Showing 247 items
matching iron flat
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Nillumbik Shire Council
Deborah Halpern (b.1957 Melb) with Malcolm Laurence (b.1974 Melb), Malcolm Laurence, The Spirit of Nillumbik (balustrade panels x11); Location: Eltham Town Square - Main St, Eltham, 2001
In October 2000, Council invited three artists from the region (Deborah Halpern, Matcham Skipper, Tony Trembath) to submit designs for a sculpture / public art work for the Eltham Town Square. The commission was paid for by supermarket giant Safeway (Woolies) as part of its supermarket permit, which required them to contribute to beautification work in the Town Square.This is the first of three parts. The 'Spirit of Nillumbik' is a celebration of the artistic spirit of Eltham and surrounding communities. Each area is identified through the flora and fauna represented in the panels. The work honours the many creative artists and architects, past and present, who have built homes and shaped lives and livelihoods with their unique creative spirit. Halpern describes her work as a public expression of their individual and collective visions. Halpern acknowledges these contributions to our hand-made history and the influence they have on the character and identity of Eltham and Nillumbik. Five picture and six woven balustrades each made out of welded steel / organic wrought iron and coated with wax. Imagery (flora - plants, landscapes and fauna - animals, birds, reptiles, insects) are all based on the local environment. There is also a relevant aboriginal presence amongst each of the panels. Each panel represents the different areas that make up the Shire. 'Water' for Warrandyte, 'Kangaroos' for Christmas Hills, 'Cockatoos and 'Valley Creek Flats' for Hurstbridge, 'Wombats', 'Bluetongues' and 'Possums' for St. Andrews/Kinglake, 'Orchids' for Panton Hill, 'Cows' and 'Grapevines' for the Kangaroo Gound Hill landmark. N/Apublic art, nillumbik, fauna, flora, wrought iron, balustrade, halpern, laurence, kangaroo, eltham town square, spirit, warrandyte, christmas hills, kangaroo ground, hurstbridge, kinglake, panton hill, water, valley creek flats, cockatoos -
Puffing Billy Railway
Red Trolly, BN Class Trolly
Red Trolley - BN Class Trolly Class: BN* * Trailers marked (*) are classified as Rail Mounted Tools or Tool Carriers for the purposes of Section 1 of Appendix 1 of the General Instructions. Number: 1, 2 & 3 Name: - Description: Flat top dummy Load Capacity. - Goods : 1 ton (1 tonne) - Persons. ---Puffing Billy Railway - Narrow Gauge Track maintenance Vehicle - BN Class TrollyRed Trolley - BN Class Trolly - Flat top dummy made of wood and wrought ironpuffing billy railway, pbr, red - trolley, bn class trolley, trolley, trolly -
Puffing Billy Railway
Yellow Trolly, BN Class Trolly
Yellow Trolly - BN Class Trolly Class: BN* * Trailers marked (*) are classified as Rail Mounted Tools or Tool Carriers for the purposes of Section 1 of Appendix 1 of the General Instructions. Number: 1, 2 & 3 Name: - Description: Flat top dummy Load Capacity. - Goods : 1 ton (1 tonne) - Persons. ---Puffing Billy Railway - Narrow Gauge Track maintenance Vehicle - BN Class TrollyYellow Trolly - BN Class Trolly - Flat top dummy made of wood and wrought ironpuffing billy railway, pbr, rolling stock , yellow - trolley, bn class trolley, trolly, trolley -
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Inc
Steam Engine, C 1849
Thought to be the world's only working example of this engine. Used for driving overhead shafts in workshops, sawmills etc. Restored by members of the MVMM. Found at the Demsters property Shelbourne. Thought to be the only one of its kind in the world.Horizontal steam engine driving a flat belt pulley. Pulley shaft at right angles to engine shaft also carries a large flywheel. A mechanical oiler mounted on the engine base is activated by the engine valve shaft. Engine cylinder and valve housing painted dark green. Engine base, pulley and flywheel painted maroon. Oiler painted mid green.On engine valve box cover - Light green cast iron oval plate with "Cornelius Pettet / Engineer / Edinburgh" Brass plate on oiler - "Delvac Mechanical Lubricator / Design No 18376 / Made for and supplied by / Vacuum Oil Company Pty. Ltd. / Australia"machinery; engines; steam power source -
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Inc
Oil Engine, 1912
10 HP horizontal cylinder oil engine in working order. Mounted on a steel chassis with 4 wrought iron wheels. Two flywheels and one flat belt pulley. Rectangular cooling water tank and cast iron exhaust pot with vertical exhaust pipe mounted at crankshaft end. Engine painted green with pale yellow trim. Blow torch start on compression when hot bulb is of certain temperature. Mechanical water and fuel pumps. Oval brass plate fixed to cylinder "The "Blackstone" / Carter's Patent / 61892 / Quote this No. / When ordering parts / Oil Engine"engines horizontal cylinder -
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Inc
Horizontal Oil Engine, Early 20th century
Horizontal cylinder oil engine in working order. Mounted on a steel chassis with 4 cast iron wheels. Two flywheels and one flat belt pulley. Cylindrical cooling water tank and exhaust vertical exhaust pipe mounted at crankshaft end. Engine painted green with red wheels and red crankshaft balance weights. Oval brass plate on cylinder - "The Austral Oil Engine / Ronaldson Bros. / Makers / No. 1113 ? & Tippett / Ballarat Victoria" Thin oval metal transfer on cooling water tank with makers name and place of manufacture around Australian coat of arms.machinery; oil engine; metalwork -
Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum Inc
Horizontal Oil Engine
