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8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Painting - Oil painting, Capt Albert C Borella VC MM MID, 1960 circa
Lieutenant Albert Borella, 26th Battalion AIF, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Villers Bretonneux, France, in March 1918.Possibly the only self portrait of an Australian VC winner.Framed self portrait of Captain Albert C Borella VC MM MID in World War One (1914-1918) uniform with 'Sam Browne' belt and medals. Stained wooden frame has been covered with a protective clear acrylic sheet.Engraved plaque on lower face of frame "Capt Albert C Borella VC MM MID presented to 8/13 VMR by Mrs E Borella"borella, victoria cross, self-portrait -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Cato Lake from top of clock tower c 1965
Photo taken from top of clock tower c 1965 looking South West. Black Range in background. Stawell West State School is in the far top right just in front of a band of trees. The swimming pool is hidden by pine trees in the center of the lake and identified but a line of flag posts either side of the pool.Aerial black and white view of Cato lake. One photo is original and the other a copy. The photo was taken from the top of the clock tower looking South West. c 1965.stawell, streetscape -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Opening Jubilee Park. A. Seitz, P. Vergers, C. Beaumont, W. Dowling 1957
Jubilee Park opened 17 October 1957. Same photograph also appears in Ringwood Mail 24 October 1957 captioned as follows: L to R: Mr A Seitz, Pres. VCA, Cr P. Vergers, Mayor Ringwood, Mr C. Beaumont, Pres. RCC., Mr Dowling (Chairman Board of Control)Catalogue card reads, "Opening Jubilee Park. P. Vergers, C. Beaumont, W. Dowling". (No name for fourth man) -
Emerald Museum & Nobelius Heritage Park
Colour Photograph, Jenny Sulwick, Bust of C A Nobelius, c. 1960
Carl Axel Nobelius (1851-1921) was born in Finland of Swedish parents. He migrated to Australia in 1870 and became a paramount plant nursery proprietor, operating extensive nurseries in Emerald,. Victoria and in Tasmania. His property in Emerald now constitutes Emerald Park. The bust was on display in Emerald Museum but is now lost.The bust provides a clear likeness of one of Emerald's most significant personages. As the bust is now lost, this photograph preserves that likeness.Colour photograph of bust of C A Nobelius (1851-1921) made by Jenny Sulwick Museum display card: "Jenny Sulwick Cast Concrete ?1960 Carl Axel Nobelius"nobelius, emerald museum -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, Barongarook track gang, c.1925, c.1925
At its peak the Beech Forest railway employed more than 21 people between Colac and Crowes tending the line the trains ran over. The gangers (the men in charge of the track gangs) tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate repairers were local recruits. A few of the men who worked on the original construction gangs of 1900-1902 remained and obtained positions in the track gangs along the line. The track was maintained by seven three-man gangs based at Colac, Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest (2), and Lavers Hill. The ganger for Beech Forest 2 gang resided at Wyelangta. However, the track gangs lessened as the line shortened. Three men with spades on the line, thought to be at Barongarook, c.1925. B/W.barongarook; railways; track gangs; -
Buninyong & District Historical Society
Photograph - B/W photograph, Yendon Railway Station with steam train, c 1950, c 1950
Record of demolished buildingB?W photo, Yendon Railway Station with steam train, c 1950yendon, station, railway, steam train -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Bellows, 1862-1875
This bellows was used at the Warrnambool Racecourse by Master Farrier, Brian Chapman (1931-2017), during the 1970s but its history before then is still being investigated. The bellows have continued to be used from 1978 at Flagstaff Hill's blacksmith's workshop. Even today, in 2021, this same bellows are used by a volunteer blacksmith as he demonstrate the skills and tells of the importance of the blacksmith trade to colonial Australia. This 1860s double-action bellows is a typical form of blacksmith's or shipsmith's bellows. The end is forge-fitted with an iron nozzle or tube, called a tuyere or Tue iron, which concentrates the air to fan the fire or furnace. Tuyeres were traditionally made of cow horn. The double-action design of this bellows efficiently moves air both in and out of the chambers in the one movement of the long handle. The bellows was manufactured by John C. Onions of