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Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Tool - Scalebuoy
Scalebuoy. Invented by Hartley Abbott and patented under the name of the Bendigo Electronic Company, made in various sizes & for different applications, such as to prevent scaling in the boilers at mines. Made up of a sealed glass bulb containing mercury and gasses enclosed within a chromed wire cage and with a chromed handle. The one shown being a handheld shaker model. Part of the Aileen and John Ellison collection.science, bendigo electronic, abbott -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BILL ASHMAN COLLECTION: NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Four copies of an article reprinted from Smith's Weekly, November 30, 1940 titled Magic Mercury Bulb Does Many Marvellous Things. It mentions the inventor, Hartley Abbott, the use of the scalebuoy by the Victorian Railways. There is a brief explanation of how the scalebuoy works. It was used to treat hard water and was claimed to have certain health benefits. The inventiveness of the Abbott family is also mentioned.sciences, instruments-general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection, magic mercury bulb, hartley abbott, scalebuoy, victorian railways department, buckingham palace, auckland general hospital, melbourne university, mr n brearley, glamis castle, lancet, crown hotel, smith's weekly -
Wycheproof & District Historical Society Inc.
Bunguluke Map, Bunguluke District In 1923, 27.2.1923
By 1881 Bunguluke was a small settlement as recorded, December 5, in the Charlton "Mercury". It reports that in that year Draper's Store, Hotel and Post Office and residence at Bunguluke North was totally destroyed by fire. For years now there has been little sign of community life with houses few and far between and acreages have gone into larger holdings. The map references land blocks and owners for that era.This important map shows the local land ownership and local features that existed in 1923. This is a photocopied black and white map of Bunguluke in the County of Kara Kara, Number L5149. Marked - Photo Lithographed by W.J. Butson 27.2.1923. The details include numbers of allotments, property owners, roads, rivers. The boundaries marked are the Parish of Jeruk, Parish of Wycheproof, Parish of Cooroopajerrup. Wycheproof township location is shown with the Scale of Chains. Bunguluke maps for other years are also in the collection.map, bunguluke, jeruk, wycheproof, cooroopajerrup -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, 1970s
In 1929 Eric Boardman took over the management of the Sunbury News in partnership with Harold Sparrow. The two men printed the Gisborne Gazette, the Lancefield Mercury as well as the Sunbury paper until 1956 when Mr. Sparrow withdrew from the partnership. In 1965 Broadglen Publishing Company took over the Sunbury News and Eric Boardman continued working as a journalist with the company until his death in 1977.A black and white photograph of a man sitting at a desk.sunbury news, broadglen publishing company, boardman, eric, arthur, sparrow, harold, george evans collection -
Tennis Australia
Racquet, Circa 1966
A Wilson, Maureen Connolly Mercury tennis racquet. Base of head features model name. Throat features Wilson logo. Shaft features decal head and shoulders image of Connolly. Base of shaft and plastic butt cap feature 'W' trademark. Leather handle grip features quatrefoil perforations. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Paint, Ribbon, Plastic, Stringtennis -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Mines and Minerals: A Guide for the Australian Miner, 1885
This book was presented to Professor Ferdinand Krause of the Ballarat School of Mines by the co-author Felix Ratte who had taught Geology at the Ballarat School of Mines. Felix Ratte became mineralogist to the Australian Museum, Sydney.Hardcovered book with brown cloth cover. 341 pages with illustrations. Chapters in the book include Geology; Rocks and their Movements; Stratified Deposits; Mineral Veins and Lodes; Dynamics of Lodes; Filling of Lodes; Irregular Deposits; Alluvial Deposits; Physical Properties of Minerals; Compsition and Determination of Minerals; Noble Mineral; Silver and Lead; Quicksilver or Mercury; Haloids and salts; Quartz and Opal; Precious stones; assays and the use of Blowpipes; Special Assays for Gold and SilverFrontise page handwritten in ink: 'Prof. Krause from F. Ratte'mining, ballarat school of mines, geology, felix ratte, minerals, ferdinand krause -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Henry Louis et al, Handbook of Gold Milling, 1902
