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Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 18/09/52
Allan and Alette are going to Oslo for Christmas and may marry there. Allan has attended a number of Promenade Concerts at Albert Hall and enjoyed seeing harmonica player Larry Adler, composers Vaughan Williams and John Ireland and conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent. He has been promoted at work and is now in charge of the Processing Department.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0903.a1) headed 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8 and dated 18/09/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked Paddington W 2. Return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8. Enclosed is a small off-white piece of paper (0903.b) with writing, in green ink, on both sides.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, vera south, sir malcolm sargent, vaughan williams, john ireland, larry adler, albert hall -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 20/12/1952
... , buff-coloured paper (0908.a1-3). Letter is headed 542 Jersey... on three sheets of unlined, buff-coloured paper (0908.a1-3). Letter ...Quinn CollectionA three page letter written on three sheets of unlined, buff-coloured paper (0908.a1-3). Letter is headed 542 Jersey Street, San Francisco, phone AJ 2-0309 and dated 20/12/52. The matching envelope (0908.b) is addressed to Mr Allen [sic] Quinn. It has been re- addressed from C/- Australia House, The Strand, London, England to 8 Gloucester Walk, W8. Written in the top left hand corner is N Cowley, 542 Jersey St. S.F. Calif. Below this is a purple post office 'Returned To Sender From San Francisco Postage Due.' stamp . This is partially obscured by one of the five three-cent postage stamps placed across the top and down the right hand side of the envelope. 'Air Mail' is written diagonally across the lower left hand corner. On the back is a partially legible postmark dated 2 January 1953. The postmark on the front is illegible. Letter commences "Dear Allen [sic]...." and concludes "...Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from Pat, Darline, Allen and Norman your Yavla Swenska Shipmate,"letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london, norm cowley -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 13/07/1955
Barry writes inquiring about the possibility of employment in Australia.Quinn CollectionA four page letter written in black ink on two sheets of buff coloured paper (0919.a1-2) headed 64 St George's Square, London, S.W.1 and dated 13/07/55. The Air Mail envelope (0919.b) is addressed to Allen [sic] Quinn Esq., 414 Como Parade, Parkdale, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London S.W.1. The stamps have been torn off partly removing a promotional stamp. The letter commences "Dear Alan [sic],...." and concludes "...Regards Barry."letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, barry warner -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 17/12/1955
Quinn CollectionA two-page letter (0922.a) written on one sheet of unlined, pale blue paper headed The Meadows, Epsom, Surrey and dated 17/12/55. The cream envelope (0922.b) is addressed to Mr Kip Hayes Esq., 14 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is Epsom, Surrey. There are several numbers penciled on the back of the envelope.Letter commences "Dear Kip.." and is signed "Jim"allan quinn, jim hayes, kip hayes -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, Jim Hayes, 22/12/1958
Quinn CollectionA two-page letter (0924.a) written on one sheet of unlined, pale blue paper headed The Meadows, Epsom, Surrey and dated 22/12/58. The matching envelope (0924.b) is addressed to Mrs Edna Hayes, No. 6 Flat, No.1 Park Street, St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is very faint and partly obscured by the blue air mail sticker.. There are some numbers penciled on the back of the envelope.Letter commences "Dear Edna.." and is signed "...sincerely James Hayes."letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, jim hayes, kip hayes -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 1955
Barry writes of mutual friends.Quinn CollectionA seven page letter written on four sheets of buff coloured paper (0923.a1-4) headed 64 St George's Square, London, S.W.1, England. Letter is undated; 'Wednesday' is written under the heading. The Air Mail envelope (0923.b) has been re-addressed from A. Quinn Esq., 414 Como Parade, Parkdale, Victoria, Australia to 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. Letter is postmarked London S.W.1. The postmark is dated 20 December, 1955. A 'Post Early for Christmas' promotional stamp is partly obscured by the postage stamp. The letter commences "Dear Allen [sic],...." and is signed "Barry."allan quinn, barry warner, london 1955, quinn letter, quinn collection -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 12/02/1972
