Showing 2855 items
matching china
-
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BENDIGO COLLECTION: MR. KEITH SCARROTT
A coloured photograph of Principal Mr. Keith Scarrott in fancy dress in the 1970's. He has blue trousers and a blue jumper over which is a white short sleeved jumper and a red waistcoat/vest. He has a red sash around his waist and a white sun hat. The red waistcoat has Chinese symbols over it. See 3320.100bendigo, education, mr. keith scarrott, latrobe university bendigo collection, collection, education, tertiary education, teacher training, mr. keith scarrott, person, male, fancy dress, clothing, miss j.c. burnett, mr. geoff pryor, photo, photograph, photos, photographs, history, bendigo -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Pyjamas
Two piece pink pyjamas Top and pants. Top has 'Chinese' collar, two soft ties at neckline and a 2cm wide silver embossed braid around the collar and a down deep centre opening. Silver braid outlives sleeveless openings. Side seams have 17cm splits bordered with silver braid. Pants are short and have elastic waistband.HILTON Lingeriecostume, female nightwear -
South Gippsland Shire Council
Plate, Painted, Japanese Female Figure
Handpainted white china plate featuring a figue of a Japanaese woman carrying a child on her back. Painted in colours of black, pink, blue and white. The design features Japanese writing down the right side of the plate and a gold painted rim. Green and gold circular manufacturers sticker on lower edge of front. Includes black plastic-coated metal stand. -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Charles Craig, early 1970's
Yields information about the use of the use of the City terminus during the last days of the SEC operated system.Black and White photograph of No. 34 at the City Terminus, Sturt St, south side - tram has an SEC Roof Advert re electric cooking. In the background is the National Mutual Building, Berry Anderson stationary shop, Golden Start Chinese Cafe and the Georges Oyster bar and fish shop. Photo by Charles Craig possibly early 1970's. trams, tramways, sturt st, city, tram 34 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Domestic Object - BLUE CHINA TEA CADDY, 1929
Blue and white hexagonal shaped china jar with lid, various castles depicted around sides and on lid. Made by Maling Ware for Ringtons Tea Offices & warehouse Newcastle Upon Tyne illustrated on base. Inside lid North East Coast Industries Exhibition Newcastle On Tyne 1929 Reg No's 745884 745865 plus coat of arms.Maling Ware England reg No's 745864-5domestic equipment, food storage & preservation, tea caddy, dr 334.2 -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - DIGGERS & MINING. GOLD, c1855
Diggers & Mining. Gold. The report of Commission of Inquiry into the Condition of the Goldfields (1855) recommended the restriction of the Chinese immigration. Report reads; REPORT from the COMMISSION APPIONTED TO ENQUIRE into the condition of the GOLD-FIELDS OF VICTORIA. To his Excellency SIR CHARLES HOTHAM, K.C.B. Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Victoria, ETC. MELBOURNE Markings: 16 994.GOL. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - PETER ELLIS COLLECTION: CHINESE DRAGON
Black and white photo of the Chinese Dragon in front of the Shamrock Hotel. One man is walking beside the Dragon's head carrying a stool. Date on the back is c 1950. Sign on verandah reads 'Australian legion of ex servicemen and women'. Both signs on tram post in middle of road read, 'All Cars Stop Here', (indication of a tram stop)photo, group, easter procession, peter ellis collection, chinese dragon, bendigo chinese association -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Booklet - Bendigo Yesterday & Today by Ken Arnold, 2017
70-page soft cover booklet of colour and sepia photos of Bendigo past and present. Designed and set up for printing by Ken Arnold 2017. Published by Crown Castleton Publishers, 359 High St Golden Square, 3555. Printed in China by Asia Pacific Offset Ltd. Sepia and colour photo on front cover of Alexendra Fountain at View Point. M & J Qualtrough sticker on title pagebendigo, architecture -
Friends of Westgarthtown
Teacup, Willow, EIT ltd
Off-white tea cup, swelling in upper half. Handle shaped to fit two fingers. Decoration is willow, in blue ink and is symmetrical on both sides of the cup. No saucer.EIT LTD ENGLAND' imprinted on base.domestic items, food & drink consumption, tea, cup, willow, blue and white, pattern, drink, china, eit ltd. -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, “Eyrecourt” House now 5 Scallan Streetin c1900's, Approx 1902
