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The Beechworth Burke Museum
Postcard, 1920
This postcard depicts the set-up of an abandoned gold mine. This includes a water wheel and other mining implements next to a creek. The postcard inscription indicates that this image is of the remains of the Wallaby Reef battery and water wheel. Wallaby Reef was discovered in 1864, and a prospecting claim established a four head battery and water wheel. Quartz was mined there, with gold also discovered at this location at a later date. By 1878 the mine was no longer resulting in rich deposits, this resulted in the miners moving their search for gold closer to the river where they were able to access more gold. This was in approximately 1879. In 1882 a rich deposit was found. In 1908 the battery was closed, and the mine finished. This photo was taken in 1920 and shows the deterioration of the site since its closure. Gold mining was crucial to the development of the Beechworth area. It has strong research and historical value because the clarity of the photo shows all the minute details of the mining equipment. The text on the back also indicates the mine is the Wallaby Mine, which was used for 45 years to find gold and quartz. Therefore, due to the location being quickly abandoned, this site is a rich location for historical study on gold mining during the 1900s. It can provide important information on the types of tools utilised and the impact of the mining on the environment.Black and white postcard photograph on card.8169 Be / Also near Wallaby Reef Workings / Relics of Rechabite Reef (locality) workings. / Shaft in bed of creek. Wheel used to drive sheadd (?) / stamp battery too I believe near B'worth 1920?beechworth, mining, gold mining, quartz mining, wallaby reef mine, mine battery head -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, Late 1900s
... beechworth division mining reef mining gold gold mining 1990 Reverse ...This photograph dating to the late 1900s depicts the entrance to a reef mine the in Beechworth division. The image depicts two men outside the entrance, which is covered by a hut, where one is standing near a mine cart. The mine car was used to haul soil from the mine. The Beewchworth divison consisted of 5 locations: Beechworth, Stanley, El Dorado, Hurdle Flat and Stony Creek. These locations were set up due to speculative fever that more gold could be found. In places such as El Dorado, Beechworth and Stanley there was profit, however Hurdle Flat and Stonry Creek, gold could not be found in the quantities that was required. By 1880 the Beechworth division was in depression due to the reserves being used up. However, in spite of the depression mining was continued until the late 20th Century.The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one which portray an open cut sluicing site can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about reef mining in the late 1900s. It also shows a location where reef mining was undertook which provides insight into the impact of reef mining on the environment at a time when it was done. This image is important for current research into the history of Beechworth , a town in Victoria's north-east. Therefore, this image has the capacity to be beneficial for research into society and the motivations of those living and working in this region during this period and therefore, has social significance. The Beechworth Burke Museum has additional images relating to reef mining and Beechworth which can be analysed and studied alongside images like this one.Sepia coloured retangular photograph printed on newspaper.Reverse: 7813beechworth, beechworth division, mining, reef mining, gold, gold mining, 1990 -
Orbost & District Historical Society
black and white photograph, late 19th century - early 20th century
This photograph shows land clearing at Bendoc. From 1845 the Bendoc area was part of pastoral leases. In the 1850s alluvial gold was discovered in the Bendoc River. This was quickly exhausted, and a number of mines began successful reef operations. At the head of the river, the settlement of Clarkville clustered round several other mines. Many miners, including numbers of Chinese, sluiced the rivers. The population of the area was as high as 500 during this period. The township was surveyed in 1869 and the hotel built in 1870. This building was burnt down in the early 1900s and rebuilt. A school was also begun at this time. In the 1870s there was a decline in gold mining. Some miners selected land, which in many cases is still held by descendants. Dairying was common in the early days, supplying a butter factory at the New South Wales border, and a milk factory at Orbost in more recent times. Wheat was grown for the settlers' own use and ground at Bombala. Now beef cattle grazing is the main occupation. (info. from Victorian Places)This is a pictorial history associated with the early settlement of Bendoc in East Gippsland.A badly distorted black / white photograph of a horse drawn wagon, three men and two women clearing land.on back - "Clearing land at Bendoc"bendoc-land-clearing bendoc-early-settlement -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Folder, Victorian Goldfields Project: Historic gold mining sites in St Andrews mining division, 1999
