The Shipwreck Board is a feature of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village/ its subject is explained briefly in the Museum's handbook, The Flagstaff Hill Navigator, published in 2008: - "Known as the ‘Eye of the Needle’ the treacherous entrance to Bass Strait is littered with the wreckage of large international vessels and smaller sail and steam craft used in coastal trade. The vessels bringing emigrants and cargo to Australia found the western entrance to Bass Strait the most dangerous part of their voyage. They had to thread their way between the southern point of Victoria (Cape Otway) and the northern point of King Island, a stretch of water less than 90 km wide. Many smaller coastal vessels were lost at Portland, Port Fairy, Warrnambool and Apollo Bay which are not safe harbours in certain weather conditions. "The Shipwreck Board shows shipwrecks, strandings and collisions which occurred in this area up to the year 1940. Wrecks are identified by a yellow light and collisions/strandings by a green light. These lights also identify the decade the wreck occurred by lighting up when the relevant decade button is pushed. Interesting happenings of the decades are listed next to the buttons." The Shipwreck Board's demonstration of The Eye of the Needle is an interactive visual display that helps teach the perils and dangers faced by early settlers in Victoria. It tells of the vast number of lives lost. It lists the names of many infamous shipwrecks and significant events.The large stained and lacquered timber board is mounted in a timber, frame. It is painted with a small sketch of Australia, and an enlarged outline of the southern coast of Victoria, King Island and the North West coast of Tasmania. The interactive display highlights the shipwrecks, standings and collisions suffered by many vessels as they navigated the 'Eye of the Needle', a narrow stretch of Bass Strait. The locations of the Lighthouses are pinpointed. Lists of groups of ships are below the coastlines. A painted scroll shows eight major shipwrecks with the number of lives lost for each one. A table shows historical facts associated with the decades from pre-1830 to 1940. A system of coloured lights compares the decades with the vessels that suffered damage. The board was created by artist and signwriter, Alex O'Flynn Computer Signs.flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, eye of the needle, shipwreck locations, bass strait, basses strait, king island, north west tasmania, south coast of victoria, cape otway, victorian lighthouse, king island lighthouse, strandings, coastal tracers, emigrant ships, sea trade, 1930s-1940s, shipwreck board, the eye of the needle, collosions, alex o'flynn, alex o’flynn computer signs, shipwrecks of western victoria

Soft covered 195-page book with sketches, photographs and charts.Foreword extract: "In 1848 the vital beam of the nobly proportioned Cape Otway lighthouse first shone out over the perilous, previously unlit, waters of Bass Strait. It has now maintained that watch over its narrow western entrance, the aptly named 'Eye of the Needle', for over a century and a half. During that time ships of all shapes and sizes passed below Cape Otway's high cliffs - clipper ships with a hectare of canvas aloft, their masters determined to achieve the fastest passage out to the goldfields, four-masted grain ships and, by the turn of the century, the punctual, comfortable, Orient liners. They were followed by the battleships of the American White fleet in 1908 and, from time to time, cruiser squadrons of the Royal Navy, showing the flag at the furthest corner of the Empire. The lighthouse and its associated signal station made no distinction between merchant vessel and warship. In this book Ian McKellar examines a little known aspect of the history of Cape Otway - its role in war, more particularly the Second World War between 1939 and 1945. It takes the reader back to a time when Australia was ill-prepared for another war so soon after the conclusion of the Great War."

