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Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Framed montage, Arthouse - Picture Framing & Gallery, Jervis Bay, 2013
THE SEAS IN WARTIME During WWII, as many as 27,000 men of the merchant and the King’s navy perished during active service. Dedicated to seafarers’ wellbeing, the Mission’s spiritual roots also make it a place for reflection on the loss of human life at sea. The Mission to Seafarers’ ministry offers its support in hundreds of seaports around the world, and has played an important role in supporting those who have lost friends and family at sea during wartime. Many of the stained glass windows in the chapel are dedicated to these people, and represent many close maritime community relationships. This window was installed in 1947 in recognition of the heroism and courage of those who have served in the Merchant Navy, and in particular to those who lost their lives aboard the armed merchant cruiser, ‘Jervis Bay’. This vessel was attacked by an enemy packet battleship whilst leading an escort from Nova Scotia to the UK in 1940.Reflections of the Sea was an exhibition of 10 framed montage of photographs from the mission's archive collection showcasing 10 stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel. This exhibition curated by Georgia Melville and Catherine McLay, and funded by PROV and Creative Victoria, was displayed in the World Trade Centre Wharf Gallery in June July 2013 and toured to Queenscliff Maritime Museum. The photographs of the windows were taken by scientific photographer Justine M. Philip. This frame is showcasing the memorial window to the Jervis Bay crew, a group photograph of the seamen from the SS Siltonhall and a group photograph of seamenFramed and mounted on black cardboard of black and white and colour reproductions from the MTSV collection for the exhibition Reflections of the Sea with brief label signageon label: ABOVE: VThe crew of the SS Siltonhall found refuge at the Mission in October, 1929, after their ship had caught fire and was abandoned in the Indian Ocean BELOW: A group of seafarers enjoying refreshments at the docks provided by volunteers from the Missionreflections of the sea, georgia melville, exhibition, 2013, world trade centre, wtc, hms jervis bay, ss siltonhall, siltonhall, ww2, creative victoria, prov, mission to seafarers, stained glass windows, justine m. philip, flinders street, catherine mclay, arthouse -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Print - Reproduction, Petition, The Photography Department (Jeremy Dillon), Captains' Petition, 2016
This is a reproduction of the original 1897 Captains' petition to build a Central Institute on the Yarra river. "To the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, Melbourne. "Ladies and Gentleman, "We, the undersigned captains of several ships now lying at the Melbourne wharves think it most desirable that the Victorian Seamen's Mission, being the mission that has for so many years shown a most part their interest in the spiritual, moral, and social well-being of the seamen of all nationalities, shall him on the banks of the Yarra an institute such as that at Port Melbourne, where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings. At almost every other seaport in the world such institutions are being provided for seamen, and we are satisfied from our opinion of the Melbourne public that the matter needs only to be prominently brought under their notice to be accomplished. We are confident that the good work of the mission is being hampered by its not having such a place near the shipping at the Melbourne wharves. Our crews are at present placed at a great dis advantage through not having an institute more convenient to the scene of their labours than that at Port Melbourne, which, on a very wet or a very hot, is not easily reached. If a site could be obtained immediately above the Gasworks but on the other side of Flinders street extension, that is to say, on the lower part of the land on which the Harbour Trust offices are built, it would be most convenient for the shipping on both the north and south side of the river. Trusting that it may be possible to do some thing to meet this long felt want, We suscribe ourselves, Yours respectfully, Geo.H Steven, master ship Dharwar; Thos. Curd, master ship Narcissus; James Horne, master ship Loch Garry; T.Tait, master ship Loch Ryan; T. Nilsen, master ship Hebe; G. Ch Christian, master ship Anna; R.E. Peasley, master ship Seminole; Wm. Martin, master ship Loch Ness; T.C. Martin, master ship Loch Tay; W.H. Bennett, master ship Loch Vennachar; J. Raglan Brodie, master s.s. Warrnambool; James E. Coles, master ship Mermerus; J. H. Walker, master ship Hinemoa; R.J. Johns, master ship Ariel; D. Gorchem (sic. Gerckens), master ship Matador; H. Petersen, master ship Nesaia; Wm. J. Reid, master s.s. Star of New Zealand; A. F. Svhanstrom, master ship Hermes; Alex. Smith, master ship Sophocles; W. Y. Bunn, master ship Carmanian; William Anderson, master ship Loch Katrine."Framed and mounted reproduction of Captains' petitionpetition, seamen's mission, yarra river, captains, victoria, melbourne, ships, australia-wharf, signatures, 717-flinders-street-docklands, maritime welfare services, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, mermerus, captain coles, sir john coode, loch line, loch ness, loch gary, loch ryan, ss warrnambool, loch tay, loch vennachar, matador, nesaia, d. gerckens, h. petersen, a.f. svhanstrom, hermes, ariel, loch katrine, william anderson, dharwar, narcissus, hebe, anna, hinemoa, sophocles, carmanian, early origins, 2016, exhibitions -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Instrument - Sextant in box, Heath & Co, 1945
Sextant belonging to Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships.Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS ReynellaSextant in wooden boxanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, hezzanith, sextant, nautical instrument, navigation -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Instrument - Slide Rule in box, Shanghai Slide Rule Factory, 1978
Sextant belonging to Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships. According to the website SLide Rule Museum this is the Flying Fish 1017 Chemical V2 Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS ReynellaSextant in wooden boxInscription in Chinese on the boxanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, nautical instrument, navigation, slide rule, flying fish 1017 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book - Manual, J. McKerrell, Brown's Practical Pocket-Book for Merchant Seamen, 1946
Pocket book with red cover; 292 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book - Prayer Book, Ivan Loveridge Bennett, Song and Service Book for Ship and Field - Army and Navy, 1942
Small book with black cover; 195 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation, prayers, army, navy, soldiers, balikpapan, borneo, indonesia, battle of balikpapan, lt d. bacon -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book - Manual, Thomas Frederick Wickham, Seamanship, 1954
Small book with blue cover and damaged yellow and black dust jacket; 194 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book - Manual, James Gordon, AM, New Lunar and Time Tables, 1849
Large book with green cloth cover ;222 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book - Manual, James Gordon, AM, Nautical Marine Board Examination-Preparatory Instruction, 1849
Small book with green cloth cover; 100 pagesnon-fictionanne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, Letter to Lillie from Howard, 29 August 1925