Postcard of “Eyrecourt” 1900s now 5 Scallan Street. Bill Kinsella's parents William Jennings Kinsella and wife Sarah nee Peardon lived there when first married in 1902 until they moved to farm in Ashens 1911. In 1919 the Chinese Herbalist Dr. Charles Lum lived at "Eyrecourt". It is not know who built the house or when it was demolished but the block was vacant in 1960's.B/W. Photograph of a Brick housewith an iron roof with a veranda, lots of Plants in foreground. On Rear Post card "Eyrecourt" Scallan Street No 5 Scallan Street A Picard Stawellstawell -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Furniture - Sideboard, Buffet, Heinrich Friedrich Fischer, 1909-1912
This sideboard was originally used in the dining room of the Manse, the chaplains' residence. Upon completion of the Institute building in 1917, the Goldsmiths moved in after living for many uncomplaining years in a flat on Australia Wharf, which had “many disadvantages and discomforts”. The stamps in the drawer indicate the furniture was manufactured by H.F Fischer (Heinrich Friedrich Fischer). His store is mentioned in many advertisings as manufacturer and seller of furniture and was located at the 322 City Road address between 1909 and 1912 and is listed in the Sands & McDougall's in 1910. From 1913 his address changed to 308-310 City Road. The ‘European labour only’ stamp was a legal requirement in Victoria where it was set out in the Factories and Shops Act of 1896. Its purpose was to distinguish between furniture made in Victoria by Chinese workers and that made by Europeans, meaning Australians of European origin. To distinguish them, the European stamp was square or rectangular, the Chinese stamp was trianguler.It is not known when they were purchased or gifted and by whom. The facture is of quality, as indicated by the tenon and mortise joints of the drawers. The Wellers photographed the dining suite during his stay betwenn 1926-1929 (see item 1568).Wooden Oakwood Arts and Crafts sideboard 2 rectangular Stamps in purple ink in the drawer: " Manufactured by / H.F. Fischer/ 322 City Road / European Labour Only"manse, heritage listed, sideboard, arts and crafts, english, h.f. fischer, european labour, heinrish friedrich fischer, cabinetmaker -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, 1990s -- estimated
Taken in the 1990s, this photograph depicts a line of historically restored shopfronts on Ford Street, Beechworth, with Beechworth Bazaar in the foreground and George Gammon's Chemist and Druggist adjacent to it.This photograph is of social significance to the Beechworth community in depicting the Street of Shops, the creation of curator, Roy Harvey, which opened in 1979 at Burke Museum. According to the Indigo Shire Council webpage for Burke Museum, this addition 'began a new period of collecting with Roy Harvey calling to the community for donations. The response resulted in an influx of material adding to the town history/ development and local identities collections. The Shops and their contents reflect another period in museology.' This photograph evokes the historic shopfronts of Beechworth Bazaar and George Gammon's Chemist and Druggist from the Street of Shops, which were established during the mid-1850s on the back of gold mining wealth. The expansion of banks within Beechworth also stimulated the local economy.Colour rectangular photograph printed on gloss photographic paper.Obverse: BEECHWORTH BAZAAR est. 1855/ CHINA GLASSWARE SILVERPLATE EARTHENWARE/ ?ESTER HO?E/ R.?ALL. ? LT.LITTLEWOO?/ SINGLEMAN & RIEDLE GEORGE GAMMON/ MEDICAL GALVANISM/ CUPPING/ TEETH EXTRACTED/ CHEMIST & DRUGGIST Reverse: 3. 3055 burke museum, beechworth, beechworth bazaar, 19th-century victorian history, beechworth historic shops, burke museum, promoting settlement, marketing and retailing, living in country towns, making regional centres, preserving traditions and commemorating, victorian gold rush towns, beechworth pioneers, 1850s beechworth -
Clunes Museum
Decorative object - PLATE, UNKNOWN
CREAM COLOURED PLATE WITH TRANSFER WARE SCENE OF A COUNTRY LANE IN MUTED SEPIA TONES EDGED IN GOLD PAINTCHINA STAMP IN GREY COLOUR "TUDOR ROSE ENGLAND" ON BOTTOM OF PLATE. PAPER AFFIXED TO BOTTOM OF PLATE: TYPED SPECIAL (OPEN) AN ARRANGEMENT SUITABLE FOR A XMAS PARTY. AS YOU LIKE IT. (OWN CHOICE). FIRST PRIZE MRS W. FAWCETTtudor rose china, prize -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - cream silk blouse, 1939
This blouse was made by Annie Beryl Mathieson from silk material which came originally from China via family relatives. Annie Beryl Mathieson, born in Western Australia in 1910, married John Harman in Nullawarre in 1939 and made the blouse which she wore under a navy costume for her 'going-away' outfit. They lived at Macarthur and Annie Beryl died in 1983. This blouse is of interest as an example of women's fashions in in the late 1930s and of handmade clothing in the same era.This is a cream silk blouse. It is gathered from the bust line with navy cotton embroidery on the upper section and it has a pointed collar with cream lace edging, small puffed sleeves with navy embroidery and an open neckline laced up with a navy cord. annie beryl harman, warrnambool history -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
