This nameplate is a reproduction of the Ross & Duncan nameplate and was displayed on the Rowitta vessel activation at Flagstaff Hill. Ross & Duncan of Glasgow manufactured marine engines and boilers from the time it was established in 1860 and growing to employ 450-500 workers by 1911. SS ROWITTA: - The 1909 steam ferry, SS Rowitta, was installed as an exhibit at Flagstaff Hill in 1975 and was enjoyed by many visitors for 40 years. Rowitta was a timber steam ferry built in Hobart in 1909 using planks of Huon and Karri wood. It was a favourite of sightseeing passengers along Tasmania’s Tamar and Derwent rivers for 30 years. Rowitta was also known as Tarkarri and Sorrento and had worked as a coastal trading vessel between Devonport and Melbourne, and Melbourne Queenscliff and Sorrento. In 1974 Rowitta was purchased by Flagstaff Hilt to convert into a representation of the Speculant, a historic and locally significant sailing ship listed on the Victorian Heritage Database. (The Speculant was built in Scotland in 1895 and traded timber between the United Kingdom and Russia. Warrnambool’s P J McGennan & Co. then bought the vessel to trade pine timber from New Zealand to Victorian ports and cargo to Melbourne. It was the largest ship registered with Warrnambool as her home port, playing a key role in the early 1900s in the Port of Warrnambool. In 1911, on her way to Melbourne, it was wrecked near Cape Otway. None of the nine crew lost their lives.) The promised funds for converting Rowitta into the Speculant were no longer available, so it was restored back to its original configuration. The vessel represented the importance of coastal traders to transport, trade and communication in Australia times before rail and motor vehicles. Sadly, in 2015 the time had come to demolish the Rowitta due to her excessive deterioration and the high cost of ongoing repairs. The vessel had given over 100 years of service and pleasure to those who knew her. The nameplate was reproduced to represent the Glasow marine engineers and boilermakers, Ross & Duncan, that were the makers of the engine for the exhibition steam ferry Rowitta. The Tasmanian-built vessel had a long career in Tasmania and Victoria. The nameplate is significant for its connection with the Rowitta, representing the importance of coastal traders to transport, trade and communication in Australia in conjunction with the new rail and motor vehicles. The nameplate is a record of an exhibit at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village from its early beginnings. Maker's brass nameplate; brass, with embossed text and a hole in each corner. The background is painted red. There are five rows of text; the top row is arranged in an arc. On the bottom row is a number. The nameplate is a replica that was once displayed on the Rowitta vessel at Flagstaff Hill. The reproduction nameplate is for the company Ross & Duncan of Glasgow."ROSS & DUNCAN / ENGINEERS / WHITEFIELD WORKS GLASGOW / NO. 779" flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, steamer, steam ferry, ross & duncan, marine engineers, marine boilers, glasgow engineers, whitefield works, reproduction, scotland, steamer engine, rowitta, sorrento, ss rowitta, navigation, marine technology, steam power, hobart, tasmania, devonport, tasmanian-built, ferry, 1909, early 20th century vessel, passenger vessel, tamar trading company, tamar river, launceston, george town, tarkarri, speculant, peter mcgennan, p j mcgennan & co. port phillip ferries pty ltd, melbourne, coastal trader, timber steamer, huon, karri, freighter, supply ship, charter ferry, floating restaurant, prawn boat, lakes entrance

This is the whip's wheel that was on display for 40 years on the vessel SS Rowitta, installed on the lake at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village as an educational display and attraction. SS ROWITTA: - The 1909 steam ferry, SS Rowitta, was installed as an exhibit at Flagstaff Hill in 1975 and was enjoyed by many visitors for 40 years. Rowitta was a timber steam ferry built in Hobart in 1909 using planks of Huon and Karri wood. It was a favourite of sightseeing passengers along Tasmania’s Tamar and Derwent rivers for 30 years. Rowitta was also known as Tarkarri and Sorrento and had worked as a coastal trading vessel between Devonport and Melbourne, and Melbourne Queenscliff and Sorrento. In 1974 Rowitta was purchased by Flagstaff Hilt to convert into a representation of the Speculant, a historic and locally significant sailing ship listed on the Victorian Heritage Database. (The Speculant was built in Scotland in 1895 and traded timber between the United Kingdom and Russia. Warrnambool’s P J McGennan & Co. then bought the vessel to trade pine timber from New Zealand to Victorian ports and cargo to Melbourne. It was the largest ship registered with Warrnambool as her home port, playing a key role in the early 1900s in the Port of Warrnambool. In 1911, on her way to Melbourne, it was wrecked near Cape Otway. None of the nine crew lost their lives.) The promised funds for converting Rowitta into the Speculant were no longer available, so it was restored back to its original configuration. The vessel represented the importance of coastal traders to transport, trade and communication in Australia times before rail and motor vehicles. Sadly, in 2015 the time had come to demolish the Rowitta due to her excessive deterioration and the high cost of ongoing repairs. The vessel had given over 100 years of service and pleasure to those who knew her. The ship's wheel is an example of the equipment used on a steam ship for navigation. This wheel is connected to the history of the Rowitta, which was a large exhibit on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village from the museum’s early beginnings until the vessel’s end of life 40 years later. The display was used as an aid to maritime education. The Rowitta represents the importance of coastal traders to transport, trade and communication along the coast of Victoria, between states, and in Australia before rail and motor vehicles. The vessel was an example of a ferry built in the early 20th century that served many different roles over its lifetime of over 100 years. Ship's wheel, light coloured wood, eight turned spokes, brass hub in centre with square hold. The wheel was part of the display of the vessel Rowitta at Flagstaff Hill.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, maritime village, maritime museum, ss rowitta, navigation, marine technology, steam power, hobart, tasmania, devonport, tasmanian-built, ferry, steam ferry, steamer, 1909, early 20th century vessel, passenger vessel, tamar trading company, tamar river, launceston, george town, sorrento, tarkarri, speculant, peter mcgennan, p j mcgennan & co. port phillip ferries pty ltd, melbourne, coastal trader, timber steamer, huon, karri, freighter, supply ship, charter ferry, floating restaurant, prawn boat, lakes entrance, ship's wheel, ship's steering wheel, ship's steering, direction

