Showing 2957 items matching "faces"
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Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Article, Attack on 'emotional blackmail', 1994
Emotive claims that Box Hill faced a takeover by Nunawading if the City of Whitehorse did not go ahead have outraged Nunawading Mayor, Kevin Abbott.Emotive claims that Box Hill faced a takeover by Nunawading if the City of Whitehorse did not go ahead have outraged Nunawading Mayor, Kevin Abbott. Cr Abbott said Box Hill was publicly distancing itself from Nunawading yet privately it has considered extending its boundary to divide Nunawading at Blackburn Road.Emotive claims that Box Hill faced a takeover by Nunawading if the City of Whitehorse did not go ahead have outraged Nunawading Mayor, Kevin Abbott. local government, city of nunawading, city of box hill, abbott, kevin, amalgamations -
Wangaratta High School
WHS Sports Medals, 2005-2006
Three golden medals with a blue ribbon presented by the North East District Secondary School Sporting Association. On one face the medals depict four figures doing athletics, and on the other the medals read NEDSSSA U17 athletics champion 2005 NEDSSSA U21 athletics champion 2005 NEDSSSA U16 athletics champion 2006 -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Uniform - Shirt Button/s
Set of six uniform clothing or shirt buttons or studs. Made from stainless steel, buttons have a flat face, about 14mm wide, with a rounded stud on the rear about 7mm diameter. The stud has an overall depth of about 8mm. No details of manufacturer, use etc. known. Assumed belong to Les Denmead.trams, tramways, secv, ballarat tramways, uniforms, buttons -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Slide - 35mm slide/s, Wal Jack, 23/02/1963 12:00:00 AM
Photo with Ballarat tram No. 38 in background, floral clock in foreground, Ballarat Town Hall with Begonia Festival sign on Sturt Street face, Myers building and a horse drawn cart about to cross Sturt St. Tram fitted with large triangles, dash canopy lights and small white stripe. 23/2/1963'SEC Ballarat, No. 38, Floral clock and Sturt St. 23/2/63' in blue inktramways, trams, sturt st, floral clock, town hall, tram 38 -
Tennis Australia
Poster, Advertisement, 1959
An original poster advertising a professional tennis tournament held at Jacksonville University, Florida on March 30,1959 . Features photoprint face portraits of Gonzalez, Hoad, Cooper and Anderson each placed within a circle at the end of a red blaze featuring the player's name. Under UV glass. Materials: Ink, Cardboard, Glass, Paper, Plastictennis -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Postcard, Kew Police Station, c.1960
In c.1960, when the photograph was taken on which the postcard is based, both buildings were still owned by the Victorian Government and were a functioning police station and court house. In 1900, ownership of the post office had been transferred to the new Commonwealth Government. In the first decade of the twenty-first century, the police station and court house were offered for sale. They were subsequently purchased and renovated by the City of Boroondara. The Kew Historical Society raised over $5000,000 as a contribution to the restoration.Kew Police Station at left and Kew Court House at right. Monochrome (copied) postcard showing two buildings which are part of a larger complex (once including a post office) built by the Government of Victoria in 1888. The buildings are located at the junction of High Street and Cotham Roads in Kew. The frontages shown face High Street. "c.1960. Kew Police Station. High Street Frontage"kew court house -- high street -- kew (vic.), kew police station -- high street -- kew (vic.), public offices -- kew (vic), queen ann revival -- architectural style -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, John Gray Memorial Rotunda, Surrey Gardens, Photograph by Vic Bowen in 1912
This was erected in 1912 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association to commemorate "one of Surrey Hills most highly respected and revered citizens". The rotunda was demolished in the 1970s. A bronze plaque in tribute to John Gray is now on a stone cairn in the gardens. John Gray was a local citizen very active in community affairs who had died in 1909. The Brass Band rehearsed in the room below which also became a meeting room for many local groups.B&W photocopied image of the John Gray Memorial Rotunda in the Surrey Gardens. The octagonal rotunda has a distinctive domed cupola and is elevated on an enclosed timber base graduated to the slope of the site. A door and 2 windows can be seen in the exposed faces of the base. A group of 4 boys sit on or stand behind the timber railing.surrey gardens, john gray memorial rotunda, rotundas, parks and reserves, gray, john, surrey hills progress association -
