"France II" was an extremely large tall ship, square rigged as a five-masted steel-hulled barque. and belonging to the "Compagnie française de marine et de commerce" was a totally wrecked in a coral reef of Ouano on the coast of New Caledonia in the night between 11 and 12 July 1922. The France II was the second largest commercial merchant sailing ship ever built (hull length:142,2m).Black and white photograph mounted on grey cardboard depicting a sailing shipHandwritten in black ink at bottom on mount: "5 mast barque (France) wrecked on the Caledonian coast / on the 12th of July 1922"shipwreck, france, barque, new caledonia, ships, crews and ships, barque france, 1922

MV Duntroon was a passenger motor ship built for the Melbourne Steamship Company and used as a troopship between 1942 and 1949. In 1950 it was returned to its owners and refuse as paasenger ship. It was sold in 1961and renamed Tong Hoo. Nicholas Garlick May have worked in the Duntroon between 1950 and 1961.One of the last purpose-built passenger & general cargo ships for the Australian coastal trade, the Duntroon was also known for its role as a troopship (1942-1949) and for the tragic incident on 20 November 1940 when she hit and sank the small auxiliary minesweeper HMAS Goorangai off Queenscliff with the loss of all 24 of Goorangai's crew. This was the first RAN ship to be lost during the Second World War.Christmas card with photograph of the ship MV Duntrron. Written in blue ink: To Nick all the best / signed John ?? / when are you ??christmas, mv duntroon, nick garlick, nicholas garlick (1926-2009), melbourne steamship company, ww2, passager ship, xmas, tong hoo, passager liner, troopship, hmas goorangai, queenscliff

Cardboard-backed large monochrome (sepia-toned) photograph of posed crew onboard Anna Elsfleth. crew, anna, elsfleth, german, ships, crew photo, crews and ships

Names of seafarers at the back with a date : 20/7/1951 M.W. Verhoef G. Strih L. Rucardie G. Karotcrews and ships, ss overijsel, rotterdam, royal rotterdam lloyd, koninklijke rotterdamsche lloyd, krl, dutch, m.w. verhrof

Faded off-white card detailing medical history for 1935. Card is 4 sided and was originally folded for carrying.Details filled out in ink. Name, address, next of kin, dob, date of joining co., previous employer, previous medical history, smallpox vaccination. Stamp of ship "ANDANIA". Marked as low fitness rating 7/11/1935.charles page, seaman

Small sepia photo depicting 11 members of a soccer team (likely to be seamen) with a soccer ball on a pitch.football, sports, soccer, crews and ships, fan album

The photograph was first published in the Jottings issue 44, Michaelmas 1916. He was republished in January 1922 (issue 65).Small sepia tone photograph with a thin white frame depicting three seamen onboard their ship.Handwritten at the back in pencil: A G Goldmsith / Shipping News / Melbourne Blue ink stamp: 640 (the "6" is replaced by a handwritten "5")seamen, life on board, life onboard, sailors, crews and ships

weller album, ss marken, crews and ships

Mr Robertson is probably the gentleman on the left, behind him the captain of the SS Marken.The photograph was taken by Reverend Weller during a ship visit. It was published in the Annual Report or 1927.reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), ss marken, mr robertson, crews and ships, weller album, life buoy, dog, ship visit

