Hollis Brothers were first recorded trading from 11 Weaman Row in 1840 but appear to have started trading a little earlier. The firm later became Isaac Hollis & Sons and claimed establishment from 1814. Richard & William Hollis were recorded trading in Bath Street Birmingham from 1814 to 1818 so it may be that the Hollis brothers were descended from them. The brothers were Isaac Hollis (1815) and Frederick Hollis (birth date unknown), but Frederick died 20 December 1839. Isaac was recorded in the 1841 census living in Weaman Row. He was a 25-year-old gun and pistol maker, married to Emma 1821. They had two children, Isaac (1837), and Henry (1839). After Frederick died, Isaac carried on trading under the name of Hollis Brothers until 1845 when he re-named the business Hollis Brothers & Co who traded up to 1848. In 1844 Isaac entered into a short term partnership with William Tranter at 10 & 11 Weaman Row, presumably to complete a particular contract or supply certain parts, this partnership lasted until 1849. In 1848 Isaac took in Isaac Brentnall Sheath as a partner, and the firm of Hollis & Sheath was established, expanding into 10 Weaman Row. Hollis & Sheath were licensed makers of percussion breech-loading guns. in 1861 the firm changed its name to Isaac Hollis & Sons on the departure of Isaac Brentnall Sheath. Isaac Sheath died in July 1875 By about 1870 Isaac Hollis and Henry Hollis had taken over the day to day running of the business. Isaac Hollis was responsible for the overall management and the marketing of the firm's products. Henry was responsible for manufacturing. The firm became volume producers of inexpensive trade guns and sporting guns for the South African and the British colonies. In 1870 the firm opened a shop at 44a Cannon Street in London; in 1871 this moved to 83 Cheapside. Isaac Hollis Jnr died October 1875 in Birmingham aged 37. He was never married and in 1876/1877 Henry registered a limited liability company, Isaac Hollis & Sons Ltd, but by 1879 they were again trading as Isaac Hollis & Sons. From 1879 the London shop was at 6 Great Winchester Street. From 1932 to 1933 the London business traded as Hollis, Bentley & Playfair Hollis, Bentley & Playfair finally closed in Birmingham in 1953.The shotgun is not in pristine condition and is not very significant historically or valuable, although made by a well known and respected manufacturer of firearms there are many better examples of Issac Hollis and Sons shotguns in collections and for sale. This particular example is of a standard pattern for utilitarian use of which many were made.Shotgun, double barrel, 12 gauge, with cleaning rod. Right barrel has been cut shorter and has sharp edges on the muzzle. Metal stock extension, cleaning rod comprising 3 pieces that screw together. Gun is stored in a black painted, wooden case with hinged lid. Inscribed "I. HOLLIS & SONS", SN 84245. "I. HOLLIS & SONS". SN on stock “84245”. Badge on both sides “Crown [symbol] / BV”. “Crown [symbol] / NP”, “12G inside Diamond [symbol]”, “NITRO PROOF”, “STEEL 84245” Paper note included with gun, written in felt tip pen “ENTERPRISE”. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shotgun, double barrel shotgun, isaac hollis and son, birmingham, i hollis and sons, gun makers, sporting firearm, south african firearm market, rifles for british government, hollis, bentlely and playfair

This compressor was part of the E.G. Ward Collection. It is connected to the diving suit and boots also in our collection. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe' at 145 High Street Holborn London, but in 1828 new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water-pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12 bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family and a new company 'Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd.' (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924 Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished and within time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunneling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest, or change the company business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr. E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on fire fighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The compressor is a very significant item as it gives a snapshot into marine history and the development of diving equipment generally especially that used for salvage operations before and during WW2. Siebe & Gorman the company that made the equipment was a leading inventor, developer and innovator of marine equipment with its early helmets and other items eagerly sought after today for collections around the world. The items in the Flagstaff Hill collection give us an insight as to how divers operated and the dangers they faced doing a very necessary and dangerous job during the early days of marine exploration.A single cylinder divers' pump by Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd, London, eccentric hand cranked in brass mounted mahogany case with instructions to the underside of the lid, brass covered pressure gauge and air outlet, brass makers plaque to the front, water inlet and outlet to the rear, green painted lifting rings. Machinery has some blue painted areas on the metal.Plate on the back 'WATER SUPPLY" "WATER OVERFLOW" "WATER DRAIN-IN" Pressure gauge dial "BOURDON'S PRESSURE GAUGE" STEBE GORMAN & CO. LONDON", "LBS PRESSURE" "FEET OF SALT WATER" Plate on the front " PATENT, Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Submarine Engineers" below emblem (Lion, Crown, Horse)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime-museum, diving compressor, london, siebe gorman & co ltd, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving, maritime museum, maritime village, manine history

Philip Webley was born in 1813, he was the younger brother of James Webley who was born in 1807. Both were born in Birmingham. Towards the end of the 1800s, the firm claimed establishment in 1790, this must have been the date James and Philip's father or grandfather originally established a bullet or gun implement making business. It was not, as is often stated, the date William Davis established his business. Philip Webley was apprenticed in 1827 to Benjamin Watson. James Webley also seems to have been apprenticed but to who is not known. In 1834 James and Philip established their partnership as percussioners, lock filers and gun makers at 7 Weaman Street,Birmingham which was William Davis' old premises Davis, a gun implement maker, mould and toolmaker, died in 1831 and his wife Sarah inherited the business at 84 Weaman Street which she ran with her daughter, Caroline. On 5 January 1838 Philip Webley married Caroline. Philip was recorded at 84 Weaman Street from 1838 as a gun percussioner, lock filer and gun maker and this is when the partnership was last recorded, but the brothers apparently continued to co-operate until 1845 when Philip reportedly sold his interest to James and used the money to purchase Sarah Davis' business. Even then, they worked together particularly about the design and manufacture of percussion revolvers. Philip Webley was recorded in the 1851 census as a 38-year-old gun and pistol implement manufacturer living at 84 Weaman Street with his wife Caroline they had four sons and one daughter Thomas William, Emma, and Philip Jnr, and two other sons, James, and Henry and Philip's cousin, also lived with the family probably as a nurse, Sarah Haywood. On 4 February 1853 Philip Webley registered patent No. 335 for a hinged revolver and on 14 September 1853 he registered patent No. 2127 for improvement for the first muzzle-loading percussion cap and ball revolver which became known as the "Longspur". In 1859 Philips son Thomas William, aged 21, was made a partner in the firm, which then changed its name to P Webley & Son and described itself as "Gun and Pistol Makers and Patent Revolving Pistol Makers", probably exploiting Philip Webley's patent No. 305 of February 1853 for a revolver frame and lock, and its improvement under patent No. 2127 of September 1853. Thomas later went on to managed the shotgun side of the business. From about 1863 up to the First World War, the firm made rook rifles for Holland & Holland. From the 1890s they supplied magazine rifles. In 1863 and 1864 the firm's address was given as 83-84 Weaman Street, but from late 1864 to 1875 their address was 84 Weaman Street. By 1874 the firm had a showroom in London at an unknown address. In 1875 the firm expanded into 82-84 and 88-89 Weaman Street. The shotgun is not in very good condition is unusable as a firearm and is not very significant historically or valuable, although made by a well known and respected manufacturer of firearms there are many better examples of shotguns made by P Webley and Son in collections and for sale. This particular example is of a standard pattern for utilitarian use of which many were made. Pin fire double barrel cartridge loading shotgun, the stock is of varnished walnut, the shotgun is in a wooden box, box has hinged lid and dovetail joints. Raised inscription on butt has an image of "dog carrying a bird in his mouth" and another image of a "anchor and chain". Inscribed to both sides of the locks "P Webley and Son", Maker's mark and proof marks for black powder shotguns on undersides of both barrels. Proof marks used are for Birmingham. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shotgun double barrel, double barrel, bird dog and bird, anchor and chain, webley & scott, pin fire, cartridge, philip webley

