Showing 329 items
matching early warrnambool business
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Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Programme, Modern Print, Warrnambool Musical and Elocutionary Competitions, 1938
This booklet contains details of the programmes for the Warrnambool Musical and Elocutionary Competitions in 1938, the fifth annual competition of its kind. The competitions were held over five days and attracted a great number of participants with the prizewinners receiving monetary prizes donated by local businesses and businessmen. The competitions included a spelling bee and an operatic aria competition with the latter offering a prize of £10. The adjudicator for the elocution competitions was John Howlett Ross (1857-1953) a Melbourne-born journalist and a noted elocutionist at that time. From 1924 to the early 1950s John Howlett Ross was a well-known A.B.C. radio broadcaster. Today the Warrnambool Eisteddfod conducts similar competitions annually. This program is of interest as an example of the popularity of music and elocution competitions in places such as Warrnambool in the first half of the 20th century. Also the local advertisements in the booklet are of considerable help to researchers today. This is a booklet of 20 pages with a white cover with green and red printing and a black and white photograph on the back cover. The pages contain many advertisements and printed information. The booklet was stapled but the staples have been removed.music and elocution in warrnambool, john howlett ross, journalist and elocutionist, history of warrnambool -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Medal - Medal VHAS, Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association, Circa 1880
Historical information: this medallion has historical details on three fronts. Firstly the Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Association. This association began with the first meeting held on May 17th 1853 at Woodford. The minutes of that meeting read “That in the opinion of this meeting, the formation of an agricultural association would be of great benefit to persons in this district engaged in farming and pastoral pursuits. It initially embraced the following: ploughing, agricultural produce, machines and implements, and livestock of all descriptions. The first show was held at Warrnambool on April 10th 1855 on a green bounded by Fairy, Henna, and Koroit Streets. It was held there until 1875 when it moved to the present Showgrounds site in Koroit Street. At the 37th Annual show in 1890 Warrnambool held its first Grand National Show, being granted by the Chamber of Agriculture in turn, in Victoria. It became known as the Warrnambool Agricultural Society in 1911. Secondly the winner, Mr Hugh Lennon. He was one of the most successful innovators and manufacturers of agricultural implements in early Australia. Although born in Ireland, he served an apprenticeship in Scotland in mechanical engineering. The Lennon plough became known Australia wide. For many years he operated his business at the northern of Elizabeth Street in Melbourne. He was active in local affairs. He died in 1886 at the age of 52. Thirdly, Stokes and Martin. Thomas Stokes came to Australia in the 1850’s and established a successful business at Mincing Lane Melbourne, manufacturing buttons, medals and tokens. Martin joined the partnership in 1873, which lasted until a disastrous fire in 1893. The business was renamed Stokes & Sons Pty Ltd and it became a public company in 1962. It is currently situated at Ringwood in the business of spare parts for electrical equipment The Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association was a significant event and organisation within the Western District over a large number of years. It was one of the earliest organisations in the district and is testament to its importance to the agricultural, social, and cultural life of the district. It is significant that this particular medallion was awarded to an innovator in the ploughing industry and that it was made by a company which is still in business 130 years later. Circular copper medallion cast with Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Assoctn around edge with winner and event details engraved in centre. The reverse is cast with horse, cow and sheep standing above wheat sheaf and farm implements. The edge of the medallion is plain.Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultl Assoctn around rim. 1st Prize awarded to Hugh Lennon for double furrow plough, Warrnambool Oct 19 1880. Stokes & Martin Melbourne in small lettering on the reverse.warrnambool, villiers & heytesbury, hugh lennon, stokes & martin, lennon plow, lennon plough -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Bottle, Reeves Dry Ginger, Circa late 20th century
Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century. A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses.Two clear glass bottles with rib pattern and circles at bottom of neck. Transfer label with small white circles and one larger red one. Top is white with orange writing. Contains Dry Ginger.Enjoy Reeves’ ice cold on the front, Bottled by R.J Reeves Warrnambool. Preservative added artificially coloured. Net contents 7 FL. OZ. warrnambool, reeves, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial. -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Functional object - Bottles, Syphon R.J Reeves, Early to mid 20th Century
Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century.A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses. Two clear glass. Cylindrical with 12 ribs. Chrome metal top with lever and spout. Logo etched on front of bottles Inscriptions and Markings: “R. J. Reeves” engraved on side of lid. “R. J. Reeves Warrnambool in oval surrounding RJR. This syphon remains the property of R. J. Reeves Warrnambool and its use by others is prohibited.British syphon company Limited London.warrnambool, reeves, soda syphon, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Hat box, 1890-1910
The item was purchased from Robinson & Moffatt department store at Post Office Place Melbourne between 1884 when the store opened. Between 1911 and 1934 Robinson & Moffatt appeared to have sold out along with other businesses to became part of the Myer Emporium. Robinson & Moffatt were an early upmarket department store for the wealthy with a branch in Perth that was opened in 1899. During their time in business Robinson & Moffatt appear to have imported goods from England and Europe. The hatbox appears to be a British pattern made for a beaver type top hat around late 19th or early 20th century. A personal item made for Robinson and Moffatt department store, imported from England and sold to a wealthy colonial gentleman sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The item was purchased from one of the earliest department stores in Melbourne, that later was incorporated into what has become an iconic Australian department store operating out of one of Melbourne's iconic building locations,the Myer emporium.Gents leather oval hat Box, with concave lid reinforcing strap and leather handle. Has metal locking device and key hole. Handle held to top with 2 studs. Velvet inside lid. Catch inside box."Made for Robertson & Moffatt Melbourne"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, hat box, gentleman's hat, gent's hat box, hatbox -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Rangefinder, E R Watts & Sons, 1930-1945