Captain Charles Ferguson was born in Scotland in 1813. He was the Master of the "Rajah" from 1838 to 1850 on voyages from England to Australia and vice versa. He became the First Chief Harbour Master for the port of Melbourne in 1852 after being the first Harbour Master and Water Police Officer in Geelong for 12 months. On the 5th of April 1841, the Rajah sailed with James Donovan M.D. as Surgeon Superintendent, and the Rajah sailed from Woolwich with 180 female convicts. The Rajah arrived on the 19th of July in Hobart, with 179 females (one died during the voyage) and 10 children. Miss Kezia Elizabeth Hayter was the matron on board. On page 28 of the "Sailing directions for Port Phillip, in the colony of Victoria including the ports of Melbourne and Geelong", a mention is made of the Mariner's Hospital and Floating Church soon to be established. There were discussions to built the hospital in Williamstown but instead the Government decided to build it in Melbourne. The Harbour Master and a commiittee decided to use the water police hulk, Emily, left unsold in 1856, to create a floating church: the Bethel was open in July 1857 with Reverend Kerr Johnston as Chaplain. Latrobe wrote a letter to Captain Cole in 1869, a few months after learning his death : "To Captain George Ward Cole † [from a draft in another’s hand] Clapham House, Lewes, Sussex, January 28th, 1869. My dear Captain Cole, Last mail will have taken out the sad intelligence of the death of our excellent old friend, Captain Ferguson. This will have been a terrible blow to his children and to his friends in the colony, who may have held reason to expect his early return to his home, with a not unreasonable prospect of ultimate restoration to health and activity. In the course of last October I went up to town with one of my children, mainly with the purpose of finding my way to Pinner, where he and Mrs. Ferguson were staying with an intimate friend. I found him in excellent health and spirits, and enjoying the prospect of a speeding resumption of the service to which he had devoted his best days, and upon the furtherance of which his entire energy was still directed. A week or two later Captain and Mrs. Ferguson went to Dover for change of air, and being still under the impression received from the advisers by whom they had been guided during their residence at a hydropathic establishment at Matlock, felt encouraged to plan almost immediate return to the colony by the Jerusalem early in December. However, certain misgivings in the mind of a medical gentleman, then in England, under whose care Captain Ferguson had at one time placed himself in Williamtown, led them to consider it judicious before departure to take the advice of some surgeon of eminence in London. Accordingly they came up to town at the close of November. The first London practitioners they consulted shook their heads, and advised consultation with Sir Wm. Ferguson. The result was that amputation, without loss of time, was pronounced necessary. The rest is soon told. He received the painful intelligence with calmness and full resignation to God's will, and underwent the operation at King's College Hospital with exemplary firmness and Courage on the 28th of November. Perfect success seemingly attended it, and there seemed, humanly speaking, to be every prospect of a prompt cure and early convalescence; everything seemed in his favour. A few days later, however, all was clouded by symptoms of hospital fever (pyoe æm ia). This resisted all control, and finally carried him off on the 27th of December, just one month after the operation. He had lived a Christian life, and his death was the peaceful and resigned death of a Christian. It was a melancholy satisfaction to me to be able to join a few friends in following his remains to their resting place in one of the outlying London cemeteries on the last day of the year. You know Mrs Ferguson well, and will be prepared to hear me say that her whole conduct and demeanour throughout this period of suspense and bitter trial has been worthy of her high character and steadfast principle. Come what will, and happen what may, I have the fullest conviction that neither the widow nor the children will be forsaken, however doubtful and clouded the future may appear, in consequence of the irreparable loss which, they have sustained. And now, dear Captain Cole, it is possible that you may already have heard all this from other sources, but I have dictated it to you under strong impulse, for I feel assured that there is no member of the community in which you live who will more sincerely deplore the loss of Captain Ferguson on private grounds; at the same time that there is no one who, from long acquaintance with his official character and services, will be in a better position to estimate their real value or the loss which the colony has sustained. The circumstances in which Captain Ferguson's family are left not only demands the utmost display of sympathy and interest on the part of friends, but may call for decided and prompt action; therefore I cannot rest satisfied without discharging what I consider my duty, and seeking to strengthen your hands as far as I may in bringing the character of his long services before the existing colonial authorities. Of his private career previous to his entering the service of the Colonial Government in 1851 nothing need be said. Captain Ferguson was appointed as the Harbour Master at Geelong in April, 1851 – a few months before the separation of the colony from New South Wales. He there did excellent service in a variety of ways calculated to advance the interests of the port, and to introduce www.latrobesociety.org.au 27 order, where, from circumstances, but little order had hitherto prevailed. His was the first appointment of this class in that locality. The separation of the colony from New South Wales took place in the month of July following. Shortly after, the late Captain Bunbury resigned the Harbour Mastership of Port Phillip. Captain Ferguson was at once (February, 1852) appointed to succeed him, and from that time performed all duties of Chief Harbour Master of the colony. The previous year (May 1851) the first gold discoveries in New South Wales had taken place, and in the month of August those of our colony followed. At the time of Captain Ferguson’s taking charge of the Port of Melbourne their influence had begun to be fully felt, and in no department more seriously than in that of the Harbour Master. This is no place for statistical details, but they must bear me out in reminding you of a few facts connected with our late friend’s career. At the time of separation that department comprised only 30 individuals of all ranks, and when he took charge the number was much reduced. There were at that time, according to the returns, no fewer than 54 vessels, registering 26,785 tons, in Hobson’s Bay alone. The crews on arrival numbered 1,235 men. Of this number only 463 remained on board, 500 having deserted, and the rest having been discharged by arrangement or pure necessity. For the first six months after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office as Harbour Master the duties of Police Magistrate and Chief of the Water Police were superadded, and how much labour they involved may be surmised from the fact that from 1st of April to the 31st July, 1852, four months only, no less than 236 marine cases were brought before the bench at Williamstown - sometimes as many as 30 in a day. A year later (March 1853) the returns show that the number of vessels in the harbour in Hobson’s Bay alone were 91, tonnage 43,754; and passing on to the still later returns of May, 1853, two years after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office, we find from the records that the number of ships in port had increased to 129; tonnage, 63,292; crew on board on arrival, 2872, and at the date of report, 1628; the amount of desertions at that time having, however, proportionally diminished, in consequence of the abatement of the gold fever, caused by the non-success attendant upon the labours of thousands at the goldfields. The above numbers take no account of the large number of vessels and amount of tonnage lying at the wharves at Melbourne or elsewhere. From these figures alone it may be judged what must have been a struggle in which the Chief Harbour Master was engaged from the very outset to secure order, and answer the innumerable calls on every branch of his department, at the same time that there was for many months an almost complete impossibility of securing subordinate agency, such as boatmen, pilots, and police, at any price. But I may bear witness to the untiring diligence, energy, and self-devotion with which Captain Ferguson grappled with the difficulties of his position, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles which stood in his way. Ashore and afloat he was always ready, showing the same directness of purpose, intelligence, and forgetfulness of self. He shunned no responsibility, and turned his hand from no work, whether within or beyond the ordinary scope of his duty, which the hard necessity of the times forced the Government to bring under his notice. Already in 1852, when the overflowing of our gaol and stockade rendered the adoption of other methods of restraint absolutely necessary, and addition to the existing buildings could not be thought of, it was Captain Ferguson who first suggested the employment of hulks; and it was with his personal assistance and supervision, and under his unflagging energy, that the three first of these – the Success, the President, and the Sacramento – were purchased, fitted up, and made available for the purpose in view, and the rules and regulations for the employment and safety of the men afloat and ashore prescribed and carried out. He carried the same energy into every branch of his department, and his influence was soon apparent. His subordinates of every class became actuated by his spirit. As time moved on, the range of his duties, both ordinary and extraordinary, increased. In the formation of the quarantine station at the heads, in the management if not the erection of lighthouses, sailing directions, port and wharf regulations, buoys, signal stations, www.latrobesociety.org.au 28 steam dredging &c., he was the main and most active agent. The whole pilot establishment and regulations, men, and vessels, were under his charge; and when I left the colony in May, 1854, the entire range of ports outside Port Phillip Heads from Point Lonsdale to Portland, as well as that of Geelong had felt the influence of his intelligent supervision and care. The entire department of Chief Harbour Master, which I have numbered at the period of separation about thirty individuals, then numbered 230. The character of Captain Ferguson’s unbroken service during the fourteen years which have elapsed since I left the colony must be well known to the Government and the people he has served so long and so faithfully. I confine myself to recalling to mind those earlier, and what must have been the hardest and most difficult, period – none can know how difficult but those who were in that fierce struggle for the maintenance of order under so many disadvantages; and on this subject I have spoken advisedly and with reason, for I may truly say he worked under my own eye. I had sincere regard for the man, and just pride in the qualities of his heart, head, and hand. Whatever mistakes may have been made by the Government of the colony in those hard and difficult times (and I am quite ready to admit that there were many, especially if the past is to be judged by the light of the present), I never have hesitated in believing that, in appointing Captain Ferguson to the office he has so long filled, it was the right man in the right place. I shall be heartily rejoiced to find that the Government and inhabitants of the colony admit that this has been the case, and to learn that they have not forgotten the strong claims of one who has served them so long and so faithfully, and who, removed by God’s providence, so to say, in the maturity of his powers, has left a widow and young family behind him. I have done, I leave you to make use of this communication, or any portion of it, which you may think judicious and called for. There may be among Ferguson’s friends those who may not be sorry to be reminded of facts. By-the-bye, I may mention as a proof how completely Captain Ferguson’s mind was engrossed by devotion to his public duty, that while in Dover, only ten days before the operation, he took an opportunity to drag himself up into the lantern of the S. Foreland Lighthouse, and made a most careful scrutiny of the whole apparatus and arrangement, with a view of the adoption of any hint for the perfection of those under his charge in the colony. And now, goodbye. I trust this will find you in good health, and in comparative vigour. Believe me ever, dear Captain Cole, Yours very truly, C. J. La Trobe"The attempt for a floating church was made as early as 1853 following similar examples in London like the Seamen's Hospital. Captain Ferguson was instrumental in the foundation of the Bethel Church.Digital copies of the 37 pages ; 22 cm.1854, hobsons bay, geelong, melbourne, williamstown, sandridge, mariner's hospital, floating church, seamen's hospital, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), kezia elizabeth hayter (1818-1885), rajah quilt, prison hulks, water police, harbour master, harbor master, gaols

