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Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Former Ringwood Mail office, Adelaide Street, 1955 looking along laneway to west showing Ham's Billiard Saloon to left, 1955
This laneway which ran between Bamford's Timber Yard on the corner of Warrandyte Rd and Maroondah Hwy became Civic Place. Two storey building is Renong Chambers. Bottom left shows Jack Orr's clothes hoists. Bottom right is Horman & Woolhouse plumbers. This area was demolished in 1965.Typed below photograph, "Former Ringwood Mail office, Adelaide Street, 1955". Catalogue card reads, "Adelaide St. looking along laneway to west showing former "Mail" office and Billiards Pool to left, 1955." Written on backing sheet of one copy, "Lane between Bamford's Timber Yard, corner Warrandyte Rd. and Maroondah Highway. House demolished 1965. 'Ringwood Mail' office at end of lane in Adelaide St." Another copy's backing sheet reads, "Mail Office. Lane went to Melbourne St. Ham's Billiard Saloon, Renong Chambers (2 storey) bot. left Jack Orr's clothes hoists. Bot. right Horman & Woolhouse plumbers." Another copy reads, "This laneway became Civic Place." -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Possibly the house of Capt. Miles but no inscription
No inscription. May be house of Capt. Miles.but comparison with known building indicates otherwise. -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, R.F. Miles, Sergeant, AIF (undated)
Written on back of photograph, "R.F. Miles". Two pieces of paper are enclosed with the photographs and read as follows: "R. F. Miles. Raoul Fortescue Miles was one of the seven sons of Captain Edward Thomas Miles and Mrs. Charlotte Eliza Miles. There were also four girls. Names of these in order are: Edward Leslie, Amy Florence, Augustus Temple, Lilian Ethel (Mrs. G.M. Parker), Hilda Clare (Mrs. J.W. Barrett), Arthur Hunter, Thomas Alfred, Sydney Derwent, Raoul Fortescue, Kathleen Mary Edith (Mrs. Howe), Keith Lyttleton. The only survivors are Thomas Alfred and Kathleen Howe. Raoul Miles served in the 12 Bn. in the first AIF and rose to the rank of sergeant. He Married an English girl at the end of 1st World War and brought her as an 18 year old bride to Australia. He worked Hendon which was owned by Captain Miles. In the early twenties he went to Seaford and opened a cafe on Napean Highway. He then opened an estate agency as well in front of his house. He was a councillor in the then Shire of Frankston and Hastings. He was Shire President at some time. Just before the 2nd World War he opened an estate agency in Frankston near the station. He also had a post office agency in the building which he owned. After the war he and his brother Sydney subdivided land and built houses at Seaford. His wife died suddenly and for some years he lived alone in a two storey houses divided into two flats. He died when he was about 72 or 73. During World War 2 he was a recruiting officer for the R.A.A.F. He had five children: - Jean (Mrs. Hayward, Portland?), Barbara (Mrs. Collins, Wattle Park), Laurie (Mrs. Thorpe Woods, Kent, England), Ted, Seaford?, Bill, Seaford?". -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Photograph, Old Ringwood Fire Station 1930
Black and white photograph of fibro building with sign above entrance reading, "Metropolitan Fire Brigade".Typed below photograph, "The old Ringwood Fire Station 1930. Was behind old Town Hall in Maroondah Highway. Later used as infant welfare centre. Civic Place on right with old schoolmasters house in background. Looking along Civic Place towards Ringwood St. Note old telephone wires and insulators." Written on backing sheet, "Engine 1912 Hotchkins. C of E Ministers house on right in Ringwood Street". -
Orbost & District Historical Society
newspaper clippings, April, May 1987
The Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre) was opened on March 28, 1987. It was officially opened by Dr D. Caughey, the governor of Victoria. The Orbost Visitor Information Centre is situated in Forest Park on Nicholson Street. The centre is housed in the historic Slab Hut. The hut was an original family dwelling built in 1872, on a site approximately three kilometres upstream from the junction of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers. The Hut was removed from its original site around 1970, and stored until 1984 when the Shire Council approved the current site. It was restored and brought to life as a Tourist Information Centre in 1987.The Slab Hut is an icon of Orbost. These newspaper articles are contemporary records of the opening of this building.A selection of articles from The News and the Snowy River Mail. All relate to the opening of the Slab Hut, the Orbost Visitor Information Centre. They are photographs, information and the history of the Slab Hut.slab-hut-orbost newspaper-snowy-river-mail -
Learmonth and District Historical Society Inc.
