This photograph shows the second major bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost. The current Snowy River bridge is the fourth to provide a crossing to the township of Orbost. The first, in 1891, lasted just two years before it succumbed to flood waters. The bridge in this photograph was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was again partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. After the end of the first World War the Victorian Railways considered an extension of the railhead across the river at Orbost, and in 1922 a new timber and steel girder structure, a joint Country Roads Board — Victorian Railways venture, was built and completed at a cost of £41,000 (the steel girders came from the Flinders Street viaduct reconstruction). Subsequently it was decided not to take the railway across the river, and the bridge was only used by road traffic. It was severely battered by floods during its life. and after the 1971 floods was eventually replaced by the current bridge in 1975. (info from Newletter 54N by John Phillips) This item is an early pictorial record of the previous Snowy River bridge at Orbost.A postcard with a black / white photograph of a bridge - timber and steel girder structure - across the Snowy River at Orbost, Reflections of the bridge are seen in the water.snowy-river-bridge-orbost

The photograph shows a loaded truck outside the Noorinbee Store. This is a pictorial record of early road transport in East Gippsland.A black / white photograph of a large truck loaded with large bundles. It is in front of a small store at Noorinbee on the main road.on back - "in front of Noorinbee Store"transport noorinbee

When marking a boundary for a registered plan, a surveyor would place “Reference Marks” with a stated bearing and distance to a boundary corner. These trees were typically marked by cutting the bark of the tree in a shield or blaze. Until July 1886, surveyors were only able to use trees as reference marks to boundary corners. After July 1886 surveyors were able to use “permanent marks” which were either a glass bottle, gas pipe or iron bolt (for homestead surveys only). This photograph shows the reference tree, 83 miles from Marlo via the original surveyed road v ia Sydenham Inlet and Tamboon, south of Mount Drummer to the New South Wales border - now the Princes Highway.This is a pictorial record of an old survet tree. Knowledge of their location, abundance and condition not only provide important insights to past survey practice, but also provide a lasting legacy of a regions land-use history. Old survey trees serve as one of the few remaining physical legacies of early European land settlement history.A large black / white photograph of a horse and buggy pulled up alongside a reference tree which has notches and markings of Roman numerals.on back - " Refernce tree 83 miles from Marlo........to N.S.W. Border"survey-tree reference-tree

This photograph shows the regrowth of vegetation on the road between Genoa and the border - now the Princes Highway.This is a pictorial record of the main road from Orbost to the New South border, The Princes Highway, in the early 20th century.A large black / white photograph of a bush road wwith a vehicle and a man on the side of it.on back - " Princes Highway showing the regrowth.....1913"princes-highway-genoa transport

In the late 1800's early 1900's transporting goods by road was difficult and at times impossible because roads as thoroughfares did not exist.The means of travelling along the roads in the 1800's was by bullock wagon, horse pulled dray, pack horse or simply by foot. This is a pictorial record of transport in the mid 18th - early 19th century. Pack horses were vital for the delivery of goods, responding to emergencies as they could travel in country inaccessible to larger horse - drawn carts or wagons.A black / white photograph on a black buff card. It is of a group of pack horses being guided across a waterway with a man on horseback on either side of the river.transport pack-horses

This photograph is of a cutting on a road at Bete Bolong known as Hofen's Cutting. This photograph was taken c. 1906 when transport was by horse, wagon and prior to cars and railways.This is a pictorial record of early Bete Bolong showing a road through a cutting which was known as Hofen's cutting. Two black / white photographs showing a dirt road heading down a cutting with a post and rail wooden fence on the left side in the background. In 958.1 there is a cut - away hillside beside the dirt road.on back - "Newmerella" (note: this location is at Bete Bolong and not on Newmerella Hill) 958.1 - on back - "Hofen's Bluff 1906"bete bolong, orbost, tracks/roads

The bridge shown in the background was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. There is no known history of this item.This photograph is a contemporary record of rural life in Orbost in the early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a group of young girls dressed up and posing on the banks of a river. On the left hand side of the photograph is an older man and on the right is an older lady. In the background is a bridge - the first Snowy River bridge. The photograph is on a cream coloured buff card. orbost snowy-river

