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Melbourne Legacy
Postcard, Postcards of the UK
Postcards were a common form of souvenirs for soldiers who were travelling either during World War 1, or just after, or while returning to Australia. These postcard scenes are from Scotland and England so could have been places visited. These were with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. There was a large collection of postcards so he may have been collecting them as souvenirs (none of these have been written on or posted). J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. His full war record is available from AWM. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving Portsea in 1920.Postcards were a very common form of communication in the first World War. Postcards as souvenirs or as correspondence would have been familiar to the first Legatees as they had served in World War 1. Postcards x 3 with images from Edinburgh and Stirling in Scotland, and the pier in Dover.01140.1 S.S. Deutschland at Prince of Wales Pier, Dover. 01140.2 Princes Street looking West, Edinburgh 01140.3 View from Gowan Hill, Stirling Each one has the word POST CARD on the reverse with room for an address and an area for Correspondence. Different makers.souvenir, world war one -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, A Mural West of Tobruk, 1941
A photo of a mural in Libya painted by a South Australian Sapper of a bottle of Abbots Lager. The photo, and two others, were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. The text says 'Keep Going. Fill up in town, but a good drink is bloody hard to get'. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian) From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2. They were donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of that Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of Abbots Lager mural.tobruk, soldiers, lager, beer, abbots lager, murals -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, A Mural West of Tobruk, 1941
A photo of a mural in Libya painted by a South Australian Sapper of a tea pot saying '9,256 miles to Griffiths Bros Tea Headquarters, Melbourne'. The photo, and two others, were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. The text says '9,256 miles to Griffiths Bros Tea Headquarters, Melbourne'. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian) From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2. They were donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of that Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of a Griffiths Tea mural.tobruk, tea, murals, world war two -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, A Mural West of Tobruk, 1941
A photo of a mural in Libya painted by a South Australian Sapper of a bottle of Victorian Bitter Ale being poured into the Melbourne Cup trophy and horses racing. The photo, and two others, were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. The text says 'A good thing for the Cup but better for the tonsils'. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian). 'The photos were there when we were coming back from Western Libya sometime in March 1941, prior to the 6th Division going to Greece.' From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2. They were donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of the way Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of Victorian Bitter Ale for the Melbourne Cup mural.tobruk, beer, victorian bitter ale, ale, horse racing, murals, world war 2 -
Melbourne Legacy
Letter, Tobruk Photos, 1979
Letters regarding three photos of murals in near Tobruk in Libya. The photos were sent to Melbourne Legacy in 1979 by Legatee Syd Wilson of Yamba NSW. He thought Melbourne Legacy might be able to use them to generate money by selling them for advertising or publicity. He said they were enlargements of snapshots he had found in his old army trunk. Legatee Wilson's letter says the murals were: 'painted on three walls of a white concrete Italian block house (Police Check post I think), some 18/20 miles west of Tobruk, between Tobruk and Derna, and near a captured Italian airfield, somewhere about February 1941. Obviously they were painted by a Victorian Sapper. They were very well done, by a competent Sign-writer/artist, in correct and excellent colours (captured Itie paint no doubt - there was plenty in their Naval Stores at Tobruk).' (NB Itie was slang for Italian) From the AWM website the signs were painted by South Australian painter, SZ538 Sapper Leslie John “Doc” Dawes, 2/3rd Field Company, Royal Australian Engineers. There are several photos on the AWM site including the building the three murals were on.Photos taken by a Legatee when on active service in Libya in World War 2 and donated to Legacy when it was thought they could be used for fundraising, which shows that Legatees were conscious of that Legacy needs to generate funds to continue its work.Black and white enlargement of a photo taken in Libya of Abbotts Lager mural.tobruk, murals -