Medal - Centenary of Government 1951, Centenary of Government & Discovery of Gold. 1951
The medal was designed by Andor Meszaros and made by K. G. Luke(Medal Makers) of Melbourne, Victoria. This medal was presented to the Shire of Ballarat in 1951 and is now house in the Old Ballarat SHire Building at Learmonth, Victoria.This medal represents the 100 years of "Government in Victoria", also the "Discovery of Gold".A large round bronze medal with a horse bounding left, broken shackles on foreleg, carrying woman holding sword (Justice) and man holding torch (Equality).The front features a man holding a torch and a woman on a horse holding a sword. The horse has a shackle on its front left leg, surrounded by the words "EQUALITY AND JUSTICE THROUGH FREEDOM". On the back at the bottom is flowers and leaves with the words "CENTENARY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA 1851 - 1951.shire ballarat government victoria gold discovery 100 years -
Cheese World Museum
Book, Amazon Design & Printing, Allansford 1855-2006, 2006
An update of the earlier book 'Allan's Ford: Allansford' by original author Graeme McLeod. The original book was produced to mark the 125th Anniversary of Allansford and its school and the update for the 150th Anniversary of Allansford Primary School. The book records the history of Allansford from its settlement by the Allan brothers in 1839 with an overview of the development of the town, the school and the surrounding small schools which became a part of Allansford & District Primary School, businesses, sport and recreation, public buildings, some pioneer families and John Murray MP and Premier of Victoria.This is the only record of the town of Allansford and provides an overview of the history of Allansford and its development.Blue covered paperback book with blue text for title 'Allansford 1855-2006'. An image of the shop and houses is superimposed on a washout of the same image.allansford, mcleod, graeme, mcleod, barbara, pioneer families, commercial businesses, industries, education, public buildings, sport & recreation, allan family, tooram, allandale -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Line throwing pistol, 1925-1945
This is a SPRA, or Schermuly’s Pistol Rocket Apparatus. The large firearm type pistol would have been used to throw a line between ships, usually in the event of saving lives. The line throwing pistol consists of a long barrel with handle attached, a pistol grip and trigger, which fires a short blank cartridge. Accessories for the pistol included: flares, 12 gauge adaptor (to shoot 12 gauge flares), a wood plunger, and boxes of faked line. The stamp on the handle, Crown over "NP" is a Birmingham Proof House mark that dates the pistol between 1904 and 1954. However Schermuly's line throwing pistol was invented in the 192s and used on British Naval Ships from 1929. The serial number '22507' is only 806 numbers later than one on sale as a British Military WWII issue SRPA '21701'. This pistol appears to be made 125-1945. The apparatus was used as a life saving device for crew and passengers on vessels in distress that were only a few hundred metres from shore, often eliminating the need to launch a boat and risk lives to go out to the vessel in dangerous conditions. It could also be used from ship to ship rescue. The pistol would launch a line from shore to the vessel. The line would be attached to the vessel, then shore crew would send out equipment, including a breeches buoy, in which the stranded people could be pulled to shore. It has saved many lives at sea. The cartridge is loaded into the breech of the pistol and the rocket is inserted into the muzzle. On pulling the trigger, the gases generated by the fired cartridge eject the rocket on its correct line of flight, and at the same time, burst through the waterproof disc and ignite the propellant mixture, which carries the rocket and line on the remainder of the flight. The rocket consists of a weldless steel case filled with propellant mixture sealed in by a waterproof disc. Fixed to the rocket case is a direction bridle, to the end of which a short length of flexible steel wire is attached, this in turn being connected to the end of the line to be thrown. A complete rocket set, or line throwing kit. would include a wood carrying case, two coils of faked line in separate compartments, three rockets and a can of six cartridges. William Schermuly (1857 – 1929) - Founder of the Schermuly business. In 1897 he invented a trough-fired, line throwing apparatus. In 1920 he and his third son, Alfred James Schermuly, invented the pistol rocket apparatus and promoted this overseas during the 1920s. The system was approved by the British Navy in 1929 through an Act of Parliament, which made it compulsory for ships over 500 tons to carry this equipment. The company, Schermuly Pistol Rocket Apparatus Ltd., grew quickly during and after World War II but business eased off during the 1970s before it eventually closed in the 1990s. 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. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. This line-throwing pistol is part of he Rocket Launching Equipment used to perform life-saving rescue at sea from the 1920s. It 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.Pistol, line-throwing, SPRA (Schermuly's Pistol Rocket Apparatus). This line throwing pistol has a wooden pistol grip, brass trigger mechanism, and a long, wide, steel barrel with Bakelite handle attached to the top. Inscriptions are stamped onto the pistol.Stamped on handle: "5" and "[symbol of a Crown] above NP" , "22507", "[within oval] SPRA" Stamped on barrel: "L22507".gun, pistol, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, line throwing, line throwing pistol, spra, schermuly's pistol rocket apparatus, sea rescue, pyrotechnicks, marine technology, schermuly pistol rocket apparatus ltd., william schermuly, alfred schermuly, pistol line thrower, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, beach rescue set, rocket set, schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, pistol rocket apparatus, line throwing cartridge, line-throwing rocket, firearm, life saving, lsrc -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Fob watch, 1814
