Showing 10 items matching "16th century ships"
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Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Ceramic - Jug, Souvenir Mary Rose Exhibition, 1994
... ...16th century ships...Mary Rose exhibition mary rose exhibition warrnambool ceramic jug souvenir mary rose 16th century ships "Mary Rose" Exhibition Warrnambool 1994-1995 on jug. ...This is a souvenir mug produced for visitors to the ‘Mary Rose’ Exhibition in Warrnambool (December 1994 to February 1995). The ship ‘Mary Rose’, built in Portsmouth, England in 1509-10, was historically of major significance. She was the spearhead of a master plan to give England superiority on the high seas. Using new technology of the time, heavy artillery was mounted on the lower decks of this ship and this overloaded the ship. In 1545 she sank in Portsmouth Harbour with the loss of 700 lives as she was about to set sail to defend the English against the French invaders. In 1982 the hull of this ship was raised to the surface and the contents recovered. Over 200 items from the wreck were brought to Warrnambool and displayed in 1994-5 at the Warrnambool Art Gallery. This is a souvenir from a interesting and major exhibition which was held in Warrnambool in 1994/95. It is one of a number of items which were massed produced for the event.Cream ceramic jug which has a fluted rim . It has an oval bulb shape at the bottom section which is topped with a more narrow circular rim. It has matching rings around the base and the neck of the jug. There is an image of The ship The Mary Rose in black on one side of the jug and printing in a dusty red on the back of the jug. It has a stylised rope handle with mottling of black."Mary Rose" Exhibition Warrnambool 1994-1995 on jug. Lady Bay Creations Warrnambool creations Australia on base of jug.mary rose exhibition, mary rose exhibition warrnambool, ceramic jug, souvenir mary rose, 16th century ships -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.Memorabilia (Collection) - Des Williams' Collection (Mahogany Ship Research Material), Mahogany Ship Committee, Warrnambool, Des Williams Collection, early 21st century
... Ship researcher in the late 20th century, spending several years using a hand auger to drill holes up to 30 feet in the possible ship site area. In 1999 he found a piece of white oak timber which led to further drilling and testing. The Mahogany Ship story began in 1836 when two sailors came across a mystery wreck (called mahogany because of its colour) with further sightings until the 1890s leading to the theory that the wreck may have been a 16th century Portuguese caravel or even an earlier Chinese boat. ...Ship researcher in the late 20th century, spending several years using a hand auger to drill holes up to 30 feet in the possible ship site area. In 1999 he found a piece of white oak timber which led to further drilling and testing. The Mahogany Ship story began in 1836 when two sailors came across a mystery wreck (called mahogany because of its colour) with further sightings until the 1890s leading to the theory that the wreck may have been a 16th century Portuguese caravel or even an earlier Chinese boat. ...Material originally collected by Warrnambool Mahogany Ship CommitteeMaterial collected for research and commemorative purposesA3 archival box containing folders of paper materialMahogany Ship material and other memorabilia of Des Williamsmahogany ship, joseph archibald, des williamsmahogany ship, joseph archibald, des williams -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.Photograph, Speke Hall
... The ship Speke, which was wrecked in 1906 near Kitty Miller Bay, was named after the town Speke in Liverpool, where Speke Hall is located. Source http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/place/speke-hall Speke Hall This half-timbered Tudor courtyard house acquired its present shape during the 16th century under the ownership of Sir William Norris and his grandson, also Sir William. ...Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc. phillip-island-and-the-bass-coast The ship Speke, which was wrecked in 1906 near Kitty Miller Bay, was named after the town Speke in Liverpool, where Speke Hall is located. Source http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/place/speke-hall Speke Hall This half-timbered Tudor courtyard house acquired its present shape during the 16th century under the ownership of Sir William Norris and his grandson, also Sir William. ...The ship Speke, which was wrecked in 1906 near Kitty Miller Bay, was named after the town Speke in Liverpool, where Speke Hall is located. Source http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/place/speke-hall Speke