There is no information with this photograph. It could be associated with the construction of the East Gippsland Railway.This is a pictorial record of construction work in the early 20th century. It shows the use of hand tools and horse and cart transport.A black / white photograph on a black buff card. It shows men working with picks and shovels to construct a pass. There is a horse and cart in the foreground.road-construction railway-construction civil-engineering

Mr John Watt set up farming in 1879. He was a native of Port Fairy. He was educated in Scotland and came back to Victoria and selected 320 acres on the Snowy River.The property extended from Majors Creek Road to around about Gilbert's Gulch.This is associated with John Watt, a prominent early settler in Orbost.A black / white photograph of a dilapidated farm shed with three horses in the foreground. A house can be seen in the background (left) behind a fence. on back - "Watts Farm"watt-john-orbost farming-buildings

This photograph shows a distant view of the Orbost township taken from Grandview Lookout at Newmerella. It appears to have been taken before the railway line was there.This is a pictorial record of early Orbost.A small black / white photograph of the Orbost township taken from Grandview Lookout , Newmerella. The main road can be seen below with paddocks of crops on both sides.on back - "Distant View, Orbost from Grandview"orbost-township-c19th grandview-lookout orbost-flats-paddocks

Tonghi Creek is 66km north - west of Orbost. Prior to the sealing of the Princes Highway west of Orbost, the road surface was anything but good, even by C1917 when cars started to use the road. From Orbost the old road via Marlo to Sydenham was abandoned for the new location which traversed more rugged country via Cabbage Tree, Bell Bird and Club Terrace to Cann River, and the reason for this diversion was on account of settlements being established at Murrungowar and Club Terrace, at which latter place there was a temporary rush to obtain gold. This road was constructed by the Public Works department and a maximum grade of 1 in 19 was adopted, and as speed was not to be catered for the grade followed in and out round the spurs and gullies, resulting in a maze of turns and twists which required a good deal of skill on the part of the horse driver to negotiate." - Bairnsdale Advertiser, Friday, May 2, 1947. (More information from Newsletter February 2010)This item is a pictorial record of roads in the early 20th century in East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of a bridge over a small creek, surrounded by bush. The photograph is mounted on a thick cream coloured card.on back - "Bridge at Tonghi Creek 1918"tonghi-creek-bridge country-roads-east-gippsland

This photograph is of the construction of the first road bridge over the Genoa River - 1915. Before today's timber truss and concrete bridge was constructed between 1926-1928 by contractor J.T. Noble Anderson, two earlier bridges crossed the Genoa River at this location. They provided crucial links in the Princes Highway route from Melbourne to Sydney. The letter on the back of the postcard was written by Gordon ? to Alex ? on 2nd October 1917. "this represents the opening of Genoa Bridge. Mrs Alexander cutting the ribbon and Mr Martin holding it at the other side. Did most of the speaking. The gent holding the roll of paper is who came to open the bridge. I can't think of his name. Hubert is standing up at the right / Gordon " This is a pictorial record associated with the history of Genoa in East Gippsland.1100 -A large black / white photograph on a cream coloured buff card. It is of an unfinished bridge with men working there. A small rowboat can be seen on the far side of the river. 1100.1 - A photograph / postcard of the opening of "Genoa Bridge 1917". There is a ribbon stretched across the timber decking road in front of a group of people. 1100.2 - A black / white photograph of a road bridge across a river.on back - "Princes Highway - the 1st bridge over the Genoa River - 1915" on back of 1100.1 is a hand-written letter.genoa-bridge princes-highway-east-gippsland

By 1905 there was an Orbost Bicycle Club. E. Donchi was a member and was a successful competitor around 1927. It is likely that the Orbost Cycling Club disbanded during WWI, and evidence from the Snowy River Mail is that it reformed again in 1945. There is no doubt that bikes were a dominant form of personal transport until the 1960s when cars ownership became more common, although children still rode to school. As far as theOrbost Cycling Club was concerned, the golden years were from 1945 to 1950. (information Newsletter August 2018 - Geoff & Lee Stevenson)This item is associated with a popular recreational activity in early Orbost. The period between the First World War and the 1950s was the heyday of cycling. After 1900 the efficient mass production of standardized safe bicycles, as well as the wider availability of second-hand bicycles, caused rapidly dropping prices and it was therefore easier for people to purchase a bicycle not only for utilitarian use but for racing. A small black / white photograph of a young man on a racing bike. It is on an unsealed road in a forest. on back - "E. Donchi, Cyclist, Orbost"donchi cycling-orbost recreation