Austral 8 HP oil engine on 4 wheeled steel chassis with wrought iron wheels. Two double flywheels and flat belt pulley. Water cooled exhaust system at the crank end of the engine. Galvanised iron fuel tank slung under the engine. Painted green and black with red wheels.On an oval brass plate on the side of the engine :- "The Austral Oil Engine / Ronaldson Bros / Makers / No 663 / & Tippett / Ballarat Victoria"machinery ... engine ... oil ... metalwork -
Puffing Billy Railway
H Class Bogie Flat Wagon
... H Class Bogie Flat Wagon made of Iron, wrought iron...-and-the-dandenong-ranges H Class Bogie Flat Wagon H Class Bogie Flat Wagon ...This vehicle was used on the Innisfail tramway line in Northern Queensland and given the "H" Classification. It was later sold to Howard Smith Industries. The wagon has been donated to the Museum and sees use on the Museum's 2'0" gauge line. Historic - Industrial Narrow gauge Railways - Rolling stock - Innisfail tramway line in Northern Queensland H Class Bogie Flat Wagon made of Iron, wrought iron and steelh class, bogie, flat wagon, 2'0" gauge -
Puffing Billy Railway
Flat Belt Driven Mill, 1930s
... -and-the-dandenong-ranges Flat Belt Driven Mill Made from iron. Flat Belt ...Flat Belt Driven MillHistoric - Industrial - Flat Belt Driven MillMade from iron.flat belt driven, mill, puffing billy -
Puffing Billy Railway
Flat Belt Driven Drill Press
Industrial - Flat Belt Driven Drill PressHistoric - Industrial - Flat Belt Driven Drill PressDrill press. - made of Metal and Steel and cast ironHercus Made in Australiaflat belt driven, drill press, puffing billy -
Numurkah & District Historical Society
Domestic object - Iron (Charcoal) & Stand
Metal, arched shape with geometrical "diamond" design throughout the arch, has a decorative handle at the flat end and is supported by 3 legs Iron with wooden handle and black hollow body. Body has a lid to place charcoal inside. Handle is attached to the lidhousekeeping, clothes, laundry, washing, trivet, ironing -
Numurkah & District Historical Society
blacksmith tongs x 2
2 x blacksmith tongs, metal/iron. one has pointy end, the other has flat endblacksmith, tongs, metal, iron -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Wood smoothing plane coffin pattern, 18th to early 19th century
Being smaller than other bench planes, the coffin-shaped smoothing plane is better able to work on smaller work pieces and around obstructions. Since the 1700s wooden smoothing planes have predominantly been 'coffin shaped' wider in the middle and slightly rounded making them more manoeuvrable. A vintage tool made by an unknown 18th or early 19th-century woodworking tool maker. This item would have been made for individuals or cabinet makers that worked in wood and needed a tool that could produce a flat smooth finish to timber. These tools were used before routers and spindle moulders came into use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before this time producing either a decorative moulding or a smooth finish to furniture timber, door trims etc had to be accomplished using hand planing tools and in particular one of these types of planes. Traditionally wood planes were blocks of wear-resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape of the intended moulding or had a flat blade used for achieving a flat and smooth finish to timber. The blade or iron was likewise formed to the intended moulding profile or for smoothing and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers' shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding and flat-bladed planes for a full range of work to be performed. Large crown mouldings required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other workers to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. These vintage planes are well sought after by collectors of antique tools due to their rarity. A significant tool from the 18th to early 19th century by an unknown maker that today is quite rare and sought after by collectors. It gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other decorative finishes were created on timber by the use of hand tools. Tools that were themselves handmade show the craftsmanship used during this time not only to make a tool such as the subject item but also the craftsmanship needed to produce a decorative finish that was needed to be made for any timber furniture item. Smoothing Plane Coffin type. Stamped GM inside "W" indicating sizeflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Smoothing Wood Plane Coffin Pattern, 18th to Early 19th Centuries
Being smaller than other bench planes, the coffin shaped smoothing plane is better able to work on smaller work pieces and around obstructions. Since the 1700s wooden smoothing planes have predominantly been 'coffin shaped' wider in the middle and slightly rounded making them more manoeuvrable. A vintage tool made by an unknown 18th or early 19th century woodworking tool maker. This item would have been made for individuals or cabinet makers that worked in wood and needed a tool that could produce a flat smooth finish to timber. These tools were used before routers and spindle moulders came into use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before this time to produce either a decorative moulding or a smooth finish to furniture timber, door trims etc had to be accomplished using hand planing tools and in particular one of these types of planes. Traditionally wood planes were blocks of wear resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape of the intended moulding or had a flat blade use for achieving a flat and smooth finish to timber. The blade, or iron was likewise formed to the intended moulding profile or for smoothing and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding and flat bladed planes for a full range of work to be performed. Large crown mouldings required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other worker to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. These vintage planes are well sought after by collectors of antique tools due to their rarity. A significant tool from the 18th to early 19th century that today is quite rare and sought after by collectors. It gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other decorative finishes were created on timber by the use of hand tools. Tools that were themselves hand made shows the craftsmanship used during this time not only to make a tool such as the subject item but also the craftsmanship needed to produce a decorative finish that was needed to be made for any timber furniture item. Wood smoothing plane known as a coffin plane due to it's shape, wood insert screwed on front of base. Stamped "MILLER". Inscribed "X" (probably the size)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cabinet makers tools, woodworking tools, wood plane, smoothing plane, timber finishing, furniture manufacture -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Wood Smoothing Plane, Late 18th to Early 19th Century
A block, jack or smoothing plane is used for making a smooth finish to timber that is used to make furniture or other wooden objects. Traditionally, wood planes were blocks of wear-resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the intended shape of the item being worked on. The blade or iron was likewise formed to a flat shape and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers' shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of smoothing and moulding planes for the full range of work to be performed. Large crown mouldings required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other workers to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. A vintage tool by an unknown maker, this item was made for cabinet-making firms and individuals that worked in wood and needed a tool that could remove large amounts of timber. These jack, block or dressing planes as they were known came in various shapes and sizes to achieve a flat and even finish to timber surfaces before the use of mechanical smoothing planes and came in many sizes. A significant tool from the late 18th to early 19th century that's pattern or shape is still in use today. Early models of this type of woodworking plane are sought after by collectors today. This tool gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other finishes were created on timber by the use of cutting-edged hand tools used by craftsmen of the time. Tools that were themselves handmade, demonstrating the craftsmanship used during this time not only to make a tool such as the subject item but also the craftsmanship needed to produce either a decorative or even finish for timber items. Smoothing Plane blade and wedge present. Raised handle at front end. Right-hand wedge guide broken away. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, plane, wood plane, cabinet makers tools, furniture making -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Wood Plane, David Malloch, Late 19th to early 20th Century
David Malloch was born in 1818 in Dundee Scotland and died in January 1891, his father was James Malloch a weaver and his mother was Jane nee Watson. David Malloch had taken over a plane and tool-making business from John McGlashan a Perth plane maker in 1849 after McGlashan had died. David and later his son (John) ran the business at first from South Methven Street Perth, until early 1856 then the business moved to the center of town in Kirkside at 25 John's Street. He used these premises until 1870 when he moved again to 50 South Street Perth. It is believed his son John was involved at this time and the move was due to the business had outgrown the premises at John Street. It was noted in local publications that the firm by this time had nine employees and regarded as a manufacturer of edge tools of various kinds for cabinet makers, specifically wood planes. The firm continued under David Malloch's son John after David's death in 1891 but the company appears to have ceased trading in 1913.A vintage cabinet maker's tool from the mid 19th to early 20th century giving a snapshot into early cabinet and furniture making. Wood Plane with flat base curved sides single iron, 2 inch, size.D Malloch and Son Perth, Scotlandflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Router Plane, Late 19th to early 20th Century
Router planes are not the same as modern power routers. The simplest answer is that a router plane is a chisel held at adjustable vertical depths in a block of wood or metal. An antique-style router plane is mainly used for levelling out the bottoms of dado joints, mortises, and when installing hinges, inlays, and tenon cheeks, and similar other uses. There are three main categories or styles of router planes the earliest type of these is affectionately referred to as an "old woman's tooth", or "Grandma's Tooth". These planes can be as simple as a block of wood with the iron wedged in, and some have wedges with brass thumbscrews. Most of these router planes were shop-made tools their bottom flat so they can ride along the top of the wood, and the iron is adjusted to the desired depth by moving it up and down with your fingers.An interesting vintage joinery tool used before mechanical routers with early examples often sought after by collectors today. The subject item was probably made in a joinery workshop for a specific need in regards to producing a specific type of profile. As a result, even though the item appears to be quite old it has no makers mark, age and provenance are unknown.Router Plane Old Woman's Tooth pattern wooden stopper for holding the blade in place. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Scale, 1900-1930
