Demonstrates aspects of the Ballarat Tramways management system of Motorman's' rosters interfacing during the last full period of operation of the tramway. Shows the services and how the various run or crew tables were arranged in relation to the overall timetable. Photo copy on heat sensitive paper of a handwritten sheet on graph paper for the arrangement of the Weekdays, Saturday and Sunday Rosters on the various Ballarat routes. Gives the various run numbers, sign on location, trip take times, notes on what to do with trams, sign off times, interface with other runs. Shows the full or basic 20 min service during the day and 30 mins at night. Show how the various run or crew tables were arranged to provide the service overall. Undated, possibly August 1971 when services were revised prior to closure after the closure of the Victoria St line as it is not mentioned. 2nd copy added 3/1/2020trams, tramways, ballarat, rosters, crews, employees, shifts, timetables

Yields information about the crews on the last official tram in Ballarat at the time of the closure of the Ballarat System and some of the last tickets sold on the system.Nine No. 8c SECV tickets on block (Nos. A552391 to 99), purchased at time by Albert Isaacs - white paper, green ink with "Electricity makes life easier!" on rear, stapled to heavy cardboard with stubs of previously issued tickets remaining. Signed on both sides. Alan Bradley - advised 2/1996 Herb Knight - driver and Lew Walker - Conductor as crew on "Last Tram" No. 40 ex Sebastopol (official records). Albert Issacs of view that Des Domaschenz was the driver of the last tram. Images of item added 19/10/2013. See also Reg Items 1950, 3464, 6140, 6246, 6977 for other "last tickets" and SEC Ballarat Tramways Staff Photo 1971.On rear "L. Walker No. 54 - 40 years" and on inside of card "Des Domaschenze No. 24 - 19-9-1971"trams, tramways, ballarat, secv, last day, tickets

Series of nine (9) Colour photographs, postcard size, of the replacement of trolley wire north of Gardens Loop by BTM crews 4/3/1997. Photos taken on the first day of the work. 722.1 - lifting new wire into position 722.2 - lifting new wire into position with the hook style showing 722.3 - unreeling the new wire from the trailer and wire drum 722.4 - lowering the old wire down onto the road 722.5 - unreeling the new wire from the trailer 722.6 - lifting new wire into position 722.7 - cutting up the old wire 722.8 - lifting new wire into position 722.9 - running old wire onto the roadway. See March 1997 Fares Please!On rear of all photos in blue biro " 4.3.97" and "Photo Carolyn Dean"trolley wire, wendouree parade, btm, repairs

Twenty four page, centre stapled book within green Rexene covers with paper sides and gold blocked title "The Melbourne Electric Supply Co. Ltd. / Geelong Electric Tramways / Rules and Regulations / For Motormen and Conductors / And Bye-Laws". Provides 76 General Rules for crews and 34 Bye-Laws. Bye-Laws jointly authorised by City of Geelong, Borough of Newtown and Chilwell and Borough of Geelong West, under the provisions of the Tramways Act 1890. Dated 1929. Each copy has a book number stamped on the top right hand corner of page 1. Copy 1 - 739 Copy 2 - 765 Copy 3 - 766 Replaced by Reg. Item 3109 in 1932 by the SEC. Each copy has written on the top of page 1 "Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society Catalogue No. 301" Copy 3 - has a blue cross alongside rule 13 on page 5 and Bye-Law 23 on page 23 - both to do with alcohol.trams, tramways, rules, regulations, by laws, geelong