Henry Louis, M.A. was an Associate of the Royal School of miens, Fellow of the Geological Society; Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain; Member of the Institution of Mining Engineers; Member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and Professor of Mining in the Durham College of Science. Green hardcovered book of 599 pages including index and illustrations. Contents include: Mode of occurance of gold; physical and chemical properties of gold; physical and chemical properties of mercury; Primitive Methods or ore-breaking; The stamp; Hoisting gear; Water Supply; Ore-Feeders; Crushing Machinery; amalgamation; concentration; Spitzkasten; Amalgam; Milling; Cam Curve; sampling and assaying; horse-power developed by fall of water; value of gold according to its fineness; conversionInside front cover in pencil "Rhys Brook" -
Tennis Australia
Racquet, Circa 1976
A Revelation Mercury tennis racquet, with an open throat/split shaft, ribbon whipping around shoulders, and a leather handle grip with X-formation perforations. Model name features across base of head. Revelation logo features along lower shaft, accompanied by trademark comprising of geometric shapes. 'F' trademark features on plastic butt cap. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ribbon, Paint, Adhesive tape, Plastictennis -
Federation University Historical Collection
Object, Blue Light Outfit, c1914
The bluelight outfit was offered to members of the armed services in an attempt to prevent venereal disease. Around 60,000 Australian soldiers had contracted venereal disease by the end of the First World War. (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/secret-wwi-history-of-australian-soldiers-with-venereal-disease-20141022-119wan.html, accessed 21 August 2017) Australia colloquial language defines a Blue Light clinic as a venereal disease clinic.A cardboard box with two tubes of ointment - an anti-Venereal Disease outfit supplied to Australian Armed Services Tube number one is filled with brown contents known as 'No. 1 ointment BROWN' and has a long, tapered opening, with black pastic lid. Tube number two is filled with a thick white ointment 'No. 2 ointment WHITE', with a normal opening and metal lid. The tubes contained 3 percent Argyrol Jelly for gonorrhea and 33% Calomel Ointment (Mercury-Chloride) for syphilis prophylaxis.Inside box: Directions for Use Before Connection 1. Rub head and shaft of Penis with half the tube of No. 2 Ointment, White. 2. Always wear a sheath After Connection 1. Pass water IMMEDIATELY 2. Wash thoroughly Penis and Scrotum with soap and water. 3. Inject the whole of the contents of the Tube of No. 1. Oitnment, Brown, into pipe and massage back 2 inches. 4. Rub remainder of tube No. 2 Ointment, White, on head and shaft of Penis and Scrotum 5. Hold urine some hours after treatment 6. Report at V.D. Prevention Depot (Blue Light Depot) as soon as possible. 7. Having read directions and understood them, destroy by tearing up or by burning.blue light outfit, veneral disease, vd, armed services, gonorrhea, syphilis, disease, medical -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Archive (series) - Subject File, Manchester Unity International Order of Foresters (MUIOOF)
Kew Historical SocietySince its foundation in 1958, members of the Kew Historical Society have been compiling and storing information about subjects relating to the history of Kew and its environs, of which this file is an example. Arranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users) Subject file created by researchers of the Kew Historical Society containing information about the Kew Branch of the MUIOOF. The file contains a number of primary and secondary sources, including a trifold syllabus for the first half of 1908 with accompanying advertisements for tradespeople in Kew. There are also newspaper articles from the 'Kew Mercury', items of correspondence, an invitation to a Ladies Night and a Report on the MUIOOF Yarra Yarra Lodge Honour Roll (Board?). The MUIOOF Yarra Yarra Lodge Honour Board is part of the physical collection of KHS. muioof -- kew (vic.), honour boards -- kew (vic.), friendly societies -- kew (vic.), union street -- kew (vic.), manchester unity international order of forestersmuioof -- kew (vic.), honour boards -- kew (vic.), friendly societies -- kew (vic.), union street -- kew (vic.), manchester unity international order of foresters -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Tool - BILL ASHMAN COLLECTION: MULTIPLE SCALEBUOY