Watchmaker History: James McCabe born in 1748 and was the son of Patrick McCabe, a notable watchmaker from Lurgan in County Armagh, Ireland. James McCabe immigrated to London in 1775 where he established his own business in Bells Building, Fleet Street. On 2nd April 1781, James McCabe was made an Honorary Freeman of the Clockmakers Company. The House of McCabe was renowned for the sheer variety of its designs and the creativity and prestige of their manufacture was celebrated and revered by owners worldwide. These pieces remain highly collectable today and fetch increasingly higher prices at auction houses worldwide. Watch association with the Loch Ard: The watch was saved from the sea when discovered on the body of Mrs Rebecca Carmichael from Dublin and handed to Eva Carmichael, the only family member to survive the fatal wreck of the Loch Ard on 1st June 1878. Eva gifted the watch to her husband, Thomas Achilles Townsend when they married in 1884; his name is engraved on the rear movement cover. The watch has been held by the family until 2011 when they decided to bring the watch, to Australia for auction. At this time the watch was in the possession of Eva Carmichael's grandson, Robert Townsend. Given its connection with the Loch Ard shipwreck It was purchased at auction by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village on 25th October 2011 to add to it's Loch Ard collection and is currently referred to as the Carmichael watch. It is now on display alongside the Minton Peacock, which also survived the Loch Ard shipwreck, and other artefacts from the collection. James McCabe was originally a Belfast watchmaker who had moved his business to London. At the time James McCabe was much esteemed for producing fine watches and clocks, especially for export to India. Only the best watches were inscribed “James McCabe” and many with highly decorated cases were intended for the Indian market. Contemporary newspaper accounts of the watches discovery echoed a Carmichael family tradition that the watch had been intended as a gift from the City of Dublin to King George IV to mark his planned visit to the city in 1821 however there is no evidence to support this theory. Dr Evory Carmichael at some stage bought this watch some accounts say from a nobleman for about £100 and so it travelled with him on his final fateful journey to Australia. Today we can only guess at the actions of Mrs Carmichael in the chaos and darkness of the pre-dawn shipwreck. Perhaps the two items that were found on her body, the watch and a locket, were items that reminded her of those she held most dear, her husband and her family. When Mrs Carmichael's body was washed ashore the watch was found secreted in the waistband of her dress. In its own right the watch is of artistic and monetary value and is a rare and beautiful object depicting watch making in the early 19th century. It is a historically significant object in it’s own right and there is additional importance, surviving a significant event in the maritime history of Victoria. The wreck of the Loch Ard, Victoria's greatest maritime disaster has also been declared an event of National Significance because of its strong connection to Australia's immigration and maritime history. The watch, together with the Loch Ard Peacock, make up the two most significant shipwreck artefacts in Australia. Both of these items are of great social significance to not only local people but the wider Australian community. Funding for the watches purchase came from six local trusts and one anonymous citizen and is now on permanent display. Both these artefacts symbolise and helps to interpret the stories of survival along the Shipwreck Coast. Fob Watch, known as the "Carmichael Watch" or the "Loch Ard Watch". 1814 fob pocket watch belonging to the Carmichael family, recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Fob watch (or pocket watch)and winding key, made by James McCabe and Son, of Cornhill, London. The watch is in excellent condition and its design is decorative and intricate. The gold face is covered by glass. The gold rear cover is hinged over a silver inner cover that includes the winding hole. The watch has a knob with a swinging ring from which it can be hung. The dial of the gold watch face is textured and has raised Arabic numerals and every minute is marked around the perimeter by a dot, with the 5-minute dots slightly larger. The numerals and dots are a different coloured gold than the rest of the face. The centre of the face has a wavy pattern fanning out to the base of the numerals. The hour and minute hands are of a dark colour. The stems of the hands are a wavy shape and finish with spade shaped tips; the tip of the hour hand is larger than that of the minute hand. The hour hand reaches to the base of the numerals and the minute hand is long enough to rest between the minute dots. The back of the watch is decorated with a detailed design on a textured gold background. The design is embossed in coloured metals; gold, silver, greenish-gold and pink. In the centre is a dove resting on leaves of a pot plant that sits on a silver circular base. Another dove is flying above it, and their beaks touch together. On