This diving suit with helmet, boots and weight is part of the E.G.Ward collection, along with the diving compressor and a photograph of a diver in this equipment. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe' at 145 High Street Holborn London, but in 1828 new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12-bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family and a new company 'Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd.' (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924 Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished and within time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunnelling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A.Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest, or change the company business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on fire-fighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The items are very significant as a snapshot into marine history and the development of diving equipment generally especially that used for salvage operations before and during WW2. The company that made the equipment was a leading inventor,developer and innovator of marine equipment with its early helmets and other items eagerly sought after today for collections around the world. The items in the Flagstaff Hill collection give us an insight as to how divers operated and the dangers they faced doing a very necessary and dangerous job.Diving suit including helmet, boots and a weight. Diving suit is made of canvas with knitted cuffs. The helmet is metal. The boots have a thick sole and thick leather upper that is held on with leather straps and buckles. The toe of the boot is heavy metal. The weight is worn next to the trunk of the diver and it has an inscription to mark the front. It is worn with straps and buckles holding it in place. Royal Navy Admiralty Pattern 6 bolt No 3 light Siebe Gorman light diving helmet circa 1960 used by the Royal Navy before and after World War 2"Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Marine Engineers London. Patent" with "E G Ward" on front and back plate. On weight "FRONT"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, diving suit, siebe gorman and co ltd., siebe gorman and co ltd marine engineers london, marine engineers, diving helmet, diving boots, diving weight, marine diving, maritimemuseum, maritime village, maritime history, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving

This trade mark (V inside a clover) was German. It was used by the lamp makers Veritas Efsca Works in Birmingham, and for a time by Valor Co. Ltd. which took over Veritas. Valor Co. Ltd. was established in Birmingham in 1890 and produced oil containers for the Anglo-American Oil Com. In 1901 the firm advertised themselves as Stampers And Pieces. Later it was named 'The Valor Co. and was associated with the Aston Brass Co., and advertised as makers of oil lamps and stoves. Valor became a maker of oil heaters cookers and many other products that were fueled by oil. Later it sold gas heaters and ovens. In 1936 Valor Co. Ltd. was made a Public Company and operated under the name The Velor Company Ltd. The company changed names over the years and it was still operating under Velor Fires in January 2002.Oil or kerosene lamps were the means of lighting for homes, farms and industry in the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries. Lamps like these were important as Lighthouse Keepers and Assistant Keepers' equipment. They were in common use in until the lighting was powered by gas and electricity. The reflector at the back of the lamp makes it of greater significance as most lamps don't have this feature. The logo is also interesting as it originated in Germany and was used with permission by a British company and the company that brought it out for a short time. Similar lamps are still available today, usually with gas for fuel. Kerosene lamp; blue painted metal fuel can and metal rear reflector support. and a round corrugated reflector at the rear. The mid-section wick is made of brass. The glass cover or chimney is bulbous in shape. Inscriptions include a trademark "V" inside a clover. It is British-made in Birmingham by either Veritas Efsca Works or Veritas Valor.Trademark; "[clover symbol] surrounding a "V" Stamp: "BRITISH MADE" Marked on adjusting device: "English Made 1 in w" Marked on support of deflector shield - "British Made" and symbolwarrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, oil lamp, table lamp, kerosene lamp, valor co. ltd, v inside a clover, veritas, british made, lamp reflector, lighting, lamp, the valor company ltd

The use of sails to propel a ship along its course dates back at least to 3000 BC., to the Egyptians who used sails to move their vessels up and down the Nile. Sailing ships then developed with the Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Vikings and other cultures. Their use was widespread until the 19th century which saw the development of the steam engine, and more recently, the diesel engine. Sailing ships slowly declined in use and number until now, most sailing ships are used for recreational purposes.This picture shows the widespread use of sail for trading purposes.Picture of a sailing ship at a wharf with other ships in the background, by artist Rowland Hilder. Natural wood frame.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, maritime painting by rowland hilder, painting of sailing ship

This well-produced but water-damaged book of Longfellows Poetry, was part of the former Warrnambool Mechanics Institute Library and Museum collection. The custody of this collection was assumed by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in the 1970s. Supporting provenance indicates the book was retrieved from the sea at Loch Ard Gorge soon after the shipwreck of the same name in June 1878. This book was given to the Warrnambool Museum curator Joseph Archibald by its finder, the Warrnambool Standard editor Henry Davis in October 1883. A letter from Mr Davis describing the poignant circumstances of his discovery is also in the Flagstaff Hill collection. A transcript of this letter is displayed next to the book in the Great Circle Gallery at the Maritime Village (reg. no. 2292). The story behind this book prompted Mr Archibald to write to the sole surviving female passenger from the LOCH ARD, Eva Carmichael, asking if the book was hers. Miss Carmichael replied by handwritten letter in January 1884, advising that the volume of poems did not belong to her: “We had a ‘Longfellow’, but our book had a green cover”. This letter is also in the Flagstaff Hill collection (reg. no. 2290.4).The book is rare as it has survived a shipwreck in relatively good condition. It is an example of personal possessions carried by a shipboard passenger in the 1870s. It holds significance for its connection to the renowned poet, Henry Wardsworth Longfellow. The book is important for its probable association with the wreck of the vessel Loch Ard in 1878. The LOCH ARD shipwreck is of State significance and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register S417. A volume of poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is bound in blue-purple cloth on thick board, with black lettering and curling-vine design, framed by gold border. In the centre of the front cover is a raised smooth-white ellipse with crimped edges, now worn bare but with traces of an original brightly coloured floral design. This white centre of supple leather is also framed by a decorative gold border. The upper case lettering on the front cover reads ‘Longfellow’s Poetical Works’. The edges of the blue material are faded and worn. The pages are corrugated by water damage but their original gold-edged condition is still evident. The front and back covers are scored with singed holes approximately 1.5cm diameter, situated about the centre edge of each side and in roughly corresponding positions. These holes may be from an original book-latch or fastening. However they have since been damaged by a hot piercing object, which has blackened the holes and extended the damage into the enclosed pages. The spine of the book features a stylised oak tree in gold, rising from bared roots to serrated leaves and acorns. The letters “LON[DON]” at the top of the spine and “W.P.NI[MM]O” at the bottom. The book cover has separated from the majority of stitched pages, along with a number of title pages, which are now loosed from the binding. The books condition is fragile from a handling perspective, but stable in terms of further deterioration. ‘Inscribed “Loch Ard June 1 1878” in pencil within ― believed to be a salvage from the shipwreck’ (Mechanics Institute Library auditor, June 1996).warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, longfellow’s poems, loch ard, eva carmichael, warrnambool mechanics institute library, warrnambool museum, joseph archibald, henry davis, william p. nimmo, poetry, heny longfellow, henry wadsworth longfellow, poetical works, 1870s, 1877, longfellow’s poetical works