Heritage site report and gazetteer by David Bannear, head consultant for archealogy for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Includes information on the Warrandyte Goldfield and the Caledonia Goldfield, Queenstown (now known as St Andrews), One Tree Hill, Kingston (now known as Panton Hill), Kangaroo Grounds, You You Hill, Kingstown, South Morang, Nillumbik, (now known as Diamond Creek), Steele's Creek, Yarrambet and Kinglake. Photocopy of map headed: Location of mines and reefs from Geological survey of Victoria, Yan Yean with the Diamond Creek prominant on the map. no date35 page report with map and print out of cover letter (email form) from donorcaledonian gold fields, caledonina gold field, david bannear, gold mining, harry gilham collection, queenstown, st andrews, warrandyte goldfield -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Inward Correspondence to the Ballarat School of Mines, 1910, 08/1910
Inward Correspondence to the Ballarat School of Mines, August 1910letterhead, education department, gordon, c. brennan, l. eddy, state forests commission, edwin feild, royal victorian institute of architects, the steel company of australia, james martyn, clarke & co, ludwig alberti, scarsdale, thomas m. jude, justinian oxenham, clara davidson, robert davidson, j. roberts, h.b. silberberg & co, l. gilbert, macquarie steam brick yards, james dewar, r.j. flowerday, staffirdshire reef, john wilesmouth, bank of new south wales, victoria silicate brick company ltd, t.s. huggins, george f. roughhead, federal store, legislative assembly, andrew mckissock, city of ballarat, r. e. williams, ballarat school of mines battery assistant, edgar c. hurdsfield, bairnsdale school of mines, w. kingston, gordon technical college, h.l. langdon & co., felton grimwade, f.f. brunn, bendigo school of mines, gold buyers bill, chaffey salmon & dunne, h.j. thwaites, cobar, henry leahy, h. blyth, s. radcliff, archie buchanan, launceston, fairthorne and sons, sloanes and scotchmans united quartz mining company, james eton, albert bradford, 109 lyons st north -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Inward Correspondence to the Ballarat School of Mines, 1910, 08/1910
Inward Correspondence to the Ballarat School of Mines, November 1910letterhead, education department, telegram, yarraville chlorination and ore reduction works, a. anderson, h.b. silberberg & co, a.h. walsh, j.m. edgar, charles w. frost, gordon technical college, g. king, jennings deep lead tingha tin mining company, ballarat city board of advice, metallurgical laboratory, s. radcliff, f.w. hall, ararat, gordon technical school, d.c. newham, staffordshire reef, john wilesmith, sandstone western australia, j. worthington, elaine, j. loughman, gold buyers act, h.h. smith, incorporated institute of accountants, james stapp, electric supply companyof victoria, h.j. spencer, tasmanis mines department, david melvin, caulter f. ingpen, hobson's gold mining company, canadian finance and securities, scott hotel steiglitz, g. straight, jubilee mine italians, elsie alcock, dressmaking, w.a. t. davies, legislative assembly, state forests department, myles b. webster, photography, albury, commercial banking company sydney -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Letters from Richard Squire to his son Tom 1934
In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age."[4] He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed.[5] MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject![6]Handwritten letters from Richard Squire to his son Tom and Family reporting happening at the mine richard squire, tom squire, engine trouble, basil, f.l. smythe broker, trembath, w. ryall, mt mercer, flu, plant, skids, pump, c. hayes, illness, poppet, carburetor, mum, ned, shaft, balance weight, hazel squire, pearson, pulleys, syndicate, goon, len hopkins, suction, dunstown, lease, jim squire, bannockburn, nina, albert, mrs trenery, connie, jay, judy squire, cohuna, bladder attack, reports, estimates, dunstan & coy, jelbarts, barrett, flat fields, brown, gold estates, berry leads, parsley roots, share book, meredith, reef, pay sheet, colin, mr gibbs, l.r.g plan, banagwanth, mcnaughton bores, glenfine, allan, william thomas, john lynch, crawford, shelford, liz the car, trucks, chandlers, ballarat trustees, cameron, elaine, mrs read, clark, j. hayes, dunlop, dr lawrence, eye specialist, reid, mullock bank, jack squire, herman, peter's legal inc. ballarat, freddie reid, j.r. whipp, a.b. reid, grenville, leigh river plan, johnstone's, premier petrol coy, chandler's, ballarat deep leads extension, harwood & pincott, a. rice, lillas, l. e. walker, secretary for mines, pipeclay, sandstone, mr saville, weymouth & carroll, suction pipe, valves, financiers, gold mines of australia, mr hanley hunter, sadowa coy, kerang shareholder, buninyong, stanley hunter, len, fran, max, dr jones, honeycomb rock, booth, sandy mcnab, emily shaw, john cock, ross creek, mitchell, rowe, neil cameron, walker, kidney disease, holst, nellie, ronaldson's, ronaldson & tippett, brokers, investors, lockett, miller & co, wellesly, john sharpe, elizabeht ellen, old lawaluk, mining -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Letters from Richard Squire to his son Tom 1935
