Showing 188 items
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Australian National Surfing Museum
Book, Sandra Kimberley Hall, Duke - A Great Hawaiian
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Well researched short history of Duke Kahanamoku who was nominated the Surfer of the (20th) Century by Surfer Magazine.Rare short biography of one of the most famous surfers in the world and the man who introduced surfing to mainstream Australia in 1915.Small hardcover book with a photograph of a young smiling Duke Kahanamoko on the cover with a tradiional Hawaiian print border. 128 pages.Back cover photograph of the Duke running out of water, Bess Press logo set on Hawaiian print. ISBN - 9781573062305surfing, duke kahanamoku, sandra kimberley hall, bess press -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Nat Young and Duke Kahanamoku, Circa 1963
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Black and white photograph of Australian surfer Nat Young with Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku at Bondi Beach. The Duke was guest of honour at the 1963 Australian Surfing Championships which were run from 22-23rd November.A rare photographs of two surfing legends together. Young was three years away from winning his World Title in San Diego while the Duke played a key role as an Elder to the surfing community world wide during the twilight years of his life.Black and white photograh of Nat Young and Duke Kahanamoku in 1963 at Bondi Beach, Sydney, AustraliaBlack and white photographnat young, duke kananamoku, 1963 australian surfing championships, bondi beach -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Louis Whyte surfing Lorne 1920, 1920
... Lorne Beach, Lorne, Surf Coast, Victoria, 3232, Australia...Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...This photograph shows Louis Whyte from Geelong riding a solid redwood timber surfboard at Lorne Beach in Victoria, Australia. Whyte travelled to Hawaii in 1919 spending 6 months at Waikiki learning how to surf. He purchased 4 solid redwood timber surfboards on the beach at Waikiki and brought them back to Australia. Whyte is the first documented surfer in Victoria.One of the earliest photographs of a surfer riding a wave in Victoria. Black and white photograph of Louis Whyte riding a wave at Lorne in 1920 on a solid redwood timber surfboard.Nonelouis whyte, lorne, surf, -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Lorne surfers 1920, 1920
... Lorne Beach, Lorne, Surf Coast, Victoria, 3232, Australia...Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...This photograph shows Louis Whyte from Geelong and friends on Lorne Beach in 1920 holding two redwood timber surfboards. In the background can be seen the Lorne foreshore.One of the earliest group photographs of surfers in Victoria. The surfboards and surfers are believed to be the first in Victoria.Black and white photographlorne beach, redwood timber surfboard, ian macgillivray, louis whyte, blue harper -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Magazine, The Blue Group, Shred Betty
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...SHRED BETTY was the first surfing magazine in Australia dedicated to female surfers. The magazine features articles and interviews with Layne Beachley, Zane Harrison and colour photographs of key female surfers of the time.First female surfing magazine in Australia and one of the first in the world. The magazine only ran for three issues but laid the groundwork for future all-female surfing magazines during the first decade of the twenty first century.Full colour A4 gloss magazine with a feature photograph of Serena Brooke on the coverShred Betty, Volume 1, Issue 1 (1998)layne beachley, shred betty, serena brooke, zane harrison, phil jarratt, the blue group -
Australian National Surfing Museum
DVD Movie, First Love
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...FIRST LOVE tells the story of three passionate young girls from Phillip Island who aspire to make a career out of surfing. The film stars Jess Laing, Nikki Van Dijk, India Payne. Also appearing Stephanie Gilmore, Coco Ho and Alana Blanchard.The first feature length Australian surf film which tells the story of a group of young female surfers. The film has screened at a number of major film festivals and won two major awards at the X-Dance Film Festival in 2011.DVD cover features a colour photograph of the three stars of the film, Jess Laing, Nikki Van Dijk and India Payne.Rip Curl Logo, film festival logosfirst love, jess laing, nikki van dijk, india payne, stephanie gilmore, fran derham, clare plueckhahn, georgia fish, cahill bell-warren, coco ho, alana blanchard, claire gorman -
Australian National Surfing Museum
DVD Movie, The Endless Summer
