In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, found an ornate communion set used to celebrate the Eucharist or holy communion by a number of different Christian faiths was recovered from the wreck of the Schomberg. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery at Flagstaff Hill. The collection of artefacts from the Schomberg also contains ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and a photograph from the Schomberg. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald a former director of Flagstaff Hill maritime museum. The Schomberg was a large three-masted full-ship rigged wooden ship built in 1855 by Alexander Hall and Co in Aberdeen, Scotland for James Baines' famous Black Ball Line at £43,103. The vessel was 288 feet (88 meters) in length, with a beam of 45 feet (14 meters), a depth of 29.5 feet (8.99 meters) of 2,284 tons. The mainmast was 210 feet (64 meters) high and she carried 3.3 acres of sail. The vessel was constructed with three skins. One planked fore and aft, and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw-threaded trunnels (wooden rails). The Schomberg is one of only three clipper wrecks in Victorian waters that operated the England to Australia run. While the other two, Empress of the Sea and Lightning, were built by the famous American shipbuilder, Donald Mac Kay. Schomberg was an attempt to build a faster ship than Mac Kay and a vessel fast enough to break the sailing record to Australia. The Schomberg sailed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool on 6 October 1855, under the command of Captain James Forbes, on its maiden voyage to Australia with a general cargo, jewellery, spirits, machinery, and 2,000 tons of iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, plus 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. She also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. There were approximately 473 passengers and a crew of 105. It was hoped that Schomberg would make Melbourne in sixty days, setting a record for the voyage, but light winds at the equator dashed those expectations. The ship sighted Moonlight Head in south west Victoria on Christmas Day but through a deadly combination of wind, currents and unmarked sand spits, the vessel gently ran aground on 26 December 1855 on a spit that juts into Newfield Bay, just east of Curdies Inlet, and the present town of Peterborough. Fortunately, the SS Queen was nearby and managed to save all passengers and crew. The steamers Keera and Maitland were dispatched to salvage the passenger's baggage and the more valuable cargo. Other salvage attempts were made, but deteriorating weather made the work impossible, and within two weeks the Schomberg's hull was broken up and the vessel abandoned. The wrecking of the Schomberg caused quite the public stir particularly in light of the fact the vessel was supposed to be, the most perfect clipper ship ever built. Captain Forbes was charged in the Supreme Court under suspicion that he was playing cards with two female passengers below decks when his ship ran aground. Despite a protest meeting, two inquiries and the court proceedings, he was found not guilty and cleared of all charges. In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime museum that also displays ship fittings and equipment, personal effects. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill.This chalice is significant as an example of an item in common use in the mid-19th century that is still in use today. The Schomberg has historical significance as one of the first luxurious ships built to bring emigrants to Australia to cash in on the gold rush era. And is included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The collection of Schomberg artefacts held at Flagstaff Hill Museum is primarily significant because of the relationship between these recovered items having a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg and its foundering during a storm. The shipwreck is of additional historical significance for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the first passenger ship, which was designed not only to be the fastest and most luxurious of its day but foundered on its maiden voyage to Australia.Chalice; electroplated silver metal over metal, possibly nickle. The chalice has a wide bowl with an outer layer of intricately cut metal on the underside and a ribbon-like border of grapes and grapevine leaves is etched around it. It is supported by a tall stem with a circular knob partway down its length, and the stem is attached to a round base that is hollow underneath. The decorative pattern around the perimeter of the base is repeated on the knob on the stem. The base also has a pattern of lines around the vertical edge. There is a white sticker attached to the underside of the base. Its inscription is undecipherable. The chalice is part of a Communion set that was recovered from the wreck of the Schomberg. White sticker attached to the base of the chaliceflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, schomberg, 1855, clipper ship, james baines & co, black ball line, luxury ship, emigrant ship, captain forbes, bully forbes, ss queen, peterborough shipwreck, communion set, religious service, communion service, ceremonial service, mass, chalice

Clothing. One pair of shoes. Ivory coloured cotton canvas. Size 3, marked on sole of right shoe. Instep straps fastened by buttonhole to shanked round metal buttons. Low wooden heels. Decorative ''button'' stitched centre front of shoe.Wedding dress and shoes were worn by Mary Smith for the marriage to John Keane 6th August 1902, at the Roman Catholic Church, Wycheproof. Mary Smith was the daughter of Felix Smith. He built the Wycheproof Court House, Post Office and Royal Mail Hotel. Mary and John Keane lived in a mud brick house after their marriage. See also 11400.76 & 11400.75costume, female, wedding shoes

