This rocket launching machine is used in conjunction with the Dennett Rocket Set. Both are part of the rocket rescue equipment that launches the line-throwing rescue rockets. A light line is threaded through the carved holes in the 8 foot long shaft and attached to the scribed channel at the base of the shaft. The rocket head is fitted to the shaft and inserted into the machine. The machine is set at an angle determined by the person in charge of the rescue crew, and the legs and base of the machine are adjusted accordingly with the use of the quadrant, or protractor, and plumb-bob on the side of the machine. The rocket is then ignited and fired across the vessel in distress. John Dennett - John Dennett was from Carisbrooke, in the Ilse of Wight, UK. In 1826 he invented, patented and demonstrated an improved method of rocket powered, line firing rescue equipment for saving lives. The rockets had a longer range than the mortars being used, they were lighter, needed less preparation time, only needed one line for repeated shots, and fewer people were needed to move the equipment. Very favourable reports of Dennett’s rockets were received by those in charge of His Majesty’s Naval and Military services. In 1832, Dennett’s rocket-thrown line was sent out to the wreck of the ‘Bainbridge’, and was responsible for nineteen survivors coming ashore in two boatloads, along the fired line. Dennett’s rocket received national fame, and a one-year contract to supply rockets to the Coastguards. He became known as ‘Rocket Man’ and his rockets were used in rescues at least until 1890, when his son Horatio was running the business. A rocket weighing 23 lb would have a range of about 250 yards (228 metres), on average. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it. In 1858 the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for lifeboat stations in Victoria, and in 1864 a rocket house was built to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Rocket Rescue Method - The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. The British Board of Trade published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A tally board was then sent out to the ship with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line, then secure the attached whip block to the mast or other sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser was then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. This rocket launcher machine is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Rocket launcher, named a Rocket Machine, and storage box. Launcher has a long open metal channel with a spike at the base, and narrow, rectangular device, which is the line-firing rocket machine, at the top, all painted blue. Two hinged wooden legs are attached where the channel and machine meet. The side of the machine has an oval cut-out window and an attached quadrant, or protractor, with a plumb-bob on it. The quadrant has angles marked in degrees. The long protective box has white stencilled letters along the side. Its lid has three hinges and is fastened with two metal latches.On box “ROCKET MACHINE” On quadrant “10” “20” “30” “40”flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, rocket apparatus, beach apparatus, petticoat breeches, breeches buoy, rocket house, rocket shed, lifeboat men, rocket equipment, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, marine technology, william schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, schermuly pistol, pistol rocket apparatus, beach rescue set, traveller, block, running block, pulley, hawser, faking, faking box, faked line, rescue boat, lifeboat, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, breakwater, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket rescue method, rocket rescue apparatus, captain manby, mortar, henry trengrouse, sky rocket, john dennett, shore to ship, colonel boxer, two-stage rocket, italian hemp, quadrant, protractor, schermuly, line-throwing pistol, line throwing cartridge, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, tally board, light line, whip line, endless whip, petticoat buoy, traveller chair, traveller block, her majesty’s coast guard, harbour board, line thrower, line throwing, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, hawser cutter, life jacket, faking board, welsh hand barrow, rocket set

The goldfields resulted in the almost complete denuding of trees for access to the gold bearing land, for firewood and for the tanning industry. The need for wood further increased with the advent of deep quartz mining that required timbers for shoring up the shafts and tunnels. At some point in time it became necessary for timber to be carted long distances to fulfil the need. Between 1878 and 1884, the government set up 5 nurseries to try and rectify the shortage of native softwoods and encouraged the growth of State plantations and the thinning of trees to encourage growth of those remaining. 1907 - Creswick School of Forestry and Forest Management was started 1919 Establishment of the Forests Commission and the planting of many pine plantations 1924 Establishment of the first fire spotting towers Forest management tasks became a main project for "Susso" recipients during the Great Depression and again for internees during WWII.An 8 page document by David Bannear about the various industries of the Bendigo Goldfields and their effects on terraforming the local environment david bannear, central goldfields