This journal provides the reader with glimpses of the adventures and hardships of a seaman's life. Many of the stories are of sailing ships.Contributes to our knowledge of the importance of shipping and places on record those stories of the sea which would otherwise be lost.Contents Editorial - Harrow Morgan - 5 Sentinel’s of Gellibrand’s Point - Cliff Gibson - 6 Australia Day - C H Longstaff - 15 Capt. Joseph Ferrell Colton - Kenneth Shewan - 16 James Craig — A unique ship for the Southern Hemisphere - Hugh Lander - 20 The Wreck of the Isis - Margaret Grice - 29 Unusual Maritime Hazards - Capt. J Abernethy - 33 Crewing in Endeavour - Phoenix Arrien - 34 Finished With Engines - Ian L Barton - 45 Lighterage on Norfolk Island - Harrow Morgan - 53 Ship-owners Liability - ‘Flinders Bar’- 59 Nelson -Dr J H Leavesley - 61 The Knife Sheath - W P Shemmeld - 66 A Surfeit of Adventure - Stan Evans - 70 Cook’s Island - Jeremy Gadd - 75 Pig Overboard - Alf (Bluey) Thornton - 80 Educated - Noel Smith - 83 Jack Of All Trades - ‘Flinders Bar’ - 90 Tacking Ship Off Shore - Walter Frederick Stevens - 93 Australia’sMost Inland Shipwreck - Roy Stuart - 95 The Barwon Beer Crisis - R N Theile - 97 New Year Fireworks - Kenneth Shewan - 102 The Philadelphia Story - John Thompson - 104 AB Nuisance — Conclusion - Mick Hardware - 107 SSV Officers & TDW Editors - Kenneth Shewan - 108 Book Reviews - - 111sailing ships, steamships, shipping, seafaring life, shiplovers' society of victoria, dog watch