Hall This half-timbered Tudor courtyard house acquired its present shape during the 16th century under the ownership of Sir William Norris and his grandson, also Sir William. It was completed, except for some minor additions, for Edward Norris by 1606. The predominant architectural message of Speke is the decorative potential of wood. The exterior, with its high proportion of timber to infill, is a riot of geometrical patterning, while many of the Tudor interiors are filled with carved and embellished panelling – including a genealogical overmantel from c.1560 – some probably imported from the Low Countries, where the Norrises had trading connections. After a period of neglect, Speke was restored and entirely refurnished in the mid-19th century by the Watt family. 2 x Large photos of Speke Hall - 1 Black & White, 1 coloured.Speke Hall, Gardens and Estatethe speke, sailing boats, shipwrecks, photographs, speke hall -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageInstrument - Ship Log, Early 20th Century
... In times past the only way to measure a ship’s speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. ...Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village 89 Merri Street Warrnambool great-ocean-road In times past the only way to measure a ship’s speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. ...In times past the only way to measure a ship’s speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. The log was thrown over the stern (back) of the vessel and a crew member counted the number of knots that were paid out in a set time. From this, they could estimate the vessel's speed through the water. This was known as streaming the log and is also the derivation of the knot as a measurement of nautical speed. Various manufacturers of nautical equipment had sought over the years to perfect the operation of determining a ship's speed and it wasn't until Thomas Walker and his son Ferdinand developed a mechanical system that eventually made this task became easy for marine navigators. Thomas Walker & Son were internationally renowned in the manufacturing of ship logs the founding father, Thomas Walker (1805–1871), an engineer in Birmingham, patented his 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 then 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 kickstarting the first of many notable innovations for the Walker family's manufacturing business. However, it wasn’t until working on an earlier ship’s 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 (a British-based organisation promoting ties and trade with the British Caribbean), being the most common log in use for two generations. It took until 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 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 (Trident) and the Walker factory was one of the first to introduce the 48-hour work week for employees.The 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.Ships Log, Walker Trident electric motor, in wooden box with instructions inside box. The motor dial with electric cord is still inside box.Inscription "Admiralty patent number 3332" and "Walker Trident Electric Ship Log (Mark III), 15-25 volt". On top of lid, hand written, is "G TAYLOR"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ships log, thomas walker & son, electric ships log, marine navigation, thomas ferdinand walker, ship log -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageCraft - Ship Model, Golden Hind
... ship...galleon golden hind 1577...galleon golden hinde 1577...galleon pelican 1577...16th century...ship model of the Golden Hind. About the “Golden Hind” The English galleon “Golden Hind”, a mid-16th century Elizabethan warship, was launched in 1577. ...ship model of the Golden Hind. About the “Golden Hind” The English galleon “Golden Hind”, a mid-16th century Elizabethan warship, was launched in 1577. ...This is a ship model of the Golden Hind. About the “Golden Hind” The English galleon “Golden Hind”, a mid-16th century Elizabethan warship, was launched in 1577. It was formerly known as the “Pelican”. The Golden Hind was the flagship of Captain Sir Frances Drake, in which he became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world 1577-1580. Tonnage 100-150 tons Displacement 300 tons [fully loaded] Speed 8-15 knots Armament 22 guns Crew 80 sailors, 10 officers Built Aldeburgh, Suffolk, then moved to Plymouth, Devon in 1576 Type of ship Galleon; multi-decked ship (5 decks), square rigged, 3 masted sailing ship Estimated size Length - 70 feet (21.3m); Breadth – 19 feet (5.8m); Depth – 9 feet (2.7m) The Pelican set sail in 1577 on an expedition sponsored partly by Queen Elizabeth and Sir Christopher Hatten (whose family