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Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Functional object - Stamps, May-07
Five Australian stamps issued by Australia postin May 2007 of 50 cents value, showing the wreck of the Admella in roaring seas, and a lifeboat coming to the rescue. Includes date of wreck (6/8/1859) and number of lives lost (89). All are used stamps.stamps, admella -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Book, Halstead Press, Wreck of the Admella, 1966
Blue hard-copy book. Gold text on spine. Two double-sided pages of black & white photos half way through book. Book has dust jacket with coloured reproduction of a painting of the wreck of the Admella, by Charles Hill. Photo of author inside back of dust jacket.admella, portland lifeboat, book -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Book - Family History, Boxleigh, Avis, Box Family Stories : The Box family of Sussed, England and their migration to Australia in the 1800's, Unknown
Family history of the Box Family who lived in Box Cottage, Ormond.A large hard cover book brown in colour with the title and authors name in gold writing on the front. The book contains photos and text about the Box family and details of their lives through the centuries.non-fictionFamily history of the Box Family who lived in Box Cottage, Ormond.box family, moorabbin, ormond, history. -
Greensborough Historical Society
Book, Family memories: a guide to reminiscing: by Bob Price, 1992_
This book encourages readers to reminisce about their lives and shows how to record these personal and family memories for generations to follow.Demonstrates the importance of oral history and recording family histories.Hard cover. 130 pages, illus. (some col.).Inside front cover "To mum, hope this will jog a few memories, p'raps we can get 'em down on tape, or paper. From Shirl 18/3/93." "To Faye Fort 2007 From Shirl"oral history, family history, reminiscing, genealogy -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Book, Cox, John, The Miraculous Lives of a Man Called Jack, Reprinted 10/2002
No 85, Trooper Jack Cox served for four years in the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment during World War 1, He was in most of their campaigns in Gallipoli and Palestine. He was awarded a DCM for his actions at the charge at Beersheba in capturing a Turkish machine gun and its 11 man crew.Biography of Arthur John Cox, 1879-1959Signed by author, John Cox, 20/5/2007. ISBN 0 9579556 6 9 biography, a j cox -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Papers - Alex McCullough's History of Mt Beauty Clubs
1) The Development of Mt Beauty Swimming Pool 2) Mt Beauty Gymnastics, Athletics, Gra-Y, Hy-Y, Boxing, Wrestling and Weightlifting x2 3) Tennis 1948 - 1963 4) Mt Beauty and District Progress Association: A Brief History 5) Chronology 1948 to 1963 and other copies 6) Back To Mt Beauty - Kiewa Kids 7) Miscellaneous papersAlex McCullough (1916 - 2011) was a resident of Mt Beauty and wrote a book on the History of Mt Beauty having been on many committees. The papers were compiled by him during his research for his book. The history of Mt Beauty is interesting as the town was unique as it was built by the SECV for their employees working on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. The histories of the clubs are an example of their development from the 1950s in a remote country town, giving an insight into the lives of the people living there. Papers attached with a staple and each grouped under the title of a Mt Beauty Organisationalex mccullough history, mt beauty swimming, mt beauty athletics, mt beauty tennis, mt beauty timeline, mt beauty back to -
Raymond Island Historical Society
Oral History transcript, Pat Wilson, December 2010
Pat Wilson of the Raymond Island History Group interviewed Iris Langley for a display of memorabilia of the musical history of Raymond Island. Iris Langley was a singer in a number of bands from the 1960s to present day. She holidayed on Raymond Island in the 1970s and currently lives on the Island.Local significance. Biographical information on a local musician.Transcript of interview conducted by Pat Wilson on the musical career of Iris Langley. Contains details of the bands she sang with The Silhouettes, The Boomerangs, This Time Around. Details her marriage to Ron Langley.iris langley, pat wilson, raymond island history group, raymond island music, the silhouettes, the boomerangs, this time around, ron langley -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Mug, Mary Rose Ehibition, Late 20th century
This is a souvenir mug produced for visitors to the ‘Mary Rose’ Exhibition in Warrnambool (December 1994 to February 1995). The ship ‘Mary Rose’, built in Portsmouth, England in 1509-10, was historically of major significance. She was the spearhead of a master plan to give England superiority on the high seas. Using new technology of the time, heavy artillery was mounted on the lower decks of this ship and this overloaded the ship. In 1545 she sank in Portsmouth Harbour with the loss of 700 lives as she was about to set sail to defend the English against the French invaders. In 1982 the hull of this ship was raised to the surface and the contents recovered. Over 200 items from the wreck were brought to Warrnambool and displayed in 1994-5 at the Warrnambool Art Gallery. This mug is of interest as it is a memento of the ‘Mary Rose’ Exhibition held in Warrnambool in 1994-5. This exhibition was an important event in the 1990s in Warrnambool and attracted many visitors. This is a cream-coloured china mug with a handle and a raised black and cream image of the ‘Mary Rose’ ship on one side and printed material in brown on the other side. It has the distributor’s name on the bottom with a map of Victoria and a brown dot showing the location of Warrnambool. It is a souvenir of the ‘Mary Rose’ Exhibition held in Warrnambool in 1994-5. “Mary Rose” Exhibition Warrnambool 1994-1995 Lady Bay Creations Warrnambool Australia mary rose ship, mary rose exhibition in warrnambool, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Lost Relations, 2015
This book details the lives of the ancestors of the author, Graeme Davison. It begins with the story of Jane Hewett who migrated with her eight children to Australia from England in 1850. The book not only tells the story of the Hewett families but also gives a wider picture of Australian conditions at the time, making it a valuable social history of Australia in the 19th century and beyond. Graeme Davison, Emeritus Professor of History at Monash University in Melbourne, has also written five other books dealing with aspects of Australian history. This book is of high interest because it is an important social history of Australia detailing the lives of the Hewett families. It is also of significance to those in the Warrnambool region as a member of the Hewett family, John Hewett, settled in Warrnambool with his wife and family and was a local butcher there for some years. This is a soft cover book of 274 pages detailing the family history of the author Graeme Davison. The cover is cream-coloured and has sepia-coloured photographs of the author’s ancestors on the front and back. The printing on the front and back covers is in gold and black. The book contains a Contents page, Introduction, ten chapters on the author’s family history, Acknowledgements, Picture Acknowledgements, Notes and Index. There are many black and white photographs, sketches and maps. Front Cover: ‘Graeme Davison’ ‘Lost Relations’ ‘Fortunes of my family in Australia’s Golden Age’ Inside title page: Signature of author ‘Graeme Davison’ graeme davison, 19th century australian social history, hewett families, warrnambool, history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Loch Ard Gorge, Early 20th century