The letter refers to Mr Hawke, and the Unions "...who hold a State and Country to ransom..."Quinn CollectionA letter written on one side of a single sheet of lined paper (0925.a1) dated 12/02/1972. No envelope sighted. The letter commences "The Editor 50-50..." and is signed "E.H. St Kilda"allan quinn, australia 1972, robert hawke, unions, quinn letters -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Reference letter, The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited, 11 March 1921
... and signed letter in black ink on thin cream paper. Letter Reference ...The letter of reference from the Master, (indecipherable signature), certified that Arthur Oswald Dixon, served on the SS Baldina belonging to the Adelaide Steamship Company, from the 14/12/1920 to 09/03/1921. Mr Dixon was an excellent and very capable officer.Typewritten and signed letter in black ink on thin cream paper.Top left corner: Cable address " Steamship, Adelaide"/ Top right corner: The Adelaide Steamship Co Limited, Adelaide". Signed: CBL Tilmer? (signature of ship master)arthur oswald dixon, masters, seamanship, seamen, sailors, seafarers, officers, crew, adelaide steamship, ss baldina, 1921, merchant navy -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Flyer - Newsletter, "Successful Warfare" - The Missions to Seamen Monthly Letter to the Officers and Seamen of the Mercantile Marine, 1914-1918
The newsletter was published to address the Mercantile Marine primarily officers in the service. This is the number 19. The term "Merchant Navy" was coined in 1919 by King George V. So this foyer predates 1919.An unusual example of newsletter circulated by the Missions to Seamen (UK) during WW1. The aim may well have been to boost morale but clearly targeting Merchant mariners.Small paper and ink (2 colours, black and blue) 4 page stapled paper pamphlet/booklet. First page features some small black and white printed hand drawn graphics of a river mouth and a decorative angel or female. ww 1, mercantile marine service, mercantile marine, ww1, first world war, great war -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 1949
Letter 0817a; the writer refers to Allan's 21st birthday and his recent letter from Rio. He also writes of prices rising in Australia, the coal strike, and that 'Sydney especially is badly hit'. He also recommends Allan see a film called 'The Secret Land', a record of an American Naval Expedition to the South Pole, if he gets the opportunity. Letter is signed 'Your loving Dad, Stanley Quinn'. Writer of 0817d also refers to Allan's 21st birthday and the coal strike which has affected manufacturing and the availability of materials, especially bricks as all the brickworks are closed down. The letter is signed 'Your Pal Norm'.Quinn CollectionThree-page letter written to Allan (0817.a1-3) from his father, Stanley Quinn, on three sheets of lined cream-coloured paper, headed Liddesdale Avenue, Frankston and dated 25.07.49. The envelope (0817.b) is buff-coloured. Also found in this envelope is a single-sided, two-page letter written on thin off-white lined paper (0817.c1-2) to Allan from his friend Norm headed 1 Selwyn Street, Artarmon, dated 27.07.49. Enclosed with 0817.c are two small black and white photographs (0817.d1-2). 0817.d1 shows a small boy with a model airplane and 0817.d2 the model airplane from a different angle.Letter 0817a is written on the reverse side of three pages of the Melbourne Stevedoring Company's Cargo Tally sheets. The envelope is pre-stamped with an embossed profile of King George V and a crown in white on a red, oval background. Postage is two and a half pence. Envelope is addressed to Allan C/- Swedish Seaman's Union, 156 Montague Street, Brooklyn, New York, USA. The postmark is torn. There is a blue air-mail sticker on the upper left-hand corner. 0817d; On the left wing of the model airplane is printed MAA, on the right wing - 17. There are pencilled marks on the back of each photograph. letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, stanley quinn, coal strike, australia -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 1949
Vera write of her travels through Europe and of her intention to return to Australia via India in October.Quinn CollectionThree and a half page letter written on unlined blue 'airletter' paper (0819.a1-a3). First two pages have writing on one side only, third page has writing on both sides. Pale grey envelope (0396.b). The stamp/stamps have been removed and with them part of the address.Letter headed C/- Australia House, London and dated 30.8.49, commences 'My Dear Allen' and concludes 'love from Vera'. The envelope is post-marked Notting Hill and dated 31 August 1949 W.11.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1948, vera south -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 1949