.1) Copy of a Ballarat Railway Plan, running along Belford Street, from the Engineer in Chief's Office, Railway Department. It shows bridges, diversions, culverts and the following streets: Joseph Street, Lal Lal Street, Clayton Street, Belford Street, Rodier Street, trench Street, Stawell Street, Rodier Street, Belford Street, George Street, Eureka Street, Queen Street, Otway Street, Scott Parade, Ross Street, Chamberlain Street, Victoria Street, Water Street. Allotments owned by Tulloch and McLaren, J. Wilson, J. McCarthy, Mrs P. Glynn, E. Ratcliffe, soap works, Orphan Asylum .2) Copy of a plan relating to the construction of the Ballarat Railway Line. It includes shafts for the following companies: South Extended Co, Black Hill; Parade Co.; Black Hill Co.; Spanhake Co. Shaft; Black Hill South Co.; Wellingtonia Gigantiea Co., and the old workings of the Welllingtonia Gigantea Co,ballarat railway plan, belford street, lal lal street, clayton street, rodier street, trench street, south extended co., black hill, parade co., spanhake co. shaft, black hill south co., wellingtonia gigantiea co, railway

black and white photograph of the Great Extended Hustlers Quartz Mining claim. Photograph shows five weatherboard clad buildings with corrugated iron roofing. Poppet legs and cable support trestles. Bush logs in foregound at right. Office at left, battery house centre background. Main shaft right. Copy of original photo. On face of photo in indian ink: area of 24 acres, has 6 shafts, equals 4000 feet of sinking. No less than 13 levels and 16 x cuts making a total of 12000 feet. Amount spent in labour 228,000 ( pounds stg. ) Quartz raised 144,5000 tons and yields to date 188,000 ozs of gold. Dividends 585,000 ( pounts st.) nearly 20/-/ a share. Employment to nearly 200 men. It is stated this rich mine changed hands the early days for only 30/-/-. On back in black ink ' Gr. Extended Hustlers. Bottom right corner : A. Richardson/29 Harrison Street/Bendigo.N.J. Caireorganization, business, great extended hustlers mine

Black and white photograph. One male with right hand on wheel of control valve in the compressed air pipe outlet of a two stage or compound air compressor with con rod and crank shaft to a large flywheel. Two belts to a vertical governor. Outgoing air pipe vertical to ceiling of enclosing building. Inscriptions: Nameplate or bed plate 'A Roberts and sons, Engineers, Bendigo' Lower left corner handwritten 'with A Rob. Compliments' On back - 'Compound Air Compressor'.machinery, compressors, compound air compressor, worker, male

Black and white copy of photograph (in acid free sheets in folder) of eight men in foreground, three behind 'airsail' for mine ventilation. Men are wearing trousers, white shirts, with kerchiefs tied around their heads, straw boaters. Man on RH side dressed in darker clothing, standing on boards ( over a shaft ? ) Piles of mullock on LH side, wheelbarrow and dogs.. History: James Lerk 24/3/2000 - Coath's claim on Victoria Hill (a Fox photo?)place, mining site, coath's victoria mine, 'gold discovery' jas flett p244

Black and white photograph, copy, of the North Deborah Gold Mine poppet head, possibly taken in the 1940's. The trestle way and sky shaft used to convey ore to the landing brace are visible. Poppet head legs are metal and painted white. Corrugated iron sheds on right and in background. Air raid sirens on the top of the poppet head were used during World War 2 to warn the good citizens of Bendigo of any impending attack.bendigo, mining, north deborah gold mine

1970 National Bank watercolour painting reproduction Penguin Silver Mines , Tasmania signed Á.G'1871 Below the picture title the words - Reproduced by the National Bank in 1970 from the engraving in the national library of Australia by permission of the Trustees A sail / steamship is seen off the coast .The centre of the painting shows a mine shaft , frame and wheels connected to a horse-powered mechanism .There are various other buildings , horses and carts and people .The mine was only to last a year.painting, watercolour, 'penguin silver mines , tasmania / national bank reproductions /