The basic balance scale has been around for thousands of years and its accuracy has improved dramatically over the last several centuries, the principle behind this tool remains unchanged. Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, a pan at the end of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and a flat platform at the other for the counter-balancing weights. Balance scales that require equal weights on each side of the fulcrum have been used by everyone from apothecaries and assayers to jewellers and postal workers. Known as an unequal arm balance scale, this variety builds the counterweight into the device. Counter scales used in dry-goods stores and domestic kitchens often featured Japanned or (blackened) cast iron with bronze trims. Made by companies such as Howe and Fairbanks, the footed tin pans of these scales were often oblong, some encircled at one end so bulk items could be easily poured into a bag. Seamless pans were typically stamped from brass and given style names like Snuff (the smallest) and Birmingham (the largest). Some counter scales were designed for measuring spices, others for weighing slices of cake. In the 18th century, spring scales began to appear and would use the resistance of spring to calculate weights, which are read automatically on the scale’s face. The ease of use of spring scales over balance scales. These scales are significant as they identify one of the basic preparation items for the weighing of foodstuff in the family kitchen to prepare everyday meals. This item is significant as it gives a snapshot into domestic life within the average home in Australia around the turn of the twentieth century and is, therefore, an item with social relevance. Black cast iron, medium weighing scales, with a fulcrum which the beam that balances on, there is a scoop or large bowl at one end for the material to be weighted and a flat platform at the other end that holds the weights. Around the cast iron base is an embossed strip weight and bowl missing.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Complex Moulding Plane, Late 19th to early 20th Century
A smoothing or wood plane is a wood plane used for making a smooth or decorative moulding to the surface of wood. Traditionally these planes were made from blocks of wear resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape or size required. The blade, or iron was likewise formed to the intended flat or ornamental profile and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding and smoothing planes for the full range of work to be performed. Large crown Mouldings or smoothing plane surfaces required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other worker to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. This plane is a coffin pattern smoothing plane and is unmarked so the maker is unknown however it's design and patina indicate it was probably made in the mid to late 19th century and would be regarded as a vintage or antique item sought after today by collectors of vintage tools. A vintage tool made by an unknown maker, that was made commercially for firms and individuals who worked in wood and needed a tool that could produce a flat or level finish to timber. These types of planes came in various shapes and sizes to achieve the required finish to timber surfaces used in cabinet making. This item is a significant tool from the mid to late 19th century that today is quite rare and sought after by collectors. It gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other decorative finishes were created on timber by the use of hand tools only. Complex moulding wood planeNoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, plane, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, plane, moulding plane, complex moulding plane, cabinet makers tools -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Anchor, Circa 1886
The anchor is one of four that were carried by the FALLS OF HALLADALE when she was wrecked near Peterborough in 1908. This Rodger’s Anchor was raised from the wreck site by Flagstaff Hill divers (Peter Ronald, Colin Goodall and Gary Hayden) in 1974 and is on permanent outdoor display at the Maritime Village. The imposing 2-tonne artefact required a raft of fourteen 44-gallon drums to raise it from the seabed before it was towed by a crayfish boat to the wharf crane at Port Campbell for loading onto land transport. Following Lieutenant William Rodger’s patent in 1831, anchor design moved away from the separate attachment of straight arms and flat flutes to each side of a long shaft. Rodger’s innovation included the forging of both arms and their flutes as a single uniformly curved piece which was then attached to the crown of the shank by a thick horizontal bolt. The two-inch diameter hole for the securing through-bolt at the crown is clearly visible in this example, the bolt dislodged by corrosion and now missing. The FALLS OF HALLADALE was a four-masted, iron-hulled barque, built by Russell and Co at Greenock in 1866 for the Falls Line of Wright & Breakenridge, Glasgow. The ship was 275 feet long, 42 feet wide, with a 24 feet draft and weighed 2,085 tonnes. She was built to carry as much cargo as possible rather than for speed. Her unmistakably square bilge earned her the title of “warehouse-type” ship and her iron masts and wire rigging enabled her to maintain full sail even in gale conditions. In 1908, with new sails, 29 crew, and 2800 tons of cargo in her hold, the FALLS OF HALLADALE left New York, bound for Melbourne and Sydney via the Cape of Good Hope. 102 days later, at 3 am on the 14th of November, under full sail and in calm seas, with a six knots breeze behind and a misleading fog along the coast, the great vessel rose upon an ocean swell and settled on top of a shelf of rock near Peterborough. There she stayed for nearly two months until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. 