In August 1884, Alfred Hirst who had started his trade as a watch repairer and was described as a watchmaker extraordinaire established Hirst Brothers and Company, on Union Street in Oldham Manchester. He took his two stepbrothers into the business and the company was set up to produce timepieces and jewellery as well as importing “Limit company” Swiss watches and precision machine tools for the watch and clock trade. By 1902 Hirst Brothers. had become a limited company and was still growing, adding other businesses in Manchester in 1904 and at Birmingham in 1907. The quality of the clocks and watches was such that Alfred Hirst realised his greatest ambition in 1912 with a range of watches which carried the "Limit" trademark. These watch movements had originally been made in Switzerland and shipped to Hirst Bros. to be put into British made “Dennison” cases. This trade brought even more growth with additional sales offices opening in London and Glasgow. At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 found them manufacturing aircraft parts including revolution counters and optical instruments. The firm had been tasked by the Ministry of Munitions to solve the problem of pilots dropping bombs by hand and as a result, they effectively created the first bomb rack. After the war, the company once again began to prosper and with the demand for their products increasing they looked to build a new purpose-built factory to manufacture their products. In 1917 they purchased a seven-acre field site at Tame Side Dobcross, the designing of the new factory was passed onto local architect AJ Howcroft. His brief for the design of the clockworks would have been prompted by Alfred Hirst who having visited modern factories in the United States was inspired by the latest factory designs providing as much daylight as possible during working hours. The factory was eventually completed in 1920, by the mid-1920s there were cheap clock imports from Germany and production turned to radio sets and other components as well as counter and gas meters for the "Parkinson and Cowan" company who was later to take over the business. In 1926 came the cotton crash and the District Bank who had loans with the company foreclosed on the Hirst loan. The company did survive and throughout the second World, War II were involved in munitions work at the factory as well as making instruments for various aircraft. In the 1950’s they were producing meters and high grade measuring equipment but by the 1970's the business had closed and the factory was demolished in the mid-1980 "s The item is a good example of the later use of an early mechanism “Fusee” that was originally invented around 1525 in Prague. This type of clock mechanism was replaced as watchmakers looked for mechanisms that could reduce the size of clocks and watches, it appears England was the only country to continue making clocks with a Fusee device until around 1900,s of which our clock is an example. The use of a Fusee movement eventually became obsolete in 1970,s. The item is significant for the collection as it is a clock with a movement that has long since been made obsolete. Fusee type gallery wall clock made by Tame Side with an 8-day mechanical fusee movement. The white enamel dial is a little crazed and some of the Roman Numeral numbers are fading due to over-cleaning. The movement has a hexagonal iron pendulum bob hooking onto a pendulum rod with a spring-wound anchor escapement.Only mark is stamped on the movement believed to be a production number "13490" and made in Tame Side. (If the clock had been made after 1912 it would have had a trade mark "Limit")flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clock, wall clock, fusee, gallery clock, alfred hirst, tame side

Navigators use parallel rule with maps and charts for plotting a specific course on a chart. One long edge is used with the compass rose on the chart, aligning the centre of the rose with the desired direction around the edge of the rose. The compass bars are then ‘walked’ in and out across the map to the desired location so that lines can be plotted to represent the direction to be travelled. Kelvin Company History: The origins of the company lie in the highly successful and strictly informal relationship between William Thomson (1824-1907), Professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University from 1846-1899 and James White, a Glasgow optical maker. James White (1824-1884) founded the firm of James White, an optical instrument maker in Glasgow in 1850 and was involved in supplying and mending apparatus for Thomson university laboratory and working with him on experimental constructions. White was declared bankrupt in August 1861 and released several months later. In 1870, White was largely responsible for equipping William Thomson laboratory in the new University premises at Gilmore hill. From 1876, he was producing accurate compasses for metal ships to Thomson design during this period and this became an important part of his business in the last years of his life. He was also involved in the production of sophisticated sounding machinery that Thomson had designed to address problems encountered laying cables at sea, helping to make possible the first transatlantic cable connection. At the same time, he continued to make a whole range of more conventional instruments such as telescopes, microscopes and surveying equipment. White's association with Thomson continued until he died. After his death, his business continued under the same name, being administered by Matthew Edwards until 1891 when he left to set up his own company. Thomson who became Sir William Thomson and then Baron Kelvin of Largs in 1892, continued to maintain his interest in the business after James White's death in 1884, raising most of the capital needed to construct and equip new workshops in Cambridge Street, Glasgow. At these premises, the company continued to make the compass Thomson had designed during the 1870s and to supply it in some quantity, especially to the Admiralty. At the same time, the firm became increasingly involved in the design, production and sale of electrical apparatus. In 1899, Lord Kelvin resigned from his University chair and became, in 1900, a director in the newly formed limited liability company Kelvin & James White Ltd which had acquired the business of James White. At the same time Kelvin's nephew, James Thomson Bottomley (1845-1926), joined the firm. In 1904, a London branch office was opened which by 1915 had become known as Kelvin, White & Hutton Ltd. Kelvin & James White Ltd underwent a further change of name in 1913, becoming Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Ltd. Hughes Company History: Henry Hughes & Sons were founded in 1838 in London as a maker of chronographic and scientific instruments. The firm was incorporated as “Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd” in 1903. In 1923, the company produced its first recording echo sounder and in 1935 a controlling interest in the company was acquired by S Smith & Son Ltd resulting in the development and production of marine and aircraft instruments. Following the London office's destruction in the Blitz of 1941, a collaboration was entered into with Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd resulting in the establishing “Marine Instruments Ltd”. Following the formal amalgamation of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd in 1947 to form Kelvin & Hughes Ltd. Marine Instruments Ltd then acted as regional agents in the UK for Kelvin & Hughes Ltd who were essentially now a part of Smith's Industries Ltd founded in 1944 and the successors of S Smith & Son Ltd. Kelvin & Hughes Ltd went on to develop various marine radar and echo sounders supplying the Ministry of Transport, and later the Ministry of Defence. The firm was liquidated in 1966 but the name was continued as Kelvin Hughes, a division of the Smiths Group. In 2002, Kelvin Hughes continues to produce and develop marine instruments for commercial and military. This model parallel map ruler is a good example of the commercial diversity of navigational instruments made by Kelvin & Hughes after World War II. It was made in numbers for use by shipping after the second world war and is not particularly rare or significant for it's type. Also it was made no earlier than 1947 as the firms of Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Ltd and Henry Hughes & Sons Ltd who took over from Smith & Sons were not amalgamated until 1947. It can therefor be assumed that this ruler was made during the company's transitional period to Kelvin & Hughes from Smith Industries Ltd.Brass parallel rule in wooden box with blue felt lining.Rule inscribed on front "Kelvin & Hughes Ltd" " Made in Great Britain"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, parallel rule, kelvin & hughes ltd, map ruler, plot direction, navigation, maps, echo sounder, kelvin & james white, lord kelvin, baron kelvin of largs, scientific instrument