crest was a golden hind). His companion ships were the Swan, Marigold, Benedict and the Elizabeth. During this voyage, in 1578, Drake renamed the Pelican as the Golden Hind in honour of is patron. Sir Francis Drake [1544 – 1596] brought the Golden Hind home from his circumnavigation of the globe with looted gold, percelain, jewels and cash worth 35,000,000 million pounds in today’s money. It was the largest treasure every captured at that date. Only two ships returned – the “Golden Hind” and the “Elizabeth”. This Ship model of the galleon Golden Hind, the flagship of Captain Sir Frances Drake, represents the first circumnavigation of the globe by an Englishman.Ship model, the galleon Golden Hind on timber stand. Square rigged with 2 masts each with a flag and crow's nest. 22 guns on decks. Brown hull with green stripes and decorative coloured trimmings. Nameplate "Sir Francis Drake - his ship / The Golden Hind - 1577-1580". Emblem with animal golden hind, Tudor Rose and lamp above. Nameplate "Sir Francis Drake - his ship / The Golden Hind - 1577 - 1580"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ship model, model ship, galleon golden hind 1577, galleon golden hinde 1577, galleon pelican 1577, 16th century galleon, 16th century warship, sir frances drake, captain frances drake, first englishman to circumnavigate the globe -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural CollectionFunctional object - Walker's 'Excelsior' Yacht Log Mark II, Thomas Walker, c. 1900
... In times past the only way to measure a ship's speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. ...In times past the only way to measure a ship's speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. ...From Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre: A Yacht Log was a nautical instrument for measuring a vessel's speed and distance travelled. When navigating a ship it is essential to be able to estimate the boat's speed and distance travelled to determine its position at sea. In times past the only way to measure a ship's speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. The log was thrown over the stern (back) of the vessel and a crew member counted the number of knots that were paid out in a set time. From this they could estimate the speed of the vessel through the water. This was known as streaming the log and is also the derivation of the knot as a measurement of nautical speed. In 1878, Thomas Ferdinand Walker (1837–1921), an engineer in Birmingham, patented a mechanical log in which a recording instrument was 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. The 'Log' at the Heritage Centre was recovered from a skip in Scarborough and was one of the first artefacts collected by the volunteer group. It is made of brass with a ceramic dial, with the main scale marked from 0 to 100 nautical miles and an inset dial marked from 0 to 10 miles. It has a fixing plate, on which it can turn, with which it would have been attached to the 'taffrail', the rail at the stern of a ship, usually on the starboard side. The Walker’s Excelsior Mark IV instrument was designed for smaller vessels, such as yachts, launches and fishing vessels. Its exact date of manufacture cannot be determined but this design was manufactured in the first half of the 20th century. These mechanical logs have now been superseded by electronic equipment such as GPS navigation instruments.This instrument was made by a significant nautical instrument manufacturer and demonstrates the innovation needed at the time for improved navigation and safety at sea.Timber Box containing an instrument for measuring speed and distance. There is a brass, cased log with a white enamel dial. It also includes a towing cord and cylindrical rotator. The box has paper labelling on the front and also the inside of the lid. The label on the inside of the lid has instructions for use. Although the lid is hinged it has broken off and is separate. The hinges remain attached.Enamel Dial: Walkers Patent Excelsior Yacht Logmaritime, maritime history, tool, navigational tool, navigational instrument, navigation, sailing, walkers, maritime technology, walker & son -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageCraft - Ship model, Golden Hind