In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age." He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject!Various handwritten Letters from Richard Squire to his son Tom 1935richard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, basil, plant, skids, pump, c. hayes, illness, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pearson, pulleys, syndicate, goon, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, banagwanth, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, mr kermode, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, earthquake, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, the madame bay coy, allendale, berry west, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, j. hayes, harmen premier distributors, middletons, cemented sand, electricity commission, g m of a, gold mines of australia, dick harry, pearsons, hawksburn, crown wheel, rice's paddock, liz the car, volcanic ridge, lrg coy, mcnaughton's paddock, madison's lead, cameron & sutherland, crabhole, rokewood, glenfine, mrs gibbs, dobson, booth, shiels, thomas mitchell, mcpherson's reward, haddon, trunk lead mine, elaine, pitfield plains, mr clarke, daylesford, kuchel, shelford, geoff squire, lode, quartz reef, bladder attack, kidneys, income tax, reginald murray, grenville, blasting, john b. dennison, martin t. taylor, durham and buninyong deep lead, sebastopol plateau, mr wilkie, the premier petrol distributing agency of ballarat, lawaluk, ryan's western leads, mr nichol, mr hodge, knox schlapp and co., dr griffiths, state accident insurance office, magdala mine stawell, mining -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Letters from Richard Squire to his son Tom 1936
In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consuls at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age." He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr. R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consuls, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr. Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have affected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present-day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject!Various letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom on the topic of their Mine in 1936 richard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, basil, plant, skids, pump, c. hayes, illness, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pearson, pulleys, syndicate, goon, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, mr kermode, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, cemented sand, g m of a, gold mines of australia, liz the car, geoff squire, lode, cameron and sutherland, lancaster, harman, hayes timber, t. hood, alan squire, catarrh, kidney disease, stomach issues, ethel, measles, scarlet fever, ross creek field, j. bourke, j. cock, ross creek gold mining co., frank herman, hogan & banagwanath, hogan, banagwanath, napolean deap lead, hanlons, lillas, martin, jack hayes, diptheria, anticline, mr mcnichol, ronaldson, bob allan, jenkins, hunter, wilkinson, eyres brothers, g.gay & co, buninyong, llewellen, glenfine, the star mine of avoca fields, talbot alluvials, g.e. dickenson, guildford plateau, a.b.c. special supply store, jelbart, geological branch, shell coy, mr horsefields, lawaluk, almanac, trenery, barry, mining -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom Squire 1937
In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age."[4] He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subject!A variety of Letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom Squire about the goings on at Mt Mercer Mine 1937richard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, plant, skids, pump, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pulleys, syndicate, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, cemented sand, g m of a, gold mines of australia, liz the car, geoff squire, lode, cameron and sutherland, hayes timber, alan squire, ethel, ross creek field, ross creek gold mining co., frank herman, lillas, jack hayes, eyres brothers, g.gay & co, buninyong, glenfine, the star mine of avoca fields, talbot alluvials, guildford plateau, a.b.c. special supply store, geological branch, shell coy, lawaluk, almanac, mcbinny, bingley's paddock, cargaire valley and lead, stand and deliver demands, sheehan's, smeaton hotel, john charleson, aleck charleson, ted brown, billy jordan, mr banks, ballarat main lead, binney, goon, illabrook, mrs trenery, bre, max, june, mary, len, barry, hunter, herman, martin, aunt annie, bella, pitfield coy, mcnaughtons, donaldson, dereel, hogan, the bay leads, avoca field, ballarat alluvials, neil cameron, haddon field, courier, tom cotton, llewellen, stanley hunter, mr leonard, tom mitchell, school of mines, bryant, a.c. connely, dodson, constable mcmullins, adam ronaldson, bewick mining & co., reginald murray, r.c. selwyn, craig's hotel, broken hill syndicate, morrison's lead, wilkinson, j. hayes, mr nichol, burglary, baragwanath, wilkinson ross, creswick, seville, mr. ross, o'connor, c. mcgrath, alfred mica smith, henderson ross, angus kelly, a. r. dodson, duke of wellington plant, the moorabool lead, williams, paralysis, woodlock, squire, whipp, joe williams, peacock, moran, buchanan, hoare, bree kutchel, kohinoor band and alluvian, star of the east, bonshaw, epidemic, polio, mining -