An Octant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument used primarily by sailors to measure the angular distance between two visible objects and was a forerunner of the sextant. The name comes from the Latin octo, or "one-eighth of a circle," for the Octan'ts arc which spans 45°, or one-eighth of a circle. The primary use of an Octant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for celestial navigation. The estimation of this angle, is known as sighting or shooting the object, or taking a sight. The angle, and the time when it was measured, can be used to calculate a position line on a nautical chart (latitude), for example, sighting the Sun at noon or Polaris at night (in the Northern Hemisphere) gives an angle by which the latitude can then be estimated. Sighting the height of a landmark on land can also give a measure of distance. This fine octant once belonged to Captain Farquhar Chisholm and was donated by his granddaughter, Margaret Ruth Greer (nee Chisholm, born 1914). The label inside the Octant's box reads “Thomas L. Ainsley, Instrument Maker … etc”. Farquhar Chisholm was born in 1832 in Inverness, Scotland. He regularly sailed on perilous voyages between Quebec, Canada and the Baltic ports of Europe. In 1854 he migrated to Australia during the Gold Rush, to a place called Fiery Creek (near Beaufort Victoria) where he was fairly successful in his quest for gold. In the years of the Great Gold Rush, it was said that there were over 40,000 diggers in the goldfields of the Beaufort area! In 1857 having made sufficient money, he hired another crew and returned to Clachnacuddin, Inverness shire, Scotland and in that same year, he studied and obtained his Master Mariner Certificate (which would have included the use of an octant for navigation). He was appointed to Mr George (or James) Walker, as commander of his sailing ship, the 3-masted ELIZABETH, built 1859 and known as “The Walker barque”. In 1870 he married, then in 1887 returned to Australia with his wife and children (Kenneth Chisholm (1871), Mary Bremner Chisholm (1873), Margaret Hood Chisholm (1874), Farquhar Chisholm (1878)). They arrived in Port Melbourne, Victoria and sadly, only six weeks after landing, his wife Caroline passed away (in Geelong,1888). In 1900 Capt. Chisholm lived in Camperdown (Victoria) and not long after this his daughter Margaret died of consumption. In his later years, he went to live in the manse of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Wangaratta, with his son, Rev. Farquhar Chisholm. He died there on Sat, 23rd March 1912, 80 years old. He was known as “… quiet, unobtrusive and competent, respected by all with whom he came in contact”. Some other members of Captain Chisholm’s family are; his older son Kenneth Chisholm, who was a contractor in Camperdown; a nephew Donald Macintosh (of 23 Douglas Row, Inverness); a grandson Brian Jones (son of Caroline Belle-Jones nee Chisholm, who lived in Camperdown in the earlier part of her life).The octant, the forerunner of the sextant, was a significant step in providing accuracy of a sailors latitude position at sea & his vessels distance from land when taking sightings of land-based landmarks.Octant, once belonging to Captain Farquhar Chisholm. Wedge shape (the size of an eighth of a circle), made of wood, glass and metal. Used in the 1880s. Maker’s name across centre “L. SIMON - - - SHIELDS”. Three (3) light filtering, coloured glass shades. Two (2) eyepieces. Scale attached for measuring angles. Label inside the fitted, wedge-shaped case "Thomas L. Ainsley, Optician"Label inside case "Thomas L. Ainsley, Optician" Maker’s name across centre “L. SIMON - - - SHIELDS”.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, maritime navigation, navigation instrument, migration, captain chisholm, farquhar chisholm, sailing ship, the elizabeths, thomas l. ainsley, l. simons, shields england, octant, john hadley, chisholm

A sextant is an astronomical instrument used to determine latitude and longitude at sea by measuring angular distances, especially the altitudes of the sun, moon, and stars. It is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument and used mainly by sailors to measure the angular distance between two visible objects. The name comes from the Latin sextans, or “sixth part of a unit,” because the sextant’s arc can be 60° or 120° of a circle depending on the model used. The primary use was to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation. The estimation of this angle is known as sighting or shooting the object, or taking a sight. This angle and the time when it was measured is used in order to determine Greenwich Mean Time and hence longitude. Sighting the height of a landmark on land can also give a measure of distance from that object. History: The development of the sextant was as an improvement over the octant, an instrument designed to measure one's latitude. The octant was first implemented around 1731-present but can only measure angles up to 45°. As larger angles were needed to allow the measurement of lunar objects - moon, stars and the sun - at higher angles, the octant was superseded by the sextant. The sextant is a similar instrument but better made and allows larger angles from 60° to 120°. This improvement allows distances to be accurately calculated thereby giving longitude when used with a chronometer. The sextant was derived from the octant in 1757, eventually making all previous instruments used for navigational positioning obsolete. The sextant had been attributed to by John Hadley (1682–1744) and Thomas Godfrey (1704–1749), but reference to the sextant was also found later in the unpublished writings of Isaac Newton (1643–1727). Earlier links can be found to Bartholomew Gosnold (1571–1607) indicating that the use of a sextant for nautical navigation predates Hadley's implementation. In 1922, the sextant was modified for aeronautical navigation by Portuguese navigator and naval officer Gago Coutinho. It should be noted that the octant and quadrant are in the same family as they were, and all are, regarded as sextants. The sextant is representative of it's type and although not fully complete it demonstrates how 18th,19th and 20th century mariners determined their latitude and longitudinal to determine their position on a chart, allowing them to navigate there way across the world's oceans. It also demonstrates the skill and workmanship of the early instrument makers that operated scientific instrument businesses from London and other areas of England to provide most of the navigational instrumentation used by commercial and military navies of the time.Sextant with square, fitted box of polished wood, "Hezzanith" brand. Box contains many parts for the sextants use. On certificate "Heath & Co, London. Sextant Number Y 822". Catch on lid "DEFIANT LEVER" and "PATENT NUMBER 187.10". Maker's certificate is attached to the inside of the box.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sextant box, sextant, hezzanith, heath & co, navigational instrument, george wilson heath, astronomical instrument, instrument manufacturers, scientific instrument, navigation, celestial navigation, octant, quadrant, lunar navigation