Allan and Jens were shipmates on the M.I.Ariston.Quinn CollectionSingle sheet of buff-coloured paper written on both sides, headed Goteborg, dated, 1/09/49 (0820.a). Matching envelope (0820.b) bears three green Swedish stamps. Letter 'Hello Allan' and concludes '.....all the best to you from your old shipmate Jens'. The envelope is post-marked Goteborg 12letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1948, 1949 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 03/09/1949
Allan writes that having reached New York he has 'signed off' the 'Fenris'. "After ten months I'm a civilian again....". He describes the eighteen hour voyage from Boston to New York when they came through the Cape Cod Canal and Long Island Sound in New England past holiday homes, sailboats and launches. He mentions that, in New York, Bing Crosby's latest film is 'Top of the World', Ingrid Bergman is appearing in 'Under Capricorn' and that you can buy a 12" television for the equivalent of fifty pounds, a smaller one for twenty-six pounds. Quinn CollectionSingle-sided letter written on seven sheets of thin, blue unlined paper (0821.a1-0821.a7) dated 3/09/49 and headed New York. No envelope was found. The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, new york -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 03/10/1949
Indicates a friendship at the timeQuinn CollectionTwo page single-sided letter written on buff coloured unlined paper (0824.a1-0824.a2) dated 3/10/49 and headed SS Lake Canim, Gibraltar. Matching coloured envelope (0824.b) has an alternating red and blue diamond-patterned boarder. Letter begins "Hi Allen" and concludes "...your old friend Douglas". The envelope has been re-addressed twice; originally to New York then San Pedre, California and finally to San Francisco. There is one post-mark on the front and two on the back. A return address, D Massey, 2415 Yeur Street, Vancouver BC Canada is written on the back.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, ss lake canim, d massey -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 07/10/1949
Allan writes in detail about his six-day, 3500 mile car trip from New York to Los Angeles. Only one of the five other passengers shared the driving with him. He describes the excellent roads, the beautiful countryside, the towns, and the friendly people. He thought New Mexico the most beautiful state he saw and Tombstone was the most interesting place.Quinn CollectionSingle-sided letter written in green ink on eight sheets of thin, blue unlined paper (0825.a1-0821.a8) dated 7/10/49 and headed Los Angeles. Matching envelope (0825.b) has a border of alternating yellow and green diagonal stripes.The letter is from Allan to his mother. There is no stamp on the envelope and the postmark is indistinct.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, new york, los angeles, road trip -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 27/10/1949
Quinn CollectionSingle page, double sided letter written on unlined off-white paper (0827), headed Liddesdale Avenue, Frankston and dated 27/10/49. Matching envelope (0827.b) has a blue airmail sticker and a nine pence stamp on the front. The other stamp has been torn off. Only half the postmark remains.Letter begins "My dear Allan" and concludes "Your loving Father Stanley Quinn."letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, stanley quinn -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 05/11/1949
Allan writes that, although he is still waiting to sign on to a ship, '....I am at the top of the list now at the union and definitely expect to be away in a day or two.'Quinn CollectionOne and a half page letter written in green ink on two sheets of thin, blue unlined paper (0828.a1-0828.a2) dated 5/11/49 and headed San Francisco. Cream coloured envelope (0828.b) has a border of alternating pale blue and cream diagonal stripes.The letter is from Allan to his mother. There is a 15 cent airmail United States postage stamp on the envelope. The postmark is barely visible.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 13/11/1949
Indicates a friendship at the timeQuinn CollectionOne and a quarter page letter (0830.a1) typed on cream-coloured paper headed 5408 Denker Avenue, Los Angeles, California and dated 13/11/49. Matching envelope (0830.b) has type-written address and is post-marked Los Angeles. The stamp has been torn off. 'Please forward' is written in pencil across the bottom left-hand corner.Letter is from Stanley Carraher and commences 'Hi Allen' and concludes 'Your friend, Stan'. It appears from the context of the letter that Stanley was one of Allen's fellow passengers in the recent car trip from New York to Los Angelesletters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, los angeles, stanley carraher -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 31/11/1949