E. R. Watts and Son, makers of theodolites and other surveying instruments, of 123 Camberwell Road, London. The company was established in 1856 by Edwin Watts at twenty-three he had saved £100 from his earnings to start the business with his staff consisting of one boy and later Alexander Clarkson as an apprentice with the workshop a small room over a Bemondsey stable. Watts' first order was from Negretti and Zambra for a mining dial Alexander Clarkson In the early days the firm worked mainly on marine compasses. Edwin Watts would go down to the Docks to adjust the compasses once they had been installed on the ships. In May 1873 the business moved to larger premises a house with a garden. The workshop was also the home of Mr and Mrs Watts and their five sons and three daughters. By now there were fifteen to twenty men employed by the firm. The company were commissioned to supply the Theodolites and Levels for the construction to the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1881. Towards the end of the century, the firm began to make heliographs continuing to produce them for the government until just before the Second World War when by agreement assigned their manufacture to another firm. 1904 The first dividing engine was completed by George William Watts. It was so remarkable an instrument at the time and for years afterwards, In 1907 Arthur Ames went to Canada and started an organisation in Winnipeg in 1909 this became a separate company called E. R. Watts and Son Ltd. of Ottawa. This firm developed considerably and was eventually with the co-operation of three other instrument companies (Cambridge Instrument Co, Ross, and Negretti and Zambra), were reconstituted as ”Instruments Ltd” of Ottawa and Toronto. During the next ten years, the firm expanded greatly to include glass grinding, leather work, dividing and engraving, testing, adjusting and packing. This expansion was continued during the First World War when workshops were completed and the machinery installed and running within eleven weeks from the start of construction. During the war, a Sergeant Coles, among the rats, lice and mud of the trenches, fitted various bits of scrap into his cocoa tin and made the first Flash Spotter for plotting the positions of enemy guns. Coles was rushed home to the firm's factory where he and George William Watts designed a spotter not made out of a cocoa tin and as a result, the Watts Vertical Force Variometer was developed during WWI. Other Watts instruments made in the First World War included the Light Mountain Theodolites which were taken on Mt Everest expeditions. In 1919 ER Watts and Sons was incorporated as a limited company and in 1939 G. A. Whipple joined the Board of Directors. Shortly afterwards, Frank Charles Watts died having been Chairman of the firm for over 37 years and seen it through the First World War with all its expansions and difficulties. He was succeeded by his brother George William Watts with the vacant post of Managing Director being filled by G. A. Whipple. During the Second World War, the company expanded further and the number of employees rose to well over 1,300. In 1946 Watts acquired 78% of Adam Hilger and the microscope maker James Swift and Son Who were Manufacturers of Theodolites, Levels, Alidades, Meteorological Instruments, Variometers, and many other types of scientific instruments Then in 1948 the company amalgamated with Adam Hilger as Hilger and Watts which was then incorporated as a public company.Naval Rangefinder with a vertical wooden handle, and an arrangement of optical lenses. Three reversible brass inserts calibrated on both sides in yards, correspond to various base heights, (20 and 25 feet, 30 and 35 feet and 40 and 50 feet). They are fitted along the axis of the instrument. When the scale for the appropriate base height is selected and inserted, the carriage can be slid for coincidence and the distance read at the index mark on the sliding carriage.inscribed "Rangefinder Cotton Type Mk II" Calibrated scale up to 5000 yds (50 ft), 5000 yds (35 ft), 4000 yds (25 ft) made by E. R. Watts & Son.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, rangefinder, cotton type, e r watts & sons, naval range finder, marine equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Boiler, T & F Johnson, boilermakers, late 19th century
A steam boiler like this one, made in the late 18th century, is often called a colonial boiler. Steam boilers were used in factories throughout Australia, mounted over similar designs of brick furnaces. This boiler is a fire tube type, in which the heat from the fire travels through the tubes and water circulates around them. Another kind of boiler is a water tube boiler, in which the water is inside the tubes and the heat of the combustion surrounds the tubes. The boiler in our collection burned wood as fuel but others of this design could also burn coal, coke, gas and liquid fuels. The boiler was made by T & F Johnson, boilermakers. In 1922 their factory was located at Coventry Street, South Melbourne. They were still advertising their 'Colonial, multi, vertical boilers, all sizes' at the same address in 1934. The connected pressure gauge, made in London by Dewrance, measures 0 to 400 pounds per square inch. John Dewrance is renowned as a pioneer of the steam locomotive in the early 19th century. He founded John Dewrance & Co. in South London in 1844. His son Sir John Dewrance took over in 1879. In 1939 the company became a subsidiary of Babcock & Wilcox, and was eventually owned by Emerson. How the boiler works: - A boiler is about two-thirds filled with water and heat is applied, in this case in the form of burning wood. The heat is transferred through the metal of the boiler to the water. When the water boils the steam rises to the top, and as it escapes from the boiler the steam pressure builds up in the steam space to later be released to do work; drive machinery such as ship and train engines, turbines, presses, wheels, and driving belts to operate looms and saws. The heat associated with the boiler can be used for preserving food, sterilising, factory manufacturing processes, and steaming wood for shipbuildin. Every boiler has several components fitted for safe operation: - - Safety valves - Gauge glass - Pressure gauge - Main steam stop valve - Water check valve - Blowdown valve - Manhole doorThe boiler is a significant item that gives us a snapshot of early Melbourne's industrial history. It is an example of the technological advancement during the Industrial Revolution where steam-driven machinery and motors could perform tasks more efficiently than manual labour. The makers were one of many boilermaker businesses in Melbourne during the early late-19th andearly 20th centuries. The maritime trade and skills of boilermaking are still learned and applied today. The Dewrance steam pressure gauge connected to the boiler was made by the London firms foundered by John Dewrance. He was renowned for developing the steam locomotive in the early 19th century.Boiler; a horizontal cylindrical underfired steam boiler. It is a multi-tubular design and is timber plank-clad, with brass fittings and pressure gauges. The boiler has an iron door at one end with a metal chimney above it. It is installed over a brick-enclosed solid fuel furnace. Two large, wood-mounted pressure gauges are connected to the boiler and have inscriptions. An inscription is on a red, cast iron plaque above the boiler door. The boiler's maker is T & F Johnson, South Melbourne. One of the pressure gauges was made by Dewrance, London..Maker's plate: "T & F JOHNSON / BOILERMAKERS / SOUTH MELBOURNE" Pressure gauge: "POUNDS PRESSURE / PER [square] INCH / DEWRANCE LONDON"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, boiler, multi tube boiler, steam boiler, steam technology, underfired boiler, horizontal boiler, timber clad boiler, steam power, industrialisation, boilermakers, south melbourne, dewrance, john dewrance, pressure gauge, dewrance pressure gauge, t & f johnson, london, steam engine, steam locomotive, pounds per square inch, 19th century, steam machine -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Chain Drill Attachment, Millers Falls Co, 1900-1931
An auxiliary tool for use with a breast drill or bit brace, when extra power is needed, or where pressure cannot be easily applied. The drill is automatically fed into the work by an adjustable friction feed which is automatically regulated by the resistance the drill encounters. These were made to fit on breast drills, and used for drilling metal, particularly round sections like a pipe. The chain is run around the object being drilled and gradually tightens as the hole is drilled, maintaining pressure while being a bit easier on the operator. Millers Falls Co. is a tool manufacturing company originally based in Millers Falls, Massachusetts, USA. It was established in Greenfield, Massachusetts in 1868 as Gunn & Amidon by Levi J. Gunn and Charles H. Amidon. Gunn and Amidon, along with a third partner, Henry L. Pratt built a factory in the north of Greenfield. After the Greenfield factory burned down, the company was reorganized as the Millers Falls Manufacturing Co. It merged with Backus Vise Co. in 1872 to form Millers Falls Co. In 1931 Millers Falls tools purchased the majority of the shares of Goodell-Pratt tools and merged with that manufacturer in 1932. In 1962 the company was acquired by Ingersoll Rand. In 1982, Ingersoll Rand sold the Millers Falls business to the newly created Millers Falls Tool Co. The company was head quartered in Alpha, New Jersey. Since 2002 the company trademark has belonged to Hangzhou Great Star Industrial, of Hangzhou, China. The item is associated with a tool manufacturing company established in the mid-19th century that pioneered the development of many types of tools used in many differing trades. The company grew to become a major supplier of tools around the world and today its tools that were produced during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries are now collectable items. Drill attachment with chain No 717 from 1925 catalogue 1/2 socket hole Millers Falls, Massachusettsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chain drill, mast drill, millers falls, drilling attachment, drilling tools -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Caulking Tool, William Marple & Sons, Early 20th century