This bridge was built in the 1920s as a road and rail bridge, and was partly washed away by flood waters in 1934. After the end of the first World War the Victorian Railways considered an extension of the railhead across the river at Orbost, and in 1922 a new timber and steel girder structure, a joint Country Roads Board — Victorian Railways venture, was built and completed at a cost of £41,000 (the steel girders came from the Flinders Street viaduct reconstruction). Subsequently it was decided not to take the railway across the river, and the bridge has only been used by road traffic. This is a pictorial record of an early bridge across the Snowy River at Orbost.A large black / white photograph of the Orbost Snowy River bridge. There is a large copy as well as a postcard copy in sepia.on front - Snowy River Bridge Orbost H.D. Bulmer - photo - Lake Tyers.snowy-river-bridge-orbost

This bike belonged to Wally Paten who worked in the Orbost Butter Factory in the 1940's. Wally's father, Thomas Paten came to Orbost in 1893 and began growing fancy seeds in 1907 for H. James. He built the first levee bank in Orbost (ref. Mary Gilbert). The Comet bike was distributed by the Myer Emporium. "Comet:" was their house brand. They also sold the "Peter Pan". It was named "The Comet" probably because it was a fast bike. At the time it was an expensive bike . Ted Waterford made headlines riding Melbourne to Adelaide one way then return on a Comet in 1932.Bicycles have been a part of Australian life for more than 140 years. The bicycle soon began competing with the horse as a convenient and economical way for people to get around. This bicycle is an example of an early style which was used by an Orbost local.A man's road bicycle. It has 26inch wheels, back pedal brakes and has a wire basket attached to the curved handle bars. There is a leather seat in poor condition. The back wheel has a mudguard painted white. The bike is ungeared. This is probably the original frame with newer wheels. The pedals are metal.Tyres - made in Korea down tube -COMETcomet-bicycle bicycle paten-wally transport

These spikes are from the old Snowy River bridge (the second) constructed in 1922 alongside the previous suspension bridge. Its building was a combined effort of the Victorian Railways and the Country Roads Board at a cost of 35,000 pounds. It was replaced in 1976 by the present bridge after several major floods.These items are from a significant piece of infrastructure built in Orbost in the early 20th century. This bridge no longer exists.Twenty-four iron spikes of four different lengths. They are probably hand-made and have round shafts and heads. They are very rusty.snowy-river-bridge bridge-spikes bridge orbost

Taken some time between 1914-18, the photograph depicts an aerial view of Villers-Bretonneux in France, a region which was part of the Western Front during World War I. The image mostly shows rural landscape. The Western Front was the main theatre of war during World War I. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The German advance was halted with the Battle of the Marne. Following the Race to the Sea, both the French-British and German armies dug in along a meandering line of fortified trenches, stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss frontier with France. The First Battle of Villers-Bretonneux occurred between 30 March - 5 April 1918. It took place during Operation Michael, part of the German Spring Offensive on the Western Front. The offensive began against the British Fifth Army and the Third Army on the Somme, and pushed back the British and French reinforcements on the north side of the Somme. The capture of Villers-Bretonneux, close to Amiens, a strategically important road and rail-junction, would have brought the Germans within artillery-range. In late March, troops from the Australian Imperial Force were brought south from Belgium as reinforcements to help shore up the line. In early April, the Germans launched an attack to capture Villers-Bretonneux. After a determined defence by British and Australian troops, the attackers were close to success until a counter-attack by the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade and British troops late in the afternoon of 4 April restored the situation and halted the German advance on Amiens. The Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux occurred between 24 - 27 April 1918, during the German Spring Offensive to the east of Amiens. It is notable for being the first occasion on which tanks fought against each other. A counter-attack by two Australian brigades and a British brigade during the night of 24 April partly surrounded Villers-Bretonneux, and on 25 April, the town was recaptured. On 26 April, the role of the Moroccan division of the French army was crucial in pushing back German units. Australian, British and French troops nearly restored the original front line by 27 April.The record is historically significant due to its connection to World War I. This conflict is integral to Australian culture as it was the single greatest loss of life and the greatest repatriation of casualties in the country's history. Australia’s involvement in the First World War began when the Australian government established the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in August 1914. Immediately, men were recruited to serve the British Empire in the Middle East and on the Western Front. Additionally, the record's significance is enhanced by its depiction of Villers-Bretonneux. The battles that occurred in this town during World War I are especially historically significant to Australia as this is where the Australian Imperial Force had one their greatest World War I victories. An Australian flag still flies over Villers-Bretonneux in the present. Furthermore, a plaque outside the Villers-Bretonneux Town Hall recounts the battles fought to save the town in 1918. Kangaroos feature over the entrance to the Town Hall, and the main street is named Rue de Melbourne. More officially, recognition of the significance of the battle in Villers-Bretonneux is found at the Australian National Memorial, which was built just outside the town. It commemorates all Australians who fought in France and Belgium and includes the names of 10,772 who died in France and have no known grave. Each year, a small ceremony is held at the memorial to mark the sacrifice made by the soldiers. Lastly, the record has strong research potential. This is due to the ongoing public and scholarly interest in war, history, and especially the ANZAC legend, which is commemorated annually on 25 April, known as ANZAC Day.Sepia rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper.Obverse: yAE.2.35. / 125 / 62d.2834.35.36.VA.5. / 12.G.18-11 / F.-(?)" /military album, wwi, world war i, villers-bretonneux, australian imperial force, aif, france, war, army, conflict, germany, 1918, battle