Mrs Quinn writes of receiving a photo album, some books and an ashtray Allan has sent. She tells him how proud she is of her son.Quinn CollectionThree page letter written on two sheets of buff coloured lined paper (0832.a1-0832.a2) headed 5 Pollington Street, St Kilda and dated 31/11/49. Matching envelope (0832.b). Letter commences 'Allan Dear' and concludes '...Fondest love from your Mum...'. The envelope has been re-addressed from C/- Scandinavian Shipping Office, San Francisco to M/S Mongabarra, San Francisco. Post-mark on the front is Melbourne and the Australian stamp is one shilling and sixpence. There is a San Francisco postmark on the back of the envelope and also a promotional stamp 'Save the East. Buy U.S. Bonds in payroll savings.'letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, lilydale high school, lilydale high school alumni -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 1/12/1949
Quinn CollectionTwo page letter written on two sheets of buff coloured paper (0833.a1-0833.a2) headed New York and dated 1/12/49. Pale blue envelope (0833.b) is edged with alternating red and blue stripes. Letter commences 'Dear Friend!' and concludes '..So Long! Your friend Peer...'. The envelope has been re-addressed from C/- Scandinavian Shipping Office, Transport Building, Embarcadero at Mission Street, San Francisco to M/S Mongabarra, Gen. S.S .Corp. Ltd, 432 California Street, San Francisco California. Post-mark on the front is New York and the red stamp is franked Bronx General Station. letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 14/01/1950
Vera writes ..'I am enjoying my stay in Calcutta but I am sorry I am unable to see more of India. Conditions are unsettled and it isn't very safe travelling around and most uncomfortable.'Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter (0834.a) written in blue ink on buff coloured paper headed Calcutta and dated 14/01/50. The outer right-hand side of the letter is blue and addressed to Allen Quinn Esq. 10 Blanche Street, Elsternwick, Melbourne.Letter commences 'My Dear Allen, How pleased I am to hear from your Father that you will be in Melbourne on Jan. 20th.....' and concludes '..My love to your Mother. From Vera' letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1950, calcutta, vera south -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, 28/03/1950
Quinn CollectionA one and a half page letter (0835.a) written in pencil on one page of pale cream unlined paper dated 28/03/50 and headed New York. The airmail envelope (0835.b) addressed in green ink to Randwick, New South Wales, Australia has been re-addressed in black ink to M S Mongabarra, C/-Transatlantic Shipping Company, Gothenburg, Sweden Envelope is edged with alternating red and blue stripes. There is a large tear in the upper right-hand corner where the United States of America stamp would have been. The post mark is New York, N.Y. The upper left hand corner bears a one and sixpence Australian stamp; the franking is indistinct. The letter is addressed to Allan. The writer refers to mutual friends and to the ship 'Fenris'. The signature is a Non-Anglo signature and indecipherable. The return address, written on the bottom of the back of the envelope, is to F. S?.....,119 East 127 Street, New York 35 N.Y. letters-from-abroad, quinn -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, copy, Peter Donovan, 24 September 1920
In November 2019, Peter Sharkey from England visited the Mission . In January 2020, he emailed scans of 3 letters from seaman Peter Donovan, a relative, written from Melbourne. The letters were written using printed paper from the Mission to Seamen.In total, there are 13 letters, written from various ports between 1920 and 1922; in many respects, they offer a glimpse of economic and social history. Although wages were higher in Australasia, the threat of unemployment appears as constant as it was in Liverpool, to where the correspondence was sent and from where the sender almost certainly hailed.Scan of letter written by seamen Peter Donovan to his sister peter donovan, peter sharkey, mission to seamen, seamen, sailors, ships, england, mission to seafarers, strikes, ss sealark, patrick steamship company, patrick s.s. co -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, copy, Peter Donovan, 24 September 1920
In November 2019, Peter Sharkey from England visited the Mission . In January 2020, he emailed scans of 3 letters from seaman Peter Donovan, a relative, written from Melbourne. The letters were written using printed paper from the Mission to Seamen.In total, there are 13 letters, written from various ports between 1920 and 1922; in many respects, they offer a glimpse of economic and social history. Although wages were higher in Australasia, the threat of unemployment appears as constant as it was in Liverpool, to where the correspondence was sent and from where the sender almost certainly hailed.Scan of letter written by seamen Peter Donovan to his sister peter donovan, peter sharkey, mission to seamen, seamen, sailors, ships, england, mission to seafarers, strikes, ss sealark, patrick steamship company, patrick s.s. co -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, copy, Peter Donovan, 24 September 1920