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Before the increase of air transport, everything that arrived or departed from Australia did so via the ports and wharves. The Mission to Seafarersis not a Victorian initiative, but rather a global network that currently operates in over 260 ports worldwide, assisting over 1.3 million seafaring men and women each year. The importance of the Mission’s role is demonstrated in the Chaplain’s Report 1947, which notes that ships and their crews are: “...inextricably linked with the well-being of Australian industrial and economic life... This, in turn, means that you cannot escape some share in responsibility for their welfare.” This window, titled ‘Noli Me Tangere’, was installed in memoriam of Moira Oliver, the wife of the Reverend Frank Oliver, chaplain at the Mission 1930-60, and whose dedication in life and service to the welfare of seafarers was inspirational to many.Reflections of the Sea was an exhibition of 10 framed montage of photographs from the mission's archive collection showcasing 10 stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel. This exhibition curated by Georgia Melville and Catherine McLay, and funded by PROV and Creative Victoria, was displayed in the World Trade Centre Wharf Gallery in June July 2013 and toured to Queenscliff Maritime Museum. The photographs of the windows were taken by scientific photographer Justine M. Philip. This frame is showcasing the memorial window to Moira Bird Oliver, wife of Padre Oliver , a photograph of Padre Oliver listing a ship and a photograph of sailors playing tug-of-war during a picnic.Framed and mounted on black cardboard of black and white and colour reproductions from the MTSV collection for the exhibition Reflections of the Sea with brief label signageon label: ABOVE: Mission to Seafarers' chaplain Frank L Oliver, visiting a ship whilst in port, c1950s BELOW: The crew of the motor ship Nyhaugin a tug-of-war with the crew of the SS Madgeburg at the 1926 Boxing Day picnicreflections of the sea, georgia melville, exhibition, 2013, world trade centre, wtc, creative victoria, prov, mission to seafarers, stained glass windows, justine m. philip, moira bird oliver, moira bird oliver (nee good), padre frank leslie oliver, picnic, tug-of-war, flinders street, catherine mclay, arthouse

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

This photograph is part of reproductions of images from the MTS archive collection.Framed and mounted black and white reproduction of photograph from the archivemission to seafarers, mission to seamen, flinders street, melbourne, seafarers, seamen, padre oliver, crew, ships, seafaring life, sailors, early origins, 2016

In 1865 Melbourne was visited by a fully rigged steam sloop flying The Confederate Ensign; at the time the American Civil War was in progress. Samuel Amess feted Captain Waddell and his crew although some people were against The Confederate cause. The Captain was most appreciative and presented Samuel Amess with the small cannon.Coloured photograph showing the Cannon from the Confederate Ship "Shanandoah" in the garden of the homestead on Churchill Island.local history, photographs, buildings - historical, rural industry, coloured photograph, john cook, churchill island, cannon

This window, in memory of Captain Robert Sunter, was unveiled on the 14 February 1936 performed by Mr R. H. Martin, chief officer of the Manunda. The funds were raised by the crew of the ship Manunda. It was made after "In the anxious hours of waiting" by G M Langley, a print donated by the Godfrey sisters and also located in the St Peter chapel.Arched windows made after the print "In the anxious hours of waiting" depicting a sailor guided by the light held by Jesusaltar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hope, captain robert sunter, padre frank leslie oliver

This window, in memory of the crew of the ship Jervis Bay, was unveiled on the 14 December 1947 by Mrs Johnson, wife of the Bishop of Ballarat. As mentioned on the plaque below the window, it was a gift of the Ballarat branch of the HLG and the Lucas Girls from Ballarat. E Lucas & Co was a textile company in Ballarat. The "Lucas girls" are known Ballarat-wide for their commitment to philanthropic work during the period of the Great War. On the same occasion the mallet, used to launch the ship Manunda was donated to the Mission. (AR1947) Unfortunately it is lost. Arched windows altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hope, jervis bay, crew, lucas girls, ballarat branch, hlg

