Showing 28 items
matching gangway
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Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "DO NOT STAND IN GANGWAY'", 1950's
Sign - engraved brass sheet, with black lettering and lining on the outside, with three screw holes along the top edge. The top of the sign has been folded to enable it to be fitted to the tram body. "DO NOT STAND IN GANGWAY'trams, tramways, signs, tramcars, tramways, passenger signs -
Port of Echuca
Photograph (sepia), approx 1850's
Sepia photograph of Hopwood's Punt, showing the gangway extended to river bank. There are 5 workmen, dressed in work clothes and boots, at the front of the punt and 2 gentlemen, dressed in coats and umbrellas. Stock, produce (possibly wool bales) and people are on board. There are 3 horses hitched to a wagon and behind there looks like a large consignment of wool bales. There appears to be women at the side of the punt (1 with an umbrella up). At the side of the punt there appears to be a passenger landing. There is also a small row boat tied to the side of the punt. Wagons, barge and possibly other punts are in the background. There was a painting of this scene by J. C. Armytage around 1857.This is a very good example of the cargo, people, produce and animals, that were using the punt to cross the Murray river in the late 1800s. The difference between workers and gentry can be seen as well as the modes of transport at this time.Sepia photograph of Hopwood's Punt, showing the gangway extended to river bank. Stock, produce (possibly wool bales) and people are on board. Wagons, barge and possibly other punts are in the background. Mounted on buff cardboard printed with red lines and letters.On the front at the top, above the red boarder "Royal", at the bottom below the red boarder "Hopwood's Punt, Echuca". On the reverse, "W. B. Payne, Darling St., Echuca"murray river, echuca, hopwood's punt, j. c. armytage (painter) -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Digital copy, Black and white, Kerr Bros Studio, c. 1955
The photograph shows a ship visit. It is historically significant and thought to be one of a series of photographs linked to a publicity campaign circa 1955-1956 promoting the work of the Mission. The campaign partly inspired by the Centenary year of the Mission in Australia (1956) also resulted in the production of a black and white short film "The Flying Angel", featuring and Padre Oliver and the work of the Mission was deposited in 2016 with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, (ACMI) Federation Square, Melbourne.Padre Frank Oliver, Chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers 1930 - 1960 led the Mission through a period of significant changes through the mid 20th C. This image is one of a series of key images showing the work of the Mission Chaplain in the Post WWII period. Father Frank Oliver wearing uniform including officers cap walking up a gangway and being met by a group of four men. There is a fifth man standing slightly to the left of the photograph.Discolouration on the bottom left and top centre of the photograph.uniform, machinery, ship, crew, gangway, deck, handshake, chains, rope, buoy, pulleys, rivets, padre oliver, frank leslie oliver, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, seamen's mission, robin kent, kerr bros studio -
Bendigo Military Museum
Banner - BANNER, HMAS BENDIGO, RAN
Gangway banner from the Fremantle class Patrol boat HMAS Bendigo (11) P211. Decommissioned at Cairns on 9 September 2006. Two banners presented to Training Ship Bendigo staff - one for RSL Museum and one for Training Ship.This is a heavy duty vinyl banner used on the ships gangway. Background colour is blue with the words HMAS BENDIGO printed in yellow paint along the banner. At each end of the banner is the crest of HMAS BENDIGO. The crest shows a rope circle and in the centre is the top of a battlement with the flag of the Southern Cross. Above the rope circle is a stylised crown with parts of a sailing ship on the crown. Under the rope circle are a stone axe, a nulla nulla and a boomerang. Under the weapons on a banner are the words in English "Advance with Purpose". The banner has numerous brass eyelets around the borders.ran, hmas bendigo -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - General Arrangement for gangway at Outer West berth, Station Pier, Port Melbourne, Port of Melbourne Authority, 1987
Plan - General Arrangement - Gangway - Station Pier - Outer West Berthpiers and wharves - station pier, melbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - Structural Arrangement for gangway at Outer West berth, Station Pier, Port Melbourne, Port of Melbourne Authority, 1987
Plan - Structural Arrangement - Gangway Outer West Berth - Station Pierpiers and wharves - station pier, melbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - Elevations at Concourse Level for gangway at Outer West berth, Station Pier, Port Melbourne, Port of Melbourne Authority, 1987
Plan - Elevations at Concourse Level - Gangway Station Pier - Outer West Berthpiers and wharves - station pier, melbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - Details at Concourse Level for gangway at Outer West berth, Station Pier, Port Melbourne, Port of Melbourne Authority, 1987
Plan - Details at Concourse Level - Gangway - Station Pier - Outer West Berthpiers and wharves - station pier, melbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - Operation geometry of temporary gantry, Inner East, Ferry Terminal, Station Pier, Port Melbourne, Engineering Division, Port of Melbourne Authority, 20 May 1985
Plan - Operation geometry of temporary gangway at Station Pier Inner East Ferry Terminalmelbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign, Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board (MMTB), "PASSENGERS MUST NOT STAND IN GANGWAYS ", 1940's?