... ship...galleon golden hind 1577...galleon golden hinde 1577...galleon pelican 1577...16th century...This is a ship model of the famous galleon the "Golden Hind". About the “Golden Hind” The English galleon “Golden Hind”, a mid-16th century Elizabethan warship, was launched in 1577. ...Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village 89 Merri Street Warrnambool great-ocean-road This is a ship model of the famous galleon the "Golden Hind". About the “Golden Hind” The English galleon “Golden Hind”, a mid-16th century Elizabethan warship, was launched in 1577. ...This is a ship model of the famous galleon the "Golden Hind". About the “Golden Hind” The English galleon “Golden Hind”, a mid-16th century Elizabethan warship, was launched in 1577. It was formerly known as the “Pelican”. The Golden Hind was the flagship of Captain Sir Frances Drake, in which he became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world 1577-1580. Tonnage 100-150 tons Displacement 300 tons [fully loaded] Speed 8-15 knots Armament 22 guns Crew 80 sailors, 10 officers Built Aldeburgh, Suffolk, then moved to Plymouth, Devon in 1576 Type of ship Galleon; multi-decked ship (5 decks), square rigged, 3 masted sailing ship Estimated size Length - 70 feet (21.3m); Breadth – 19 feet (5.8m); Depth – 9 feet (2.7m) The Pelican set sail in 1577 on an expedition sponsored partly by Queen Elizabeth and Sir Christopher Hatten (whose family crest was a golden hind). His companion ships were the Swan, Marigold, Benedict and the Elizabeth. During this voyage, in 1578, Drake renamed the Pelican as the Golden Hind in honour of is patron. Sir Francis Drake [1544 – 1596] brought the Golden Hind home from his circumnavigation of the globe with looted gold, percelain, jewels and cash worth 35,000,000 million pounds in today’s money. It was the largest treasure every captured at that date. Only two ships returned – the “Golden Hind” and the “Elizabeth”. The ship model of the Golden Hind captained by Sir Frances Drake represents the first English circumnavigation of the globe.Ship model of the16th century galleon "The Golden Hind", Sir Francis Drake’s flagship (not in a glass case.) flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, ship model, model ship, galleon golden hind 1577, galleon golden hinde 1577, galleon pelican 1577, 16th century galleon, 16th century warship, sir frances drake, captain frances drake, first englishman to circumnavigate the globe -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageShip Log, 1900-1920
... In times past the only way to measure a ship’s speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. ...In times past the only way to measure a ship’s speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. ...The Excelsior IV Log is a nautical instrument for measuring a vessel’s speed and distance travelled. When navigating a ship it is essential to be able to estimate the boat’s speed and distance travelled to determine its position at sea. In times past the only way to measure a ship’s speed was to throw a wood log into the water and observe how fast it moved away from the ship. In the 16th century, the log was fastened to a rope knotted at set intervals. The log was thrown over the stern (back) of the vessel and a crew member counted the number of knots that were paid out in a set time. From this, they could estimate the speed of the vessel through the water. This was known as streaming the log and is also the derivation of the knot as a measurement of nautical speed. The Walker’s Excelsior Mark IV instrument was designed for smaller vessels, such as yachts, launches and fishing vessels. Historical: 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 ship’s 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), being the most common log in use for two generations. It took until 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. The 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's Taff Rail Log, rope attached. Walker's Excelsior IV Log model. Nautical miles dials: units and 10's. "Walker's Excelsior IV Log", "Made in England by Thomas Walker, Birmingham"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, log register, taff rail log, taffrail log, marine navigation, a1 harpoon log, cherub’ log, walker’s excelsior mark iv log, ship’s log instrument, mechanical ship’s log, measure ship’s speed, nautical instrument, navigation instrument, massey & sons, thomas walker, blue brick walker, thomas walker & son, thomas ferdinand walker, 48 hour work week -
City of Melbourne LibrariesPhotograph, Bull, Hugh Jones, 1897-1993, Lascars cleaning ship's rudder