the right of the base of the pot plant is a dog resting on its hind legs, body facing away from the plant and head twisted around to look at the birds. On the sides of this design and meeting at the base are sprigs of leaves and buds. Around this central design is a rope-like border. Around the perimeter of the case is a border of leaves and budding stems. The inside of this cover has embossed hallmarks, numbers and etched markings indicating that the watch is 18 carat gold, made by James McCabe, assayed in London in 1814 and the case may have been made by Daniel Willmott, case maker. The silver inner workings cover has a full name beautifully engraved on it. There is a winding hole that accesses a square-ended lever for the key to fit over. The handle of the watch is a twisted gold knob with a hollow ‘D’-shaped swinging ring attached to the end of it. This knob also has a hallmark.On the silver inner workings cover “Thomas Achilles Townshend” is engraved, underscored by a thin, delicately decorated line. On the gold handle is the logo of a crown with “18”’ next to it. Inside the gold rear case is stamped “DW’. Under that is etched “JAN 77 II”. Underneath this are 3 logos; a logo “leopard, crowned”’, a logo “ crown on top of 18”, and a logo “T”. Under these 3 symbols is part of a stamp that could possibly be “IMC”. Under this is “ ’ 5 9 4 ”. Other numbers, symbols and letters are etched into this case including “15001”, “2/5/19”. Others are difficult to read.warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, shipwreck artefact, carmichael, townshend, townsend, carmichael watch, loch ard watch, pocket watch, loch ard, 1st june 1878, james mccabe, thomas walker, robert townshend, loch ard gorge, great ocean road, victoria., memorial headstone -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Rocket set, John Dennett, ca. 1860s
This rescue line-throwing rocket set was made for the Dennett rocket system, which was used by the Rocket Rescue crews in South West Victoria from around the 1860s to the 1890s. 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 has had 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, followed in 1864 by a rocket house 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 one hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain and improve their skills, 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 first use of a lifesaving rocket rescue system is often credited to Captain Manby and his invention of a life mortar, first used in 1808 to fire a line onto a ship to rescue lives. Henry Trengrouse’s invention of 1820 was the first to use a sky rocket’s power to throw a line, and his invention included a chair for carrying the shipwrecked victims to shore. In 1832 John Dennett invented a rocket specifically for shore to ship rescue. It had an iron case and an 8 foot pole attached and could shoot the line as far as 250 yards (about 230 metres). From the 1860s the rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It comprised a breeches buoy and traveller block that was suspended on a line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. Colonel Boxer, who had invented an early line-thrower, designed a rocket in 1865 with a range from 300 to 470 yards. It was the first two-stage rocket, with two rockets placed one in front of the other in a tube that carried the rescue line. The hemp line was faked, or coiled, in a particular way in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired, and the angle of firing the rocket was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol around 1920, which used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. Victoria’s Government adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain, which used Colonel Boxer’s rocket apparatus rescue method. The British Board of Trade published instructions in 1850 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 attached, then firing it across the stranded vessel. A tally board was then sent out with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the continuous whip line and attach the whip block to a mast or sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a heavier hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser is 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 buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. The rocket system could also be used from one ship to another.The Dennett rocket set is quite rare - there are not many examples in existence and little information is available. This Dennett's rocket set 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.A Dennett rocket set in six parts; the rocket head, three shafts (poles) and two rocket-head toting boxes. The rocket head, mounted on one of the shafts, is a long, red painted, iron tube with rounded ends and a protruding fitting around each end. The wooden rocket shafts are octagonal, with a metal sheath at the ends, carved elongated slots towards each end, and a scribed channel above the black foot. The rocket head toting boxes are thick timber, covered in fabric and painted black. They have a hinged wooden lid that slants downwards from back to front, and a metal closure. Small deliberate holes, in groups of four, on the box’s sides, indicate missing attachments, likely to have been handles. Impressed one a shaft "8"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, 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, irish hand barrow, rocket head toting box, explosives, rocket shaft, rocket pole -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Rocket Launcher, John Dennett, 1860s
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 -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Hand Barrow, 1860s