The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925. Page 1 S/S City of Norwich Port Said My Dear Old Lillie, Well, I never got so much of a shock in my life, when your postcard turned up 2 days before my birthday, wishing me many happy returns, for which I thank you sincerely, and am sorry to say I had forgotten yours, or being very quiet about your various qualities, you would not tell me. Well to get on with the news, the next day I had a telegram to report at the Line head office, on the 15th Aug. early, imagine how I swore, as a little do was to [be] held at night, they immediately shored me on this ship S/S City of Norwich to go to Port Said, then join the City of Corinth bound for Boston & New-York so I may come out to “little Aussie” again from there with a little luck, any way we ought to be in New-York about the 19th Sept to stay a month, I will write you more in detail from there, if you feel inclined and have forgiven me for being so long about answering your last letter, could you write to S/S City of Corinth, C/o Norton Lilly & Co, New-York. U.S.A. I would jump like L”l Page 2 how is the cow milking going on, but still that joke is as unfair as the small joke about my age now, both afflictions being cured by now I hope. Well really I am no letter writer and can find very little to interest you on paper Lillie, and my photo, I hate being taken as much as you, but will do my best, if you can wait a little please, hoping you are getting one that awfully exciting week with the mission as you call it. You must be A.1 actresses to amuse such a motley crew. Hoping you are all well at home, give Mr & Mrs Duncan my kind regards, sending my best love to you dear. Hoping you will recognize me if I can come along. with tons of love, Howard. P.S. I hope to be a little more sophisticated when I come next time [-] you may be able to tell me. Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from Howard in three parts: Part 1.1 (0007.1) Envelope Part 1.2 (0007.2) First page of letter Part 1.3 (0007.3) Second page of letter The pages, as is the envelope, are a creamy yellow colour with black cursive writing on one side of the page. Page 1 of the letter begins with the salutation "My Dear Old Lillie...". Page 2 of the letter concludes with "...you may be able to tell me".The envelope is torn across the top for access to its contents. It has two stamps on the top right hand corner both with the text "Port Said 23AU25.4.5P".lillie duncan, howard, port said, lhlg, ss city of norwich -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Petition, October November 1897
This document reveals the way in which Mission to Seafarers grew in response to demand. With increased shipping to Australia for all purposes, the need for the then existing Mission to grow to be conveniently located and to accommodate seafarers became increasingly evident. This document also shows the formal nature of documents and petitions in the 1890s and documents the names of twenty-two contemporaneous ships and their respective captains. The Anna, Dharwar and Mermerus arrived in port at the end of July 1897. The Carmanina arrived on the 21 October 1897. The Loch Katrine, at the end of the list, arrived on 5 November 1897. The letter was published in the Argus, 22 December 1897: "APPEAL FOR SEAMEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS. Sir, I beg that in the interests of the Victorian Seamen's Mission you will be kind enough to publish the appended testimony of the ship masters who for many years have been trading to this port, and therefore have had many opportunities of judging the effects of his work. The mission has much need of monetary assistance, and, should any of your numenous leaders deem it worthy of support, the committee would feel most grateful for any help that may be given in this direction. It has been the pleasure of the committee as far as possible to supply the crews of all outward bound steamers and sailing vessels with literature for their use on the voyage. My former appeals through your columns for leading matter have always been liberally responded to, and I trust that should any of our booksellers have any surplus stock of periodicals, religious and secular, illustrated or otherwise, at the end of the year, they will kindly remember the Victorian Seamen's Mission and the sailors. Private individuals also who may have stacks of literature by them, if they would kindly send some to the Seamen's Institute, Beach street, Port Melbourne, would cause the cheering of many a dark and lonely hour in the seamen's life. From 900 to 1.200 parcels have hitherto been given to the sailors and firemen annually by this mission, and we should be extremely grateful to those who would place us in a position to continue such donations in the future. Yours, &c. , E. JAMES, Chaplain to the Mission. Seamen's Institute, Beach street, Port Melbourne, Dec. 10." -------------------------------------------------- "To the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, Melbourne. "Ladies and Gentleman, "We, the undersigned captains of several ships now lying at the Melbourne wharves think it most desirable that the Victorian Seamen's Mission, being the mission that has for so many years shown a most part their interest in the spiritual, moral, and social well-being of the seamen of all nationalities, shall him on the banks of the Yarra an institute such as that at Port Melbourne, where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings. At almost every other seaport in the world such institutions are being provided for seamen, and we are satisfied from our opinion of the Melbourne public that the matter needs only to be prominently brought under their notice to be accomplished. We are confident that the good work of the mission is being hampered by its not having such a place near the shipping at the Melbourne wharves. Our crews are at present placed at a great dis advantage through not having an institute more convenient to the scene of their labours than that at Port Melbourne, which, on a very wet or a very hot, is not easily reached. If a site could be obtained immediately above the Gasworks but on the other side of Flinders street extension, that is to say, on the lower part of the land on which the Harbour Trust offices are built, it would be most convenient for the shipping on both the north and south side of the river. Trusting that it may be possible to do some thing to meet this long felt want, We suscribe ourselves, Yours respectfully, Geo.H Steven, master ship Dharwar; Thos. Curd, master ship Narcissus; James Horne, master ship Loch Garry; T.Tait, master ship Loch Ryan; T. Nilsen, master ship Hebe; G. Ch Christian, master ship Anna; R.E. Peasley, master ship Seminole; Wm. Martin, master ship Loch Ness; T.C. Martin, master ship Loch Tay; W.H. Bennett, master ship Loch Vennachar; J. Raglan Brodie, master s.s. Warrnambool; James E. Coles, master ship Mermerus; J. H. Walker, master ship Hinemoa; R.J. Johns, master ship Ariel; D. Gorchem (sic. Gerckens), master ship Matador; H. Petersen, master ship Nesaia; Wm. J. Reid, master s.s. Star of New Zealand; A. F. Svhanstrom, master ship Hermes; Alex. Smith, master ship Sophocles; W. Y. Bunn, master ship Carmanian; William Anderson, master ship Loch Katrine."This petition is historically significant as it is documentary evidence of the need for a new facility for seafarers signed and presented by the captains of 21 ships, including several of the sister ships of the Loch Ard. The need for a new facility was a result of changes in shipping and the use of the Melbourne ports in the 1890's and this document supported the pressure on the Harbour offices to finally release land for an appropriate building in the early 20th C.Mounted hand-written petition to the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seaman's Mission Melbourne. The letter petitions the Executive Committee to create a facility on the wharves, "where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings." This portion of the letter takes up three quarters of the document. The remainder has two lists, one of twelve captain's signatures and the other of the names of their ships. The list is continued on the reverse side with an additional nine signatures and corresponding ship names.In cursive handwriting: To The Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamans Mission', / Melbourne / Ladies and Gentlemen / we the undersigned captains....... We subscribe / ourselves respectfully, Captain signatures and names of ships ( NB Ship names in upper case for this entry ): Geo H. Stevens - DHARWAR / Thomas Curd - NARCISSUS; / James Horn - LOCH GARRY / T.Tait - LOCH RYAN ; / T.NIlsen - Hebe ; / G.C. Christians - ANNA ;/ R E Peasley - SEMIOLE ; / William Martin - LOCH NESS ; / T C Martin - LOCH TAY;/ W H Bennett - LOCH VENNUACHAR; / RJ Raglan Brodie - SS WARRNAMBOOL; ; / James E. Coles - MERMERUS; / ( signatures continue overleaf) J H Walker - HINEMORA ; / R J Johns - ARIEL; / D Gorchem - MATADOR; / H Petersen - NESAIA;/ William J Reid - STAR of N. ZELAND [sic] ; / TJ Sohanstrom - HERMES;/ Alex Smith - SOPHOCLES; / W Y Bunn - CARMANIAN;./ William Anderson - LOCH KATRINE;/ Handwritten in red ink on the front of the parchment: "8182" NB The second digit in the number sequence appears to have been written over and could also be a "9", an "8" or a "3". paper Watermark "HERCULES". Prior to conservation and taped to the glass on the reverse side of the parchment was a small piece of paper reading: "Letter written in 1897 and signed between the last week of October and the first week of November." T and C probably stands for Trade and Customs and 8382 is the file no." (H8.4 x W11.8)victoria, melbourne, ships, petition, australia-wharf, captains, signatures, 717-flinders-street-docklands, maritime welfare services, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, mermerus, captain coles, sir john coode, loch line, loch ness, loch gary, loch ryan, ss warrnambool, loch tay, loch vennachar, matador, nesaia, d. gerckens, h. petersen, a.f. svhanstrom, hermes, ariel, loch katrine, william anderson, dharwar, narcissus, hebe, anna, hinemoa, sophocles, carmanian, captains' petition -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Equipment - Ship's bell, Diomed, 1922