This is a booklet containing an epic-style poem by Alice Goldstraw on the subject of the wreck of the ‘Loch Ard’. Alice Goldstraw (died 1967) was the daughter of George and Robina Goldstraw who were pioneer farmers in the Cudgee area. The Goldstraw families were prominent in the early history of Warrnambool and district, especially as timber millers. The ‘Loch Ard’ wreck (1878, Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell) is Victoria’s most famous wreck – 51 lives lost with only two survivors. The story of the survivors, Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce has legendary status in the stories of shipwrecks in Victoria and has been the subject of articles, songs, poems, plays, novels and films. This booklet is of great significance because it is a well-written poem by Alice Goldstraw, a member of a pioneer family in the Cudgee area. It is a notable early poem about the wreck of the ‘Loch Ard’ which has attracted much interest in the Warrnambool area and beyond. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool specializes in promoting stories of this wreck and features many relics of the wreck in its collection – the Loch Ard Peacock, the Carmichael watch, the Tom Peace binoculars etc. The laser night show at this Museum currently features the story of the wreck. Original copies of this poem are now rare.This is a soft cover booklet of 20 pages containing a poem about the wreck of the ‘Loch Ard’. The cover is cream-coloured with the front cover having blue print and a sepia-coloured photograph of the Loch Ard Gorge. The booklet has a page of photographs connected to the ‘Loch Ard’ and an ornamental black border around each page of the stanzas. The front cover is somewhat blotched and stained. The booklet has been stapled but the staples have been removed.poetry, loch ard shipwreck, warrnambool authors, alice goldstraw, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Album, Photo Album, 1920s
This is an album of Australian official photographs of Australian participation in World War One. Enlargements of the photographs could be obtained in the 1920s from the Australian War Museum in the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. World War One (1914-1918) was a highly significant event, not only in world history, but also in Australian history – a time when Australia participated to a strong degree, with a great number of Australian men and women dying in the war. These photographs were important in the 1920s as they showed war scenes and military activities that were not available to the public when the war was in progress. They are still important today showing Australian military action in World War One, a signal event in Australia’s history. The number of World War One War Memorials in most Australian towns and small settlements is an indication of the effect on the Australian people of the sacrifice of the lives of so many young people. Warrnambool was just one place in Australia that built a war memorial in the 1920s and continues today to remember World War One heroes as well as those from later wars. This is a brown photograph album containing 72 black and white photographs of Australian soldiers in World War One (Gallipoli, Palestine, France etc). The photographs have been commercially produced. There are four photographs to each page mounted on card. The cover is cardboard and the pages are bound with multi-coloured string. The cover has an imprint of a lady (ancient Greek style).Stamp of Warrnambool & District Historical Society world war one, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Drawing of Genius, c.1870
‘Dawnings of Genius’ by the Rev. Theodore Alois Buckley contains chapters on the lives the many distinguished men in history. Our copy of this work was given to Jane McMeekin as a prize at the Koroit Street School some time in the 1870s. The Koroit Street School was a Denominational Board School opened by the Wesleyan Church in 1859 with William Nettleton as the Head Teacher. It was later known as Common School No. 673 and closed in 1876 when the Warrnambool State School in Jamieson Street was opened. There is no date to tell us when Jane McMeekin received this book but we know that Caleb Collyer, who married Ann Brown in 1869, was Head Teacher of Warrnambool Common School No. 673 in 1875. Jane Taggart McMeekin was born in Mepunga in 1864 to John and Isabella McMeekin. She may have been about ten or eleven when she received this prize. This book is of considerable interest as it was a school prize in the 1870s and concerns Jane McMeekin, Caleb Collyer and Common School No. 673 – all of relevance and importance in the history of education in Warrnambool.This is a hard cover book of 408 pages. It has a dark red leather cover with gold and black ornamentation and red lettering on a gold background. It has an introduction and thirty chapters on the lives of eminent men. It has many black and white illustrations. The cover is torn in places and somewhat stained and ragged around the edges. On the first page it has an inscription and a stamp of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society. ‘Second Prize, Fifth Class Girls, Awarded to Jane McMeekin, Koroit Street School, No. 673, Warrnambool, C. Collyer, H. Teacher.’ warrnambool common school 673, caleb collyer, jane mcmeekin, history of warrnambool, schools in warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, Fragments from France No 3, 1916
This book contains World War One cartoons drawn by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather. It is one of a series of books by Bairnsfather showing that humour can be found even on the battlefields of France. The cartoons were originally published weekly in ‘The Bystander’ magazine. World War One was an horrific conflict that took so many lives and affected adversely so many others. This book is of antiquarian interest as a book dealing with World War One, a conflict that affected Warrnambool in the same way as it affected every other place in Australia. This is a soft cover book of 42 pages. It has a green cover with a cartoon sketch in sepia tones on the front cover and an advertisement on the back page. The printing on the covers is in black. The book has advertisements on the inside covers, a Foreword and pages of cartoon sketches of soldiers in World War One. The pages have been stapled but the staples have been removed.world war one, captain bruce bairnsfather, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Marten Syme, Lifeboats For Victoria, 2001
History of lifeboats and their crews in Victoria from 1856 to 1879This is a paper back book with a plasticized cover. It has 76 pages and an index. The cover is olive-green in colour with images of a life boat and a lifeboat service certificate. The book contains printed material, diagrams, maps, photographs and other illustrations.non-fictionHistory of lifeboats and their crews in Victoria from 1856 to 1879lifeboats, shipwrecks, port fairy lifeboats, warrnambool lifeboats, history of warrnambool -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, The First Chapter in the History of Victoria, 1911