Needles are part of a collection of sewing tools donated by Betty McPhee.Packet of Egg eye shaped sharp sewing needle - size 4/8. Made by Abel Morrall - Griffen Brand. Packet endorsed ' Every needle selected - over 100 years reputation.On packet No.4/8 Abel Morrall's Egg Eyed Needles.handcrafts, equipment

Representative of last phase of needlemaking in the Alcester area of WarwickshireManufactured in latter years of British haberdashery manufacturers dominance.Glass tube needle holder with silver coloured lid, contains ten gold eyed needles, lid has a rough edge. Diamond shaped labelLabel: 3/7. Allwood Blackband, Alcester, Sharps. A B Cneedles

Used as display in AMSA workshop foyer, Moorabbin, Vic. Nautical charts x 2 , The framed and glazed chart identifies strategic points in the notorious Bass Strait passage, which in the nineteenth century was known as the ‘Eye of the Needle’. It covers the whole of Tasmania, Bass Strait and the islands, and the lower part of Victoria with its coastline between Cape Otway and Gabo Island. The chart has an electric cord connecting it to a wall switch which enables a series of small lights to flash on strategic geographical locations.. While it is not known if it is original to Wilsons Promontory, it certainly elates to its location. A similar chart at Cape Otway shows less of Tasmania and is not electrified. Gabo Island Lightstation has two large framed charts; one is the same as the Wilsons Promontory example but without the lights and the other is entirely different, focussing on the east coast between Point Hicks and Montague Island. The Wilsons Promontory chart is unique as an illuminated version of the other charts and has first level significance if its provenance to the lightstation can be confirmed.The framed and glazed chart has an electric cord connecting it to a wall switch which enables a series of small lights to flash on strategic geographical locations.Yes

Mother of pearl particularly popular in early Victoria era. Mother of pearl covered needlebook with engraved covers. Maroon silk ribbon repair stitched through MOP forms back hinge and tie. Pink flannel leaf holding calyx-eyed needles.Engraved silk, flannel, mother of pearl, steel needles

Souvenir ware production in England grew in conjunction with the industrial revolution, railways and rising middle class. Mauchline ware manufacturers produced many sewing items, this is one of those. Weymouth was a seaside resort which George III had favoured in the era when visiting the seaside was seen as good for the health.Mauchline ware souvenirs represent the growth of transport and the middle class in UK. Weymouth had become a popular seaside resort after George III regularly visited.Needle book with mauchline ware sycamore wood cover. front cover showing transfer ware image of Bourke Street, Melbourne. Purple velvet hinge, purple silk lining with pockets inside the covers for needle packets. Replacement leaf of cream coloured wool flannel with pinked edges. Contains two needles and one packet of four calyx eyed needlesBourke Street, Melbournemauchline ware, needlebook

This item is one of several in a collection of tools that are believed to have been owned by the Warrnambool carpenter and businessman, Henry Phillips. The needles are bag needles, used with leather or string to sew up and enclose hessian bags etc. English-born Henry Phillips (1821-1896) came to Australia with his wife Elizabeth in 1849. They lived for some time in Port Fairy. In 1865 Henry formed a partnership with Christopher Beattie to establish the Warrnambool undertaking business of Beattie and Phillips. This business continued on after the deaths of the founders and lasted until the year 2000. In Warrnambool Henry Phillips was involved in the management of the Mechanics Institute.This is a wooden case, elliptical in shape, with a detachable lid. The case is pointed at both ends. The lid is bound at one end with several strands of string. The case contains twelve metal needles of varying lengths and eye hole sizes. Two of the needles have curved ends and several have flattened middle sections. The needles are much rusted and the case is stained.Made in Englandvintage tools, henry phillips

This needle case belonged to Nina Ayers (nee Casement) 1891-1972. She was taught sewing by her aunt, Blanche Casement, with whom Nina lived after her mother died when she was seven. NIna and her husband, Arthur Ayers 1887-1964 lived in Avonsleigh 1929-1964. Nina, in turn, gave this needle case to her daughter Frances Ayers who later married the grandson of Carl Axel Nobelius.This needle case belonged to a local woman whose daughter was related by marriage to the Nobelius family, and it tells a story of sewing skills passed from mother to daughter.Attractive small needle case with red background and red and gold lettering. At one end is a small hole for dispensing needles and a top able to be swivelled to the correct needle compartment. Inside the case are five compartments for dispensing five different needle sizes. (There are no needles now in the case.)On side of needle case: 'THE /CROSS-FOX / NEEDLE CASE / ABELL MORALL LTD /REDDITCH ENGLAND / TRADE MARK' On bottom of needle case: ' BEST ENGLISH EGG EYED SNAPS / CONTAINING 50' On top of needle case: 'ABELL MORALL / CROSS FOX / NEEDLE CASE / REDDITCH ENGLAND'nina casement, arthur ayers, blanche casement, sewing, avonsleigh, carl axel nobelius