Melbourne Legacy
Article, Legatee Robbie Robertson, President 1971
A cutting from from a Melbourne Legacy President's report showing a photo of Legatee A G (Robbie) Robertson (President of Melbourne Legacy in 1971). It was collected to be a record of a photo of past presidents. In World War 2 Legatee Robertson saw service in the AIF in Australia, Middle East and South-West Pacific area. Initially with the 2/16 Aust. Field Coy. R.A.E. and also in the Corps of the Royal Australian Engineers. He was inducted into Legacy in 1960 after being proposed by Legatee Edgar Sherwan and Legatee Syd Birrell. In his professional life he was Engineer in Chief of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of Legatee Robbie Robertson a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Article with a black and white photo of Legatee Robbie Robertson - President 1971past presidents, robbie robertson -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Magazine, K. V. Newmann, MMTB Public Relations Officer, "MMTB News", 1965
Eight issues of "MMTB News" - The Magazine of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. Two copies of each issue. All issues printed with an off-white gloss paper cover with the rest of the magazine white glass paper. 1722.1 - Vol. 2, No. 1 - 16 pages, January 1965, with a photo of the Board meeting in the Board room of the MMTB, notes or articles on traffic congestion, a short history of public street transport in Melbourne, TMSV tour of 7/2/1965 with PCC 980, and" Some Views on Public Transport". 1722.2 - Vol. 2, No. 2 - 16 pages, February 1965, with a photo of Dusseldorf 3 section tramcar on the front cover, notes on the costs of concessions, press visit to the Carlton Power control supervisory centre, "Melbourne - 1985", Mark VI buses, tool safety, "Staggered Working Hours", hydro-foil on Sydney Harbour, "Traffic Congestion". 1722.3 - Vol. 2, No. 3 - 12 pages, March - April 1965, with a photo of W7 1012 and bus 751 on the front cover, notes or articles on "New Trams for Melbourne", retirement of D.H. Eakin, "Traffic Congestion", "Tramway buses at the Gippsland Fires", The Australian Good Neighbour movement. 1722.4 - Vol. 2, No. 4 - 16 pages, May - June 1965, with a photo of L 101 at West Maribyrnong terminus during an Association of Railway Enthusiasts tour (photo Robert Wilson), notes or articles; "A Motorist Speaks Up for Trams", "Tramways Hospital a Major Benefit", parking in the central city, tramway ambulance, "Radio Control is Human Nerve Centre", staff shortages, retirement of Mr. Stan Bowen, the ARE Tram Tour, and Port Melbourne Tramways Social Angling Club. 1722.5 - Vol. 2, No. 5 - 16 pages, July 1965, with a photo of the Doncaster Bus depot on the front cover, articles or notes; Freeways, Public Transport, Decimal conversion, Doncaster Bus depot, Melbourne in twenty years, Engineering Department - Bus branch, visit of Mr Ken Hall and Frank Kirby overseas to study new trams. 1722.6 - Vol. 2, No. 6 - 20 pages, August September 1965 with a photo of W6 921 being lowered at Preston Depot, with notes or articles; an abridged version of an address by R. J. Risson to the Constitutional Club in Melbourne, lost items on trams, Bus Engineering, and social or sporting club news. 1722.7 - Vol. 2, No. 7 - 16 pages, October - November 1965 with a photo of PCC 980 on the front cover, notes or articles on; free travel for USA City shoppers, safety, Stores Department printing section, Ballarat's Tramways Diamond Jubilee - TMSV tour to Ballarat on 15/8/1965 including two photos, PCC 980, Christmas functions, retirement of Arthur Wisdom and Bill Wallis. (Reference photos Reg. Item - 1877). See btm2819i9 for image of the article re the TMSV Tour to Ballarat. 1722.8 - Vol. 2, No. 8 - 16 pages, December 1965 with a photo of cable car set No. 1 on the front cover with notes or articles; Children's art show, "Quest for New Tram", "The Development of Melbourne's Trams" and sporting or social club news. Has a Christmas message from Chairman, Mr. Risson with photograph.trams, tramways, mmtb, carlton control, buses, pcc 980, ballarat, new trams, are, tmsv -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Personal Papers, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "Agreement between MMTB and the Commonwealth of Australia, c1940
Set of personal papers - typed carbon copies - copy of "Agreement between MMTB and the Commonwealth of Australia for the construction of tramways to serve the Munition Factories at Footscray and Maribyrnong" dated 22/7/1941 and 21/6/1944 to extend tramways. Covers maintenance, construction costs, finances, property issues and provides details in a schedule. .1 - agreement dated 22/7/1941 - Gordon St extensive, Raleigh's Road and West Road to Williamson Road and Raleigh's road to Park Road. .2 - dated 21/6/1944 - extension of Keilor Road to Essendon Airport. .3 - undated - agreement re double track Maribyrnong Road, Gordon St, West Road, Essendon Depot works, Maribyrnong River Images and record revised 20/5/2019.trams, tramways, mmtb, tramways, commonwealth government, agreements, munitions factory, maribyrnong, footscray -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Personal Papers, H. S McComb, "Tramways on Commonwealth Property", Apr. 1960