Sign - engraved brass sheet, with black lettering and lining on the outside and screw holes in each corner with the words. "PASSENGERS MUST NOT STAND IN GANGWAYS ON LEFT SIDE OF CAR / NO PERSON SHALL REFUSE TO LEAVE GANGWAY WHEN REQUESTED BY CONDUCTOR / MAXIMUM PENALTY FIVE POUNDS"trams, tramways, signs, tramcars, tramways, passenger signs, behaviour -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - KS Anderson, Chairman, Port of Portland Authority, n.d
Port of Portland Authority archivesFront: (no inscriptions) Back: KS Anderson/ Chairman/ PPA (blue pen, lower left)port of portland archives, k s anderson -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Arthur Caldwell greeting immigrants, Fairfax media, 1950
Black and white photo of Arthur Calwell (Labor Politician - Minister for Immigration) bending down to greet a woman and two small boys. Ship gangway and luggage in backgroundimmigration, politics, arthur calwell -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - Inner East, Station Pier, Ferry Terminal, Port of Melbourne Authority, Greg Lawrence, 1985
Plan of Station Pier - Inner East - Ferry Terminal. Cross section at rear passenger doors - Elevation gangway in stationary position. Port of Melbourne Authority 1985.transport - ferries, piers and wharves - station pier, melbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Sign - Victorian Railways - notice to passengers, Victorian Railways (VR)
Used by the Victorian Railways in their tramcars to advise passengers re payment of fares, standing in gangways, alighting and not leaving the tramcar on the wrong side.Demonstrates the method of advising passengers re their behaviour or duties.Sign - enamel white letters on a black background with screw holes in each corner.signs, trams, tramcars, victorian railways, behaviour -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Sign - Warning Sign - Passengers must not stand, "Passengers must not stand..."
Sign advising passengers that they must not stand in gangways on the left side of cars and a penalty if refused to leave by the Conductor. The penalty appears to start with a 2. May not be relevant to SEC tramcars.Demonstrates signs used on tramcars to advise passengers of their behaviour.Enamel sign - black letters on a white base with screw holes at either end.signs, passengers, tramways, tramcars, btm, ballarat tramways -
Bay Steamers Maritime Museum
Photograph, Steam Tug Wattle at Rye Pier, c. 01/2000
One of a series of photographs taken by Michael Ritchie who was enthusiastic deck hand on Wattle. Photographs taken when Wattle was at Rye for the Christmas/New Year period, most likely 1997. Sailing schedule,shows 5 cruises per day, ticket prices, cruise destination of Seal Colony.and tea, coffee & scrolls available. Colour photograph of Wattle moored at Rye Pier, looking to stern. Gangway, lifeboat, signs, Red Ensign visible. Skipper Leigh Doeg selling tickets to 2 parents,2 children on right hand side of photographsteam tug wattle, rye pier, seal colony cruises, leigh doeg, michael ritchie -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - Setting temporary gangway at Inner East berth Station Pier for Tasmanian ferry Abel Tasman, Engineering Division, Port of Melbourne Authority, 1984
Plan: cross section at passenger doors showing deck levels - ship empty highest allowable tide (Drawing used in the setting up of temporary gangway at the Inner East berth of Station Pier for the vessel Abel Tasman) 1984melbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority, piers and wharves - station pier, abel tasman -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Plan - Setting temporary gangway at Inner East berth Station Pier for Tasmanian ferry Abel Tasman, Engineering Division, Port of Melbourne Authority, 1984
Plan: cross section at passenger doors showing deck levels - ship full lowest allowable tide (Drawing used in the setting up of temporary gangway at the Inner East berth of Station Pier for the vessel Abel Tasman), 1984melbourne harbor trust - port of melbourne authority, piers and wharves - station pier, abel tasman -
Bendigo Military Museum
Sign - SIGN, STEP WAY, GANGWAY