Francis James Browne died in Sydney 1963. He had a long career in obstetrics and gynaecology. Summary of appointments include: General Practice in Wales, Maternity Department of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, 1st director of obstetric unit, University College Hospital London. Retired and continued postgraduate teaching in London and NSW. Married to Grace Cuthbert, who was director of Maternal and Baby Welfare in NSW. A collection of objects found amongst Professor FJ Browne's papers were transferred from the Archives to the Museum collections in January 1994.A round metal badge with a green enamelled rim. There is a shield in the centre which is divided into three. In the left hand comer there is a flag, in the right hand comer the medical insignia, and at the bottom of the shield there is a sailing ship. The year 1938 is either side of a central white enamelled plug with the number "106" on it. Attached to the badge is a green grosgrain ribbon, to which is attached an oblong bar with a pin at the back. Inscriptions Around the edge of the badge: "THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PLYMOUTH"; inscribed on the back of the badge: "BRUFORD, EASTBOURNE AND EXETER"; front lower right hand side ofbadge:"M & W"; front of bar: "PRESIDENT/ GYNAECOLOGY and OBSTETRICS"numismatics, browne fj, rcog

Clothing. Infant's cream silk christening gown. High round neckline edged with gathered .7 cm lace. Yoke front (7cm) and back (8cm) of lace pieces and pin tucks. Skirt has 37 cm border of horizontal pin tucks, embroidered sections, piping and hemmed with scalloped embroidered lace.Centre back opening (21 cm) fastened at neck and lower edge of yoke with one cm pearl look buttons. No button holes. Long sleeves gathered at shoulders and gathered into 3 cm band of lace at wrist with gathered lace frill at hem. Three pin tucks around sleeves at elbow.costume, children's, infant's cream silk christening gown

Clothing. Women's cream coloured short sleeved linen nightgown. High round neckline with 4.5 cm broderie lace frill. Front has lace bib below neckline.(45cm wide X 30 cm deep) dipping to a V shape across the bustline. Bib section made up of 4.5 cm broderie lace around the edge. Centre front opening (15 cm) from neckline, fastened with two press-studs with lace frill covering the opening. Short set in sleeves edged with pin tucks, ribbon and 4.5 cm broderie lace. "A" shaped nightgown widening to the hem.costume, female, women's cream coloured linen nightgown

Object. Cardboard advertising fan from the Laurel Cafe Bendigo. Rounded top and bottom edges. Bottom edge reinforced with Ushaped pieces of cardboard glued onto front and back. Circular finger hole (2.5cm) just above reinforcement on bottom edge ( 4.5 cm). Coloured photo of head and shoulders of a young woman holding a blonde toddler sitting on her shoulder is printed on one side. Printing on the reverse side "With Compliments from LAUREL CAFE (Miss L. Nankervuis) Williamson St Bendigo. High Class Meals. Wedding parties and Banquets, especially catered for Phone 1164''. Doe Bros Adelaide (Manufacturers).ephemera, mementoes, laurel café advertising fan

Object. Finely tapered wooden cane- .7 cm diameter at base and .9 cm at base of metal handle. The rounded top, forming a handle is metal and while some numbers are visible,I do not think that there is a hallmark to indicate silver No 935 and some indistinguishable letters. The metal extends around the handle and 10.5 cm down the cane. A 2.5 cm wide ''bracelet'' of a different metal encircles the cane, over the top of the darker metal. The cane has a covering of black paint, which is showing wear and tear. The cane has a 2.7 cm metal tip-possibly brass. This is engraved with two fine metal rings.On base of longer metal 935….costume accessories, female, ladies walking cane

Clothing ,white cotton christening gown. Low round neckline with casing and cotton tape ties. Bodice at front and back.Casing at waist with cotton tape ties to back. Back opening 31 cm. Long sleeves trimmed with 3 cm broderie lace and vertical pintucks. Front of christening gown has inverted V section from waist to hem of broderie lace (9 cm at waist to 51 cm at hem). Centre panel edged with 3 cm lace from neckline to hem. Hem at back and sides has 4 cm border of broderie lace below three tucks. Old box 524.costume, children's, christening long gown