Yields information about the Ballarat tramway staff at the time of closure of the SEC operated system.Black and white photograph, mounted onto heavy card of the SEC Ballarat tram crews shortly before the closure of the tramway system in front of the depot building with three tramcars behind. Has a printed list of all employees or staff underneath. Titled "Ballarat Tramways Employees 1971". Photograph on light stipple paper. Features 61 personnel but only 60 apparently named. Photograph by Williams Studios, Ballarat. Group photo, Crews, closure, Image btm1861i1 is of the photograph and btm1861i2 is of the listing. See also Reg. Item 1862 for another photograph/list of the same group showing trams on the sides and the whole depot front. See also Reg. Item 2931 for another copy of the same photograph, but with some look at different direction in particular the 7th person from left, row three who is looking down in the photograph of Reg. Item 1861. Hi res scan added 15/3/2015. Additional copy from the donation of Karelyn Satter added 2-3-16 and another copy within a plastic envelope with a typed list of names on the rear. See Reg Item 7001 for a framed version. See Image i1 for a detail of the personnel only image i2 for a list of the names. image i3 for a hi res scan of the image including names. image i4 hi res scan of the negative personnel only. image i5 hi res scan of the negative with names. image i6 hi res scan of the print. Record revised 9/5/2020 for negative scans.copy in plastic envelope has "From Mr Courtney 4.5.76" in top right hand corner in ink on the rear.trams, tramways, ballarat, sec crews, personnel, staff photo, closure, group photo

John Stanley Coltman attended Ballarat College 1913 - 1920; Son of W F Coltman of 208 Clarendon St, Brother of W Lawrie, Owen H & Gwenda. A high achieving student John went on to become Dux of College 1919, School Captain 1920, Captain of cricket 1920, tennis 1918, 1919, 1920, football 1919, 1920, athletics 1919 1920, Stroke of first crew 1919 and 1920. The Coltman Demonstration Room, part of the MacKinnon Wing First Floor, was named in honour of John (1919py) and Owen Coltman (1917). This book was donated back to the school library in 1985. A blackleather bound book with Ballarat College crest embossed in gold on front cover; gold lettering on spine; bookplate fixed to inside of front cover; library plate to right side of end pages;Bookplate: Ballarat College / Awarded to / J S Coltman / Form VIa / Special Prize for service as Prefect (Captain of School) / Pres. by Principal / A S Polson B A / Principal / Christmas 1919ballarat college, john-s-coltman, 1918

John Stanley Coltman attended Ballarat College 1913 - 1920; Son of W F Coltman of 208 Clarendon St, Brother of W Lawrie, Owen H & Gwenda. A high achieving student John went on to become Dux of College 1919, School Captain 1920, Captain of cricket 1920, tennis 1918, 1919, 1920, football 1919, 1920, athletics 1919 1920, Stroke of first crew 1919 and 1920. The Coltman Demonstration Room, part of the MacKinnon Wing First Floor, was named in honour of John (1919py) and Owen Coltman (1917). This book was donated back to the school library in 1985. Dark green leather bound set with Ballarat College crest and borders embossed in gold on front cover; gold lettering on spine; marbled endpages and page edges; bookplate fixed to inside of front cover; library plate to right side of end pages;Bookplate: Ballarat College / Awarded to / J S Coltman / Form VIa / Prize for Dux of College / "Snow" prize / A S M Polson B A / Principal / Christmas 1919ballarat college, john-s-coltman, 1919, dux

A Plaque was erected on the occassion of the re-enactment. The wording is as follows: "In Recognition of a brave adventure on January 5 1998. Five men: Bern Cuthbertson (skipper), Tom O'Byrne (first mate), Craig Dixon, Rick McMahon and Geoff Zwan, landed in Flinders after 4 weeks at sea having rowed and sailed from Darling Harbour Sydney in the 'Elizabeth', a nine metre whale boat. This voyage re-enacted the discovery and naming of Western Port by Royal Navy Surgeon George Bass and his crew of five in 1798." They rowed an 8.7m long open whale boat some 1930 km from Port Jackson (Sydney).A collection of colour photographs taken at the re-enactment of the landing of George Bass. Showing "Sailors", a Canon, inside the boat, boats on the water and spectators on the foreshore.bass landing re-enactment 1998, george bass, san remo, p & e king

Front Row L to R: J. Brereton, d. Catteral, M. Chilton, L. Cooke, P. Crew, K Crowle, J. Engledow, K. Filcock, K. Ford, R. Green, K. Holt, M. Hunting, C. Linke, S. Lamb, J. Lee. Back Row L to R: J. Lennon, D. Lumby. J. McDonald, P. Malone, T. Nunn, R. Paravinic, J. Poole, R. Reid, W. Sampey, P. Sanger, E. Schanssema, K Struthers, P. Turner, N. White, R. Williams, P. Williams. P. Worboys.Black and White photograph of ambulance officer recruitsambulance officers training centre, recruits

Crews ate meals from ration packs on exercise. The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Two black and white photographs of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles crewmen enjoying a meal on exercise at Puckapunyal, c.1964." John Doyle, Lou Madjeric, Bill Cameron, Peter McClosky, Bill Vincent."

