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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Box, Joseph Wertheim, ca. 1891
This Wertheim Sewing Machine accessory box was donated with twelve accessories, the instruction book and the receipt for the purchase of a Wertheim sewing machine. the box's construction includes a coloured printed label and strong stitching on the joins of the edges. The receipt was written on July 23rd 1891 by the Wertheim distributor in Melbourne, Hugo Wertheim. His business was the Wertheim Sewing Machine and Hapsburg Piano Depot, trading at 173 Williams Street, Melbourne. The purchaser was Mrs Burrowes from Burrumbeet, Victoria, a district northwest of Ballarat. She paid £6-6 (six pounds and six shillings) in cash. The receipt was signed by H. Wertheim and the other signatory looks like John A. Cherry. Hugo Wertheim (1854-1919) was an agent for his father’s cousin Joseph Wertheim, a well-established sewing machine manufacturer in Germany. He was born in Lispenhausen, Germany, and migrated to Melbourne in October 1875, where he opened a merchandising business at 39 Flinders Lane East. He returned to Germany in 1885 to marry Joseph Wertheim's daughter Sophie Emilie. The couple came back to Melbourne, and Hugo quickly established a substantial business selling sewing machines, bicycles, pianos and other mechanical devices, under brands such as Wertheim, Electra, Planet, Griffin and Hapsburg. He exhibited at agricultural shows and in 1901 at the Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, United States of America. One of his staff was O. C. Beale, who later set up his own piano business in New South Wales. Hugo continued to own 25 per cent of one of Beale's companies, which became Wertheim's Queensland business. In 1908 Hugo Wertheim opened a piano factory in Richmond, Melbourne, aiming to produce 2000 pianos and player pianos a year, predominantly using Australian materials. In laying the foundation stone, Prime Minister Alfred Deakin observed that “few men with such opportunities for a life of ease would have embarked on such an enterprise” Hugo died of chronic hepatitis in 1919 at his home in South Yarra. His eldest son, Herbert Joseph (1886-1972), continued the business. The piano factory closed in 1935, becoming a Heinz food processing plant and in 1955, GTV Channel 9 studios and offices. The Wertheim Sewing Machine Company – Joseph Wertheim (1804–1899) founded the company in 1868 in Frankfurt, Germany. At this time Joseph was the Frankfurt city delegate for the Democratic Party. At its height, the Wertheim factory employed approximately 650 workers. The company used a trademark of a dwarf holding a hammer which is known to have been used until at least 1925, however in 1909 a Star of David was also registered. In 1870 a Wertheim subsidiary was formed in Barcelona, Spain. The business imported and sold complete machines, including the English Jones machine. Locals began calling the sewing machines “las rapidas”, and the business became known as “las casa de las rapidas”. In 1915 production began of a totally manufactured Spanish Wertheim machine. Wertheim in Germany continued manufacturing machines until 1932 when the Wertheim family fled to Spain. Despite converting to Christianity from Judaism, they feared the political unrest in Germany during that time. Wertheim Spain became Rapida SA and was then the sole manufacturer of the Wertheim machines. The factory was managed by Karl Wertheim under the alias Carlos Vallin. The box is part of a donation that connected to domestic life in 1891 during the Victorian era. It is significant for connecting the Melbourne distributor of Wertheim sewing machines, Hugo Wertheim, to Victoria’s northwest district where the purchaser lived. It is also significant for connecting the Melbourne distributor to the importing of goods from the well-known German manufacturer of early domestic sewing machines, Joseph Wertheim.Cardboard box, rectangular, with coloured printed labels. The top of the box has a city scene on it, depicting buildings, factories and figures. Made by Wertheim Sewing Machine Co. of Germany. The Box has been sewn around the edges. There is a handwritten pencil inscription on one of the sides (difficult to decipher)."Manufactured in Germany" "WERTHEIM" "The Wonderful Sewing Machines" Handwritten "Ste - - - B - - - - Wbool"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, wertheim, sewing machine, victorian era, sewing machine accessories, sewing machine instructions, wertheim instruction book, wertheim sewing machine and hapsburg piano depot, 23-7-1891, £6 6/-, mrs burrowes, burrumbeet, h. wertheim, wertheim sewing machines, hand-stitched box, accessory box, domestic machines, dressmaking, home industry, fashion -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Porthole Frame, ca. 1908
The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale, was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual beautiful green American slates (roofing tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. ABOUT THE ‘FALLS OF HALLADALE’ (1886 - 1908) Built: in1886 by Russell & Co., Greenock shipyards, River Clyde, Scotland, UK. The company was founded in 1870 (or 1873) as a partnership between Joseph Russell (1834-1917), Anderson Rodger and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co., standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships over that time. In 1886 they introduced a 3000 ton class of sailing vessel with auxiliary engines and brace halyard winches. In 1890 they broke the world output record. Owner: Falls Line, Wright, Breakenridge & Co, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Configuration: Four masted sailing ship; iron-hulled barque; iron masts, wire rigging, fore & aft lifting bridges. Size: Length 83.87m x Breadth 12.6m x Depth 7.23m, Gross tonnage 2085 ton Wrecked: the night of 14th November 1908, Curdies Inlet, Peterborough south west Victoria Crew: 29 The Falls of Halladale was a four-masted sailing ship built-in 1886 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the long-distance cargo trade and was mostly used for Pacific grain trade. She was owned by Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow and was one of several Falls Line ships, all of which were named after waterfalls in Scotland. The lines flag was of red, blue and white vertical stripes. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the ‘windjammers’ that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new, raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck stormy conditions. This idea is still used today on the most modern tankers and cargo vessels and has proved to be an important step forward in the safety of men at sea. On 4th August 1908, with new sails, 29 crew, and 2800 tons of cargo, the Falls of Halladale left New York, bound for Melbourne and Sydney via the Cape of Good Hope. The cargo on board was valued at £35,000 and included 56,763 tiles of American slate roofing tiles (roof slates), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6,500 gallons of oil, 14,400 gallons of benzene, plumbing iron, 117 cases of crockery and glassware and many other manufactured items. The Falls of Halladale had been at sail for 102 days when, at 3 am on the night of 14th November 1908, under full sail in calm seas with a six knots breeze behind and misleading fog along the coast, the great vessel rose upon an ocean swell and settled on top of a submerged reef near Peterborough on the south-west Victoria’s coast. The ship was jammed on the rocks and began filling with water. The crew launched the two lifeboats and all 29 crew landed safely on the beach over 4 miles away at the Bay of Islands. The postmistress at Peterborough, who kept a watch for vessels in distress, saw the stranding and sent out an alert to the local people. A rescue party went to the aid of the sailors and the Port Campbell rocket crew was dispatched, but the crew had all managed to reach shore safely by the time help arrived. The ship stayed in full sail on the rocky shelf for nearly two months, attracting hundreds of sightseers who watched her slowly disintegrate until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. The valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. Further salvage operations were made from 1974-1986, during which time 22,000 slate tiles were recovered with the help of 14 oil drums to float them, plus personal artefacts, ship fittings, reams of paper and other items. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson’s navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The shipwreck is a popular site for divers, about 300m offshore and in 3 – 15m of water. Some of the original cargo can be seen at the site, including pieces of roof slate and coils of barbed wire. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).Porthole frame from the wreck of the Falls of Halladale. The encrusted frame has provision for eight bolts to hold it in place.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, falls of halladale, shipwreck peterborough, 1908 shipwreck, great clipper ships, russell & co., porthole frame -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Paper, circa 1908
This roll or reel of paper was part of a consignment carried as cargo of the Falls of Halladale. The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale, was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual beautiful green American slates (roofing tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. ABOUT THE ‘FALLS OF HALLADALE’ (1886 - 1908) Built: in1886 by Russell & Co., Greenock shipyards, River Clyde, Scotland, UK. The company was founded in 1870 (or 1873) as a partnership between Joseph Russell (1834-1917), Anderson Rodger and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co., standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships over that time. In 1886 they introduced a 3000 ton class of sailing vessel with auxiliary engines and brace halyard winches. In 1890 they broke the world output record. Owner: Falls Line, Wright, Breakenridge & Co, 111 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Configuration: Four masted sailing ship; iron-hulled barque; iron masts, wire rigging, fore & aft lifting bridges. Size: Length 83.87m x Breadth 12.6m x Depth 7.23m, Gross tonnage 2085 ton Wrecked: the night of 14th November 1908, Curdies Inlet, Peterborough south west Victoria Crew: 29 The Falls of Halladale was a four-masted sailing ship built-in 1886 in Glasgow, Scotland, for the long-distance cargo trade and was mostly used for Pacific grain trade. She was owned by Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow and was one of several Falls Line ships, all of which were named after waterfalls in Scotland. The lines flag was of red, blue and white vertical stripes. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the ‘windjammers’ that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new, raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck stormy conditions. This idea is still used today on the most modern tankers and cargo vessels and has proved to be an important step forward in the safety of men at sea. On 4th August 1908, with new sails, 29 crew, and 2800 tons of cargo, the Falls of Halladale left New York, bound for Melbourne and Sydney via the Cape of Good Hope. The cargo on board was valued at £35,000 and included 56,763 tiles of American slate roofing tiles (roof slates), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6,500 gallons of oil, 14,400 gallons of benzene, plumbing iron, 117 cases of crockery and glassware and many other manufactured items. The Falls of Halladale had been at sail for 102 days when, at 3 am on the night of 14th November 1908, under full sail in calm seas with a six knots breeze behind and misleading fog along the coast, the great vessel rose upon an ocean swell and settled on top of a submerged reef near Peterborough on the south-west Victoria’s coast. The ship was jammed on the rocks and began filling with water. The crew launched the two lifeboats and all 29 crew landed safely on the beach over 4 miles away at the Bay of Islands. The postmistress at Peterborough, who kept a watch for vessels in distress, saw the stranding and sent out an alert to the local people. A rescue party went to the aid of the sailors and the Port Campbell rocket crew was dispatched, but the crew had all managed to reach shore safely by the time help arrived. The ship stayed in full sail on the rocky shelf for nearly two months, attracting hundreds of sightseers who watched her slowly disintegrate until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. The valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. Further salvage operations were made from 1974-1986, during which time 22,000 slate tiles were recovered with the help of 14 oil drums to float them, plus personal artefacts, ship fittings, reams of paper and other items. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson’s navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The shipwreck is a popular site for divers, about 300m offshore and in 3 – 15m of water. Some of the original cargo can be seen at the site, including pieces of roof slate and coils of barbed wire. The roll of paper is an example of cargo brought to Australia in the early 20th century. It is also significant for its association with the Falls of Halladale shipwreck, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).Roll of paper. Paper has remains of a wooden peg up through the centre and a lot of sedimentation. This roll was recovered from the wreck of the Falls of Halladale. It was part of a large consignment of paper listed as part of the cargo manifesto.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, falls of halladale, shipwreck peterborough, 1908 shipwreck, great clipper ships, russell & co., paper, reel, roll, paper reel, paper roll, cargo, consignment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Spoon, circa 1878