In November 2019, Peter Sharkey from England visited the Mission . In January 2020, he emailed scans of 3 letters from seaman Peter Donovan, a relative, written from Melbourne. The letters were written using printed paper from the Mission to Seamen.In total, there are 13 letters, written from various ports between 1920 and 1922; in many respects, they offer a glimpse of economic and social history. Although wages were higher in Australasia, the threat of unemployment appears as constant as it was in Liverpool, to where the correspondence was sent and from where the sender almost certainly hailed.Scan of letter written by seamen Peter Donovan to his sister peter donovan, peter sharkey, mission to seamen, seamen, sailors, ships, england, mission to seafarers, strikes, ss sealark, patrick steamship company, patrick s.s. co -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Article, A Woman's Melbourne Letter
A detailed description of the Mission and its activities written by a woman: Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 13 December 1918, page 34 A WOMAN'S MELBOURNE LETTER. Melbourne, Dec. 4. There is an idea abroad, which as regards Melbourne, at any rate, is quite erroneous, that our sailors are not as well looked after as our soldiers, and that the noble men of the Mercantile Marine are much neglected ! For once, perhaps, my readers will pardon a letter dealing with only one subject, but the steady, unostentatious work done by the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild, in connection with the mission to seamen in Melbourne could not be adequately explained if dismissed in the usual short paragraph. Some of the most prominent names in Melbourne are associated with this guild and with the Mission Chaplain, and Mrs. Gurney Goldsmith, the members have made the Seamen's Institute a real home for those sailors of the Mercantile Marine, who touch our port. What we as a community owe to those men by their heroism in recent hostilities is certainly more understood by this band of enthusiastic workers than by the community generally. By using their unflagging energies, and influence on the sailor's behalf they endeavour to discharge a debt to which in some way or other we could and should all contribute. Even the most casual person can, if he thinks at all, sum up a few of the things our sailors - other than those belonging to our glorious navy - have done for us. On the spur of the moment we remember that those of the Mercantile Marine, are the men who manned our transports, who carried our wheat and wool, to oversea markets; who kept us in touch with our loved ones abroad; who kept the fires going in the furnaces of the great leviathans, bringing our wounded soldiers home again; who never flinched when self-sacrifice was demanded; who cared, with that tenderness, innate in all sailors, for the women and children, when the passenger ships were struck a dastardly blow by the wicked enemy; who, mocking death, gave up life with a heroism all the more heroic because it was always taken as a matter of course! Is it any wonder, then, that the members of the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild make it their business to provide a bright, homelike, spot in Melbourne, where the sailors are always certain of a cherry welcome ashore? The members of the guild are admirably drafted! The 360 non-workers each pay £1 1s. per annum. The workers, of whom there are between 700 and 800, donate 2s. 6d. and school members - it is confidently hoped that gradually all the schools will take an active interest in the mission - 1s. a year. The knights of the guild - as the men members are designated - are responsible for any sum they wish to name, from 5s. a year upwards. Everything is paid for out of these revenues, with the exception of a small grant from the Home Mission Fund - and such is the organisation, and management, that the entire concern is quite free from debt. The Seamen's Church and Institute, where the "Harbour Lights" gleam so brightly, is situated right in the midst of all the bustle and turmoil of the wharves, at the end of Flinders-street. The building, comprising chapel, and institute under the one red tiled roof, is grey stuccoed, with a small tower, from which flaunts the flag of 'The Flying Angel" - the badge of the guild. A visit to the institute makes one fully appreciate the boon the place must be to the voyage worn, weary, sailor. The atmosphere is eminently social in its best sense. While the architecture imparts an elegance, and quiet dignity which soothes by the very subtlety of its charm. With its comfortable furniture, its wealth of flowers, and the happy, wholesome, feminine influence which prevails everywhere, the quality which stands for the magic word "home" abounds. The Chaplain in the course of conversation said: -"We try to make this really a free club for sailors." But the habitues would probably tell you it was far more than that to them. The Institute is excellently appointed, and every little corner seems to have its particular history. It was built after the model of one of the old mission churches in California, and retains