William Digges Latouche Balden was an 18 year-old cadet on the Samarkund. He and three other crew members: William Archibald Jones, 35 (ship mate), Christopher Ewbank, 19 (third officer) and George P. Worsp, 45 (chief steward) died of oxygen starvation in the ballast tank of the ship on 20 August 1945 while in Geelong. Padre Oliver delivered a service in the St Peter chapel, on the 26th of August 1945, in the 4 men's memory. The window commissionned by his parents, was made by William Aikman (1868-1959), a reknown scottish stained-glass artist, and sent from England. Padre Oliver had met them during a voyage to England. It was unveiled on the 10 April 1949. This is the only imported window and according to Brownwyn Hughes the best quality one from all the opter windows.Arched windows depicting St Nicholas, patron Saint of Ships and Sailors, floating on the sea with a gallon shilling in the background. The small portrait of William Digges La Touche Balden, set within a laurel wreath in the window’s lower section.st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, ww2, samarkand, william digges latouche balden, cadets, officers, geelong, deaths, victory ship, merchant navy, st nicholas, galleon, william aikman (1868-1959), christopher ewbank, george p. worsp, william archibald jones

This photograph is part of reproductions of images from the MTS archive collection.Framed and mounted black and white reproduction of photograph from the archive: photograph depict the crew of the Nyanza, Glasgow posing and dressed up for the occasion. 6 are standing in front of the Union Jack and 4 are sitting on a bench., the Nyanza buoy at their feet.mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, flinders street, melbourne, seafarers, seamen, crew, ships, seafaring life, sailors, nyanza, glasgow, life buoy, buoy, lifebuoy, coronation day, 12 may 1937, king george vi, early origins, 2016

This photograph is part of reproductions of images from the MTS archive collection.Framed and mounted black and white reproduction of photograph from the archive depicting Capt Dahlström and 2nd mate of the deck of the ship C.B. Pedersen at sea around 1935mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, flinders street, melbourne, seafarers, seamen, crew, ships, seafaring life, sailors, early origins, 2016, captain hjalmar dahlström, c.b. pedersen

This photograph is part of reproductions of images from the MTS archive collection. The photograph was originally published in the Annual Report 1933.Framed and mounted black and white reproduction of photograph from the archive: Black and white photographs depicting two seamen sweeping the deck of a ship with broomsmission to seafarers, mission to seamen, flinders street, melbourne, seafarers, seamen, crew, ships, seafaring life, sailors, deck, brooms, life onboard, swabbing

This photograph is part of reproductions of images from the MTS archive collection.Framed and mounted black and white reproduction of photograph from the archive: group photograph of Women from the Harbour Lights Guild sitting on the ground and benches in front of the stage at the Flinders Street Mission during a musical event.mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, flinders street, melbourne, seafarers, seamen, padre oliver, crew, ships, seafaring life, sailors

This photograph is part of reproductions of images from the MTS archive collection: the members of the crew S.S. Siltonhall sent the thank you letter and the attached photograph to the Mission after their shipwreck in 1929.Framed and mounted black and white reproduction of photograph from the archive: group photograph of the crew S.S. Siltonhall after the shipwreck in 1929 with the attached letter sent to thank the mission for helping them.mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, flinders street, melbourne, seafarers, seamen, padre oliver, crew, ships, seafaring life, sailors