Henry Browne and Son Ltd, of Barking, made aviation and nautical compasses, clocks and dials. The company made compasses for aircraft notably, Spitfires, Tiger moths and Concord. Henry Browne was born in Lewis, Sussex in 1842 and died in Barking in 1935. His company was a well respected English instrument maker that had been making and selling fine quality compasses, ship's clocks, inclinometers, sextants, and chandlery items for over 140 years. It started in a factory in Brightlingsea, Essex and moved to Barking in 1929. The Trade Mark brand Sestrel was used on all their equipment. Their “Dead Beat“ compass design is well dampened serving to reduce oscillations. It is reported that this design compass was fitted to many Allied ships during WW II. The company went through a boom period in the 1970s but collapsed in the 1980s due to the popularity of cheaper plastic compasses over tradition brass ones. Over more recent years, there has been a consolidation of British instrument makers and the firm of Henry Browne & Son has changed hands a number of times. At last count, it became part of Lillie & Gillie of London in 1985 when John Lilley & Gillie Ltd acquires the assets of Henry Browne & Sons (Sestrel) Ltd, a major competitor for what may be the second time. The model name of Sestral came about via the following.Take first two letters of the word Sensitive then the firs two letter of steady and the firs three letters of reliable hence the trade name of "Sestral". Item relates to the second world war used in many ships of the time merchant and military, It reminds us of a time in our social and world history when most of the world was in conflict.Henry Browne and Sons “Dead Beat“ compass design is well dampened serving to reduce oscillations and was an innervation that many makes of compass of the time din't have as a result the "Sestrel" design was fitted to many Allied ships during WW II.A liquid-filled Sestrel compass, with a brass housing and gimbal ring, wired for an internal low voltage light to illuminate the compass card. Inscriptions printed on face and impressed in metal around outer rim TRADE MARK", "Sestrel Dead-Beat", "No 1724 N", "Barking & London" HENRY BROWNE & SON", additional inscription "AFT No 1724 N". flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, compass, marine compass, henry browne & son barking london, sestrel dead-beat marine compass, navigation instrument, sestrel dead-beat marine compass

Opera Glasses came into existence as a result of a long line of inventions, and further improvements upon those inventions. The process started in the year 1608 when a Dutch optician by the name of Hans Lipperhey developed the first pair of binoculars with a magnification capability of X3. Less than a year later, a well-known inventor and philosopher by the name of Galileo developed what became known as the Galilean telescope. Advertisements were first found for opera glasses and theatre binoculars in London as early as 1730 in the form of a long collapsible telescope. The "Opera Glass" as it was referred to; was often covered in enamel, gems, ivory, or other art and paintings. For almost 100 years opera glasses existed merely as telescopes. In Vienna, in 1823 the first binocular opera glasses and theatre binoculars began to appear. They were two simple Galilean telescopes with a bridge in the centre, each telescope focused independently from the other by extending or shortening the telescope until the desired focus was achieved, which was useful, yet very cumbersome. Two years later in Paris, Pierre Lemiere improved on this design and created a centre focus wheel. This allowed the focusing of both telescopes together. After this development, opera glasses and theatre binoculars grew in popularity because of the superior view they facilitated in opera and theatre houses. The beautiful design of the glasses themselves also added appeal to the opera-going crowd. By the 1850's opera glasses and theatre, glasses had become a must-have fashion accessory for all opera and theatergoers.Not very significant as not associated with a historic event or person and made during the first half of the 20th Century and many are still available and easily sourced.Vintage Pair of Opera Glasses, with cow bone barrels and eyepieces, both barrel pieces have split in them, both metal end barrels each have a minor dent, optics are pretty clear no mould although have very minor dust spots inside, they look like they were gilded at some point but most of this has rubbed off glasses have a black leather case with blue lining. No markings whatsoever anywhereflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, binoculars, opera glasses, theatre glasses, optical instrument, cow bone

This sextant is very similar to a 1915 Sextant design. A sextant is an astronomical instrument used in measuring angular distances especially the altitudes of sun, moon and starts at sea determining latitude and longitude.This sextant is an example of a 19th-century marine instrument used for finding location at sea. It was made by London scientific instrument maker Troughton and Simms, which originated in 1826 and continued until 1922.Sextant and its fitted square wooden box. The handle of the sextant is carved with a cross-hatched pattern. Made by Troughton and Simms, London.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sextant, navigational instrument, marine navigation, marine equipment, instrument, navigation, troughton and simms, london, scientific instrument

Adams jnr wrote many elementary scientific works, as well as on the use of mathematical instruments. He often combined in his written works with religious themes and scientific content, often against the prevailing thoughts of the time. According to one popular magazine of the time (Gentleman's Magazine), his works were often accused of "growing errors of materialism, infidelity, and anarchy". He started writing at a young age and developed a love for it, his main interests included math and science, these subjects he often expressed in his written essay's. Notable works from Adams are. An Essay on Electricity, and Magnetism (1784). Essays on the Microscope (1787). An Essay on Vision, briefly explaining the fabric of the eye (1789). Astronomical and Geographical Essays (1790). A Short Dissertation on the Barometer (1790). Geometrical and Graphical Essays, containing a description of the mathematical instruments used in geometry, civil and military surveying, leveling and perspective (1790). Lectures on Natural and Experimental Philosophy, in five volumes (1794).George Adams Sr and Jnr were both notable opticians and scientific instrument makers of the 18th century. Their contribution to scientific innovation and optical development cannot be underestimated. Having one of their early drainage levels in the collection and in extremely good condition is an asset to the Flagstaff collection.Drainage level or optical level. A brass surveying instrument with Achromatic telescope, bubble level and dial fitted to the Tribrach or footplate that has leveling screws. Tripod is wood and brass with adjustable and unscrewable legs (for ease of transportation). Made by "G. Adams Fleet St, London". Used in surveying and building to transfer, measure and/or set horizontal levels."G. Adams - London".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, george adams fleet street london, optical instrument, scientific instrument, technical instrument, surveyors level, george adams snr, projection microscope