The ship’s telegraph section was once part of the navigational equipment of the famous paddle steamer, PS Hygeia, and was later installed on Flagstaff Hill’s exhibit, the steamer Rowitta. This is the Bridge Section of a ship’s telegraph, a Duplex Gong model, made by Chadburn & Son of Liverpool. The gong sounded two signals whenever the navigational commands to change the speed or direction were given by the ship’s pilot. Communication between the ship’s pilot and the engine room in the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries was made with a system called an Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.) or ship’s telegraph. The equipment has two parts, the Bridge Section and the Engine Room Section. The Bridge Section was usually mounted onto a pedestal, and the Engine Room Section was attached to a vertical surface. The standard marine commands were printed or stamped around the face of the dial and indicated by a pointer or arrow that was usually moved by a rotating brass section or handle. The ship’s pilot stationed on the Bridge of a vessel sends his Orders for speed and direction to the Engine Room with the E.O.T. He moves the lever or levers, depending on the number of engines the ship has, to change the indicator on the Bridge Section’s dial to point in the new direction and speed of travel. This change causes the Orders to be duplicated on the Engine Room Section’s dial and a bell or bells to signal the change at the same time. The engineer then adjusts the ship’s engines and steering equipment to follow the pilot’s Order. CHADBURN & SON, Liverpool- Chadburn Brothers, William and C.H., were joint inventors and well-established makers of optical and scientific instruments and marine gauges. The firm was granted the Prince Albert Royal Warrant in the late 19th century. In 1870, William Chadburn applied for a patent for his navigational communication device for use on ships. By 1875, Chadburn & Son was producing the brass Engine Order Telegraph in its plant at 71 Lord Street, Liverpool. In 1911, the ship, RMS Titanic, was launched, fitted with Chadburn & Sons E.O.T. The Chadburn Ship Telegraph Company Limited was registered in 1898 to take over Chadburn & Sons. In 1903, a large factory at Bootle, near Liverpool, and its products were being sold overseas. In 1920, electric-powered telegraphs were developed. In 1944, the name changed to Chadburn’s (Liverpool) Limited. In 1968, the company became Chadburn Bloctube Ltd. In 2000, the company, now Bloctube Marine Limited, was still manufacturing ship telegraphs. The P.S. HYGEIA 1890-1932: - This ship’s telegraph was installed on the new paddle steamer, PS Hygeia, one of three iconic pleasure steamers famous for providing regular services in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, to thousands of passengers between the ports of Queenscliff, Sorrento, Portsea, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, and Mornington. It joined the Ozone and the Weeroona, all three described as being glamorous, powerful and fast. Its ticket office was on the pier itself. The P.S. Hygeia was built in Yorker, Scotland, in 1890, by Napier, Sharks & Bell. It was registered in Melbourne, Australia, by Hubbart, Parker & Co. in 1891. The steel ship was 92 metres long, able to travel at 22 knots, and licensed to carry over 1600 passengers in luxury, with even a barber shop on board. The regular service between the ports in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, continued for over 40 years. With the decline in passenger demand, the service wound down. The Hygeia was sold to H.M. Morris in 1931 for demolition and breaking up. Equipment, fittings, and even lifebuoys were sold, with many items purchased by people who had some connection to the Hygeia. On August 25th, 1931, what was left of the vessel departed Port Melbourne and eventually, in June 1932, it was laid to rest at the ships’ graveyard outside Port Phillip Heads. The SS ROWITTA 1909-2015: - The ship’s telegraph was originally installed on the PS Hygeia. It was purchased when the Hygeia was broken up in 1931 and later installed, in 1975, on Flagstaff Hill’s SS Rowitta, an exhibit greatly enjoyed by the public until it was demolished in 2015. The ferry “SS Rowitta” was built in 1909 in Hobart, Tasmania. The timber steam ferry was built using planks of Huon and Karri wood. It was a favourite with sightseeing passengers steaming along Tasmania’s Tamar and Derwent rivers for 30 years. Rowitta was also known as Tarkarri and Sorrento and had worked as a coastal trading vessel between Devonport and Melbourne, and Melbourne, Queenscliff and Sorrento. The vessel had given over 100 years of service and pleasure. This Bridge section of a ship’s Engine Order Telegraph, used with an Engine Room section, represents late-19th-century change and progress in communication and navigation at sea. This type of equipment was still in use in the mid-20th century. It is significant for its association with its maker, Chadburn & Son, of Liverpool, a well-known marine instrument maker whose work was recognised by English Royalty, and whose products were selected to supply similar equipment for use on the RMS Titanic. The ship’s telegraph is also significant for its association with the paddle steamer PS Hygeia, one of three iconic steamers that transported thousands of passengers from port to port within Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, for over 40 years from the 1890s to the 1930s. Queenscliff Borough remembers the Hygeia by naming a road near the pier Hygeia Drive. The Hygeia is registered on the Victorian Heritage Database as a vessel of significance, VHR S329. In 1901, Hygeia had the privilege of carrying their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York, from Mornington to St Kilda Pier, Melbourne, during their Royal visit celebrating the Federation of Australia. The ship’s telegraph is also important for its connection with the Rowitta, a large exhibit on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, aiding maritime education for over 40 years. It represented the importance of coastal traders to transport, trade and communication along the coast of Victoria, and before the availability of rail and motor vehicles, serving many roles. Bridge section of a Ship’s Telegraph or Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.). The round, double-sided, painted glass dial is inside a brass case behind glass. It is fitted onto an outward tapering brass pedestal with a round base. The brass indicator arrows between the handles point simultaneously to both sides of the dial when moved. An oval brass maker’s plate is attached to the top of the case. The dial’s faces have inscriptions that indicate speed and direction, and the front face and plate include the maker’s details. A serial number is stamped on the collar where the dial is fitted to the pedestal. The ship’s telegraph is a Duplex Gong model, made by Chadburn & Son of Liverpool. It was originally part of the navigational fittings on the paddle steamer, PS Hygeia.Dial, maker’s details: “PATENT “DUPLEX GONG” TELEGRAPH / CHADBURN & SON / TELEGRAPH WORKS / PATENTEES & MANUFACTURERS / 11 WATERLOO ROAD / LIVERPOOL” LONDON / 105 FENCHURCH STREET” “NEWCASTLE / 85 QUAY + SIDE” “GLASGOW / 69 ANDERSON QUAY” “PATENT” Dial instructions: “FULL / HALF/ SLOW / FINISHED WITH ENGINES / STOP STAND BY / SLOW / HALF / FULL / ASTERN / AHEAD” Maker’s plate: “CHADBURN / & SON / PATENT / LIVERPOOL” Serial number: “22073”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, engine order telegraph, e.o.t., navigational instrument, communication device, ship’s telegraph, engine room section, bridge section, rms titanic, chadburn & son, chadburn brothers, william chadburn, chadburn ship telegraph company, chadburns, duplex gong, liverpool, ss rowitta, navigation, marine technology, pilot’s orders, steam power, hobart, tasmania, devonport, tasmanian-built, ferry, steam ferry, steamer, 1909, early 20th century vessel, passenger vessel, tamar trading company, launceston, george town, sorrento, tarkarri, speculant, peter mcgennan, p j mcgennan & co. port phillip ferries pty ltd, melbourne, coastal trader, timber steamer, huon, karri, freighter, supply ship, charter ferry, floating restaurant, prawn boat, lakes entrance, ps hygeia, paddle steamer, pleasure steamer, port phillip bay, queenscliff, portsea, dromana, rosebud, rye, mornington, hubbart parker & co, 1890, 1903, h.m. morris, hygeia

This is an original propeller belonging to the steamer Rowitta. It was included with the 1909 ferry when it was purchased and installed at Flagstaff Hill in 1975. The Rowitta exhibit was enjoyed by many visitors for over 40 years. The wooden steam ferry Rowitta was built from 1909 to 1910 at Battery Point, Hobart, by Purdon & Featherstone using planks of Huon and Karri timber. It was owned and operated by the Tamar Trading Company and navigated the Tamar River from Launceston to George Town for many years. The ferry trip became a favourite activity for sightseeing passengers along Tasmania’s Tamar and Derwent rivers for 30 years. Rowitta also worked as a coastal trading vessel between Devonport and Melbourne as well as along the southern coast of Australia. The ship had served as a freighter, an army supply ship, a luxury charter ferry and a floating restaurant as well as a prawn boat at Lakes Entrance. It was also previously named the Sorrento by Port Phillip Ferries Pty Ltd of Melbourne and had at one time carried the name Tarkarri. The ferry was originally purchased by the Flagstaff Hill Museum in 1974 for converting into the historic and significant sailing ship the Speculant, but this didn’t eventuate due to the unavailability of funding. It was renovated it and renamed as the original Rowitta, to be used as an exhibit.The propeller represents a step in the evolution of ways that vessels were powered. It is also a record of the Rowitta, a large exhibit at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village from the museum’s early beginnings until the vessel’s end of life 40 years later. The Rowitta represents the importance of coastal traders to transport, trade and communication along the coast of Victoria, between states, and in Australia before rail and motor vehicles. The vessel was an example of a ferry built in the early 20th century and serving many different purposes over its lifetime of over 100 years. Propeller: three metal blades that meet in a central boss fitting with a pointed cap. The blades have rounded edges and tips. This is an original propeller from the 1909-1910 steam ferry, ROWITTA, built in Hobart, Tasmania.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, liverpool, ss rowitta, navigation, marine technology, steam driven, propeller, hobart, tasmania, devonport, tasmanian-built, ferry, steam ferry, steamer, 1909, early 20th century, passenger vessel, tamar trading company, tamar river, launceston, george town, tarkarri, speculant, port phillip ferries pty ltd, melbourne, coastal trader, timber steamer, huon, karri, freighter, supply ship, charter ferry, floating restaurant, prawn boat, lakes entrance, sorrento

This handmade barrel sling is used for hoisting barrels onto ships. It is made from hemp fibre and is part of the equipment carried on 19th and early 20th century vessels for loading and unloading barrels and casks at the docks.This barrel sling is significant as equipment typically carried on board sailing ships for use in port when loading and unloading cargo.Barrel sling, handmade from hemp fibre.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, barrel sling, cask, dock, loading cargo, ship equipment, sailmaker, ropework

The original barrel was tapered outwards from top to base. It had three iron bands. Only the top and base remain. Barrels with outward tapering bases are balanced and stable. Barrels contain a wide range of contents, both liquid and dry, from wines and spirits to cement. Ships have used barrels as shipping containers for cargo. Specially made rope slings were used to move the barrels to and from the ships by rope blocks and cranes. A huge quantity of cement was brought to Warrnambool in barrels to construct the Breakwater, which was completed in 1890.This parts of a wooden barrel represent the containers used for cargo imported from England into Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As an example, the vessel Edinburgh Castle was wrecked in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, in 1888. The cargo onboard was a consignment of casks, or barrels of cement for the construction of Warrnambool’s new Breakwater, which was completed in 1890. Barrel; remnants of a tapered wooden barrel that once had three iron bands and removable top with heavy wooden handle. Only the lid remains. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coas, barrel, cask, cooper, cargo, coopering, storage