The SS Diomed was the last ? of the Blue Funnel Line's coal burners and the 4th (of 5 vessels) bearing the name Diomed and built in 1922. She made her last voyage from Australia to England in 1952, where she was broken up. The ship had been in service in Australia for 30 years and as a parting gesture the ship's bell was presented to the Mission by Alfred Holt & Co., the ship's owner. The bell was originally presented to the Port Melbourne Mission to Seafarers. It seems to have been a mark of respect for one of the Mission workers who regularly visited the ship. On closure of the Port Melbourne Mission in the late 20thC , the bell was transferred to the Melbourne facility and has been in permanent residence since then. The bell underscores the strong working relationship between the Mission to Seafarers, as an organisation, and the various companies and agencies that work on the oceans. It also represents the traditional relationship between Australia and England in that seafarers who visited the Mission were once primarily of British backgrounds or descent. While this situation has changed in more recent times, it is that traditional relationship that saw the establishment of the Mission in Australian ports in the first instance.(NB the previous 2 Diomed's had both been sunk in WW1 1915 and 1918 and the re-use of the name indicates it was a well respected name subsequently re-allocated to the 1922. and 1956 vesselsA brass bell with the word "Diomed" embossed on its waist and the word has also been painted black. The bell is mounted overall on a heavy carved wood base with brass dolphins at either side forming a support frame for the brass crossbar mount from which the bell is suspended. The clapper has a pull rope attached to it but the casing of the mounting prevents the bell from being fully rung.Embossed at the waist of the bell: "Diomed". Brass plaque on wooden mounting: "PRESENTED BY/ALFRED HOLT & CO/BLUE FUNNEL LINE/LIVERPOOL ENGLAND/1922-52/APRIL 1953"diomed, blue funnel line shipping, alfred holt & co, bell, ship's bell, dolphins, mission to seafarers, r. stewart murray, randall stewart murray, lay reader, port melbourne, 1953 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, Letter to Lillie from Nelson, May 1926
The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925.Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from N.H. (Nelson), Paul & Gray, Ship Chandlers, Scott St, Newcastle, NSW in three parts. Part 0100.1 Envelope Part 0100.2 Newspaper clipping Part 0100.3 Letter Both the envelope and the letter are creamy yellow in colour with black curly writing on one side of the envelope and on both sides of the letter. The letter begins "My Dear Lilly, Once again at seas, I am..." and concludes with "P.S.S Don't forget to answer this soon and write to...". In the top right hand corner of the letter is the ships details (S.S. Peterson, Brisbane). The newspaper clipping is titled "Oversea Vessels" dated London, April 13.The envelope has been torn across the top and alongside the flap to access its contents. It has an ink stamp with the text "Brisbane May 21 7-PM 1926" in the top middle of the envelope. Towards the right corner is a six wavy line ink stamp with the text "Post Early/Queensland/Each Day" partially covering an upside down red 1 1/2 cent stamp with the text "Australia Postage Three Halfpence"handwriting, correspondence, love letters, lillie duncan, nelson, lhlg, ss peterson, brisbane -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, Letter to Lillie from Ted
The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925.Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from Ted in three parts: Envelope (0112.1) Letter page 1 (0112.2) Letter page 2 (0112.3). Both the envelope and the letter are creamy yellow in colour with black curly writing. Both sides of each page of the letter are written on. The first page of the letter begins with "Write. c/o Graham Trading Co. Calcutta. cancelled" placed at the top left of the page and "S.S. Matheran Calcutta 28-8-27" placed at the top right of the page. The first line begins with "Dear Lillie, Very many thanks for...". The reverse side of the first page starts "...thickness of solid steel fracturing is it not?". The second page begins with "...be home two months..." and the reverse side concludes with "Hope if you write to me you will use the address below, that will find me. 'Lyndale 117 Greenway Road, Taunton, Somerset, England".The envelope is torn across the top for access to its contents. The address has been typed in black ink. It has one red stamp to the top right hand corner of the envelope with the text "Ceylon 9c". There is also a black ink stamp in the form of several horizontal lines running from top left to top right of the envelope with "Colombo" written in the middle.ss matheran, calcutta, ss mangalore, colombo, ted, lillie duncan, lhlg -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Letter - Correspondence, Letter to Lillie from Ted, 31 August 1928
This is one in a series of letters written by various seafarers to Lillie Duncan. Lillie was a member of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild during the 1920s. She seems to have struck up a number of friendships with seafarers who used the facility. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild was responsible for much of the fundraising that constructed and maintained the organisation from its inception in 1902. They were also responsible for arranging dances and other social activities designed to make seafarers welcome in a strange environment.The purpose of the Mission to Seafarers is, as it always was, to provide comfort and welfare services to visiting seafarers. This letter, and the series of which it is a part, underscores the importance of making relationships abroad for those who earned their living on the seasHand written letter in five parts consisting of a white envelope with four white pages of handwritten text in black ink using only the face of the page. There are two post marks, one at the top and central on the face of the envelope, the other at the top right. The first reads: 31 AU 28 3.50/ PORT SAID/A". The second post mark reads: "31 AU28 0.50/ PORT SAID/A""melbourne, ted, letters, 1928, stamps, envelope, missions-to-seamen, mission-to-seafarers-melbourne, ladies-harbour-lights-guild, 11-paxton-street-east-malvern-melbourne-australia, lhlg, lillie duncan, port said, ss mandasor -
Greensborough Historical Society
Article, Journal, Australian Home Beautiful, Lower Plenty State School LP1295, 20/06/1921o
The Australian Home Beautiful article on the Heidelberg and Eastern Golf Club indicates that its clubhouse comprised two buildings, "Bryn Teg" built by Mrs Thomas, one approximately 1849, the other 40 years later. The club moved into these buildings about 1928. The stables were converted for use in 1921 by Frederick Henry Gilsenan as the Lower Plenty State School No. 1295 which was open from 20/06/1921 to 11/04/1925. Mr. Gilsenan married Margaret Mar Cornall in 1923. They lived in Heidelberg, had a daughter, Verna in 1924. Mr Gilsenan was transferred to Mt Moriac SS No. 1608 in 1925. The handwritten account is written by Verna.Historical significance about the premises of both the Lower Plenty State School and the Heidelberg Golf Club.4 p. photocopied article from Australian Home Beautiful 1 June 1929, with 2p.handwritten history of the school 20/06/1921-11/04/1925 (2 copies) and page of photographs of building and people.lower plenty primary school, gilsenan, frederick henry, heidelberg golf club -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Purse, c. 1855