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 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 the 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 in 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 shipwreck of the FALLS OF HALLADALE is of state significance – 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).A large iron Rodger’s anchor recovered from the wreck of the FALLS OF HALLADALE. It has a rounded crown, curved arms and moulded flutes. Heavy duty iron stock with round eyes at either end, fitted over shank and fixed into position by a wedge-shaped metal locking pin. Shackle missing but severed securing bolt remaining in shank. The presence of an empty bolthole at the crown junction of shank and arms confirms Rodger’s type. Corroded from 66 years submersion in seawater but otherwise structure is sound.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck artefact, maritime museum, falls of halladale, rodger’s anchor, peterborough reef, 1908 shipwreck, anchor, last days of sail, great clipper ships -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Glass Lens, 1886-1908
This glass lens was recovered from the wreck of the Falls of Halladale. Its purpose is unknown but could have been a lamp or torch lens or even the lens from underwater equipment. The FALLS of HALLADALE 1886 - 1908- The sailing ship Falls of Halladale was an iron-hulled, four-masted barque, used as a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 bound for Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold was general cargo consisting of roof tiles, barbed wire, stoves, oil, benzene, and many other manufactured items. After three months at sea and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland on the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members survived, but her cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. 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 Falls of Halladale was built in1886 by Russell & Co., at Greenock shipyards on the River Clyde, Scotland for Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow. The ship had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and was 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. The new raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck in stormy conditions. This glass lens is significant for its association with the wreck of the sailing ship the Falls of Halladale. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes from Europe and the Americas. Also of significance is that the vessel was one of the first ships to have fore and aft lifting bridges as a significant safety feature still in use on modern vessels today. The subject model is an example of an International Cargo Ship used during the 19th and early 20th centuries to transport goods around the world and represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. Glass lens; transparent glass dome with flat base. Glass has bubbles and several concentric lines on the surface. There are light coloured encrustations on the surface. It was recovered from the wreck of the Falls of Halladale. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, falls of halladale, glass lens, glass cover, glass dome -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Nail, 1855
The artefact is the lower portion of a rectangular shanked ‘planking nail’ with a straight-edged ‘flat point’. The distinctive ‘point’ of a planking/skirting nail was designed to be driven into timber across the grain in order to prevent the wood from splitting. This relic is from the shipwreck of the SCHOMBERG, which ran aground near Peterborough in 1855. It was retrieved in 1875 from a large section of the ship’s bow which had been carried by ocean currents to the western coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The nail is still fixed in a fragment of the original timber that it secured in the SCHOMBERG. The top portion, or ‘head’ of the nail, has corroded away but the pronounced rectangular shank and its flat point indicate its likely purpose and position on the vessel. Most fastenings used in sailing ship construction were either wooden treenails or copper bolts, which were relatively resistant to seawater corrosion. In addition, the preferred hull-frame timber of British Oak has a high content of gallic acid which rapidly corrodes unprotected iron work. The ferrous composition of this planking nail suggests it came from an internal and upper portion of the ship’s bow (protected from exposure to the sea or oak). According to an 1855 edition of the Aberdeen Journal, the five outer layers, or ‘skins’, of the SCHOMBERG’s pine hull were “combined by means of patent screw treenails”. However the “beams of her two upper decks” were of “malleable iron”, and “part of the forecastle” was “fitted for the accommodation of the crew”. It is therefore possible that iron nails of this description were used by the ship’s builders to secure floor and wall planks in enclosed areas of the crew’s quarters. (The same reasoning would apply to officer and passenger accommodation amidships and at the stern of the vessel, but it was the bow that floated to New.Zealand.) The SCHOMBERG was a 2,000 ton clipper ship, specifically designed for the Australian immigration trade (back-loading wool for Britain’s mills), and constructed in Hall’s shipyard