This tea spoon is from the wreck of the LOCH ARD, a Loch Line ship of 1,693 tons which sailed from Gravesend, London, on 2 March 1878 with 17 passengers and a crew of 36 under Captain George Gibbs. “The intention was to discharge cargo in Melbourne, before returning to London via the Horn with wool and wheat”. Instead, on 1 June 1878, after 90 days at sea, she struck the sandstone cliffs of Mutton Bird Island on the south west coast of Victoria, and sank with the loss of 52 lives and all her cargo. The manifest of the LOCH ARD listed an array of manufactured goods and bulk metals being exported to the Colony of Victoria, with a declared value of £53,700. (202 bills of lading show an actual invoice value of £68, 456, with insurance underwriting to £30,000 of all cargo). Included in the manifest is the item of “Tin hardware & cutlery £7,530”. This teaspoon is one of 482 similar items of electro-plated cutlery from the LOCH ARD site, comprising spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape or design and metallic composition. 49 of these pieces display a legible makers’ mark — the initials “W” and “P” placed within a raised diamond outline, which is in turn contained within a sunken crown shape — identifying the manufacturer as William Page & Co of Birmingham. An electroplater’s makers’ marks, unlike sterling silver hallmarks, are not consistent identifiers of quality or date and place of manufacture. A similar line of five impressions was usually made to impress the consumer with an implication of industry standards, but what each one actually signified was not regulated and so they varied according to the whim of the individual foundry. In this case, the maker’s marks are often obscured by sedimentary accretion or removed by corrosion after a century of submersion in the ocean. However sufficient detail has survived to indicate that these samples of electro-plated cutlery probably originated from the same consignment in the LOCH ARD’s cargo. The following descriptions of maker’s marks are drawn from 255 tea spoons, 125 dessert spoons, and 99 table forks. These marks are clearly visible in 66 instances, while the same sequence of general outlines, or depression shapes, is discernible in another 166 examples. 1. A recessed Crown containing a raised Diamond outline and the initials “W” and “P” (the recognised trademark of William Page & Co) 2. An impressed Ellipse containing a raised, pivoted, Triangle in its lower part and bearing a Resurrection Cross on its upper section (a possible dissenting church symbol reflecting religious affiliation); OR a rounded Square impression containing a raised, ‘lazy’, letter “B” (possibly mimicking sterling silver hallmark signifying city of manufacture i.e. Birmingham) 3. An impressed rounded Square filled with a raised Maltese Cross (the base metal composite of nickel silver was also known as ‘German silver’ after its Berlin inventors in 1823) 4. A recessed Circle containing a Crab or Scarab Beetle image; OR a recessed Circle containing a rotated ‘fleur de lys’ or ‘fasces’ design 5. A depressed Diamond shape enclosing a large raised letter “R” and a small raised letter “D” (mimicking the U.K. Patent Office stamp which abbreviated the term ‘registered’ to “RD”, but also included date and class of patent) Suggested trade names for William Page & Co’s particular blend of brass plating are ‘roman silver’ or ‘silverite’. This copper alloy polishes to a lustrous gold when new, discolouring to a murky grey with greenish hue when neglected. HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The LOCH ARD shipwreck is of State significance – Victorian Heritage Register S 417. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing 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 collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. A tea spoon from the wreck of the LOCH ARD. Design is flattened fiddle-back handle, thin stem or shank, flared collar, and elongated bowl. Manufacture is outer surface of brass-like copper alloy electroplated onto a base metal core of 'nickel silver'. Outline of 5 makers marks visible but contents obscured. 20% plate remaining with traces of verdigris.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, electroplated cutlery, loch ard shipwreck, nickel silver, william page & co, birmingham, brass plating, makers marks -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Spoon, William Page & Co, circa 1878
Context: This dessert spoon is from the wreck of the Loch Ard, which sailed from Gravesend, London 1878. The manifest listed an array of manufactured goods being exported to the Colony of Victoria. Included in the cargo manifest was a large number of hardware & cutlery items. The spoon is representative of similar items of silver electro-plated cutlery salvaged from the Loch Ard wreck site, comprising nickel silver electroplated spoons and forks of various sizes but all sharing the same general shape and design. Some of the pieces display their makers’ mark of William Page & Co Birmingham UK. Within the Flagstaff Hills cutlery collection donated from the Loch Ard, maker’s marks are often obscured by sedimentary accretion or verdigris after a century of submersion in the ocean. However sufficient detail has survived to indicate that the collection of samples of electroplated cutlery probably originated from the same cargo consignment from the Loch Ard and were made by William Page & Co. Of Birmingham England. William Page was born in 1811 and died in 1885. He was active as a manufacturer of cutlery from 1829 with premiss at 74 Belmont Rd, Dales End as a "close plater" (someone who works sheet metal), and he began electroplating in 1855. William Page & Co was also active from 1880 at Cranemore St, Cattle’s Grove also 55 Albion St, Birmingham, and in 1936 the firm became an Ltd company. The firm used the trademarks "Asrista, Bolivian Silver, Silverite, Roman Silver, Roumanian Silver, and Trevor Plate. In 1938 William Page was a supplier to the British Government, marking its products with the broad arrow symbol and was also present at Sheffield. (See additional notes note section this document for more information on Electro Plating and its makers marks.) History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from "Loch Ard" a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle, and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen, and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead, and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy that had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce, and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artifacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artifact s from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artifact s from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collection's object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collection's historical significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Fiddle back electroplated tea spoon with thin stem or shank, flared collar, and elongated bowl. William Page maker marks W P within a recessed sunken crown lozenge flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, electroplated cutlery, loch ard shipwreck, nickel silver, william page & co, birmingham, brass plating, makers marks -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Steroscope, Underwood & Underwood, Circa 1900