Depicted is James Ashton (also known as Jim Ashton), a circus proprietor, crouched beside a seated small girl (or a lady with dwarfism). The two are dressed in formal attire, James is wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and together with the girl holding a small bouquet of flowers.James Ashton was the son of James Henry Ashton. James Henry Ashton founded Ashton Circus in the early 1800s, well before Federation. For over 160 years Ashton Circus has travelled to both regional towns and big cities, bringing joy to the people of Australia. Generations of the Ashtons crossed desserts and flooded rivers, drove over snow-covered mountains, fended off bushrangers, and even ventured where there were no roads to reach the communities that have loved and inspired our family of performers for over a century. People came from all around to enjoy Ashton Circus. In the 1800s, Ned Kelly watched our show on a number of occasions and even enjoyed tea with the performers after the show. The Ashton Family has grown and changed over eight generations since James Henry Ashton started his circus. Our family continues this great tradition, proud that we still bring affordable family entertainment to our fellow Australians. Today, the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th generations of the Ashton family are still on tour, operating three individual circuses throughout Australia- each of having grown from the same roots.Black and white oval reproduced photograph printed on rectangular paper mounted on cardboardObverse: Jim Ashton was the first generation in Aus-/ tralia. His father came out in the 1840's and/ established a circus that toured the country. (printed)/ Reverse: 1997.2560 (in pencil)/ about 1860 (in blue pen)/ A02560 (in pencil)/entertainment album, burke museum, beechworth, circus, ashton circus, james ashton, jim ashton

This unusual set of pliers was made in Germany by Henry Boker (Heinrich Boker). Boker hand tools were being produced in the 18th century in Remscheid, Germany. Boker tools were known for good quality and value for money. George A. Fox & Co., of 250 Victoria Street North Melbourne, were agents for Boker tools in the 1950s. Museums Victoria has a Boker catalogue in its collection dated circa 1954.These pliers are significant as an example of hand tools used in the early 20th centry or earlier. Pliers like this would typically be used in maritime trades.Pliers, double headed. This hand tool has two sets of jaws on its pair of handles. It was made by Henry Boker, Germany. Impressed into metal "HENRY BOKER / GERMANY"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, pliers, double headed pliers, henry boker, boker hand tool, german tool, german pliers, antique pliers, vintage pliers, victorian pliers, heinrich boker, tradesmen's tools