... Indian seamen were used as early as the 16th century by Portuguese explorer Vasgo da Gama in his successful voyage to India, and subsequently by Portuguese ships in the 16th and 17th centuries. ...Indian seamen were used as early as the 16th century by Portuguese explorer Vasgo da Gama in his successful voyage to India, and subsequently by Portuguese ships in the 16th and 17th centuries. ...Published: unknown, however, on 26 June 1935 a similar, but not the exact photo in the McKenzie Collection, was published in The Age: Published title: Shipping Victorian Flour to the East Published Caption: Flour and wheat figure prominently in all cargoes carried by ships trading to Chinese, Japanese and Eastern ports. Victorian millers are eager to extend lids outlet for their produce, and every opportunity is grasped. The pictures show Australian labourers unloading from railway trucks some of the 2300 tons of flour which will go into the hold of the Burns, Philp motor ship Neptuna for shipment to Hong Kong, while Chinese seamen are busy cleaning and painting the rudder post of the ship. Hard by the Neptuna, other ships are taking on flour for the East. Research by Project Volunteer, Louise McKenzie: The image was described by Hugh Bull on the rear of the glass plate as – “Lascars cleaning ships rudder 1933”. Basically, a “lascar” is a seaman. Image No. 032 in the McKenzie Collection shows two lascars perched on the rudder of a ship, with two others standing in a rowboat along side. They are dressed in baggy trousers and jackets and wearing caps. Across a very calm dock area is a single funnel ship with on-deck derricks. The rudder of the ship being cleaned is white, with large black roman numbering denoting the depth at which the ship is sitting, depending on whether it is loaded or empty. Whilst the exact photo in the McKenzie Collection has yet to be located in The Age in 1933, the date when it was taken, there is a photo published in The Age on 25 June 1935 which appears to be one of a series of photos taken on the same day, featuring lascars cleaning a ship’s rudder. It bears a striking resemblance to MCK 032, but it is taken from a slightly different angle. The 1935 published photo is a close up of a ship’s rudder being cleaned, with same style of roman numerals in black on the white of the rudder. One lascar is standing on the rudder, one is standing in a small clinker style rowboat, with its characteristic wooden overlapping hull planks, holding a broom; two more lascars are sitting in the bow and stern of the rowboat. The ship being cleaned is in a dock, as a wharf and warehouses can be seen in the background, the water is very calm, and there are two other ships moored nearby – one across the other side of the dock with a black and white hull and derricks on its deck, and one adjacent, with its mooring lines clearly visible. The lascars are wearing caps, baggy trousers and jackets. Compelling similarities therefore exist between the two images. Whilst it is difficult to positively identify the cultural background of these particular lascars in either photo, the newspaper article dated June 1935 advises they are “Chinese”. This is possibly because the ship they are associated with, the Neptuna, is reported to have sailed from Melbourne on this date, bound for Hong Kong. However, the men are probably from South East Asia. Wikipedia describes the term “Southeast Asia” as covering ” … the people of Southeast Asia from prehistory to the present in two distinct sub-regions: Mainland Southeast Asia (or Indochina) and Maritime Southeast Asia (or Insular Southeast Asia). Mainland Southeast Asia comprises Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (or Burma), Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam whereas Maritime Southeast Asia comprises Brunei, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Christmas Island, East Malaysia, East Timor, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore. Additionally, Wikipedia “Lascars” states that “Lascars were sailors from the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia, the Arab world, British Somaliland and lands east of the Cape of Good Hope, who were employed to work on colonial merchant ships. The practice ran from the 16th century to the mid 20th century”. Indian seamen were used as early as the 16th century by Portuguese explorer Vasgo da Gama in his successful voyage to India, and subsequently by Portuguese ships in the 16th and 17th centuries. “Through the Portuguese and Spanish maritime world empires, some Indian lascars found their way onto English merchant ships, and were among the sailors on the first English East India Company (EIC) ships to sail to India.” In the 17th Century “When the English adopted the term "lascar", they initially used it for all Asian sailors on English-flagged ships, but after 1661 and the Portuguese ceded Bombay to England, the term was used mainly to describe Indian sailors specifically. The term "topaze" was used to describe Indo-Portuguese personnel, especially those from Bombay, Thana, Diu, Dammam and Cochin. The term "sepoy" was used to describe Indian soldiers in European service. The number of lascars employed on EIC East Indiamen was so great that the Parliament of England restricted their