A lawyers bodkin is like a large sewing needle with a wooden handle. Used for putting holes in documents so they can be bound together. This particular bodkin is in its original box.lawyers bodkin with eye, bodkin, lawyers bodkin

The Skaregrøm was a swedish windjammer. On his log during his time on the Skaregrøm Captain Archie Horka often mentions "Chile John" or "Chileno/Chilano John". He also mentions his real name John Oyarzo, probably Juan Oyarzo (see Sea History Magazine). His name, although misspelled, is written in the Freda Oxley album.The picture shows one of the work on board a sailing ship. It also demonstrates how international ship crew were at the time. The photograph was published in the annual report for 1926.Sailor with grey shirt and cap sitting on the deck of the ship, repairing sails. Around his right hand is one of the sailmaker tool: the sailmaker sewing palm is a leather strap with metal piece on the palm called the eye. This piece has indentations to accept the head of the needle as you push it through the cloth. The number 14 at the back indicates the photograph was previously on one of the grey album pages with the legend: "Chilean sailmaker on the Skaregrom".in pencil: "cut off"is written twice on the top and bottom of the photograph. Number 14 was added later in black inkskaregrom, sailing ship, sailmaker, skaregrøm, chilean, sailor, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), weller album, windjammer, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, juan oyarzo, john oyarzo

snape collection

Sewing Kit in burgundy box, gold line around base. Hinged lid with bottom part of locking clasp missing. Kit contains 3 packs John James & Son needles, Sharps Egg Eyed, gold burnished and Gold Inlaid Grooveless Betweens. There are 4 sewing tools in lid.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sewing kit

This needle was owned and used by Dr William Geoffrey Wicks and was referred to as a "boomerang needle". [source: Curator Sue Barnett, 2000] The needle is similar to Ralph Worralll's broad ligament needle, page a/210, Felton, Grimwade & Duerdins catalogue 1948. Handwritten label on object describes it as a "Frank Forster needle for cervical cerclage. note variation from original design - longer shaft & handle'. Broad ligament needle with slot eye. Distal end of metal shaft tapers at an angle to a needle point. Proximal end of needle shaft forks to create a handle shape with a rounded bulb at the end. Underside on needle is stamped "J.AUSTIN" and "STAINLESS". "J. AUSTIN" "STAINLESS"surgery

1/2 Circle, Spring Eye, Size 22mm, 6 x 1 Pkt.alcester surgical needles - french intestinal

1600 Eye Curved, Size No 5, 1/2 Doz.templar surgical neddles

The AlgerBrush II is used by ophthalmologists, ER physicians and, optometrists who are trained and licensed to remove foreign bodies from the eye of a patient.Cylindrical shape stainless steel container. Lid can be removed to reveal a needle which was used to extract rust, etc from eyes (medical equipment)Algerbrush spin start (with an arrow)medical equipment, hospital, eyes,

Semi circular, round metal object with flat and blunt on one end, sharp point on the other end. Below the sharp point is a round hole or eye in the neddle. Threaded with a piece of twine.None

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Packet of Prym Sewing Needles. Best silvered eyed sharps. Size6/8handcrafts, equipment, handcrafts, dressmaking, handcrafts, embroidery, handcrafts, needlework, domestic items, sewing

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Packet of gold Sewing Needles sharps. Size 2Queen Royal Gold Eyed sharpshandcrafts, equipment, dressmaking, embroidery, needlework, domestic items, sewing

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Packet of patently Wrapped Sewing Needles drilled Eyed Straw. Size 4/8.H Milward & Sons patently wrapped strawhandcrafts, equipment, handcrafts, dressmaking, handcrafts, embroidery, handcrafts, needlework, domestic items, sewing