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;

Black and white photograph of the signal box at Franklin St. Swanston St and Victoria St, probably soon after its completion with tram W2 534 with a Malvern destination, standing behind the signal box with a conductor standing at the front of the tram. Shows the detail of the signal box that had toilets for crews. Note the iron step rungs to access the cabin,. The signal box was commissioned on 29/5/1929 Behind the building is Grants building with signs for Archers Printery and Ingram & Carr Wholesale Stationers. On the right hand side is the Carlton United Brewery building. Photo by Sutcliffe Pty Ltd on behalf of the MMTB.Yields information about the then new Franklin St signal box.Black and white print with photographer's detail on the rear."Sutcliffe" photographers stamp.tramways, tramcars, franklin st, signal box, tram 534, w2 class

This sheath knife belonging originally to German seaman Julius Gebauhr and an artifact associated with the story of the survivors of the wreck of Fiji. A three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a varied cargo consisting of cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, various spirits, sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos and other musical instruments. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in a squally and boisterous south-west wind, the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers' calculation of his position. At about 2:30 am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed Fiji struck rock only 274 meters from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Efforts were made to lower boats but all capsized or became swamped two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after the line broke. The other, 17-year-old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt without a line, which he had cut loose with his sheath-knife when it becomes tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the cliffs in search of help. At about 10 am on Sunday a party of land selectors including F. J. Stanmore, Leslie Dickson found Gebauer. They were on their travels back from Princetown towards Moonlight Head. Gebauer was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in a singlet, socks, belt and his sheath-knife. His rescues gave him food and brandy and some clothing and gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stanmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and was set up on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line the light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, as many as five at a time, however, some were washed off. Only 14 of the 24 men who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. The wreck of Fiji has smashed apart within 20 minutes of the last man being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6 m of water. Of the 26 men on Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach. They were buried on the clifftop above the wreck. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship and his Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe who had dragged the captain out of the surf with his silver cased pocket watch, the only possession that he had left, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother in law Gilbert Hulands as payment of a debt. Since that time it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stanmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle has a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200 m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are china miniature animals, limbs from small china dolls, rubber balls, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with this sheath knife and Captain Vickers’ pocket watch. Flagstaff Hill’s collection from the wreck of the Fiji and Julius Gebauhr knife is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the vessel, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S 259). The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th-century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo still evident. Also the story of the heroic attempt by many to save the crew of the Fiji. The knife also represents an aspect of shipping history and fits in well with Victoria's framework of historical themes of living with natural processes as items such as these contribute to a better understanding of Victoria’s cultural history.Knife, metal with black wooden handle. Handle is riveted to knife in 3 places, with shaft of knife between the 2 parts of the handle. The handle also has a carved ring around the end, possibly for attaching a wrist strap. Knife blade is pointed in the centre of the tip and is rusty. The knife has a rectangular metal plaque on handle with inscription. The hand crafted dark brown, soft leather sheath is shaped to fit the knife and joined at the back with cross stitching. The sheath also has a leather belt strap that has come away from the sheath at one end.Metal plaque “FROM JULIUS GEBAUHR/”FIJI” /TO F.J.S.” (F J Standmore recipient)1891, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, knife, fiji, pocket watch, moonlight head, gebauhr, stansmore, wreck bay, sheath knife

Yields information about the Ballarat tramway staff at the time of closure of the SEC operated system. Demonstrate framing of photographs.Framed Black and white photograph, mounted (partly loose) onto heavy card of the SEC Ballarat tram crews shortly before the closure of the tramway system in front of the depot building with three tramcars behind. Has a printed list of all employees or staff underneath. Titled "Ballarat Tramways Employees 1971". Frame - wooden, red stained wood with a painted gold coloured frame, glazed, with a cut cardboard piece on stippled paper. Rear backing sheet - brown leather type printed finish with a fold out section stapled to the rear to enable the photograph to be stood upright. Backing piece has been nailed to the frame. See Reg Item 1861 for further details of the photograph and list of employees.trams, tramways, ballarat, sec crews, personnel, staff photo, closure