Birmingham, England, between 1862 and 1875. The stamp with the text, Gold Medal 1862, was also used on the business’ advertising. In 1875 the company was registered and began using the name John C. Onions Limited. JOHN C. ONIONS - John C. (Collingwood) Onions (1841-1904) was the son of a bellows maker of the same name. Onions (born 1841) and his wife Helen married in 1867 and they named one of their children John Collingwood Onions (1868-1913), as was the family tradition. He was well known as a Birmingham manufacturer of patented bellows and other forge-related equipment. He sold to the wholesale and retail markets for both local and overseas customers, including the British colonies. An 1862 advertisement points out that John C. Onions was a “Bellows manufacturer and contractor to Her Majesty’s Honourable Board of Ordinance” and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French [Napoleon Bonaparte]”. The advertisement includes a sketched portrait of the Emperor Napoleon III, and an Imperial Autograph Letter dated May 23, 1854, from Napoleon, Palace of the Tulleries to Mr J C Onions of Bradford Street, Birmingham. In 1863 the company registered a patent on portable forges. In 1871 there were eight employees. John C. Onions Limited became a registered company in 1875. In 1876 an advertisements included that the company were smiths for hearths and tools in general and showed a row of six medallions including one with “Napoleon III, Emperor” and his portrait, and another “ _ _ _ 1862 MEDAL”. Their advertising motto was “For Excellence of Quality”. In 1885 the company merged with William Allday and Sons to become Allday and Onions. This mid-19th century bellows has local historical significance as it were once used by blacksmiths at the Warrnambool Racecourse in the annual racing event that continues today. This bellows is significant as a working example of equipment used in the 1800 and 1900s in the trace of blacksmiths and other metal working smiths. The bellows is technologically significant as it shows the progress from simple bellows to the double-action bellows, a time saving and efficient improvement. The manufacturer John C. Onions is historically significant as a family business that began in the 1600s and continued up until the 1980s.Bellows; large, oval, mechanical double-action smith’s bellows, manually operated, in working condition. The paddles of wood that form the top, middle sections and base of the bellows have flexible leather pieces attached firmly between them, forming airtight double lungs. Cut-outs in the panels allow the bellows to fill with air then force it out. A long handle is connected to pump the bellows and control the quantity and force of the air. The blasts of air are forced through the metal nozzle or tuyere at the end of the bellows and into the forge’s fire. Inscriptions are impressed into the wood on the upper paddle or board of the bellows. There are three circular stamps containing text. Text impressed in the wooden upper paddle of the bellows has been assumed to read “JOHN C. ONIONS, PATENTEES & MANUFACTURERS, BIRMINGHAM””?” “EXTRA” “AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE OF QUALITY”, made from the following readable text :- “JOHN C ONIONS“ “PATENT - - - & MAN - - - - - - - - -“, “BIR - - - - HAM“, “ _ ERA - - - - “- XTRA-“, “- - - - - - - FOR EXCELL-“ “OF - - - - ITY” Text in the stamp “ - - ECE - - “, “ - - - - - / 1862 / MEDAL”, “- ITY” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, john collingwood onions, john c onions, allday and onions, bellows, smith’s bellows, 19th century bellows, double-action bellows, double-acting bellows, double lung bellows, double chamber bellows, blacksmith tools, blacksmith trade, blacksmith craft, blacksmith equipment, forging equipment, john c onions patented double-action bellows, brian chapman, warrnambool racecourse, blacksmith, shipsmith, iron smith, mechanical bellows -
Clunes Museum
Painting - WATER COLOUR, A C COOKE, UNTITLED, UNKNOWN
WOOD FRAMED WATERCOLOUR LANDSCAPE OF CLUNES.PAINTED BY A. C. COOKE.local history, illustrations, watercolour -
Bendigo Military Museum
Uniform - BUTTONS, ARMY
Items in collection re Sgt James C WATT No 533, 24th BN, refer Cat No 3554.2 for his service history..1) & .2) Round, metal, button with imprint of Australia & crown on front. Attached ring on back. .1) Printed on back: “K C LUKE PTY LTD MELBOURNE” .2) Printed on back: “EMPIRE - TOOL SYD” .1) & .2) Embossed print around edge: “AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES” uniform, buttons, army, amf -
Bendigo Military Museum
Print - PRINT, FRAMED, RAAF, RAAF (c) Juanita Franzi 2013/ AERO ILLUSTRATIONS, 2013