Clothing. Infant's white cotton gown with long sleeves. Round neck with casing for cotton tape ties. 2cm lace trim around neck. Back opening (18cm). Gathered at back from neckline. Front has pintucks from neckline to broiderie lace band at waist (15cm X 2.8cm). Gathered below band. Cotton fabric ties (66cm) attached to either side of waist band.Centre front of bodice has vertical lace insert (10cm X 2.8cm) from neck to waist. Ties and sleeves trimmed with 1cm lace. French seams. Machine stitched. Old box 230.costume, children's, infant's gown

Round neck, short sleeves, yoke back and front, nurse's blue cotton dress- uniform. Bodice gathers at yoke seam. 11 cm X 11 cm pocket on left breast. Concealed opening from neckline to hemline, has nine buttonholes - presumably buttons were exchanged between uniform dresses. One buttonhole at back neckline, and two buttonholes on the cuff of each sleeve, would also suggest a removable collar and cuffs. Two darts on either side of bodice. An inverted pleat from yoke to waistline at centre back. Seven gored skirt. Worn by Merryn Ellison.Name tag sewn to back neckline ; Merryn Ellison.costume, female, nurse's blue uniform

White cotton, nurse's apron, heavily starched. Three piece skirt, lightly gathered at back, adjoins a 4.5 cm waistband, and bib front which has broad shoulder straps 8.5 cms wide which cross at the back, and button to the waistband, leaving a 10 cm long rounded tab finished end. No buttons evident, which probably suggests removable buttons, fastened with safety pins, or "hair clip" type fasteners. A 3.5 cms tuck has been sewn around the hemline.Two buttonholes in shoulder strap tab end. Three button holes in back waistband. Worn by Merryn Ellison.costume, female, white cotton nurse's apron

The Registration Act 1836 established the General Register Office and a new system of national registration of births, marriages and deaths to take effect from 1837. There was a need to set up a system to record births, to aid with the planning of services and to record deaths to enable further study on the causes of mortality. The accurate recording of births and deaths was to be a vital tool in improving population health and would later enable systematic interventions such as vaccination, as well as aiding research and data analysis. ('1836 Registration Act')Round silver medallion with presentation case. Front of medal features portraits of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in profile. Text encircling the portraits reads 'BIRTHS & DEATHS REGISTRATION & MARRIAGES ACTS". Back of medal carries a lit torch design at centre, encircled by the text "BIRTH . MARRIAGE . DEATH". Presentation case is a square, green, leather box with cream satin and beige velvet lining. There is a central depression within the case in which the medallion sits. Text printed on upper surface of box lid reads "B.D. and M./CENTENARY/1837-1937". Royal Mint insignia stamped in gold inside lid.numismatics

Vessel - Iron Clay, is a wheel thrown vase that curves upwards from a narrow base to form a wide, rounded shoulder before concluding at a short, delicate rim. In contrast to the unglazed, rough texture of the exterior surface, the entrance to the vessel is smooth and shiny due to a tea leaf dust glaze. This is a low alumina tenmoku glaze, containing magnesium oxide which is responsible for the dark yellow/green striations of speckling which are formed during the slow cooling process of a reduction firing. This patterning is intermittent and dispersed with a grey/green pebbled effect. The stoneware vessel is built from clay with a high percentage of iron.

Yields information about the view of The Courier, and locals about the mooted closure of the tramway system.Foolscap sheet of plain paper, with rounded corners, with 8 newspaper cuttings, concerning the mooted closure of the Ballarat Tram system August and September. 1962. All from The Courier. 1 - "Our trams have historic and tourist value" - recent ARHS visit and San Francisco 2 - W. Parsons - travelling on rough trams compared to buses 3 - SAH - response to above letter - limited buses in Norman estate and church services 4 - Public Spirited - tram services in general 5 - W. Parsons - supporting buses 6 - Old Digger - response to above 7 - W. Parsons - ditto - getting off track! closure, letter to the editor, editorial, sec

Yields information about the passenger traffic in Ballarat during Feb. 1962, Yields information about the passenger traffic in Ballarat during Feb. 1962Memorandum and Report to the Engineer & Manager from the Ballarat Manager - all with rounded corners. .1 - Memorandum dated 16/3/1962 forwarded detailed traffic figures referred to in a letter of 5/3/1962 .2 - detailed analysis of average passengers per trip including scholars for each route by hour - was dated Feb. 1962, but has been crossed out. .3 - Passenger density and direction per hour for each route - Saturday - was dated Feb. 1962 - but has been crossed out and August 1963 written in. .4 - as for .3 - for Sundays. See Reg Item 7931 for similar reports and 8030 for another version.trams, tramways, reports, passengers, ballarat