Clunes Museum
Domestic object - MANTLE CLOCK, ANSONIA CLOCK COMPANY, 1900s
MANTLE CLOCK.1 MANTLE CLOCK. WOODEN CASE WITH GLASS FACE INTERNALLY ETCHED FEATURING PALM TREES AND HANGING BASKET. WOODEN CASE IS DECORATIVELY CARVED AND FEATURES BLACK PAINTED WOOD PANELS. STRIKER IN GOOD ORDER. .2 BRASS WINDING KEY. GIVEN AS A WEDDING PRESENT BY DULCE WEICKHARDT TO ROSEMARY AND GEOFF MULLER IN 1975.35/6 ON BACK IN PENCIEdulce weickhardt, rosemary & geoff muller, ansonia new york -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Painting - Portrait, Vytas Serelis, Presidential Portrait of Dr Richard Willis, 2006
This is a portrait of Dr. Richard Willis, formally ANZCA President [2002-2004]. ANZCA commissioned the portrait which was unveiled to Dr. Willis on 23 February 2007. Oil painting on canvas of former ANZCA President Dr. Richard Willis seated face on with hands crossed on his lap. He is wearing surgical scrubs with the College gown on a plain hanger behind him and the President's medal hanging off the back of the chair. Plain light blue background mounted in a plain brown frame.[Lower Left Hand Side] V SERELIS SEPT 2006painting, president, willis, richard, serelis, vytas -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mr and Mrs Lloyd
Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 3 upper left.Sepia photograph of a bearded man wearing a suit, with left arm resting on chair back, right hand holding hat on lap, seated beside a well dressed woman wearing long sleeved long gown with large collar. seated with left arm on lap, right elbow in chair back with hand up to face."Mr and Mrs Lloyd".mr lloyd, mrs lloyd, surman collection -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Heatherlie Quarry with crane on right and cut blocks at bottom of cliff face
Heatherlie Quarry. Black and white Photograph of Heatherlie Quarry with crane on right and cut blocks at bottom of cliff face. One small original and one enlargement. On the back of the small photo Quarries train escursion 1920. Third photo is different but given the man's clothing, he possibly was on the excursion. as were the people at the rock pool in 213-1stawell grampians industry -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Ringwood State School - Presentation to Mr Horace Fenton, 1941
Black and white photograph "Written on face of photograph" Presentation to Mr Horace Fenton to Chatham P S. With Mrs Fenton and son Ross (Later killed in R.A.A.F) Mr Fenton retired 1937. Died 1967, aged 93 years. -
Learmonth and District Historical Society Inc.
Medal - Coronation 1937, King George V1 & Queen Elizabeth Coronation 1937
A round gold medal with the features of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth and on the back is Victoria's "Coat of Arms".Along with the faces of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth are the words "KING GEORGE V1 & QUEEN ELIZABETH", on the front of the medal, on the back is Victoria's "Coat of Arms", with the words "TO COMMEMORATE THEIR MAJESTIES CORONATION. MAY 12th 1937. -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Functional Object - Ticket punch, Railway Register Manufacturing Company, 1880's
72 - Melbourne Tramway & Omnibus Co. Bell Punch No. D1335. A heavy nickel plated steel ticket or fare strip cancelling / registering mechanism used on Melbourne cable trams. When a fare was sold, the bell would ring advising the passenger that their fare have registered. "An ingenious device resembling in principle the ticket punch of a railway porter. It is carried by the conductor who wears pinned to his coat a 'trip-slip'. He punches this once for every fare received; the action is simultaneously registered on a dial inside the punch and bell rings to appraise the passenger of the fact. The punch is provided with a patent lock, the secret of which is known only at headquarters and effective system of check is thus secured." (" A story of the Melbourne Cable Tramway System" - page 54). Used by the MT&O and MMTB until 1922/23 when replaced by the check ticket system. Manufactured by the Railway Register Manufacturing Company. Lock number not known. Has "MT& ..." stamped on one side along with patent dates. 72.1 - as above but for punch number D1338 - added 17/12/12. See also Reg Item 6437 for another sample - punch No. D1902. see - \dbtext\museum\documents\htd242i.pdf for opening instructions. See "A story of the Melbourne Cable Tramway System 11/11/1885 to 26/10/1940" C.N. Govett and A. E. Twentyman. Copy held in the Hawthorn Tramway Depot collection. Has "D 1335" punched above ticket entry slot (both sides), "335" on handle, "MT& ..." stamped on numbering registering face. 72.1 - As above with number "D1338" punched in. The M.T.& Co" is more visible.trams, tramways, ticket punch, tickets, fares, cable trams -