This post drill press has been made by Melbourne business, Dawn Manufacturing Company. It can be operated manually or by a pulley driven flywheel, with the aid of an engine connected to a power supply. In the late 1800s early 1900s a drill press like this would have been driven by steam from a boiler, the main power source for manufacturer’s power at that time. Dawn’s Golden Anniversary 1917-1967 Catalogue describes this model 611 drill as … “Ruggedly constructed with accurately reamed bearings. The coupling between the main spindle and feed screw engages the full circumference of the spindle, and embraces a ball-bearing thrust race. The pillar, as in all “Dawn Drilling Machines” is a solid bright steel bar, in place of the usual light tubing. Adjustable automatic feed.” And “F. & l. Pulleys extra, if required”. DAWN MANUFACTURING CO. The Dawn Manufacturing Co. was founded in Coburg, Melbourne, in 1917 by the four Blake brothers, who were all engineers. After World War I Dawn was supplying drills Australia wide and the company was growing at a healthy rate. During the depression they remained busy, with employees working 60-80 hour weeks. Dawn was contracted to supply vices and clamps to the Australian Defence Department and munitions factory during the World War II. - 1959 the company was taken over by G.N. Raymond Group. - 1967 the Dawn Manufacturing Co. had distributors in Australia and overseas, including USA, Canada, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East. - 1973 the Siddons Ramset Limited acquired Dawn. - December 1991, Dawn became a unit of the United States owned Stanley Works Pty. Ltd. - November 1998 Dawn became 100 per cent Australian owned. The drill is a typical tool of a blacksmith, cart wright, wheelwright and garage business. It is an example of the tools of the blacksmiths’ trade in Victoria in the early to mid-20th century.Post type drill press machine with gear driven flywheel. Drill press is attached to a post and is fitted with a pulley belt and will run at a speed of maxim 200 r.p.m. The machine can also be manually operated. It has an aperture in the centre, a chuck, for the drill bit and has two metal handles at the centre, on the right hand side. Gear ratio 2:1 main drive, 6" diam, 3:1 reduction gear. Made by Dawn of Melbourne, Australia. Model No. 611, Code No. 9157"DAWN MFG COY”, “MELB. AUSTRALIA", " 611"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, blacksmiths, blacksmith’s drill, blacksmith tools, dawn drill model no. 611, dawn drill code no. 9157, dawn manufacturing coy melbourne, dawn manufacturing coy coburg, dawn post drill, drilling machine, drill with gear driven flywheel, forging tool, metal working tool, post drill, steam powered drill, trade tool, warrnambool district 1900s

The Syracuse Chilled Plough Company was created in 1876 and specialised in the manufacture of agricultural ploughs. Harry Wiard invented the chilling process in plough manufacture. The company was originally founded as the Robinson Chilled Plough Company in 1876 and changed its name 3 years later. At its peak, in the early 20th century. The company made more than 100,000 horse-drawn ploughs and road scrapers of various designs that were sold from the Syracuse plant each year and exported around the world. The company slogan of the day was, “The sun never sets on a Syracuse plough." Eventually, other farming implements were added to the line. The company employed more than 300 people in its local plant, which covered a square block on the cities Near West Side. In 1910-11, Deere and Company began expanding its holdings, and with the success of the Syracuse Chilled Plough Company, Deere sought to acquire the company. The management of the Syracuse operation after John Deere took over remained in the hands of Wiard and Chase, and the manufacturing operations were left in Syracuse. The only change from previous Syracuse operations was the selling of the companies products through Deere retail outlets instead of directly to the trade. The factory in Syracuse continued to produce ploughs until 1955. The subject item in the Flagstaff collection is an early model Syracuse Chilled plough with a wooden beam frame it is very much lighter in weight and was adapted to work sandy or light loamy soil. This plough has a sloping landside, which tends to keep the clods and dirt from falling into the furrow, making the ploughman's work much more comfortable and easy. This design was made in eight sizes for both right and left-handed ploughing and became very popular in the far West and South of the USA. Note: The definition of a chill plough means : a plough having the share and mould-board of chilled semi steel or cast iron.The subject item is believed to be a very early plough given its wooden beam frame and was made before 1900 probably around 1880. This makes it a significant example of the types of plough that early settlers were using in Victoria. There would not be very many of this type of vintage plough left with a wooden beam and frame, making it today a desirable collector's item. Syracuse Wood Beam Chilled single furrow plough metal wheel in front. Syracuse Chiller Co Syracuse & 50 L stamped on ploughshare.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, plough, syracuse chiller co, chiller plourh, farm equipment, furrow

