This beautifully made ship model is a side relief of the steam ship “S.S. Nelson”, which was launched in 1877. The model’s case stands out because of its ornately carved internal frame. Relief models of ships, sometimes called half models, were often built by the shipbuilders as an exact scale model of the finished ship. The shipbuilders would use the model to ensure that the design was balanced. They would use the model as a point of reference during building. Also, ship models were used to demonstrate the designs to prospective buyers. It is not known whether this model of the “S.S. Nelson” was made for these purposes. HISTORY of the “S.S. Nelson” During the period 1840-1890 shipping was the cheapest and most practical means of carrying produce and goods to and from coastal towns such as Warrnambool. In the 1850s regular domestic steamer services began and by 1870 the passenger trade was booming. Passengers were taken to the ship’s side in small boats called lighters, which took it to ships at anchorage in Lady Bay, then climbed aboard up ladders or gangways. Their fare covered accommodation Saloon/Cabin section (higher class and more expensive) or the Steerage section (lower class and less expensive, below deck level). Produce included livestock such as pigs and fowls, and dairy products, bales of wool, and potatoes. The goods were loaded from the Warrnambool Jetty into the lighters. The S.S. Nelson was built by Messrs Blackwood and Gordon of Port Glasgow for a cost £25,000 in 1877. She was an iron screw steamer with an overall length of 200 feet, beam 25.5 feet and a depth of hold of 19.4 feet, which gave her a gross measurement of 649 tons. Her engines gave her a best speed of 13 knots and a maintainable speed of 12 knots. She was described as a handsome, star decked, efficient steamship, fitted with accommodating for 75 first class passengers in a saloon, and 40 second class passengers in a cabin. The S.S. Nelson arrived in the colony of Victoria on March 9th, 1877. She was first registered in Warrnambool by the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company under the management of Mr William Evans, and employed in the coastal trade of south west Victoria. She was very popular in 1878, registered under the new ownership of the Western Steamship Navigation Company, trading between Melbourne, Warrnambool and Portland. Captained John Nicholson commanded the S.S. Nelson after the previous captain, Thomas Smith, was suspended in 1882 for six months by the Victorian Steam Navigation Board following the collision between the S.S. Nelson and the S.S. Julia Percy. Other Captains include S Drewet and John Thompson. The S.S. Nelson was sold to Messrs. Huddart, Parker and Co. and re-registered in Melbourne on June 23rd, 1890. The new owners intended to use her for their Bass Strait crossing between Melbourne, Victoria and Launceston, Tasmania. On the night of Friday, June 27th 1890, under the command of Captain Carrington, she was on her way to Launceston on her first crossing for her new owners. She had no passengers and very little cargo and was to return to Melbourne with passengers the following morning. She was only 21 hours out of the dock when she struck Porpoise Rock in the Tamar River. All crew of 25 were saved but the bulkheads gave way and she rapidly filled before keeling over and disappearing in approximately 130 feet of water. The new owners had fully insured the almost 14-year-old S.S. Nelson with the Australian Alliance Insurance Company and she had only been in their possession for four days. This ship model of the S.S. Nelson is significant for its connection with the steam screw ship S.S. Nelson, one of a fleet of vessels owned by the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company. The S.S. Nelson was specifically built and purchased for the Victorian coastal trade business of the late 19th century, when shipping was the cheapest and most practical means of transporting goods and passengers between Victoria’s coastal towns and the major port at Melbourne. Once the railway came to Warrnambool in 1889, the steam shipping industry began to decline.Ship model; relief of the S.S. Nelson, showing deck superstructure, ventilators and single funnel. Ship's name is painted on the bow "NELSON". Wood model, varnished finish over natural wood and black painted areas. Timber case with ornate edging and glass front and sides."NELSON" painted on bowflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, s.s. nelson steam ship 1877, screw steamer, 1877 vessel, ship model s.s. nelson, blackwood and gordon port glasgow, warrnambool steam packet company, western steam navigation company, south west coast trader, sea transport melbourne to portland, victorian steam navigation board, s.s. julia percey, captain john nicholson, captain thomas smith, captain s drewet, captain john thompson, captain carrington, huddart, parker and co, bass strait crossing 1890, sea transport melbourne to launceston, porpoise rock tamar river, australian alliance insurance company, ship model making, vessels, victorian coastal trader

The Album was compiled by Nancy McHaffie late 1990's, with the assistance of Edith Jeffery's, with her book "Garden of Memories" and extensive knowledge of Phillip Island. The Cemetery lies back from the road and is surrounded by Manna Gums, rare Peppermint Gums, Blackwoods and other native trees. In all 25 acres of land were set aside as Crown Land in the land settlement of 1868. There are 6.2 acres of wetlands near the cemetery entrance.466-54: Annie Margaret Smith (nee Kearns) and Augustus Patrick Smith. Annie died in 1940 aged 69 years and was the wife of Augustus who died 1946 aged 76 years. He was the son of George Smith who arrived on Phillip Island about 1869. He paid 20 shillings per acre for 175 acres. 466-55: Margaret Jean Mallory. Margaret arrived on the Island in 1929 to teach at the Ventnor School. She became interested in community affairs and was the first to start the Girl Guides. She was President of the CWA and foundation member of the Golf Club. Margaret with her husband William (Bill), were tireless workers for the Children's Hospital along with many other worthy causes. Margaret died on November 25th, 1982 aged 75. William died February 1989 aged 87.phillip island cemetery, annie margaret smith nee kearns, augustus patrick smith, george smith, margaret jean mallory, william alfred mallory, nancy mchaffie, edith jeffery

The sewing box was crafted in about 1900 by carpenter, Mr W. SmithThis item has historic and aesthetic significance. It was made in about 1900 by a well-known and colourful Korumburra identity, Mr W. Smith, of polished Fiddleback blackwood. Showing excellent craftmanship, particularly in the joinery, it has functional efficiency and simplicity in design. It was exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria in 1978-79 and featured in the catalogue of that exhibition as a fine example of colonial craft.

Maurice Copland was the Principal of the Ballarat School of Mines when he died aged 40. It is believed that H.H. Smith, Principal of the Ballarat Technical Art School, was responsible for this plaque. "The design for the proposed Memorial Tablet to the late Principal Mr Maurice I. Copland is respectfully submitted for your approval. It is estimated to cost in oxidized copper and polished blackwood 8.00 pounds." (Ballarat Technical Art School Principal's reports, 26 August 1921) The Ballarat Courier reported on 18 November 1922 :... The tablet had been executed by Mr H.H. Smith and his staff, to whom it was a credit, It would permanently remond them of one of whom they could not think to highly. ..." The tablet was erected just outside Maurice Copland's office, above his chair. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Copper repousse plaque, mounted on blackwood, dedicated to former Principal of the Ballarat School of Mines Maurice Copland.In memory of Maurice Copland, B.M.E.,, principal of this school 1917-1920. Died 1st August 1920.art, artwork, repousse, maurice copland, plaque, h.h. smith, ballarat technical art school, ballarat school of mines, metalwork

Coloured photo of Nunawading Historical Society Outing to Blackwood.riches, val, hillier, andrew, gorsuch, henry edward, crean, evelyn, jean, fry, judith, barker, shirley, barnes, jess, otterbach, christina., roczniok, joan, kenny, joy, gray, beryl, jones, bette, burgess, smith les, mason, harry, maureen, vera, rogalski, barbara, bill, ian, spooner, noni, wally, nunawading historical society