Four scalebuoys stacked above each other in a metal frame one with a copper turbine arrangement on top. An electromagnetic apparatus containing mercury, promoted for its ability to convert ordinary tap water in the home into therapeutic bathing and drinking water with healing powers related to a wide range of medical conditions. The scalebuoy was also sold for a remarkably diverse list of other uses and benefits. Invented by Richard Hartley Smith Abbott, a well known Bendigo businessman following World War 1.Bendigo Electronic Coy Patd A.C. Scalebuoysciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bendigo-history-inventions-business-abbott -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Journal - Newsletter, Newsletter, No. 261 December 2021, Dec 2021
Contents: • Well …. Things have been somewhat different …. Again! by Jim Connor • A Christmas Tale by Richard Pinn • First Open Air Gallery in Australia (part 2) by Liz Pidgeon • The Mercury by Jim Connor • The Wilsons and the Kinloch Barn (part 2) by Michael Wilson with Liz Pidgeon • Eltham Insights (part 2) by Pam Robinson • Annual General Meeting – 24th November 2021 • Brougham Street Bridge by Peter Pidgeon • Eltham Cemetery Stories by Richard Pinn o Robert David Taylor • Contacts for the Eltham District Historical Society The Shire of Eltham Historical Society was formed in October 1967. The first newsletter of the Society was issued May 1978 and has been published continuously ever since on a bi-monthly basis. With the cessation of the Shire of Eltham in late 1994, the Society's name was revised to Eltham District Historical Society and this name first appeared with issue No. 103, July 1995. The collection of the Society's newsletters provides a valuable resource on the history of the Society's activities, office bearers and committee members, guest speakers and subjects of historical interest pertinent to the former Shire of Eltham and the Eltham District.A4 newsletter distributed to members (Digital and A4 photocopy)newsletter, eltham district historical society, covid-19, coronavirus pandemic -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Insufflation anaesthesia machine
In 1913, Mark Cowley Lidwill designed a machine for the purpose of mechanical or insufflation anaesthesia. The Lidwill machine was a portable machine weighing 7kg that could easily be packed into two small bags. The machine involved compressed air being delivered to an ether vaporiser. An ether/air control device allowed varying concentrations of ether to be delivered. The ether vaporiser could be immersed in hot water to prevent cooling and the ether temperature was measured. From the vaporiser, the ether/air mixture went through a trap bottle, then to a crude mercury blow-off valve and subsequently to the patient.Large leather suitcase style bag divided into two levels containing and insufflation anaesthesia machine.insufflation, mark cowley lidwill, thoracic surgery, positive pressure -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - CONSTABLE RYAN COLLECTION: REPORT ON CHINESE CAMP 1859
This report comprise a photocopy of the Bendigo Mercury dated Saturday, March 26, 1859 carrying an article titled: The Chinese on Bendigo, Official Inspection of the Ironbark Camp. Copy of the Victoria Police gazette dated Tuesday, January 12, 1886 offering a fifty pounds reward for information on the disappearance of Constable Ryan. Copy of Victoria Police gazette dated March 23rd, 1886 offering a reward of 100 pounds for information on Constable Ryan. Photocopy of an application for lease by a Hock Suey and a registry of application document declaring the application void.chinese -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph: Shire of Bet Bet Council Meeting, 1948, September 1948
Donald Clark Collection. A monochrome photograph of a meeting of Shire of Bet Bet Council in September 1948. Caption stuck on front lists the following names of subjects: L to R Seated: Crs W.K. Cameron, G. Bartlet, J.B. Reid, R.Stephens, R. Nielson, G. Fotheringham, W.Belcher, J.P. Mason, Pres. D.W. Clark, Allen Brownbill, J. Hickey, J.J.A. Freemantle, H. Proctor, A. Green. Standing at rear: St Arnaud Mercury Rep, Dunolly Express Rep, Shire Secretary K.A.G. Lowe, Engineer K.R. Culliton. Original photograph. Bendigo Advertiser copyright stamp on reverse.shire of bet bet, dunolly town hall, local government, governance -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, The Scientific Publishing Co, Stamp Milling of Gold Ores, 1897