The Annual Meeting presenting the Annual Report was held on the 21st of September 1886 at the Melbourne Athenaeum. In the Standard (Port Melbourne, Vic. : 1884 - 1914), Saturday 25 September 1886, page 2 VICTORIAN SEAMEN'S MISSION. This institution held its annual meeting in the Melbourne Athenæum on Tuesday evening under the most favourable auspices. The hall was filled in every part, a very large pro portion of the audience being seamen. The half hour previous to the com mencement of the meeting was very pleasantly occupied bv listening to the capital playing of the band of the Naval Brigade, and precisely at eight o'clock the musicians heralded the entrance of the vice-regal party by playing ' The National Anthem.' Sir Henry and Lady Loch were received by the Mayor of Melbourne (Mr. Stewart), the Hon. F. T. Derham, Captain Pasco, Mr. H. R. Reid (hon. secretary), and Lieutenant - Colonel Templeton, and His Excellency imme diately took the chair. The venerable ex-chaplain, the Rev. Kerr Johnson, was present, but as he did not feel equal to taking part in the proceedings, the Rev. E. T. Miles opened the meeting with prayer. Nothing could have been more cal culated to give a distinctive character to the meeting than the singing of the Sailors' Hymn by the 300 odd seamen present. The rugged yet tuneful voices of the men blending with those of the ladies present, who heartily joined in, gave a most spirit-stirring effect to the beautiful words of the refrain : — Rocks and streams I'll fear no more, When on that eternal shore; Drop the anchor ! furl the sail ! I am safe within the vail. Next followed His Excellency's address as chairman. The Governor threw himself heartily into the pro ceedings, and his remarks, expressive of the utmost sympathy with the sea men of the empire, were applauded to the echo. In fact from the start all the speakers struck the right key-note. The institution was not held up as a charity on which Jack was more or less dependent. According to the gentlemen who one and all welcomed him as a friend, and a right useful friend too, the thing was all the other way. To the sailor it was, they de clared, that they owed all that the colony possessed, and more — the great ness and prosperity of the Empire, He was the sort of man who never turned his back on a fellow creature, or refused to give a hand to a comrade in distress. Therefore it was deter mined that Jack should not come to these shores and think there were none to care for the comfort of his body or the welfare of his soul, and with the object of greeting the sailor on his arrival, of grasping his hand as a friend, beguiling his hours on shore, and saving him from the scores of dangers and temptations which beset a sea-faring man's stay in port, the institution had in '57 been started. Its claims on the Victorian public, not as a charity, but as a means of show ing some recognition of the services of the brave men who man our mercan tile marine, were ably put before the meeting. The Rev. G. D. Buchanan de clared that if the Melbourne merchants contributed to the mission a tithe of the amount they spent in insurance, they would find their goods better looked after by the seamen than by the insurance companies. Captain McCallum, the treasurer, read the following report of the com mittees of the Port Melbourne and Williamstown Rests : — In no part of the Queen's dominions have there been more changes during the last thirty years than in the colony bearing her gracious name ; and it is therefore all the more pleasant to report that the Victorian Mission to seamen, which started so long ago as 1857, still pursues an active career of usefulness, holding out a helping hand to mariners of all nations, without distinction of colour, race or creed. Eight years ago, some of the supporters of the Mission, feeling the want of a Temperance Club, where the crews of the various ships might recreate themselves and enjoy the three ' C's' — Coffee — Comfort — Company, appealed to the public for assistance, resulting in sufficient funds being obtained to justify the establishment of Sailors' Rests at Sandridge and Williamstown. Both these institutions were opened by a distinguished gentleman who has always taken a practical interest in sea men, and who, but for illness, would have been present at this meeting — Sir W. F. Stawell — and the result jof several years' experience fully justifies the statement that these institutions have supplied a felt want — the attendance of visitors reaching now about 30,000 per annum ; whilst so economically are they managed, that the annual cost to the public is less than L150 The thanks of the committee are specially due to those ladies and gentlemen who so kindly made a special and successful effort to supply both of the Bests with new piano fortes, to the great enjoyment of ' Jack ashore.' The instrument which was pre sented to the Port Melbourne institution by Mr. J. M. Bruce, on behalf of the sub scribers, the funds having been collected by his daughter yet in her teens, being espec ially one of great value. Concerts free to all seamen, given by amateur singers, are held weekly on both sides of the bay, and are largely attended and much appreciated. The building at Port Melbourne, which, being of wood, is merely of a temporary character, is free from debt ; but there is a mortgage of L500 on the Williamstown institution, which cripples its usefulness. The committee have regretfully to report that during the year under review they have lost, through the weakness of increas ing years, tbe loving services of the Rev. Kerr Johnston, their venerable friend and chaplain, whose life is, indeed, the history of the Mission, for he has been connected with it from the commencement of the work. Mr. Johnston has proved himself a true disciple of his Divine Master, and the com mittee trust that in the evening of his days he may enjoy that peace and rest which he lias so well earned. The com mittee presented Mr. Johnston, on retiring, with an honorarium of L100. Mr. E. James has been appointed iu Mr. JohuBton'u room, and the committee believe that their choice lias been a fortunate one. The Mission aud Sailors' Bests have been kept afloat by the unwearied and self -deny-ing exertions of the Ladies1 Committee, who have personally collected nearly the whole of the income ; but it may fairly be asked whether, in this great seaport, where last year there entered in at Her Majesty's Customs 1711 ships, manned by 61,256 men, the mercantile community of Melbourne should net take a more active interest in the welfare of the thousands of brave men who, for a few weeks, temporary sojourners on our shores, away from friends and relatives, have a special claim on our sympathy and help. We are of the old land, ' that gem sunk in the silver sea and we can re-echo Mr. Gladstone's recent words to the crew of the yacht Sunbeam, ' The calling which you follow is a noble one, and is calculated to bring forth the highest qualities of our common nature ; ana if it is possible for any occupation to make a man, in the highest and wideBt sense of the word, it is ' the occupation to which your lives are given. How closely it is connected with the the prosperity and fame of tbi» great nation ; how closely, indeed, it is connected with advancement of civilisation, and tiie general welfare of the world, it needs no words of mine to tell yon, for in your work and life you know it well, and feel it truly.' Look ing at what we Victorians owe to the British sailor, the committee earnestly trust that, with the blessings of the Almighty God, increased success will attend the work of the Mission and Rests. Mr. James read the chaplain's re port: — Since my appointment as chaplain to tbe Seamens' Mission, I have met with greater success than I anticipated. I have visited all the ships that have come into port, also many of the vessels on the Yarra, and am pleased with the civil and courteous manner in which I have been received by captains, officers and men, and in most cases my invitations to them to attend our meetings have been most heartily responded to. . The attendance at the services in the Bethel has much improved — on some occasions scarcely sitting room is to be found. The services have proved a great blessing to many Christian seamen ; whilst several who have come into port caring for nothing of a religious nature, have left praying. God fearing men, with the request that those left behind would remember them in their supplications, that they should be kept through all the trials and temptations to which seamen are exposed. The weekly Tuesday evening concerts got up bj the ladies of the committee and others, have proved a great benefit to the Mission, and a source of great enjoyment to the seamen in port. The programmes are excellent; and are spoken of by the sailors as the best they have heard in any port. The Sailors* Rest is provided with a library, the daily papers, and illustrated literature, with games of chess, draughts, dominoes, quoits, and other amusements, which are much taken advantage of during the evenings. Seamen ' are alio provided with writing materials, free, bo that everyone may have any opportunity of writing to their friends; for many an anxious parent is counting the days and hoping for .the time to come when they shall get a line from their sons in the far distant land, and many a son is reminded of his obligation by the opportunity thus afforded. I am much pleased at this time to acknowledge the kindness of the committee, and the great help I have received from them, also from Mr. Douglas, the manager of the Best. I do not think I could have been blest with a better co-worker. I have no hesitation in recommending the seamen to go to the Best, and telling them that they will receive a most hearty welcome, to which they can all testify ; my thanks are due to the voluntary workers, who have given every assistance ft their power, especially to Miss Lloyd, who is an invaluable help, attending in all weathers, and playing the organ at every service. The Sunday School is progressing, and we aie now about to make another addition to the library, of good readable books. The work at Williamstown is also pro gressing well, the Wednesday night concerts being well attended, and the singing and reciting supplied by local talent really good; the sailors contributing largely to the programmes. Captain McCallum is the backbone of the work at Williamstown, well supported by many warm friends of the sailors. The services held every Sunday night are productive of mnch good. The work here, too, is very encouraging, having much improved of late. I am thank ful to God that He has so blessed the efforts of His people, and hope they may be long spared to carry on the work. The Rev. G. D. Buchanan in an eloquent speech proposed the first re solution : — ' That the Reports now read be adopted, and that the following ladies and gentlemen be the Committee for the ensuing year : — SEAMEN'S MISSION. Ladies Committee. — Mesdames Templeton, Campbell, Chamberlin, Elworthy, Lormer, Gourlay, Gowan, B. Johnston, Webb, Young, Plummer, Misses Elwortny, Webb, Gowan, and M. Hastie. Gentlemen's Committee. — Captains Pasco, R. N., Adams, McCallum, J.P., Dalgarno, Garside, Messrs. Courtis, A. J. Smith, Macpherson, H. R. Reid, J.P., Henry Berry, J.P., Revs. Kerr Johnston, and A. R. Edgar.' Captain Pasco seconded, and in formed the audience that Baron Von Mueller had written regretting his inability to attend, but had sent a substantial cheque. (Applause.) A collection was then taken up and liberally responded to, the band mean-time playing airs suitable to the occa sion, such as ' The Death of Nelson' and ' Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.' The hon. F. T. Derham next pro posed the second resolution : — ' That the success which has attended the working of the Port Melbourne Sailors' Rest justifies this meeting in taking imme diate steps to raise the funds necessary to erect a Seamen's Institute worthy of the in creasing trade and commerce of Victoria.' This was seconded by the Rev. A. R. Edgar, and both were carried by ac clamation. The Mayor of Melbourne moved a vote of thanks to His Excellency, and Sir Henry in the course of his reply said his sympathies were not only with sailors because he had been much brought into contact with them, but because he had been a sailor himself and had had the honour and privilege of serving in Her Majesty's navy. At this the men sprang to their feet and gave three deafening cheers for the Governor and another for Lady Loch, who bowed her acknowledgment and appeared very pleased at the hearty reception accorded to her. During the evening Mrs. Pearce, and Messrs. Walsh, Woods, and Robinson, members of the Liedertafel, contributed songs. The lady, who has sung at the Tuesday evening concerts, sang ' When the Tide comes in' so charmingly that an encore, although against the rule of the evening, was insisted upon, which was responded to by a beautiful rendering of the old ballad ' Robin Adair,' Altogether the meeting was a com plete success, and will doubtless afford the committee fresh encouragement in their well-directed efforts. Printed programme for the 1886 annual meeting taking place in the Melbourne AthenaeumWritten in black ink at the back by WHC Darvall: annual meeting, melbourne athenaeum, 1886, baron ferdinand von mueller, sailors' rest, hugh ronald reid, captain fullarton, captain mccallum, henry loch, captain pasco, reverend kerr johnston