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...The ultimate surfing adventure as Robert August and Michael Hynson travel around the globe in search of the perfect wave.Iconic surf film by Bruce Brown that led to a significant increase in interest of surfing world wide. THE ENDLESS SUMMER was initially released on 16mm during 1964 receiving world wide acclaim. The film was re-released in 1966 with a new 35mm print and mainstream theatrical release. The film was hugely popular in the USA, Australia and Europe becoming one of the most popular surf films of all time. Colour art of the cover featuring surfers holding longboards against a setting sun.Movie Titlesnat young, endless summer, bruce brown, robert august, michael hynson -
Australian National Surfing Museum
DVD Movie, Storm Riders
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Feature length surf film described as one of the slickest and most professional ever made featuring the worlds top surfers Mark Richards, Gerry Lopez, Simon Anderson plus Wayne Lynch and many more. The film featured a rocking soundtrack with music by The Doors, Australian Crawl, Split Enz, The Church, Sunnyboys and many more. Special features on this DVD include the cult short surf film KONG's ISLAND.One of the best surf films to be made in the eighties featuring outstanding cinematography by Jack McCoy including Big Bells in 1981. The film broke box offices records around Australia during its theatrical screening.Cover artwork of film poster featuring film title, surfing images and faces of featured surfers.Film Title , 25th Anniversary Special Editiontom carroll, mark richards, gerry lopez, storm riders, jack mccoy, dick hoole, david lourie, wayne lynch, maurice cole, rabbit bartholomew, simon anderson, shaun tomson, joe engel, thornton fallander, peter mccabe -
Australian National Surfing Museum
DVD Movie, Evolution
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Evolution captures Australian surfing at a pivotal moment in 1969 when the shortboard revolution was in full swing. The old long board era was to be consigned to history as Wayne Lynch, Nat Young and Ted Spencer re-wrote the surfing rule book on a 1969 world tour. Music soundtrack by Taman Shud and Tully.This film had a significant influence on world surfing when it as released. The surfing images of Lynch, Young and Spencer had a profound influence on the way that surfers rode waves and the surfing equipment they used. The film remains a true reflection on a pivitol moment in surfing history.Black and white photograph on cover of Wayne Lynch cutback.Classification (G), movie title and synopsisnat young, wayne lynch, evolution, paul witzig, ted spencer, taman shud, tully -
Australian National Surfing Museum
DVD Movie, Morning Of The Earth, Circa 2003
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Morning Of The Earth tells the fantasy of three exotic lands: Bali, Hawaii and Australia, where surfers made their own houses, surfboards and lived in harmony with nature. Featuring Nat Young, Terry Fitzgerald, Gerry Lopez, Stephen Cooney, David Treloar and Michael Petersen. The movie soundtrack featured Terry Hannigan, Taman Shud, Brian Cadd , G. Wayne Thomas and many others. The film premiered at the Manly Silver Screen Theatre in 1972.Described by many as the greatest surf film ever made in Australia and one of the most influential surf films ever made, Albert Falzon's stunning surf footage captured the spirit of a timeless period in Australian surf history.Black text on red with iconic black and white photograph of Michael Petersen cutback.Film title, Jonas Mekas quote.nat young, gerry lopez, albert falzon, michael petersen, taman shud, morning of the earth, terry fitzgerald, stephen cooney, david treloar, bali, brian cadd, terry hannigan, g wayne thomas, david elfick -
Australian National Surfing Museum
DVD Movie, Surfing 50 States, Circa 2008
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Cult Australian surf travel documentary made by Stefan Hunt and Jonno Durrant as they endeavour to surf 50 states of the United States of America in 50 days (32 without an ocean). Music by Spiderbait, The Wahas and many more. World Premier at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Cremorne, Sydney on 15th October, 2008.On of the most popular independent surf travel documentaries ever made. Unique insight into surfing and popular culture.Colour cover art of an American flag over a sand, movie title and colour photograph of Johnno and Stefan with the infamous Hurley Van.Movie title, one line synopsisjonno durrant, stefan hunt, surfing 50 states, spiderbait -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Magazine, John Seversen, Surfer Magazine Vol.3 No. 3 1962, July 1962