Federation University Historical Collection
Letter, Letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom Squire 1938
In 1905 Richard Squire was manager of the West Berry Consols at Allendale, and developed an improved system of mine ventilation, which was supported in "The Age."[4] He was successful in combating and remedying the gas and ventilation troubles of the Deep Mines of Creswick and Allendale Districts after all had failed. MINE MANAGERS’ ASSOCIATION. Ballarat Branch. ... Mr R. B. Squire, manager of the West Berry Consols, at Allendale, submitted a paper detailing what he had done tor the betterment of ventilation in the alluvial mines of Smeaton and Mary borough districts- Members gave Mr Squire every credit for the results that he claimed to have effected; the adoption of his ideas had testified to their value to mine-owners. It was painted out, however, that for want of a thorough debate of the subject with experienced men the author had unwittingly included some general statements that required modifying in some points and extending in others, in justice to other workers among the earlier and the present day managers of mines. It was decided to invite the author to meet a sub-committee on this subjectHandwritten letters written by Richard Squire to his son Tom Squire 1938 on lined paperrichard squire, tom squire, hazel squire, jack squire, jim squire, ned, mt mercer, plant, skids, pump, poppet, carburetor, shaft, balance weight, pulleys, syndicate, suction, lease, reports, estimates, flat fields, reef, trucks, pipeclay, sandstone, suction pipe, valves, honeycomb rock, yarrowee, ballarat, reef combs, cheques, yellow slate, leigh river, dyke, quartz, ballarat deep leads, ballarat deep leads extension, bore, reads, bedrock, cemented sand, g m of a, gold mines of australia, liz the car, geoff squire, lode, hayes timber, ethel, ross creek field, ross creek gold mining co., frank herman, lillas, jack hayes, eyres brothers, g.gay & co, buninyong, glenfine, the star mine of avoca fields, talbot alluvials, guildford plateau, a.b.c. special supply store, geological branch, shell coy, lawaluk, almanac, mcbinny, bingley's paddock, cargaire valley and lead, stand and deliver demands, sheehan's, smeaton hotel, john charleson, ballarat main lead, goon, dereel, the bay leads, avoca field, ballarat alluvials, haddon field, courier, school of mines, bewick mining & co., broken hill syndicate, morrison's lead, baragwanath, creswick, duke of wellington plant, the moorabool lead, kohinoor band and alluvian, star of the east, bonshaw, epidemic, polio, k.w. steedman, mr newman, allendale mines, professor mica smith, alfred mica smith, mr hodge, w. taylor, mcpherson's reward coy, mr mitchell, billy thomas, john bull, albert, nina, stanley hunter, frederick the great, ross creek south, bislolo, brilolo, birlolo, ballarat east coy, maxwells, reginald murray, bob allan, vendetta, john lynch, dodson, mnster of mines, e.j. hogan, jonah ward, mcnaughton's paddock, bellesby, alec peacock, jenkins, h.c. jenkins, conspiracy, argus, mr ellerby, dr lawrence, occulist, mining -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers, Transactions of the Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers, Volume X, 1905, 1905
Fabric covered hardcovered book of 367 pages. Includes a number of pullout plans. Contents * Mount Lyell Mining Field Tasmania by Professor J.W. Gregory * Concentration of solver-led ores (with 6 plates) by V.F. Stanley Low * Phosphate Deposites of Ocean and Pleasnt Islands (with 15 plates) by F. Danvers Power * Coal and Coal Mining in New SoPleassant Isuth Wales by Thomas Parton * Method of TImbering at the Mount Rex Tin Mne, Ben Lomand, Tasmania by Mark Ireland * Peck's Centrifugal Elevator by W. Peck * A Portable Assay Furnace by J.J. Gillio * NOtes on Sampling by A.C. Thomas * The Career of the Gold Dredge i n New South Wales by David K. Blair * The Transmission of Power by COmpressed Air in Mines by R.W. Chapman * The Misplacement of Mning Shafts and Adits in Victoria (with 7 figures) * The Indicators of the Daylesford Gold Mines, Victoria * Mining Accounts by R.N. Kirknon-fictionausimm, a.s. kenyon, frank a. moss, mount lyell, j.w. gregory, coal, gold dredge, transmission of power, mining shaft audits, daylesford gold mines, spitzkastens, ocean island banaba, pleasant island nauru, pinnacles on flat reef pleasant island, ocean island, blow hole howe bay, rock phosphate, thomas parton, mark ireland, mount rex tin mine, ngapara dredge, w. peck, w.h. vale, daylesford, jim crow diggings, glenmona gmc, f. danvers power, leigh g. hancock, workers' industrial union of australia (barrier district) -
Federation University Historical Collection
Plan, Raywood Gold Mining Lease Blocks, c1986