This small purse belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Purse, leather, rectangular shape with metal frame and catch. Purse was amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.schomberg, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, warrnambool, shipwreck, purse, leather purse, personal effects, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Basket, c. 1855
This small cane basket belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Small rectangular cane basket with timber base, firm carry handle across width. Basket is covered with brown fabric. The inside of the basked and the handle are covered with embossed orange fabric, and a rosette of the same orange fabric is at the base of each end of the handle. Basket was amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, schomberg ship, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria, cane basket, schomberg basket -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Painting - Vessel, C.K.M. (artist), S.S. Warrnambool, 1883
This oil painting is in a handmade, carved frame, dates back to the period of the old Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery. The two-masted, sail-and-steam-powered ship has the sails and bow shape of a tall clipper ship plus the extra power of steam. It dates to the transition between the clipper ships with their billowing sails and the steam-powered ships, which happened in the late 19th to early 20th century. The flag flown from the stern is that of the British Merchant Navy that traded around the world to transport cargo, and later passengers, from one destination to another. The painting was originally catalogued as the "S.S. Warrnambool" although it has a different design. It was also attributed to the ship portrait painter, the renowned C.K.M. - Charles Keith Miller - but differs from his style. Further research is being carried out at this time. In 1966, between the closure of the old Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery and the distribution of the painting to Flagstaff Hill, this painting was repaired by David Heysen, son of the German-born artist Hans Heysen OBE. David was born in Hahndorf (called Ambleside for a short period of time), South Australia, married Lyly Refshauge from Melbourne, and they raised a family on their property in Kalangadoo, near Penola, in South Australia.The painting's frame is an example of handmade carving and joinery created in the late 19th century. The artist has depicted the image of a historical sail-and-steam ship of the type in which cargo was traded across the world, including to and from Australia. Vessels such as this also brought migrants to Australia.Painting, oil on board, in hand carved wooden frame with floral and geometric pattern, inner border painted gold. Image of a two-masted sail and steam ship, sails raised, black funnel emitting smoke. Hull is black with white horizontal stripe and white trim around sides of deck. Three lifeboats are visible. Bow is ‘clipper shape’ with what appears to be a figurehead. A red ensign flag flies at the stern and a blue and red flag is attached to the mainmast. The frame has been assembled using Mortice and Tenon joints, one of which is exposed on the back, lower right corner. Chandelier chain has been attached for hanging. There is no visible signature, date or title on the front of the painting. The back board has empty holes spaced around the edge and is held in place by staples. The visible surface has remnants of adhesive from two rectangular attachment s. There are two small white stickers attached, one with a hand written inscription. There are pencil and pen inscriptions. The painting is protected by cardboard with inscriptions in marking pen.On back board, written in the style used by the Warrnambool Museum and Art Gallery: - On white sticker, in pen “A-P31/1-74” - Pencil “A27/1883 / Artist CKM 1883 / Title SS Warrnambool / oil on board” Written in pen by the repairer - “Repaired & re-drilled – cleaned etc. / David Heysen 11/66” Written by Flagstaff Hill’s Cataloguer - Pencil “3031” On cardboard wrapper, in marking pen: - “S.S. Warrnambool / by / C.K.M. 1883” - “A-P/31/1-74” - “3031”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, s s warrnambool, charles keith miller, charles miller, steam and sail ship, british merchant navy, slipper shaped bow, 19th century sea trade, warrnambool museum and art gallery, old warrnambool art gallery, hand carved picture frame, mortice and tennon picture frame, migrants, c.k.m. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Decorative object - Buggy Fitting, Circa 1855
This ornate fitting for a horse-drawn vehicle was amongst the items recovered from the Schomberg over one hundred years after it was wrecked. ABOUT THE SCHOMBERG (October 6 to December 27, 1855)- When the ship Schomberg was launched in 1855, she was considered the most perfect clipper ship ever to be built. James Baine’s Black Ball Line had commissioned her for their fleet of passenger liners. The Aberdeen builders designed her to sail faster than the clippers designed the three-masted wooden clipper ship to be fast. The timber used for the diagonal planking was British oak with layers of Scottish larch. This luxury emigrant vessel was designed for superior comfort. She had ventilation ducts to provide air to the lower decks and a dining saloon, smoking room, library and bathrooms for the first-class passengers. The master for Schomberg’s maiden voyage was Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes. He drunkenly predicted at her launch that he would make the journey between Liverpool and Melbourne in 60 days. Schomberg departed Liverpool on 6 October 1855 with 430 passengers and 3000 tons of cargo including iron rails and equipment intended the build the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. The poor winds slowed Schomberg’s sail across the equator. She was 78 days out of Liverpool when she ran aground on a sand spit near Peterborough, Victoria, on 27 December; the sand spit and currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted the coastal steamer SS Queen at dawn and sent a signal. The master of the SS Queen approached the stranded vessel and all of Schomberg’s passengers safely disembarked. In 1975, 120 years after the Schomberg was wrecked, divers from Flagstaff Hill found an ornate communion set at the wreck site along with many other artefacts. In 1978 a diamond ring was discovered under the concretion in the lid of the communion set, which is currently on display. Former Director of Flagstaff Hill, Peter Ronald, had salvaged most of the artefacts from the wreck. The Schomberg has historical significance as one of the first luxurious ships built to bring emigrants to Australia to cash in on the gold rush era. And is included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The collection of Schomberg artefacts held at Flagstaff Hill Museum is primarily significant because of the relationship between these recovered items having a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg and its foundering during a storm. The shipwreck is of additional historically significance for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the first passenger ship, which was designed not only to be the fastest and most luxurious of its day but foundered on its maiden voyage to Australia.Ornate buggy or coach fitting with feather plumes on top, and a screw thread on the bottom. Silver plated,.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, artifact, ornate fitting, buggy fitting -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Service Bell, 1855