This hand barrow, sometimes called a Welsh hand barrow, was used to transport a load of marine rescue equipment from the beach cart to the rescue site, particularly over hilly, uneven or rough terrain. Hand barrows were in common use in the 19th century. 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. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. Rocket Rescue Method - Rocket rescue became the preferred lifesaving method of the rescue crews, being much safer that using a lifeboat in rough seas and poor conditions. 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 regularly 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, determined by the Head of the crew and 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 continuous whip line was then sent out to the ship’s crew, who hauled it in then followed the instructions – in four languages - on the attached tally board. The survivors would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line with a tail block connected to it. They then secured the block to the mast or other strong part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the survivors fixed above the whip’s tail block. The hawser was then tightened by the crew pulling on it, or by using the hooked block on the shore end of the whip and attaching it to a sand anchor. The breeches buoy was attached to the traveller block on the hawser, and the shore crew then used the whip line to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. The rescue crew wore scarlet, numbered armbands and worked on a numerical rotation system, swapping members out to rest them. This hand barrow 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.Hand barrow; a transporting device carried between two people walking one in front of the other. A wooden ladder-like frame with two handles at each end, blue painted body with unpainted handles. Seven equal-length slats are joined at equal distance between two parallel poles, and two longer slats are attached diagonally between the first and last slats as a brace. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, breakwater, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, marine technology, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, line throwing, lifeboat warrnambool, hand barrow, manual transport, welsh hand barrow -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Artwork, other - Window, circa 1928
This religiously themed window is situated in the western (weather) wall of the St. Nicholas Mission to Seamen’s Church building in the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. It was crafted circa 1928. ABOUT THE WINDOW This window, once known as the Dr Connell Memorial Window, was a feature of an external wall adjacent to the Women’s Children’s Wards of Warrnambool Hospital. Honorary Doctors had played a significant role in the operation of the hospital between the years 1900 to 1939. One of these doctors was Dr. Connell, who passed away in 1928. The green glass plaque is also a registered object in Flagstaff Hill's Collection. Its inscription dedicates the window to Dr. Connell. The inscription reads: “A tribute to Egbert John Connell M.B.B.S. who for 30 years rendered devoted and valuable service to this institution. Obiit April 4th 1928 A.D." A paragraph in the book ‘A History of the Warrnambool Base Hospital’ by Forth and Yule describes the role of the Honorary Doctors - “At the start of the period the senior-part time medical officer was replaced by the junior resident medical officer and control of beds and the right to operate were given to the honorary medical officers...and these men dominated the Warrnambool medical world in the years before the Second World War.” Dr. Connell leased ‘Ambleside’, 192 Koroit Street, in the early 20th century, following Dr Teed who had previously run his medical practice there. In 1914 Dr Connell purchased the property and continued his private practice there until his death in 1928. He also took a prominent part in hospital work, both as physician and surgeon, and often acted as spokesmen for the Honorary Doctors. According to colleague Dr. Horace Holmes’ subsequent notes, it was after the close of the First World War, and the following years of the world-wide pneumonic influenza epidemic, that Dr. Connell himself contracted pneumonia and died. His family and friends then recognised his work by gifting the memorial window in his honour to the Hospital. By the mid-1970s the old wards at the hospital had been replaced and there was no obvious place for the window. Discussions between the previous and past Hospital managers, the Anglican Diocese, and Flagstaff Hill Planning Board, led to its installation in its present position in St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and the memorial plaque was later installed beside the window. St NICHOLAS SEAMEN’S CHURCH, Anglican Church Flagstaff Hill’s Mission to Seamen was opened in 1981. Its conception was partly motivated by the offer of Stained Glass Memorial Windows from the local Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, which was undergoing multi-storey development in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. The Manager/Secretary at the time was keen to see the historical windows installed in an appropriate location. The chapel was designed by a local architectural draftsman in conjunction with members of the Planning Board of Flagstaff Hill, and built by Mr Leon Habel. The vision of the designers included the hope that the church be used for formal worship such as weddings and funeral, and for multi-denominational special services such as War commemorations. The design is based on the ‘Mission to Seamen’ buildings in both