... new nil south pioneer and May reef london Gold mining lease ...Raywood is in the State of Victoria.Gold mining lease blocks at Raywood. Thought to be from The Gold-Fields of Victoria Reports of The Mining Registrars for the Quarter Ended 30th June 1886raywood, raywood botanical gardens, pound, raywood state school, buxton, new buxton, new perserverance, pioneer, new nil, south pioneer and may reef, london -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Postcard - People, Bill Ferrier - rescuer, 11th November, 1905
The postcard shows a photograph of William Ferrier, the 25-year-old Warrnambool fisherman from South Warrnambool whose rescue of two sailors from the wrecked La Bella made him an overnight National hero, quoted as “one of the most heroic rescues in Victoria’s shipwreck history”. The La Bella was wrecked on 10th November 1905 and the photograph was taken on the next day. In the photograph, William Ferrier is seated in the centre, with four of the five survivors beside him: (from left to right) Leonard Robertson, R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. The photograph was taken by Foyle Photography Studio in Warrnambool, originally owned by James Charles Foyle. He previously had a photographic studio in Melbourne 1882 1887, then opened “Foyle’s Photo Card Studios” in Liebig St, Warrnambool. James Foyle died on 13th July 1905 and his son and daughter, Charles and Lilian Foyle continued on with the business until 1945. This photograph was most likely taken by either Charles or Lilian Foyle. The story of William Ferrier’s brave act follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a northwesterly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person had washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this postcard, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and the letter from the Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament that was sent to William Ferrier to commend him for his bravery. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This postcard is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The photograph of William Ferrier and four of the five survivors demonstrates the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The postcard is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it portrays William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The postcard connects to the congratulatory letter which was sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia and demonstrates the importance they attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The postcard is also an example of the photography of Foyle Photographers who were in the town of Warrnambool from the late 1800’s. Charles and Lillian Foyle took over the business when their father James died in 1905. Lillian Foyle is significant as the first woman photographer in Warrnambool. It is not known whether Charles of Lillian took this photograph. This postcard is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Sepia photograph of William (Bill) Ferrier (seated in the middle), heroic rescuer of two crew members of the La Bella, wrecked at Warrnambool. The photograph is a postcard and shows five men dressed formally in suits and hats. Printed below the photograph are the name and place of the photographer, a royal crest and the details of two patrons of the photographer. Also below the photograph are some handwritten words in black pen. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message in the same writing as the front.Printed on the front of the card is “Foyle, WARRNAMBOOL” “PATRONS: / HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CORNWALL & YORK. / HIS EXCELLENCY LORD BRAS_ EY, R.O.B.” Handwritten on the front of the card is “Bill Ferrier / rescuer / Oh my hero _ _ _ “ Handwritten on the back of the card is a message. “La Bella” Wrecked off W.Bool Breakwater Nov. 1906 (_ _ _ _ show night) Payne Noake Rosenholme Robertson and Capt Mylius (saved) (moonlight bright) Watson (_ _ _ _ boy) Richwoud [possibly Richmond] drowned” and signed “Desdewoua [possibly Desdemona] Slogos”la bella, foyle, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, royal humane society medal, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Book, Halstead Press, Wreck of the Admella, 1966
Blue hard-copy book. Gold text on spine. Two double-sided pages of black & white photos half way through book. Book has dust jacket with coloured reproduction of a painting of the wreck of the Admella, by Charles Hill. Photo of author inside back of dust jacket.admella, portland lifeboat, book -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, The Leader, The "Black Swan" Mine and "The Old Dam", Warrandyte Gold Fields, 1897
Reproduced from "The Leader" 14th Aug. 1897, page 7 The "Black Swan" mine - on Captain Selby's property of 200 acres. Discovered by Captain Selby 8 years ago. He is working it himself. 'The shaft is down 70 feet and with deeper sinking the reef is found to increase in width. Nearly £2,000 has been obtained from this mine, the gold being of high quality, fetching £4-1-6 per oz.' Warrandyte photo "The Old Dam" - erected accross the river by Mr John Wallace, M.L.C., who attempted to turn the river and to work the river bed.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, warrandyte, gold mining, black swan mine, old dam -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Photograph, Opening of St. Andrews Battery, Queenstown, 29 Aug. 1919