Copies of two dark black and white photos of underground mining at the Hercules mine. The left side one shows two miners facing the sides of the shaft prior to the boxing in with red gum slabs. one man is using a sledge hammer and the other is using a hand pick. The right-hand side photo This photo was either the Shenandoah or the New Chum Railway. Five men standing on a higher part are holding lamps and one man is standing on a ladder.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - two underground photos, hercules, shenandoah, new chum railway, victoria quartz

A T.M. Gardiner ' The Assocation No. 2' tennis racquet with oval head, convex solid throat with one bolt and a fishtail handle. Model name is imprinted and inked across throat on obverse. Manufacturer name imprinted and inked along edge of throat on obverse. Owner name engraved into lacquer on side of shaft. Handle has two large furrows. Cloth Tape reinforcements around shoulders. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Ink, Gut, Cloth tapetennis

A 'Sterling' 'Vim' tennis racquet by United States Athletic Co. Laminated convex throat and fine grooved octagonal handle. Leather end wrap. Cloth butt cap. The two model names featured across throat, one on each both side. On side of shaft inscription: 'MADE BY/UNITED STATES ATHLETIC CO/2222 DIVERSEY PARKWAY/CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. Strings Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Nylon, Leather, String, Ink, Clothtennis

A Wilson Famous Player Series, Mary K. Brown International Model tennis racquet. Throat features a decal head profile illustration of Browne, in front of a faux-Olympic rings device. Wilson logo in front of winged tennis ball emblem features on the shaft. Brown leather handle grip with four-leaf clover perforations also feature. Materials: Wood, Nylon, String, Leather, Adhesive tape, Paint, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metaltennis

A Wilson Famous Player Series, Don Budge Super Stroke tennis racquet. Shaft features a decal head and neck illustration of Budge. Base of head features Wilson logo in banner device behind 'W' trademark. Leather handle grip features four-leaf clover perforations. Butt cover features logo: IT'S/A WILSON. Materials: Wood, Gut, Leather, Adhesive tape, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Plastic, Paint, Stringtennis

A Wilson, Alice Marble Invincible tennis racquet. Base of head features Wilson logo. Throat features decal of Wilson 'W' trademark, with interweaved ribbon device. Shaft features decal illustration of Marble in action pose, receiving the ball. Leather handle grip features four-leaf clover perforations. Butt cover features logo: IT'S A/WILSON. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Adhesive tape, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, String, Painttennis

A Chemold Rod Laver tennis racquet, white ribbon whipping around shoulders and a leather handle grip with quatrefoil perforations. Model name features across base of head. Australian national coat-of-arms features on throat. Lower shaft features decal of 'Town and Country' trademark, through which the racquet was sold. Materials: Wood, Nylon, String, Ribbon, Paint, Ink, Adhesive tape, Leather, Rubber, Plastic, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Bambootennis

A Chemold Rod Laver Tournament tennis racquet, with ribbon whipping around shoulders, and mottled black leather grip. Model name features across base of head, flanked by Classical Greek motifs. A coat-of-arms with lion and deer features on throat. Lower shaft and plastic butt cover feature blue, red, and white Chemold trademark. Materials: Wood, Nylon, String, Ribbon, Paint, Ink, Plastic, Leather, Rubber, Glue, Lacquer, Metaltennis

A Dunlop McEnroe Tournament Mid tennis racquet, with midsize frame, ribbon whipping around shoulders, and unbroken plastic seal around handle grip. Model name features across base of head. Dunlop logo and trademark feature on all four sides of shaft. 'D' trademark in arrowhead device also features on black plastic butt cap. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Plastic, Ink, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ribbon, Adhesive tape, Enameltennis