Handwritten draft on foolscap paper, titled "Tramways on Commonwealth Property", to the Deputy Crown Solicitor, Commonwealth of Australia, responding to the letter of 14/8/1959, concerning a draft agreement between the Board and the Commonwealth with suggested changes, indemnities, discharge of drainage, Maribyrnong River Bridge, vehicle or level crossings - has date of 28-4-1960 and initialled by Mr. McComb.trams, tramways, maribyrnong river bridge, agreements, commonwealth government, essendon airport, west maribyrnong -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Postcard, Nu-color-Vue, Collins St Melbourne, mid to late 1950's
Postcard photo of Collins St Melbourne looking west from Swanston St towards Elizabeth St Melbourne. Has the Australia Hotel, Allans, Lloyds Butler, Bank of NSW and Kodak buildings in the background. Mid to late 1950's given the number of FJ Holdens in the view. Has a W2 - 574 and another tram in the background. Divided back with places for stamp, address, correspondence and details. Nucolorvue Productions L46 with a Kodachrome productions note.trams, tramways, collins st, hotels, tram 574 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Postcard, Valentine's, "Town Hall, Collins St Melbourne", late 1940's?
Postcard - Black and White - Valentines "Town Hall Collins St Melbourne" number V62 - looking north west from near Russell St at the Melbourne Town Hall buildings. Has a number of motor cars and trams in the view. In the background is Manchester Unity Building and the Athenaeum Theatre portico. Appears to be late 1940's or early 1950's. On the rear - has a divided back, and "A Real Photograph" " & Produced in Australia" and the Valentine's logo.On the rear has the stamp of Graeme S Breydon - see image i2.trams, tramways, elizabeth st, gpo, post office -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Collins St with W2 220, Clive M Gibson, 1970s
Photo shows a view of Collins St Melbourne between Swanston and Elizabeth Streets. Has W2 220 (West Preston route 11) in the view along with many motor cars. In the background are Allans, Australia Hotel, Kodak, Howey House and the TAA shop.Yields information about Collins St in the 1970s.Black and White Photograph - Collins St with W2 220railways, w2 class, collins st, tram 220, taa, allans, australia hotel, kodak, howey house -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Document - Calendar, AETA 1976 featuring a new Z class tram, 1976
The AETA published calendars on an annual basis through to 2005, promoting electric transport in Public Transport. In the background is the old State Savings Bank buildiing before it was fully demolished - buildings on the west side have already been demolished. Photo by Shane McCarthy.Yields information about the AETA promotional activities.Australian Electric Traction Association (AETA) Calendar for 1976, featuring a photograph of a then new Z class in Bourke St Melbourne at the intersection with Elizabeth St. Gives contact details for the AETA divisions. Stapled to the sheet is a 12 sheet preprinted calendar for 1976 with various details of holidays etc. Printed on card with a punched hole on the top edge.calendars, aeta, bourke st, z class, state savings bank -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Letter, Australian Electric Traction Association (AETA), "Transporting Melbourne", 4/12/1996 12:00:00 AM
Letter - 8 A4 pages stapled in top left hand corner - AETA to "Transporting Melbourne", Ministry of Transport, dated 4-12-1996 forward comments or making a submission regarding the proposed framework. Endorse the concept, backlog in Melbourne public transport, railway electrification, tramway and light rail extensions; East Malvern Station, Box Hill, Station Pier, Westfield Shopping centre, Highpoint West, South bank Route and other suggestions made regarding re-routing of trams services.trams, tramways, aeta, submissions, new tramway, melbourne, public transport, box hill -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Postcard - Collins Street looking west from near Russell Street - Australia Post, Australia Post, early 1970's
Postcard looking west along tree lined Collins Street from near Russell St at the Town Hall and the Manchester Unity building. Trams in the view at W2 627 (Mont Albert Route 42) and W5 758 (Northcote via St Georges Road). Published by Australia Post. Has a 20c pre-paid stamp on the rear.Yields information about Collins Street late 1960's and tram services.Postcard - Collins Street looking west from near Russell Street - Australia Post - 2 V1collins street, trams, tramways, w2 class trams, sw5 class trams, tram 758, tram 627, melbourne town hall, manchester unity building, australia post -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Negative - W2 343 (Essendon Aerodrome Route 59) and SW6 860 (City Route 19) southbound in Elizabeth St, Wal Jack, 10/03/1954
Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of W2 343 (Essendon Aerodrome Route 59) and SW6 860 (City Route 19) southbound in Elizabeth St, c1955 near to Franklin St Note the Moomba decorations in the overhead. In the background is Disney's (at 416 Elizabeth St a Holden dealer) with flags under the verandah) Rod Atkins advised 7/9/2020: "He was born in Ballarat to Arthur Disney and Isabella Christina Hill. During World War I he served with the Australian Flying Corps and was at Gallipoli. He then became a motor dealer, running his own company. In June 1924 he married Ruby Chapman. From 1935 to 1952 he served on Melbourne City Council. He was elected to the Victorian Legislative Council in 1940 as a United Australia Party member, representing Higginbotham Province; at this time his father still represented Melbourne West for the Labor Party. Disney was a supporter of Ian MacFarlane, and served in his brief ministry in October–November 1945 as Minister of Transport and Mines. He consequently lost Liberal endorsement in 1946 and was defeated. In 1948 he was elected Lord Mayor of Melbourne, serving until 1951; during this period he was closely involved with securing the 1956 Olympic Games for Melbourne. Knighted in 1951, Disney died in 1952 at Auburn.[1] The ones at Swanston street are taken on different days. Yes there is one of those under powered Jaguars parked across the road .... Did you notice the tram signal on the pole? An interesting thing I did not know looking at all three photos is that the flag pole holder on the route number box is on the inside. So when did it move to the outside of the box? On the photo of the RAAF tram, there is one employee wearing a cap but appears to be wearing overalls? I wonder what that is all about? "trams, tramways, sw6 class, w2 class, route 59, route 19, elizabeth st, moomba, tram 343, tram 860 -
The Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Australian War Memorial, Jungle warfare : with the Australian Army in the South-West Pacific, 1943
... : with the Australian Army in the South-West Pacific Book Australian War ...Most of the items in this volume were received in a competition for stories, verse and drawings, with this competition showing a better representation from the Women's Services than in previous years. Previous titles include: Active service, Soldiering on and Khaki and green.Ill, p.208.non-fictionMost of the items in this volume were received in a competition for stories, verse and drawings, with this competition showing a better representation from the Women's Services than in previous years. Previous titles include: Active service, Soldiering on and Khaki and green. world war 1939-1945 - australia, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives - australia -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Postcard, Commonwealth of Australia, "Collins Street, Melbourne (Vic) Australia", c1920
A postcard showing a scene looking west from Russell St along Collins St. Has some 7 cable trams, horse-drawn carts, and motor vehicles in view. In the view is Scotts Church, the Athenium, and the Town Hall. In the bottom left-hand corner of the card is "Printed for Commonwealth Immigration Office by Rose Stereograph Co. Vic."Demonstrates a card printed to promote Australian Immigration to Melbourne, possibly post the first world war.Black and White postcard, Divided back.In pencil in the bottom right hand corner "Government publicity issue in England $12"tramways, collins st, cable trams, immigration -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Memorabilia - AUSTRALIA POST AREA SORTING TICKETS:
... Australia Post. North West Country.... Post. North West Country. Australia Post Area Sorting Tickets ...BHS CollectionAustralia Post Area Sorting Tickets: A bunch (50)? Of Australian Post sorting tickets. Printed in black ink on pink paper is * Victorian Country North-West P.M. 41d*. Hole left side for attaching individual tickets to mail. Box 625government, federal, post office, australia post. north west country. -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, G.H. Fearnside, All Stations West - The story of the Sydney-Perth standard gauge railway, 1970
The history of the construction of the standard gauge railway from Sydney to Perthindex, ill, maps, p.167.non-fictionThe history of the construction of the standard gauge railway from Sydney to Perthrailway construction - australia, railway construction - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Rae, Lou, The ABT Railway - On Tasmania's West Coast, 1988
A history of the ABT railway from Strahan to Queenstown in Tasmania.ill, maps, p.72.non-fictionA history of the ABT railway from Strahan to Queenstown in Tasmania.railroads -- australia -- history, private railway companies - tasmania - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Light Railway Research Society of Australia, West Otways Narrow Gauge, 1973