The Korean War 1950-1953 Certificate of Appreciation
The Korean War was a war between North Korea and South Korea. The war began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following a series of clashes along the border. The United Nations, with the United States as the principal force, came to the aid of South Korea. China came to the aid of North Korea, and the Soviet Union also gave some assistance to the North..A Recognition of the United Nations Forces which resisted the invasion of South Korea by Communist North Korean Forces.Rectangular shaped Glass covered picture frame showing the certificate of AppreciationCertificate of Appreciation presented to LARA R.S.L.certificate of appreciation, lara r.s.l., the korean war 1950-1953., korea, korean veterians association of australia inc, united nations -
Dutch Australian Heritage Centre Victoria
Porcelain storage containers for "Koffie" "Thee" "Suiker" "Peper" and "Zout"
According to Dutch tradition this type of sets have normally 3 large containers (coffee, tea and sugar) and sometimes 2 small containers (salt and pepper). During manufacturing of this set, the labels on salt (Zout) and tea (Thee) container were interchanged, crating a A-Typical set with large salt container and a small tea container. Likely ordered from Dutch East Indies and manufactured in China.A rare example of an imperfect product surviving to create an historic record.Set of 5 hexonal shaped porcelain storage containers, each with lid, for the storage and home use of (1,2) "Koffie", (3,4) "Thee", (5,6) "Suiker", (7,8) "Peper" and (9,10) "Zout".When the glass side of the display case disintegrated and all shelves and items fell down. two lids broke. They are repaired (but the cracks are visible)koffie thee suiker peper zout manufacturing error dutch container -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Photograph, Undated; c. 1960s?
Born In Singapore of Chinese Parentage and raised as a Buddhist. As a teenager he joined a gangster group that stole chickens. Whilst at school Ang participated in a 3 day special program on Christ, at the end of which Alan give his life to Jesus Christ. In 1961 he joined the Bible society where he became Scripture Distribution Secretary for the Bible Society for Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. B & W head and shoulders portrait of Rev. Alan Ang.ang, rev. alan; singapore; bible society; scripture distribution secretary for singapore, malaysia, brunei. -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Memorabilia - Souvenir Ashtray Hume Weir Wodonga
Metal, china and glass ashtrays and other small pieces carrying scenic views of holiday destinations were a popular kind of souvenir during much of the 20th century. The pictures on the souvenirs ranged across natural beauty spots (beaches, waterfalls, rivers), civic buildings and monuments (town halls, war memorials), and indicators of local progress (commercial centres and occasionally even industrial sites).This ashtray is representative of a range of souvenirs used in the 20th century to depict Wodonga, Victoria and also on a State and National level throughout Australia.A metal circular ashtray including a coloured enamel image of the Hume Weir in the cenre."Above the central image "HUME WEIR" Beneath the central image "WODONGA"souvenir, hume weir, wodonga, ashtray -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Memorabilia - Souvenir Glass Ashtray Wodonga, Victoria
A wide range of small china or glass pieces carrying scenic views of holiday destinations or key locations were a popular kind of souvenir during much of the 20th century. Several different items have been produced to commemorate Wodonga and its landmarks over time. These items document key changes in Wodonga and its heritage. This ashtray showcases a photo of High Street, Wodonga, VictoriaThis item has local historic and social significance as it depicts which features of the city the community valued in the past. It has artistic significance as an example of the kinds of souvenirs used widely across Australia to represent communities and the landscape.An oval shaped glass ashtray, incorporating a sepia print image of High Street, Wodonga, Victoriawodonga victoria, souvenir, high street wodonga, ash trays -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Plates, Rolfe Saucers x 6, 1864