Brown, hard, cloth covered book of 260 pages, including an index and illustrations. The contents include the Philosophy of the Stamp-Milling Process; Gilpin county colarado; Typical Stamp Mills of California; Milling in Black Hills South Dakota; Early Australian methods, more modern Australian Methods; Gold Milling at Bendigo; Double discharge Mortars in Victoria; Stamp Mills of Otago New Zealand, Review of Australian Practice, Wear and Tear of a Mill; Flouring of Mercury. Illustrations include South Clunes United Company, Crushing Mill at Ballarat, Battery at Bendigo.mining, milling, colorado, ballarat, bendigo, california, clunes, america, united states of america, modern australian methods, star of the east, sebastopol, britannia united, bakery hill, north cornish mill, daylesford, new normanby, north cornish -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MARKS COLLECTION: YOUNGMAN & HARRISON PATENT BASIN PULVERISING QUARTZ TAILINGS
Blue handwritten one page document detailing 'Youngman & Harrisons Patent Basin for pulverizing quartz tailings and amalgamating fine gold with mercury'. Introductory comments the basin contains greater advantages for pulverizing quartz tailings & amalgamating than any yet constructed for that purpose; In its construction all machinery complications have been carefully avoided and yet it embodies all the best methods known for treating tailings and has besides other than advantages (both in cash and labour) that of treating puddling machine sludge and can be used as a concentrator with little or no extra expense.bendigo, mining, youngman & harrisons patent basin -
Rutherglen Historical Society
Image, c1990
This photograph shows the pre-heater on the left and the furnace on the right. After clean up of stamper table, amalgam is placed in a retort, then placed in the furnace where mercury is condensed and runs down the small pipe into an enamel bucket and can be reused. This is one of a series of photographs of the Rutherglen Gold Battery. The battery's purpose was to crush quartz from nearby quartz reefs and extract gold from within. The battery was erected in 1908 and consists of a five-head battery, Wilfrey table, Bergin pan, portable steam engine and shed. The battery was restored in 2011/12 and can be viewed daily between 9.00am and 5.00pm. See website for details.Colour photograph of the interior of a room with corrugated iron walls, with a fireplace on the left and a furnace on the right.gold battery, gold processing -
Forests Commission Retired Personnel Association (FCRPA)
Surveyor's Pocket Altimeter, c 1940
This instrument measures elevation by sensing minute changes in barometric air pressure relative to a fixed datum point at sea level or a known elevation, such as the starting point of a major town during a road survey, and has an accuracy of +/- 20 feet when used in experienced hands. The finely divided scale around the perimeter of the face is marked from 0 to 6000 feet elevation and 25 to 31 inches of mercury (Hg) for barometric pressure The single fine counter-balanced hand or pointer rotates anti-clockwise with increasing elevation and decreasing pressure. The label "compensated" indicates that the instrument is constructed to compensate for the effect of temperature changes on the accuracy of readings. Surveyor's Pocket Altimeter - Aneroid Barometer Type Branded N H Seward, Melbourne. Made in England. With leather carrying case and strap.forest measurement -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, 'Yarra Bluff', Redmond Street, c.1965
This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.'Yarra Bluffs' was the home of George Henry (1831-1906) and Allegra Charnock Mott (1831-1905), newspaper proprietor (and also a friend of John Inglis, father of Kew doctor, Edgar Inglis, who bought land adjacent to this property in the 1890s). Walter was a son who drowned in the Yarra in a swimming accident January 2, 1890. George & Allegra had fourteen children and the family continued newspaper publishing interests from 1853 until 1986, over four generations.' (Andrew Mott, 2015)[Annotation on reverse by Dorothy Rogers] "Walter Mott's house - formerly Yarra Bluff, Redmond St Kew. This was formerly the back entrance. It is now 2 flats. The upper is occupied by the present owner Mr. Tyler. Walter was drowned in the Yarra. He built the house about ____. He commenced the Kew Mercury in 188_. Back view of George Motts home (1890) Redmond Street".walter mott, yarra bluff, studley park, dorothy rogers -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book - Astronomy, Richard A. Proctor, Other Worlds Than Ours: The Plurality of Worlds Studied under the Light of Recent Scientific Researches, 1878