Diamond Valley Vietnam Veterans Sub-Branch
Craft - Gavel, c2002
Donated to Sub Branch to provide historical and formal elements to Meetings.It is significant to members in as much as it provides a standard of protocol, authority and respect to formal meetings eg the Annual General Meeting.Model in polished wood of a Gavel and Plate. Plate has inscription plate "To The DViets From Mackay Vietnam vets."; gavel has on the side a badge of the Rising Sun and on the top face an insignia of TBA; the handle of the gavel has a decorative snake entwined thereon.diamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, mackay vietnam veterans qld -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, c. 1970
Depicted is Michael Sinclair dressed in a collared shirt and woollen bed robe seated in a wheel chair that is being pushed by a nurse dressed in a white nursing uniform. A man wearing a clown costume consisting of a wig, clown suit and face paint, stands next to Michael and the nurse. The trio are located under a tree that stands in front of a brick building.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paperReverse: 5645 (in black pen)/ Michael Sinclair/ Clown ?/ Nurse ?/ ENS AND MURRAY ADVERTISER (stamped in blue ink)/entertainment album, beechworth, burke museum, clown, nurse -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Signalling Lamp, c. 1940
This hand-held signalling lamp could have had a number of uses. It could have been used by groups such as the Boy Scouts or most likely was used by local air raid wardens and other military personnel in World War Two. Its large face and the reflecting mechanism would have made it useful over a long distance.This lamp is of historical interest and is retained for display and research purposes.This is a cylindrical metal lamp with a clear glass front attached to the lantern by metal screws. The lantern has been painted black. There is an electric bulb behind the glass and a reflector disc behind the bulb. A handle, attached to the metal body, has two strands of electrical wiring at its end. The handle includes a finger clip, which, when pressed, produces a signal inside the glass area.signalling lamp, world war two military equipment -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Signals - Story of the Australian Corps of Signals, 1953
Little has been written previously about this technical group of men and women and that their duties were under insurmountable difficulties which they faced and overcome in conditions that were encountered in the desert and jungle warfare. Without their constant and never ending services, the task of the force in bringing to a close this fight for freedom would have been greatly handicapped.An outline of the Australian Signals Corps over the years from the campaign in the Middle East to the present day of the victories in New Guinea. A tribute to the corps that stayed on duty every hour of every day providing and maintaining vital communication channels.Signals - Story of the Australian Corps of Signals. Green front and back hardcover with black text and insignia. Photographs, cartoons, illustrations and poems. The inside front and back covers have a photograph montage in green sepia.signal corps, wwii, c.h.simpson, motorcycle couriers, signals 7 australian division, lt.commander b.t.r chadd, palestine, spark plug, semiphore, morse code, field radio, a.i.f, british signals corps, pieter mersk, breconshire corp signals, new guinea, malaysa, singapore, switchboard, carrier pigeons, linesmen, gaza signal office -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Plastercast of Alan Marshall from original by Joh Ebeli, 1988
Bicentennial/Heritage Week Display, "The Eltham Tradition", Eltham Shire Office, 17-22 April 1988 See audio recording of Alan Marshall and Joh Ebeli made by Joh Ebeli at this time whilst he was modelling Alan Marshall's face - EDHS_05003 See also photo of Alan Marshall posing for Joh Ebeli for this sculpture - EDHS_02441Colour photographactivities, alan marshall, eltham shire office, joh ebeli, heritage display, heritage week -
Northern District School of Nursing. Managed by Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Education kit - Edith Cavell Miniature Doll, Nursing Through the Ages
Edith Cavell trained in London and became head of nursing in Brussels. When WW1 broke out she tended wounded soldiers of both sides with equal devotion but she was charged by the germans with helping allied soldiers escape to neutral territory. She was sentenced to death by German Court martial she faced the firing squad with calmness and dignity. 30cm Miniature Doll Name Tage Edith Cavellnursing history, northern district school of nursing, nursing uniforms, miniature dolls -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Animal specimen - Carolina Squirrel, Trustees of the Australian Museum, 1860-1880