This book is a useful reference tool on the history of the settlement of Victoria.A 104 pp book with a red cover. It is titled, "The first Chapter in the History of Victoria" written in black print inside a black frame. It is an account of Collin's temporary settlement at Sorrento in 1803. It describes the lives of Buckley, Fawkner, and Batman and includes an account of Batman's treaty with the indigenous people of Port Phillip leading to the founding of Melbourne. melbourne-settlement victoria-history-settlement batman-john-treaty -
Australian Commando Association - Victoria
Book - Official History of Special Operations Australia- Volume 2 Operations
Popularly known today as Z Special Unit, or by the wartime cover names of Inter-Allied Services Department (ISD) and Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Special Operations Australia (SOA) was the Special Operations component of the US-led Allied Intelligence Bureau in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War. From the secret files of Z Special Unit, and the second in a set of five volumes, Volume 2 - Operations describes almost two hundred separate "Z" Operations. Through the examination of this volume, the strategic role of the Special Operations - Australia organisation becomes apparent. Students of history will easily identify the ebb and flow of the Allied campaigns in the Pacific Theatre, with many of the operations of SOA being precursors to larger Allied offensives. Several serious blunders by SRD headquarters are also identified, one of which in particular had the capacity to compromise one of the greatest secrets of the Second World War and could have cost thousands of Allied lives...special operations australia, australian commandos, world war ii, special forces -
Orbost & District Historical Society
black and white photographs, C 1981
The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry. Because of the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August, 1987. The closure of this railway was a controversial issue at the time with many public protests in the district. Protesters stood in front of a VR locomotive holding up signs with " SAVE FUEL JOBS ROADS LIVES ORBOST MR HAMER DON"T LET THIS HAPPEN SAVE RAIL" Others held placards with "DON"T CUT OFF ORBOST" and "We the Children demand our ????secure railway"This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost. The closure of the line was a significant event in Orbost's history.Seven black / white photographs related to the closure of the Orbost Railway Line.orbost-railway east-gippsland-railway protests-rail-closure -
Orbost & District Historical Society
black and white photograph, 1920s
The Shrine of Remembrance was created to meet the needs of a grieving community after the extensive loss of lives in the First World War (1914 –18). sixteen dark Buchan marble Ionic columns. In the early 1900s black marble was being mined in the Bruthen district. Some was used for the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and Australia House in London. 900 tonnes were shipped to London to be included in the construction of Australia House. Marble quarrying has been a significant part of the history of Buchan in East Gippsland. Its inclusion in the Shrine of Remembrance War Memorial is noteworthy.A black / white photograph of a team of eight horses hitched to an open top cart. The cart is loaded with lrge slabs of marble. The driver is on top of the load. It is on a gravel road in a forest. The photograph has a grey frame background.om front - "HAULING BUCHAN MARBLE FOR SHRINE OF REM'ANCE"marble-buchan quarry-marble-south-buchan shrine-of-remembrance -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Book, Australian Scholarly Publishing Pty Ltd, Our Schools and the War - Rosalie Triolo, 2012
Rosalie Triolo presented Our Schools and the War as Ringwood and District Historical Society guest speaker - June, 2022. Dr Rosalie Triolo is the History Method lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University and is active as a writer and presenter in state and national History Education communities. She taught for 13 years in country and metropolitan Victorian government secondary schools, and has been involved for 30 years with the History Teachers’ Association of Victoria. She p[resents regularly to academic and general audiences on different aspects of the Great War and Australian education, and has led battlefield tours for History teachers as well as Australian History fellowships for student-teachers. The doctorate on which this book is based was awarded a Monash University Mollie Holman medal.Soft cover book detailing how The Great War profoundly touched the lives of Australian teachers, school children, and local communities.Handwritten inscription - For RDHS, Congratulations on all you are doing so well. Sincerely, Rosalie Triolo, June 2022. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
discs and tapes, Mapping of Memories The Telling of Place, 1991-1993
... of the lives and history associated with East Gippsland. It is a useful ...These stories are from the Orbost district, Snowy River flats, Conran, Bete Bolong, Marlo, Bonang, Goongerah, Combienbar, Club Terrace,Cann Valley, Cabanandra, Bendoc, Deddickand McKillop's Bridge' Mapping of Memories was first broadcast as four programs on A.B.C. Radio National in 1993.This item is a record of the lives and history associated with East Gippsland. It is a useful reference tool.Two copies of a D.V.D. titled, "Mapping of Memories The Telling of Place". There are also two tapes - 4 sides. The D.V.D.'s are in black plastic cases with 2 discs in each. The front cover has a colored photo of a child next to a giant pumpkin.memories-orbost-district mapping-of-memories -
Cheese World Museum
DVD, On our selection: the women's story
This is the story of the women of the bush, women who performed more than the traditional duties of wife and mother. They worked alongside their men, through good/times and bad and they were rare to complain. Six former country women of the Portland/Heywood district provide us with a snapshot of life as it was from the 1920's through to the 1960's. They speak about their own and their mother's lives, lives which have experienced the greatest material and personal changes in history. The story of the 'Remarkable Mary Stuchbery' details the struggles of a wife and family whose husband/father contracted polio shortly after returning from WWII service. Garry Kerr has produced a series of local history stories, initially for the Heywood [history group] and more recent items privately.The material contained in these interviews provides a first-hand insight into the experiences of women who were involved in carving farms from virgin bush. Their recollections of work, social activities and opportunities for their children are an invaluable primary source.Full colour DVD cover featuring image of old hip-roof weatherboard house with front verandah and skillion roof to rear with stone chimney attached to outside. Corrugated iron roof is rusty. To the left is an outbuilding. Picket and wire fencing is in the foreground, background has large cypress tree to left and gum to right. At the bottom is a series of three black and white images showing (L-R) three women in working clothes and a woman holding a baby; woman chopping wood; woman milking cow with young boy standing beside her. The back cover is yellow with images of the seven women featured showing coloured images of the interviewees beside black and white images of the interviewees when young. DVD features the same images as the front cover.Garry Kerr's LOCAL HISTORY Series 5/On Our Selection/The/Women's/Story/Produced by Garry Kerr (front) WOMEN WERE THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE BUSH/This is the story of the women of the bush [see historical information] ... Running time 74 minutes/Plus an additional 30 minutes of/'The Remarkable Mary Stuchbery' -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Line throwing pistol, 1925-1945
