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Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Candlesticks, C. 1855
This pair of brass candlesticks feature a internal candle stubb pusher that is pressed from underneath the base of the candlestick to push up the used candle stubb from inside the hollow candlestick. It once belonged to David and Alice Ellis, a young couple married in Dublin in 1855, possibly a wedding present. It has been handed down in the Ellis family until it was donated, together with other personal effects, in 2004 by David and Alice’s granddaughter, daughter of David Ellis Junior. On 6th October 1855 newlyweds David and Alice Ellis set sail for Australia in the brand new Schomberg, considered the most perfect clipper ship. She was built as an emigrant ship in Aberdeen and set sail from Liverpool on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne, Australia. She was loaded with 430 passengers plus cargo that included iron rails and equipment intended for building the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. On 27th December 1855, only one day from her Melbourne destination, the Schomberg was grounded on a sand-spit on the Victorian coast near Peterborough. The passengers and crew were all safely rescued by a passing small steamer, the SS Queen, which traded between Melbourne and Warrnambool, and taken to Melbourne. The passengers had been told, when leaving the sinking Schomberg, that all they could take with them was a small basket or handbag. A newspaper article later mentioned that one of the things Alice made space for in her basket was her Bible. (It is unclear whether Alice took any possessions with her onto the SS Queen, but a note accompanying the donation of the Bible and basket states that the items were “left on deck and salvaged as Schomberg went down”.) Another steamer was despatched from Melbourne to retrieve the passengers’ luggage from the Schomberg and Alice was reunited with all of her boxes of belongings. Other steamers helped unload the cargo until the change in weather made it too difficult. Although the Schomberg was wrecked there were no lives lost. At that time David was 23 years old (born in Wales, 1832) and his new bride Alice was 26 (born in Dublin, 1829). They had been given letters of introduction to people in Tasmania so they travelled there from Melbourne. However the couple only stayed on that island for about a year before they returned to the Western District of Victoria. David worked for Mr Neil Black as a gardener for a while then, when the land in the area was made available by the Victorian government, David and Alice claimed a selection of land on Noorat Road in the Terang district. They settled there for the remainder of their lives, expanding their property “Allambah” as opportunities arose. A document accompanying the donation lists the names of six children; William, Grace (c. 1859-1946), Thomas (c. 1866 – 1939), David (c. 1962 – 1953), James and Victor. David died on 13th April 1911, aged 79, at their property. Alice passed away the following year, November 1912, aged 83. Alice’s obituary described her as “a very homely, kindly-natured woman, who was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends; and she was also a firm adherent of the Presbyterian Church”. At the time of Alice’s death she left behind three sons and one daughter. Her daughter Grace Ellis was also a very active member of the Terang Presbyterian Church and a member of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union). She was also involved in the Red Cross and other charities. Grace passed away in 1946, aged 87. David and Alice Ellis were amongst the very earlies pioneers of the Terang district of Western Victoria. Their donated possessions are a sample of the personal effects of emigrants to Australia. The donated items are a sample of the personal goods carried aboard a significant migrant ship in 1855. They are also significant for their association with the Schomberg. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Candlesticks, brass; pair of two candlesticks each incorporating a candle pusher inside the stem (used to push up and eject the candle stump). Candlesticks were amongst the possessions of David and Alice Ellis, passengers on the Schomberg when wrecked in 1855.schomberg, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, candlestick, candlestick with stubb pusher, 1855 shipwreck, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, david ellis, alice ellis, allambah terang, dublin emigrants, terang presbyterian church, western district victoria, lighting, candlesticks, candle holders -
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
Memorabilia - Wheel of HMAS Sydney, Early 20th Century