Underwood and Underwood commenced manufacturing stereoscopes and cards in the 1880’s, and by 1900 they were selling 300,000 stereoscopes a year and producing 25,000 cards a day. A large volume of their photographic work survives to this day.A popular item which was in common use around 1900. The cards used, provide a useful view of people and places around that time. They were pioneers in the field of news photography. Many of their images are still available today.Metal viewing section with glass inserts with wooden extension with a sliding viewing section with metal brackets. Metal part has figured marking around top. It has a fold down wooden handle with metal hinge.Manuf’d Underwood & Underwood Patented June 11 1901Foreign patents applied for.warrnambool, stereoscope, underwood & underwood -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Steroscope (wood), Holmes, Holmes stereoscopes were manufactured from the 1860’s onwards
Stereoscopes work on the principle of viewing left and right eye images of the same image and in the process having the image appear as 3 dimensional. The have been popular since the middle of the 19th century.The Holmes version of this object was manufactured cheaply and became widely available, hence it is an object with which many people would be familiar.Wooden oval shaped with glass viewing inserts. Extension in cross shape with wire brackets either side.warrnambool, stereoscope, holmes stereoscope -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Bottle, John Fletcher
The making of cordials and aerated waters was an important industry in Warrnambool from the time of the first settlement up to the 1980s. John Fletcher succeeded John Davis in Koroit Street in 1885 and manufactured aerated waters, soda, lithia, tonic waters, lemonade, ginger ale, hop beer, hop bitters, sarsparilla and cordials. He sold to Ralph Reeves in 1930 and the business continued until the 1908s under the name of Reeves. Warrnambool cordial bottles are of considerable significance as examples of an important local industry now gone. The Fletcher business was a well-known business in Warrnambool for 45 years.This is a small size plain glass bottle manufactured for liquids sold commercially.On side of bottle ‘John Fletcher Warrnambool’ ‘Trade Mark’ with incision of symbol showing a crown with a Maltese Cross and three fleurs-de-lys. Near the base of the bottle is the wording ‘This bottle is the property of John Fletcher Warrnambool & cannot be legally used by others’. On base: ‘M 942, M, A.G.M.’wa, warrnambool,fletcher bottle, fletchers cordials warrnambool, fletcher's aerated water, marble bottle, -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Musical Instrument, Mouth Organ and Box, Early 20th century. The Trade mark sign has circle being held by two hands has star inside which would indicate that it was before WW2
Matthew Hohner began manufacturing mouth organs in 1857 in Germany and became quite popular over the ensuing years with production reaching over 1 million units in the 1880’s. Control of the business passed to his sons around 1900. By 1920 the company was producing 20 million harmonicas a year. They sold to both sides of the conflict during the first world war. Other musical instruments were made by the company in the 20th century. Ernst Hohner retired from the firm in 1965 after 45 years at the healm. Harmonicas and mouth organs were mass produced in the later part of the 19th and into the 20th century and as such are items with which many people can identify. It has social and cultural significance. The harmonica has chrome top and bottom with wooden section in middle. Box is bright pink with label depicting a musical band in tones of orange and black.Harmonica has Jazz band and Made in Germany engraved on the top. The bottom has engravings M Hohner, Trade Mark Made in Ulm 1873.mouth organ, hohner mouth organ, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Financial record - Journal Town of Warrnambool 1906-1914, Circa 1906
This journal contains entries which relate to the expenses of the administration of the town in the early 20th Century. It contains entries which relate to items such as public works, kerbing and channelling, library and museum, abattoir fees, pure food act, limestone and bluestone road metal and salaries.The entries in this journal provide an overview of expenses and administration costs in early 20th century. There is much information contained in the costs which states when works were completed.Green cloth covered card journal with light brown leather spine and corners. Scrolled brown pattern down edges of spine cover. Edges of pages coloured in green, pink and yellow. Inside front and back covers is coloured light and dark blue. 103 pages. Maroon label on front cover with gold lettering and border. It contains three loose sheets of paper. One dated November 1912 written by H E Lawson calling on subscriptions to support a group to lobby for country interests. A second sheet refers to a poll for a new High School for Warrnambool. The other two sheets refer to voting rights. Journal Town of Warrnambool on front cover. Arnall and Jackson engravers and lithographers, Printers and manufacturing stationers 478 Collins St Melbourne No 96927 9/6/06.town of warrnambool1906-1914, warrnambool history, warrnambool town expenses 1910 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Financial record - Ledger Woollen Mill (WWM Co Limited), Circa 1876
This ledger relates to the original Woollen Mill which commenced trading in 1875 on the site of the Meat Preserving Company. It shows entries from July 1875 which lists the following men as shareholders: James Alexander, William Armstrong, Robert Hood, Anthony Mackenzie, William Ross, William Rutledge, Francis Tozer, Joseph Ware. It operated until 1882 when it was destroyed by fire. This ledger contains details of one of the earliest industries in Warrnambool. It provides the details of expenses as well as the names of the earliest shareholders. As such it is a significant part of Warrnambool’s history.Large tan, leather bound cover with dark brown scroll pattern around edges. Spine and front cover have maroon labels with gold writing. Paper inside front and back covers id blue and red patterned. Edges of pages are patterned in pink, blue, yellow and green. 754 pages. Apart from suspense account on last page, entries are made up to page 425.Evans Brothers, wholesale and retail Manufacturing stationers, Printers and bookbinders 44 Collins St West, Melbourne & 46 Sturt St Ballarat.warrnambool woollen mill, warrnambool woolen mill, ledger warrnambool woollen mill 1875, early warrnambool business, warrnambool history -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Mug, Dennington Factory, 2011