A history of the narrow gauge 2'6" branch line of the Victorian Railways from Colac to Beech Forest and Crowes and it s connecting tramways.ill, maps, p.51.non-fictionA history of the narrow gauge 2'6" branch line of the Victorian Railways from Colac to Beech Forest and Crowes and it s connecting tramways.puffing billy - victoria - history, vr narrow gauge railways - victoria - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, West Coast Wilderness Railway, Abt System, 2002
A brief history of the narrow gauge 3'6" Abt Railway from Strachan to Queenstown in Tasmania.ill, maps, p.16.non-fictionA brief history of the narrow gauge 3'6" Abt Railway from Strachan to Queenstown in Tasmania.west coast wilderness railway - tasmania - history, narrow gauge railroads - australia - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Booklet, Winzenreid, Arthur, The Magnet Tramway, Tasmania, 1982
A short research report about the narrow gauge Magnet tramway on the West Coast of Tasmania.p.7.non-fictionA short research report about the narrow gauge Magnet tramway on the West Coast of Tasmania.narrow gauge railroads - australia - history, industrial railroads - australia - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Booklet, McCauley, Paul, Kat-Can-Kal-Aug-Ood Gazette, 1917
A souvenir issue of a magazine to commemorate the completion and opening of the East-West (Port Augusta - Kalgoorlie) section of the Commonwealth Railways in 1917.ill, p.29.non-fictionA souvenir issue of a magazine to commemorate the completion and opening of the East-West (Port Augusta - Kalgoorlie) section of the Commonwealth Railways in 1917.transcontinental railway - australia - history, commonwealth railways (australia) -- history. -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, West by Steam, 1972
The story of the first steam train to cross Australia with the special Western Endeavour train from Sydney to Perth to commemorate the opening of the standard gauge all the way through from 22-08 to 12-09-1970.ill, maps, p.72.non-fictionThe story of the first steam train to cross Australia with the special Western Endeavour train from Sydney to Perth to commemorate the opening of the standard gauge all the way through from 22-08 to 12-09-1970.railroad passenger trains - australia, western endeavour special passenger train - australia -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Martin, Gary, Railways of the Mid West: Mid West Heritage Series, 2008
A brief history of the railways around Geraldton in Western Australiaill, maps, p.15.non-fictionA brief history of the railways around Geraldton in Western Australiarailroad construction - western australia - history, railroad operations - western australia - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Book, Mack, David, Little Coastal Railways of the Adelaide Plains 1873-1929, 1986
A history of the coastal railways in South Australia from 1873 to 1929 with particular reference to Marino, Brighton, Somerton, Glenelg, West Beach, Grange and Largs Bay.index, ill, maps, p.80.non-fictionA history of the coastal railways in South Australia from 1873 to 1929 with particular reference to Marino, Brighton, Somerton, Glenelg, West Beach, Grange and Largs Bay.railroad construction - south australia - history, railroad operations - south australia - history -
Victorian Railway History Library
Booklet, Australian Railway Historical Society - Queensland Division, Southern and Western Railways of Queensland: A Lineside Guide
A lineside guide for the Queensland Government railway from Brisbane south & west to Toowoomba & beyond.ill, p.24.non-fictionA lineside guide for the Queensland Government railway from Brisbane south & west to Toowoomba & beyond.railroad operations - queensland - history, railroad construction - queensland - history -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ceramic - Ceramic Piece, Minton Potteries, 1877
The ceramic piece is one of four porcelain fragments washed up from the Loch Ard wreck near Port Campbell Victoria. These fragments resemble the foot and leg of a large bird and legend has it that another bird had drifted ashore at the same time the Loch Ard peacock. This figurine is on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and regarded as the most valuable shipwreck relic. It is believed that all four fragments could belong to another peacock or a Minton porcelain stork that had been photographed in a Home Beautiful magazine in 1928. This stork appeared to be missing a leg and foot and experts have hypothesized that the four fragments could belong to this stork, the whereabouts of which are currently unknown. History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from ”Loch Ard” a loch which lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition in. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collections historically significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. Glazed ceramic fragments; two that fit together. 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