This chair has no maker's marks. The studs still on the seat, and the ventilation holes in the wooden seat, seem to indicate that the seat once had an upholstered cushion. Chair, wooden, with carved backrest and carved second horizontal back support.Seat has holes in a pattern, also studs around its perimiter. Legs and bracing ring are bentwood. Top of uprights for backrest have slight indentation design. Bemnants of dark colour stain, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, chair, 19th or early 20th century chair, victorian furniture, kitchen furniture, dining furniture

Hollis Brothers were first recorded trading from 11 Weaman Row in 1840 but appear to have started trading a little earlier. The firm later became Isaac Hollis & Sons and claimed establishment from 1814. Richard & William Hollis were recorded trading in Bath Street Birmingham from 1814 to 1818 so it may be that the Hollis brothers were descended from them. The brothers were Isaac Hollis (1815) and Frederick Hollis (birth date unknown), but Frederick died 20 December 1839. Isaac was recorded in the 1841 census living in Weaman Row. He was a 25-year-old gun and pistol maker, married to Emma 1821. They had two children, Isaac (1837), and Henry (1839). After Frederick died, Isaac carried on trading under the name of Hollis Brothers until 1845 when he re-named the business Hollis Brothers & Co who traded up to 1848. In 1844 Isaac entered into a short term partnership with William Tranter at 10 & 11 Weaman Row, presumably to complete a particular contract or supply certain parts, this partnership lasted until 1849. In 1848 Isaac took in Isaac Brentnall Sheath as a partner, and the firm of Hollis & Sheath was established, expanding into 10 Weaman Row. Hollis & Sheath were licensed makers of percussion breech-loading guns. in 1861 the firm changed its name to Isaac Hollis & Sons on the departure of Isaac Brentnall Sheath. Isaac Sheath died in July 1875 By about 1870 Isaac Hollis and Henry Hollis had taken over the day to day running of the business. Isaac Hollis was responsible for the overall management and the marketing of the firm's products. Henry was responsible for manufacturing. The firm became volume producers of inexpensive trade guns and sporting guns for the South African and the British colonies. In 1870 the firm opened a shop at 44a Cannon Street in London; in 1871 this moved to 83 Cheapside. Isaac Hollis Jnr died October 1875 in Birmingham aged 37. He was never married and in 1876/1877 Henry registered a limited liability company, Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd, but by 1879 they were again trading as Isaac Hollis & Sons. From 1879 the London shop was at 6 Great Winchester Street. From 1932 to 1933 the London business traded as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair Hollis, Bentley & Playfair finally closed in Birmingham in 1953.The shotgun is not in pristine condition and is not very significant historically or valuable, although made by a well known and respected manufacturer of firearms there are many better examples of Issac Hollis and Sons shotguns in collections and for sale. This particular example is of a standard pattern for utilitarian use of which many were made.Shotgun, double barrel, 12 gauge, with cleaning rod. Right barrel has been cut shorter and has sharp edges on the muzzle. Metal stock extension, cleaning rod comprising 3 pieces that screw together. Gun is stored in a black painted, wooden case with hinged lid. Inscribed "I. HOLLIS & SONS", SN 84245. "I. HOLLIS & SONS". SN on stock “84245”. Badge on both sides “Crown [symbol] / BV”. “Crown [symbol] / NP”, “12G inside Diamond [symbol]”, “NITRO PROOF”, “STEEL 84245” Paper note included with gun, written in felt tip pen “ENTERPRISE”. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shotgun, double barrel shotgun, isaac hollis and son, birmingham, i hollis and sons, gun makers, sporting firearm, south african firearm market, rifles for british government, hollis, bentlely and playfair

No contextual information available at this time give the items usual design and no makers markings writer believes item is from the 1860s either American, British or could be of continental origin.An early tool significant because of it's unique design writer cannot find one like it during researching the item.Metal Brace possibly for gas fitter has leather in centre, (owner installed)Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

This file would be used by a tradesperson or home handyman to smooth the edges of the wooden piece he or she was working on. The surfaces of the file would be of different abrasiveness to suit different stages of the job. A file would be part of a woodworker's tool kit.The design of a file hasn't altered significantly over the last century. This file is an example of an early 20th century file but would be at home in the workshop today.Large file with wooden handle. Brass collar sits between handle and file.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, file, woodworking, carpentry, tool, trade