The black imitation leather or leatherette bag or pouch could have been used by a courier to transfer documents, letters or business records between offices or from business to customer. Imitation leather was invented in the late 1800s and improved as time went on. The manufacture of synthetic leather began around the 1930s. The courier bag may have been used for a s similar purpose as the cash bags in our collection. Those cash bags transported money between the railway stations of Grassdale and Merino in Victoria's western district in the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries. Perhaps the bag was used by the coastal trading vessels that operated in southwest Victoria until around the 1940s.This courier bag is an example of the connections made between people in the remote areas of Victoria. It could have been used by the railway system or the coastal trader vessels that shipped people, goods, documents and cash between the districts in western Victoria.Courier bag; black imitation leather pouch, square with wide seams and a flap with sttud closure at the top. Made by British Products Pty Ltd. "British Products Pty Ltd"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, bag, pouch, imitation leather, artificial leather, faux leather, synthetic leather, british products pty ltd, document pouch, courier bag, western district, western victoria, 19th century, 20th century, railway, rural business, rural trade, coastal trader, southwest victoria

This decorative fire screen is placed in front of an open fireplace to prevent hot sparks and ash from causing damage. Open fires were common in Australia in the 19th and early 20th century, for both cooking and heating.Fire screen, crescent shaped, brass pressed sheet, with a ship motif within a rectangular area. Ship is a 3 masted sailing vessel, a Spanish galleon. Made in England, c. 1930.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, fire screen, fire guard, domestic item, heating, cooking

Belaying pins can be metal but are often made of wood, treated or untreated, plain or with handles. A belaying pin is used to secure the running ropes of the rigging to the ship's rails using holes drilled onto the rails for that purpose. The belaying pins are inserted into holes in the ship’s rail, drilled for that purpose. When the sail has been raised, the ropes are wrapped around the upper and lower sections of the pins in a figure-eight pattern. The shapes of these belaying pins taper from the rounded end of the handle inwards towards the bottom, which allows them to have a firm fit into the holes in the rails. The rigging rope is wound around the pins in such a way that a tug on the pin's handle pulls it out of the hole and quickly frees the rope and the sail.These belaying pins are significant for their association with sailing vessels, particularly vessels of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Belaying pin, metal, painted brown.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, sailing equipment, nautical equipment, rigging, yards, sails, belaying pin, sailing ship

Belaying pins can be metal but are also made of wood, treated or untreated, plain or with handles. A belaying pin is used to secure the running ropes of the rigging to the ship's rails using holes drilled onto the rails for that purpose. The belaying pins are inserted into holes in the ship’s rail, drilled for that purpose. When the sail has been raised, the ropes are wrapped around the upper and lower sections of the pins in a figure-eight pattern. The shapes of these belaying pins taper from the rounded end of the handle inwards towards the bottom, which allows them to have a firm fit into the holes in the rails. The rigging rope is wound around the pins in such a way that a tug on the pin's handle pulls it out of the hole and quickly frees the rope and the sail.These belaying pins are significant for their association with sailing vessels, particularly vessels of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Belaying Pin, metal, painted white.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, sailing equipment, nautical equipment, rigging, yards, sails, belaying pin, sailing ship

This lifebuoy is part of the lifesaving equipment that would be carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century. The strips of cork wood have been joined together to make the ring shape. A lifebuoy, or life-preserver, is used as a buoyancy device to keep a person afloat in the. It is usually connected by a rope to a person in a safe area such a nearby vessel or on shore. The lifebuoy is thrown to a person in distress in the water, allowing the rescuer to pull the person to safety. The lifebuoy is a made from a buoyant material such as cork or rubber and is usually covered with canvas for protection and to make it easy to grip. The first use of life saving devices in recent centuries was by the Nordic people, who used light weight wood or cork blocks to keep afloat. From the early 20th century Kapok fibre was used as a filling for buoys. Light weight balsa wood was used as a filler after WW1. In 1928 Peter Markus invented and patented the first inflatable life-preserver. By WW2 foam was combined with Kapok. Laws were passed over time that has required aeroplanes and water going-vessels to carry life-preservers on board. The lifebuoy is an example of equipment carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century to help preserve life. There were many lives lost in Australia’s colonial period, particularly along the coast of South West Victoria.Lifebuoy, round cork object covered with white stiffened material wound around it. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifebuoy, life rings, safety ring, life-saving buoy, ring buoy, life preserver, personal floating device, floatation device, safety equipment

This lifebuoy is part of the lifesaving equipment that would be carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century. The strips of cork wood have been joined together to make the ring shape. A lifebuoy, or life-preserver, is used as a buoyancy device to keep a person afloat in the. It is usually connected by a rope to a person in a safe area such a nearby vessel or on shore. The lifebuoy is thrown to a person in distress in the water, allowing the rescuer to pull the person to safety. The lifebuoy is a made from a buoyant material such as cork or rubber and is usually covered with canvas for protection and to make it easy to grip. The first use of life saving devices in recent centuries was by the Nordic people, who used light weight wood or cork blocks to keep afloat. From the early 20th century Kapok fibre was used as a filling for buoys. Light weight balsa wood was used as a filler after WW1. In 1928 Peter Markus invented and patented the first inflatable life-preserver. By WW2 foam was combined with Kapok. Laws were passed over time that has required aeroplanes and water going-vessels to carry life-preservers on board. The lifebuoy is an example of equipment carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century to help preserve life. There were many lives lost in Australia’s colonial period, particularly along the coast of South West Victoria.Lifebuoy, round cork object with no covering. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, life rings, lifebuoy, safety ring, life-saving buoy, ring buoy, life preserver, personal floating device, floatation device, safety equipment

Belaying pins can be metal but are also made of wood, treated or untreated, plain or with handles. A belaying pin is used to secure the running ropes of the rigging to the ship's rails using holes drilled onto the rails for that purpose. The belaying pins are inserted into holes in the ship’s rail, drilled for that purpose. When the sail has been raised, the ropes are wrapped around the upper and lower sections of the pins in a figure-eight pattern. The shapes of these belaying pins taper from the rounded end of the handle inwards towards the bottom, which allows them to have a firm fit into the holes in the rails. The rigging rope is wound around the pins in such a way that a tug on the pin's handle pulls it out of the hole and quickly frees the rope and the sail.These belaying pins are significant for their association with sailing vessels, particularly vessels of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Belaying Pin, metal, painted white.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, sailing equipment, nautical equipment, rigging, yards, sails, belaying pin, sailing ship

The bosun’s chair is a typical piece of equipment included on board a vessel in the late 19th and early 20th century. The nautical word 'bosun' is an abbreviation of the word 'boatswain' who is the person responsible for the repair and maintenance of the vessel. It could be used when rigging the sails and for rescue at sea, along with a thick rope anchored on shore or a rope between ships. It could also be used to move passengers to and from a ship as well as cargo on, to and from the vessel. A bosun's chair is a simple piece of equipment made from a short plank of wood and a sturdy piece of rope. It looks a little like a child's swing but usually has a pulley system that allows the user to adjust the length of the hanging piece of rope, and in so-doing adjusts the height above the floor or ground or sea. In modern times a harness would also be worn by the bosun’s chair user for safety reasons. Bosun's chairs are also used by window cleaners, construction workers and painters. The bosun’s chair is sometimes just a short plank, or even a canvas sling. The bosun's chair is significant for its association with maritime equipment carried on board a vessel in the late 19th and early 20th century for maintenance and safety purposes. It was occasionally used to save lives. The bosun's chair is also significant as an early version of equipment still used today. Since its invention there have been many safety features added in certain industries such as window cleaning and painting.Bosuns chair; flat smooth rectangular piece of wood, with rope passing through two holes at each end of plank and looped together above plank to form a suspended seat swing. Loops a are joined with knot work and ends are spliced together under the seat.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, bosun's chair, bosuns chair, boatswains chair, rigging, maritime equipment, bosun's seat, life saving, marine technology, ship rigging