Chelsea Clock Company History: The Chelsea Clock Company is an American clock manufacturing company that started before 1880 with Joseph Henry Eastman who founded the Harvard Clock Company and produced 800 clocks of marine, carriage, shelf and banjo types. He went on to change the company name to the Boston Clock Company in 1884. After several name changes in 1897, the Chelsea Clock Company was finally founded. Clocks produced by Chelsea Clock Company have been found in the White House, on US Naval Ships, and in homes and offices around the world. After the company first began life as the Harvard Clock Company, it was named the Boston Clock Company, the Eastman Clock Company before finally becoming the Chelsea Clock Company in July of 1897. The company had developed many patents and innervations over these years and between 1939 and 1946 during World War II they were awarded contracts by the U.S Maritime Commission and produced vast numbers of clocks for both merchant and naval ships. U.S Maritime Commission History: The United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) was an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, and replaced the United States Shipping Board which had existed since World War I. It was intended to formulate a merchant shipbuilding program to design and build five hundred modern merchant cargo ships to replace the World War I vintage vessels that comprised the bulk of the United States Merchant Marine, and to administer a subsidy system authorized by the Act to offset the cost differential between building in the U.S. and operating ships under the American flag. It also formed the United States Maritime Service for the training of seagoing ship's officers to man the new fleet. The purpose of the Maritime Commission was to formulate a merchant shipbuilding program to design and then have built over a ten-year period 900 modern fast merchant cargo ships which would replace the World War I-vintage vessels Those ships were intended to be then leased to U.S. shipping companies for their use in the foreign seagoing trades the aim was to offer better and more economical freight services. The ships were also intended to serve as a reserve naval auxiliary force in the event of armed conflict which was a duty the U.S. merchant fleet had often filled throughout the years since the Revolutionary War. From 1939 through the end of World War II, the Maritime Commission funded and administered the largest and most successful merchant shipbuilding effort in world history, producing ships for both navy and merchant marine. By the end of the war, U.S. shipyards working under Maritime Commission contracts had built a total of 5,777 ocean-going merchant and naval ships. In early 1942 both the training and licensing was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard for administration, then later to the Maritime Service final responsibility was conveyed to the newly created War Shipping Administration which was created to oversee the operation of merchant ships being built by the Emergency Program to meet the needs of the U.S. Armed Services. With the end of World War II, both the Emergency and Long Range shipbuilding programs were terminated as there were far too many merchant vessels now for the Nation's peacetime needs. In 1946, the Merchant Ship Sales Act was passed to sell off a large portion of the ships built during the war to commercial buyers, both domestic and foreign. The U.S Maritime Commission was officially disbanded on May 24th 1950. These clocks were to be found on all ships made in American for the war effort between 1939 and 1946. They are a significant reminder of the sacrifice by those who served in the merchant marine and the navy’s during the Second World War. The item is a part of our social history that reminds us of these dark times. The loses of family members, along with the trauma that many sailors had endured and had to live with for the rest of their lives once they were released from service and allowed to go home.American Clock is an 8-day marine clock made by the Chelsea clock Co for the “US Maritime Commission” . There is a second smaller dial for the seconds and 24-hour markings. Also a fast-slow adjuster to the top of the dial. The clock is an 8 day marine clock with US Maritime Commission inscribed on face in black lettering. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clock, us maritime commission, chelsea clock company, horology, maratime clock

An Octant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument used primarily by sailors to measure the angular distance between two visible objects and was a forerunner of the sextant. The name comes from the Latin octo, or “one-eighth of a circle,” for the Octant’s arc which spans 45°, or one-eighth of a circle. The primary use of an Octant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation. The estimation of this angle is known as sighting or shooting the object, or taking a sight. The angle, and the time when it was measured, can be used to calculate a position line on a nautical chart (latitude), for example, sighting the Sun at noon or Polaris at night (in the Northern Hemisphere) gives an angle by which the latitude can then be estimated. Sighting the height of a landmark on land can also give a measure of distance. History: The principle of the Octant as an instrument to measure ones latitude was first implemented around 1742-present but was superseded by the improvement of the octant to a sextant, a very similar instrument, better made and able to measure bigger angles 120°, allowing the measurement of Luna distances to give longitude when used with an accurate chronometer. The sextant started to appear around 1730 and had been attributed to by John Hadley (1682–1744) and Thomas Godfrey (1704–1749), but reference to the sextant was also found later in the unpublished writings of Isaac Newton (1643–1727). Earlier links can be found to Bartholomew Gosnold (1571–1607) indicating that the use of a Sextant for nautical navigation predates Hadley's implementation. In 1922, the sextant was modified for aeronautical navigation by Portuguese navigator and naval officer Gago Coutinho. Henry Hemsley was a lesser-known instrument maker and optician working in London in the late 17th and early 18th century. However, it should be noted that there were two Henry Hemsley opticians and instrument makers around this period. (Henry Hemsley 1, 1786-89, who had premises at 85 Fleet St London and Henry Hemsley 2, 1828-56), whose workshop was at 135-138 Radcliff Highway London. Therefore, based on the inscribed workshop address Henry Hemsley 2 is responsible for making this example.The octant is representative of its type and although not fully complete it demonstrates how 18th and 19th-century mariners determined their latitude on a chart to navigate their way across the world's oceans in the 18th and 19th century. It also demonstrates the skill and workmanship of the early instrument makers that operated from London at this time and provided most of the navigational instrumentation use by commercial and military navies of the time.Octant, ebony wooden frame and handle. Scale is missing from recess in frame. "H. Hemsley 135-138 Ratliff Highway, London", no box"H. Hemsley 135-138 Ratcliff Highway, London"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, navigation, navigational instrument, instrument used for navigation, sextant, henry hemsley, instrument maker, london, octant

This Chart titled “Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour” was surveyed by Nav. Lieut. H.J. Stanley, of Britain's Royal Navy, in 1870 and printed in April 1871. The chart was made before the Warrnambool Breakwater was built (construction had begun in 1874 and was completed in 1890). The chart includes Directions for entering Lady Bay, Warrnambool Harbour. These are "Vessels entering Warrnambool Harbour must bring the Red Light in sight and steer in with it in line with the upper white Light bearing North, until the Green Light on the Jetty is opened, when steer towards it and anchor. The best anchorage is in 2 ¼ fms [fathoms)] of water, about a cable from ledge off Breakwater rock. Or where convenient, according to draught of water, only endeavouring to anchor as close as possible to Breakwater rock. It is not safe to enter or leave the Harbour in south westerly or Southerly gales.” This chart is significant for its strong connection to the maritime history of Warrnambool Harbour and Lady Bay, and eventually to the Warrnambool Breakwater. The Warrnambool Breakwater is registered as a place of significance on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHR H2024). A copy of the same chart was used to plan several submissions for future changes to the jetty and breakwater. The chart is a historical record of structures existing in 1870; the Warrnambool Jetties, Lady Bay, the leading lights (lighthouses), streets, roads, bridges and many buildings. It also shows the lay of the land and seabed.Canvas chart of Australia, South Coast, Victoria Title: Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour Surveyed by Nav. Lieut. H.J. Stanley, R.N., 1870. Magnet Variation, 1870 Published April 3, 1871, by the Admiralty, London. Directions for vessels entering Warrnambool Harbour are printed on the chart. The chart has a lacquer or seal over it.Top of chart has logo "HYDROGRAPHER OFFICE" "Price Eighteen Pence". "Engraved by Edward Weller" Along bottom of Chart: “London… Published at the Admiralty, 3rd April 1871, under the Superintendence of Rear Admiral G.H. Richards, F.R.S. Hydrographer, Corrections July 71” Bottom of chart “Australia South Coast Victoria Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour. 2494”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, chart of lady bay warrnambool 1870, warrnambool harbour, cartography, navigation, warrnambool breakwater, 1871, australia – south coast / victoria, lady bay, 1870, nav. lieut. h.j. stanley, r.n, directions for entering warrnambool harbour, hydrographer office, rear admiral g.h. richards, edward weller, port of warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, map, chart, navigation chart, admiralty chart, breakwater, jetty, pier, vhr h2024