Stamped enamelled round brass piece with a hole stamped at the top and ring placed through. Used as a SEC tramways employees pass. Has the SEC logo in the centre, organisational name (State Electricity Commission of Victoria) in white enamelled and outer ring the words "Electricity Supply Department, Provincial Tramways". This was in blue enamel. On rear stamped the number "166" and on base of badge letter "AMOR", assuming indicating who manufactured the badge. Is believed to be issued to Mr. Norm Pearson, Administrative Officer of the SEC. Does not appear to have had a piece at the top of the badge for the ring to pass through like Reg Item 852 did.tramways, trams, employees pass, tickets, provincial tramways, badges

This dress belonged to Alice Frances Henty (1852-1932) the youngest daughter of Francis Henty (1815-89) and his wife Mary Ann Henty [nee Lawrence] (1821-81). It is recorded that Alice wore the dress at the age of six. Alice's father, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew. The Henty Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century clothing, including outerwear and underwear, was collected, stored and exhibited over time by female family members descended from Francis and Mary Ann Henty. During the twentieth century, items from the collection were modelled in two fashion parades by various descendants [1937, 1959]. The items in the collection are historically and aesthetically significant, with provenance provided by oral and written tradition within or held by the family. A number of the items in the collection are very rare survivors, and provide researchers with the evidence needed to reconstruct the lives of notable women in the Port Phillip District [later Victoria] during the nineteenth and early twentieth century.Girl's two-tone, one-piece cotton voile dress from the 1850s has a high round neck and short sleeves has a lace insert on the front of the bodice and matching lace at the rear. The layered skirt is bordered with lace. Measurements (mm): Girth - Neck 609.6, Chest 635, Waist 558.8, Cuff 203.2, Hem circumference 2108.2. Vertical - Front neck to hem 685.8, Front waist to hem 508, Back neck to hem 723.9, Back waist to hem 534.4, Sleeve length 63.5. Horizontal - Neck to sleeve head 38.1, Cross back 304.8, Underarm to underarm 406.4.fashion -- 1850s, children's clothing, alice frances henty

Issued as a uniform item post WWII until the late 1980s. It was also used parade dress until its replacement of a newly designed uniform made of polyester. This particular sample belonged to CPL K. Howe 3144504 whist in the Army Reserves 1982 to 2005The khaki battledress was standard uniform issued post world war two and used until the introduction of the polyester uniform in the late 1980s. This uniform belonged to CPL K. Howe, the donor providing good provenance. In conjunction with other items of militaria donated by the Howe family. Item can be to tell a story of multi generations of military service of the Howe familySingle breasted hip-height jacket in khaki fabric, fastened with five buttons down the centre of the chest. Two pleated breast pockets with triangular flaps fastened with two buttons. All buttons plastic and khaki green in colour. Jacket is fastened around the hips with a belt, attached on left hand side and buckled in a rectangular metal buckle on right hand side. Both left and right sleeves bear two patches, a double chevron and red rectangular patch rounded to follow the seam of the shoulder, with embroidered text. Navy lanyard looped around right shoulder, held in place by epaulet and tucked into right side pocket. Red patch reads "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS" Internal left chest label reads "A.G.C.F./VIC. 1981/[broad arrow symbol]/6405.66.025.6408/SIZE OF CHEST/SIZE 99-102R/MACQUARIE 80/BATCH J/DRY CLEAN ONLY/CREASE UPPER/HALF OF/LAPELS ONLY/No. 3144504 [handwritten]/NAME/CPL K. HOWE [handwritten]"jacket, battledress jacket, battledress jacket khaki, royal engineers

The owner of this hat, Chris Hayden was from Beechworth and Graduated from Duntroon in 1988 Hat Service Dress Royal Military College Duntroon student; Navy blue with red piping around the top edge; red woolen material round the side of the hat; decorative black vinyl chin strap around the front and above the peak made of black patent leather fastened on the each side by by small brass button that bears the college's emblem; positioned in the middle of the hat half on the red band and half on the crown of the hat is affixed the Royal Military College Duntroon hat badge; the underside of the peak the leather peak is dyed green and the inside rim is in brown vinyl join at the back by cotton ribbonOn a black diamond manufacturer's label/ All Wool/ Made in Hong Kong/ Christies/ 248 Pit St, / Sydney / Tel: (02) 264 6751 / on square piece of white tap. is the hat size 6 3/4 / on the in plastic water proof liner is written in black marking pen, HAYDEN