Richard Anthony Proctor (23 March 1837 – 12 September 1888) was an English astronomer who produced one of the earliest maps of Mars in 1867 from 27 drawings by the English observer William Rutter Dawes. He used old drawings of Mars dating back to 1666 to try to determine the sidereal day of Mars. His final estimate, in 1873, was 24h 37m 22.713s, very close to the modern value of 24h 37m 22.663s. Proctor was already a well-known populariser of science when he published this book, joining a ferocious debate about the possibility of life on other planets. The crater Proctor on Mars is named after him.Red hard covered book of 318 pages. Includes early images of planets as seen through a J. Browning Telescope. Proctor discusses Victorian discoveries about the solar system and describes what was then known about each of the planets. He evaluates the habitability of Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus and Saturn in the light of his belief in the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The text includes many illustrations of the planets, a spectacular map of Mars, and theoretical views of the Milky Way. Influenced by Darwin, Proctor had a teleological view of the universe and believed that eventually the cosmos would be filled with living things. non-fictionRichard Anthony Proctor (23 March 1837 – 12 September 1888) was an English astronomer who produced one of the earliest maps of Mars in 1867 from 27 drawings by the English observer William Rutter Dawes. He used old drawings of Mars dating back to 1666 to try to determine the sidereal day of Mars. His final estimate, in 1873, was 24h 37m 22.713s, very close to the modern value of 24h 37m 22.663s. Proctor was already a well-known populariser of science when he published this book, joining a ferocious debate about the possibility of life on other planets. The crater Proctor on Mars is named after him.astronomy, planets, telescope, earth, sun, jupitar, saturn, uranus, neptune, moon, meteors, comets, solar system, nebulae, galaxies, milky way -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Report, Heritage Victoria, "Recommendation of the Executive Director and assessment of cultural heritage significance - Brunswick West Tramway Substation", Nov. 2019
Digital copy of a 50 page report - "Recommendation of the Executive Director and assessment of cultural heritage significance - Brunswick West Tramway Substation" at 196a Dawson St Brunswick West. Report prepared November 2019. Details the history and context of the location relevant to the development of the West Coburg route, the equipment contained within the building, includes all moveable objects within the building including documents. Has a detailed statement of cultural significance, proposed permit policy. The history includes details of the electrification of the Melbourne's tramways, the mercury arc equipment, its operation, architecture. Report includes photographs of the interior of the building.trams, tramways, substation, west brunswick electric tramway, mercury arc, heritage victoria, significance, dawson st, transformer, power supply, electrical engineering, rotary converters -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Tool - BENDIGO ELECTRONIC COMPANY SCALEBUOY, 1940-1950's
Scalebuoy. Invented by Hartley Abbott & patented under the name of the Bendigo Electronic Company, made in various sizes & for different applications, such as to prevent scaling in the boilers at mines. Made up of a sealed glass bulb containing mercury and gasses enclosed within a chromed wire cage & with a chromed handle. The one shown being a hand held shaker model. Scalebuoy sent to Alan from work colleague, Pat Curran in Tasmania. Pat Curran was working as the CEO of a retirement village and found the scalebuoys in the equipment there. Noting the Bendigo manufacturing logo he decided to send it to Alan. Original owner is not known.Bendigo Electronic Coy Ltd A. C. Scalebuoysciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MINING REPORTS - WAGES, PRICES & STAMP HEADS
Handwritten notes detailing the wages per week S'hurst year 1868, from boys to the General Manager. Also prices for tools, rope, chain, powder, candles, oil, tallow, quicksilver, leather, cleaning and packing materials, and iron and steel. Also mentioned is the weight of the stampers, their cost, the height they fall, the number of strokes per minute, the number of holes in the gratings, the horse-power to drive each stamper, the quantity of water used per stamp-head in crushing and the quantity of mercury used in the ripples per stamper and the quantity lost per stamp head per week.document, gold, mining reports, mining reports, wages prices & stamp heads, goldfields & mineral districts of victoria, r brough smyth 1869, sandhurst goldfield 1868 -