Thomas Walker & Son was internationally renowned in the manufacturing of ships logs. Founding father Thomas Walker (1805–1871), an engineer in Birmingham, patented a mechanical log in 1878 which was a recording instrument that attached to a rail at the stern of a vessel connected by a long cord with a rotor which was towed behind the ship. The instrument dial recorded the distance travelled. Thomas Walker first went into business to manufacture stoves at 58 Oxford Street Birmingham. Walker’s self-feeding stove was widely lauded at the Paris Exhibition of 1855, winning a prize medal and kick starting the first of many notable innovations for the Walker family's manufacturing business. However, it wasn’t until working on an earlier ships log model invented by his Uncle that Thomas Walker became interested in the further development of this device, used to ascertain a ship’s speed. Walker continued to improve on the common log for the company of Massey & Sons and these improvements were deemed revolutionary. This log became a firm favourite of the West India Association (British-based organisation promoting ties and trade with the British Caribbean) and the most common log in use for two generations. It took till 1861 for Thomas Walker and his son, Thomas Ferdinand Walker (1831-1921) to patent the first Walker log of many. Together, with the introduction of the A1 Harpoon Log two years later, they established the Walker Log Business as a force to be reckoned with. By the time of his passing in 1871, Thomas Walker Snr had not only founded a family business with considerable staying power but also instilled a tradition of public service. Having sat as a representative on the Birmingham Town Council for 15 years and played an active role in public works, he was soon given the nickname of ‘Blue Brick Walker’. Much like his father, Thomas Ferdinand Walker changed the face of the maritime industry. His patent of 1897, the ‘Cherub’ log, was a notable departure from the past providing a far more accurate reading and replacing the majority of logs of the age. They were the first to produce an electric log and the Walker factory was one of the first to introduce the 48 hour work week for employees. This ship log was invented and made by a significant marine instrument maker and innovator of machinery. It demonstrates the huge leap taken to improve navigational accuracy at sea with an instrument that was in use for decades. Ship Log, three analogue dials calibrated in increments of Miles, the Rocket Log is a nautical instrument for measuring a vessel’s speed and distance traveled. The floating log was drawn behind the ship over a fixed time period in order to measure the distance traveled. The counter could measure enough miles to cover the maximum distance traveled by a ship in one day. The log has two distinct parts; a brass register, made by Walker, showing the distance recorded and the rotator made by Reynolds, that spins in the water driving the counter. both parts are connected by a linked chain. The register has a cylindrical brass body approx 4.5 cm diameter containing registering mechanism with hardened steel bearings. Distance is indicated by the three pointers on enamel plate as follows: graduated every 10 miles from 0-100; every mile from 1-10; every 1/4 mile from 1/4 -1. A brass sling and eye secured to the body enables it to be attached to the taffrail. The original rotator would have had a cylindrical tapered wooden body, approx 4.5 cm in diameter with three metal alloy fins or could be all made from brass. A towing eye is fitted to the tapered end. The two pieces of apparatus are connected by a length of linked chain, length 22.9 cm."Walkers Rocket Ship-Log Birmingham (Patented)" printed on face-plate. "Made by Thomas Walker".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ship log, rocket log, mechanical ship log, measuring instrument, marine instrument, nautical instrument, speed recording instrument, ship log register, walker ship log, walkers rocket ship-log, thomas walker, thomas walker & son, thomas ferdinand walker, walker log business, reynolds ship log rotor, taffrail log, taff rail log, west india association

Isaac Sherwoods Ltd were manufacturers of oil lamps and burners in Birmingham, in 1904 they were trading as Isaac Sherwood & Son Ltd. but by 1920 they had taken over Linley & Co. of 73-75 Great Lister Street, makers of `American' pattern lamps to become Sherwood-Linley at Nechells Park Works, Eliot Street. The company were a leading manufacturer of oil and candle lamps exporting their goods all over the world. The subject lamp is operated with a candle, which is inserted on the underside, it is sprung and as the candle burns the spring keeps the candle pushed upwards keeping the flame burning until the candle is extinct. Sherwoods invented and patented this innovation for candle lamps.The subject item is incomplete however it has some significance as it was designed to be used in a sea going vessel, as a result is quite rare also the item is made by a well known manufacturer.Spring loaded candle Lamp, brass, with gimbal wall attachment for use on a ship, shade and mount missing. Candle-stop has the words "Sherwoods Limited, trademark sound".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, candle lamp, gimbal spring, sherwoods limited

Thomas Walker & Son was internationally renowned in the manufacturing of ships logs, founding father, Thomas Walker (1805–1871), an engineer in Birmingham, patented a mechanical log in 1878 which was a recording instrument that attached to a rail at the stern of a vessel connected by a long cord with a rotor which was towed behind the ship. The instrument dial recorded the distance travelled. Thomas Walker first went into business to manufacture stoves at 58 Oxford Street Birmingham. Walker’s self-feeding stove was widely lauded at the Paris Exhibition of 1855, winning a prize medal and kick starting the first of many notable innovations for the Walker family's manufacturing business. However, it wasn’t until working on an earlier ships log model invented by his Uncle that Thomas Walker became interested in the further development of this device, used to ascertain a ship’s speed. Walker continued to improve on the common log for the company of Massey & Sons and these improvements were deemed revolutionary. This log became a firm favourite of the West India Association (British-based organisation promoting ties and trade with the British Caribbean). and the most common log in use for two generations. It took till 1861 for Thomas Walker and his son, Thomas Ferdinand Walker (1831-1921) to patent the first Walker log of many. Together, with the introduction of the A1 Harpoon Log two years later, they established the Walker Log Business as a force to be reckoned with. By the time of his passing in 1871, Thomas Walker Snr had not only founded a family business with considerable staying power but also instilled a tradition of public service. Having sat as a representative on the Birmingham Town Council for 15 years and played an active role in public works, he was soon given the nickname of ‘Blue Brick Walker’. Much like his father, Thomas Ferdinand Walker changed the face of the maritime industry. His patent of 1897, the ‘Cherub’ log, was a notable departure from the past providing a far more accurate reading and replacing the majority of logs of the age. They were the first to produce an electric log and the Walker factory was one of the first to introduce the 48 hour work week for employees. This ship log rotor was invented and made by a significant marine instrument maker and innovator of machinery. It demonstrates the huge leap taken to improve navigational accuracy at sea with an instrument that was in use for decades and still is today. Therefore it is a worthy addition to the Flagstaff Maritime collection as it demonstrates another aspect of maritime navigation.A Walkers Cherub III Patent mechanical ship brass rotor with with four vane's one marked with an anchor and "T. W. Cherub 441", The log is attached to a brass swivel with a short length of rope. Has T W Cherub 441 marked on a vane.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, log rotor, taffrail log, thomas walker, marine technology, marine instrument, navigation, ship speed, measurment