Bullets for early firearms were made as lead balls in iron scissor moulds. The moulds had scissor action, with ends shaped as a hollow half-sphere that formed a ball when the handles closed. Melted lead was poured into a small filling hole in the top of the closed mould. When the lead was set the handles were opened and the ball was released from the mould. Excess lead was trimmed using the cutting edge of the mould. The task of pouring the melted lead into the mould had to be performed slowly so that air pockets didn’t form. The shot would have a join line around it, which would make it inaccurate; the join needed to be carefully filed to make the ball into a smooth sphere. Larger quantities of lead shot were often cast in a multi-bullet mould that was used in a similar way. Lead shot mould; cast iron, scissor type metal object with sphere shaped mould at end used to make lead shot balls for a shotgun. Mould has a cutting edge to trim off excess lead.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, firearms, bullet, cast bullet, lead ball, lead shot, scissor mould

This large compass is well made. It is now pitted and scratched, indication much use. Compasses were used to measure and mark out the head of the barrel by coopers. Very large compasses were used by block, spar and pump makers to help shave off angles left by axes and other tools on mast sides. Also they were used by blacksmiths in their work draftsmen, carpenters, engineers and navigators.This compass is an example of a drawing instrument that could have been used in the 19th and early 20th century by coopers and blacksmiths as well as navigators and ship smiths.Compass; large metal compass, 90-degree angle, two pointed arms hinged at the top. Inscription on the top of one arm.Stamped into the metal " J J E " ( or J J F )flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, compass, drawing instrument, measuring instrument, scientific instrument, draftsman, technical drawing, navigation, engineering, blacksmith, cooper, plumber

This file would be used by a tradesperson or home handyman to smooth the edges of the wooden piece he or she was working on. The surfaces of the file would be of different abrasiveness to suit different stages of the job. A file would be part of a woodworker's tool kit.This design of this file has been used since at least the early 20th century and can be found in stores today.File; small metal three-sided file with wooden handle.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, file, three-sided file, carpentry, woodwork, guilding, tradesman

This small metal plane was manufactured in 1909 by Spiers-Stewart, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland. Stewart Spiers began making planes in Ayr in around 1840. The business continued successfully as a small operation until the mid-1930s.This plane is an example of tools made overseas and used in the 1900's. Box plane; hand operated small metal plane with round wooden knob. Plane has separate blade and blade cap. Inscription on blade cap is indecipherable. Originally marked as made by Spiers."SPIERS"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime-museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, tradesman's tool, plane, box plane, tool, spiers-stewart, early 20th century, scotland, hand tool, stewart spiers, spiers, woodworking

This compressor was part of the E.G. Ward Collection. It is connected to the diving suit and boots also in our collection. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe' at 145 High Street Holborn London, but in 1828 new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water-pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12 bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family and a new company 'Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd.' (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924 Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished and within time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunneling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest, or change the company business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr. E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on fire fighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The compressor is a very significant item as it gives a snapshot into marine history and the development of diving equipment generally especially that used for salvage operations before and during WW2. Siebe & Gorman the company that made the equipment was a leading inventor, developer and innovator of marine equipment with its early helmets and other items eagerly sought after today for collections around the world. The items in the Flagstaff Hill collection give us an insight as to how divers operated and the dangers they faced doing a very necessary and dangerous job during the early days of marine exploration.A single cylinder divers' pump by Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd, London, eccentric hand cranked in brass mounted mahogany case with instructions to the underside of the lid, brass covered pressure gauge and air outlet, brass makers plaque to the front, water inlet and outlet to the rear, green painted lifting rings. Machinery has some blue painted areas on the metal.Plate on the back 'WATER SUPPLY" "WATER OVERFLOW" "WATER DRAIN-IN" Pressure gauge dial "BOURDON'S PRESSURE GAUGE" STEBE GORMAN & CO. LONDON", "LBS PRESSURE" "FEET OF SALT WATER" Plate on the front " PATENT, Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Submarine Engineers" below emblem (Lion, Crown, Horse)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime-museum, diving compressor, london, siebe gorman & co ltd, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving, maritime museum, maritime village, manine history