employment via the Navigation Acts (in force from 1660 onwards) which required that 75% of the crew onboard English-flagged ships importing goods from Asia be English subjects. The restriction arose due to the high rates of illnesses and death among European sailors on East Indiamen, and their frequent desertions in Asia, which left such ships short of crew for the return voyage. Another reason was the frequent impressment of European sailors from EIC East Indiamen by the Royal Navy in times of war“. The term “impressment” colloquially refers to “the “press gang” …”a type of conscription of people into a military force, especially a naval force, via intimidation and physical coercion, conducted by an organized group (hence “gang”). .. The large size of the British Royal Navy in the Age of Sail meant impressment was most commonly associated with Great Britain.”. (Wikipedia – Impressment). By the 20th century these sailors served on British ships under "lascar agreements", which allowed shipowners more control than was the case in ordinary articles of agreement. The sailors could be transferred from one ship to another and retained in service for up to three years at one time. “Lascars served all over the world in the period leading up to the First World War. Lascars were barred from landing at some ports, such as in British Columbia. At the beginning of World War I, there were 51,616 lascars working on British merchant ships in and around the British Empire. In World War II thousands of lascars served in the war and died on vessels throughout the world, especially those of the British India Steam Navigation Company, P&O and other British shipping companies. The lack of Canadian naval manpower led to the employment of a total of 121 Catholic Goans and 530 Muslim British Indians on the Empress vessels of the Canadian Pacific Railway, such as the Empress of Asia and Empress of Japan. These ships served in the Indian Ocean both as ANZAC convoy ships and in actions at Aden. The ships were placed under the British Admiralty as part of Canada's contribution to the war effort and all of the Indian men were awarded medals by the Admiralty, though none of them were delivered. In the 1950s the use of the term "lascar" declined with the ending of the British Empire. The Indian “Lascar Act” of 1832 was finally repealed in 1963. However, "traditional" Indian deck and Pakistani engine crews continued to be used in Australia until 1986 when the last crew was discharged from the P&O and replaced by a general-purpose crew of Pakistanis. The term lascar has been widely used to engender an element of exoticism in literature eg “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created a Lascar foil to Sherlock Holmes in "The Man with the Twisted Lip" in 1891. Lascars aboard the ship Patna figure prominently in the early chapters of Joseph Conrad's novel Lord Jim. Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel A Little Princess features a lascar named Ram Dass. Also, Caleb Carr portrays two lascars as bodyguards for a Spanish diplomat near the end of The Angel of Darkness. In Wuthering Heights, it is speculated that Heathcliff, the main character, may be of lascar origin." (Wikipedia – Lascar) And what has become of these “forgotten heroes of the World Wars”? The South Asian Heritage Trust, which seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, stories, and communities, published an article in July 2025 entitled – The Lascars: Seafaring Roots of Modern Britain. It particularly honours the role of the 80,000 lascars who served Britain in WWI, and the over 100,000 who served in the British Merchant Navy in WWII, and concludes: “The hardships faced by Lascars were profound. They were often assigned the most dangerous tasks, lived in substandard conditions aboard ships and, even after their immense contributions to the war efforts, many veterans found it difficult to secure the recognition, pensions and rights afforded to other veterans. Many were employed under ‘Asiatic Articles’, which offered less protection and lower pay than their European counterparts. Yet, their legacy endures. The multicultural fabric of areas like East London owes much to these early seafarers and settlers. The East London Mosque, established in 1910, became an important spiritual and community hub. Today, efforts to bring their stories out of the shadows are growing. The Museum of London Docklands features exhibits on their history. Memorials, such as the P&O headstone in Dover for the 22 Lascar crew members of the SS Maloja sunk in 1916 and the careful restoration of the Lascar War Memorial in Kolkata, serve as important reminders of the sacrifices. The journey of the Lascars – from their