in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was owned by the Black Ball Line and launched in 1855. Alexander Hall & Son were renowned builders of sleek and fast 1,000 ton clippers for the China trade (opium in, tea out) and were keen to show they could also outclass the big North American ships built by Donald Mackay. Consequently the SCHOMBERG was ‘overbuilt’. Her hull featured five ‘skins’ of Scotch Larch and Pitch Pine overlaying each other in a diagonal pattern against a stout frame of British Oak. Oak has been favoured by builders of wooden ships for centuries. Its close, dense grain made it harder to work, but also gave it great strength and durability. In addition, the lateral spread of its branches supplied a natural curvature for the ribs of a vessel’s hull, as well as providing the small corner or curved pieces (‘knees’ and ‘elbows’) that fit them together. At the launch the SCHOMBERG’s 34 year old master, Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships; MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. It also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off, Due in large part to the captain's regarding a card game as more important than his ship, it eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to SCHOMBERG and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS QUEEN at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS QUEEN approached the stranded vessel and all of SCHOMBERG’s passengers and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the SCHOMBERG. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 1864 after two of the men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG, salvage efforts were abandoned. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck now lies in 825 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen scattered about nearby. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the SCHOMBERG. One of the SCHOMBERG bells is in the Warrnambool Library. This nail is a registered artefact from the wreck of the SCHOMBERG, Artefact Reg No S/35 and is significant because of its association with the SCHOMBERG. The SCHOMBERG collection as a whole is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S612. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the SCHOMBERG is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the SCHOMBERG. 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. The object is the bottom end of a slightly curved iron planking nail with remnant of timber still attached, recovered from the wreck of the SCHOMBERG (1855). The shank of the nail is rectangular and it narrows to a flat (chisel like) ‘point’. The ‘head’ is missing although there is a quantity of dark red corrosion within the top of the surrounding wood, suggesting where it might have been. The artefact is from the wreck of the SCHOMBERG (1855) and was retrieved from part of the ship’s bow which was carried by sea currents to the South Island of New Zealand. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, planking nail, rectangular ship’s nail, cast iron nail -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Pressure Gauge, Barclay Curle & Co shipbuilders, Circa 1873
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 Lochard 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 Lochard 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 Lochard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Lochard 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 artifacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artifacts 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.Pressure gauge; round brass instrument with brass fittings: gate valve and handle. The two separate parts include a small bracket. Encrustations are on the surface. The flat side has been lacquered. Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.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, pressure gauge, mechanical instrument -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Scale, Early 20th century
The basic balance scale has been around for thousands of years and its accuracy has improved dramatically over the last several centuries, the principle behind this tool remains unchanged. Its parts include a fulcrum, a beam that balances on it, a pan at the end of the beam to hold the materials to be weighed, and a flat platform at the other for the counter-balancing weights. Balance scales that require equal weights on each side of the fulcrum have been used by everyone from apothecaries and assayers to jewellers and postal workers. Known as an unequal arm balance scale, this variety builds the counterweight into the device. Counter scales used in dry-goods stores and domestic kitchens often featured Japanned or (blackened) cast iron with bronze trims. Made by companies such as Howe and Fairbanks, the footed tin pans of these scales were often oblong, some encircled at one end so bulk items could be easily poured into a bag. Seamless pans were typically stamped from brass and given style names like Snuff (the smallest) and Birmingham (the largest). Some counter scales were designed for measuring spices, others for weighing slices of cake. In the 18th century, spring scales began to appear and would use the resistance of spring to calculate weights, which are read automatically on the scale’s face. The ease of use of spring scales over balance scales. One of the most common types of spring scales was the kitchen scale also known as a family or dial scale. Designed for horizontal surfaces, these vintage kitchen scales used the weight of goods in a pan at the top of the scale to force the spring down rather than the balance system. Such scales were common in early 20th century households