The Nestle factory at Dennington was commenced in 1907 and proved to be a big boost to the local economy. The first product manufactured was sweetened condensed milk which began in 1911 and by 1944 was the largest plant in the Southern Hemisphere. They went on to produce Lactogen, full cream milk powder and in 1966 Milo and Nescafe. On average up to 650 people were employed. Nestle relinquished their link with the site when it was sold to Fonterra in 2005. A link to one of the longest established businesses in Warrnambool. Many people supplied milk and it employed many local people and as such has strong links to the district. White china cup with black transfer of Dennington factory and dates in black.Dennington factory 100 years 1911-2011nestle dennington, history of warrnambool, nestle milk products dennington -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document - Booklet, The Dennington Factory Looking back, 1907-2005, September 2005
This booklet records in brief the history of the Nestles Factory at Dennington, Victoria from its opening in 1911 to its sale in 2005 to Fonterra Milk, Australia and the closing of the Nestles association with the Warrnambool district. The factory initially produced Sweetened Condensed Milk and by 1918 was the largest Milk Condensery in the world. In later years there were productions of cheese, Sunshine Powdered Milk and Nescafe Instant Coffee. Six two-storey residences were built for employees and there were twice-daily trains from Warrnambool to the factory and back for many years. The Nestanglo Social and Sports Club, established in 1923, was important in the community life of Dennington and beyond. This booklet will be of great use as it gives a very good summary of the history of Nestles Factory at Dennington and reveals how important the factory was to the Warrnambool region and to Australia.This is a paperback booklet of 37 pages. The cover is white with a black and white photograph of the Nestles Factory (Alex Wilkins photograph) set in a brown background. The pages contain printed material and photographs and blank pages at the back for autographs. The pages are stapled.Front cover: Nestle (with logo), The Dennington Factory, Looking Back, 1907-2005 Back cover: Nestle (with logo) dennington nestles factory,, dennington, milk condensery, sweetened condensed milk manufacturing -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Tile from the floor of the Nestle Factory - Dennington, Early to mid 20th Century
The Nestle factory at Dennington was commenced in 1907 and proved to be a big boost to the local economy. The first product manufactured was sweetened condensed milk which began in 1911 and by 1944 was the largest plant in the Southern Hemisphere. They went on to produce Lactogen, full cream milk powder and in 1966 Milo and Nescafe. On average up to 650 people were employed. Nestle relinquished their link with the site when it was sold to Fonterra in 2005. A relic from a significant part of Warrnambool’s history, industry and agriculture and a large number of long serving employees.Terracotta coloured six sided, one side flat and the reverse with raised bars. Material is either clay or concrete. Handwritten in pen, “from the floor of the Nestle Factory Dennington. warrnambool, dennington, nestle, condensed milk, nescafe, milo, lactogen. -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Legal record - Ledger, Shire of Warrnambool Engineer's Correspondence, Circa 1935
This ledger contains outward correspondence from the Shire of Warrnambool, Engineer from the period November 1935 to September 1937. It covers matters such as bridges, roads noxious weeds, drainage. It contains areas such as Wangoom Nirranda, Childers Cove, Hopkins Falls, Panmure and local names such as Jenkins, Holloway, Delaney, Davidson, Digby, Bennett, Kruger, McDowall. This collection of letters provides a very good overview of issues and work covered in the period 1935-1937.Grey card cover with dark green binding. Alphabetical index at the front . Following pages are light pink paper and numbered 1-500, two to a page. Label inside front cover Arnall & Jackson, printers lithographers, bookbinders, publishers, Manufacturing Stationers, 428 Collins St Melbourne. Repeat Order No B 87970 ledger engineer's correspondence, 1935 -1937, shire of warrnambool, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Dressing bag, Mary Glass Dickson, Circa1885
John Glass Cramond 1829 and James Dickson 1831-1910 were founders of a large drapery store. Both were Scots and both came separately to Australia in 1852. Cramond initially came for gold but soon opened a store in St Kilda with a post Office attached and he was the first post master there. Dickson was a farmer’s son but became a draper and while he was unsuccessful on the Bendigo diggings and then returned to Melbourne where he met Cramond and soon after they opened a store on Lonsdale Street. They opened their business in Warrnambool in 1855 as a general store with groceries, drapery and ironmongery. Both partners were involved with the community and James Dickson was an original director of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill 1909 and the Warrnambool Cheese and butter factory. He also served on the committee of management of Warrnambool Base Hospital. This case was a wedding gift from James Dickson Jnr to his wife Mary Glass Cramond on the occasion of their wedding. This item has significance on a number of levels. It belonged to a member of one of Warrnambool’s earliest pioneering families and it marks the occasion when the two families of Cramond and Dickson were linked through the marriage of James Dickson jnr and Mary Glass Cramond. The firm played a significant part in the development of the city and traded for nearly 150 years. It therefore has social significance to Warrnambool. The item is well provenance with the case initialed and items within the case monogrammed. The case and its items are aesthetically quite beautiful as well as being typical of travelling or dressing cases of the more well to do, of the time. Mappin & Webb were manufacturers of some standing with the Mappin name appearing in manufacturing as early as 1775.The company has held a royal warrant as silversmiths since 1897 to the present day and as crown jeweler since 2012. Throughout this time, they have manufactured quality items for the luxury market. It provides an insight into the way ladies travelled and the items which they considered essential. This consists of a black leather with leather handle attached with brass fittings. Middle opening with side pocket on one side with metal catches. Inside has removable sections for holding the numerous containers and items belonging to the case. Interior of the case is dark blue satin. The items contained within the case are as follows: 321.1 Luggage case 321.2 Glass bottle rectangular, silver monogrammed lid, empty. 321.3 Tall round glass bottle, silver monogrammed lid, empty. 321.4 Small glass bottle with pink powder, silver monogrammed lid. 321.5 Small multi sided bottle with stopper and brass hinged lid. 321.6 Tall round bottle with silver monogrammed lid. 321.7 Tall thin multi sided bottle with brass lid. 321.8 Cream coloured monogrammed jar cotton wool inside. 321.9 Clothes brush rectangular cream back. 321.10.1Glove stretcher bone coloured .10.2 Case black leather. 321.11.1 hair comb cream with silver edge .11.2 Case black leather 321.12 Hair brush cream handle 321.13Spatula cream monogrammed 321.14 Mirror, silver round with handle. 