This service bell was recovered from the wreck of the ship Schomberg. The Schomberg was a large three-masted full-ship rigged wooden ship built in 1855 by Alexander Hall and Co in Aberdeen, Scotland for James Baines' famous Black Ball Line at £43,103. The vessel was 288 feet (88 meters) in length, with a beam of 45 feet (14 meters), a depth of 29.5 feet (8.99 meters) of 2,284 tons. The mainmast was 210 feet (64 meters) high and she carried 3.3 acres of sail. The vessel was constructed with three skins. One planked fore and aft, and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw-threaded trunnels (wooden rails). The Schomberg is one of only three clipper wrecks in Victorian waters that operated the England to Australia run. While the other two, Empress of the Sea and Lightning, were built by the famous American shipbuilder, Donald Mac Kay. Schomberg was an attempt to build a faster ship than Mac Kay and a vessel fast enough to break the sailing record to Australia. The Schomberg sailed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool on 6 October 1855, under the command of Captain James Forbes, on its maiden voyage to Australia with a general cargo, jewellery, spirits, machinery, and 2,000 tons of iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, plus 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. She also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. There were approximately 473 passengers and a crew of 105. It was hoped that Schomberg would make Melbourne in sixty days, setting a record for the voyage, but light winds at the equator dashed those expectations. The ship sighted Moonlight Head in south west Victoria on Christmas Day but through a deadly combination of wind, currents and unmarked sand spits, the vessel gently ran aground on 26 December 1855 on a spit that juts into Newfield Bay, just east of Curdies Inlet, and the present town of Peterborough. Fortunately, the SS Queen was nearby and managed to save all passengers and crew. The steamers Keera and Maitland were dispatched to salvage the passenger's baggage and the more valuable cargo. Other salvage attempts were made, but deteriorating weather made the work impossible, and within two weeks the Schomberg's hull was broken up and the vessel abandoned. The wrecking of the Schomberg caused quite the public stir particularly in light of the fact the vessel was supposed to be, the most perfect clipper ship ever built. Captain Forbes was charged in the Supreme Court under suspicion that he was playing cards with two female passengers below decks when his ship ran aground. Despite a protest meeting, two inquiries and the court proceedings, he was found not guilty and cleared of all charges. In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime museum that also displays ship fittings and equipment, personal effects. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill.The Schomberg has historical significance as one of the first luxurious ships built to bring emigrants to Australia to cash in on the gold rush era. And is included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The collection of Schomberg artefacts held at Flagstaff Hill Museum is primarily significant because of the relationship between these recovered items having a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg and its foundering during a storm. The shipwreck is of additional historically significance for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the first passenger ship, which was designed not only to be the fastest and most luxurious of its day but foundered on its maiden voyage to Australia.Bell; small service bell, brass, with heavy encrustation. Bell has a square loop at the top. The bell was recovered from the wreck of the Schomberg.Nonewarrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, bell, service bell -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Scale, George Salter & Co, ca. 1886
There were at least three 1880s vessels named Lady Loch, all built in Victoria; a river launch (ca 1884-ca 1916, originally named Lady of the Lake), a steamer ferry (1884-1920s) and a government lighthouse tender steamer HMV Lady Loch (1886-1962.) The spring balance scale was part of the equipment on the HMV Lady Loch. The scale was made by the renowned company Salter Weighing Machines in the United Kingdom. It was made to Silvester's patent design. Salter Weighing Machines, Britain, began making spring scales in the 1820s. In 1908 Salter opened up an Australian branch named Salter Scales Pty. Ltd. The scale, marked HMV SS Lady Loch, would be suspended by its top ring, a basket or other container is hung from the hook, and the items inside the basket then pull downwards on the hook, which stretches the springs inside the works. The pulling action moves a rack and gears a calculated distance and the gears turn the pointer on the dial to indicate the weight of the goods. This scale measures up to 200 pounds capacity. The HMV SS Lady Loch was an iron steamship built in Footscray, Melbourne, by Campbell, Sloss and McCain in 1886 for the colonial Victorian government’s Department of Trade and Customs. It was armed with a 6-inch gun and two 1-inch Nordenfelt guns. The Sydney Morning Herald of 27th January 1888 describes the vessel in detail. It even comments on the interior of the Saloon “The wood work … is on a very elaborate scale and is exceedingly neat …”. The HMV Lady Loch performed Customs duties, and serviced the lighthouses along the coast. The scale could have measured goods for the Customs Tax, or for measuring out supplies for the lighthouse keepers. The vessel was named after Lady Elizabeth Loch, wife of Sir Henry Loch, Governor of Victoria from 1884 to 1889. In 1932 Lady Loch was converted to a hulk and used in Brisbane, and finally scuttled in 1962 at Moreton Bay, Queensland.The scale has importance due to its connection to the 1886 HMV Lady Loch, a vessel of great significance to Melbourne’s shipbuilding industry. It was the largest auxiliary vessel in the Victorian Colonial Government’s fleet and the first prominent vessel launched by Melbourne’s shipbuilding industry. The scale is also important for its connection with the colonial navy's Custom's work, as the scale was available to weigh goods that could attract taxes and deal out goods for distribution to lighthouse keepers. The HMV Lady Loch was also important part of Victoria's maritime history for its communication and support of the lighthouse keeper's along the coast of Victoria.Scale; Salter's spring balance mechanical hanging scale, brass and iron. Equally spaced marks around the circular dial have values from 0 to 200 in increments of 10, each increment is also divided into 10. An iron ring is attached to a fitted loop on the top of the scale, and an iron hook is attached to the fitted loop onthe bottom of the scale. A moving pointer attached to the centre of the dial has a calibration screw joined to its base. Four screws fix the brass face to the works at the back. There are stamped and embossed inscriptions. Made by Salter in Britain, to Silvester's Patent design. The scale was once equipment carried abourd the steamship HMV SS Lady Loch. Stamped: "SALTER'S / SPRING BALANCE" "SILVESTOR'S / PATENT" Embossed in script: "HMV SS / Lady Loch"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, scale, salter, spring balance, silvester's patent, lady loch, steamship, hmv, colonial navy, victoria, lady elizabeth loch, custom's vessel, lighthouse tender, 1886, government vessel, victorian government, measuring instrument, weight, weighing instrument, mechanical scale, hanging scale -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Card Holder, c. 1854 - 1957
... to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip... to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip ...This wooden cardholder has been made from the wood of the screw steamer S.S. Edina, most probably after she was broken up in 1957, but could have been made after one of several renovations during her lifetime. The slotted design of the cardholder allows a card to stand vertically and the base is made wider to stableise the holder. It could be used for holding items such as place cards, menus, table numbers. ABOUT THE S S EDINA The three masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous worldwide as the longest serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Chanel runs, serving in the Crimean Ware carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul, and several changes of commanders. In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced. SS Edina was re-fitted in 1870 than was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance. In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. [Reference: A Brief Review of Steam Navigation in Victoria; C Dickson Gregory; Centenary Maritime Exhibition catalogue, 1934; published by Shiplovers' Society of Victoria Dandenong, Passengers in History, http://passengersinhistory.sa.gov.au/node/924034 Edina, Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199 http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/heritage/199 SS Edina, Coastal Trader and Passenger Ship 1853-1938, Museum Victoria Collections, https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/6227 SS ‘Edina’ – the Longest Serving Screw Steamer in the World, POI Australia, https://poi-australia.com.au/ss-edina-the-longest-serving-steamer-in-the-world/ ]This card holder is made from wood from the SS Edina and is significant for its association with that vessel. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870. Card holder, made from the wood from the SS Edina (screw steamer ship). Holder is cylindrical shape, wider turned wood base. Top is divided with a space in the centre tor inserting a card. Rectangular metal plaque, gold coloured, has a printed inscription within black border. Made c. 1854 - 1957.Printed in black lettering on gold coloured plaque "MADE FROM / THE WOOD OF / S.S. EDINA"warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, card holder, menu holder, table number holder, souvenir of the ss edina -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Watch Chains, ca 1855