This is a SPRA, or Schermuly’s Pistol Rocket Apparatus. The large firearm type pistol would have been used to throw a line between ships, usually in the event of saving lives. The line throwing pistol consists of a long barrel with handle attached, a pistol grip and trigger, which fires a short blank cartridge. Accessories for the pistol included: flares, 12 gauge adaptor (to shoot 12 gauge flares), a wood plunger, and boxes of faked line. The stamp on the handle, Crown over "NP" is a Birmingham Proof House mark that dates the pistol between 1904 and 1954. However Schermuly's line throwing pistol was invented in the 192s and used on British Naval Ships from 1929. The serial number '22507' is only 806 numbers later than one on sale as a British Military WWII issue SRPA '21701'. This pistol appears to be made 125-1945. The apparatus was used as a life saving device for crew and passengers on vessels in distress that were only a few hundred metres from shore, often eliminating the need to launch a boat and risk lives to go out to the vessel in dangerous conditions. It could also be used from ship to ship rescue. The pistol would launch a line from shore to the vessel. The line would be attached to the vessel, then shore crew would send out equipment, including a breeches buoy, in which the stranded people could be pulled to shore. It has saved many lives at sea. The cartridge is loaded into the breech of the pistol and the rocket is inserted into the muzzle. On pulling the trigger, the gases generated by the fired cartridge eject the rocket on its correct line of flight, and at the same time, burst through the waterproof disc and ignite the propellant mixture, which carries the rocket and line on the remainder of the flight. The rocket consists of a weldless steel case filled with propellant mixture sealed in by a waterproof disc. Fixed to the rocket case is a direction bridle, to the end of which a short length of flexible steel wire is attached, this in turn being connected to the end of the line to be thrown. A complete rocket set, or line throwing kit. would include a wood carrying case, two coils of faked line in separate compartments, three rockets and a can of six cartridges. William Schermuly (1857 – 1929) - Founder of the Schermuly business. In 1897 he invented a trough-fired, line throwing apparatus. In 1920 he and his third son, Alfred James Schermuly, invented the pistol rocket apparatus and promoted this overseas during the 1920s. The system was approved by the British Navy in 1929 through an Act of Parliament, which made it compulsory for ships over 500 tons to carry this equipment. The company, Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Ltd., grew quickly during and after World War II but business eased off during the 1970s before it eventually closed in the 1990s. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. This line-throwing pistol is part of he Rocket Launching Equipment used to perform life-saving rescue at sea from the 1920s. It is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Pistol, line-throwing, SPRA (Schermuly's Pistol Rocket Apparatus). This line throwing pistol has a wooden pistol grip, brass trigger mechanism, and a long, wide, steel barrel with Bakelite handle attached to the top. Inscriptions are stamped onto the pistol.Stamped on handle: "5" and "[symbol of a Crown] above NP" , "22507", "[within oval] SPRA" Stamped on barrel: "L22507".gun, pistol, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, line throwing, line throwing pistol, spra, schermuly's pistol rocket apparatus, sea rescue, pyrotechnicks, marine technology, schermuly pistol rocket apparatus ltd., william schermuly, alfred schermuly, pistol line thrower, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, beach rescue set, rocket set, schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, pistol rocket apparatus, line throwing cartridge, line-throwing rocket, firearm, life saving, lsrc -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Tankard
Metal tankards often come with a glass-bottom. There is a legend that the glass-bottomed tankard was developed as a way of refusing the King's shilling, i.e. conscription into the British army or navy. The drinker could see the coin in the bottom of the glass and refuse the drink, thereby avoiding conscription. However, this is likely to be a myth, for the Navy could use force by using “press gangs” to conscript recruits rendering this type of deception unnecessary. Other legends are that in a bar fight, a recipient with a glass bottom tankard could see if a first punch was thrown whilst they had the tankard raised to drink. Another has it that the glass bottom was implemented so the drinker while drinking could observe his surroundings and the dubious people within the Tavern such as thieves, ladies of the night or anyone that could, or may do him harm. A further story is that the glass bottom merely allowed the drinker to judge the clarity of their drink while forgoing the expense of using a fragile and expensive pint glass. If this item is an early tankard from the 18th or 19th century it would be a significant item. Also if a known maker from these time periods could be established it would make the tankard quite valuable. Tankards from this time are snapshots of peoples past everyday lives and form a significant part of our social history so are worthy of preservation in all there forms. Pewter tankard with glass bottom, marine encrusted, recovered from unknown shipwreck.tankard, pewter, mug, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, vessel, drink, tavern, drinkware, kings shilling -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Craft - Ship Model, after 1850