R Timmins & Sons were makers of heavy steel 'toys' - toy in this context means any small metal object, including hand tools. The company was founded in 1790 by Richard Timmins and was situated in Hurst St, and later in Pershore Street, Birmingham. In 1850 Richard Timmins died aged 60 and the company continued with his wife Ann and their son Henry who were the executors of his will. In 1889 they were taken over by another Birmingham maker, W & C Wynn of Suffolk Street also edge tool makers and the business moved to Commercial Street Birmingham in 1872. For a few years, both companies continued to operate under their original names. In 1892 they were incorporated as Wynn, Timmins & Co, and in 1897 the premises in Commercial St were renamed Century Works. The company survived until 1969 when they were taken over by Balfour Dawins Ltd of Sheffield, and the works in Birmingham then closed.A significant item given its age having the probability of having been made after Richard Timmins had died and before the take over in 1872 during the time the company was being run by his wife Ann and son Henry. Given the inscription on the item is "A Timmins & Sons". The items significance is social given it was used to clean bungholes in barrels and was possibly used in the early cooperage industries of the early Australian colony. Bung reamer metal with wooden handle. A Timmins & Sons stamped on blade.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, coopers tools, bung hole reamer, barrels, barrel making

The item came from the collection of a merchant sailor who presumably visited the Portsmouth open day in 1953.The booklet reveals much about the traditions of the Royal Navy and the ships on display. It presents a picture from time. A 36-page magazine designed for the Royal Nay's open days on April 4, 5 and 6, 1953, at Portsmouth.Portsmouth Programme. Easter 1953.booklet, royal navy, ships, portsmouth, allan quinn

This newsletter was received as one item of 5 linked to and formerly the property of a member of the Lightkeepers of the Mission to Seamen,Vancouver, Canada circa 1940 - 1950s. See Donor file for details. This Newsletter is of particular interest as the leading article references the financial difficulties of Missions to Seamen around the world in the post world War 2 era. 8 page A 5 size Newsletter (pp 17-31 Cumulative issue) - Vol XXXVIII commercially printed with graphic masthead featuring ships. Features brief articles on International Missions to Seamen. Back page titled 'Our Lightkeepers'Page' features The Senior Lightkeepers' Guild of Vancouver. Illustrated thoughout with photographs.nora o'connor, edward o'connor, vancouver, canada, british columbia, lightkeepers' auxiliary, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, overseas missions

The Bell was presented to the Mission by the Aberdeen and Commonwealth Line in October 1957, after the ship made her final voyage to Australia in 1956 and it was broken up in Barrow in April 1957 by Thomas W Ward (UK). In the Annual Report 1957, Padre Oliver mentioned "the bell was found unsuited for the chapel belfry, it is to be mounted on a bracket and placed in the Celia Little lounge."Cast brass bell with wrought iron anchor and hook design wall mount: decoratively plaited cord in maritime knot pattern to resemble chain, sealed with a varnish and attached to cast iron clapper. Wrought iron hook secured by metal bolt. Bell is inscribed in upper case capital letters with MORETON BAY. Anchor attached with four flat headed hexagonal bolts with mighted wooden frame. Bell inscribed with upper case capital letters MORETON BAY. / Also brass presentation wall plaque (see image)bell, anchor, brass, ss moreton bay, ship's bell, plaque, celia little room, bracket, p&o, peninsular and oriental steam navigation company, passengers liners, passenger ships, emigrants, emigration

Requires more research. The flag appears to be a commemorative listing of British seafarers of World War 2 noting those who served, but this needs confirmation and an improved image. The flag was removed from permanent display in the Flying Angels Club as it requires assessment for cleaning of a build up of dust and smoke. See also existing condition report a new inspection needs to be carried out.If simply a listing of British merchant seamen visiting the Missions in the 2nd half of the 20th Century it is also notable in the history of the MTSV at 717 Flinders st.If confirmed as a WW2 memorial it is also significant. Reg nylon based flag with Union Jack in the top left corner. White trimming down left side with two metal hoops, one at each end. Across the Union Jack is written, 'THE BRITISH MERCHANT NAVY' and in small writing at the bottom of the Union Jack it reads, 'DONATED BY MIKE HALL IN THE U.K.'. Down the right side of the flag says, 'FLAG DONATED BY MIKE HALL IN THE U.K.' The red portion of the flag is covered with handwritten seamen's names and the seamen's registration numbers. THE BRITISH MERCHANT NAVY DONATED BY MIKE HALL IN THE U.K. FLAG DONATED BY MIKE HALL IN THE U.K. See image for more detail flag, british, mike hall, union jack, names, red ensign, merchant navy

Correspondence held by the library has John Denniston Wood (1829-1914), a barrister and politician, presenting the portrait to the Library Committee in 1867. Wood hopes that the painting will "hang there [in the Court] in like manner as the portraits of many of the sages of the law are held in the Courts at Guildhall". Wood also provides information about the painter, Mr Mosely "now deceased", but who was "selected by Sir WIlliam himself" to undertake the commission. Early accounts have the painting hanging in a prominent position in the 'old' Court house at La Trobe and Russell Streets; the portrait was moved down to the library in 1884, when the portraits of Barry, Stawell and Molesworth were also commissioned. Sir William a'Beckett was the first chief justice of the colony of Victoria, having previously had a busy career at the Sydney bar. The portrait is of historic signifcance because of its subject Sir William a'Beckett and its long association with the Court. A full length portrait of Sir William a'Beckett, seated and dressed in his judicial robes. With ornate gold frame with acorn motif.Plaque identifying subject : Sir William a'Beckett, Knight, resident judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales for the district of Port Phillip from 1846 to 1852, First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria from Jan.1852 to Feb 1857.judges, william a beckett, supreme court

These are 22 volumes of early English and French History translated from the Latin, French and Old English. The volumes were published in the early 19th Century, Redmond Barry purchased these from Guillaume, Colonial Bookseller, Chester Square, London for the Library.The books are in excellent condition and would be rare in Australian library collections.22 Volumes of Leather Bound books with gold embossing, illustrated.Historical Chronicles of English History, many titles, translated from the Latin, and the Old English and Old French.redmond barry, chronicle

These are 2 volumes of 16th Century legal tracts, for Justices of the Peace about how to conduct court business. They were purchased for the library in the 19th Century.Very rare. Unsure if other libraries in Australia hold a copy. Made more significant by the 16th Century owners with their autographs.2 Volumes of Leather Bound Books, with gold lettering. Has the stamp of the Library on the outside cover, stating the Colony of Victoria. Has a number of signatures, including that of Christopher Pym, from 1575christopher pym