This wooden cardholder was made from the wood of the screw steamer S.S. Edina, most probably after she was broken up in 1957, but could have been made after one of several renovations during her lifetime. The slotted design of the cardholder allows a card to stand vertically, and the base is made wider to stabilise the holder. It could be used for holding items such as place cards, menus, and table numbers. ABOUT THE SS EDINA: - The three-masted, iron-hulled screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle and launched on the Clyde on May 4th, 1854. The 322-ton, three-masted ship was 171 feet long, 23 feet 6 inches broad, and 12 feet 7 inches deep (52.12 L x 7.16 B x 3.84 D metres). The traditional figurehead of Edina, the ‘fair maid of Judea’, adorned its bow. The Edina later became famous worldwide for being the longest-serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) During its long working life, SS Edina had its accommodation enlarged for war service, was completely overhauled and serviced several times; boilers were replaced, masts were reduced to one, and later added then reduced, a Poop Deck, Forecastle and additional accommodation were added, the hull was gutted completely, new decks and bulwarks, saloon was redecorated and upgraded, and several changes of commander. The busy vessel also survived several mishaps at sea. SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Channel runs, carrying stores and horses to the Black Sea in the Crimean War as HMS Edina 1864-55. The vessel then sailed to Europe and the UK before being sold and used for further service in 1861 as a blockade runner in the American Civil War. The vessel later served as a coastal trader in the western district of Victoria and Queensland, then carried gold, currency, and gold prospectors from Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina was an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. SOME EVENTS in the life of SS EDINA: - The SS Edina had voyaged to Australia under sail. Owners Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co. sold the SS Edina in March 1863 at Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, to Stephen Henty of Portland, Victoria; Edina was perfect for working the West Coast cargo and passenger run between Melbourne and Portland, via the Port of Warrnambool, and Port Fairy. It first visited Warrnambool on April 4, 1863. SS Edina briefly worked the run from Australia to New Zealand, then returned to the West Coast run; the cargo included bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. In 1867-68, Stephen Henty sold SS Edina to the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company to continue trading along the coast of western Victoria. Captain John Thompson was the commander, and John Davies was the Chief Engineer. In 1870, SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprang up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and was never replaced. The Edina was refitted that year for use as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period, named R.M.S. Edina. It then went to Melbourne and carried cargo and passengers between there and Geelong from 1880 to 1938, with modifications in 1917; the ship was extensively overhauled, radically changing its appearance. It returned to having two masts, and the funnel, bridge, engines, and promenade deck were upgraded, and the saloon reupholstered. By 1924, Edina had made over 12,000 journeys, carrying over one million travellers between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1937, Australian Steamships Pty Ltd advertised in The Argus its Bay Excursions on the SS Edina from Portarlington and Geelong; it promoted, “Splendid Beaches, Excellent Bathing Facilities, and Light Refreshments available on board”. After several collisions, the SS Edina was taken out of service in 1938 and sold by its owner, Howard Smith Ltd., to a Williamstown shipbreaker, Mr George Burton. The Melbourne Harbour Trust permitted Burton to strip the hull and sell all parts at auction. The fittings were sold by auctioneers J.W. Styles & Son, c. 1938, on site at the Port of Melbourne and became widely dispersed. Victorian Lighterage Pty Ltd. purchased the hull, removed the engine and superstructure, and repurposed it as a ‘lighter’ named Dinah. It was loaded with wool and general cargo, then towed behind small tugs around the bay between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years of activity, the SS Edina was broken up on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, Footscray, Melbourne, and used as landfill. A piece of the hull with Victorian Heritage significance is buried in the river. This card holder is made from wood from the SS Edina and is significant for its association with that vessel. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served Western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest-serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas, she arrived in Melbourne, and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870. Card holder, made from the wood from the SS Edina (screw steamer ship). Holder is cylindrical shape, wider turned wood base. Top is divided with a space in the centre tor inserting a card. Rectangular metal plaque, gold-coloured, has a printed inscription within black border. Made c. 1854 - 1957.Printed on plaque "MADE FROM / THE WOOD OF / S.S. EDINA"warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, card holder, menu holder, table number holder, souvenir of the ss edina

The Falls of Halladale was an iron-hulled, four-masted barque, used as a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 bound for Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold was general cargo consisting of roofing tiles, barb wire, stoves, oil, and benzene as well as many other manufactured items. After three months at sea and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland on the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members survived, but her cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. The Court of Marine Inquiry in Melbourne ruled that the foundering of the ship was entirely due to Captain David Wood Thomson's navigational error, not too technical failure of the Clyde-built ship. The Falls of Halladale was built in1886 by Russell & Co., at Greenock shipyards on the River Clyde, Scotland for Wright, Breakenridge & Co of Glasgow. She was one of several designs of Falls Line of ships named after waterfalls in Scotland. The company had been founded between 1870- 1873 as a partnership between Joseph Russell, Anderson Rodger, and William Todd Lithgow. During the period 1882-92 Russell & Co. standardised designs, which sped up their building process so much that they were able to build 271 ships during that time. The Falls of Halladale had a sturdy construction built to carry maximum cargo and able to maintain full sail in heavy gales, one of the last of the 'windjammers' that sailed the Trade Route. She and her sister ship, the Falls of Garry, were the first ships in the world to include fore and aft lifting bridges. Previous to this, heavily loaded vessels could have heavy seas break along the full length of the deck, causing serious injury or even death to those on deck. The new raised catwalk-type decking allowed the crew to move above the deck in stormy conditions. The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes from Europe and the Americas. Also of significance is that the vessel was one of the first ships to have fore and aft lifting bridges as a significant safety feature still in use on modern vessels today. The subject model is an example of an International Cargo Ship used during the 19th and early 20th centuries to transport goods around the world and representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry. Nameplate, large brass letter “S” part of the nameplate, recovered from the starboard bow of the wreck of 'Falls of Halladale'. The letter is raised along central axis to form three dimensional effect, and restored to burnished bronze colour.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck artefact, great ocean road, brass lettering, falls of halladale, 1908 shipwreck, ship nameplate, letter s, letter, nameplate

This Bosun's char was part of the equipment on the vessel 'Reginald M. It is typical of items included on board a vessel in the late 19th and early 20th century. The nautical word 'bosun' is an abbreviation of the word 'boatswain' who is the person responsible for the repair and maintenance of the vessel. It could be used when rigging the sails and for rescue at sea, along with a thick rope anchored on shore or a rope between ships. It could also be used to move passengers to and from a ship as well as cargo on, to and from the vessel. A bosun's chair is a simple piece of equipment made from a short plank of wood and a sturdy piece of rope. It looks a little like a child's swing but usually has a pulley system that allows the user to adjust the length of the hanging piece of rope, and in so-doing adjusts the height above the floor or ground or sea. In modern times a harness would also be worn by the bosun’s chair user for safety reasons. Bosun's chairs are also used by window cleaners, construction workers and painters. The bosun’s chair is sometimes just a short plank, or even a canvas sling. The REGINALD M - The vessel “Reginald M” was a two-masted coastal ketch, owned and built by Mr. Jack (John) Murch of Birkenhead, Port of Adelaide, South Australia. Its construction took approximately 6 months and it was launched at Largs Bay in 1922. The vessel had many owners and adventures over the years until it was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum & Village in 1975 from the Melbourne Ferry Company at auction. It was then used as an active display until 2016. Visitors could go aboard, turn the ship's wheel, go below deck and get the feel of the captain's quarters, sailors' quarters and the storage space available. The Reginald M was a popular exhibit for young and old, until 2016.This bosun's chair is significant for its connection to the maritime history. It has been used for rigging, painting, maintenance and importantly for life saving and safety. The bonus's chair is also significant because of its connection to the history of the vessel REGINALD M, the coastal trading ketch from South Australia built in 1922 and in existence until 2016. Its flat bottom, single chine shape illustrates a very simple but robust method of construction, compared to other round bilged examples of trading vessels. The Reginald M is listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels (ARHV Number: HV000562.)Bosun's chair; seat is a rectangular plank of wood with a hole drilled in each corner and three reinforcing wood lengths attached below the plank. The ends of two looped thick ropes have been threaded through the holes in the plank, crossed over then spliced together. The loops of rope above the plank have been tied with light rope. A roughly made wire hook is attached at the base of one length of rope. Top surface reveals indents where the bottom wooden pieces are joined to the top and some of the metal fixtures can be seen along the edge. There are remnants of white paint on the top.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, bosun's chair, bosuns chair, boatswains chair, rigging, maritime equipment, bosun's seat, life saving, marine technology, ship rigging

Lifebuoys are flotation devices used to rescue and save people whose lives are at risk in the water. They are part of a ship's safety equipment. The cork material is very buoyant. The first use of life saving devices in recent centuries was by the Nordic people, who used light weight wood or cork blocks to keep afloat. From the early 20th century Kapok fibre was used as a filling for buoys. Light weight balsa wood was used as a filler after WW1. In 1928 Peter Markus invented and patented the first inflatable life-preserver. By WW2 foam was combined with Kapok. Laws were passed over time that has required aeroplanes and water going-vessels to carry life-preservers on board. The lifebuoy is an example of equipment carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century to help preserve life. There were many lives lost in Australia’s colonial period, particularly along the coast of South West Victoria.Lifebuoy, round cork inner only, no canvas covering.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifebuoy, cork lifebuoy, flotation device, safety equipment, life rings, safety ring, life-saving buoy, ring buoy, life preserver, personal floating device, floatation device