This little model dinghy or rowing boat, together with its two oars and its display case, was made by Edward Richter using timber from the New Zealand-built schooner, the Enterprise, wrecked in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, in 1850 after only three years of sailing. The dinghy was originally presented to the old Warrnambool Museum and transferred to Flagstaff Hill along with its two descriptive card tags. EDWARD RICHTER (1853-1937) Edward Richter was the son of Henry and Charlotte Richter, who migrated from London and arrived in Port Phillip, Victoria, in 1850. Henry had worked in the Bank of England in London. In Australia, he worked for the Morning Herald and was a business partner in the Geelong Daily News. He served in the Volunteer Corps and had the honour of being one of the 500 Volunteers in the firing party at the grave of Sir Charles Hotham, Governor of Victoria. In Warrnambool, Henry was the Host/Licensee of the Royal Archer Hotel. He was also connected with Sheldrich's brewery (the Western Brewery) there. Henry and Charlotte’s son Edward was born in Collingwood, a Melbourne suburb, in 1853. The family moved to Warrnambool in 1867. In 1878 Edward married Susan (nee Saltz) and they had a family of twelve children. Sadly their son, Edward Henry Richter, died from drowning in Warrnambool’s Shelly Beech in 1907, aged 29 years. Edward was a prominent Warrnambool citizen. He worked as a coach painter and his hobbies included model making. He made this model dinghy and presented it to the old Warrnambool Museum in the late 1800s. He also made some model violins that are now in the care of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. After the museum closed, this model was eventually transferred to Flagstaff Hill. Edward’s son, Herman, was also a model maker, making model boats and even boats in bottles. Edward passed away in Warrnambool in 1937. THE ENTERPRISE 1847-1850 The wooden, two-masted schooner Enterprise was built in New Zealand in 1847 and registered in Melbourne, Australia. The Enterprise carried cargos of agricultural produce and other commodities for trade between the ports of the Colony. On September 14, 1850, the Enterprise was at anchor in Lady Bay under its Master, James Gardiner Caughtt, loaded with a cargo of wheat and potatoes. A strong south-easterly wind caused the vessel to drag on its only anchor and the rudder was lost. The gale-force wind blew it sideways and it became grounded. A local indigenous Buckawall, braved the rough sea to take a line from the shore to the Enterprise. All five members of the crew were able to make it safely to land. The Enterprise was wrecked. The Enterprise wreck was in an area called Tramway Jetty in Lady Bay. Since then the area became the location of the Lady Bay Hotel and now, in 2019, it is in the grounds of the Deep Blue Apartments. In fact, with the constantly changing coastline through built-up sand, the wreck site is now apparently under the No 2 Caravan Park on Pertobe Road, perhaps 150 metres from the high tide. Its location was found by Ian McKiggan (leader of the various searches in the 1980s for the legendary Mahogany Ship). DIFFERENTIATING the New Zealand Schooner “Enterprise” from John Fawkner’s “Enterprize“ Dr Murray Johns, Melbourne, says in his article The Mahogany Ship Story “… As I documented in 1985, the Warrnambool wreck was of an entirely different ship, also called Enterprize [with the spelling ‘Enterprise’], but built in New Zealand in 1847. Fawkner’s ship had already been sold to Captain Sullivan in 1845 and was wrecked on the Richmond Pier in northern New South Wales early in 1847. “ - (further details are in NOTES: and FHMV documents)The model of a dinghy is significant for its association wreck of the schooner Enterprise, now on the Victorian Heritage List VHR S238, being a New Zealand built but Australian owned coastal trader. The wreck is also significant, by connection with the Enterprise, for its association with indigenous hero Buckawall who saved the lives of the five crew on board. The maker of the model, Edward Richter, is significant as a member of one of Warrnambool’s pioneering families, which has contributed to the growth of the community in several ways over the years, living, working and bringing up their families in the coastal city. Ship model; model of a small wooden boat or dinghy and wooden two oars, displayed in timber case with open sides that have vertical wire strands from top to bottom. The model was made by Mr Edward Richter from the timber of the schooner Enterprise, built in New Zealand 1847 and wrecked three years later in Lady Bay, Warrnambool.Handwritten tag in pen and ink: "Model of Boat made from the timber of the schooner "Enterprise" wrecked at Warrnambool" Type written tag "MODEL DINGEY Made from Timber of Schooner "Enterprise". Made and presented by Mr Edward Richter."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, wooden ship building, carpentry, ship modelling hobby, dinghy, dingey, dingy, edward richter, enterprise, lady bay warrnambool, schooner enterprise, wreck of the enterprise 1850, richter family, warrnambool history, buckawall -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Award - Document, 21/1/1893
The name on the letterhead, “Canning Pierhead North” is the name of the Liverpool Pilot Authority, which was situated in 1883 at Cannon Pier on the River Mersey where ships entered to travel to Liverpool. The logo on the letterhead belongs to the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society. The letter is addressed to “Mr Peter Carmody, Port Campbell, south coast of Australia”, and reads as follows: “January 21st 1893, Dear Sir, I have the pleasure to forward to you by post herewith a Silver Medal and a Certificate of Thanks, voted to you by the Committee of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for your courage and humanity in going out into the surf to rescue the survivors of the crew of the barque “Newfield” which vessel was wrecked near Port Campbell on the 29th of August last. Be kind enough to send a few lines acknowledging receipt of the testimonials. I am Dear Sir, Yours Faithfully, Robert P. J. Simpson, Secretary.” The medal accompanying the letter is the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s “Bramley-Moore medal for saving life at sea 1872”. The Society was formed in 1839. In 1872 Mr John Bramley-Moore donated £500 on condition that the medal have the specific inscription above on its reverse. The Bramley Morre medal was first awarded in 1874 and records show that since that time only one gold medal has been awarded, twenty-two silver medals and seventeen bronze medals, the last being in 1945. This Bromley-Moore medal was awarded to Peter Carmody for his bravery in saving lives on the Newfield shipwreck. The Newfield was a three-masted iron and steel barque, built in Dundee, Scotland, in 1889 by Alexander Stephen and Sons. It was owned by the Newfield Ship Company in 1890 and later that year It was registered in Liverpool to owners Brownells and Co. The Newfield left Sharpness, Scotland, on 28th May 1892 with a crew of 25 under the command of Captain George Scott and on 1st June left Liverpool. She was bound for Brisbane, Australia, with a cargo of 1850 tons of fine rock salt, the main export product of Sharpness. At about 9pm on 28th August 1892, in heavy weather, Captain Scott sighted, between heavy squalls, the Cape Otway light on the mainland of Victoria but, due to a navigational error (the ship’s chronometers were wrong), he assumed it to be the Cape Wickham light on King Island, some 40 miles south. He altered his course to the north, expecting to enter Bass Strait. The ship was now heading straight for the south west Victorian coast. At about 1:30am the Newfield ran aground on a reef about 100 yards from shore and one mile east of Curdie’s Inlet, Peterborough. The ship struck heavily three times before grounding on an inner shoal with 6 feet of water in the holds. Rough sea made the job of launching lifeboats very difficult. The first two lifeboats launched by the crew were smashed against the side of the ship and some men were crushed or swept away. The third lifeboat brought eight men to shore. It capsized when the crew tried to return it to the ship for further rescue The rescue was a difficult operation. The Port Campbell Rocket Crew arrived and fired four rocket lines, none of which connected with the ship. Peter Carmody, a local man, volunteered to swim about one mile off shore to the ship with a line to guide the fourth and final lifeboat safely to shore. He was assisted by James McKenzie and Gerard Irvine. Seventeen men survived the shipwreck but the captain and eight of his crew perished. The Newfield remained upright on the reef with sails set for a considerable time as the wind slowly ripped the canvas to shreds and the sea battered the hull to pieces. The Marine Board inquiry found the wreck was caused by a "one man style of navigation" and that the Captain had not heeded the advice of his crew. According to Jack Loney ‘… when the drama was over . . the Newfield was deserted except for the Captain’s dog and two pigs.’ Peter Carmody was awarded the Bramley-Moore medal by the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society for Saving Life at Ssea, which he received by mail on January 21st 1893. The medal and letter of congratulations were donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum by Peter Carmody’s grand-daughter Norma Bracken and her son Stuart Bracken on 25th May 2006. The Medal and Letter of Congratulations join other items in the Newfield collectionlFlagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Newfield is significant for its association with the shipwreck Newfield, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Registry. The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects. The Newfield collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international cargo ship. The Newfield collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its association with the shipwreck. The Letter accompanying the Medal for Bravery awarded to Peter Carmody is significant because the attempt to save lives is associated with the shipwreck Newfield.A copy of a letter from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society to Peter Carmody in reference to the bravery of Peter Carmody over the wreck of the "Newfield". The letter is divided into 2 columns and is written in longhand using black ink on both columns. There is a letterhead in the centre of the left hand page and a round logo printed or stamped on the top of left of the left hand page. The centre of the logo shows a design of a man kneeling on a floating part of a wreck. He is rescuing a child from the sea. On the top of the circle of the logo a design shows a long-legged hen cormorant with extended wings holding an olive branch in its beak. There is also the name of a city printed onto the page under the letterhead. The letter has been folded into half along its long side, then in half again along its long side then into thirds. The letter is dated January 21st 1893. “CANNING, PIERHEAD, NORTH” and “LIVERPOOL” are printed on the top left hand page. The logo “LIVERPOOL SHIPWRECK AND HUMANE SOCIETY” is printed or embossed on the paper.28 august 1892, bramley moore, carmody, certificate of thanks, curdie's river, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, gerard irvine, james mckenzie, liverpool shipwreck and humane society, maritime museum, medal, newfield, nineteenth century, norma bracken, peter carmody, port campbell, rescue, robert simpson,, shipwreck, ship wreck, stuart bracken, victorian shipwrecks -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Deck light, On or before 1889
This deck light was recovered from the wreck of the Newfield in 1973. The barque Newfield left Liverpool on 1st June 1892 with a cargo of 1850 tons of fine rock salt for Brisbane. About six weeks later the ship ran into very heavy weather approaching the Australian coast. On 28th August at about 9pm her master, Captain George Scott, observed between the heavy squalls the Cape Otway light on the mainland of Victoria, but due apparently to a navigational error (the chronometers were incorrect), he mistook it for Cape Wickham on King Island, some 40 miles south. He altered course to the north expecting to run through the western entrance of Bass Strait, but instead, at about 1:30am, the ship ran aground about about 100 yards from shore, one mile east of Curdies River. The vessel struck heavily three times before grounding on an inner shoal with six feet of water in the holds. The Newfield remained upright on the reef with sails set for a considerable time as the wind slowly ripped the canvas to shreds and the sea battered the hull to pieces. Seventeen men survived the shipwreck but the captain and eight of his crew perished. Local man Peter Carmody was recognised for risking his life in order to help save the lives of the ship's crew. In 1893 he received a letter and accompanying limited edition of the Bramley-Moore medal for saving life at sea; 1872" medal and certificate from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Newfield is significant for its association with the shipwreck Newfield, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Registry. The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects. The Newfield collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international cargo ship. The Newfield collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its association with the shipwreckDeck light recovered from the wreck of the sailing ship “Newfield. Oval semi-spherical shape of clear thick glass.warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, 1892, 1893, 28 august 1892, 29 august 1892, barque, curdie's river, deck light, newfield, nineteenth century, peter ronald, peterborough, port campbell, shipwrecks, victorian shipwrecks -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Rocket set, John Dennett, ca. 1860s
This rescue line-throwing rocket set was made for the Dennett rocket system, which was used by the Rocket Rescue crews in South West Victoria from around the 1860s to the 1890s. John Dennett - John Dennett was from Carisbrooke, in the Ilse of Wight, UK. In 1826 he invented, patented and demonstrated an improved method of rocket powered, line firing rescue equipment for saving lives. The rockets had a longer range than the mortars being used, they were lighter, needed less preparation time, only needed one line for repeated shots, and fewer people were needed to move the equipment. Very favourable reports of Dennett’s rockets were received by those in charge of His Majesty’s Naval and Military services. In 1832, Dennett’s rocket-thrown line was sent out to the wreck of the ‘Bainbridge’, and was responsible for nineteen survivors coming ashore in two boatloads, along the fired line. Dennett’s rocket received national fame, and a one-year contract to supply rockets to the Coastguards. He became known as ‘Rocket Man’ and his rockets were used in rescues at least until 1890, when his son Horatio was running the business. A rocket weighing 23 lb would have a range of about 250 yards (228 metres), on average. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria has had over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it, followed in 1864 by a rocket house to safely store the Rocket Rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost one hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain and improve their skills, summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Rocket Rescue Method - The first use of a lifesaving rocket rescue system is often credited to Captain Manby and his invention of a life mortar, first used in 1808 to fire a line onto a ship to rescue lives. Henry Trengrouse’s invention of 1820 was the first to use a sky rocket’s power to throw a line, and his invention included a chair for carrying the shipwrecked victims to shore. In 1832 John Dennett invented a rocket specifically for shore to ship rescue. It had an iron case and an 8 foot pole attached and could shoot the line as far as 250 yards (about 230 metres). From the 1860s the rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It comprised a breeches buoy and traveller block that was suspended on a line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. Colonel Boxer, who had invented an early line-thrower, designed a rocket in 1865 with a range from 300 to 470 yards. It was the first two-stage rocket, with two rockets placed one in front of the other in a tube that carried the rescue line. The hemp line was faked, or coiled, in a particular way in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired, and the angle of firing the rocket was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol around 1920, which used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. Victoria’s Government adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain, which used Colonel Boxer’s rocket apparatus rescue method. The British Board of Trade published instructions in 1850 for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line attached, then firing it across the stranded vessel. A tally board was then sent out with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the continuous whip line and attach the whip block to a mast or sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a heavier hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser is then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. The rocket system could also be used from one ship to another.The Dennett rocket set is quite rare - there are not many examples in existence and little information is available. This Dennett's rocket set is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.A Dennett rocket set in six parts; the rocket head, three shafts (poles) and two rocket-head toting boxes. The rocket head, mounted on one of the shafts, is a long, red painted, iron tube with rounded ends and a protruding fitting around each end. The wooden rocket shafts are octagonal, with a metal sheath at the ends, carved elongated slots towards each end, and a scribed channel above the black foot. The rocket head toting boxes are thick timber, covered in fabric and painted black. They have a hinged wooden lid that slants downwards from back to front, and a metal closure. Small deliberate holes, in groups of four, on the box’s sides, indicate missing attachments, likely to have been handles. Impressed one a shaft "8"flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, rocket apparatus, beach apparatus, petticoat breeches, breeches buoy, rocket house, rocket shed, lifeboat men, rocket equipment, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, marine technology, william schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, schermuly pistol, pistol rocket apparatus, beach rescue set, traveller, block, running block, pulley, hawser, faking, faking box, faked line, rescue boat, lifeboat, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, breakwater, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket rescue method, rocket rescue apparatus, captain manby, mortar, henry trengrouse, sky rocket, john dennett, shore to ship, colonel boxer, two-stage rocket, italian hemp, quadrant, schermuly, line-throwing pistol, line throwing cartridge, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, tally board, light line, whip line, endless whip, petticoat buoy, traveller chair, traveller block, her majesty’s coast guard, harbour board, line thrower, line throwing, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, hawser cutter, life jacket, faking board, irish hand barrow, rocket head toting box, explosives, rocket shaft, rocket pole -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Rocket Launcher, John Dennett, 1860s
This rocket launching machine is used in conjunction with the Dennett Rocket Set. Both are part of the rocket rescue equipment that launches the line-throwing rescue rockets. A light line is threaded through the carved holes in the 8 foot long shaft and attached to the scribed channel at the base of the shaft. The rocket head is fitted to the shaft and inserted into the machine. The machine is set at an angle determined by the person in charge of the rescue crew, and the legs and base of the machine are adjusted accordingly with the use of the quadrant, or protractor, and plumb-bob on the side of the machine. The rocket is then ignited and fired across the vessel in distress. John Dennett - John Dennett was from Carisbrooke, in the Ilse of Wight, UK. In 1826 he invented, patented and demonstrated an improved method of rocket powered, line firing rescue equipment for saving lives. The rockets had a longer range than the mortars being used, they were lighter, needed less preparation time, only needed one line for repeated shots, and fewer people were needed to move the equipment. Very favourable reports of Dennett’s rockets were received by those in charge of His Majesty’s Naval and Military services. In 1832, Dennett’s rocket-thrown line was sent out to the wreck of the ‘Bainbridge’, and was responsible for nineteen survivors coming ashore in two boatloads, along the fired line. Dennett’s rocket received national fame, and a one-year contract to supply rockets to the Coastguards. He became known as ‘Rocket Man’ and his rockets were used in rescues at least until 1890, when his son Horatio was running the business. A rocket weighing 23 lb would have a range of about 250 yards (228 metres), on average. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it. In 1858 the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for lifeboat stations in Victoria, and in 1864 a rocket house was built to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Rocket Rescue Method - The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. The British Board of Trade published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A tally board was then sent out to the ship with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line, then secure the attached whip block to the mast or other sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser was then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. This rocket launcher machine is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Rocket launcher, named a Rocket Machine, and storage box. Launcher has a long open metal channel with a spike at the base, and narrow, rectangular device, which is the line-firing rocket machine, at the top, all painted blue. Two hinged wooden legs are attached where the channel and machine meet. The side of the machine has an oval cut-out window and an attached quadrant, or protractor, with a plumb-bob on it. The quadrant has angles marked in degrees. The long protective box has white stencilled letters along the side. Its lid has three hinges and is fastened with two metal latches.On box “ROCKET MACHINE” On quadrant “10” “20” “30” “40”flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, rocket apparatus, beach apparatus, petticoat