something of the old world attraction, while yet it combines all the advantages of modern, practical, conveniences. On entering the door the first thing, one notices is a huge compass, inlaid upon the floor, evidently to indicate one's proper bearings for it points due north - to the chapel! Only one other seamen's mission in the world boasts such a compass. As the sailor swings through the entrance he finds the office on his right, and there is, here, always a smiling face to welcome the shy, or timid, new comer. Quite a real post office is staffed by members of the guild, and all the letters received are listed alphabetically. Therefore, the expectant sailor has just to run his eye down the list, and he can immediately see whether there is a letter for him or not. If he is fortunate, he comes up to the member in charge, who unlocks the box, and produces the longed for missive. The boys are always encouraged to answer letters - and to write them. Often a few words about their mother, and their own home, will provoke a sleeping memory into activity. The writing room is well stocked with paper, envelopes, pens, and ink. The tables are so divided to ensure the utmost privacy, and through a calculated chain of circumstances, many an anxious mother receives a letter from her sailor lad, who, perhaps, might not have written but for these kindly inducements. The central hall - where social evenings are held every other night besides two special concerts a week - is inviting in the extreme. A handsome piano affords opportunity for those musically inclined. The tables are strewn with papers. The walls are bright with pictures, and here, and there, is a carved model, of a ship. One, of especial interest, is a model of "The Roon" carved, and presented by a French sailor. This German vessel will always be remembered in Australia. For it was across her bows that the first hostile shot was ever fired in Australian waters. In the corner is the canteen. It was fitted up entirely from the proceeds of a quotation calendar compiled by one of the members. The sailors may at any time, get a teapot of tea, or a tray of eatables, at a nominal cost. Before the canteen was in existence they had to go out for refreshments! - and sometimes they did not come back! Groups of sailors sit chatting at the tables. Half a dozen Swedes laugh and talk among themselves, for the simple reason they know no other language than their own. Several British sailors cluster about a dark-eyed Welsh lad - a perfect Celtic type - who, although only about twenty years of age, has been the victim of the Hun five times. Mines and torpedoes sank the ships he was in, either in the Channel or off the English coast, four times; and it is to his fifth experience, when the Inverness was wrecked, that everyone is eagerly listening. "We were in the boats eight days," he was saying, "I was pretty well mangled when they picked me up. The sufferings we endured were awful. At last we managed to reach Rapa, a Hawaiian island. The natives thought we were Germans, and came at us with spears. When they found we were British, they were awfully good to us. They even cried when we left, and the day before the rescue boat arrived they begged us to go into the hills and hide." At another table a Canadian lad - once a sailor - then a soldier, who trained at the Broadmeadows camp - was telling his experiences : - "The voyage which will always stick in my memory," he said, "was to a place which must be nameless. We left the United States not knowing whether we were bound, or what we were going to do. After some weeks we sighted a group of wonderfully beautiful islands, and we headed for the most remote and most lovely of them all. Then, and only then, we learned our mission from the skipper. We were taking their year's supply to a leprosy station! Oh no! I don't blame the skipper for not telling us ! Someone has to do these things, you know. A naval guard saw they didn't come near - and we all got sixty dollars extra. When the job was over we were quarantined on another island for two months, and one little chap - the baby of the crew, not eighteen - developed leprosy, and died before we left. Yes! I'll never forget that voyage, mates! Sometimes, I seem to see Leper's Island yet, with its lavish tropical vegetation and the gorgeous sunsets which stained all the water with blood. Then, too" - here the voice deepened - "there was an English girl - a leper - there. We heard she used to be an actress, and she contracted the disease somehow or other. She was always alone, and always watching us. In the distance we could see her come to the water's edge, and from there she would watch. Just watch . .. . watch . . .watch. ..." "Here come a couple of North Sea chaps," broke in an elderly man after pause. "One of them wounded, too, poor lad." It is not strange that all the sailors flock to the Institute. It is so comfortable, and essentially inviting, besides being full of human interest. The men's quarters comprise reading, writing