A badly damaged red cloth covered hardcover book with the title: Stories in British History for Young Australians printed in black lettering on the front cover with the publisher, a round publisher symbol and 2/6 at the bottom. The title is printed on the spine. This is a First Course in British History by William Gillies, M.A. Inside, opposite the title page, is a lined sketch of Oliver Cromwell. Black white illustrations, maps and photographs are included. At the back is an Index as well as three additional recommended titles of other history books. Considerable markings, lists and a love poem is scribbled at the back. It is quite damaged and worn through use. Pp.315.non-fictionA simple study in British History for secondary school students with a fold out map of the British Empire at the time - published in 1920. There is a list of the dynasties and kings and queens and a table of Periods in British History which can be referred to.great britain - history, history, textbooks

Book - six sections, 134 pages + end pages + heavy card covered with a red stippled paper titled "The Electric Tramcar Handbook", 7th Edition, written by W. A. Agnew, published by H. Alabaster, Gatehouse & Co. Ludgate Hill in 1915. Right hand of sheets rounded. Has a table of contents and index at the rear. Written for Motormen, Inspectors and depot workers. Covers many aspects of the electric circuits for trams, including controller diagrams, tramways, tramcars, controllers, overhead, brakes, on the road and faults and Breakdowns. Would have been a reference guide for training staff. Scanned in three pdf files.trams, tramways, electrical engineering, electrical equipment, air compressors, brakes, instructions, maintenance, tramcars, training, controllers, overhead

Set of two badges or medallions issued to first world war veterans or widows. Round cast brass with a small lug or attachment point on the top, finished with a high gloss lacquered finish. Rear finished with a slight stippled finish, with the words "Not Transferable" and the name of the manufacturer, "Swan & Hudson" cast in. .1 - black background, with the words "World War 1 Veterans Travel Pass 1980" in gold and the number "4720", stamped in a gold background. .2 - yellow background with the words "Widow of World War 1 Veteran" and the number "12001" stamped into a gold background. See Reg Item 852 for that issued to wife's.trams, tramways, badges, world war 1, tickets

Used for storing various threads for mending in the home - cotton, silk, wool nylon.A decorated brown lidded round container coated inside with black and brown type lacquer. The outside of the container and lid has patterns painted by hand in yellow and red of a bird, ying and yang symbols and oriental script all surrounded in black lined sections. It appears to be made from papier-mache which is layers of cardboard glued together and tightly compressed. This can be seen by the damage sections which grey cardboard shows though. It would have been lacquered over and painted. The container has a variety of sewing items and mending threads for stockings, socks and other work. Some pearl buttons included.As mentioned above, the container has various patterns painted on it. The sewing items include brands of threads for sewing work - Darneezi, Eagley, Rite Tone, Clark's Filosheen,Chadwick's Wool and Nylon, Nylusta.sewingcontainer, threads, containers, sewing equipment, gibson collection

Yields information about the visit of the TRB to Ballarat and Bendigo during May 1962.Set of three memorandums and a copy of a letter concerning the visit of the Transport Regulation Board to Ballarat and Bendigo May 1962. All sheets have rounded corners. .1 - Original of Memo dated 12/6/1962, date stamped 15/6/1962, thanking Officers for their co-operation. .2 - Copy of Memo dated 6/6/1962, from The Secretary to the Acting Secretary of the TRB thanking them for their letter of 31/5 .3 - Copy of letter dated 31/5/1962 to the Secretary of the SEC from the TRB (A V Cook) in particular Mr. Mawby, Mr Denmead of Ballarat and Mr Watkins and Griffiths of Bendigo. trams, tramways, closure, letters, transport regulation board

Survival fishing kit in a round metal container, the kit has four fishing lines fitted with hooks, lines and sinkers. There are spare sinkers and lines. The kit sits in 8 pockets sewn into a cotton pocket holder. 1. Tin container. 2. 8 pouch cotton pocket holder. 3. Light sinker, hook and nylon line - hand held holder. 4. Strong nylon line and lure - hand held holder. 5. Heavy sinker, hook and nylon line, hand held holder. 6. Cork and line. 7. Set of four sinkers. 8. Cork block with hook tracers.passchendaele barracks trust, survival fishing kit

