIGHTNING, Captain Henry Jones, sailed her to Geelong in October 1869, and whilst docked, he had her loaded with a cargo of wool, copper, wire, tallow and other goods. At about 1am on 31st October 1869, whilst still docked and fully laden, a fire was noticed on the LIGHTNING. Efforts to extinguished the fire were unsuccessful, so she was towed to the shoals in Corio Bay, where she eventually sank, losing all cargo but no lives. The area is now known as Lightning Shoals. The LIGHTNING is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S415. She is historically significant for being one of the fastest wooden ships ever built, the first clipper built in the USA for British owners and being the worst shipping disaster in Geelong's history. It spent its whole career carrying cargo and immigrants from England to Australia.Sample wooden rectangular from the clipper Lightning, which burned out at Geelong 31 Oct 1869.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, sailing ship lightning, extreme clipper ship, american clipper ship, record breaking clipper ship, james baines, black ball line, donald mckay shipbuilder, captain ‘bully’ forbes, australian immigration, liverpool to melbourne migration, captain enright, captain byrne, captain henry jones, lightning shoals geelong, rabbits introduced to australia, wood from sailing ship, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lightning