Reproduced on p31 of 'Pioneers & Painters' Was destroyed in 1962 bushfire. Now Peter Franks Reserve, St Andrews On Friday 29th (August 1919) …, the Hon. S. Barnes, M. L. A., Minister of Mines, accompanied by Mr W. Everard, M.L.A., Mr. V. Dickson, secretary for Mines, and Mr. Merrin, Chief Mining Inspector, visited Smith's Gully for the purpose of opening, the new Government battery which has recently been erected. The party arrived punctually at 12.30, and was received by an assemblage of about 200 residents, including, those representing local prospecting and mining interests. At the mill house the Minister wished prosperity to mining on the old Queenstown field, and, in a few appropriate remarks, gave the battery the name of St. Andrew's. Then, as the stamps began to fall, three hearty cheers were given by the gathering. ….. The Queenstown field, dating back to the early sixties, might be regarded as a link that took them back to the Augustine age of gold mining in Victoria…From 1868 to 1918 the total yield of gold from the field was 274,606 fine oz. It might be that here, as elsewhere, deeper prospecting would give new life to the Queenstown goldfield. The miners of Queenstown, who through long year's had never lost faith in the possibilities of the field, felt that the purpose for which they were that day marked the beginning of a new era in the history of local reefing. …. The new mill is situated on the bank of the creek opposite the Queenstown Cemetery, and consists of a five head battery (Berdan pan) and 12 h.p. portable steam engine housed in a spacious structure of wood and iron. A concrete weir across the creek provides a good water supply, and all the necessary pumps, settling dams, etc., have been installed. Later on, should circumstances warrant it, it is pro-posed to erect Wilfley tables for concentrates. Eltham and Whittlesea Shires Advertiser and Diamond Creek Valley Advocate, Friday 5 September 1919, page 3This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg Print 20 x 25 (2)shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, queenstown, st andrews, st. andrews battery, gold mining, s. barnes, merrin, st andrews battery, v. dickson, william h. everard, peter franks reserve -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Document (item) - Gold Mine Prospectus, H.D. McKie, Prospectus of the New Golden Bower & Star Gold M.Co, 1896
A copy of the Prospectus of the New Golden Bower & Star Gold M.Co. near Marysville in Victoria.A copy of the Prospectus of the New Golden Bower & Star Gold M.Co. near Marysville in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. new golden bower & star gold m.co., donovan's creek, nuggety gully creek, yarra track, marysville, victoria, share prospectus, upper yarra track, wood's point, victoria mount morgan gold mining co., british mount morgan mine, mr white, reefton turnoff, santa claus reef, bear's creek, mr r ely, bear's creek reef, big river, mr feely, new star reef, golden bower reef, a1 mining co, mr r m lee, locke's no.1 extended gold mining company, mr q dick -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Document (item) - Gold Mine Prospectus, Messrs Bruce & Robinson, Prospectus-Chester & Locke's Golden Secret Gold Mining Company, 1899
A copy of the prospectus for the Chester & Locke's Golden Secret Mining Company near Marysville in Victoria.A copy of the prospectus for the Chester & Locke's Golden Secret Mining Company near Marysville in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATIONshare prospectus, chester & locke's golden secret mining company, marysville, victoria, yarra track, upper yarra district, david newell, j.g. aikman, w.j. mountain, andrew barrie, gold mining, messrs w.p. jones and co., william chester, george locke, chesterville -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Document (item) - Historic Site Register Sheet, Parks Victoria, Historic Site Recording System-Site Register Sheet-Chester & Locke Mine, 1989
A copy of a historic site register sheet for the Chester and Locke gold mine near Marysville in Victoria.A copy of a historic site register sheet for the Chester and Locke gold mine near Marysville in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. chester and locke mine, william chester, george locke, cambarville, yarra ranges, walker's hotel, marysville, victoria -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph of George Locke's hut in the Cumberland Valley near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of George Locke's hut in the Cumberland Valley near Marysville in Victoria. George Locke was a well-educated young man and had some success prospecting in the Cumberland area before partnering with William Chester with whom he opened the Golden Bower gold mine in 1896. George and William then discovered a second reef which they named the Silver Bower mine. George lived in a log cabin in the Cumberland reserve and was known to be a loner. He was clever with his money and chose not to have a bank account in Marysville, where everyone would learn about his financial status. He banked at the ES&A in Fitzroy