Caulking is the traditional technique used on wooden vessels built with butted or clinker-built planks to fill the gaps between these planks while still allowing the wood to flex and move. This involved driving the irons, hammered in with the mallet, deep into the seams to open them up. After this, spun yarn, oakum (hemp) or cotton was driven deep into the gaps. The hemp or cotton was soaked in creosote or pine tar to make the joins watertight. Caulking also played a structural role in tightening up the hull or deck by reducing the longitudinal movement of the neighbouring planks. William Marples junior joined his father's joinery making business in 1821. In 1860 William's sons joined him and the firm became William Marples and sons. Over the years they acquired John Moseley & Sons a London plane maker and Thomas Ibbotson & Co a Sheffield edge tool maker. Growing to become the most prolific and best known Sheffield tool maker. Their large factory was known as the Hibernia Works. Their trademark was a shamrock that appeared on some of their tools, in 1961 they had about 400 employees. In 1962 the record Tool Company and William Ridgway acquired a fifty percent interest in the company and in 1972 the companies merged with several others to form Ridgway Tools Ltd. After 116 years at its Hibernia Works, the company was moved to Dronfield. A 1982 takeover by A G Bahco of Sweden was short-lived and in 1985 Record Ridgway returned to British ownership first as Record Marples Woodworking Tools Ltd. In 1988 then as Record Holdings PLC in 1993. In 1998 the company accepted a bid from American Tool Corporation, subsequently trading as Record Irwin. The Irwin company itself was acquired by Newell Rubbermaid in 2002 and renamed Irwin Industrial Tool Co. Both the Marples and Record names were re-branded "Irwin" However the name has since been resurrected as Irwin/Marples and applied to wood chisels and table saw blades now made at their new facility in Udine, Italy. As a footnote, William Marples was the uncle of Robert Marples and Joseph Marples, both of whom established competing tool making businesses in Sheffield. The Robert Marples firm disappeared early in the 20th century. After several changes in the company's ownership tools are now made under the Ridgway name but in China. A tool made by a company with a long family history of tool making in Sheffield England, with a member of the Marples family, Joseph Marples establishing a competing tool company which continues today to manufacture quality products for the joinery and shipwrights trades.Caulking tool straight wide blade, Stamped "W Marples & Sons" & James S Steele tool box.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, caulking tool, caulking iron, james s steele -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Balance Scale, 1850s
A Large Rare mid 19th Century Balance Scale (also called a Beam Scale) Made in England by W&T Avery a British manufacturer of weighing machines. The company was founded in the early 18th century and took the name W & T Avery in 1818. The undocumented origin of the company goes back to 1730 when James Ford established the business in the town of Digbeth. On Joseph Balden the then company’s owner’s death in 1813 William and Thomas Avery took over his scale making business and in 1818 renamed it W & T Avery. The business rapidly expanded and in 1885 they owned three factories: the Atlas Works in West Bromwich, the Mill Lane Works in Birmingham and the Moat Lane Works in Digbeth. In 1891 the business became a limited company with a board of directors and in 1894 the shares were quoted on the London Stock Exchange. In 1895 the company bought the legendary Soho Foundry in Smethwick, a former steam engine factory owned by James Watt & Co. In 1897 the move was complete and the steam engine business was gradually converted to pure manufacture of weighing machines. The turn of the century was marked by managing director William Hipkins who was determined to broadening the renown of the Avery brand and transforming the business into a specialist manufacture of weighing machines. By 1914 the company occupied an area of 32,000m² and had some 3000 employees. In the inter-war period the growth continued with the addition of specialized shops for cast parts, enamel paints and weighbridge assembly and the product range diversified into counting machines, testing machines, automatic packing machines and petrol pumps. During the second world war the company also produced various types of heavy guns. At that time the site underwent severe damage from parachute mines and incendiary bombs.Then from 1931 to 1973 the company occupied the 18th-century Middlesex Sessions House in Clerkenwell as its headquarters. Changes in weighing machine technology after World War II led to the closure of the foundry, the introduction of electronic weighing with the simultaneous gradual disappearance of purely mechanical devices. The continued expansion was partly achieved through a series of acquisitions of other companies. After almost a century of national and international expansion the company was taken over by GEC in 1979. Keith Hodgkinson, managing director at the time, completed the turn-around from mechanical to electronic weighing with a complete overhaul of the product range of retail scales and industrial platform scales. In 1993 GEC took over the Dutch-based company Berkel and the Avery-Berkel name was introduced. In 2000 the business was in turn acquired by the US-American company Weigh-Tronix, who already owned Salter, and is today operating as Avery Weigh-Tronix. Item made and used possibly around the 1850s by Victorian colonial government to check weights of goods being sold by early shop keepers on the gold fields item is very rare.James McEwan & Co were the retailers of W & T Avery scales in Victoria from 1852. A very rare item used probably to check weights used by merchants during colonial times by government inspectors in Victoria. A similar example exist in a NSW museum, the item is believed to have been made before W & T Avery expansion to the Soho foundry in Birmingham in 1885 and after 1818.Beam balance scale suspended from a wooden tripod, with metal trays suspended by three chain lengths. embossed on the balance beam W T Avery, Birmingham,flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, scale, avery -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Barometer, 1867
Langlands Company History: Langlands foundry was Melbourne's first foundry and iron shipbuilder established in 1842, only 8 years after the founding of the Victorian colony by two Scottish immigrants, Robert Langlands and Thomas Fulton, who had formed a partnership before emigrating (1813–1859). The business was known as the 'Langlands Foundry Co'. Henry Langlands (1794-1863), left Scotland in 1846 with his wife Christian, née Thoms, and five surviving children to join his brother Robert. By the time he arrived in early January of 1847 the partnership of Robert Langlands and Fulton had dissolved as Fulton had gone off to establish his own works. It was at this time that the two brothers took over ownership of Langlands foundry. Several years later Robert retired and Henry became sole the proprietor. The foundry was originally located on Flinders Lane between King and Spencer streets. Their sole machine tool, when they commenced as a business, was a small slide rest lathe turned by foot. In about 1865 they moved to the south side of the Yarra River, to the Yarra bank near the Spencer Street Bridge and then in about 1886 they moved to Grant Street, South Melbourne. The works employed as many as 350 workers manufacturing a wide range of marine, mining, civil engineering, railway and general manufacturing components including engines and boilers. The foundry prospered despite high wages and the lack of raw materials. It became known for high-quality products that competed successfully with any imported articles. By the time Henry retired, the foundry was one of the largest employers in Victoria and was