and dressing rooms - hot and cold baths are always available - billiard room, and a special baggage room, where any sailor may leave his kit for as long as he likes. The payment of 3d. covers its complete insurance. Upstairs are the officers' quarters. These also have their own billiard room, writing and reading rooms, bath and dressing rooms. Just close are the apprentices' quarters - "The Half Deck," as popular parlance has it! The lads also have a billiard room of their own, and indulge in an easy armchair - amongst others - which was a donation from the Milverton School branch of the Guild. It is hoped by the committee to some day utilise the huge empty rooms, which run the length of the whole building. Their ultimate intention is to fit them up as cubicles, or "cabins," as they are to be called. They trust these "cabins" will be donated, either in memory, or in honour, of someone dear to the donor. Another forward movement soon to be put in hand, now that materials are available, is the establishment of "Norla Gymnasium." In a sailors' club such facility for exercise is absolutely essential. The men both need, and miss, exertion. As one boy, who had been backsliding, once said pathetically : -"If only there was something to do to get me into a good sweat, I would be all right." Soon such an one will be helped to swing from the trapese of the Norla Gymnasium into the right track! Sunday is always a fete day at the Institute, for 40 or 50 sailors generally come into tea. The up-to-date kitchen, which is fitted with every labour-saving appliance - all paid for out of working members' half crowns - is then a hive of animation, and methodical order. A formidable row of teapots await filling. Mrs. Goldsmith -, the chaplain's wife - rightly thinks it is far more homely to pour out the tea from a pot, than to serve it straight from the urns. So tea is poured out by a member, who sits at the head of a table gay with flowers, and chats to the guests. These latter are of all nationalities. But the French, the Spanish, Scandinavian, Norwegian - or any other sailor is equally welcome with the British. Two enthusiasts belonging to the Guild actually learnt Norwegian, so that men of this nation would have someone to talk to, and so be less lonely when they reached this, to them, foreign port ! The members of the Guild have their own private suite where they arrange the flow-err and do other necessary odds and ends undisturbed. No one appreciates flowers like a sailor, and the earliest and most beautiful may always be seen adorning the tables and rooms. Teas are served and lectures are held in the "Celia Little Hall," one of the most beautiful portions of the institute. It was erected by the chaplain in memory of his aunt from whom the hall takes its name. The Gothic windows open upon the cloisters, where, in the hot weather, the sailors enjoy their meals out of doors. The cloisters, indeed, form an exquisite spot. They are between a series of sweeping arches which lead to the chapel, and are sheltered by the open balcony of the chaplain's quarters. Grace of contour marks the architecture on every turn. Just around the corner is the chaplain's garden - a patch of green and colour, transformed from a desert waste, by a well-known woman horticulturist. The book room is a department especially valued by the sailors. There are two secretaries, one for home and the other for foreign literature. Books in French, English, Spanish, Scandinavian, Norwegian, and German may be found on the shelves. Each week about 36 convenient parcels of reading stuff are made up. These contain illustrated papers, books in various languages, and magazines. These parcels are eagerly accepted by the sailor with a long monotonous voyage before him. But complete as is every corner of the institute, no part is so well equipped as the memorial chapel erected by the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild, in memory of the officers and men, who have lost their lives during the war. St Peter's - for it is called after the sailor's patron saint - with its hallowed gentle dignity is a veritable sanctuary of peace, perhaps all the more so because it sprang out of war. The fittings are entirely of Australian wood. The pews, given in memory of some loved one by one of the members, are of Tasmanian hardwood. The reredos and altar chairs of carved blackwood. The rich carpet was provided by the members' magical half-crowns. Already this chapel holds memorials of peculiar historical interest. The altar lectern was given in memory of Commander Elwell, who, it will be remembered, was killed at Rabaul, in the early part of the war. The font commemorates two heroes - Nigel Hockley and Fred Hyde, who lost their lives at the hands of the Germans, although they survived the actual torpedoing of their ships, the Galgorn Castle off the coast of Ireland. The mother of one of them wrote out that her son had died as an Englishman should - fighting for the right. This noble sentiment is