breeches, breeches buoy, rocket house, rocket shed, lifeboat men, rocket equipment, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, marine technology, william schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, schermuly pistol, pistol rocket apparatus, beach rescue set, traveller, block, running block, pulley, hawser, faking, faking box, faked line, rescue boat, lifeboat, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, breakwater, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket rescue method, rocket rescue apparatus, captain manby, mortar, henry trengrouse, sky rocket, john dennett, shore to ship, colonel boxer, two-stage rocket, italian hemp, quadrant, protractor, schermuly, line-throwing pistol, line throwing cartridge, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, tally board, light line, whip line, endless whip, petticoat buoy, traveller chair, traveller block, her majesty’s coast guard, harbour board, line thrower, line throwing, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, hawser cutter, life jacket, faking board, welsh hand barrow, rocket set -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Hand Barrow, 1860s
This hand barrow, sometimes called a Welsh hand barrow, was used to transport a load of marine rescue equipment from the beach cart to the rescue site, particularly over hilly, uneven or rough terrain. Hand barrows were in common use in the 19th century. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. Rocket Rescue Method - Rocket rescue became the preferred lifesaving method of the rescue crews, being much safer that using a lifeboat in rough seas and poor conditions. The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. . The British Board of Trade regularly published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle, determined by the Head of the crew and measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A continuous whip line was then sent out to the ship’s crew, who hauled it in then followed the instructions – in four languages - on the attached tally board. The survivors would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line with a tail block connected to it. They then secured the block to the mast or other strong part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the survivors fixed above the whip’s tail block. The hawser was then tightened by the crew pulling on it, or by using the hooked block on the shore end of the whip and attaching it to a sand anchor. The breeches buoy was attached to the traveller block on the hawser, and the shore crew then used the whip line to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. The rescue crew wore scarlet, numbered armbands and worked on a numerical rotation system, swapping members out to rest them. This hand barrow is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Hand barrow; a transporting device carried between two people walking one in front of the other. A wooden ladder-like frame with two handles at each end, blue painted body with unpainted handles. Seven equal-length slats are joined at equal distance between two parallel poles, and two longer slats are attached diagonally between the first and last slats as a brace. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, breakwater, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, marine technology, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, line throwing, lifeboat warrnambool, hand barrow, manual transport, welsh hand barrow -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Music stand, Early 19th Century before 1860
Thomas Sheraton (1751-1806) appears to have been the first to record the written term “Canterbury” music or magazine stand. In his Cabinet Dictionary of 1803 he refers to “a small music stand” with divisions for holding loose sheet or bound volumes of music. The music stand designed to hold sheet music came into fashion in the late 18th Century in England and was often crafted from mahogany, rosewood or walnut. They were seen as status symbols since music was practiced exclusively by the upper classes of society. In a period when printed music was more widely available and disseminated due to more affordable printing techniques, modern sheet music was very popular and therefore storage for such favoured tunes became a luxury and an opportunity for innovative design by cabinet makers. The Classical period of music, from about 1750 to 1820 and the Romantic Period from around 1815-1910 was the golden age of classical music. And it was at this time that The Canterbury often accompanied the piano in the parlour with styles ranging from Georgian simplicity to Victorian exuberance. Social activities of colonial Victoria would have included evening gatherings of family and friends around the piano to enjoy performances or sing along together with from old and up-to-date music sheets. The Canterbury would also be an elegant and practical place to also store newspapers, magazines, posters and drawings from overseas. The news from ‘home’ would be enjoyed by all. THE INSCRIPTION “Jack Morse” Morse. In 2010 Mr Jack Morse was recognised as one of the “people who have contributed to the long term development of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village”. He was a member of the Flagstaff hill Planning board and a Current Life Member and had been awarded a Certificate of Service and the provision of an Annual Family Membership for life by Flagstaff Hill. The Morse’s family business, Morse’s Engineering, closed in 2010. It was considered “One of Warrnambool’s longest operating businesses with roots dating to 1883 with the design and manufacture of coaches and buggies, progressing to automotive repairs and later specialising in under-vehicle work” The Canterbury appears to have been handmade prior to 1860 as the dovetails are handmade and there are no saw marks on the drawer sides or back as well the sides. Also the back has small nicks indicating a hand plane or drawer knife was used rather than a saw blade to size the material. Additional indications are that the spindles are slightly different in size meaning they were handmade individually not mass produced. From these indicators the writer believes that the item was made before 1860 as machinery was only used after this date to produce furniture. As yet no individual maker can be attributed to this item, however it is a significant piece historically and is quite valuable if a known maker can be associated with the Canterbury. The item highlights a time in our social history when music played an everyday part in people’s lives as the only entertainment families could enjoy together in their own homes. A Canterbury music stand, having three compartments consisting of twenty turned spindles supporting the slat dividers. A drawer, with two turned wooden handles, is fitted below. The music stand has turnip style turned feet. The drawer front and carcass of the stand are veneered rosewood over a mahogany carcass. The underlined words "Jack Morse" are handwritten underneath the drawer bottom.Hand written inscription on underneath the drawer bottom "Jack Morse".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, canterbury, music rack, magazine rack, music stand, magazine stand, 19th century furniture, occasional furniture, frederick cornwallis, jack morse, morse’s undercar, music, thomas sheraton, regency furniture, music canterbury