responsible for casting the first bell and lamp-posts in the colony. The business was carried on by his sons after Henry's death. The company was responsible for fabricating the boiler for the first railway locomotive to operate in Australia, built-in 1854 by Robertson, Martin & Smith for the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company. Also in the 1860s, they commenced manufacture of cast iron pipes for the Board of Works, which was then laying the first reticulated water supply system in Melbourne. Langlands was well known for its gold mining equipment, being the first company in Victoria to take up the manufacture of mining machinery, and it played an important role in equipping Victoria's and Australia's first mineral boom in the 1850s and 1860s. Langlands Foundry was an incubator for several engineers including Herbert Austin (1866–1941) who worked as a fitter at Langlands and went on to work on the Wolesely Shearing machine. He also founded the Austin Motor Company in 1905. Around the 1890s Langlands Foundry Co. declined and was bought up by the Austral Otis Co. in about 1893. History for Grimoldi: John Baptist Grimoldi was born in London UK. His Father was Domeneck Grimoldi, who was born in Amsterdam with an Italian Father and Dutch mother. Domeneck was also a scientific instrument maker. John B Grimoldi had served his apprenticeship to his older brother Henry Grimoldi in Brooke Street, Holburn, London and had emigrated from England to Australia to start his own meteorological and scientific instrument makers business at 81 Queens St Melbourne. He operated his business in 1862 until 1883 when it was brought by William Samuel and Charles Frederick, also well known scientific instrument makers who had emigrated to Melbourne in 1875. John Grimoldi became successful and made a number of high quality measuring instruments for the Meteorological Observatory in Melbourne. The barometer was installed at Warrnambool's old jetty and then the Breakwater as part of the Victorian Government's insistence that barometers be placed at all major Victorian ports. This coastal barometer is representative of barometers that were installed through this government scheme that began in 1866. The collecting of meteorological data was an important aspect of the Melbourne Observatory's work from its inception. Just as astronomy had an important practical role to play in navigation, timekeeping and surveying, so the meteorological service provided up to date weather information and forecasts that were essential for shipping and agriculture. As a result, instruments made by the early instrument makers of Australia was of significant importance to the development and safe trading of companies operating during the Victorian colonies early days. The provenance of this artefact is well documented and demonstrates, in particular, the importance of the barometer to the local fishermen and mariners of Warrnambool. This barometer is historically significant for its association with Langlands’ Foundry which pioneered technology in the developing colony by establishing the first ironworks in Melbourne founded in 1842. Also, it is significant for its connection to John B Grimoldi who made the barometer and thermometer housed in the cast iron case. Grimoldi, a successful meteorological and scientific instrument maker, arrived in the colony from England and established his business in 1862 becoming an instrument maker to the Melbourne Observatory. Additional significance is its completeness and for its rarity, as it is believed to be one of only two extant barometers of this type and in 1986 it was moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village as part of its museum collection. Coast Barometer No. 8 is a tall, red painted cast iron pillar containing a vertical combined barometer and thermometer. Half way down in the cast iron framed glass door is a keyhole. Inside is a wooden case containing a mercury barometer at the top with a thermometer attached underneath, each with a separate glass window and a silver coloured metal backing plate. Just below the barometer, on the right-hand side, is a brass disc with a hole for a gauge key in the centre. The barometer has a silvered tin backing plate with a scale, in inches, of "27 to 31" on the right side and includes a Vernier with finer markings, which is set by turning the gauge key. The thermometer has a silvered tin backing plate with a scale on the left side of "30 to 140". Each of the scales has markings showing the units between the numbers.Inscription at the top front of the pillar reads "COAST BAROMETER" Inscribed on the bottom of the pillar is "No 8". and "LANGLANDS BROS & CO ENGINEERS MELBOURNE " The barometer backing plate is inscribed "COAST BAROMETER NO. 8, VICTORIA" and printed on the left of the scale, has "J GRIMOLDI" on the top and left of the scale, inscribed "Maker, MELBOURNE". There is an inscription on the bottom right-hand side of the thermometer scale, just above the 30 mark "FREEZING" Etched into the timber inside the case are the Roman numerals "VIII" (the number 8)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, warrnambool breakwater, coast barometer, coastal barometer, barometer, weather warning, ports and harbours, fishery barometer, sea coast barometer, austral otis co, coast barometer no. 8, henry grimoldi, henry langlands, john baptist grimoldi, langlands foundry co, meteorological instrument maker, robert langlands, scientific instrument maker, thermometer, thomas fulton -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Clock, c. 1860s
The clock was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. Thomas Gaunt History: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade, Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. Post Office and Clock History: Warrnambool’s Post Office has been in existence since 1857, when it was originally situated on the corner of Timor and Gilles Street. In March 1864 the Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25, “to be put up in front of the Post Office”. Henry Walsh Jnr was the eldest son of Melbourne’s Henry Walsh, maker and retailer of clocks, watches, thermometers and jewellery. In 1854 Henry Walsh Jnr. began business in Warrnambool as a watchmaker and jeweller later becoming a Councillor with now a local street named after him. The Post Office was extensively remodelled in 1875-76. Early photographs of this building show that the clock was installed on the northern outside wall, Timor Street, under the arches and between the 2 centre windows, where it could be seen by passers-by. Although spring loaded clocks date back to the 15th century, and fob and pocket watches evolving from these date to the 17th century, personal pocket watches were only affordable to the very fortunate. Public clocks such as this Post Office clock provided opportunity for all to know the time, and for those in possession of a personal watch to check and set their own timepieces to the correct time. During post office reservations during the 1970s the clock was removed and was eventually donated to the Flagstaff Collection. The Clock’s maker Thomas Gaunt, is historically significant and was an established and well renowned scientific instrument and clock maker in Melbourne during the 1860s. He was at that time the only watchmaker in the Australian colonies. In the 1870’s and 1880’s he won many awards for his clocks and was responsible for sending time signals to other clocks in the city and rural areas, enabling many businesses and organisations to accurate set their clocks each day. Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25 and the clock used to stand in front of the Warrnambool post office to allow ordinary citizens to set their time pieces as they walked by. The item is not only important because it was made by a significant early colonial clock maker and retailed by a locally known clock maker and jeweler but also that it was installed in the Warrnambool Post Office a significantly historical building in it's own right. Built in 1857 and regarded as one of the oldest postal facilities in Australia, with a listing on the National Heritage Database, (ID 15656). This 1864 hall clock originates from the Warrnambool Post Office. The clock glass is hinged to the top of the clock face and has a catch at the bottom. The metal rim of the glass is painted black. The clock face is metal, painted white, with black Roman numerals and markings for minutes and five minutes. The tip of the small hour hand is shaped like a leaf. "T. GAUNT / MELBOURNE" is printed in black on the clock face. The winding key hole is just below the centre of the clock face. The key winds a fusee chain mechanism, attached to the brass mainspring barrel that powers the pendulum with an 8-day movement. The speed of the clock can be adjusted by changing the position of the weight on the pendulum, lengthening or shortening the swing; raising the pendulum shortens its swing and speeds up the clock. The metal fusee mechanism has an inscription on it. The rectangular wooden casing is with a convex curve at the bottom that has a hinged door with a swivel latch. The original stained surface has been painted over with a matte black. There are two other doors that also allow access to the clock’s workings. The case fits over the pendulum and workings at the rear and attaches to the clock by inserting four wooden pegs into holes in the sides of the case then into the back of the clock. A flat metal plate has been secured by five screws onto the top of the case and a hole has been cut into it for the purpose of hanging up the clock. There is a nail inside the case, possibly used for a place to the key."T. GAUNT MELBOURNE" is printed on the clock face. “6 1 3” embossed on the back of the fusee mechanism behind the clock. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, clock, warrnambool post office, fusee, henry walsh jnr, thomas gaunt, t gaunt & co, post office clock -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ceramic - Beer Stein, Reinhold Merkelbach, 1945 to 1964
This mug was made by Reinhold Merkelbach. Reinhold Merkelbach was founded in 1845 by Wilhelm Merkelbach, a descendent of a long line of German potters, and the company eventually took the name of his son Wilhelm Reinhold Merkelbach, who left school early to get involved with the family business. The company became a major name in German ceramics, especially in the Jugendstil style. The company produced a large number of collectable beer steins in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including a number of so-called “character steins.” In 1882, the firm began producing art pottery, which at that time was enjoying a revival and new appreciation in Europe in general and in Germany in particular. Reinhold Merkelbach produced ceramic objects both with and without pewter hardware but rarely altered its manufacturing techniques. Many of its products were destined for use at pubs, bars, or breweries as well as in the homes of Germany’s beer-drinking populace. It had a retail location in Munich and also sold products through its factory warehouse. In 1971, half of the company’s ownership was sold to W. Goebel KG and the firm’s name changed officially to Merkelbach Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG. Goebel ultimately purchased the other half of the business before members of the Merkelbach family, along with a handful of collectors and former staff members, repurchased the factory in 1988. In 2007, Judith Merkelbach Engelmann decided to close the firm; demand for ceramics had been decreasing and the next generation of the family had no interest in maintaining the business. Luckily, Reinhold Merkelbach transferred its moulds to Töpferei Girmscheid Höhr-Grenzhausen to ensure that its best-known pieces of Jugendstil art pottery and steins would continue to be available to interested consumers and collectors.This beer stein was made around the mid-20th century by a popular German maker. It fits in with the context of maritime village life. At this current time, there is no particular connection with people, places and events. The German beer stein is made from ceramic ironstone. It has a bell-shaped hinged pewter lid with a leaf-shaped thumb lever. The lid has a pattern stamped on it. The design on the mug includes a woman in bright colours, a man holding a musket, and buildings in mountain settings. There are inscriptions on the mug. Marked "Made in Germany" "RM" "4070" (underside of mug) "05" to the side of mug flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, beer stein, ceramic beer stein, reinhold merkelbach, drinking vessel -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Port Navigation Lamp, Genton & Kessler Ltd, 1900 -1920
Alfred Frederick Samuel Genton was born in Switzerland around1869 and arrived in England date unclear. By 1901 the Kelly’s Directory of Birmingham had listed the Genton & Kessler company as manufactures of all kinds of ship & railway lamps, fog horns and general ship fittings with their factory listed as the Bingley Works King Edward Place Birmingham UK that is listed in 1896 as being was owned and run by J E & H Player. Then in February 1905 it appears the partnership of Alfred F S Genton & Julius Rudolf Kessler was dissolved and Alfred F S Genton continued to carry on the business on his own. The company continued on managed by family members until 1961 when it ceased trading.A marine lamp made by a significant maker in Birmingham England in the early part of the 20th century. This item is now regarded as a collectors item. Brass lamp with 'Port' marking with 2 small chain hook locking mechanisms, and hinged lid. Clear glass with red lens filter. Fuel tank and wick burner removed. Stamped Seahorse GB trade mark No 54987flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Tool - Wood Plane, David Malloch, Late 19th to early 20th Century
David Malloch was born in 1818 in Dundee Scotland and died in January 1891, his father was James Malloch a weaver and his mother was Jane nee Watson. David Malloch had taken over a plane and tool-making business from John McGlashan a Perth plane maker in 1849 after McGlashan had died. David and later his son (John) ran the business at first from South Methven Street Perth, until early 1856 then the business moved to the center of town in Kirkside at 25 John's Street. He used these premises until 1870 when he moved again to 50 South Street Perth. It is believed his son John was involved at this time and the move was due to the business had outgrown the premises at John Street. It was noted in local publications that the firm by this time had nine employees and regarded as a manufacturer of edge tools of various kinds for cabinet makers, specifically wood planes. The firm continued under David Malloch's son John after David's death in 1891 but the company appears to have ceased trading in 1913.A vintage cabinet maker's tool from the mid 19th to early 20th century giving a snapshot into early cabinet and furniture making. Wood Plane with flat base curved sides single iron, 2 inch, size.D Malloch and Son Perth, Scotlandflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Bottle, Late 19th century
This handmade ceramic bottle was made and used for pouring ink to fill ink wells. Businesses such as banks and post offices provided ink and dip pens for their customers' use, along with blotting paper to dry their writing.This bottle is significant for being both and example of handmade bottles and for its association with earlier methods of writing.Bottle, cream coloured, glazed ceramic bottle, cylindrical shape, with spout and flared lip moulded into mouth of bottle. Hand made. Bottle was used for pouring ink. Inscription stamped into base. "82 PRICE" (illegible) Label provided with donation is marked "SLATER AND PALMER works: MARSHGATE MILLS, STRATFORD ESSEX"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ink and pen writing, ink pouring bottle, bank stationery equipment, writing with pen and ink -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Food Mincer, Enterprise Manufacturing Company, circa 1911
This particular food mincer was manufactured by Enterprise Manufacturing Company. Located in Philadelphia, this company specialized in making hardware products. The company was especially known for its cherry pitters, apple peelers, and coffee mills. The company was founded in 1864 and was located on the corner of Dauphin, 3rd, and American Streets. Enterprise Manufacturing Co. remained in business until 1956 when it was bought by Silex Co.A mass produced early domestic item made for home food preparation this item's first patent design was approved in 1897. Manufactured by a well known company in the USA the "Enterprise Manufacturing Company” up until 1956. They specialised in making kitchen appliances of various types for domestic use and for export. Food mincers of the subject items design are still being produced today under the brand name of "Universal" made by Universal Trading Inc USA.Food mincer, metal, clamp on bench style, with rotating wooden handle. Inscriptions stamped on metal.Marked "Enterprise tinned Meat Chopper" "No. 10" "Enterprise MF'G Co. PHILA. USA" "PAT. JAN.30.83" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, mincer, food mincer, meat mincer, food preparation, kitchen utensil, domestic object, enterprise manufacturing company, kitchen appliance -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Colander, Kande Kitchenware, Circa 1924