321.15 Writing compendium .1 Case black leather .2 Pen with nib .3 Lead pencil .4 Navy satin covered blotting book 321.16 Inkwell glass bottle in small black leather case. 321.17 Match striker in leather case. 321.18 Mirror in black leather case rectangular 321.19 Small case for visiting cards. 321.20Sewing kit rectangular, contains threads and needles pkts x 3 321.21Container, small, hinged tortoise shell patterned. 321.22.1 Manicure set .2 Scissors small .3 Scissors large .4Corkscrew with Mother of pearl handle .5 Pocket knife with Mother of pearl handle .6Tweezers with Mother of pearl handle .7 File with Mother of pearl handle .8 Fine hook Mother of pearl handle .9 Bodkin .10 Bodkin 321.23 Hairbrush oval silver backed 321.24 Mirror silver handled hand mirror. 321.25 Hairbrush wooden handled with Mother of pearl inlay. 321.26 Cylinder, silver with removable lid and small phial of iodine labelled Felton’s pocket iodine. 321.27 Phial small glass with gold decorations. 321.28 Inhaler with insert 321.29 Thimble, metal. 321.30 Silver backed hair brush 321.31 silver backed clothes brushEngraved on side pocket: M.G.D. Mappin and Webb Sheffield and London. Some of the items are monogrammed as per the list above. A number of the glass bottles have lids hallmarked Mappin & Webb London and Sheffield makers stamped inside lid with hall marks history of warrnambool, cramond and dickson, mary glass cramond, dressing bag, woman's toiletry bag 1880 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Note book, Webb Bros, Early 20th century
This little slate notebook was given by Webb Brothers to their customers as an advertising tool. The Webb Brothers Company a large manufacturing firm in Lava Street, Warrnambool, making windmills, dairying utensils, steam boilers, and oil engines. They were also engineers, brassfounders and wholesale tinsmiths and plumbers. Motor car work became a speciality in the 1920s. In 1921 they opened a branch of their business in Melbourne (Bayswater) and the name of the firm became Presha Engineering Company. This notebook is of some interest as it was provided by Webb Brothers, an important company in Warrnambool in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also an example of the advertising techniques used by business houses at that time and an interesting example of the use of a slate pencil and slate pages as a recording mechanism.This is a brown leather notebook with three pages of slate material making eight spaces for recording notes. Notes recorded in slate can be rubbed out and the space used again. The slate pencil container is on the side of the notebook but the pencil is missing. The cover is mottled with creamy-yellow lines. The pages are edged in red and there is scribble on some pages. Front page of notebook: ‘Before purchasing talk to Webb Bros. & Co., Windmill Makers, Engineers, Ironworkers etc. Lava Street, Warrnambool ‘Phone 27, Made in Germany’ Scribble on first page ‘Wanted known’ webb brothers, warrnambool, brassfounders -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Ephemera - Tag Webb Bros
Webb Brothers & Co. were a large manufacturing company in Lava Street, Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. They manufactured windmills, dairying utensils, steam boilers and oil engines and other items associated with plumbing, tinsmithing, engineering, brassfoundries, and, later in the 20th century, motor car work. In 1921 they opened a branch of their business in Melbourne. It is not clear for what reason Webb Brothers made this tag. It may have been a practice piece for their labelling of products or it may have been an advertising gimmick. The firm did not appear to manufacture any items for which a leather tag would be appropriate unless the tag was attached by a chain. This item is of minor interest in itself but it is an interesting adjunct to the items and information we hold on one of Warrnambool’s important industries – Webb Brothers & Co of Lava Street. This is a leather tag in the shape of a shield. It is smooth on one side and rough on the other and the shape has been roughly cut out. The name of the company (Webb Bros) has been embossed on the centre panel.Embossed on front: ‘Webb Bros & Co. Makers, Warrnambool’webb brothers & co., warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Window weights, Circa 1890
... were manufactured in Warrnambool by a well- established local ...Dutton and Wiggs operated a brass and iron foundry known as the Warrnambool Brass and iron Foundry situated in Timor St. Mr Dutton was a mechanical engineer and Mr C Wiggs was an experienced foundry worker. They were innovative in their work and also manufactured a large number of everyday items such as verandah posts, brackets and milk aerators.The significance lies in the fact that the items were manufactured in Warrnambool by a well- established local business. Two solid cast iron rods of cylindrical shape with one flattened edge with name imprinted. Hollowed out section on one end. S. Wiggs W,bool. One has the number 7 and the other 5 cast into the metal. warrnambool, wiggs, dutton & wiggs, window weights -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Domestic object - Alex Anderson Kettle, Early 20th century
... Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc. 2 Gilles ...Alex Anderson was a plumber and gasfitter who operated from 178 Fairy Street, Warrnambool, in the early part of the 20th century. They made and repaired water tanks, barrels milk and cream cans, chimneys and cattle troughs.A common item which was manufactured locally.Round copper kettle with lid and handle with folded metal edges. Handle reinforced with copper at top. Spout has a join at top. A. Anderson Maker Warrnambool. warrnambool, alex. anderson, 178 fairy street warrnambool, alex. anderson plumber warrnambool, fairy street, plumber -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Bat, Cricket bat, 1870s
This bat was awarded to Thomas William Southcombe in 1876 for the best batting average during the 1875-6 season at Warrnambool Cricket Club. Thomas William Southcombe was the son of Thomas and Mary Southcombe of Port Fairy. With his parents, Thomas and Mary, he arrived in Port Fairy in 1854. Thomas Senior was a carpenter who established several businesses in Port Fairy and served on the local Council for many years as a Councillor and Mayor. Thomas Junior appears to have migrated to U.S.A. and died there in 1904. The cricket bat was manufactured by the British firm of James Lillywhite, Frowd & Co. James Lillywhite was an English cricketer whose uncle had originally established the sports store and manufacturing business which lasted under various names until the 21st century. A cricketer named Lillywhite played in Warrnambool in 1874 with an All England Team under the captaincy of W.G.Grace. It is not known whether this was James Lillywhite or another member of the Liilywhite family as several of them played first class cricket.. The impression of the signature of W.H.Ponsford on the bat is an intriguing one. W.H. (Bill) Ponsford was a famous Australian cricketer who retired in the late 1930s. The Southcombe cricket bat was given by Mary Southcombe (Thomas’ sister) to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1923 