and were sold by many companies. Many had flat weighing surfaces but some were topped by shallow pans. Companies such as Salters, Chatillon, and Fairbanks were the most popular brands used. These scales are significant as they identify one of the basic preparation items for the weighing of foodstuff in the family kitchen to prepare everyday meals. This item is significant as it gives a snapshot into domestic life within the average home in Australia around the turn of the twentieth century and is, therefore, an item with social relevance. Black cast iron, medium weighing scales, with a fulcrum which the beam that balances on, there is as scoop at one end for the material to be weighted and a flat circular disc at the other end that holds the weights. Around the cast iron base is an embossed leaf pattern. All the weights have their weight embossed within the casting.There are 5 weights, marked 2 oz, 4 oz,8 oz,1 lb,2 lb, This scale does not have any visual markings on the arms to identify a maker or true balance. It is therefore assumed that these scales were made for domestic use only.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, spring scale, scale -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Smoothing Plane, Johann Heinrich August Bleckmann, 1870 to 1920
Johann Elias Bleckmann (1784-1856) founded a steel goods shop in Ronsdorf near Düsseldorf Germany. After completing a business education in his father's business, his son Johann Heinrich August Bleckmann (1826-1891) gained further experience through travel in North and South America. When his father died, he took over the steel goods store and moved it to Solingen. He bought a hammer mill in Mürzzuschlag Styria (Austria) in 1862 and converted it into a modern crucible casting steel smelter. His "Phoenix Steel", which he produced himself, achieved worldwide renown. He then went on to establish a file and tool factory and later founded a steel and plate rolling mill. Apart from cutlery blades, the company's self-produced steel was also processed into tools, scythes, rifle parts, etc. His sons Eugen and Walter continued after his death in 1891 at the Phoenix steelworks. However, by the end of the First World War, the two brothers fell into economic difficulties as a result of eliminating a large part of their foreign trade. In 1921, the company was converted into a public limited company and merged three years later with the company Schoeller & Stahlwerke. Made by Johann Heinrich August Bleckmann a significant Austrian manufacture of cutlery and tools in a recognized area of Germany famous for the production of steel items. The item is giving a snapshot of early colonial and European trades persons tools and gives an interesting insight into the development and progression of European tool and steel development and innervation prior to and just after the First World War.Plane Smoothing type with flat base. Has wooden wedge and iron missing. Knob handle is set on top and at the front. Iron 1 3/5 inches wide. Marked "Bleckmann (symbol) Safingen" "GN".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, plane -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Joiner, Jack or Smoothing Plane, Akin & Son, 1900 to 1966
The subject item is a smoothing plane traditionally wood planes were blocks of wear resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape of the intended moulding or had a flat blade use for achieving a flat and smooth finish to timber. The blade, or iron was likewise formed to the intended moulding profile or for smoothing and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding and flat bladed planes for a full range of work to be performed. Large crown mouldings required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other worker to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. The maker Atkin and Sons were a prolific Birmingham plane maker, active from 1863 to 1900 when they became Atkin and Sons Ltd and traded until 1966. Their trademark was actually "BENEFACTUM" which is Latin for "well made."A well-made tool from the early 20th century from a well-known company that ceased trading in Birmingham in 1966, today this tool from this company is quite rare and sought after by collectors. It gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other decorative finishes as well as smoothing timber projects were created by the use of hand tools. Tools that were themselves handmade shows the craftsmanship used during this time not only to make a tool such as the subject item but also the craftsmanship needed to finish timber.Jointer or Jack Plane with fishtail handle, Size of iron 2 1/2 inches wide, Stamped GN inside W made by Akins and Sons Birmingham UKflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, jointer plane, plane -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Anchor, Before 1831
Historical Information: The anchor is from the wooden sailing ship CHILDREN, which was wrecked at Childers Cove east of Warrnambool on the 15th of January 1839 with the loss of 16 lives. The Children anchor was raised from the wreck site by Flagstaff Hill Divers; Peter Ronald, Garry Hayden (Terang, still), Tim Goodall (now Warrnambool), and Colin Goodall (now Warrnambool), on Sunday 3rd January 1974. A week or so later it was dragged up the cliffs and taken to Warrnambool. It is now on display near the entrance to the Maritime Village and Museum. It appears to be a Pering’s Improved Anchor, developed at Portsmouth after 1813. The addition of broad curvature to the anchor arms provided a stronger purchase than the pre-existing Admiralty Old Pattern Long Shanked Anchor with straight arms. However, the evidence of hammer-welding the separate pieces of the arms and