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...The first SURFER magzazine to feature Murphy a cartoon creation by Rick Griffin on the cover. SURFER was one of the first international surfing magzines. Created by John Severson the magazine is still in print today. The cartoon on the cover is drawn by Californian artist Rick Griffin who during the sixties and seventies was one of the most influential artists in the world of surfing and later music. This issue was also one of the first international surf magazines to feature images of Midget Farrelly surfing Hawaii and the first pictorial on New Zealand.Colour cover featuring cartoon of a surfer by Rick Griffin. Inside magazine 52 pages of black and white text and photographs.Surfer logo on the covercartoon, surfing, music, hawaii, new zealand, midget farrelly, rick griffin, john severson, murphy -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, 1958 Wanderers Surfboard Rally, Long Reef Beach, Circa 1958
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Photograph showing early promotion for the first surfboard contest (rally) in Sydney in 1958. A surfboard has been used to create a unique roadside sign promoting the contest at Long Reef in the winter of 1958.This photograph is a rare example of early promotion for Sydney surfing contests.Black and white photograph of surfboard sign on Pittwater Road, north of Dee Why, Sydney.1958 surfboard rally, wanderers rally, long reef beach, c j mcalister -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Brochure, Bobby Brown Contest 1969, February 1970
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...One page sheet folded to make a 4 page brochure. Black and white photograph of Bobby Brown on the front page.List of sponsors names on back page. -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Book, Ebury Press/Random House Australia, Layne Beachley - Beneath the Waves
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Authorised biography on Australia's Layne Beachley the most successful female surfer in the history of the sport. This book follows her story as she strives to overcome the obstacles of injury, chronic fatigue and family tragedy to achieve success in the male dominated sport of surfing.The first biography on seven times, World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley, one of the most succesful female athletes in the history of modern sport. Written by award winning journalist and surfer Michael Gordon.Colour cover with a close up photographic image of a smiling Layne Beachley paddling into a wave.Book title, author name.layne beachley, kelly slater, stephanie gilmore, lisa anderson, michael gordon, ken bradshaw, kirk pengilly -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Musical Instrument, Snowy McAlister's Ukelele
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...This ukelele was owned by Snowy McAlister one of the most famous surfers to come out of the Manly surf scene during the 20th century. Snowy won eleven surfboard 'display' contests in Sydney and Newcastle from 1923-1936 including the first 'Australian Championship at Manly Beach in 1924.This ukelele belonged to one of the most influential surfers during the 20th century. It was made by Jonah Kumalae of Hawaii during the early part of the 20th century. It represents the connection between surfing and music as personified by this musical instrument made popular in Hawaii during this period.Handcrafted Hawaiian, Kumalae ukelele, light brown in colour,missing one of the four original tuning knobs.Kumalae logo on the top of the neck of the ukelele.snowy mcalister, jonah kumalae, kumalae ukelele -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Book, Sean Doherty, MP - the life of Michael Peterson
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...For three years during the 1970's, 'MP' was the best surfer in the world, winning every surfing contest he entered. MP was an enigmatic competitor and master surfboard shaper during this significant period of growth and opportunity in Australian surfing.This biography tells the story of one of the most dynamic surfer/shapers in Australia during the 1970's. His contribution to world surfing is significant in both the contest arena and the shaping bay. Soft cover book featuring a photograph by Marty Tullemans of Michael Peterson with one of his surfboards under his arm. Quote from Kelly Slater. 342 pages.ISBN - 978 0 7322 8588 3michael peterson, bells beach, peter drouyn, mark richards, sean doherty, rabbit bartholomew, coolangatta, kirra point -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Unknown, Surfboat at Bondi Beach 1923
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Surfboats have played an important role in saving lives on Australian beaches since the early 1900's. This boat at the famous Bondi Beach can be seen riding a wave to the beach with the standard five man crew. Many early Australian surfers were members of Surf Life Saving Clubs regularly riding the waves in surfboats, surf ski's and other surf rescue craft.Rare image of an Australian surfboat riding a wave at one of Australia's most iconic surf beaches in Sydney during the 1920's.Black and white photograph'Donated by John Pettigrove' on the backsydney, bondi beach, surfboat, surf life saving clubs -
Australian National Surfing Museum
VHS Movie, The Green Iguana