Heading to printed information - "Lockheed C-130 Hercules/ A97-010- Mambo 34/ Number 36 Squadron/ In the vicinity of Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Middle East Area of Operations, 1336Z 24 April 2003" Further information below heading.Framed Print. Print - in colour on paper, photograph of a RAAF aircraft "Lockheed C.130H Hercules" with information on aircraft below in black print. RAAF and 36 SQUADRON crest in colour, either end of the printed information. Frame - moulded black plastic with gold inner edge. Glass front and timber back.framed print, raaf, lockheed aircraft -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Award, VLBA, Metropolitan Pennant Competition C Division Season Winner, 2000-1
Sports Clubs in Kew in the final decades of the 19th century and in the early 20th century were often umbrella organisations with facilities for a number of sports. Typically in Kew, this included teams in lawn bowls, tennis and croquet. The Kew Bowling Club was formed in 1880 while the privately owned Auburn Heights Recreation Club was opened in 1904. By 1998, the two Clubs decided to amalgamate at the Auburn Heights site in Barkers Road, forming the Kew Heights Sports Club. The combined club was itself taken over by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 2012 becoming MCC Kew Sports Club. In 2017 MCC Kew closed and its landholding was subsequently sold to Carey Baptist Grammar School. Both the Kew and Auburn Heights Clubs assembled important collections. These historically significant and large collections were donated to the Society in 2020. The collections include manuscripts, pictures, trophies, plans, honour boards etc. The combined collections of the four sporting clubs making up the collection number hundreds of items that are historically significant locally. They are also significant to the sporting history of the greater Melbourne area and to the sports of lawn bowls and tennis in Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection illuminates two of the Victorian historic themes - 'Building community life' through forming community organisations and 'Shaping cultural and creative life' by participating in sport and recreation.Wooden trophy affixed with plaques naming the team members of the winning teams from Kew Heights in the Metropolitan Pennant Competition in C Division for 2000-2001VICTORIAN LADIES' BOWLING ASSOCIATION INC / METROPOLITAN PENNANT COMPETITION C DIVISION KEW HEIGHTS SPORTS CLUB / WINNER SEASON 2000-2001 / J BUCHANAN, P TAN, H TEMBY, K SLOCOMBE, D NORMAN, D HOLAH, J MCCARTHY, M ROURKE EMERG D KEATING kew heights sports club - 397 barkers road - kew (vic), kew heights sports club - trophies -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Baptism certificate, 25 May 1947
Rev. C. P. Schwieger, known as Percy, was vicar at Holy Trinity from October 1934 to 1953. Many Children in Surrey Hills were baptised by him as there was a population explosion following WW2. There is a stained glass window of Mary and Martha with Jesus that he donated to the church in memory of his wife Mary, obit. 6.4.1949. He oversaw many improvements to the church properties over the time when the parish was extending to St Augustine in Balwyn and land was obtained for the church at Wattle Park, now closed. REF: Holy Trinity Archives.A cream baptism card printed in brown with ink inscriptions."Laurie Gwynne Young / 18th August 1946 / 25th May / 47 / C P Schwiger"laurie young, laurie newton, churches, rev c p schwiger, rev c p schwieger -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, Knox Collection, Train between Dinmont and Beech Forest, c.1915, c.1915
B/W. A train for Beech Forest between Dinmont and Beech Forest in c.1915.beech forest; dinmont; railways; -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Book, Eugene C Parham, John C Shedd, "Miscellaneous Tests on Car Equipment", 1910
Book - 170 pages, 10 sections sewn and bound into heavy green card covers cloth covered with glued end pages. Title "Miscellaneous Tests on Car Equipment" for electric street car or trams written by Eugene C Parham and John C Shedd, published by McGraw Hill Book Co. of New York, dated 1910. Has a table of contents, index at the rear, and index of Rules for determining sizes of electrical equipment and tramcar horsepower and kilowatts, traction and speeds. Cover sheets, table of contents and indexes scanned to a pdf file.In a number of places "The Electric Supply Company of Victoria Limited" stamped throughout the book.trams, tramways, electrical engineering, electrical equipment, tramcars, maintenance, motors -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Accessory (Item) - Headphones RAF C Type