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Packet of Sewing Needles. Size 3/8 - Egg eyed sharpsT & J Holyokes Original Diamond Egg Eyed Sharps.handcrafts, equipment, handcrafts, dressmaking, handcrafts, embroidery, handcrafts, needlework, domestic items, sewing

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Packet of Sewing Needles. Size 7 - Drilled eyed betweensH Milward & Sons - Patently Wrappedhandcrafts, equipment, handcrafts, dressmaking, handcrafts, embroidery, handcrafts, needlework, domestic items, sewing

From Betty McPhee Collection of Sewing Equipment.Cylinder of Sewing Needles. Size assorted. Best English Egg EyedAbel & Morall - Cross Fox Needle Casehandcrafts, equipment, dressmaking, embroidery, needlework, domestic items, sewing

Owned by Patrice's grandmother, Elsie Doris Whitten nee Williams.Needle package containing 5 needles with information on cover.Superior egg eyed double long No.2. Manufactured by A Shrimpton & Son Redditch Englandsewing, needle

Tulle-bi-telli or Assuit – a textile which marries cotton or linen with small strips of metal. The name translates roughly as "net with metal". It is heavy, and retains heat, but is favoured for its ability to drape. The embroidery is applied by hand. Thin strips of alloy are threaded onto a flat, wide needle with a flat, wide eye. Alloy is used because pure silver would blacken with age and would be impossible to clean, and gold would be too costly. Each strip is approximately 1/8" wide and 18" to 24" long. The strips are threaded into the mesh, criss-crossed, flattened with the fingernails, and cut. The fabric is then stamped down, and when the designs are finished, the fabric is passed through a roller to flatten the metal even more. References are made to its use with Egyptian linen in the Bible and there is a 3000 year old example with gold strips in a Berlin Museum. Assuit has been used in Hollywood productions such as the 1934 Cecil B DeMille film Cleopatra. It was draped on Hedy Lamaar in Samson and Delilah in 1949; and the geometric designs were popular with the Art Deco movement, beginning around 1925Metal thread embroidery using silver coloured alloy metal plate on cotton/linen net. Creating geometric patterns and motifs. Velvet ribbon on neckline and hemline and shoulder seams.clothing, art deco, egypt

Tulle-bi-telli or Assuit shawl – a textile which marries cotton or linen with small strips of metal. The name translates roughly as "net with metal". It is heavy, and retains heat, but is favoured for its ability to drape. The embroidery is applied by hand. Thin strips of alloy are threaded onto a flat, wide needle with a flat, wide eye. Alloy is used because pure silver would blacken with age and would be impossible to clean, and gold would be too costly. Each strip is approximately 1/8" wide and 18" to 24" long. The strips are threaded into the mesh, criss-crossed, flattened with the fingernails, and cut. The fabric is then stamped down, and when the designs are finished, the fabric is passed through a roller to flatten the metal even more. References are made to its use with Egyptian linen in the Bible and there is a 3000 year old example with gold strips in a Berlin Museum. Assuit has been used in Hollywood productions such as the 1934 Cecil B DeMille film Cleopatra. It was draped on Hedy Lamaar in Samson and Delilah in 1949; and the geometric designs were popular with the Art Deco movement, beginning around 1925Metal thread embroidery using silver coloured alloy metal plate on cream coloured cotton/linen net. Creating geometric patterns and motifs of ladies, camels, birds and tree of Life.

A Bodkin is shaped like an oversized sewing needle with a blunt point and large eye and is used to pull a drawstring through a fabric casing- an essential to clothes fastenings for centuries.When most clothes were laced, bodkins were essential tool for dressing. This is a luxury item in which to store bodkins Cylindrical ivory bodkin case decorated with bas relief classical design of two cherubs, four 'beaded' rings and flower and leaf motifs on each end. Cap has horn edging. Containing three bodkinsbodkin