Portland and Port Melbourne. These types of buildings were often erected to house social and worshipful activities for seamen. The materials used in the building include sandstone recycled from nineteenth-century buildings demolished in Warrnambool and American slate tiles retrieved from the 1908 wreck of the FALLS OF HALLADALE. Most of the chapel furnishings came from the Williamstown Missions to Seamen, which was consecrated in 1946 but later decommissioned. These artefacts range from the altar cloth to the hymn board and include a visually stunning round stained glass widow called ‘Christ Guiding the Helmsman’. However the provenance of this particular artefact, large western window, is local. This stained glass memorial window is of local, historical and social significance, linking local history and heritage with one of Warrnambool's doctors, Dr. Egbert John Connell (d. 1928), who gave 30 years of dedicated, medical service to the local citizens.Stained glass leadlight window in Gothic arched metal frame with six horizontal reinforcing rods. Image depicts a golden flat-bowled baptismal font on a slender stand with foliage proceeding from it. The image is internally framed by a Roman arch of coloured glass and surrounding rectangular and breaking-wave shapes. (The window was previously known locally as the Dr. Connell Memorial Window and a plaque dedicated to Dr. Connell is catalogued separately. See Context notes for details.)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chapel window, stained glass window, warrnambool and district base hospital, st nicholas mission to seamen’s church, williamstown mission to seamen, dr egbert connell, ambleside warrnambool, leon habel builder, falls of halladale slate, memorial window, commemorative window, dr connell -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (item) - Colour tinted photograph, Valentine Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd, The Road to Cumberland Valley, Marysville. No. 1, 1923-1963
An early colour tinted photograph of the intersection of the Buxton Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road.An early photograph of the Buxton Marysville Road and the Marysville-Wood's Point Road intersection. The Marysville-Buxton Road joins the Maroondah Highway which leads to Alexandra. The Marysville-Woods Point Road was originally part of the Yarra Track, constructed in the early 1860s to provide access between Healesville and the Woods Point Goldfields. Despite the steep terrain and engineering difficulties, the Yarra Track soon became a busy route used by pack horses, horse-drawn drays, and wagons. Today this sealed mountain road is a popular scenic drive between Marysville and Warburton. On the right of the photograph can be seen 'The Crossways Hotel' which is circa 1920 and one of the oldest buildings still standing in Marysville. 'The Crossways Hotel' survived the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, through the efforts of the owner using buckets of water from the nearby Steavenson River. In the background can be seen the Poontawan Guest House which later became the Marysville Chalet Guest House which was on the site of the original Steavenson's Hotel. That guest house no longer exists and the Christ Church stands on the land where the guest house once stood. This photograph was published by the Valentine Publishing Co Pty. Ltd as a souvenir of Marysville.marysville, victoria, marysville chalet guest house, crossways hotel, christ church marysville, poontawan guest house, steavenson's hotel, valentine publishing co, souvenir, yarra track, wood's point road, mining, buxton-marysville road, marysville-wood's point road, maroondah highway, alexandra -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Postcard (item) - Colour postcard, Nucolorvue Productions Pty. Ltd, Mystic Mountains-MARYSVILLE, Pre 2009
A colour photograph taken of the original Police Station in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph taken of the original Police Station in Marysville in Victoria. The Police Station was officially opened on the 30th June, 1865. The building then went on to house the Marysville Historical Society's collection from its inception in 1969. The building and all its contents were destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. This postcard was produced by Nucolorvue Productions as a souvenir of Marysville.The original Police Station at Marysville/ officially opened 30th June 1865./ It is now re-situated at Burrungeen Park. NU-COLOR-VUE/ AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL POSTCARD COMPANY STANDARD POSTAGE POSTCODE 17MA010 NCV 11128 Nucolorvue Productions Tel. 1 800 806 053 Made in Australia cmarysville, police station, victoria, nucolorvue productions, postcard, souvenir, marysville & district historical society, 2009 black saturday bushfires -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Postcard (item) - Colour postcard, Nucolorvue Productions Pty. Ltd, Mystic Mountains-MARYSVILLE, Pre 2009
A colour photograph taken of the original Police Station in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph taken of the original Police Station in Marysville in Victoria. The Police Station was officially opened on the 30th June, 1865. The building then went on to house the Marysville Historical Society's collection from its inception in 1969. The building and all its contents were destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. This postcard was produced by Nucolorvue Productions as a souvenir of Marysville.The original Police Station at Marysville/ officially opened 30th June 1865./ It is now re-situated at Burrungeen Park. NU-COLOR-VUE/ AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL POSTCARD COMPANY STANDARD POSTAGE POSTCODE 17MA010 NCV 11128 Nucolorvue Productions Tel. 1 800 806 053 Made in Australia cmarysville, police station, victoria, nucolorvue productions, postcard, souvenir, marysville & district historical society, 2009 black saturday bushfires -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Postcard (item) - Colour postcard, Marysville Post Office, Greetings from Marysville, Post 2009