Kande Kitchenware was established by Patrick Kavanagh and William English (the name Kande was formed from their initials, K and E) in 1922 and had its Sydney factory in Little Collins Street, Surrey Hills. Kavanagh and English, a subsidiary of Kande Kitchenware, became a limited company in 1924, with both founders as directors. Another director was Test cricketer Jack Gregory, an all-rounder who slipped easily into the role of businessman. Gregory enjoyed success in business as on the cricket field, helping the company grow from a tiny operation to a major manufacturer and exporter that employed 80 people in 1931. They managed to survive the Depression and kept manufacturing at least until the late 1960s.An appliance made by an early and successful Australian company that manufactured metal kitchen items during the first half of the 20th century. Colander enamel rusty holes in base of bowls, 2 handles, bowl shape.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, colander, kitchen item, domestic item, kitchen strainer -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Cruet Set, William Hutton & Sons, Circa 1900
William Hutton & Sons were manufacturing silversmiths founded in 1800 in Birmingham with company transferring to Sheffield in 1832. William Hutton had established the firm and with the move to Sheffield, they also became platers having licensed the electroplating technique from the firm of Elkington's. This gave them much early success in the field of electroplating. William's son William Carr Hutton continued the business after his father's death using the same business name until 1864 it was then changed to William Hutton & Son when William Carr's son Herbert Hutton joined him. When William Carr died in 1865, the firm name was again changed to William Hutton & Sons when Herbert's brothers (James & Robert) joined the company. They opened a London showroom in Holborn in 1863 which they moved to Farringdon Road, in 1891 operating until 1918. Hutton's had developed a new nickel alloy that was good for plating and in the late 1800s becoming known as British Plate. They sent their machine-made silver flatware from Sheffield to be hallmarked in London. Hutton's went on to acquire Rupert Favell & Co in 1893 and also registered as a limited company as William Hutton & Sons Ltd in 1902. The Hutton's had also bought Creswick & Co and had started to use their crossed arrows trademark. Hutton's became renowned for the quality of their Arts & Crafts silverware items at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1930 Hutton's were taken over by James Dixon & Sons. A significant item that was made around the time electroplating was being developed as a means of producing quality utilitarian items in quantity for domestic use that we're able to be purchased by working-class people.Cruet set of silver plated frame with upright handle protruding from tray base. Holds 5 containers of varying shape and size; 3 have metal lids. Inscription is on the base. Some containers have contents in them.On base "WMH&S" and "01548" etc.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, cruet set, condiments set, kitchen ware, electroplate, britannia metal, w m hutton -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Scale, Computing Scale Company, 1897-1900
In 1885 Julius Pitrat of Gallipolis, Ohio, patented the first computing scale. Six years later, Edward Canby and Orange Ozias of Dayton, Ohio, purchased Pitrat's patents and incorporated The Computing Scale Company as the world's first computing scale vendor. And four years after that, The Computing Scale Company introduced the first automatic computing scale In 1911. the Computing Scale Company merged with the International Time Recording Company and Tabulating Machine Company to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, a business that was renamed IBM in 1924. An early example of a hanging clock face scale patented in October 1897 and made by a company that pioneered the first computing scales used in retail businesses. This company went on to become incorporated with IBM that late became an international computer manufacturer.Scale, patented Oct 12, 1897. Measures in pounds and ounces, up to 10lb. Red indicator needle. Two adjustment screws. Ring on the top for mounting. Marked "The Computing Scale Co Dayton Ohio"Marked "The Computing Scale Co Dayton Ohio"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, scale, computing scale, computing scale company, weighing instrument -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Container - Jug, Hoffman Pottery Pty, Ltd, Circa 1929
The Hoffman company was established in 1870 to mass-produce bricks using the Hoffman patent kiln and the Bradley and Craven brick press. Once established the company entered a period of expansion aided by Melbourne's building boom from 1870 to 1890. During this time approximately ten brick machines were in operation producing some 18,000 bricks per hour. An extensive pottery works were established initially supplying mainly tiles and drainpipes and later domestic pottery such as the company's Melrose ware. The company even had its locomotive shunt the works siding which connected with the Victorian Railways at South Brunswick. By 1890 Hoffman was the largest brick and pottery works in Victoria, however, the 1890s depression halted company expansion. The company joined the Brick Co-operative when it was formed in 1896. The cooperative regulated prices and output from member brickworks. As the depression ended business picked up and the works were expanded to increase the production of stoneware pottery, especially domestic wares. The brickworks, however, never recovered the momentum of the early period. During the 1920s and 1930s, the works gradually ran down, and following the Second World War, production reached an all-time low. The No.1 works were stripped and sold. (For further information regards Hoffman Kilns see note section of this document.) An item made in Melbourne by at the time the largest pottery works in Australia making industrial and domestic wares for the home and building industries. Stoneware Demijohn jug with cream and brown glaze. Printed around base of jug, MELBOURNE, 1929"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, jug, melbourne, 1929, stoneware jug, hoffman potteries -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Butter Churn, Cherry and Sons, Circa 1890-1920
The subject item is a good example of a large, hand-operated Bentwood box butter churn used to make up to 14 pounds of butter. It was made in Gisborne, Victoria, by the famous manufacturer, E. Cherry, and is known as an Improved Patent No.2 model probably dating from the late 1800s. The Cherry works specialised in making all types of butter churns and equipment for both domestic use on farms and small butter factories during the late nineteenth and early to mid. twentieth centuries. Milk was "separated" to retrieve the cream which was then beaten to make butter. E Cherry began making various models of Cherry butter churns in 1858, Edward Cherry migrated from Herefordshire England to Australia in 1855 with his wife Ann Appleby, nee Davis, and established a joinery workshop at Gisborne, Victoria. He began by making butter churns in his spare time and his product soon became popular allowing him to establish a viable business. A factory was established in 1875 and he started to make churns of all sizes including up to industrial scale. He exported his products to many countries around the world, Edward Cherry died in 1909 and the business was then run by his son George until he died in 1917. E Cherry's other son Thomas (1861-1945) was also involved in the firm maintaining an interest for several years. He had been born in Gisborne and became a senior house medical surgeon at the Melbourne Hospital in 1890. He continued his studies at Kings College London, eventually becoming a renowned bacteriologist and agricultural scientist. A significant giving an snapshot into how early rural and industrial manufacturing became established in Australia.Rectangular butter churn, a footed wooden box containing an X-shaped wooden interior rack, which is joined to an exterior metal hand crank with turned wood handle, through a hole in the box. Beneath the hand crank is a hole from the interior lined with metal. The lid has a carry handle affixed to the lid on two cross pieces attached to the lid by brass screws.Lettering in black on a transfer "CHERRY & SONS PTY LTD. GISBORNE VICTORIA". Model 00warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, butter churn, gisborne, edward cherry, george cherry, thomas cherry, ann appleby, dairy equipment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Piano, John Broadwood & Sons, circa 1862