and it is surmised that Bill Ponsford visited Warrnambool in 1957 (tthis appears to be the date under the signature imprint) and was shown the bat. It is then surmised that he rested a piece of paper or an album page on the bat while he signed his name and the impression of the signature has come through onto the bat. The old Museum closed in the 1960s and the bat was then passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society from the Warrnambool City Council collection of items from the Museum. This bat is of considerable importance because of its provenance and its connection with the Warrnambool Cricket Club, the Southcombe family of Port Fairy, the Lillywhite manufacturers, the old Warrnambool Museum and Bill Ponsford. It is also a good example of the type of cricket bat used in Australia in the 1870s. This is a wooden cricket bat (light colour wood, presumably willow) with a handle covered in oiled thread. It has an etched inscription on one side of the bat and the names of the manufacturer and distributor on the other side. There is also a faint impression of another signature. The blade of the bat is slightly curved. ‘W.C.C. Season 1875-6 Presented to T.W. Southcombe, for Best Batting Average’ ‘James Lillywhite Frowd & Co., Manufacturers, Borough, England’ ‘Made for George Marsh, Melbourne’ ‘W.H.Ponsford, -/1/1957’ warrnambool cricket club, thomas william southcombe, w.h.ponsford, warrnambool’s old museum -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Bottle Blue, Druggist and Manufacturer, 1889
This bottle was made by Whitall and Tatum who manufactured bottles from the early 1800's through to the 1930's. They specialised in producing chemist bottles and this particular cobalt blue bottle is on of the more rarely produced bottles. This syrup forms a cooling and pleasant addition to beverages for patients with febrile complaints, and serves to conceal the taste of saline purgatives in solution. It is made by steeping lemon juice and skin in a sugar syrup and alcohol. We are unsure of the particular chemist to whom it belonged.A fine example of a late 19th century bottle which was used and owned by a Warrnambool business.Square cobalt blue glass bottle with rounded neck and lip with round stopper with narrow section in the middle.Printed paper label with red and gold border and mainly black text, is attached to rectangular section which is indented on one side.It has a fine line through the centre of the bottle from the process of manufacturing.Label: Warrnambool Wholesale Druggists & manufacturi chemist. handwritten on label Syr Limonis. On bottom of bottle: Pat apr2 1889 W T & Co.warrnambool, warrnambool chemist, chemist bottle -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Plates x 4, Henry Greener and Company of Sunderland England, Souvenirs of Australian Centenary 1788-1888, 1888
These plates were pressed to commemorate the centenary of the European settlement of Australia. A large number were produced and the were distributed throughout AustraliaThese plates are a good example of souvenirs which were produced to commemorate the celebrations of the centenary of European settlement of Australia. The pressed glass was a common method of manufacturing around that period and of which they are an excellent example.001423.1 Large rounded amber glass dish with scalloped edge and seven fine rings below. Text is stippled glass on the back which appears through to the inside of the dish.An early version of Australian Coat of Arms is in the centre with the centenary years inside shields, either side. 001423.2 A smaller version of 001423.1 001423.3 Small clear glass saucer shaped dish with same design as the larger dishes. 001423.4 Small amber coloured shallow dish with small glass handle on each side. Pattern matching the larger plates is embossed on underside of the dish. The surface is scored acroos the centre bottom of the dish.Australia's Centenary in stippled glass around the edge of each dish. Advance Australia below the the Coat of Arms. 1788 1888. R*No 88120 behind one scallop on edge on each platewarrnambool, centenary of australia, centenary plates, 1788-1888 -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Jug, Lynch's Criterion Hotel Warrnambool, 1920s
This china jug has been made in England by Grindley Hotel Ware. The Grindley company that manufactured earthenware and ironstone items was founded in 1880 by William Grindley and was initially based in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, England. The jug has had a red stamp added so that it could be used at the Criterion Hotel in Warrnambool and identified as the hotel property. The jug was used during the licenseeship of Theresa Lynch. The Criterion Hotel was situated on the western side of Kepler Street near Lava Street, Warrnambool. It opened in 1872 with the first licensee, John Tate. In the 1920s there were extensive renovations to the hotel in the Art Deco style. Theresa Lynch was the licensee from 1919 to 1926. In 1922 she bought the hotel and sold it to Harry McGennan in 1926. In 2006 the Criterion Hotel was closed and it was partially destroyed by fire in 2010 and later completely demolished. This jug is of interest as a 1920s souvenir of the Criterion Hotel, Warrnambool that closed in 2006. This hotel was a prominent one in Warrnambool, known in the 1990s for its promotion of live rock music. This is a white china jug with a circular base slightly tapering to an open top with a spout and handle. On the side of the jug there is a red stamp in the shape of a belt with red lettering. The base has a crown image and the maker’s name.‘Lynch’s Criterion Hotel Warrnambool’ Grindley Hotel Ware, Made in England, Patent’. criterion hotel, warrnambool, theresa lynch -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Bottles, Early 20th century
... , retail and manufacturing chemist business in Warrnambool... and manufacturing chemist business in Warrnambool in the 1880s ...These two bottles have been used in the business of Melsom Hemmons a dentist who operated from the chemist shop of R.F. Kennedy & Co. in Timor Street, Warrnambool. Hemmons was a close friend of Richard Kennedy who established a large wholesale, retail and manufacturing chemist business in Warrnambool in the 1880s. This business was regarded as the largest and best appointed pharmacy in Victoria for many years. The business continued until the 1920s trading as R..F. Kennedy & Co. These two bottles are of considerable interest as mementoes of two prominent Warrnambool identities of the past- Melsom Hemmons and Richard Kennedy..1 A brown glass bottle with a metal top and a white label with faded red writing pasted on. On the other side is an embedded emblem of a lighthouse and lettering. The bottle is half filled with a liquid. The lid is rusted and the label is stained and torn. .2 As above except there is no label or liquid. .1 and .2 M HEMMONS DENTAL SURGEON WARRNAMBOOL .2 POISONOUS NOT TO BE TAKEN PURPLE CRYSTALS R.F KENNEDY & CO CHEMISTS TIMOR STREET WARRNAMBOOL melsom hemmons warrnambool dentist -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Bottle, Chemist - Dr Laws Kennedy, Early 20th century?