.1 25 year bar - white background red lettering .2 30 year bar - navy background silver lettering .3 40 year bar - yellow background silver lettering .4 45 year bar - gold background black lettering .5 Medal attached to red ribbon supported by metal banner. Medal is round, white background with navy in centre. Gold enamel images of hose pump fittings and other firefighting regalia are imposed on the front of the medal. A gold coloured metal insignia is pinned to the red ribbon. A pin on a swivel is attached, this pin is used to attach to clothing. .1 25 YEARS .2 30 YEARS .3 40 YEARS .4 45 YEARS .5 LIFE MEMBER is on top of red ribbon, CLUNES is on bottom of red ribbon/INSCRIPTION on reverse of medal "Presented to J. T. Hardin from Officers & Members Clunes Urban Fire Brigade in appreciation of service 5-9-1986" j t hardin, sevice medals

This letter was written by a representative of the crew of the SS Siltonhall to the Mission to Seafarers in Oct 1929. Their ship caught fire in the Indian Ocean and were rescued by the SS Anthea. The crew was sent to Melbourne and spent some time at the Mission. Article in the Argus, Tuesday 15 October 1929, page 6 "THE SILTONHALL'S SEAMEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS Sir, the story of the disaster to the s.s. Siltonhall is still fresh in the public mind. The ship caught fire and she was abandoned and sank in the Indian Ocean. The crew took to the boats and were rescued and brought safely in to Melbourne. They have been with us now for nearly a week now, taking full advantage of the hospitality of the Mission to Seamen Institute.So far they have been provided with the bare necessities of one complete suit of clothing by the shipping authorities. They leave here to return home to England on Wednesday. If anyone will kindly contribute any articles of clothing or boots they will be most acceptable, especially as the men will be going to a cooler climate. Please send them to me. Yours Sincerily, HOWARD S. BAILEY, Chaplain, Missions to Seamen, Australian Wharf, Oct. 14."This letter and photograph indicate the valuable service that the Mission to Seafarers provides to crews of ships wrecked off the Australian coast. The smiling crew of the S.S. Siltonhall evidently appreciated that when they were in desperate need they were cared for. The picture was possibly taken in a nautical context, perhaps at the docks or on board a ship.B/W photograph of group of 22 men. Letter signed T. Bateman from crew of the SS Siltonhall dated Oct. 16th 1929. "Oct 16th 1929. / The members of the crew of the SS Siltonhall, / which caught fire in the Indian Ocean, and / was abandoned on Sept 21st 1929, wish to / thank the 'Missions to Seamen', and all those / concerned, for their hospitality, in the way of / Concerts, Socials, etc., also for boots and clothing / gratefully received. / On behalf of the crew. T. Bateman." photograph, letter, 1929, siltonhall, ship, crew, mission, seafarers, wreck, fire, bateman, melbourne, australia, shipwreck, reverend howard s. bailey, j. bateman

Tait collection: item 47 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Will and Letters of Administration following the death in 1895 of Charles Spencer of Brooklands, Birchanger, Essex, England. It is not known why the document has been drawn up in Melbourne and also makes reference to Warrnambool lawyers but it is presumed that some or all of the beneficiaries of the will lived in the Warrnambool district at the time. Charles Spencer left personal estate to the value of £689 to his wife, Emily, and children. Mentioned in the document are the lawyers J.S.Tait and Henry Parrington who were partners in a law firm in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century (going under the name of Higgins and Parrington). The document has been passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street and it was located in this building in 2014. The Letters of Administration for this estate was granted to Henry Parrington. The personal estate comprised £689 which had been lent to Spencer Smith on the security of land in the Parish of Wangoom, County of Villiers the repayment of which is secured by an indenture of mortgage dated 1st June 1892. [Ref: PROV. VPRS28/P0002, 73/750 Charles Spencer Grant of Administration] This document has no known local relevance except for the involvement of two Warrnambool 19th century lawyers. Further investigation has shown the personal estate mentioned in this will comprised £689 as a mortgage secured loan to a local resident, Spencer Smith.This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two and containing handwritten material on four pages which have black ruled lines on the edges. The 1899 document gives details of the Will and Letters of Administration of Charles Spencer, of Brooklands, Birchanger, in the County of Essex in England. The blue seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with a green ribbon and there are two red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is a little stained but legible.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Charles Spencer of Brooklands Birchanger in the County of Essex England Gentleman deceasedj.s.tait, henry parrington, warrnambool history, charles spencer, tait collection, spencer smith