The image portrays how the Celia Little room (Celia Little plaque on the wall) was used mid 20th C. and date of similar image (see record 0221) The inclusion of the bell from the 'Moreton Bay' vessel dates the image to post 1957 when the bell was presented to the Mission. Used as a sitting room or lounge area at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. The image also shows the style of dress and style of magazine covers of the time. On the table stands the shield for the annual competition by crew of merchant ships presented by Wally Nancarrow, Sydney. (see item 0608)The photograph is significant in that it captures the essence of the Mission to Seafarers mid-20th century. It identifies the main use of the Celia Little room as a reading area. It also helps date and track locations of other objects in the heritage collection. A black and white photograph of two men in the Celia Little room at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. The top left of the photograph is a bell fixed to the wall that has a bell pull with a long piece of decorative knot-work attached to the clapper. The room is set up as a lounge area with at table left of the centre against the wall. The table is laden with magazines and papers on top of a tablecloth. A picture frame is sitting on the table and leaning against the wall that has a 'shield' or 'coat of arms' displayed. (see also VC records 221 and 0608) One of the men is standing central in the photograph, in a white jumper holding a magazine and half turned towards the wall.The second man is sitting in a chair in the bottom right side of the photograph and appears to be reading. A few tops of chairs are seen at the very bottom of the photo and on the wall are a plaque to the left, a framed picture to the right of the first man's head and another in the far right top corner. The room appears to be lit from the left.melbourne, bell, men, magazine, chairs, wains coting, papers, mission-to-seafarers, celia-little-room, bell-pull, picture-frame, 1940s, celia little, plaque, shield, soccer, football