This is a bottle that contained Dr Law’s medicine for diseases of the liver and kidney. In the late 1800s Richard Kennedy, the Warrnambool chemist, had the sole rights to produce Dr. Law’s medicines in his manufacturing business. Dr Law, from Boston, U.S.A., was a prolific and popular producer of patent medicines. This bottle may have been produced during the time of Richard Kennedy or later on the 20th century when the business of R.F.Kennedy and Co., was still operating or it may have come from any local chemist selling Dr Law’s products in the 20th century. The fact that the label on the bottle has an image of a lighthouse on it is a further link with Richard Kennedy who used a lighthouse image as his trademark (albeit a different image).Richard Kennedy came to Warrnambool in the late 19th century and established a retail, wholesale and manufacturing pharmaceutical business in Timor Street. This business was regarded as one of the largest and finest in Victoria. Richard Kennedy was prominent in community and civic affairs in Warrnambool. This bottle is of interest as a good example of the many patent medicines available in the 19th century. Dr Law’s remedies were sold world-wide. It is also of interest because of its possible link s with the prominent Warrnambool chemist, Richard kennedy. This is a glass bottle with a cork stopper that has been pushed into the neck. The glass was originally clear but it is now very black and stained from the dried liquid that was in the bottle. The label on the front of the bottle, pasted on, has black and white printing with an image of a lighthouse in the middle. The label on the back is pasted on and contains directions for use of the medicine. Both labels are very stained. ‘Dr Law’s Great Cure for Diseases of the Liver and Kidneys’dr law of boston, history of warrnambool, richard kennedy, chemists of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Book, Working with others, 1940s
This book belonged to Fletcher Jones and was later part of the library at the Fletcher Jones Factory Complex in Warrnambool. Fletcher Jones was a prominent Warrnambool businessman who established a men’s clothing shop in Warrnambool in the 1920s and a factory in Warrnambool in the 1940s. He extended this business Australia-wide and later included women’s clothing. He was noted for his philanthropy and for his interest in co-operative management and the participation of staff in the ownership of the business. This book is significant because it reflects the personal philosophies of Fletcher Jones who was a prominent Warrnambool businessman who advocated the participation of staff in the ownership of businesses. The Fletcher Jones business was important in Australia for over 50 years and played a key part in the economic development of Warrnambool in the second half of the 20th century as the city’s largest manufacturing business. Fletcher Jones was a significant person in Warrnambool in the 20th century. This is a hard cover book of 114 pages. It has nine chapters and a bibliography. The cover is red with gold and black lettering and part of the title embedded into the cover. There is a stamp of the Fletcher Jones business and an embossed one of Fletcher Jones’ home address. There is also evidence of library use. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘Fletcher Jones & Staff Pty Ltd’ ‘Fletcher Jones, 2/7/44’ ‘Fletcher Jones, Raloda, 72 Jamieson St. Warrnambool’ fletcher jones, fletcher jones and staff pty ltd, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Bottle, Soda Siphon, c. 1920
This soda syphon is a device for dispensing carbonated or soda water. It was also called a Seltzer bottle. The design of soda syphons used in the 20th century was first created in the late 1830s and these bottles were especially popular in the 1920s and 30s. This Sparklets Company syphon was probably made in England but the company was manufacturing also in U.S.A. and Europe. This syphon has no known provenance but it could have been used in a hotel or a cordial factory in Warrnambool or district. This soda syphon is of interest as an example of how soft drinks were dispensed 90 to 100 years ago. It will be useful for display.This is a heavy glass bottle with a heavy base. It has a metal mesh over the bottle with a metal (or material) red band around the bottle three-quarters of the way up from the bottom. The mechanisms for filling and siphoning at the top are made of metal (these include a funnel and two handles). Attached to the top and inside the bottle is a tube for syphoning. Directions for use are printed on the lid. ‘Sparklets’ ‘Admit gas slowly and shake vigorously’ Important. Do not fill the bottle above the red line’. sparklets company, soda syphon bottle, warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Booklet, W'bool Past & Present Edward Vidler, 1907
... of the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures... of the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures ...This book was written and produced by Edward Vidler, Born in England, Edward Vider, a writer, publisher, journalist and editor, was in Geelong in the 1880s where he produce a commemorative volume of that city. In Warrnambool in the early 1900s Vidler was Secretary of the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures and of the Warrnambool and District Progress League. In 1907 he produced ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Warrnambool. In 1907 he also organized the project that produced the Warrnambool Pioneer Honour Board. Later Vidler lived in Melbourne where he edited magazines and published his own and other writings. He was interested in the promotion of the arts and was a keen naturalist. He was a foundation member of the group that established the Maranoa Native Gardens in Balwyn.These books are of the utmost significance as ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ is a seminal work in the history of the Warrnambool – second only in importance to Richard Osburne’s History of Warrnambool published in 1887. ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ is noted for the accuracy of Vidler’s research, its complementary value to Osborne’s history and its presentation of historically valuable material that might otherwise be lost. The photographs in the book are of excellent quality and of great historical value and continue to be scanned and copied today. Intact original copies of this book are very rare today.These are five copies of ‘Warrnambool Past and Present – 88 pages, text by Edward Vidler, 120 black and white photographs and illustrations, local advertisements, original soft cover is missing in all copies. .1 Full original text with letter insert from donor and blue cardboard cover with plastic overlay and black binding .2 Full original copy with added index and soft cover with plastic overlay and red binding .3 Original text to page 76 with added photocopied pages and blue cardboard cover .4 Original text to page 72 and added photocopied pages and no cover with staple binding and some adhesive tape, tattered first and last pages .5 Original text to page 80, added photocopied pages and no cover and no binding .1 Letter from Margaret Wright, Queenscliffe Historical Society .3. ‘S. Wickham’ history of warrnambool, edward vidler, pioneer honour board -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document, Warrnambool Cordial, 1935
This is a docket issued by the Warrnambool Cordials Pty Ltd in 1935 to the Warrnambool Club. Warrnambool Cordials was originally established in the early 1920s by the Lescai Brothers who had their cordial business in Fairy Street. A company of local businessmen took over the cordial factory for some time when the Lescai brothers left the city, then it was purchased by a garage proprietor Thomas Hill and in the early 1930s Charles and Frederick Flett purchased the business and carried on for a few years. It was later operated by Thomas McKenzie before it was closed. It was still operating in 1975 when it was manufacturing both Loys and McKenzie’s soft drinks. It is noted that this docket contains the information that the Warrnambool Cordials business was a winner of a Bronze Medal for lemonade at the Royal Show in 1931. The Warrnambool Club, established in 1874 when the Warrnambool Club Hotel in Kepler Street was opened, was a gentlemen’s club. A new Warrnambool Club building was erected in Kepler Street in 1877 and is still in use today. This original docket is of interest as it is an example of the type of purchase made by the Warrnambool Club in 1935 and the type of docket used by the firm of Warrnambool CordialsThis is a docket printed on cream-coloured paper with blue print and lines. The details of the sale are written in pencil.Written material: ‘Mar.29, 1935, W’bool Club, W’bool, 2 doz., 5/-‘warrnambool cordials, warrnambool club, charles and frederick flett