palms to the central shank (peaked crown and flat palms) suggests the manufacture is before the 1831 Rodger’s Anchor design, (which cast both arms and their flukes as one piece that was then attached to the shank by a bolt through the crown). This identification seems consistent with the date of the CHILDREN’s construction in 1824. The CHILDREN was a three masted barque with a wooden hull built at Liverpool in England. She was bought by the Henty family of Portland (Australia Felix) in 1837 for regular coastal trading between Van Diemens Land, the Port Phillip District of New South Wales and South Australia. Only 255 tons burden (92 feet in length, with a beam of 25 feet and depth of 17 feet), she sailed from Launceston bound for Adelaide in late December1838, on her first Australian voyage and under the English master who had brought her out – Captain H. Browne. On board the CHILDREN were 24 passengers, including 9 children; the captain and 14 crew; livestock of 1500 sheep, 8 bullocks and 7 horses; general cargo of beef, pork, tobacco, tripe, butter, limejuice, horse hair, currants, lead shot, beer and spirits; 5,000 house bricks from London; and six whaling boats with associated whaling gear. The vessel was battered by gale force north-westerly winds shortly after setting out from Launceston on 11 January 1839 and adverse sailing conditions persisted for the next four days. At 11 pm on the 15th of January 1839, and many miles north and east of the captain’s navigated position, the CHILDREN struck the Pinnacle, a limestone stack off Childers Cove. Within half an hour the ship was completely destroyed. As well as the loss of livestock and cargo, 16 passengers and crew perished, including the captain, six men, one woman and eight children. In 1931 shifting sands at Childers Cove uncovered the skeleton of an adult male. In 1951 another two skeletons were exposed by storms, an adult male and a child. In 1963 some district scuba divers retrieved a small signal-cannon from the site. And in 1974 Flagstaff Hill recovered the anchor and some house bricks. The shipwreck of the CHILDREN is of state significance – Victorian Heritage Register No. S116.A large forged-wrought iron anchor from the wreck of the CHILDREN. Flat hammer-welded flukes on opposing curved arms and a peaked crown. It has a metal (elbowed) stock or cross-bar and a heavy duty pinned shackle (not ring) for the anchor chain. It is in fair condition but extensively corroded after 135 years on seabed (supported on display) .warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck artefact, maritime museum, the children, childers cove, anchor, pering’s improved anchor, 1839 shipwreck. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Wood smoothing plane, 1850-1890
A smoothing plane is a wood plane used for making a smooth surface to wood surfaces traditionally, these planes were blocks of wear resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape or size required. The blade, or iron was likewise formed to the intended flat or level profile and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding and smoothing planes for the full range of work to be performed. Large crown mouldings or smoothing plane surfaces required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other worker to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. This plane is a coffin pattern smoothing plane and is unmarked so the maker is unknown however it's design and patina indicate it was probably made in the mid to late 19th century and would be regarded as a vintage or antique item sought after today by collectors of vintage tools. A vintage tool made by an unknown maker, that was made commercially for firms and individuals who worked in wood and needed a tool that could produce a flat or level finish to timber. These types of planes came in various shapes and sizes to achieve the required finish to timber surfaces used in cabinet making. This item is a significant tool from the mid to late 19th century that today is quite rare and sought after by collectors. It gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other decorative finishes were created on timber by the use of hand tools only. Smoothing Plane Coffin type Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, plane -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Bick Iron, Prior to 1950
A Bick or coopers anvil is a tool used to fabricate the iron hoops that a cooper would produce to hold a barrel together. The hoops are first cut to the required length and then beaten into shape and riveted on the Bick or Tee anvil. They are then driven into place on the barrel with a hammer and iron tipped, wedged shaped driver.The subject Item is used as a tool to produce steel hoops for wooden barrels but at this time cannot be associated with an historical event, person or place, provenance is therefore unknown, item assessed as a collection asset as it is believed to have been produced and used before 1950.Bick Iron or Coopers Anvil, attaches to a removeable wooden base, Metal anvil with pointed end & flat shaped topNoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, brick iron, anvil, coopers tools, barrel making, barrels -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Basket
Item used in offices earlier part of the 20th century, waste baskets were sold in great numbers with many differing designs from the 1830s most from this time were made of willow or bamboo. Later wire mesh and pressed steel were used.An early example of a wire mesh industrial type of waste basket used in office situations.Basket metal waste paper with wire mesh joined to iron ring at top and flat round cork base.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village