Yields information about the streetscapes of Ballarat on the Gardens to Victoria St route and in particular buildings and people that crewed the trams.Set of six Colour 27 x 27 mm slide in a Kodachrome cardboard mount. .1 - Tram No. 38 at the Victoria St terminus, with the destination of Gardens via Sturt St West. Note the red traffic cone in the overhead by the trolley wheel positioning location device. .2 - crew of No. 30 by the tram - R. Knight (57) and Conductor W. Nancarrow (8) .3 - No. 30 at Gardens Loop .4 - as for .2 - see Also Reg item 6455. .5 - view from tram at intersection of Wendouree Parade and MacArthur St, View Point. .6 - view of trackwork at intersection of Drummond and Sturt Streets with the Southern Cross Hotel in the background. Slide mount date August 1971. Photo from the collection of Lilian Butler.ballarat, tramways, trams, victoria st, crews, gardens loop, view point, hospital corner, tram 30

Has a strong association with tram crews and the rosters crew workings, Ray Hall. Prepared by crews from sheets to enable them to know what service times to run, meal times, details of crew changes etc, based on their allocated shift or run from the roster.Sixty (60) page notebook with brown card board covers. Each sheet faint ruled, both sides, with some additional pages fixed in. Right hand side only has the hand written details of each SEC Ballarat runs - giving sign on times, notes, timetables, which run taken or taken by, meal times, notes with regard to special instructions, finish times notes with corrections and changes. Includes weekday and Saturday runs. Sunday timetables not included in the notebook pages. Image 1 shows covers and image 2, one of the sheets with the runs printed on both side of the page. On a scrap paper, formally summary time sheets of crews, additional tables have been written in for Sat and Sun runs.trams, tramways, ballarat, rosters, employees, shifts, timetables

Yields information about the tram that was decorated for the visit of the Queen in 1954 and has a strong association with those in the photograph.Black and white Kodak copy photograph of Ballarat tram No. 38 decorated for the Royal visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ballarat, during 1954, Sturt St, with the driver and conductor photographed standing in front of the tram. Decorated with Red, White and Blue cloth on front and sides of cars and over windows and other Royal motifs. See also Reg. Item 412 for a colour slide and 1896 for a black and white photo postcard. Used on page 117 of "The Golden City and its Tramways", photo credited to Mrs. I Butler. .1 - Original print supplied by Lilian Butler with details of the crews on the rear in ink - Driver Jim Mc, Conductor Eric Black. Image rescanned from copy neg and updated 31/5/2020. tramways, trams, wendouree parade, royal visit, decorated trams, tram 38

Black and white photograph - copy print - of the last Bourke St cable tram service to Northcote with crews and inspectors. Has a sign on the side regarding the Aquarium. Date of photograph 26-10-1940. Well known newspaper photograph - will have to sort origin. Source unknown. .1 - another photo of the same event of the grip car itself. Photo from the Collection of the Department of Infrastructure now with the Public Records Office - image number H439. Note: this photo is now out of copyright and was not an original VR photograph, but one copied from another source and collected as their Heritage series. 2nd copy of .1 added 16/3/2021 and a 3rd copy ex Keith Kings added 18-7-2021.1 has Department of Infrastructure copy right stamp on rear and number "H 439" in ink on rear and "1-17" 2nd copy of .1 has "Latrobe The Aquarium cable tram" in ink on top edge, "1940" and "Brimson" along lower edge. 3rd copy of .1 has stamped TMSV Sales on rear.trams, tramways, closure, cable trams, northcote, bourke st