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

Snapshot in time of tall ship and the relaxed clambering about the rigging by sailors. The C.B. Pedersen is also referred to as a Training Ship for Swedish seamen and cadets. A reference in Annual reports and in Jottings from our log notes that classes in Swedish amongst other languages were offered by the LHLG to members and some of the earliest photographs note Swedish sailors relaxing. The first officer and captain of the C.B. Pedersen are depicted in photograph (0706) on permanent display. In the Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 27 April 1937, page 12: "The C. B. Pedersen was built in 1891. It has visited Australia several times, the most recent occasion having been in 1935, when It was anchored in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, for several weeks, awaiting a suitable cargo. At length the master, (Captain Hjalmar Dahlström) announced that, as no cargo could be obtained he would be prepared to carry passengers in a voyage to Gothenburg, via Torres Strait. Eight persons, including three women and a small boy were accepted as passengers, and signed on as members of the crew at salaries of 1/ a month". Artist Violet Teague was one of the passengers. She painted during the voyage and exhibited her work in 1938. Built in 1891 the C.B Pedersen, a four-masted steel barque (2142 tons) was used as a training Barque. The ship foundered in April 1937, the crew was saved. Several other photographs of the C.B. Pedersen taken by the same studio are held at the State Library of Victoria.Training of seamen has always been of of keen interest to the Mission to Seamen and many cadets have been welcomed over the 20th Century when widespread training was undertaken by a number of seafaring nations. Black and white photograph of 9 men hanging from ropes in the rigging. One man is upside down, another is holding his hat out. The mast is off to the right-hand side of the photograph and there are several ropes and chains.On the back of the photograph in the top left-hand corner is an ink stamp with the text "Peckham Photographic Studios/Geo Beachcroft/Propr./21 Charlotte St./Richmond/Victoria, Australia". In black pen is the text "Hanging on up aloft/C.B.Pedersen".richmond, chains, rope, seafarers, rigging, peckham photographic studios, geo beachcroft propr, cb pedersen, tall ships, captain hjalmar dahlström, windjammer

This book documents visitation fo seafarers to the Williamstown rest from 1945-47. The book appears to have been donated. The contents are signed in some instances by what appear to be whole crew. It provides an insight into the comments and also the practice of some seafarers who adopted other identities such as Churchill or Clement Atlee. The book predates the requirement to supply official ID and registration.The book and register is one of the earliest to survive, only one or two others have survived as records of seafarers visiting the Missions. It is therefore significant as an example of a register and entries names, home ports , ships and commentary. Front cover: VISITORS BOOK in gold gilt. Spine: white sticker WILLIAMSTOWN M.T.S/VISITORS 1945-7.williamstown, seafarers, logbook, signatures, seamen, sailors, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, betty mcaleese, ships name

The photograph is part of a serie likely to have been taken by Bill Doyle (Reverend C.J. Eldridge-Doyle), who was a keen photographer like many of the chaplains as he often uses the Ilford paper to print his images. The man appears to be at the Mission to Seafarers, the Celia Little room usually used as a reading and quiet room. On the table is the shield annual competition by crew of merchant ships presented by Wally Nancarrow, Sydney.The presence of the framed football shield in the image links this image to other objects in the MTSV collection and helps confirm location of Celia Little room and the era of the photograph to mid 20th C.Black and white photograph of a man reading a magazine taken a table with a collection of different magazines. A framed shield appears to the left of the frame.Ilford paperphotography, flying-angel, club-room, black-and-white, mission-to-seafarers, stage, celia-little-room, shield, soccer, football