Metal frame has stores No.10A/12160, earphones stamped with A (King's Crown) M 10A/12401 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Glue Pot, T & C Clark, Late 19th Century
T. & C. Clark & Company Limited, based at Shakespeare Foundry, was founded in 1795 by Thomas and Charles Clark and grew to be one of the largest iron foundries in Wolverhampton. The firm was the pioneers of Enameled Cast ironware and the founder Charles Clerk went on to became mayor of Wolverhampton in 1860 after also serving as a Councillor, Alderman, and later Chief Magistrate. The company exhibited many products at the International Exhibition of 1862 at South Kensington, alongside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society. The company was also awarded the silver medal for its products at the International Paris Exhibition in 1878. The company's product range included thousands of items, both domestic and industrial. T & C Clark pioneered the use of enameled cast ironware, after taking out a patent in 1839 guaranteed to be free of lead or arsenic. In the late 1940s and 1950s the company produced acid-resisting enameled cast iron boiling pans; steam-jacketed pans; stills; square and rectangular tanks; open and closed mixing vessels; flanged pipes; bends and tees; laboratory equipment; small scale plant; evaporating bowls; beakers; sulphonates; and glass-lined mild steel tanks for beer, mineral water, and food. The company is listed as enameled chemical plant manufacturers in Kelly's 1962 Wolverhampton Directory, but within a few years, the company had ceased trading.An item that was made by a British foundry that was a pioneer and innervated many new processes in the manufacture of enamel ware, producing many items for every day use.Glue pot with inner pot, metal, corroded, both pots have handles."T & C CLARK & Co Ltd, ENGLAND, 55279 RD" and "FIRST QUALITY No. 4/0"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, t& c clarke, cast iron, foundry, sanitary ware, ironware -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Drawing - Vessel Line Drawing, Ship Building Clipper Ship Schomberg, 1855-1876
This draft plan, a line etching, is of the wooden clipper ship "Schomberg" . It can be assumed from the heading "Ship Building." and the phrase "Built by Messrs. A Hall & Co. of Aberdeen" that the drawing is an example of plans for building a ship, and that the Schomberg ship has chosen to demonstrate this. The plan may have possibly been in a book, as it is made from two well-joined pieces of paper. The original plans would have been drawn up, discussed, reviewed and drawn in more detail before the building of the ship in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1855. Information on the draft Is as follows: “Principal dimensions: Length between the perpendiculars: 262 feet 6 inches Length of keel 245 feet Breadth extreme: 45 feet Breadth of frame: 42 feet Depth of hold: 29 feet 9 inches Burthen in tons, Builders Old Measurement: 2600 Tons” The publisher firm A & C Black, was founded by Adam and Charles Black in Edinburgh in 1807. Over the years the company has published editions of Encyclopedia Britannica and Whose Who, and reference books, guides and technical books. The printer G Aikman (1788-1865) or his son G Aikman (1830-1905), were both named George. George senior was an early-19th century Scottish printer and publisher. After his death his son became the sole proprietor of the firm until he sold it in 1876. The draft plan uses the vessel Schomberg as its example ship building plan for demonstration purposes. It is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck, the Schomberg. It is an example of a shipo building plan. The Schomberg collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. The Schomberg collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck 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 shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day. The Schomberg 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.Plan; line engraving; draft of the wooden clipper ship 'Schomberg', built in 1855. The drawing on cream paper is made from two well- joined pages. The drawing gives the principal dimensions and labels for the Body Plan, Middle Section, Sheer Plan and Half Breadth Plan. Inscriptions are on the drawing and its rough cardboard storage folder. Publisher: A & C Black. Edinburgh. Printer: G. Aikman sc. EdinborughOn drawing: "SHIP BUILDING" "Draught of the Wooden CLIPPER SHIP SCHOMBERG", Buiilt by Messrs A Halt & Co. of Aberdeen" "Vol XX" "Plate III" "Principal Dimensions""BODY PLAN" "MIDDLE SECTION" "SHEER PLAN" "HALF BREDTH PLAN" "Published by A & C Black, Edinburgh" "G Aikman sc. Edinr" On storage folder: "Receipt Number 381A: "Line engraving draught of wooden ship "Schomberg" "warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, schomberg, schomberg plan, vessel schomberg, ship building, g. aikman ship plan draftsman, a.