Two-part object. (1) A Kniessl 'Red Star Twin' tennis racquet with open throat, plastic butt cap and handle wrapped with leather. Manufacturer's name on base of head and model name on lower shaft. Manufacturer's red star logo features on butt cap. (2) Full length padded racquet cover with zip and printed with red star logo and manufacturer name. Materials: Adhesive tape, Leather, Ink, Vinyl, Plastic, Boron, Metaltennis

A Wright & Ditson 'Reliance' model tennis racquet with concave throat. Striped plastic reinforcements around shoulders and base of throat. Model name printed across throat on obverse. Manufacturer's trademark/logo features across throat on reverse. Handle spiral-wrapped with leather handgrip, leather end wrap and butt cap. Manufacturer name and country of origin imprinted on side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Leather, String, Plastic, Guttennis

A Wright & Ditson 'Reliance' model tennis racquet with concave throat. Striped plastic reinforcements around shoulders and base of throat. Model name printed across throat on obverse. Manufacturer's trademark/logo features across throat on reverse. Handle spiral-wrapped with leather handgrip, leather end wrap and butt cap. Manufacturer name and country of origin imprinted on side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Leather, Plastic, Guttennis

A Spalding wood tennis racquet, featuring concave throat & fine-grooved octagonal wooden handle. Stamp on obverse throat states: 'J.H. DYSON/RACQUET/CLUB/ST.LOUIS'. Stamp on reverse throat is a logo comprised of letters 'RC'. Writing on side of shaft states: 'MAN'F G'D BY A.G. SPALDING & BROS'. Has a leather end wrap and tape reinforcements on shoulders. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Vinyl, Ink, String, Leather, Cloth tapetennis

A Spalding wood tennis racquet, featuring concave throat & fine-grooved octagonal wooden handle. Stamp on obverse throat states: 'J.H. DYSON/RACQUET/CLUB/ST.LOUIS'. Stamp on reverse throat is a logo comprised of letters 'RC'. Writing on side of shaft states: 'MAN'F G'D BY A.G. SPALDING & BROS'. Has a leather end wrap and tape reinforcements on shoulders. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Vinyl, Ink, String, Leather, Cloth tapetennis

A Wright & Ditson 'Columbia' tennis racquet, with: concave throat; bevelled crown; whipping around shoulders; transparent red plastic collar; and, mid-grooved handle. Model name features across throat on obverse. Manufacturer details feature along right side of shaft. Wright & Ditson Championship 'tennis player on ball' trademark features across throat on reverse. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Leather, Nylon, String, Paint, Plastictennis

A Wilson Famous Player Series, Maureen Connolly Match Point tennis racquet. Base of head features Wilson logo. Throat features gold fleur-de-lis device. Shaft features decal head and shoulders image of Connolly. Cloth butt cover features blue 'W' trademark. Leather handle grip features quatrefoil perforations. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Paint, Ribbon, Adhesive tape, Clothtennis

A Wilson, Tony Trabert Finalist tennis racquet. Base of head features Wilson logo. Throat features model name above a eagle emblem. Shaft features a decal head and shoulders photo image of a young Trabert. Cloth butt cover features red 'W' trademark. Wilson handle grip features clustered perforations. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Ribbon, Glue, Metal, Lacquer, Paint, Adhesive tape, Plastic, Cloth, Stringtennis

Wooden racquet painted white from shoulders to handle, with gold and black string whipping, and a black leather handle grip. Inscription across base of head, throat and shaft, on obverse: BARONET/DG/SERV-ACE/.../DUNBAR GIBSON/INC./NEW YORK/DUNBAR-GIBSON. Manufacturer's details, within clover device also features on throat on reverse, and butt cover. Materials: Wood, String, Gut, Ink, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Cloth, Painttennis

A Bancroft Players Special tennis racquet, with string whipping on shoulders, bamboo laminate, hide reinforcements under shoulders, and leather handle with X-formation perforations. Bancroft logo features across base of head. Throat features model name. Wreathed 'B' trademark features on lower shaft. Older 'B' trademark on butt cover. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ink, Plastic, String, Adhesive tape, Paint, Hidetennis