The concretion of silver watch chains was recovered from the wreck of the Schomberg over one hundred years later. Schomberg was a large three-masted full-ship rigged wooden ship built in 1855 by Alexander Hall and Co in Aberdeen, Scotland for James Baines' famous Black Ball Line at £43,103. The vessel was 288 feet (88 meters) in length, with a beam of 45 feet (14 meters), a depth of 29.5 feet (8.99 meters) of 2,284 tons. The mainmast was 210 feet (64 meters) high and she carried 3.3 acres of sail. The vessel was constructed with three skins. One planked fore and aft, and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw-threaded trunnels (wooden rails). The Schomberg is one of only three clipper wrecks in Victorian waters that operated the England -to- Australia run. While the other two, Empress of the Sea and Lightning, were built by the famous American shipbuilder, Donald Mac Kay. Schomberg was an attempt to build a faster ship than Mac Kay and a vessel fast enough to break the sailing record to Australia. The Schomberg sailed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool on 6 October 1855, under the command of Captain James Forbes, on its maiden voyage to Australia with general cargo, jewellery, spirits, machinery, and 2,000 tons of iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, plus 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. She also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. There were approximately 473 passengers and a crew of 105. It was hoped that Schomberg would make Melbourne in sixty days, setting a record for the voyage, but light winds at the equator dashed those expectations. The ship sighted Moonlight Head in southwest Victoria on Christmas Day but through a deadly combination of wind, currents and unmarked sand spits, the vessel gently ran aground on 26 December 1855 on a spit that juts into Newfield Bay, just east of Curdies Inlet, and the present town of Peterborough. Fortunately, the SS Queen was nearby and managed to save all passengers and crew. The steamers Keera and Maitland were dispatched to salvage the passenger's baggage and the more valuable cargo. Other salvage attempts were made, but deteriorating weather made the work impossible, and within two weeks the Schomberg's hull was broken up and the vessel abandoned. The wrecking of the Schomberg caused quite a public stir, particularly in light of the fact the vessel was supposed to be, the most perfect clipper ship ever built. Captain Forbes was charged in the Supreme Court under suspicion that he was playing cards with two female passengers below decks when his ship ran aground. Despite a protest meeting, two inquiries and the court proceedings, he was found not guilty and cleared of all charges. In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum that also displays ship fittings and equipment, and personal effects. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill.The Schomberg has historical significance as one of the first luxurious ships built to bring emigrants to Australia to cash in on the gold rush era. And is included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The collection of Schomberg artefacts held at Flagstaff Hill Museum is primarily significant because of the relationship between these recovered items having a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg and its foundering during a storm. The shipwreck is of additional historically significance for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the first passenger ship, which was designed not only to be the fastest and most luxurious of its day but foundered on its maiden voyage to Australia.Conglomerated cluster of silver watch chains, encased in concretion at both ends (1 chain is separated). They were recovered from the wreck of the Schomberg.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, watch chain -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Badge, Before 1855
The badge recovered from the Schomberg wreck is believed to depict one of the first steam engines. The engine's design by Charles Tayleur & Co. was to be produced for the Great Western Railway in England. The first nineteen of these locomotives were ordered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel for the Great Western Railway including six 2-2-2 Charles Tayleur locomotives. They were built by Charles Tayleur and Company, which later the Vulcan Foundry. The locomotives were unsuccessful and were rapidly supplemented by the Star Class locomotives ordered by Daniel Gooch once he had been appointed as the Locomotive Engineer. As built, they comprised two groups of three, the first group, was delivered in 1837. This locomotive was the first to run on the Great Western Railway when it was tested on 28 December 1837 from its shed at West Drayton. It was withdrawn in 1843 but was rebuilt as a 2-2-2T tank locomotive and returned to service in 1846, running in this form until 1868. It survived for two more years at Reading as a stationary boiler. It is named after the workshops where it was built, which themselves were named after the Roman god of fire. (Although a supposition, it is possible that the owner was a passenger on the ill-fated Schomberg and that they worked either for the Great Western Railway or the Vulcan Foundry that made the engine in the 1830s.) Wreck of the Schomberg: Schomberg was a large three-masted full-ship rigged wooden ship built in 1855 by Alexander Hall and Co in Aberdeen, Scotland for James Baines' famous Black Ball Line at £43,103. The vessel was 288 feet (88 meters) in length, with a beam of 45 feet (14 meters), a depth of 29.5 feet (8.99 meters) of 2,284 tons. The mainmast was 210 feet (64 meters) high and she carried 3.3 acres of sail. The vessel was constructed with three skins. One planked fore and aft, and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw-threaded trunnels (wooden rails). The Schomberg is one of only three clipper wrecks in Victorian waters that operated the England to Australia run. While the other two, Empress of the Sea and Lightning, were built by the famous American shipbuilder, Donald Mac Kay. Schomberg was an attempt to build a faster ship than Mac Kay and a vessel fast enough to break the sailing record to Australia. The Schomberg sailed on her maiden voyage from Liverpool on 6 October 1855, under the command of Captain James Forbes, on its maiden voyage to Australia with a general cargo, jewellery, spirits, machinery, and 2,000 tons of iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, plus 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. She also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. There were approximately 473 passengers and a crew of 105. It was hoped that Schomberg would make Melbourne in sixty days, setting a record for the voyage, but light winds at the equator dashed those expectations. The ship sighted Moonlight Head in southwest Victoria on Christmas Day but through a deadly combination of wind, currents, and unmarked sand spits, the vessel gently ran aground on 26 December 1855 on a spit that juts into Newfield Bay, just east of Curdies Inlet, and the present town of Peterborough. Fortunately, the SS Queen was nearby and managed to save all passengers and crew. The steamers Keera and Maitland were dispatched to salvage the passenger's baggage and the more valuable cargo. Other salvage attempts were made, but deteriorating weather made the work impossible, and within two weeks the Schomberg's hull was broken up and the vessel abandoned. The wrecking of the Schomberg caused quite a public stir, particularly in light of the fact the vessel was supposed to be, the most perfect clipper ship ever built. Captain Forbes was charged in the Supreme Court under suspicion that he was playing cards with two female passengers below decks when his ship ran aground. Despite a protest meeting, two inquiries, and the court proceedings, he was found not guilty and cleared of all charges. In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate, and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum that also displays ship fittings and equipment, and personal effects. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill.The Schomberg has historical significance as one of the first luxurious ships built to bring emigrants to Australia to cash in on the gold rush era. And is included on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612). The collection of Schomberg artefacts held at Flagstaff Hill Museum is primarily significant because of the relationship between these recovered items having a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg and its foundering during a storm. The shipwreck is of additional historical significance for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the first passenger ship, which was designed not only to be the fastest and most luxurious of its day but foundered on its maiden voyage to Australia.Gold coloured brass badge depicting an 1840's steam engine or locomotive with the figure of a fireman standing on the back. Smoke is coming from the smokestack. The reverse has three holes, possible where a mounting pin or fastener was attached. The badge was recovered from the wreck of the Schomberg.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, captain forbes, ss queen, badge, charles tayleur, great western railway, vulcan foundry, isambard kingdom brunel, locomoive, brooch -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Badge - Epaulette, 1920s
The pair of epaulettes once belonged to W.R. Angus, who possibly wore them when he worked his passage fo or from the UL in the 1920s. The epaulettes are part of Flagstaff Hill’s comprehensive W.R. Angus Collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus (1901-1970), surgeon and oculist. William Roy Angus (1901-1970) qualified as a doctor in 1923. He decided he further his studies overseas in the UK in 1927, sailing on the ship SS Banffshire (built in 1912, destroyed in 1937). He studied at London University College Hospital and at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and in 1928 he was awarded FRCS (Fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons), Edinburgh, Scotland. He worked his passage back to Australia as a Ship’s Surgeon on the Australian Commonwealth Line T.S.S. Largs Bay, purchased by the White Star Line in 1928. Dr W R Angus was a Surgeon Captain for the Australian Defence Forces, Army Medical Corps, stationed in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W. He completed his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. The W.R. Angus Collection: - The W.R. Angus Collection includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) and Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. It includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. During World War II He served as a Military Doctor in the Australian Defence Forces. Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the part-time Port Medical Officer responsibility and was the last person appointed to that position. Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the planning stages of the new Flagstaff Hill and the layout of the gardens there. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.This pair of epaulettes is connected to the badges in the W.R. Angus Collection. Dr W R Angus (1901-1970), surgeon and oculist, collected a range of badges and military objects including those he personally used during his time as Surgeon Captain in the Australian Defence Forces in World War II. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The Collection includes historical medical objects that date back to the late 1800s.Epaulette (pair of two), dark blue with red and gold horizontal stripes. A tall rectangular shape with a point at the top. Made from a card covered by hessian, the front is covered with a dark blue fabric joined at the back by crossed stitching. The epaulettes belonged to Dr W R Angus and are now part of the W. R. Angus Collection.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, dr w r angus, w.r. angus collection, badge, insignia, badge collection, epaulettes, naval epaulettes, naval insignia, shoulder boards, ss banffshire, t.s.s. largs bay, uniform -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Badge - Epaulette, Harvey's Naval Outfitters, 1920s
The pair of epaulettes once belonged to W.R. Angus, who possibly wore them when he worked his passage to and from the UK in the 1920s. The button on each has an unidentified emblem. They are part of Flagstaff Hill’s comprehensive W.R. Angus Collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus (1901-1970), surgeon and oculist. The ties, which look like shoe laces, would secure the epaulettes to the uniform's shoulders. The epaulettes were made by Harvey's Naval Outfitters of 15-16-17 London Street, London, E.C.3, in the East Central area of London. Another of the firm's addresses is Leadenhall Street, London, named the 'centre of commerce'. East India Company and Pacific & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) once had their headquarters there. The postcode 'EC3' dates back to 1917 when the postcode system was established in the United Kingdom. William Roy Angus (1901-1970) qualified as a doctor in 1923. He decided he further his studies overseas in the UK in 1927, sailing on the ship SS Banffshire (built in 1912, destroyed in 1937). He studied at London University College Hospital and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and in 1928 he was awarded FRCS (Fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons), Edinburgh, Scotland. He worked his passage back to Australia as a Ship’s Surgeon on the Australian Commonwealth Line T.S.S. Largs Bay, purchased by the White Star Line in 1928. Dr W R Angus was a Surgeon Captain for the Australian Defence Forces, Army Medical Corps, stationed in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W. He completed his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. The W.R. Angus Collection: - The W.R. Angus Collection includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) and Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. It includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. During World War II He served as a Military Doctor in the Australian Defence Forces. Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the part-time Port Medical Officer responsibility and was the last person appointed to that position. Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the new Flagstaff Hill's planning stages and the gardens' layout. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.This pair of epaulettes is connected to the badges in the W.R. Angus Collection. Dr W R Angus (1901-1970), surgeon and oculist, collected a range of badges and military objects including those he personally used during his time as Surgeon Captain in the Australian Defence Forces in World War II. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The Collection includes historical medical objects that date back to the late 1800s.Epaulette (pair of two), dark blue with red and gold horizontal stripes, with a gold-coloured button and woven white web ties. A tall rectangular shape with a point at the top. Made from a card base, covered by dark blue fabric and a hand-stitched lining of cream-coloured leather, stamped with the maker's details. The button has an inscripton and image. Made by Harvey's Outfitters in London. The button has images and text. The epaulettes belonged to Dr W R Angus and are now part of the W. R. Angus Collection.“HARVEYS’ / NAVAL OUTFITTERS / 15-16-17, London St / LONDON E.C.3. / TELEPHONE / ROYAL 3248” Button; Inscription and image [indecipherable] Button is embossed with images (anchor, serpent, flag) and text "B. 'G. "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, dr w r angus, w.r. angus collection, badge, insignia, badge collection, epaulettes, naval epaulettes, naval insignia, shoulder boards, ss banffshire, t.s.s. largs bay, uniform, harvey's naval outfitters, london street london -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Traveller's Pouch, Lyall Robertson Pty Ltd, ca 1946