& c. black publisher aberdoon, a. hall & co. maker aberdeen, peterborough, clipper ship, captain forbes, black ball line, ship's plan, ship's drawing, line drawing, vessel plan, draft plan, line engraving, vol xx plate iii, a & c black, ship building example drawing, g aikman, 19th century -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, Knox Collection, Beech Forest township, c.1903, c.1903
J.W. Gardner erected premises in Beech Forest which formed the core of a village. No further progress was made until access was facilitated though the development of a narrow gauge railway approved by the Victorian Parliament in 1898. Construction commenced in 1900. From this time Colac and Geelong business interests began investment in Beech Forest and established various retail and service establishments over the next few years. In 1902 three early settlers, Gardner, Charles Buchanan and John Cockerill, divided part of their land or bought land which was sold to businesses. On these subdivisions were created saleyards, general stores, a post office, bakery, blacksmithing, banks, a police station and lock-up, a public hall, churches, a state school, bootmaker, butcher, solicitor's office, hairdresser, billiard's saloon and newsagency.B/W. 188mm x 266mm. A general view of Beech Forest township in c.1903.beech forest; township; -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Patrick St State School - Branch School Stawell East Primary School Number 1986 -- Students & Teacher photo c 1898
Branch School - Stawell East Primary School. Patrick Street State School number 1986. Photo of school group and teachers. Mabel Sargent 6th from left, second bottom row. Mabel died 21.1.1899 giving approximate date of photograph. c 1896. Stawell East is now the Secondary College in Stawell.Sepia photograph of school group at Patrick St. State School Number 1986. Branch School - Stawell East Primary School and Teachers c 1898. The photo has 4 rows of students with pine trees in the background.Patrick St. State School No. 1986 Mabel Sargent 6th from left, second bottom row Died 21-1-1899stawell education -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Mechanics Institute Bazaar? C.1909
Mechanics Institute Bazaar? C.1909Written on back of small photograph, "Edna and Edie G?????. Left: Edith Greenwood, -- Maggie Falconer". -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Presbyterian Ladies Fellowship c.1937, 2001
One of Albert Hampton Collection.Presbyterian Ladies Fellowship, c. 1937.photograph, people -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Schwerkolt Cottage C.1960
Photo of Schwerkolt Cottage C.1960schwerkolt cottage -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, C. N. Govett, A. E. Twentyman, "A story of the Melbourne Cable Tramway System - 11th November 1885 to 26th October 1940", 1973
Report - 230 approx. pages, photocopied from an original, loose sheets A4 sheets photocopied from an original manuscript by C. N. Govett and A. E. Twentyman - 1973. The front sheet has been signed by C. N. Govett. Has a table of contents, looks at the Engine Houses, cables in detail, route colours, grips, shunting, the various lines and how they operated, fares, annual reports, notes and fare collection. Has been scanned as a pdf into eight separate files - front cover photo and map have been added by Kevin Taig on his copy from which it was scanned.trams, tramways, cable trams, mmtb, grip tram, winding houses, operations -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Photograph - Photo of C Coy, C Coy photo in 2013
The photo of all the members of C Coy taken in 2013, the photo was taken in the training hall of C Coy, all the members are wearing DPCU -
Federation University Historical Collection
Equipment - Beam Balance, C. Staudinger & Co, John W. Glover's Beam Balance, c. 1915