A foghorn is a device that uses sound to warn of navigational hazards like rocky coastlines, or boats of the presence of other vessels, in foggy conditions. The term is most often used with marine transport. When visual navigation aids such as lighthouses are obscured, foghorns provide an audible warning of rocky outcrops, shoals, headlands, or other dangers to shipping. An early form of fog signal was to use a bell, gong, explosive signal or firing a cannon to alert shipping. From the early 20th century an improved device called the diaphone was used in place of these other devices, The diaphone horn was based directly on the organ stop of the same name invented by Robert Hope-Jones, creator of the Wurlitzer organ. Hope-Jones' design was based on a piston that was closed only at its bottom end and had slots, perpendicular to its axis, cut through its sides, the slotted piston moved within a similarly slotted cylinder. Outside of the cylinder was a reservoir of high-pressure air. Initially, this air would be admitted behind the piston, pushing it forward. When the slots of the piston aligned with those of the cylinder, air passed into the piston, making a sound and pushing the piston back to its starting position, whence the cycle would be repeated. This method of producing a low audible sound was further developed as a fog signal by John Northey of Toronto and these diaphones were powered by compressed air produced by an electric motor or other mechanical means that admitted extremely powerful low-frequency notes. The example in the Flagstaff collection is an early cased and portable diaphone used on pleasure or sailing craft. By manually turning the crank handle air is produced and fed into valves that direct air across vibrating metal reeds to produce the required sound. in foggy weather, fog horns are used to pinpoint a vessels position and to indicate how the vessel is sailing in foggy conditions. One blast, when sailing on starboard tack and two blasts, when sailing on a port tack and three dots, when with wind is behind the vessel. Since the automation of lighthouses became common in the 1960s and 1970s, most older foghorn marine installations have been removed to avoid the need to run the complex machinery associated with them, and have been replaced with an electrically powered diaphragm or compressed air horns. The example in the collection is significant as it was used in the early 19th century for sailing vessels was important but these portable crank fog horns have also been superseded by modern electric varieties. Therefore the item has a historical connection with sailing and maritime pursuits from our past.English Rotary Norwegian Pattern nautical foghorn within a boxed pine varnished case with exposed corner dovetailing, original leather carrying strap, brass side crank, and original copper trumped horn. Card accessory with Directions for Use in both English and French.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, foghorn, maritime technology, maritime communication, marine warning signal, portable foghorn, bellows foghorn, crank handle, robert hope-jones, john northey

The ship model of Joseph Conrad represents the craft of ship model-making, which many people have enjoyed over the years. Although the model is made from modern materials, it shows the elements of a sailing ship of a bygone era. About the sailing ship JOSEPH CONRAD: - The vessel Joseph Conrad began as the Danish iron-hulled, wooden sailing ship Georg Stage, launched in 1882. It was used as a training ship for Danish sailors. In 1905, while docked in Copenhagen, the ship was rammed by a larger ship, and 22 boys were killed while sleeping in the hull. The ship was later raised and put on guard during World War I. Alan Villiers was an Australian author of seafaring books as well as a sailor. He bought the George Stage and renamed it Joseph Conrad in honour of the renowned Polish-born maritime fiction author, who briefly captained the barque Otago; it was the only time he was in charge of a ship. In 1934, Villers sailed the ship on a two-year voyage around the world. In 1936, it was sold to an American, who later donated it for use again as a training ship. After World War II, the ship was no longer in use, and in 1947, it was transferred to the Mystic Seaport Museum for training and exhibition purposes. JOSEPH CONRAD (1857-1927): - Joseph Conrad was Polish-born. He became a British subject in 1886. He was known for his marine fiction writing and, for a short time, was a mariner and Captain. As a boy of 13 years old, Joseph Conrad wanted to be a sailor. At 19, he joined the British merchant marines, working in several roles. He eventually qualified as a captain but only served in this role once, from 1888-89, when he commanded the barque Otago, sailing from Sydney to Mauritius. In 1889, he also began writing his first novel, Almayer’s Folly. He retired from life as a mariner in 1894, aged 36. Conrad’s visits to Australia from 1878 to 1982, and his affection for Australia, were later commemorated by a plaque in Circular Quay, Sydney. Conrad continued as an author. It is said that many of the characters in his books were inspired by his maritime experiences and the people he had met. By the end of his life, he had completed many stories and essays, 19 novels, plus one incomplete novel titled ‘Suspense’ that was finished and published posthumously. In 1924, shortly before he died, Conrad was offered a Knighthood by Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald for his work but declined the offer. The ship model represents the design of sailing ships built in the 1880s and can be used as a reference in understanding the construction of the ships of the Victorian era. The model is important for its connection to the vessel Joseph Conrad which was used as a training ship for seafarers, and even now is used to teach maritime skills, as well as an exhibit, in the maritime museum, Mystic Seaport. The model's name is significant for its association of its name with the famed early 20th-century maritime author, Joseph Conrad.Ship model; three-masted sailing ship named the Joseph Conrad, with cabins on deck, lifeboats, a ladder on the side and a figurehead on the bow. The hull is black at the top and red below. The ship's name is painted on both sides of the bow. JOSEPH CONRADflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, joseph conrad, captain joseph conrad, maritime author, marine author, nautical author, sailor, seafarer, ship model, two-masted ship, iron hull, sailing ship, georg stage, 1882 ship, danish ship, training ship, boys killed, alan villiers, ship joseph conrad, mystic seaport, museum ship, otago

This Engine Room section of a ship's telegraph system was part of the equipment of the Ports and Harbour ship the SS Rip. The vessel serviced and maintained the lights and buoys at Port Phillip Bay and Queenscliffe. The SS Rip was possibly the former gunboat "Albert". The ship’s communication system that was used from the late 19th century to early-to-mid-20th-century is called an Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.) or ship’s telegraph. The system has two parts, the Bridge Section and the Engine Room Section. The Bridge Section is usually mounted on top of a pedestal, and the Engine Room Section is often attached to a vertical surface. The standard commands printed or stamped onto the dial are the directions of AHEAD and ASTERN, and the speeds of STOP, FULL, EASY, STD. BY. and FIN. ENG. The ship’s pilot on the Bridge of a vessel sends his Orders for speed and direction to the to the Engine Room with the E.O.T. He moves the lever or levers, depending on the number of engines the ship has, to change the indicator on the Bridge Section’s dial to point in the new direction and speed of travel. This change causes the Orders to be duplicated on the Engine Room Section’s dial and a bell to signal the change simultaneously. The engineer then adjusts the ship’s engines and steering equipment to follow the pilot’s Order. The manufacturer, Mulne Bros., was a copper and brass works at 166 Sussex Street Sydney, in December 1892, and previously from 1870 at 128 to 130 Sussex Street. The company made and sold a wide range of equipment including machinery and gauges for the Railways.The Engine Room section is significant for being part of the communications system on the ship SS Rip, owned by Melbourne's Ports & Harbours department and used to service and maintain the navigation signals of Port Phillip Bay and at Queenscliffe in the mid-20th century. The dial is an example of marine equipment made in Australia and used for the safety of Victorian vessels. It is also significant for being made by an early Australian manufacturer, Milne Brothers of Sydney.Engine Room Section of a ship’s telegraph or Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.). The round metal dial has inscriptions stamped around the edges. The inscriptions are nautical terms for direction and speed and include the maker’s details. The dial was made by Milne Bros. of Sydney. It was part of the equipment on the "SS Rip" in Victoria.Black paint around dial: "MILNE BROS. / MAKERS / SYDNEY" "FULL EASY STD. BY " "FIN ENG. EASY FULL" ""ASTERN" "STOP" "AHEAD"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, marine technology, marine communications, engine order telegraph, e.o.t., ship’s telegraph, bridge section, engine room section, ship’s engine telegraph section, marine telegraph, milne bros., milne brothers, sydney, copper and brass works, ports & harbours ship, ss rip, gunboat albert, service ship, maintenance ship