The Robex traveller’s pouch may have originally contained men’s grooming set or toiletries such as shaving accessors and soap. The leather strap inside the lid was designed to hold items like a toothbrush, comb or razor. The owner, Dr W.R. Angus, had used the pouch to store his personal memorabilia including epaulettes and various Australian Army-issued items from WWII. It seems likely that he wore the epaulettes on a uniform when he worked his passage to or from the UK as a young Ship’s Surgeon, with the purpose of furthering his studies overseas in 1927-1928. He travelled outward on the SS Banffshire and homeward on the Commonwealth Line’s T.S.S. Largs Bay. The pouch dates from 1946 at the earliest. The Robex leather accessories brand was made by Lyall Robertson Pty. Ltd., Sandringham, Victoria. Robertson established his home business in the 1940s and went on to be a leading firm with over 200 staff. The Robex trademark was registered on July 5th, 1946. The leather pouch is now part of Flagstaff Hill’s comprehensive W.R. Angus Collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus (1901-1970), surgeon and oculist. The W.R. Angus Collection: - The W.R. Angus Collection includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) and Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. It includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. During World War II Dr Angus served as a Military Doctor. He was a Surgeon Captain for the Australian Defence Forces, Army Medical Corps, stationed in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W. He completed his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the part-time Port Medical Officer responsibility and was the last person appointed to that position. Both Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the planning stages of the new Flagstaff Hill and the layout of the gardens there. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.This traveller's pouch is significant for its connection with the firm Lyall Robertson Pty Ltd of Victoria, a home-based enterprise of the 1940s with quickly grew to employ much staff to make its good quality goods. It is also connected with the local doctor, W.R. Angus and Warrnambool's Medical History. Dr W R Angus (1901-1970), surgeon and oculist, collected a range of military objects including those he personally used during his time as Surgeon Captain in the Australian Defence Forces in World War II. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The Collection includes historical medical objects that date back to the late 1800s.Traveller's pouch; tan water buffalo calf leather with brass zipper closure, cream-coloured fabric lining, and leather straps inside the lid for securing items. A silver embossed logo is on the lining of the base of the pouch. The Robex brand was made by Lyall Robertson Pty. Ltd in Victoria. The pouch belonged to Dr W R Angus and is now part of the W. R. Angus Collection.Stamped inside the base “ROBEX / WATER BUFFALO” and a silver logo [shield] flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, dr w r angus, w.r. angus collection, australian army, world war 2, second world war, ww 2, army issue, wwii, traveller's pouch, personal grooming accessory, robex, buffalo calf leather, lyall robertson pty. ltd, ss banffshire, t.s.s. largs bay, leather goods, travel goods -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Currency - Coin, Robert Hyde & Co. Shipping Merchants, 1861
The donor (a local resident.) of this coin found this penny token coin in the sand dunes of Lady Bay, Warrnambool, in 2023. The coin could have come from a local shipwreck, passengers, or members of the community. Trade was carried out along the southwest coast of Victoria between Melbourne and Portland, with the Port of Warrnambool receiving passengers and goods by coastal traders, the steamboat that set off from ports every few days. One such vessel was the steamship SS Edina that made her first voyage from Melbourne to Portland in 1863. For around a decade or so in the Gold Rush period in Australia there was a shortage of official government currency. It was acceptable during this time to use token coins minted by local businesses to be used within their store, much like the loyalty and rewards cards that businesses give their customers in modern times. The tokens were also a good way to advertise their wares and details. The first token was introduced in Melbourne in 1848 and were used until 1868, when they became illegal in New South Wales. They were minted in Australia and overseas. The token was issued by Robert Hyde & Co. who traded in second-hand goods such as old clothes, sheets, metal items and glass, which they resold to be re-manufactured, or "recycled".A token such as this one identifies businesses existing in the post-Gold Rush period in Australia. Round copper coin. Penny token coin bearing the Australian Coat of Arms and motto. The coin also has the company's name, location, nature of business and motto. The coin has grooves around the edge. It was made in 1861.OBVERSE: Logo: (Australian Coat of Arms), Motto: "PEACE & PLENTY", Date: 1861 REVERSE: "ROBERT HYDE & CO MELBOURNE", "GENERAL MARINE STORE, SHIPPERS OF RAGS GLASS METALS &.C"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, merchant token, melbourne, token, australian token, trade token, coins, merchants, medal, colonisation, gold rush, robert hyde & co., general marine store, shippers of rags glass metals etc., numismatics, second-hand scrap, scrap goods -
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
Wheel of HMAS Sydney, Early 20th Century
THE WHEEL OF HMAS SYDNEY COMMEMORATING AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NAVAL ENGAGEMENT The historic wheel of HMAS Sydney commemorates the Royal Australian Navy’s first ship- to- ship naval engagement. It was purchased early in 1930 and later presented to the Royal St Kilda Yacht Club (now Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron) by then Commodore Joe White, following HMAS Sydney being broken up at Cockatoo Dock, Sydney. On 1 November 1914, led by the flagship SS Orvieto, a large convoy of 28 Australian and 10 New Zealand transports escorted by the Light Cruisers HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney, HMS Minotaur and the Japanese ship Ibuki, departed King George Sound, Albany Western Australia with a large contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops bound for Egypt, to become the original Anzac’s. As the convoy steamed northwest across the Indian Ocean, leaving Cocos-Keeling Islands well to the westward, Captain Karl von Muller in the German Light Cruiser Emden of 3,600 tons, after having wrought much havoc to allied shipping in the Indian Ocean, ignorant of the convoys presence, had in mind to destroy the Cocos Island Cable Station on Direction Island. In the early hours of the morning of Monday the 9 November, he anchored “Emden” off Direction Island to send a landing party ashore, In the meantime the Cable Station had sent out a Morse Code message ‘Strange ship approaching’, this was followed soon after by a ‘S.O.S.’ These messages were picked up by ships in the convoy and at 7.00 a.m., Captain J.C. Glossop of the 5,400 ton HMAS Sydney was directed to leave the convoy and proceed at full speed for Cocos Islands. Two hours later Cocos Island was on the horizon. Captain von Muller, with the boarding party ashore to destroy the Cable station, steamed out to intercept the intruder. Captain Glossop decided to close in to 9,500 yards ( 8686.8m) before delivering his first salvo. Emden on the other hand, opened fire at 10,500 yards (9601m), its ten, 4.1 inch (104mm) guns firing 38 pound (17.24 kg ) shells, some of which scored near misses. Emden was hit repeatedly by HMAS Sydney’s eight, 6 inch (152.4mm) guns firing 100 pound (45.36kg ) shells. Within two hours Captain von Muller had decided to run the badly damaged Emden aground on North Keeling Island. Captain Glossop then broke off the engagement to speed off to intercept Emden’s collier, “Buresk”, seen lurking in the distance, soon to overtake her. A boarding party from HMAS Sydney was too late to prevent Buresk from being scuttled but able to rescue her crew. Returning to finish off Emden, HMAS Sydney was again met by heavy gunfire. Sydney scored a number of direct hits to Emden and only after having suffered 134 killed and 65 wounded, did Captain von Muller finally decide to lower his Naval Ensign. He was among those captured and was allowed to retain his Naval sword. In the engagements HMAS Sydney only suffered four direct hits, 4 killed and 12 wounded. J.H.(Bert) Ferris Extremely significant as part of Australia's Naval and Military history.Ships wheel, timber, mounted on a timber plinth, wheel of ship first HMAS Sydney.Plaque notifying that wheel donated by Commodore Joe White 1930ww1, sydney, german, hmas, raider, emden, cocos keeling, islands, hmas sydney, wheel