homelands, along dangerous wartime shipping routes, to the docklands of Britain – is a story of personal courage and of a rich contribution to Britain’s history and identity.” The ship MV Neptuna, mentioned in the 1935 article, had that year been purchased from a German company by Australian-owned Burns Philp, with Australian Government assistance, and it was instrumental in ensuring the shipment of rice from Vietnam to Papua New Guinea. Rice is still a household staple in PNG. Despite it being introduced into PNG more than 100 years ago, the crop has not been sufficiently integrated into the country’s traditional agricultural production system, and today PNG imports still account for nearly 98% of rice. (Spotlight Magazine Sept. 2016) The 1935 newspaper article states that the Neptuna is involved in moving flour for the East. Australian wheat exports began in 1845, but were not regular until the 1870s. New land clearing methods in Australia allowed large tracts of land to be cleared more efficiently – this included the invention of the iconic ‘stump jump’ plough. With the success of the wheat harvests, flour mills began to spring up around the country. By the 1870s, many large country towns had their own mills, with around 500 mills producing flour across the country. Flour exports were an important part of the wheat industry until around the 1930s. After the Second World War, many of Australia’s export partners (which were mainly in the developing nations of Asia) began setting up their own flour industries and the Australian product was no longer in demand. In 1942 MV Neptuna was being utilised for the war effort, and carrying depth charges and other armaments for Australia, when on 19 February it was sunk in a bombing raid on Darwin, and where part of her hull still lies. References: SHIPPING VICTORIAN FLOUR TO THE EAST. (1935, June 25). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved July 23, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204357218 Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Tuesday 25 June 1935, page 11 Wikipedia, Clinker (boat building), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinker_(boat_building) Wikipedia, Lascar, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascar Wikipedia, History of Southeast Asia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Southeast_Asia Wikipedia, Impressment, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressment NEPTUNA LEAVES FOR CHINA WITH TOURISTS (1935, June 25). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved July 23, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244841163 National Research Institute SPOTLIGHT paper Vol 9, Issue 7, https://pngnri.org/images/Publications/Spotlight_No_9_Vol_7_-_201609_-_Sofe__Odhuno_-_Rice_Import_Quota1.pdf South Asian Heritage Trust, The Lascars: Seafaring Roots of Modern Britain, July 11,2025 : Royal British Legion. https://southasianheritage.org.uk/royal-british-legion/the-lascars-seafaring-roots-of-modern-britain/ Photographer notations on slide: "Lascars cleaning ships rudder 1933".lascars, ships, 1930-1939, employment, ethnic communities -
Robin Boyd FoundationSlide, Robin Boyd, 1950
... ship “Cyrenia” departing in May 1950, passing through the Suez Canal and landing in Genoa five weeks later. For six months, they travelled extensively throughout Europe (predominantly driving themselves) - France, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain. Haddon Travelling Scholarship Haddon robin boyd slide Vadstena, On Lake Vatten / Sweden / Vattersborg Castle (XVI C.) / Now Stores Prov.Archives (All Handwritten) Colour slide in a mount. Vadstena Castle, on Lake Vattern, Sweden (16th century ...Penleigh Boyd, Robin and Patricia Boyd's son, writes “Prior to 1950 Robin, like most other amateur or hobby photographers, took black and white printed photographs. The oldest slides date from 1950 when Robin and Patricia travelled to Europe on Robin’s Robert Haddon Travelling Scholarship.” In 1948 Robin Boyd was awarded ‘joint first place’ in the Robert Haddon competition for his design of Mildura art gallery. The scholarship helped fund their first overseas trip. Robin and Patricia were passengers on the Greek ship “Cyrenia” departing in May 1950, passing through the Suez Canal and landing in Genoa five weeks later. For six months, they travelled extensively throughout Europe (predominantly driving themselves) - France, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.Colour slide in a mount. Vadstena Castle, on Lake Vattern, Sweden (16th century). Vadstena, On Lake Vatten / Sweden / Vattersborg Castle (XVI C.) / Now Stores Prov.Archives (All Handwritten)haddon travelling scholarship, haddon, robin boyd, slide