Mr John Wilson Gillie was born on the 31st of March 1864. On the 31st of July 1880 he was apprenticed for four years to J.J. Wilson and Sons, Nautical Instrument Makers of Sunderland. Following the apprenticeship he spent six months to a year as an ‘improver’ in Glasgow, and then started a new company ‘Wilson and Gillie’ in North Shields. At this time sail had just given way to steam and wooden ships to steel, and the railways were competing with colliers for the carrying of coal from the North East of England to London and the South. In 1858 only seven out of 44 shipyards on the Tyne were using iron, but by 1862 there were ten, employing around 4,000 men. These changes had a significant effect on nautical instrument manufacturers, as the magnetic compass for a wooden sailing vessel was very simple and required little in the way of compensation. For steel vessels much more was required and this was a period of great development, both in the compass bowl and the binnacle in which it was housed. In 1870 Sir William Thomson (later Lord Kelvin) designed his dry card standard compass, which completely replaced all previous designs. Wilson and Gillie started as agents for the Thomson compass, but later J.W. Gillie, using similar principles, redesigned the compass suspension and patented the ‘UNIT’ standard compass. It became popular with local shipowners and shipbuilders. In 1910 the firm of John Lilley and Son (which had been established in London in 1812), found themselves in financial difficulties and were saved with the help of John Wilson Gillie, who established, on the 8th of August 1911, a new firm of John Lilley and Son Limited. John Lilley and Son had been the sole London agents for Sir William Thomson, a very enviable position during this period, when the Thomson compass led the field. Unfortunately, Mr. Lilley had quarreled with the Glasgow company, who withdrew the agency and established their own branch in London (later to become Kelvin White and Hutton). On November 7th 1913, the firm of John Lilley and Son Limited of London amalgamated with Wilson and Gillie of North Shields, and after this date instruments manufactured by the two companies bore the name John Lilley and Son Limited of London and North Shields. During the 1930s many of the London nautical instrument makers were in difficulties, including John Lilley and Son Limited and Reynolds and Son, Dobbie and Clyde Limited, and Mr. J.W. Gillie arranged an amalgamation between these two companies. The new firm became Lilley and Reynolds Limited. In 1943, with estate duties in mind, the North Shields company was reconstituted and took the name of John Lilley and Gillie Limited, although the shareholders, directors and personnel remained unchanged In the early 1970s Lilley and Gillie developed close links with Observator in Rotterdam, who manufactured one of the first fully reliable transmitting magnetic compass systems. The Observator shareholders, Holland America Line, bought the share capital of John Lilley and Gillie Limited., but retained all the personnel and the directors. (See Links for more information)A significant item of early 20th century marine navigational equipment made by a leading manufacturer in the field from a company that is still producing marine navigational instruments today. John Lilleys company began in 1812 growing at a time when the transition of compasses from timber ships, to steel vessels. Compasses at this time required a method of compensation to allow their inclusion in steel vessels without magnetic deviation. This therefore was a period of great development, both in the compass bowl and the binnacle in which it was housed and the Lilley company were leaders in the field. Ships binnacle, wood with brass fittings, consists of 2 brass lamp holders, place for compass, Also has an inclinometer with a scale 40 to 0 to 40, one red and one green iron Kelvin compensation balls, one on each side of binnacle denoting port and starboard, a brass cylinder attached perpendicular at the rear for storing a Flinders Bar, 2 hinged cupboards containing adjustable wooden racks with drilled holes in them to hold iron Heeling error magnets.Textured brass plate attached to front stating "JOHN LILLEY & SON LTD (WILSON & GILLIE), NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS, NORTH SHIELDS" . Inclinometer has "JOHN LILLEY & SON LTD (Wilson & Gillie) LONDON & NORTH SHIELDS" engraved. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, binnacle, john lillie & son ltd, compass

This woodworking lathe, connected to both a pulley and a flywheel, demonstrates its historical operation with a steam engine. Such a configuration reflects manufacturing practices from the late 1800s and early 1900s, when steam power was the predominant source for driving workshop and factory machinery. Large machine shops often utilised a single power source, distributing power via roof-mounted belts and pulleys to operate several machines simultaneously. Over time, petrol-driven motors were introduced, and eventually, electricity became the standard power source. Conversion kits were made available in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to adapt older lathes to these newer, cleaner fuels. Manufacturer's History: W.F. & J. Barnes was a renowned maker of hand- and foot-powered treadle woodworking and metalworking machinery, established in 1869. The partnership between William F. Barnes and John Barnes was formalised in 1872, and the firm was incorporated in 1884. Their machines were used for both ‘farm’ applications and professional engineering. By 1881, the company began producing electrically powered machinery. By 1937, W.F. & J. Barnes expanded into manufacturing machinery for automotive assembly. The business closed in 1983, and in 1998, LeBlond Ltd. of Ohio acquired the firm. The lathe was donated by Briggs Marine, Melbourne: In Flagstaff Hill’s formative years, 1972-1975, Briggs Marine, Melbourne (Briggs Brass Foundry), donated equipment and objects used or made at their premises. The foundry was established in 1912 by Herbert Harrison Briggs. In 1965, the firm was owned by partners Cyril Briggs and Frank Lee: Cyril died in 1967, and Frank died in 1971, so the foundry was then run by his son and daughter-in-law, Les and Eva Lee. Briggs Marine’s Warrnambool Branch closed in 1972 after the death of Frank Lee in 1971. Flagstaff Hill’s founding director, John Lindsay, recalled that Briggs Marine’s family members gave personal assistance in setting up the displays in the original village shops, particularly the ‘Brass Foundry’ building, around the time the Maritime Museum opened in 1975. Briggs Marine still exists today, but the Briggs family is no longer involved. This early 1900s lathe marks a significant stage in the evolution of machinery, positioned between the era of hand-operated machines and the advent of electrically powered equipment. Its presence exemplifies the progression of industrial technology and craftsmanship during this period. The lathe is particularly notable for its association with the Briggs Brass Foundry. The foundry was known for developing a specialised brass alloy composed of non-ferrous metals, a formulation that resulted in durable products built to withstand the demanding conditions of marine environments. This focus on resilience and longevity made Briggs Brass Foundry’s goods highly sought after within the maritime sector. Briggs Maine, a long-established business, utilised the foundry’s capabilities to create cast goods tailored to the needs of the marine industry. The facility was equipped to deliver both custom-designed and mass-produced items, ensuring versatility in meeting various requirements. Many of Briggs Foundry’s products found their place on sailing and steam vessels throughout Victoria’s coastline, including in the port town of Warrnambool, where there was once a brancy of Briggs Marine. In addition to general marine fittings, Briggs Marine earned recognition for its expertise in bell-founding. The foundry’s reputation is closely linked to the restoration of the Schomberg Bell at Flagstaff Hill, a small but historically significant bell from a luxury migrant vessel dating back to the mid-19th century. The successful restoration of the Schomberg Bell demonstrates Briggs Brass Foundry’s commitment to preserving craftsmanship and maritime heritage.The lathe is a green, bench-type, steam-powered woodworking machine. Its bench is supported by decorative posts at each end, with each post dividing into arched legs. The lathe is mechanically connected to both a pulley and a flywheel, designed to be operated in conjunction with a steam engine. Included with the lathe is a range of accessories. Across the front of the machine, an inscription is cast, and a stamped, metal lathe pulley guide is attached to the drive mechanism. The lathe was manufactured by W. F. and J. Barnes, Rockford, Illinois, USA, during the 1900s.“W F and J Barnes, Rockford, USA” "1820" "1887"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, lathe, steam-operated lathe, steam-operated pulley, steam power, steam engine, machine, steam operated machine, metal work, foundry work, metal working trade, tool, pulley driven, metalworking, woodworking, barnes lathe, briggs marine, belt driven, wordworking lathe, free standing lathe, bench lathe, steam powered, vintage lathe, woodturning lathe, w. f. and j. barnes, illanois, early 20th century, briggs, briggs brass foundry, briggs marine foundry, briggs marine products, herbert harrison briggs, george edward briggs, cyril falkiner mckinnon briggs, collingwood, moorabbin, frank lee, les lee, eva lee, briggs marine warrnambool, non-ferrous founders, bell specialists, ship bell specialists, sand cast, marine equipment, marine fittings, foundry, brass foundry, founders