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...The Green Iguana is one of the most creative surf films ever featuring Australian surfers Mark Occhilupo, Luke Egan, 'Munga' Barry and 'Margo'. All Australian soundtrack by the best independent bands of the time and stunning cinematography by Jack McCoy made this a cult classic when it was released in 1992.One of the most influential surf films of the nineties by world renowned surf film maker Jack McCoy. VHS surf movie with colour cover art featuring Mark Occhilupo surfing and a green Iguana.Sponsors name in title. mark occhilupo, jack mccoy, the green iguana, luke egan, munga barry, inxs, the cruel sea, hunters and collectors, the celebrite rifles, yothu yindi and ed kuepper -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Jack Eden, Gary Birdsall 'Midway', Cronulla 1959
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...This photo by Jack Eden shows Gary Birdall leaning against his car at Cronulla Beach in 1959. Gary was a favourite with photographers during this period. A photograph of him charging huge Cronulla Point featured on the cover of The Atlantics record BOMBORA.This photograph is of natiuonal significance showcasing one of the most talented young surfers to come out of Cronulla in the early sixties. Gary Birdsall competed in many of the first surfing contests around Australia and today is an accomplished artist.Black and white photograph of Sydney surfer, Gary Birdsall leaning against a car with his back facing the ocean at 'Midway' Cronulla Beach, Sydney.jack eden, gary birdsall, cronulla point -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Programme, 1970 Fifth World Surfboard Riding Championships, Bells Beach, Victoria
... the contest, organisers, Bells Beach and competing surf teams from...Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...This souvenir program from the 1970 World Surfboard Riding Championships at Bells Beach, Australia includes information about the contest, organisers, Bells Beach and competing surf teams from around the world.The 1970 World Titles were the first international surfing event held in Victoria and the first international surfing contest to be held at the world famous Bells Beach. The contest was shrouded in controversy from day one with poor surf, drug busts and other inappropriate behaviour from competitors. Colour cover depicts an aqua/white background with a surfer going left. Text in black and red.bells beach, rolf aurness, 1970 world titles, stan couper -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Book, Matt Warshaw, The Encyclopedia of Surfing
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...The most concise encyclopedia of surfing produced to 2004 featuring over 1500 entries from the world of surfing including places, people, events, gear, culture and terminology. Illustrated with over 300 photographs plus a comprehensive surfing bibiography, discography and filmography.One of the most significant surfing books ever produced. Broad and concise coverage of surfing and surf culture by Matt Warshaw, former editor of SURFER magazineColour photograph on the cover featuring backlit surfer riding a longboard.Book title and author's nameencyclopedia of surfing, matt warshaw -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Photographer Unknown, Peter Townend and three surfboards, circa 1976
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...This is a rare colour photograph of Australian surfer Peter Townend in Hawaii with three of his surfboards from his World Championship Year, 1976. Townend shaped the two surfboards he is holding.Two of the three surfboards Peter Townend is holding appeared on the cover of American surfing magazines - SURFER vol 15 #5, January 1975 and SURFER vol 18 #1, May 1977.Colour photographpeter townend, surfer magazine, -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Unknown, Reno Abellira Holding Twin Fin Surfboard, circa 1977
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Reno Abellira was one of the top surfers to come out of Hawaii during the seventies. He was noted for his speed and style on the wave culminating in success on the early professional surfing circuit. The twin fin surfboard was a natural progression from the single fin and one of the most popular types of surfboard ridden during the mid-seventies.Reno Abellira was one of Hawaii's top surfers and one if its first professional surfers during the seventies. This rare photograph shows Reno holding his 'tools in trade' a twin fin surfboard.Black and white photograph of Hawaiian surfer Reno Abellira holding the tail of a twin fin surfboard. Abellira is wearing an O'Neil full length wetsuit.O'Neill logo on wetsuitreno abellira, twin fin surfboard, o'neill wetsuits -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Unknown, Jack McCoy and Lightning Bolt Surfboard, circa 1975