The company that made this piano was founded in 1728 by Burkat Shudi, a Swiss harpsichord maker. John Broadwood, a joiner and cabinetmaker, worked for Shudi and eventually married his daughter and became a partner in the firm. Broadwood continued in this business after Shudi died in 1773. John's son James also worked for the firm and in 1795 they became John Broadwood & Son, then when a third son joined as partner in 1808 they become John Broadwood & Sons Ltd. and the name has continued on even now. Pianos manufactured by John Broadwood are of world renown.This piano is significant as a historical musical instrument. It is an example of the type of instruments used for entertainment and worship from the mid-19th to early-20th century. Piano, cottage upright, wooden casing in dark wood with a rich grain. Piano features a pair of brass candlestick holders, music holder and fitted lock on keyboard cover. Decorative design etched in panel between candlestick holders, Maker's name is in fancy lettering behind the keyboard. Made by John Broadwood and Sons, London. Painted in fancy text "John Broadwood & Sons/ / London"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, piano, upright, candlestick holder, john broadwood & sons london, musical instrument, upright cottage piano, antique piano, victorian entertainment -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Clock, 1867-1870
Chauncey Jerome (1793–1868) was an American clock maker in the early to mid 19th century. He made a fortune selling his clocks, and his business grew quickly. Jerome was born in Canaan USA in 1793 son of a blacksmith and nail-maker. He began his career in Plymouth, making dials for long-case clocks where he learned all he could about clocks, particularly clock cases, and then went to New Jersey to make seven-foot cases for clocks mechanisms. In 1816 he went to work for Eli Terry making "Patent Shelf Clocks," learning how to make previously handmade cases using machinery. Deciding to go into business for himself, Jerome began to make cases, trading them to Terry for wooden movements. In 1822 Jerome moved his business to Bristol New Haven, opening a small shop with his brother Noble and began to produce a 30-hour and eight-day wooden clocks. By 1837 Jerome's company was selling more clocks than any of his competitors. A one-day wood-cased clock, which sold for six dollars had helped put the company on the map. A year later his company was selling that same clock for four dollars. The company also sold one line of clocks at a wholesale price of 75 cents and by 1841 the company was showing an annual profit of a whopping $35,000, primarily from the sale of its brass movements. In 1842 Jerome moved his clock-case manufacturing operation to St. John Street in New Haven. Three years later, following a fire that destroyed the Bristol plant, Jerome relocated the entire operation to Elm City factory. Enlarging the plant, the company soon became the largest industrial employer in the city, producing 150,000 clocks annually. In 1850 Jerome formed the Jerome Manufacturing Co. as a joint-stock company with Benedict & Burnham, brass manufacturers of Waterbury. In 1853 the company then became known as the New Haven Clock Co, producing 444,000 clocks and timepieces annually, then the largest clock maker in the world. Jerome's future should have been secure but in 1855 he bought out a failed Bridgeport clock company controlled by P.T. Barnum, which wiped him out financially, leaving the Jerome Manufacturing Co. bankrupt. Jerome never recovered from the loss. By his admission, he was a better inventor than a businessman. When Jerome went bankrupt in 1856 the New Haven Clock Company purchased the company. One of the primary benefits of Jerome purchasing New Haven in the first place was the good reputation of the Jerome brand and the network of companies that remained interested in selling its clocks. In England, Jerome & Co. Ltd. sold Jerome clocks for the New Haven company until 1904, when New Haven purchased the English firm outright. After his involvement with the New Haven Company in 1856, Jerome traveled from town to town, taking jobs where he could, often working for clock companies that had learned the business of clock making using Jerome's inventions. On returning to New Haven near the end of his life, he died, penniless, in 1868 at the age of 74. The company struggled on after Jerome's bankruptcy until after World War II, when the company endeavored to continue through disruptions caused by a takeover along with poor sales, finally having to fold its operations in 1960 a little more than 100 years after it had been founded. The item is significant as it is associated with Chauncey Jerome who had made a historic contribution to the clock making industry during the 19th century when he began to substitute brass mechanisms for wooden mechanisms in his clocks. This was said to be the greatest and most far-reaching contribution to the clock industry. Because of his discovery of stamping out clockwork gears rather than using castings, Jerome was producing the lowest-priced clocks in the world. That can only add to his significance as the major clock manufacture of the 19th century. Jerome may have made and lost, a fortune selling his clocks but was perhaps the most influential and creative person associated with the American clock business during the mid-19th century. Also, he had served his community as a legislator in 1834, a Presidential elector in 1852 and mayor of New Haven, Connecticut from 1854 to 1855.Eight day movement wall clock with Roman numerals, octagonal shaped rosewood veneered casing, hinged face with locking clip. Wound from front. Face has adjustment for Fast-to-Slow.Part paper label on back of case can just make out "Jerome" and "ight and One" probable meaning is "Eight and One Day" describing the movements operational time between winding the mechanism.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clock maker, jerome & co, new haven, chauncey jerome, canaan -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Card Holder, c. 1854 - 1957
This wooden cardholder has been made from the wood of the screw steamer S.S. Edina, most probably after she was broken up in 1957, but could have been made after one of several renovations during her lifetime. The slotted design of the cardholder allows a card to stand vertically and the base is made wider to stableise the holder. It could be used for holding items such as place cards, menus, table numbers. ABOUT THE S S EDINA The three masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous worldwide as the longest serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Chanel runs, serving in the Crimean Ware carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul, and several changes of commanders. In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced. SS Edina was re-fitted in 1870 than was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance. In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. [Reference: A Brief Review of Steam Navigation in Victoria; C Dickson Gregory; Centenary Maritime Exhibition catalogue, 1934; published by Shiplovers' Society of Victoria Dandenong, Passengers in History, http://passengersinhistory.sa.gov.au/node/924034 Edina, Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199 http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/shipwrecks/heritage/199 SS Edina, Coastal Trader and Passenger Ship 1853-1938, Museum Victoria Collections, https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/6227 SS ‘Edina’ – the Longest Serving Screw Steamer in the World, POI Australia, https://poi-australia.com.au/ss-edina-the-longest-serving-steamer-in-the-world/ ]This card holder is made from wood from the SS Edina and is significant for its association with that vessel. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870. Card holder, made from the wood from the SS Edina (screw steamer ship). Holder is cylindrical shape, wider turned wood base. Top is divided with a space in the centre tor inserting a card. Rectangular metal plaque, gold coloured, has a printed inscription within black border. Made c. 1854 - 1957.Printed in black lettering on gold coloured plaque "MADE FROM / THE WOOD OF / S.S. EDINA"warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, card holder, menu holder, table number holder, souvenir of the ss edina -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Chest of Drawers, British Imperial Oil Company Ltd, 1905-1927