.1 - Book - 4 pages, (brown paper) + card covers (brown printed matching brown on one side) - side stapled, titled "Cable Trams", published by the Science Museum of Victoria, Swanston St, at the time of the launch of the No. 1 cable tram set in the glazed display case 1/5/1975. Gives a description of cable tramways, a map, summary history, winding houses (power), the trams, cable, bell punches, grips, crews and "mind the curve". .2 - Program for the launch event and a list of speakers - Judge R. J. Leckie, F. R. Kirby, R. J Hamer and R. H. Fowler of the Museum. Also contains a pamphlet for the Science Museum of Victoria. Two copies held.trams, tramways, cable trams, science museum, displays

Newspaper clipping - set of three different pages - from the Sunday Age 10/10/2010, titled "Last chance to save the Ws, for whom the bell tolls". Article looks at the future of the W class trams, a possible tourist route, union and crew viewpoints, Page 1 has a photo of SW6 884, crossing the Latrobe St bridge, written by Ruth Williams. Page 4 - "Joy ride bid to save the W's for whom the bell tolls" and "Something in sway means a ride back in time". Article written by John Elder and Craig Sillitoe. Page 16 - Editorial "For the love of Melbourne's W class tram" - promoting the retention of the trams, use for tourist services and upgrading them for use.trams, tramways, w class, sw6 class, save the w's, tram 884

Set of two Newspaper clippings about the public transport and political and financial issues, both The Age 14/6/1992 .1 - Front page of The Sunday Age, "If you drink and drive, you're a bloody tram driver", written by Tony Parkinson, with a photo by Wayne Ludbey of a driver with a stubbie in hand at the Albert Park terminus. Item about this and the financial performance of the system and the operational aspect of crew management. .2 - "Taking Victoria for a ride"- Tony Parkinson - looking at the performance of the Labor Government in addressing Victorian public transport operations and costs, including the railways, unions, the Premier John Cain, Transport Ministers Steve Crabb, Tom Roper, Jim Kennan and Peter Spyker's attempts and problems of the era. PTC, costs.trams, tramways, operations, transport, public transport, unions, finances, redundancies, transport minister

Notebook - 100 ruled blue line pages centre stapled with card cover used by Inspector Harold De Dohse to record his observations and instructions to crews regarding uniforms, behaviour, operations, accidents and other offences. Has been ruled into 8 vertical columns to record "date, time, route, locality, conductor or driver, number, nature of Offence and action taken" Commences 1/12/1956 through to 3/5/1959. Has various date stamps in the book - the purpose may have to be to show that they have been recorded by the Board clerical traffic staff. See htd1205note.pdf for information about the purpose of the book and its use, including industrial and training issues - from Kevin Stanes 24-4-2017.On front cover in blue ink "Insp De Dohse Mobile" and in red ink "Nich St"trams, tramways, mmtb, uniforms, officers, inspectors, drivers, conductors, derailments, personnel, notebooks

Large Forged Iron embossed belt buckle.B-24 LIBERATOR, 1939-1989, 50th ANNIVERSARY (on front) LIMITED EDITION 50th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE,B-24 LIBERATOR, 1989 BUCKLE CONNECTION, SERIAL 0612 OF 1939. B-24 LIBERATOR Origin: Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Co Type: Long-range bomber with normal crew of 10 History: First flight(xb 24) December 29 1939 Withdraw from service 1955-56 It was built in bigger numbers than any other American aircraft in history and served on every front in WW11 and with15 allied nations.

A colour certificate given to the winners of the 1900 Intercolonial Eight-Oared Race. Rowed on the BRISBANE RIVER, BRISBANE / 12th May, 1900 / BETWEEN THE COLONIES OF / NEW SOUTH WALES - QUEENSLAND -- / VICTORIA -- SOUTH AUSTRALIA -- / won by / VICTORIA / J. DONALD Stroke / T. DAVIES No. 7 / H.J. HUGHES …6 / A. HALL …5 / A. DAWSON …4 / J. COCKBILL ...3 / C. STAMPER ...2 / J. SUFFREN ...Bow / J. COUNIHAN Cox / J.M. MACFARLANE Honorary Coach / And this / CERTIFICATE / hereby affirms that / C. STAMPER / rowed No. 2 in / THE VICTORIAN CREW. / For Victorian Rowing Association / (Signature) President / (Signature) Hon. Secretary