suitably paraphrased upon the inscription engraved upon the font. Practically every-hing enshrined in the chapel has its own sentimental value. The alms salver of beaten copper, studded with agate, is fragrant with the memory of a saintly woman.The eye of the sailor is caught and held by the pulpit, which is fashioned like a ship's hull and only a twist of rope guides the chaplain up the steps. For the last 13 years the Rev. A. Gurney Goldsmith, M.A., has acted as chaplain to the Seamen's Mission in Melbourne. Before that he and his wife worked in China. Mr Goldsmith visits all the boats and gets in touch personally with the sailor, over whom he has great influence. He is not only their chaplain and friend, but, amongst a wide range of other things, their banker besides. An exchange system exists between the various Missions, and the sailor who has "banked" his money with the chaplain, upon going away, receives a cheque which is cashed - minus exchange - by the chaplain of the next port. Mr. Goldsmith will tell you he has a soft spot in his heart for on old sailor he calls "Paddy." This ancient mariner has been wrecked ten times. It was a long time before the chaplain prevailed upon "Paddy" to partake of the spiritual and secular advantages afforded by the institute. He would not come, he said, until he could do so "with a good heart." Finally he frankly admitted that he had no "friends like those of 'the Flying Angel,' " and that he eventually proved his own "good heart" will be shown in this story. One day he came in to the chaplain and said bluffly, "Well, sir, I've been payin' off some old scores up Carlton way, an' I tells yer, plain, sir, not one of 'em would have seen a penny of their money but for the Mission." The Ladies' Harbour Light Guild has over thirty working suburban branches, and the excellent results achieved at the Institute now will no doubt be considerably augmented in the future. The practical actions of the members do more than anything else to convey the subtle meaning of the name of the Guild. To the visiting sailors the word "ladies" signifies the bread givers; "harbour" safety ; "lights" welcome; "guild" the welding of fraternity, and they one and all tell you the ideals thus embodied are unselfishly carried out by all the ladies who have banded together to care for the sailors' welfare.The article describes the Mission and the use of several spaces a year after its opening and gives details about the daily activities.Digital copy of an article published in the Western Mail on the 13th of December 1918. 717 flinders street, seamen's mission, norla dome, lhlg, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, celia little room, garden, frederica godfrey -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, Letter to Lillie from Howard, 29 August 1925
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 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Petition, October November 1897
... over and could also be a "9", an "8" or a "3". paper Watermark... of the parchment was a small piece of paper reading: "Letter written ...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 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
legal record (item) - Register, Marriage Register, Circa 1947
The register documents twenty-five weddings that took place in the Mission to Seamen's church district between the 21st of April, 1947 to the 8th of June 1950. Each certificate is a record of all the information needed to legalise a marriage under Commonwealth law, such as names, dates of birth, marital status, parents and employment. Within the register, there are four Forms of Consent, used when the bride or groom were below the age of twenty-one. There is a memo confirming the death of one bride's previous husband, a letter confirming one groom was actually a bachelor, and letters from a ship's captain, swearing a bride and groom are both unmarried.The register is a historical record of weddings performed at the Mission to Seamen church between 1947 to 1950.On front cover, handwritten in blue ink: REGISTER NO 6 / 21-4-47 - 8-6-50 / NOTE NO 94 (underlined) / CELEBRATED AT ST NICHOLAS'MARINERS'CHURCH / WILLIAMSTOWN / NO 103 (underlined) AT ST ANDREWS " " / PORT MELBOURNEwedding, marriage, 1947-1950, register, church, marriages, dio-marriages, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission -
Greensborough Historical Society
Letter - Correspondence, Planning scheme amendments c64 and c77 - improving protection for Banyule's Heritage Places, 26/09/2011
Deals with those places in the City of Banyule that have been proposed to be covered in Heritage Overlay. Outline amendments to Banyule Planning Scheme in relation to Heritage places.The Heritage Overlay is the planning scheme control applied to an identified Heritage place or precinct to protect its cultural heritage values.A4. Letter and accompanying documents printed on white paper. Total 20 pages. Banyule City Council letterheadbanyule city council, heritage overlay