This early 20th-century chest of drawers is unique. It was made from recycled timber kerosene boxes and metal tins. The case was made in South Australia between 1905 and 1927 by the British Imperial Oil Company Ltd, which was the first business to import bulk petroleum products into Australia. Before this, ships carried crates of kerosene as cargo. Items salvaged from the 1880 wreck of the vessel Eric the Red included kerosene boxes. Kerosene replaced plant and animal-based fuel, such as whale oil, for lighting in homes and for the lamps in lighthouses and on marine vessels. It was also used for cooking and heating and as engine fuel. The last kerosene-fueled lighthouse lamp was transferred to solar power in 1985. The chest of drawers is one-of-a-kind. The original uses for the components of the chest of drawers, the wooden box and metal tins were for containing and transporting kerosene. Kerosene was used from the late 19th century for fuel in lamps, heating, and cooling. Previously whale oil was used for the lamps in lighthouses. The company providing the kerosene was the first to import it into Australia in bulk quantities. The set of drawers is one of the many ways that inventive Australians were able to repurpose materials.Chest of drawers; wooden frame and rails, metal drawers with vertical metal handles. The frame has been constructed from the wooden panels of a vintage oil and kerosene box. The three drawers have been created from empty kerosene cans that were cut in half from top to bottom, some with the round opening closed over. Inscriptions from the original box and cams are stencilled on the top and base of the frame and impressed or painted on the metal cans. The frame has provision for a further drawer. The wooden case and metal tins were made in Australia.Top and base of frame; "THE BRITISH IMPERIAL OIL CO. LTD." "OIL ENGINE KEROSENE" "CASE ANDTINS AUSTRALIAN MADE" On tin; "POWIRIN" "BIOCO LTD" Logo [cross} with inscription on horizontal bar "CROSS" Impressed in timber drawer dividers (indecipherable text) Side of drawer, painted in orange on black; "TY -, REG U S - TIDE - "flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, antique, domestic equipment, chest of drawers, tool box, furniture, storage, recycled tin, recycled box, kerosene, fossil fuel, lighthouse lamp fuel, british imperial oil company ltd. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Print - Lithoprint
This art work is an example of an Art Deco print created through lithoprint / lithograph techniques. As a print it would have been more affordable than an original artwork and hence could be purchased by a wider cliental. Little is known about the artist, but Jean Lasalle is listed as producing another print used by Tuck & Sons in their Oilette postcard series.This item is significant socially as an example of artwork that may have been displayed in homes around the 1910s- 1930s. The Oilette logo carries significance, linking the print to a business that was influential in the early production of postcards.Unframed print on board with some framing tacks still attached to the back of the board. Print area is in fair condition. The print has been stuck to a ‘paper frame' which has been attached to the backing board. The subject of the print is a lake view, with steep mountains in the background and two female figures on a bench in the foreground in the Art Deco style. Colours are muted. The print has the artist's signature 'Jean Lasalle' (looking at the print bottom left) and the words 'Oilette' (looking at the print bottom right) with a small logo composed of an oval and square underneath.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, lithoprint, lithograph, oilette, golden dawn, art deco, jean lasalle, print, day dream -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Vanity Set, Circa late 1800s or early 1900s
The vanity set was owned by a local woman who lived in the Harbour Master's house at Warrnambool after it was decommissioned. The set was possibly a wedding gift from her mother-in-law, Caroline Edwards, a local business woman who was an importer of 'china and fancy goods' along with her husband Thomas Myers Edwards. The Edwards owned Staffordshire House, a business in Timor St (and later Liebig St) from 1876. The vanity set is an example of a valued possession of women at the time and could signify social standing. It was also a functional accessory used on a daily basis.The item is significant socially as an example of accessories available to and used by women in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Historically, it is linked to a local import business ‘Staffordshire House’ in Timor and later Liebig St Warrnambool, where it most likely came from. A pewter (or possibly silver-plated) three-piece vanity set that includes a hand mirror, hair brush and comb. All pieces feature a beautiful ornate moulded rose/flower design on the back, handles and edge of the comb. The hair brush no longer has bristles and is purely ornamental. The comb teeth and hair brush insert are most likely made of celluloid.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, vanity set, hand mirror, brush, comb, pewter, celluloid, silver plate, toilet set, harbours master's house, staffordshire house, hair brush, hairbrush -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Equipment - Foot Grip, Frank McDowell, Early 20th century
This foot grip was made and owned by Frederick William McDowell (Fred) (1880 to 15-6-1967). It would be been joined to the stafe or frame of a jinker and used to step up from the ground and onto the seat. He was a wheelwright by trade. He made and repaired vehicles such gigs, buggies, jinkers, sulkeys, spring carts and farm wagons. His workshop was on the corner of Cramer Street and Raglan Parade in Warrnambool., previously the site of Fotheringhams, and after McDowell's, and still in 2023, occupied by Reece Plumbing Fred's workplace prior to retiring was at Bryant & Waterson's in Kepler Street, opposite the Criterian Hotel, making rubber tyred horse-driven farm wagons.This jinker's foot grip id part of a jinker or two-wheeled carriage. It is a rare item, made by a local wheelwright Frank McDowell who operated his buggy making and repair business in Warrnambool's CBD in the early twentieth century. It is an example of the equipment used on horse-drawn vehicles for safety and convenience.Foot grip, iron with silver plate finish. Rectangular metal plate with textured crossed over diagonal lines on the top surface and inset rectangles with impressed text. the curved and shaped ends have a drilled round hole. the length of the plate is an inverted 'v' shape towards the base. Made by F. McDowell, Warrnambool."F McDOWELL" "WARRNAMBOOL"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, fred mcdowell, frederick mcdowell, wheelwright, gig, buggy, jinker, sulkey, spring cart, farm wagon, 2-wheeled cart, horse cart, horse cart parts, jinker buggy, transport, vehicle, horse drawn, horse jinker, bryant & waterson, jinker part, jinker foot grip, step, foot plate, horse cart part, stafe, 2-wheeled carriage -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Accessory - Hand Mirror, Circa late 1800s or early 1900s
The hand mirror is part of a vanity set owned by a woman who lived in the Harbour Master's house at Warrnambool in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The set was possibly a wedding gift from her mother-in-law, Caroline Edwards, a local business woman who was an importer of 'china and fancy goods' along with her husband Thomas Myers Edwards. The Edwards owned Staffordshire House a business in Timor St (and later Liebig St) from 1876. The hand mirror is an example of a valued possession of women at the time and could signify social standing. It was also a functional accessory used on a daily basis.The item is significant socially as an example of accessories available to and used by women in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Historically, it is linked to a local import business ‘Staffordshire House’ in Liebig St Warrnambool, where it most likely came from. A pewter (or possibly silver-plated) hand mirror that is part of a vanity set. It features a beautiful ornate moulded rose/flower design on the back, handle and front edge of mirrorflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, vanity set, hand mirror, pewter, silver plate, toilet set, harbours master's house, staffordshire house