HMS Nelson was a 126-gun ship of the line of the Royal Navy. Launched on 4 July 1814 at Woolwich Dockyard she was later converted into a screw ship in 1860, and was cut down to a two-decker and fitted with an engine of 2,102 indicated horsepower. In 1865, HMVS Nelson was given to the colony of Victoria as a training ship. She was outfitted and rigged for £42,000 and sailed for Australia in October 1867. Travelling via the Cape of Good Hope, she arrived in February 1868. She was the first ship to dock in the newly constructed Alfred Graving Dock in Williamstown, Victoria.Possibly the first training ship of the Victorian Navy which had a base in Swan Island in Queenscliffe.A black and white photograph of the sailing ship HMS later HMVS Nelson docked at the Alfred Graving Dock, Williamstown, 1872"Nelson" in Alfred Graving Dock Williamstown, Victoria 1872hms nelson, hmvs nelson, alfred graving dock, williamstown

As the White Ensign was reserved entirely for the use of the Royal Navy, the Admiral decided to approve of a new ensign for the Victorian Navy and this was flown for the first time from Nelson on 9th March 1870. The new ensign was very similar to the present day national flag and incorporated the Union flag with five white stars on a blue field.Following upon a series of ‘Russian scares’ in the 1870s, Nelson presumably by permission of the Admiralty, was converted into a fighting ship for the Victorian Navy; she was cut down to a single- decker, the fore and mizzen masts were removed, and the armament modified by the landing of several of the old muzzle-loaders and the addition of a number of new breech-loading guns. This conversion was carried out in the new drydock in 1881.A framed copy of an engraving entitled: 'Opening of the Graving Dock, Williamstown'.Opening of the Graving Dock, Williamstownhmvs nelson, alfred graving dock, williamstown

Photograph. Harry Biggs Collection. 1 black & white photo of HMVS Nelson as an original three decker. 1 black & white photo of HMVS Nelson in Alfred Graving Dock. March 1874 as cut down to two decker. 1 smaller black & white photo of HMVS Nelson as a two deck. 1 black & white photo of the HMVS Nelson Gun deck. Written on the back:- HMVS Nelson original appearance as three decker. -HMVS Nelson in Alfred Graving Dock March 1874 as cut down to two decker. - HMVS Nelson Gun deck. Written on a piece of paper:- HMVS Nelson gave Eaglehawk her cannons.organization, military, maritime, harry biggs collection, hmvs nelson, cannons

This torch was made for Westbourne Grammar School by the Williamstown Naval Dockyard to symbolise the relationship between the two campuses and to perpetuate the new campus at Truganina. The Williamstown campus at Monomeith had been leased since 1956 (and purchased in 1972) from the Melbourne Harbour Trust which had operated the Williamstown Naval Dockyard between 1924 and 1942. In 1978, when this torch was made for the school, the Dockyard was operated by the Royal Australian Navy. At the first assembly of the new campus in 1978 the torch was presented to the school by the Williamstown Naval Dockyard General Manager, Bob Fife. It was then passed, with flame, to every student and teacher present at the assembly. Reflecting on the occasion in the 1978 edition of the school yearbook, student Eileen Moffatt wrote, 'It was our first assembly and we were reminded that we were pioneers'. The torch symbolises the long association of the school with Williamstown's naval and shipping industry and community, and the continuing link between the historic Williamstown Grammar and the new in 1978, Westbourne campus. It demonstrates support for the growth of the school by the historically significant Williamstown Naval Dockyard which includes the Victorian Heritage Register listed Alfred Graving Dock (VHR number H0697). Copper plated torch comprising two parts, the torch with handle and a separate base. The torch features a Williamstown Grammar School badge soldered to the cup which contains the reservoir for fuel.