John Warren Glover was a significant operator of cyanide re-processing works in the goldfields from around 1900. He lived at 123 Webster Street for many years, and operated quite a substantial three roomed private laboratory on the grounds for assays associated with his operations. This balance was used at that laboratory. The Webster Street property is believed to be the first brick fronted house in Ballarat and the bricks were ballast from a Scottish Ship. The property remained in the Glover Family until it was sold in 1955. John Warren had car or licence registration no 12. A German made beam balance that would have been an extremely sensitive, and top of the line for its time (probably 1910 – 20’s). It has a long beam and a complex system of jewel knife edges and bearings. Plaque on front with C. Staudinger & Co. Machf, Gisssen (Gibben)mining, goldfields, beam balance, german, c. standinger & co., jw glover, john glover, warren glover, john warren glover, john w. glover, weights and measures, c. staudinger and co, carl staudinger, scientific equiment -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Slides, Seven slides of native plants and wild flowers taken along the Heathmont Railway Line c.1970, c.1970
Slides scanned 6-Dec-2014. Not the photos as shown in the book "Place of Many Eagles".Seven slides of native plants and wild flowers taken along the Heathmont Railway Line c.1970 -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, A. C. Brown Stores, c. 1918
Used by Robin Da Costa in 'Blackburn - a picturesque history'Black & white photo of A. C. Brown Stores - south east cnr Railway Road & Blackburn Roadrailway road blackburn, blackburn road blackburn, a. c. brown stores -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Photograph, Woosnan, Frank, Track gang at Beech Forest, c.1940, c.1940
At its peak the Colac-Beech Forest-Crowes railway employed more than 21 staff tending the lines that the trains ran over. Gangers (the men in charge of the track gangs) tended to be promoted into the Otways but many of their subordinate repairers were local recruits. A few of the men who worked on the original construction gangs of 1900-02 remained and obtained positions in the track gangs along the line, but these eased out over time. The track was maintained by seven three-man gangs based at Colac, Barongarook, Gellibrand, Banool, Beech Forest (where the second Beech Forest crew was based at Wyelangta), and Lavers Hill.Track gang on an NK wagon at Beech Forest, c.1940. Snow covers the ground. B/W.colac; beech forest; crowes; railway; track gangs; -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Painting - Maritime painting, C. W. Veale, Loch Ard, c. 1978
This painting is believed to have been created by an amateur artist C W Veale of Colac, who established an early bus service in about 1923, known at the time as the Blue Bus Service, which operated from Colac. This service was available for special trips within the Colac region. The Blue Bus Service became very popular with travellers to Lorne via the Deans Marsh Road. The label on the back of the painting comments on whether the ship would be in full sail at the time of the wreck. 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, Curle & 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 families 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 artefacts 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 artefact 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 artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collection's objects give us a snapshot of how 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. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.Painting in brown-stained wooden frame. Depicts three-masted vessel 'Loch Ard' in full sail on moderate seas. Ship has figurehead, figures on board, and a Union Jack flag on red background. Ship's hull is black with white stripe, and is red on waterline. Ship's name is on hull. Artist C. W. Veale, painted in 1978, signed on bottom right. Label on back of painting has typed description of the Loch Ard and a comment.Signature "C W Veale / 1978" Text on hull "LOCH ARD" Label on back; " "LOCH ARD" / The clipper ship Loch Ard was wrecked on the 1st June 1878. / Of 54 people on board only two survived : Eva Carmichael and Tom Pearce. / Pearce became hero of the wreck for saving Miss Carmichael. / This picture shows the Loch Ard in full sail in moderate seas. / When approaching Cape Otway from the west, she would be in rough water and would presumably not be in full sail."flagstaff hill maritime museum, colac bus services, blue bus service, cw veale, loch ard paintings, loch ard, veale, warrnambool, great ocean road, eva carmichael, tom pearce, thomas pearce, cape otway, cargo ship 1878 -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Administrative record - Research Notes - The Portland Club, c. 1977
Research notes on the History of the 'Portland Club, established in 1877 as a gentleman's Club, written by G. C. Dawson (Honorary Member of the Portland Club); written for the centenary of the clubg c dawson