... as a temporary structure to house the Building Advisory Centre after ...A colour photograph taken of the Marysville Visitor Information Centre during Autumn.A colour photograph taken of the Marysville Visitor Information Centre during Autumn. This building was initially built as a temporary structure to house the Building Advisory Centre after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. This postcard was produced by the Marysville Post Office as souvenir of Marysville.The Golden Glow of Autumn Marysville Post Office AFFIX/ STAMP/ HERE Postcard by Sandy Berthelsenmarysville, victoria, autumn, postcard, souvenir, marysville post office, 2009 black saturday bushfires -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Coastal Scene, Joseph Jordan Photographic Studio, Lady Bay and Breakwater, Warrnambool, circa 1907
The Port of Warrnambool - In the early years the Port of Warrnambool was a busy port. Steamships and sailing ships were frequent visitors to the port. Steam navigation companies were plentiful, carrying passengers and freighting cargo such as coal, timber, food, livestock, furniture, hardware and haberdashery between Melbourne and the ports along the southwest coast of Victoria, including Warrnambool. The carts would take their loads into the township for distribution. The Breakwater was built (using 32 ton blocks of concrete) between 1874 and 1890 to provide ships with greater protection from the Southern Ocean. The Lifeboat and Rocket House - The coastline of South West Victoria has had 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, followed in 1864 by a rocket house 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 one hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain and improve their skills, 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. Joseph Jordan - Joseph Jordan was born in 1841 in Leicester England. When he was 16 he joined the 7th Queen's Own Hussars and was sent to India at the outbreak of the mutiny. He took part in the relief of Lucknow and remained in India for eleven years. It was during this time, he became interested in photography. He was posted to New Zealand and later came to Victoria, becoming a sergeant major of the Mounted Rifles. In the mid 1880s he came to the Western district where he was responsible for establishing units of the Mounted Rifles in various country towns such as Dunkeld, Mortlake, Panmure, Bushfield, Koroit etc. He resigned from the army in 1889 and set up a professional photography studio in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. He became very well known in the Western District for family photographs, official photographs of local councillors and groups as well as views of local scenery. In 1891 he photographed the wrecked barque "Fiji" at "Wrecks Beach" near Princetown. His business was taken over by his son Arthur around 1917. Joseph was a keen rifle shot and in 1924 he donated the "Jordan Shield" as a prize to the Victorian Rifle Association. He was made a "Life Honorary Member" of the Warrnambool Returned Soldiers League and in 1933 he was recognised as being the oldest living soldier in Victoria. Joseph died in 1935 aged 95.This photograph is significant for its association with the Port of Warrnambool and the Warrnambool Breakwater as it shows a point in time when shipping activities were an important part of Warrnambool's commerce and social development. It is also a record of the Warrnambool Lifeboat and Rocket house which was important in aiding ordinary citizens, harbour employees and the volunteer boat and rescue crew in saving the lives of sailors and passengers due to the high number of shipwrecks that occurred along the coastline. Joseph Jordan is a significant figure in Warrnambool history as he helped to establish early units of the Mounted Rifles (G Company) in local towns during the late 1880's and later, photographed local scenes, groups and citizens of early Warrnambool. Sepia photograph showing the beach and the Breakwater in Lady Bay Warrnambool, two ships (a steamship and a barque), a small sailboat, and the Lifeboat and Rocket House plus two smaller sheds.Front of photo - BREAKWATER, WARRNAMBOOL, VICTORIA Back of photo - "From: P Gregory / 365 Beach Road / BLACK ROCK 3193"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, warrnambool, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, breakwater, lifeboat and rocket shed, steamship, barque, photograph of lady bay, rocket house, shipping, joseph jordan, lady bay, views of warrnambool, jordan photography -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Water Canteen and Ladle, mid-to-late 19th century