and at the time of his death in 1941 he had accumulated the princely sum of three hundred and sixty pounds. George Locke was known as "the Hermit of Cumberland Valley" and lived in his humpy until his last few days during which he moved into a Forest Commission's patrol hut because his old humpy had started to fall to pieces. When George passed away at the age of 81 years he had not visited Marysville for over 14 years. Today (2022) George Locke's hut is part of the Cumberland Reserve.Mr Lock hermit Joy Marysville 392george locke, cumberland valley, marysville, victoria, william chester, golden bower mine, silver bower mine, cumberland reserve, hermit of cumberland valley -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Booklet (item) - Information booklet, Artworkz Tourism, Gold & Mining, Unknown
A booklet that was produced of information regarding gold and gold mining in Australia.A booklet that was produced of information regarding gold and gold mining in Australia.gold, gold mining, californian gold rush, australian gold rush, new south wales gold rush, victorian gold rush, eureka stockade, redgate diggings, eglington mine, redgate, alexandra, alluvial mining, quartz reef mining, walhalla quartz reef mine, mount pleasant diggings, artworks tourism -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph of George Locke's hut in the Cumberland Valley near Marysville in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of George Locke's hut in the Cumberland Valley near Marysville in Victoria. George Locke was a well-educated young man and had some success prospecting in the Cumberland area before partnering with William Chester with whom he opened the Golden Bower gold mine in 1896. George and William then discovered a second reef which they named the Silver Bower mine. George lived in a log cabin in the Cumberland reserve and was known to be a loner. He was clever with his money and chose not to have a bank account in Marysville, where everyone would learn about his financial status. He banked at the ES&A in Fitzroy and at the time of his death in 1941 he had accumulated the princely sum of three hundred and sixty pounds. George Locke was known as "the Hermit of Cumberland Valley" and lived in his humpy until his last few days during which he moved into a Forest Commission's patrol hut because his old humpy had started to fall to pieces. When George passed away at the age of 81 years he had not visited Marysville for over 14 years. Today (2022) George Locke's hut is part of the Cumberland Reserve.george locke, cumberland valley, marysville, victoria, william chester, golden bower mine, silver bower mine, cumberland reserve, hermit of cumberland valley -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. golden bower gold mine, cumberland valley, victoria, quartz reef mining, water-powered battery, william edward chester, george locke, chesterville, donovan's creek, cumberland goldfield -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph of the blacksmith's forge at the Golden Bower mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. golden bower gold mine, cumberland valley, victoria, quartz reef mining, water-powered battery, william edward chester, george locke, chesterville, donovan's creek, cumberland goldfield -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph of the Golden Bower mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. golden bower gold mine, cumberland valley, victoria, quartz reef mining, water-powered battery, william edward chester, george locke, chesterville, donovan's creek, cumberland goldfield -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph of the Golden Bower mine camp in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. golden bower gold mine, cumberland valley, victoria, quartz reef mining, water-powered battery, william edward chester, george locke, chesterville, donovan's creek, cumberland goldfield -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine Camp in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. golden bower gold mine, cumberland valley, victoria, quartz reef mining, water-powered battery, william edward chester, george locke, chesterville, donovan's creek, cumberland goldfield -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. golden bower gold mine, cumberland valley, victoria, quartz reef mining, water-powered battery, william edward chester, george locke, chesterville, donovan's creek, cumberland goldfield -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Postcard (item) - Black and white postcard, Unknown
An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the Golden Bower Mine in the Cumberland Valley in Victoria. The Golden Bower gold mine was a quartz reef mine. William Edward Chester discovered the Golden Secret gold vein which became part of the Golden Bower Mine at Chesterville near Donovans Creek on the Cumberland goldfield which he mined with George Locke until the late 1930s. POST CARD EMPIRE FOR CORRESPONDENCE FOR ADDRESS ONLY STAMPgolden bower gold mine, cumberland valley, victoria, quartz reef mining, water-powered battery, william edward chester, george locke, chesterville, donovan's creek, cumberland goldfield, postcard, souvenir