The Squirrel is a small to medium sized member of the rodent family Sciuridae. They are commonly located in America, Eurasia and Africa. The Squirrel was introduced to Australia by humans. Interestingly, the tail of the Squirrel serves the purpose of keeping the rain, wind or cold off the body of the animal, to help it cool off in hot weather, to counterbalance when moving and can be utilized as a parachute when jumping from one location to the next. Squirrels consume foods that are rich in protein, carbohydrates and fats. They eat nuts, seeds. fruits and vegetation. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Victoria, as well as individuals such amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.The Carolina Squirrel specimen has dark grey coloured fur. This specimen stands on a wooden platform and its arms are stylized in a raised position next to its face. A paper tag hangs from the right arm with a smaller tag attached to the left. The squirrel has dark black glass eyes and sharp claws on the hands and feet.A.4480 36. Carolina Squirrel / Catalogue, page, 49 /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, squirrel -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Anvil, early to mid-1900s
This anvil once belonged to Goodall and Sons, who were blacksmiths in Terang. The smith was called upon to do a variety of work. In the early 1900s he was often the nearest person to be able to perform an engineer’s services for many miles around. An anvil is used by blacksmiths to forge and shape his work pieces. The conical horn is used for hammering curved work pieces. The anvil is a common tool of the blacksmiths (‘smithies’) and other metalworkers. There has been very little change in the basic design of the anvil since Greek and Roman times. Henry Goodall (1870-1936) Henry Goodall was proprietor of garages as H. Goodall & Sons Pty. Ltd., at both Terang (McKinnon and High Streets) and Mortlake (Dunlop Street). His business was in operation in at least in 1916 and perhaps well before, considering the date of the tyre bender and its use for wagons with wooden wheels. It was still in operation in 1953, chasing up debtors in Mount Gambier Court. Amongst the employees of H. Goodall & Sons Pty. Ltd. was Ernie Entwistle, a blacksmith (a soldier who died in 1916 ) and Alfred Hodgetts, radio expert (killed in a fatal accident in 1943, when he was in his early 30s ). Henry Goodall was involved in the community as a Justice of Peace, a deputy coroner, President of the Mortlake Hospital, trustee of the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, and as a prominent Freemason. He and his wife had two sons (Charles and John) and one daughter (Mrs. Chas. Newton, of Skipton). The anvil is locally significant as it was used by a local company in Terang and Mortlake in their blacksmith, wheelwright and garage business. It is an example of the tools of the blacksmiths’ trade in Victoria in the early to mid-1900s. Anvil, single horn, used as a tool by blacksmiths and metalworkers. Large block of metal with a flat top face, a conical horn on one side and a ‘v’ shape on the other. The anvil’s base has a squat stand and sides that are a variety of shapes. This anvil once belonged to Harry Goodall & Sons, blacksmiths of Terang. C. early to mid-1900s.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, h. goodall & sons of terang, terang blacksmith, h. goodall & sons pty ltd, mortlake, ernie entwistle blacksmith, alfred hodgetts radio expert, charles goodall, john goodall, mrs. chas. newton nee goodall, trade tools, blacksmith tools, metalworking tool, forging tool, terang 1900s, warrnambool district 1900s, anvil, blacksmith’s anvil, single horn anvil -
Bendigo Military Museum
Domestic object - ASTOR RADIO, C.1950's
This one appears to be Model 27 from the early 1950's. This radio was last used in the Office at the Soldiers Memorial Institute most likely pre 1990's.Radio, ASTOR brand, brown Bakelite frame, the glass face has two control knobs. The top line of stations covers Victoria to Tasmania followed by NSW, QLD & SA. At the bottom is 3 bands in red, blue, light green which cover Europe, USA. On the rear are two stickers relating to power, patents, use and licencing.1st sticker on rear, "Selex Decal Pty Ltd - No 5 - 217540", 2nd sticker, "Danger"brsl, smirsl, radio, astor -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Watch, Silver, one hand