The wooden pattern forms part of a larger collection, securely stored within a durable wooden crate. This pattern was an essential tool at Briggs’ Brass Foundry, specifically designed for creating sand casts. Sand casting is a time-honoured technique, with a history exceeding 2,000 years. The handcrafted nature of this process results in the production of brass and copper alloy items, which are particularly suitable for maritime applications. Typical products include bells, boat hooks, cowls, propellers, handles, lids, rowlocks, hooks, letters, bolts, rail holders, brackets, deck plates, flanges, rudder guides, portholes and covers. The distinctive bronze mixture used at Briggs’ Foundry is copper-based, composed of local ingots of copper, tin, zinc and lead, blended in precisely measured quantities. The resulting alloy is non-ferrous, known for its exceptional durability and longevity. In the early years of Flagstaff Hill, the Briggs family generously donated the crate of patterns along with other related items such as brassware, tools and machinery. These items were prominently displayed in a simulated Brass Foundry within the Village, alongside other working crafts, trades and services typical of a maritime town. From the completion of the building in 1986 until its repurposing in 1994, visitors could view these items and gain insight into the foundering and metalwork trades that supported maritime industries, including shipwrights and boatbuilders. The castings produced at the foundry were also vital for farmers, manufacturers and other local industries. The Brass Foundry display featured a historic Cornish chimney, constructed as a working model to illustrate the process of smelting metal in furnaces and pouring it into sand moulds. The chimney, crafted from specially curved bricks, currently stands at approximately two-thirds of its original height, having previously been located at the Grassmere Cheese factory. The craft of sand-casting, which utilises intricately carved wooden patterns to create metal objects, stands as a testament to the enduring value of traditional skills. This age-old technique remains relevant today, linking past craftsmanship to ongoing industrial practices. The foundry pattern set holds particular significance due to its strong associations with brass foundries, both locally and in coastal regions across Victoria. In these areas, marine industries such as ship and boat building have long depended on high-quality metal castings for the machinery, equipment, and fittings essential to their operations. The alloys formulated by Briggs Brass Foundry, crafted from non-ferrous metals, were specifically designed to provide superior longevity and durability in maritime environments. These patterns are closely tied to the history of the Briggs Brass Foundry, a respected and long-running company that specialised in producing cast goods for the marine sector. The foundry was equipped to supply both unique, one-off items and mass-produced components, ensuring that its products found their way onto a variety of sail and steam vessels along the Victorian coast, including in Warrnambool. In addition to its broader marine applications, Briggs Brass Foundry established itself as a bell-founder specialist. The company’s expertise is notably linked to the historic Schomberg Bell at Flagstaff Hill, which they restored to its original splendour as a fine example of a bell from a luxury migrant ship of the mid-19th century. The significance of the pattern set is further heightened by its association with Briggs Brass Founders, a firm established in the early 20th century and widely recognised for its proficiency in producing, repairing, and restoring ship bells and other marine equipment. Renowned for their non-ferrous metal casting, Briggs Brass Founders consistently supplied high-quality fittings and equipment vital to maritime pursuits. Moreover, the company expanded its influence by opening a branch in Warrnambool. Through this local presence, Briggs Brass Founders supported the regional marine industry and forged strong connections with fishermen and businesses. This not only reinforced their reputation as skilled manufacturers but also highlighted their commitment to community engagement and support. Pattern; hexagonal wooden shape painted orange. The thick carved wooden shape is in halves forming a hole when locked together with the dowel pegs and opposing drilled holes. The pattern is part of a set of foundry patterns from Briggs Brass Foundry.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, briggs' bronze, trade, sand cast, cast, brass alloy, copper alloy, pattern, mould, foundry, brass foundry, metal foundry, casting, sand mould, sand casting, marine equipment, marine tools, marine fittings, copper tin zinc lead, non-ferrous, non-corrosive, brassware, metalware, foundering, metalwork, maritime, bell founders, ship chandlers, marine products, briggs family, herbert harrison briggs, h h briggs, george edward briggs, cyril falkiner mckinnon briggs, cyril briggs, briggs & son brass foundry, h h briggs & sons foundry, briggs marine, alliance casting & engineering solutions, grassmere cheese factory, cornish chimney, curved bricks, collingwood, moorabbin, collingwood foundry, moorabbin foundry, 1912, briggs, briggs brass foundry, briggs marine foundry, briggs marine products, frank lee, les lee, eva lee, briggs marine warrnambool, non-ferrous founders, bell specialists, ship bell specialists, founders, traditional send casting

This photograph was donated by Mrs Nancy Mason, daughter-in-law of the last owner, Arnold Mason. Andrew Mason had been given the photograph by Mr. Mac Fordham, who was the Chief Engineer of the SS Edina. Both men had been Engineers in WW I. The configuration of the SS Edina in the photograph is post 1890. ABOUT THE S S EDINA The three-masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous worldwide as the longest-serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Channel runs, serving in the Crimean War carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. In March 1863, SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul and several changes of commanders. In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced. SS Edina was refitted in 1870 then was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance. In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However, she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. This photograph of the SS Edina is significant for its association with the screw steamer SS Edina. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870.Black and White photograph mounted on brown card of SS Edina. Inscription on the reverse side. The photograph shows the SS Edina moving under steam power, with many people on both the bow and stern and a few people in the centre of the vessel. There are buildings on the shore in the background. The ship's configuration is dated post 1890.Inscription on the reverse: "Donated by Mrs. Nancy Mason, Bayview. Receipt 409a. Owned by Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer, 'Edina', then given to Mrs. Mason's father-in-law Arnold Mason. (both Engineers W.W 1)."warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, photograph of ss edina post 1890, photograph australian screw steamer, pleasure vessel victoria post 1890

This photographic postcard of the SS Edina was taken after the 1890’s due to the style and configuration of the vessel. There is a black and white photograph of the same image also in our Collection (RN 3192). It is most likely that both of the photographs were donated by the same person because the people mentioned in the inscription on the black and white photograph’s reverse side connect with two of the people mentioned in the letter on the reverse of the coloured photograph. * RN 3192; Black & White photograph - inscription: - "Donated by Mrs. Nancy Mason, Bay View. Owned by Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer, 'Edina', then given to Mrs. Mason's father-in-law Arnold Mason (both Engineers W.W. I)" The “Arnie” to whom the letter was addressed is likely to be Arnold Mason, Engineer. The author of the letter, “Mac”, is likely to be Mac Fordham, Chief Engineer of SS Edina. The transcribed letter tells of two men who know each other well and have an interest in the Edina. “Mac” mentions that he may be “too old” to be at sea again; this would also support the idea that the older writer would give his photographs to the perhaps younger “Arnie”. * RN 3193 (this photograph) - Transcription of pen and ink script handwriting = = = = = = = = = = = = 19-12-37 No. 1 Flat, “Goodwood Lodge” 196 Lennox Street, Richmond [Victoria] Dear Arnie , Been meaning to write for long time but you know, it’s just the usual routine of the seamen within Bay trades. Had a good trip back from Sydney. Took our time, spent almost a week coming back, rather monotonous in parts in the hill country, too many darn curves, still was a good trip. How are you all keeping? Suppose you’ve moved back to Drummoyne [erettris?], expect you can let the house in Manly easily enough. Noticed they had a strike at Cockatoo [Cockatoo Island NSW]. don’t suppose they pulled the boys out. How is Jack doing? Has [Willie?] commenced training yet, or no! too young, isn’t she? Been a lot of “paper” talk about the “Edina” finishing but nothing official that I’m aware of, but it’s always on the cards I suppose, then I suppose it will be to sea again if I’m not too old. Easy Winter only 3 trips per week, running every day from today until further notice. Trust [Mary?] Is well & all’s well with you too. Best wishes from us both for Xmas & New Year. Cheerio Mac = = = = = = = = = = = = ABOUT THE SS EDINA The three masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous world-wide as the longest serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Chanel runs, serving in the Crimean Ware carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul and several changes of commanders. In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced. SS Edina was re-fitted in 1870 then was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance. In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. This photographic postcard with the letter on the revers tell about the SS Edina and are significant for its association with the screw steamer SS Edina. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870.Coloured (hand coloured) photographic postcard of SS Edina. Letter on reverse, hand written in pen and ink, from Mac to Arnie, dated 19-12-37 [1937]. The photograph shows the SS Edina moving under steam power, many people on both the bow and stern and a few people in the centre of the vessel. There are buildings on the shore in the background. The ship's configuration is dated post 1890.Hand written in pen on base of front “1854-1957” Hand written on back in blue pen and crossed out “REC 409” Hand written on back in pen ‘EDINA,’ “3173,” “086.2” Hand written letter dated 19-12-37, from Mac to Arnie. Script writing in pen and ink letter on reverse of photograph – see “Context” section for transcription. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, photographic postcard of ss edina 1854-1957, letter by mac fordham chief engineer ss edina, letter to arnold mason, engineer