THE WHEEL OF HMAS SYDNEY COMMEMORATING AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NAVAL ENGAGEMENT The historic wheel of HMAS Sydney commemorates the Royal Australian Navy’s first ship- to- ship naval engagement. It was purchased early in 1930 and later presented to the Royal St Kilda Yacht Club (now Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron) by then Commodore Joe White, following HMAS Sydney being broken up at Cockatoo Dock, Sydney. On 1 November 1914, led by the flagship SS Orvieto, a large convoy of 28 Australian and 10 New Zealand transports escorted by the Light Cruisers HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney, HMS Minotaur and the Japanese ship Ibuki, departed King George Sound, Albany Western Australia with a large contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops bound for Egypt, to become the original Anzac’s. As the convoy steamed northwest across the Indian Ocean, leaving Cocos-Keeling Islands well to the westward, Captain Karl von Muller in the German Light Cruiser Emden of 3,600 tons, after having wrought much havoc to allied shipping in the Indian Ocean, ignorant of the convoys presence, had in mind to destroy the Cocos Island Cable Station on Direction Island. In the early hours of the morning of Monday the 9 November, he anchored “Emden” off Direction Island to send a landing party ashore, In the meantime the Cable Station had sent out a Morse Code message ‘Strange ship approaching’, this was followed soon after by a ‘S.O.S.’ These messages were picked up by ships in the convoy and at 7.00 a.m., Captain J.C. Glossop of the 5,400 ton HMAS Sydney was directed to leave the convoy and proceed at full speed for Cocos Islands. Two hours later Cocos Island was on the horizon. Captain von Muller, with the boarding party ashore to destroy the Cable station, steamed out to intercept the intruder. Captain Glossop decided to close in to 9,500 yards ( 8686.8m) before delivering his first salvo. Emden on the other hand, opened fire at 10,500 yards (9601m), its ten, 4.1 inch (104mm) guns firing 38 pound (17.24 kg ) shells, some of which scored near misses. Emden was hit repeatedly by HMAS Sydney’s eight, 6 inch (152.4mm) guns firing 100 pound (45.36kg ) shells. Within two hours Captain von Muller had decided to run the badly damaged Emden aground on North Keeling Island. Captain Glossop then broke off the engagement to speed off to intercept Emden’s collier, “Buresk”, seen lurking in the distance, soon to overtake her. A boarding party from HMAS Sydney was too late to prevent Buresk from being scuttled but able to rescue her crew. Returning to finish off Emden, HMAS Sydney was again met by heavy gunfire. Sydney scored a number of direct hits to Emden and only after having suffered 134 killed and 65 wounded, did Captain von Muller finally decide to lower his Naval Ensign. He was among those captured and was allowed to retain his Naval sword. In the engagements HMAS Sydney only suffered four direct hits, 4 killed and 12 wounded. J.H.(Bert) Ferris Extremely significant as part of Australia's Naval and Military history.Ships wheel, timber, mounted on a timber plinth, wheel of ship first HMAS Sydney.Plaque notifying that wheel donated by Commodore Joe White 1930ww1, sydney, german, hmas, raider, emden, cocos keeling, islands, hmas sydney, wheel -
Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch
Honour Board, North Wangaratta State School, c1920
North Wangaratta State School 2391 was opened in May 1881 and closed October 26 1969. Today a plaque commemorates the site of the old school in Eldorado Road North Wangaratta. The Honour Board preserves the names of past students who enlisted to serve their country during the First World War and commemorates those who lost their lives. In 1965 after being stored in a woodshed for two years the Honour Board was put on display at The Eldorado Memorial Hall. The Eldorado Memorial Hall Committee became Trustees of the Honour Board and 1992 approved its transfer to the Vine Hotel Museum for public display. In 1996 at a meeting held on February 7, the Wangaratta North State School No 2391 Memorial Committee moved a motion that all memorabilia pertinent to the Wangaratta North State School be displayed at the Vine Hotel Museum under the guardianship of trustees appointed by the Wangaratta North State School Memorial Committee. In 2005 The North Wangaratta State School Trustees donated the Honour Board along with two photographs of WW1 soldiers to the Wangaratta RSL for safe keeping and display to the public. Students who enlisted include:- Private (Shoeing Smith) John BLAIKIE 2341 who was born at Wangaratta. He was a Blacksmith and at the age of 42 enlisted on May 28 1915. He embarked on August 10 1915 and served with the 14th Battalion. He returned to Australia in January 1918 and discharged medically unfit on April 10 1918. 5692 Private William Thomas BYRNE was born on 21/9/1890 at Docker Plains. He was educated at Docker Plains and Wangaratta State schools. A farmer when he enlisted on 13/10/1914. He trained at Broadmeadows and embarked on Hororata on 17/4/1915. He served with the 3rd Light Horse and 12th and/or 27th ASC - Army Service Corps as a Driver. 5347 Private Cyril BUCKLER, 14th Battalion. A postman from Wangaratta, Victoria, prior to enlistment on 16 February 1916 he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916 for Egypt. His unit relocated to the Western Front, France, in June 1916. Pte Buckler was killed in action near Pozieres, France, on 7 August 1916. He has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial 3451A Private Sydney Spencer PLUM 1st Pioneer Battalion A.I.F, Born January 3rd 1894 at Dockers Plains. He was educated at North Wangaratta and Docker's Plains State School. He was a blacksmith when he enlisted June 12th 1915. He was trained at Flemington Racecourse and embarked on SS "Nestor" October 11th 1915. He fought in battles; Peronne, Cambrai, Somme. Being wounded 3 times. He embarked for home per SS "Orontes"; disembarked January 28th 1919 and he was discharged March 16th 1919. He died on July 25 1958. 