The initials on this watch are not clear but, even so, no information is available on the original owner, whether the initials are ‘J.T.F.’ or not. The makers, Hunt and Roskell, were a firm of manufacturing and retailing jewellers and silversmiths in England in the 19th century (founded 1843 and taken over by J.W. Benson in 1889 and continuing to trade as Hunt and Roskell Limited until 1965). This watch is suitable for display material only unless some provenance can be establishedThis is a silver watch with an outer casing covering the dial but showing the time in a smaller circular frame. The figures are Roman numerals on the dial and on the outer casing. The second hand is missing and the hour hand is bent. The dial has an inset showing the seconds. The face has black markings on a white background. There is a large ring at the top of the case for attachment to a chain. Back of watch case: ‘J.T.F.’ (?) Inside case: ‘69188’ Back of watch: ‘Examined by Hunt & Roskell, 156 New Bond Street, London’ hunt & roskell, silver watch, warrnambool -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - MATCH BOX & HOLDER, 1914-1918
Item in the collection re Edwin James Jones No 3511 AIF. Refer 1367.5 for his service history..1) Match box holder, metal with paper covering. Covering has a depiction of a flag and Rising Sun with banner and text "Copyright. British Made." Writing has been scratched into the flag side. .2) Matchbox, complete made of cardboard. Red, black and yellowish face with text "Impregnated Safety Matches." Contains 2 matches..1) “Pte E Jones, 46 BAT-Good Luck"personal effects-smoking accessories, containers-commercial, metalcraft, domestic items-matches, jones -
Wycheproof & District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Wycheproof Court House, (estimated); mid to late 19th century
The Court House opened as a court of petty sessions in 1890 and closed as a court in the early 1980s. It is now a 'Place of Deposit' for paper based products, maps, documents and photographs, and the home of the Wycheproof and District Historical Society Inc. The local Craft Group met at the Court House between 1982 and 2010. The Buloke Shire Council oversees the maintenance of the building.The Court House is No H 1656 on the Victorian Heritage Register. It is the one of only two buildings with this listing in Wycheproof, and characteristic of the type of building constructed in the early days of settlement in Wycheproof. The architecture is of aesthetic value and although some restoration work has taken place to maintain the structure, it remains in good condition and with some of the original furnishings intact.Sepia print of the Wycheproof-Court-House. It was constructed during 1889/90 and commissioned on September 23,1890 as a court-of-petty-sessions. A simple form of Court House built of red-face-brick but embellished by stepped brick work in the principal gable and by the traverse veranda with elaborate frieze and gabled pavilions that protect the street facade. The roof is of slate.Nonecourt house, wycheproof heritage 1890, petty sessions, building, red face brick, gabled pavilions -
Orbost & District Historical Society
envelope and receipt, Snowy River Mail as "Mail" Print, May 17 1956
This receipt was issued to R. C. Morgan of Orbost. on May 17, 1956. It was for rent of reserve for six shillings. It was issued by the Orbost Shire Council. The Shire of Orbost was a local government area about 380 kilometres east of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994. Originally, Orbost was part of the Bairnsdale Road District which was created on 30 April 1867. Splitting away as part of the Shire of Tambo in 1882, Orbost was first incorporated as a shire in its own right as the Shire of Croajingolong on 30 May 1892. It received its present name on 17 February 1893. On 3 January 1913 part of its western riding was annexed to Tambo as its Cunninghame Riding. Local governments play an important role in the lives of citizens in Australia. Local government authorities exist to provide services and amenities to local communities, and are also responsible for regulating and providing services for land and property in their district. This item is representative of a time when Orbost had its own Shire Council. A widow - faced envelope with a green threepence stamp top right corner. At the top is "Shire of Orbost". Bottom right is "If not claimed within 7 Days please return to SHIRE HALL, ORBOST".There is a receipt to R.C. Morgan for 6/- being for the "rent of reserve" and signed by L.A. Walker. It has the Orbost Shire logo in the top left corner.orbost-shire-council morgan-r.c. -
Orbost & District Historical Society
magazine, Marlo Primary School, Marlo Fete Memories 40 Fantastic Fetes 1971 -2011, 2011