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Jack McCoy is a famous surfer and surf film maker from Hawaii. In this photograph he can be seen holding a brand new Lightning Bolt single fin surfboard.Jack McCoy is recognised as one of the world's great surf film makers.During the seventies Lighting Bolt were one of the most famous surfboard companies in the world. The fact both 'were' born in Hawaii makes this photograph interesting and significant.Black and white photograph of surf film maker Jack McCoy holding a Lightning Bolt surfboard.Lightning Bolt logo on surfboardjack mccoy, lightning bolt surfboards, -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Unknown, MR and Rabbit Check Out The Sheets, circa 1977
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Professional surfers from Australia Mark Richards (centre) and Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew (right) scrutinize judges tally sheets, possibly at Bells Beach in Victoria.Rare photograph featuring MR and 'Rabbit' two of the world's most competitive surfers during the seventies read what appears to be a judges tally sheet.Black and white photograph with chemical discolouration across top.mr, mark richards, 'rabbit', wayne bartholomew, -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Photograph, Rabbit wave ride, 1977 Stubbies Contest, Gold Coast, March 1977
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...Black and white photograph of Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew free surfing at the 1977 Stubbies Contest held at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. -
Australian National Surfing Museum
Book, Frederick Kohner, Gidget, June 2001
... Australian National Surfing Museum 77 Beach Road Surf City ...GIDGET was written by Frederick Kohner the father of the real Gidget, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman. The book is based on Kathy's experiences as a 15 year old girl at Malibu Beach, Southern California during the summer of 1957 discovering Moondoggie, the Big Kahuna and surfing. The book was made into a highly succesful feature film of the same name, released in 1959 with Sandra Dee playing the star role of Gidget.GIDGET is socially and culturally significant because it was one of the first mainstream books to explore the surfing sub-culture of Southern California. The book was made into a feature film which played a significant role in popularising the surfing sub-culture around the world.Soft cover book, aqua wash artwork featuring colour photograph of Kathy Kohnner Zuckerman (aka the real Gidget) wearing an orange one piece swimsuit holding a malibu surfboard on cover.Main title GIDGET on cover. One line testimonials at the top of the book cover. Publishers logo on spine. Barcode on back of book. Inside cover personally signed by Kathy Kohner Zuckerman.gidget, kathy kohner zuckerman, frederick kohner, moondoggie, the big kahuna, malibu beach, surfing, sandra dee, -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Souvenir - Rope Sample, before September 1891
The rope was part of the distress rocket used during the time that the sailing ship Fiji was in distress, before it became a wreck. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and distress rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Cartland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryan's Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to River nook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the last man being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to River nook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967.This rope is part of the collection of artefacts from the wreck of the Fiji. Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes).Rope, plaited, brown in colour, cut straight at one end, and the other end is separated into 3 pieces, from distress rockets used during the wreck of the sailing ship Fiji. Rope was in envelope printed with an address, and a description, and there was a display card with further details on it. Printed on the envelope: "Shire of Hampden / PO Box 84, Camperdown 3260" Hand written "rope of wreck of Fiji / 7cm / Mr Wm "Boyce" Display card with rope includes words "Piece of Rope from the Fiji distress rockets and was donated to Flagstaff Hill by a private donor in 1989"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, rope, the fiji, william boyce, distress signal, rocket rescue, life saving equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Dog, 19th century
This toy dog was part of the cargo from the Fiji and amongst the articles salvaged from the wreck. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are bisque (or china) toys, (including miniature animals, limbs from small bisque dolls), rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife.Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history.China toy dog salvaged from the wreck of the Fiji. This moulded toy is made of bisque (sometimes described as bisque or porcelain) and is tan in colour. The dog is solid with a pitted surface1891, china, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, porcelain, moonlight head, wreck bay, cargo, bisque, toys