Greensborough Historical Society
Photograph, Wherrett & Co, Unidentified male, 1882c
Studio portrait of unidentified male, taken circa 1882. From the Partington collection. [Note: In the Hobart Mercury 11 May 1882, page 3… Portraits: Secure the shadow ere the substance pass away. Persons desiring large life-like portraits; taken from life; or copied from any portrait; and finished in oil or water colours; Indian ink; or any other style known in the art; should go to C. W. and Co.; who are the only artist photographers (portrait painters) in Tasmania. The most perfect and highly finished card portraits. Only 7s. 6d. per dozen. Address: C. WHERRETT and CO. Melbourne Portrait Rooms. Elizabeth-street, Hobart.] Sepia studio portrait.In black pen on reverse "Mrs Partington Kindest regards WRC"partington family -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - MERLE HALL COLLECTION: VARIOUS DOCUMENTS RE BENDIGO REGIONAL ARTS CENTRE
Various documents re Bendigo Regional Arts Centre - a. ''Session Report'' (BRAC & AB) re ''Wish you were here'' event March 1993; b. In-House Reconciliation for Ravenswood Trio (May 1998); c. Program Statement and Session Report for the show ''Tony Gray Concert'' March 1993; d. In-House Reconciliation re ''Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player'' July 1997; e. memo to AB Committee from BRAC re Program Activities 1993 re ''Wish you were here'' (Reg Livermore) and Paul Mercuric - Australian Choreographic Ensemble's - with financial details. (some handwritten annotations) -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Tool - BENDIGO ELECTRONIC COMPANY SCALEBUOY, 1940 - 1950
Invented by a member of the Abbott family of Bendigo, scalebuoys came in various sizes and had a variety of uses such as the mining industry to prevent scale build up in boilers, automotive for car radiators and domestic for water purification. Its essential part is a sealed glass bulb containing a small amount of mercury and a combination of gases.This particular variety was made to be connected to a water tap with a screw attachment and a small outlet pipe. Scalebuoy sent to Alan Cowling from work colleague, Pat Curran in Tasmania. Pat Curran was working as the CEO of a retirement village and found the scalebuoys in the equipment there. Noting the Bendigo manufacturing logo, he decided to send it to Alan. The original owner of the scalebuoys is unknown.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - BILL ASHMAN COLLECTION: CORRESPONDENCE
Piece of paper with a sketch of a Scalebuoy Unit used in conjunction with water treatment & Plant attached to a wood fired Boiler at the Pyramid Hill Butter Factory. Sketch shows the Scalebuoy Unit. Note at the bottom mentions that he did not see the unit as it was intended for use. The unit had been broken up when he first saw it. Would have been about thirty mercury flasks, each of which was covered in an easily removable film of salt deposit. Interest was sparked after cleaning one of the flasks and seeing the engraving. He regretted not taking the whole of the unit. On the back is written the name - Frank Honeychurch-8 Harley St, Bendigo 1/3/02.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, pyramid hill scale buoy butter factory, frank honeychurch -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Barometer, 1867
Langlands Company History: Langlands foundry was Melbourne's first foundry and iron shipbuilder established in 1842, only 8 years after the founding of the Victorian colony by two Scottish immigrants, Robert Langlands and Thomas Fulton, who had formed a partnership before emigrating (1813–1859). The business was known as the 'Langlands Foundry Co'. Henry Langlands (1794-1863), left Scotland in 1846 with his wife Christian, née Thoms, and five surviving children to join his brother Robert. By the time he arrived in early January of 1847 the partnership of Robert Langlands and Fulton had dissolved as Fulton had gone off to establish his own works. It was at this time that the two brothers took over ownership of Langlands foundry. Several years later Robert retired and Henry became sole the proprietor. The foundry was originally located on Flinders Lane between King and Spencer streets. Their sole machine tool, when they commenced as a business, was a small slide rest lathe turned by foot. In about 1865 they moved to the south side of the Yarra River, to the Yarra bank near the Spencer Street Bridge and then in about 1886 they moved to Grant Street, South