These saucers are part of a crockery set that belonged to George Rolfe and his family. George Rolfe (1836-1919) was a tea merchant in Melbourne who bought land at the mouth of the Hopkins River in Warrnambool in the 1880s. He had adjoining land and the properties of ‘Shipley’ and ‘Fairy Hill’ and developed ‘Lyndoch’, adding stables, jetty, boat house, windmill and reservoir, chaff and bone sheds and an extensive garden. In 1891 he married Annie Lake and it was his stepdaughter, Florence Lake who built the ‘Lyndoch’ house still standing today. ‘Lyndoch’ today is now the site of an Aged Care Facility. This item is part of the Rolfe Dinnerset as described on Victorian Collections at VC001420 and VC001422.These saucers, part of a crockery set, are kept because they belonged to George Rolfe, a prominent property owner and farmer in Warrnambool in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The items, dating from 1864, have social significance showing the type of crockery used by a more affluent family in the 19th century. These are six circular china saucers with a gold rim and ornamentation in a scallop design in gold and teal around the rim and the outer edges. The base of the saucers has a gold rim. One of the saucers has a chip on the edge and four show significant wearing of the inner gold circle. Some of the outside gold edging also shows wear. The maker’s marks and name are indented on the bottom of the saucers ‘Minton’ lyndoch, warrnambool, rolfe and co., george rolfe, history of warrnambool, florence lake -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Miniature China Pieces (5), Mid 20th century
Miniatures such as these are still made today as collection pieces and can be seen on display in some houses. Some of these items might also be used as furnishing pieces in dolls houses though dolls houses with quality fittings are not bought or sold today as much as in the past. These china miniatures have no known local provenance but are retained for display purposes.These five items are miniature china pieces, used in a doll’s house or as collection pieces for display in a home. .1 Miniature house in red and cream colouring .2 Miniature basket in brown and cream colouring .3 Miniature jug or pot in brown and cream colouring (handle broken off) .4 Miniature jug in brown and cream colouring .5 Miniature brown urn .1 Englandwarrnambool, antiquarian household items, history of warrnambool -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Plate, W. H. GRINDLEY & Co. Ltd, 1914-1925
The Maker’s Mark stamped on the back of this plate, a green laurel wreath with “W. H. Gringley & Co. Ltd, England” below, was used by the company between 1914-1925, according to Kroker and Goundry, authors of a paper “ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING AND MITIGATION OF THE ASSINIBOINE RIVERFRONT QUAY”. The company used different Marks at other times during their operation. The design on this plate is transferware. The company used this more economical process of adding a transfer rather than employing artists to handprint them onto their dinnerware. William Henry Grindley and Alfred Meakin established the company at Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, in 1880. The company produced their wares for export to countries that included Australia.This ceramic plate is an example of dinnerware imported from England. The plate was made between 1914 and 1925 . The popular 'bird of paradise' design on the plate is an example of transferware, which made decorative dinnerware more affordable. China plate, earthenware, round, off-white colour with fine blue rim and three transfer decals spaced around the rim. Decals each have a bird of paradise on a flowering branch. The centre of the plate is plain. The maker’s stamp is an open green laurel wreath enclosing a decorative horizontal line, above the name. Made by W H Grindley & Co. Ltd of England.On underside; logo "[green wreath] above W. H. GRINDLEY & Co. Ltd. ENGLAND"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, plate, dinnerware, w. h. grindley, english, plateware, bird of paradise, transferware -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Domestic Object - GOLDEN SQUARE SCHOOL COLLECTION: INK BOTTLES AND INK WELL
[a] Green glass round sheared top ink bottle unbranded. [d] Rectangular green glass sheared top ink bottle unbranded. [c] Salt glazed ink bottle unbranded. [b] White vitrified china ink well. Provenance Laurel St primary school 1930-50. 12/08/21 object b still at RSL Museum.bendigo, institutions, golden square primary school -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Postcard - BENDIGO TRAM NO. 30
Coloured postcard. On back of card ' Birney Tram no. 30 decorated for a Royal Tour occasion. The Bendigo Trust operates this tram and others on a tourist service between Central Deborah Mine and the Chinese Joss House at Emu Point' Image shows Birney tram decorated with Union Jack and Australian flag on top, with crown on front of tram. Myer building on LH side of image.Nu Color Vuebendigo, tramways, royal tram, bendigo, tram, royal celebration, myer, pall mall -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - WES HARRY COLLECTION: 4 STEREO CARDS, ?