This black and white photograph was taken when the SS Edina was as port at the Geelong Wharf in Moorabool Street. The Port of Geelong had many wool sheds alongside the wharf - wool was a major export product. ABOUT THE SS EDINA The three masted iron screw steamer SS Edina was built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854 by Barclay and Curle. She was adorned with the figurehead of ‘fair maid of Judea’. The many years of service made SS Edina famous world-wide as the longest serving screw steamer. (The term screw steamer comes from being driven by a single propeller, sometimes called a screw, driven by a steam engine.) SS Edina’s interesting history includes English Chanel runs, serving in the Crimean Ware carrying ammunition, horses and stores to the Black Sea, and further service in the American Civil War and later, serving in the western district of Victoria as well as in Queensland and carried gold, currency and gold prospectors Australia to New Zealand. SS Edina had the privilege of being an escort vessel to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh during his visit to Australia in 1867. In March 1863 SS Edina arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne and was bought by Stephen Henty, of Portland fame, to work the cargo and passenger run from Melbourne – Warrnambool – Port Fairy - Portland. After a short time of working the run from Australia to New Zealand, with passengers and cargo that included gold and currency, she returned to her Melbourne - Warrnambool – Port Fairy run, with cargo including bales of wool produced in the western district of Victoria. The Warrnambool Steam Packet Company purchased SS Edina in 1867; she was now commanded by Captain John Thompson and Chief Engineer John Davies. She survived several mishaps at sea, had a complete service and overhaul and several changes of commanders. In 1870 SS Edina was in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, when a gale sprung up and caused a collision with the iron screw steamer SS Dandenong. SS Edina’s figurehead was broken into pieces and it was not ever replaced. SS Edina was re-fitted in 1870 then was used as a coastal trader in Queensland for a period. She was then brought to Melbourne to carry cargo and passengers between Melbourne and Geelong and performed this service 1880-1938. During this time (1917) she was again refitted with a new mast, funnel, bridge and promenade deck, altering her appearance. In 1938, after more collisions, SS Edina was taken out of service. However she was later renamed Dinah and used as a ‘lighter’ (a vessel without engine or superstructure) to be towed and carry wool and general cargo between Melbourne and Geelong. In 1957, after 104 years, the SS Edina was broken up at Footscray, Melbourne. Remains of SS Edina’s hull can be found in the Maribyrnong River, Port Phillip Bay. This postcard of the SS Edina is significant for its association with the screw steamer SS Edina and shows her at one of her trading ports on the Melbourne - Warrnambool - Port Fairy - Portland run. The SS Edina is heritage listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S199. She had endeared herself to the people of Port Phillip Bay as a passenger ferry, part of their history and culture. She played a significant role in the Crimean War, the American Civil War and the gold rush in New Zealand. She also served western Victoria for many years in her cargo and passenger runs. The SS Edina is famous for being the longest serving screw steamer in the world. After spending her first nine years overseas she arrived in Melbourne and her work included running the essential service of transporting cargo and passengers between Melbourne and the western Victoria ports of Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland. The SS Edina was purchased in the late 1860’s by local Warrnambool business, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Co. and continued trading from there as part of the local business community. The SS Edina’s original ‘fair maid of Judea’ figurehead was broken to pieces in a collision with another vessel (the SS Dandenong) in a gale off Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1870.Black and White photograph of S.S Edina at the Moorabool Street Wharf, Geelong in calm water that shows the reflection of the steamer. Ship has no sails raised. The funnel has a light coloured base with a dark coloured top. There are people on board the steamer. Other ship masts and people are in the background. In the foreground is a jetty with a small boat beside it and a person inside the boat. There is a title printed along the base of the photograph. c. 1870's to 1930'sPrinted at base of photograph "S.S. "EDINA," Moorabool Street Wharf, Geelong"warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, barclay & curle, figurehead 'fair maid of judea', centenary maritime exhibition 1934, a brief review of steam navigation in victoria, pleasure steamer edina, trade and travel late 19th and early 20th century, trade melbourne to geelong, screw steamer edina, coastal trader edina, lighter dinah, cargo carrying for cremean war, cargo carrying for american civil war, passenger and trade in western district of victoria, export gold and currency and gold diggers to new zealand, export vessel to h r h the duke of edinburgh, melbourne - warrnambool - port fairy - portland cargo run, warrnambool steam packet company, stephen henty, captain john thompson, chief engineer john davies, lady bay warrnambool, lighter edina, shipping victoria, port phillip bay steamers, steamship great britain, edina, vhr s199 victorian heritage database, postcard of ss edina 1870's - 1930's

A newspaper article was published at the time of the donation of this four-volume set of The Imperial Dictionary of The English Language. The article refers to the Geelong Maritime Society donating the funds to purchase the set of books. The Geelong Maritime Society Inc. was formed to save the Steam Tug Victor from being scrapped. Its public appeal raised funds for this purpose, but its efforts to stop the tug's destruction were unsuccessful. The Society was disbanded in February 1990 and generously donated the raised funds to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Flagstaff Hill used the funds to purchase the four-volume set of The Imperial Dictionary of the English Language by John Ogilvie. The books are appropriately housed in the library cabinet of the Common School in Flagstaff Hill's village. Each book has a label with an inscription acknowledging the Geelong Maritime Society Inc.'s donation. STEAM TUG VICTOR: The steam tug Victor, built in 1951 at Gainsborough, UK, was said to be the most powerful tug in Victoria. It was once used in Geelong. A private party, currently, in 2025, researching the steam tug Victor, discovered the information that connected the vessel to the books in Flagstaff Hill's library. This set of reference books was published in 1882. The volumes are typical of books used for education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The publisher used both print and illustrations for explanations.The Imperial Dictionary of The English Language: a complete encyclopedic lexicon, literary, scientific and technological, Volume 1 by John Ogilvie, LL.D., Author of "The Comprehensive English Dictionary," "The Student's English Dictionary," &c. &c. New edition, carefully revised and greatly augmented. Edited by Charles Annandale, M.A. Illustrated by above [by Charles Annandale, M.A.]. Three thousand engravings printed in the text. Vol. IV. SCREAM-ZYTHUM. With supplement and appendix. Publisher: Blackie & Son, 49 AND 50 Old Bailey, E.C. London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin Printer: W. G. Blackie and Co., Villafield, Glasgow. UK. Volumes Dated: 1882 and 1883 Publisher's logo on the Fly page. Large book, brown covered board, gold embossed details on spine, and front cover impressed with a decorative diamond logo of Blackie and Sons and its motto, within a rectangle. A label inside the front cover acknowledges the donor, Geelong Maritime Society Inc. Inside this first volume was a newspaper clipping, undated. Logo and motto: "(Shield Infront of a ribbon) with entwined letters "B & S" [Blackie & Son] and "Lucem Libris Disseminamus" [Laten: We disseminate light through books] Label: "Donated by Geelong Maritime Society Inc which was disbanded in February 1990" with blue rope border, and logos of a sailing ship and an anchor. Titles of newspaper clippings: "Queer Beasts of the Bush: The Legend of the Bunyip, by J. C. Le Souef" "Nature's Puzzle World: How Lillies Close Their Petals" "In the Forties: A Pastoral Pioneer" [about Charles M. Gray] flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, book, the imperial dictionary of the english language vol 1, john ogilvie, blackie & son, 1882, dictionary, encyclopedia, geelong maritime society inc., reference books, common school, steam tug victor, 1942

A sailing block is single or multiple pulleys with one or more sheaves that are enclosed in an assembly between cheeks or chocks. In use, a block is fixed to the end of a line, to a spar, or a surface. A rope line is reeved through the sheaves, and maybe through one or more matching blocks at the far end, to make up what's known as a tackle. The purchase of a tackle refers to its mechanical advantage. In general, the more sheaves in the blocks that make up a tackle, the higher its mechanical advantage. The matter is slightly complicated by the fact that every tackle has a working end where the final run of rope leaves the last sheave. More mechanical advantage can be obtained if this end is attached to the moving load rather than the fixed end of the tackle. Various types of blocks are used in sailing. Some blocks are used to increase mechanical advantage and others are used simply to change the direction of a line. A ratchet block turns freely when a line is pulled in one direction but does not turn in the other direction, although the line may slip past the sheave. This kind of block makes a loaded line easier to hold by hand and is sometimes used on smaller boats for lines like main and jib sheets that are frequently adjusted. A single, large, sail-powered warship in the mid-19th century required more than 1,400 blocks of various kinds and sizes.A historic item from an old sailing vessel from the late 19th to early 20th century, unfortunately. It represents part of the rigging required to set the sails on a wind-powered vessel.A two sheave wood sailing block with metal hook and becket. One sheave missing. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, block, sailing block, two-sheave block, 2 sheave wood block, marine technology, sailing equipment, rigging, rigging block

This lifebuoy is part of the lifesaving equipment that would be carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century. The strips of cork wood have been joined together to make the ring shape. A lifebuoy, or life-preserver, is used as a buoyancy device to keep a person afloat in the. It is usually connected by a rope to a person in a safe area such a nearby vessel or on shore. The lifebuoy is thrown to a person in distress in the water, allowing the rescuer to pull the person to safety. The lifebuoy is a made from a buoyant material such as cork or rubber and is usually covered with canvas for protection and to make it easy to grip. The first use of life saving devices in recent centuries was by the Nordic people, who used light weight wood or cork blocks to keep afloat. From the early 20th century Kapok fibre was used as a filling for buoys. Light weight balsa wood was used as a filler after WW1. In 1928 Peter Markus invented and patented the first inflatable life-preserver. By WW2 foam was combined with Kapok. Laws were passed over time that has required aeroplanes and water going-vessels to carry life-preservers on board. The lifebuoy is an example of equipment carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century to help preserve life. There were many lives lost in Australia’s colonial period, particularly along the coast of South West Victoria.Lifebuoy; round, cork filling of lifebuoy. The nails joining the layers are visible. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, life rings, lifebuoy, safety ring, life-saving buoy, ring buoy, life preserver, personal floating device, floatation device, safety equipment