483 Private Percy Albert TIPPETT served with the 6th Battalion AIF and was wounded on the 25/4/15 during the initial landing at Gallipoli and later died on 28/4/1915. 1981 Private Francis John VONARX Enlisted at Wangaratta on 15/6/1915 aged 33 years and embarked on 26/8/1915. Served with the 23rd Infantry Battalion and 2nd Machine Gun Battalion. Returned to Australia on 8/4/1919 On 13/4/2024 the Honour Board was deaccessioned from the RSL collection for permanent display at North Wangaratta CFA Brigade.Honour Board listing the 52 names of North Wangaratta State School students who enlisted to serve their country during the First World War and commemorates those who lost their lives. Large solid timber Honour Board with two carved minature cannons on top and above side columns."North Wangaratta State School/Roll of Honour/The Great War 1914 to 1919" 52 names in gold paint.north wangaratta state school 2391, honour board ww1 -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Programme - SS Himalya Daily Program December 1971, 22 Dec 1971
The 'Good Morning' newsletter/program for the 22 December 1971 was obtained by Mr Bates on his voyage from the UK to Australia. The newsletter/program described the daily events taking place on board as the ship travelled from Las Palmas to Cape Town. These included keep fit classes, bridge games, the daily 'tote' on the ship's progress as well as tea dance and choir practice. There was also useful information on postage rates in South Africa, currency exchange rates, schedule of pool cleaning and items available in the shops aboard. To note was the fact that seawater was used in the swimming pools and also in the bathrooms.transport - shipping, mr bates -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ceremonial object - Church Bell, Before 1855
This artifact is a large brass bell. It was retrieved from the Schomberg wreck by local divers in the 1970s. Its location at the wreck site was described as "found on the west side towards the stern" the vessel remains lying on a north-south axis, with the bow pointing towards the shore as a result the bell was assessed from this position to have formed part of the cargo. The view that this was not a ship's bell belonging to the Schomberg is gained from two other 'Schomberg Bells' in the Flagstaff Hill collection, both of which have the vessel's name prominently etched into their outer surface. Additional indications indicate that this bell was not intended for maritime use due to the bell's rounded 'bell-curve' shape suggesting it was melodically tunable. Also the detailed basket-type fittings on the bell dome that would allow the bell to be suspended by ropes rather than just bolted to a yoke. The bell is currently on display at Flagstaff Hill, categorised as a church bell part of the Schomberg's cargo that was intended for use in a church within the Victorian colony. As the Colony of Victoria became more established, and its population expanded with the Gold Rush and other emigration from Britain, the demand for regular religious services and permanent church buildings also grew. We will never know if this bell was a specific order or part of an enterprising bell founder's consignment of general stock to a wholesale supplier in Melbourne. A cargo manifest for the Schomberg has unfortunately never been found. The shipwreck of the Schomberg is regarded as of significance to Victoria and is registered on the states Heritage list (S 612). The Schomberg wreck has great historical significance as a rare example of a mid 19th century large, fast clipper ship intended to transport cargo and passengers between England and Australia. The vessel that carried this bell represents the marine advances made in an attempt to break established sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill holds a noteworthy collection of artefacts from the Schomberg shipwreck. The collection as a whole is primarily significant because of the relationship the objects have archaeologically, not only to highlight the story of the Schomberg ship and later it's wrecking but have an important potential to interpret the story and progression of maritime shipping in the 19th century. The church bell has a standard bell-curve shape and is dull bronze in colour. A large brass bell, plain and without visible maker marks, but with traditionally intricate basket-type cast fittings for suspension from a yoke by a number of ropes or chains. Approximately 3/8 of the bell’s outer surface bears a thin layer of marine growth and limestone accretion, and there is some minor pitting and spots of light verdigris over the remainder. The bell mouth, or lip, is slightly compressed-in in two places. It was retrieved from the wreck of the Schomberg. warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, brass bell, church bell