Melbourne. The works employed as many as 350 workers manufacturing a wide range of marine, mining, civil engineering, railway and general manufacturing components including engines and boilers. The foundry prospered despite high wages and the lack of raw materials. It became known for high-quality products that competed successfully with any imported articles. By the time Henry retired, the foundry was one of the largest employers in Victoria and was responsible for casting the first bell and lamp-posts in the colony. The business was carried on by his sons after Henry's death. The company was responsible for fabricating the boiler for the first railway locomotive to operate in Australia, built-in 1854 by Robertson, Martin & Smith for the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company. Also in the 1860s, they commenced manufacture of cast iron pipes for the Board of Works, which was then laying the first reticulated water supply system in Melbourne. Langlands was well known for its gold mining equipment, being the first company in Victoria to take up the manufacture of mining machinery, and it played an important role in equipping Victoria's and Australia's first mineral boom in the 1850s and 1860s. Langlands Foundry was an incubator for several engineers including Herbert Austin (1866–1941) who worked as a fitter at Langlands and went on to work on the Wolesely Shearing machine. He also founded the Austin Motor Company in 1905. Around the 1890s Langlands Foundry Co. declined and was bought up by the Austral Otis Co. in about 1893. History for Grimoldi: John Baptist Grimoldi was born in London UK. His Father was Domeneck Grimoldi, who was born in Amsterdam with an Italian Father and Dutch mother. Domeneck was also a scientific instrument maker. John B Grimoldi had served his apprenticeship to his older brother Henry Grimoldi in Brooke Street, Holburn, London and had emigrated from England to Australia to start his own meteorological and scientific instrument makers business at 81 Queens St Melbourne. He operated his business in 1862 until 1883 when it was brought by William Samuel and Charles Frederick, also well known scientific instrument makers who had emigrated to Melbourne in 1875. John Grimoldi became successful and made a number of high quality measuring instruments for the Meteorological Observatory in Melbourne. The barometer was installed at Warrnambool's old jetty and then the Breakwater as part of the Victorian Government's insistence that barometers be placed at all major Victorian ports. This coastal barometer is representative of barometers that were installed through this government scheme that began in 1866. The collecting of meteorological data was an important aspect of the Melbourne Observatory's work from its inception. Just as astronomy had an important practical role to play in navigation, timekeeping and surveying, so the meteorological service provided up to date weather information and forecasts that were essential for shipping and agriculture. As a result, instruments made by the early instrument makers of Australia was of significant importance to the development and safe trading of companies operating during the Victorian colonies early days. The provenance of this artefact is well documented and demonstrates, in particular, the importance of the barometer to the local fishermen and mariners of Warrnambool. This barometer is historically significant for its association with Langlands’ Foundry which pioneered technology in the developing colony by establishing the first ironworks in Melbourne founded in 1842. Also, it is significant for its connection to John B Grimoldi who made the barometer and thermometer housed in the cast iron case. Grimoldi, a successful meteorological and scientific instrument maker, arrived in the colony from England and established his business in 1862 becoming an instrument maker to the Melbourne Observatory. Additional significance is its completeness and for its rarity, as it is believed to be one of only two extant barometers of this type and in 1986 it was moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village as part of its museum collection. Coast Barometer No. 8 is a tall, red painted cast iron pillar containing a vertical combined barometer and thermometer. Half way down in the cast iron framed glass door is a keyhole. Inside is a wooden case containing a mercury barometer at the top with a thermometer attached underneath, each with a separate glass window and a silver coloured metal backing plate. Just below the barometer, on the right-hand side, is a brass disc with a