This is a SPRA, or Schermuly’s Pistol Rocket Apparatus. The large firearm type pistol would have been used to throw a line between ships, usually in the event of saving lives. The line throwing pistol consists of a long barrel with handle attached, a pistol grip and trigger, which fires a short blank cartridge. Accessories for the pistol included: flares, 12 gauge adaptor (to shoot 12 gauge flares), a wood plunger, and boxes of faked line. The stamp on the handle, Crown over "NP" is a Birmingham Proof House mark that dates the pistol between 1904 and 1954. However Schermuly's line throwing pistol was invented in the 192s and used on British Naval Ships from 1929. The serial number '22507' is only 806 numbers later than one on sale as a British Military WWII issue SRPA '21701'. This pistol appears to be made 125-1945. The apparatus was used as a life saving device for crew and passengers on vessels in distress that were only a few hundred metres from shore, often eliminating the need to launch a boat and risk lives to go out to the vessel in dangerous conditions. It could also be used from ship to ship rescue. The pistol would launch a line from shore to the vessel. The line would be attached to the vessel, then shore crew would send out equipment, including a breeches buoy, in which the stranded people could be pulled to shore. It has saved many lives at sea. The cartridge is loaded into the breech of the pistol and the rocket is inserted into the muzzle. On pulling the trigger, the gases generated by the fired cartridge eject the rocket on its correct line of flight, and at the same time, burst through the waterproof disc and ignite the propellant mixture, which carries the rocket and line on the remainder of the flight. The rocket consists of a weldless steel case filled with propellant mixture sealed in by a waterproof disc. Fixed to the rocket case is a direction bridle, to the end of which a short length of flexible steel wire is attached, this in turn being connected to the end of the line to be thrown. A complete rocket set, or line throwing kit. would include a wood carrying case, two coils of faked line in separate compartments, three rockets and a can of six cartridges. William Schermuly (1857 – 1929) - Founder of the Schermuly business. In 1897 he invented a trough-fired, line throwing apparatus. In 1920 he and his third son, Alfred James Schermuly, invented the pistol rocket apparatus and promoted this overseas during the 1920s. The system was approved by the British Navy in 1929 through an Act of Parliament, which made it compulsory for ships over 500 tons to carry this equipment. The company, Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Ltd., grew quickly during and after World War II but business eased off during the 1970s before it eventually closed in the 1990s. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. This line-throwing pistol is part of he Rocket Launching Equipment used to perform life-saving rescue at sea from the 1920s. It is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Pistol, line-throwing, SPRA (Schermuly's Pistol Rocket Apparatus). This line throwing pistol has a wooden pistol grip, brass trigger mechanism, and a long, wide, steel barrel with Bakelite handle attached to the top. Inscriptions are stamped onto the pistol.Stamped on handle: "5" and "[symbol of a Crown] above NP" , "22507", "[within oval] SPRA" Stamped on barrel: "L22507".gun, pistol, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, line throwing, line throwing pistol, spra, schermuly's pistol rocket apparatus, sea rescue, pyrotechnicks, marine technology, schermuly pistol rocket apparatus ltd., william schermuly, alfred schermuly, pistol line thrower, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, beach rescue set, rocket set, schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, pistol rocket apparatus, line throwing cartridge, line-throwing rocket, firearm, life saving, lsrc

This type of kit was used by the Regiment for vehicular cross country navigation. The crew commander would stand in front of the vehicle with a prismatic compass and guide the driver to align the vehicle on the back bearing of the required direction of travel. The discs were set for time of day and the required bearing and the driver would watch the compass and steer so that the shadow of the gnome was on the arrow. The compass would be re-set about every half hour to adjust for rotation of the Earth. In featureless country navigation was by dead reckoning by direction travelled by compass and distance travelled from the vehicle odometer. Armoured vehicles are now equipped with GPS navigation aids rendering the sun compass obsolete Type of equipment used by the Regiment on exercisesMetal construction. One fixed and one rotatable aluminium disc with a vertical steel gnome at the centre. The lower disc is marked with bearings in mils, the upper with time of day. There is a rotatable aluminium arrow under the 2 discs. A 33 mm dia spirit level is fixed to the top disc.On spirit level "GENERAL #847"daytime use only, navigation aid