The horizontal water canteen has been carefully designed to fit snugly on the hip when worn with the straps diagonally across the body. The ladle allows quick and easy scooping of the contents to refresh the lifeboat and rocket launching crew, and the survivors of the disaster 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. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. 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 a 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 apparatus was in use. The apparatus 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 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 lightweight 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 of 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. Beach apparatus equipment - In the mid-1800s the equipment could include a line throwing set, coiled line in wooden carrying case, rockets, cartridges, breeches buoy, hawser and traveller block, line-throwing pistol, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, crotch pole, and tools such as spade, pick, mallet and hawser cutter. Around the 1860s Warrnambool had a Rocket House installed beside the Harbour. This water canteen 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.Water canteen and ladle; blue painted oval metal cylinder with a removable round threaded lid. Two adjustable leather shoulder straps are attached to the canteen through metal rings on the sides of the lid. A blue-painted copper ladle with a fixed, 45-degree angled handle is attached to the canteen with a length of string. The water canteen is designed to be carried horizontally.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, survival canteen, rescue canteen, dipper, cup, canteen and dipper, canteen and ladle, water canteen -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Canvas Bag, mid-to-late 19th century
This drawstring canvas bag is amongst the Rocket Rescue equipment. It could have been used to carry equipment, clothing or provisions between the crew on the shore and the victims of a shipwreck or other rescue need. It could be worn on the shoulder or as a backpack or winched out to a vessel on the block and pulley system. The strong canvas could be weatherproof and waterproof to a large extent, provided the drawstring was pulled tight. 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. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. 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 a 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 apparatus was in use. The apparatus 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 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 lightweight 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 of 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. Beach apparatus equipment - In the mid-1800s the equipment could include a line throwing set, coiled line in a wooden carrying case, rockets, cartridges, breeches buoy, hawser and traveller block, line-throwing pistol, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, crotch pole, and tools such as spade, pick, mallet and hawser cutter. Around the 1860s Warrnambool had a Rocket House installed beside the Harbour. This canvas bag 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.Canvas bag; thick beige canvas bag, cylindrical with a round base. The top has a thin rope in a drawstring closure. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, survival kit, rescue kit, canvas bag, storage bag, carry bag, equipment bag, drawerstring bag -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Document (Item) - Research Document, Judith Vimpani, Thomas Henry Branchflower & Family, 2019
An account of the life of Thomas Henry Branchflower and his family.An account of the life of Thomas Henry Branchflower and his family. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, 12-1933
A black and white photograph of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.Peggy Branchflower/ Thomas Branchflower/ Alice Branchflower/ Gerald Branchflower/ Kenneth Branchflower/ Marysville/ Dec 1933the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, 1932
A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.Thomas Branchflower/ Ken Branchflower/ Peg Branchflower/ Blackie/ ?/ Marysville/ 1932the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, 1932
A black and white photograph of a member of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of a member of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.Alice Branchflower/ Blackie/ Marysville/ 1932the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, 1932
A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.Peg Branchflower/ Ken Branchflower/ Marysville/ 1932the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
A black and white photograph of a member of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of a member of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Photograph (Item) - Black and white photograph, Unknown
A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria.A black and white photograph of members of the Branchflower Family who resided in Marysville in Victoria. Thomas was born in London in 1896. He arrived in Australia in 1922 with his wife Alice and baby Peggy. Thomas spent the early 1930s in Marysville as a builder, in particular on Eric Dowdle's guesthouses, and built his family a house on the Buxton road. He built The Log Cabin in the traditional way with no nails. It was built for Gwendoline Pitman after the death of her father Clarence Pitman and the disappearance of her sister Olive in July 1926. Gwendoline operated an artist and souvenir shop in the newly built Log Cabin in partnership with Peter Mackey who was a Melbourne optician and artist. Alice died in 1944 and Thomas married Irene Sutherland in 1945; they had three children. Thomas Henry Branchflower died in Mont Albert in 1970. At the time of his death, he was a building assessor.the log cabin, marysville, victoria, thomas henry branchflower, gerald branchflower, mary chain, gwendoline pitman, clarence pitman, kooringa guesthouse, olive pitman, wilbur anderson, peter mackey, alice maude branchflower, alice maude humm, collingwood, pianomaker, preston, pianoforte maker, cabinetmaker, peggy branchflower, kenneth branchflower, irene sutherland, irene branchflower, mont albert, building assessor