hole for a gauge key in the centre. The barometer has a silvered tin backing plate with a scale, in inches, of "27 to 31" on the right side and includes a Vernier with finer markings, which is set by turning the gauge key. The thermometer has a silvered tin backing plate with a scale on the left side of "30 to 140". Each of the scales has markings showing the units between the numbers.Inscription at the top front of the pillar reads "COAST BAROMETER" Inscribed on the bottom of the pillar is "No 8". and "LANGLANDS BROS & CO ENGINEERS MELBOURNE " The barometer backing plate is inscribed "COAST BAROMETER NO. 8, VICTORIA" and printed on the left of the scale, has "J GRIMOLDI" on the top and left of the scale, inscribed "Maker, MELBOURNE". There is an inscription on the bottom right-hand side of the thermometer scale, just above the 30 mark "FREEZING" Etched into the timber inside the case are the Roman numerals "VIII" (the number 8)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, warrnambool breakwater, coast barometer, coastal barometer, barometer, weather warning, ports and harbours, fishery barometer, sea coast barometer, austral otis co, coast barometer no. 8, henry grimoldi, henry langlands, john baptist grimoldi, langlands foundry co, meteorological instrument maker, robert langlands, scientific instrument maker, thermometer, thomas fulton -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Hydrometer, J Long (Joseph Long), late 19th - early 20th century
This Sike’s Hydrometer was donated by the Port Fairy Customs Office as it was no longer required by them due to a change in the law. The hydrometer was part of a system for Ullaging or calculating the amount of liquid remaining in a container of liquor such as a barrel, and the amount of alcoholic content in the contents. It can also measure the free space or head space remaining. Hydrometers were used to measure the density, or relative density, of liquids from the late 1600s. In 1816 Bartholomew Sikes won the competition for the most useful accurate hydrometer. Hydrometers were commonly used by distillers, vintners, and brewers to establish accurate measures of alcohol concentration in their beverages. Following this manufacturing process, government inspectors and excise officers used them to check that the labelled indications of alcohol-proof were correct and that the right amounts of duty were being paid.The Sikes hydrometer is of local significance because of its association with the Government's Customs Office in Port Fairy, in the southwest region of Victoria. It is also associated with Bartholomew Sikes, whose design of a hydrometer was chosen in 1816 as being the most useful and accurate hydrometer. The hydrometer has evolved into the digital version available today to measure density of liquids.Sikes Hydrometer and thermometer in a fitted wooden case with crimson lining inside the lid and dark lining in the base. The case has ten vertical pegs to secure the weights. The brass hydrometer has a spherical float and eight thick brass horseshoe-shaped weights. The serial number is on each section of the float and all weights. Both sides of the float’s upper flat stem have a scale from 0-10, with five divisions between each number. The eight weights are numbered from 20 – 90 in increments of 10. The set includes a mercury thermometer mounted on an ivory back plate labelled with Fahrenheit and Centigrade Scales. The Sikes hydrometer set was made by Loftus of London. The hydrometer model is IID 510, Serial Number is 14674, calibrated by Longs, London. All parts of the float and eight weights are inscribed with Serial Number “14674” The float stem is stamped "SIKE'S IID 51o” Calibrator, "LONG LITTLE TOWER ST LONDON" The weights are numbered individually ”20”, “30”, “40”, “50”, “60”, “70”, “80” or “90” Each weight in inscribed; symbol “(J L) [inside an ova, with textured background]” The thermometer inscribed: “LOFTUS OF LONDON”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, measuring instruments, customs tax, weighing instrument, sike’s hydrometer, calibrator long of london, loftus of london instrument maker, loftus, j long, sikes hydrometer, scientific instrument, pressure measurement, measuring instrument, ullage tool, customs, excise duty, tax, alcohol content, proof, calibrate, standard weights and measures, tariff, scientific instrument makers, specific gravity, liquid density, alcohol testing, technology, alcohol measurement, proof spirit, wine and spirits merchants, local business, brass measuring instrument, port fairy, customs office, port fairy customs, joseph long, instrument maker