Four Stereographic Cards, sold and Published by George Rose , Melbourne , (a) 4705, Delhi Durbar, State entry into Delhi, the Elephant Procession , (b) 4697, Delhi Durbar, View at the Military Review , (c) 2900 Duke of York celebrations, Melbourne, The Chinese Arch, Swanston Street , (d) 2911, Duke of York celebrations Melbourne, The Duke inspecting the troops at the review, Flemington.photograph, stereo cards, george rose stereo cards -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - LONG GULLY HISTORY GROUP COLLECTION: BIRTHPLACES OF THE PEOPLE - BENDIGO - EAGLEHAWK
Two pages titled Summary of Cities, Towns and Boroughs according to the Census 1891 of the number of Persons, Males and Females, of different Birthplaces in each City, Town or Borough, also the Number of Chinese and Aborigines in each (including those of Mixed Race).Also included are Ararat, Ballarat, Ballarat East, Brighton, Browns and Scarsdale, Creswick, Daylesford, Dunolly Echuca, Essendon and Fitzroy.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - birthplaces of the people - bendigo - eaglehawk -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Slide - DIGGERS & MINING. STORES AT THE DIGGINGS, c1855
Diggers & Mining. Stores at the diggings. STG From the original in the Mitchell Library. Mount Macedon from the Black Forest. (1855) Many stores were also established along the roads leading to the principal goldfields. Slide depicts at group of Chinese passing by a store in the Black Forest o the way to the diggings. Markings: 35 994.LIF. 5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Booklet - Bendigo Heart of the Goldfields, Not given
BHS Collection20-page booklet illustrated with colour photos of Bendigo attractions. Nine photos on front cover and repeated on back cover. Chapters include Bendigo City, Historic Bendigo, Bendigo Pottery, Central Deborah Goldmine, Centrefold of Trams, Discovery, Camel Farm, Mohair Farm, Chinese Culture, Around Bendigo. Published by Nucolorvue Productions Pty Ltd, Mulgrave, Victoria bendigo, pottery, central deborah mine, trams -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Monkey, 19th Century
This toy monkey was part of the cargo from the Fiji and amongst the articles salvaged from the wreck. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are bisque (or china) toys, (including miniature animals, limbs from small bisque dolls), rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife. This toy monkey is classified as Fiji 5 on the SWR Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Ceramic toy monkey salvaged from the wreck of the Fiji. The monkey is in a seated pose with its arms around its knees. This solid, moulded toy is made of bisque (sometimes described as bisque or porcelain) and the material is an orange colour. The surface is slightly pitted.ceramic, china, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, porcelain, moonlight head, wreck bay, bisque, toys, miniature animals, monkey, ornament -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Rubber ball, 19th century
This rubber ball was part of the cargo from the Fiji and amongst the articles salvaged from the wreck. A press report notes that the balls collected from the Fiji’s cargo were originally red and white. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are bisque (or china) toys, (including miniature animals, limbs from small bisque dolls), rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife. This toy rubber ball is classified as Fiji 3 on the SWR Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Rubber ball salvaged from the wreck of the Fiji. The rubber is perishing and the surface is pitted and bumpy. The material is tan in colour with a slightly pitted surface. 1891, china, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, porcelain, moonlight head, wreck bay, cargo, bisque, toys, miniature animals, rubber ball