The history of Marlo dates back to the days when ships voyaged between Melbourne and Lakes Entrance. Attempts were made to use the Snowy River for trading purposes but the bar at Marlo proved too dangerous. The school opened on 3rd of July 1903 with the HT Walter Scott. At present Marlo is noted for fishing and tourism. The fete, held each Easter, is a major fundraiser for the school and all money goes towards sustaining the schools Music ProgramThe Marlo Fete is a significant yearly event in the local community. This book celebrates that. It is a useful research tool.A stapled 31 pp A4 sized booklet produced to celebrate 40 years of the Marlo Fete which is held annually at Easter at Marlo Primary School. It contains photographs, history and recipes. On the white front cover below the title (black text) is a coloured photograph of two young boys with faces painted and holding fairy floss.marlo marlo-primary-school celebrations fetes -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Cocoa Tin, First half of 20th Century
The history of metal packaging began in Bohemia in the 1200s. Metal has been produced for a very long time. But the first metal used for packaging was tin. In particular, it was the process of tin plating that was invented in Bohemia. Before this no other metal was economically able to be used for packaging. Later, in 1667 Andrew Yarranton, and English engineer, and Ambrose Crowley brought the method to England. Here it was improved by ironmasters including Philip Foley. Then by 1697, John Hanbury had a rolling mill at Pontypool in South Wales. The method they developed involved rolling iron plates using cylinders. This process enabled more uniform blank plates to be produced than was possible by just hammering the tin. https://www.shilohplastics.com.au/history-of-metal-packaging/The use of tin to protect and store food and other items, revolutionised the world.Tin base and external tin lid, with round internal lid .Colour printed. Used for cocoa. Caption of a woman drinking cocoa, red Australian flag and British flag on other faces. Top embossed "H". Marked - "Old Dutch Cocoa", "Net Weight 8 ozs," (Display side) "Manufactured by Hoadley's Chocolates Ltd, Australia.Top embossed "H". Marked - "Old Dutch Cocoa", "Net Weight 8 ozs," "Manufactured by Hoadley's Chocolates Ltd, Australia.warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, tin, tin plating, food containers -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Sharpening Stone, ca 1878
The sharpening stone can also be referred to as a whetstone, oil stone or honing stone. It is a well-worn double-sided sharpening stone retrieved from the wreck site of the Loch Ard. It is used to grind and hone the edges of metal blades and tools. ‘Natural’ sharpening stones like this one are quarried from ancient sedimentary rock that has metamorphosed from clay and volcanic ash to produce garnet crystals. Most modern stones are artificially produced, or ‘bonded’, abrasive stones, made by fusing clay and metal powder under heat and pressure. The softer yellow Corticule stone is found in thin vertical veins running through the more plentiful Belgian Blue rock. Coticule is a fine-grained and dense material that ‘cuts’ metal slowly but to a superior standard of sharpness and finish. The relatively coarser Belgian Blue is stronger and ‘cuts’ more quickly, but with a less polished finish. A double-sided whetstone is therefore valued for its increased durability (the harder BBW ‘backs’, or supports, the softer Coticule), and additional utility (the fine ‘grit’ of Coticule complements the coarser BBW to meet a range of sharpening needs). The blue-grey base of this stone is thinner than the remaining yellow Coticule on top. This suggests that the majority of grinding and honing work it has done on board the ship was for larger tools, rather than on surgical or shaving blades. Its rounded or spherical shaping may also be related to the ‘tumbling’ action of the sea on the ocean floor. History of the Loch Ard wreck: 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 which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the 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 artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck 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 artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections 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. A sharpening stone is also called a whetstone, oil, or honing stone. The stone is a worn double-sided rectangular block with rounded corners. There is a clear delineation between its coarser Belgian Blue base (grey colour) and its finer Belgian Coticule face (yellow colour). 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