Sign identifying HMAS BENDIGO which was a Fremantle Class Patrol Boat - Decommissioned on 9th Sept 2006. Originally laid down in 1981. Sourced from CPO Graham Lennon.Steel sign silver in colour. "BENDIGO" written in large block green letters. Identification of type of boat written on other side in purple and the No. 304 randomly stamped on back.Front: "BENDIGO". Back: Written in Texta "STB SIDE F/MANTLE CLASS P/B STEP PLATE: GANGWAY. NO. "304" Randomly stamped on back multiple times.hmas bendigo, gangway sign, navy -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Photographs, Early 20th Century
See history of the Clarke family on Register 325-11.325-16 - Sepia photograph of three men talking on the ferry Alvina. Jack Spaven on the left, Mr Candy talking to Cpt Jimmy Clarke in the background. Taken 1930's. 325-17 - Small sepia photograph of Captain Jimmy Clarke. 325-18 - Sepia photograph of Captain George Clarke. 325-19 - Sepia photograph of three people on the S.S.Alvina. Captain Jimmy Clarke on the right, adjusting the gangway. Other people unknown. 325-20 - Sepia photograph in solid cardboard mount of the Clarke homestead in San Remo, Victoria. 325-21 - Small sepia photograph of Jack Clarke in 1901. 325-22 - Black & White photograph of Violet and Jack Clarke. Violet was Jack & Jimmy's sister.Some inscriptions written on by Arthur Woodley. 325-16 - "Taken in the 1930's, Mr Candy talking to Captain J. L. Clarke on "Alvina", Jack Spaven on left. 325-18 - "Daddy on way home at San Remo" - Capt. G. P. Clarke at San Remo. 325-19 - "Captain Jimmy Clarke, right, adjusting the gangway on S. S. Alvina 1920's - other people not known". 325-20 - "Our old home at San Remo". "Clarke's old home". "Home of Captain George Clarke. He dies 1904" 325-21 - "In 1901". "Captain Jimmy Clarke's twin brother. Jimmy would have been at sea then". 325-22 - "Jack& Vi at Punt Road, Sth Yarra". "Jack Clarke was Captai Jimmy Clarke's twin brother, Violet the sister".jimmy clarke, jack clarke, violet clarke, captain george clarke, jack spaven, mr candy, ss alvina, clarke's home san remo, arthur woodley -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Sign, Victorian Railways, VR Tramways, 1920's
Sign - enamelled on a metal plate with screw holes in each corner - white letters on black background - fitted to a Victorian Railways Tramcar - regarding having exact fare ready, not standing in gangway, alighting and do not leave or join on the wrong side. Advised by Tony Smith of MTPS 5/8/2016 a sign from a VR tramcar. Has a number of them. String through top two corners was fitted to the donated item.trams, tramways, signs, passengers, vr, victorian railways, fares, conductors -
Bendigo Military Museum
Banner - BANNER, HMAS LABUAN, RAN
This is a long blue gangway banner. It has numerous eyelets around the border. In the centre are the words in yellow paint, HMAS LABUAN. On the right end is an image of a stylised green and gold frog with the words "Amphibious Forces" . On the left end is the ships crest. It has a rope circle. In the center is a five pointed crown. Above the rope is the word "LABUAN" , above that is a crown with parts of a sailing ship, under the rope are a Nulla Nulla, a stone axe and a Boomerang. Under the weapons is the phase in English " Fail Not". ships banner, hmas labuan -
Frankston RSL Sub Branch
Photograph
Photograph of Australian Army World War 2 servicemen boarding a ship with weapons and full kit. The men are infantry embarking for an overseas posting. Nine soldiers, looking back over their shoulder, are depicted as they make their way up a gangway to a ship. One soldier can be identified with his name and part of his service number prominently displayed on his kitbag. The soldier is James Ellis Liebe, service number VX21644. This photograph appeared in the Melbourne Sun newspaper of the time and a copy of the photograph was obtained by his family. This photograph is a modern reproduction.Liebe J E VX21644 -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Newspaper, The Sun, “Tramming it in comfort”, 24/03/1973 12:00:00 AM
Newspaper clipping titled: “Tramming it in comfort” The Sun, 24/3/73 Photo and text of Melbourne’s newest tram Equipped with stop lights and indicators. Melbourne’s newest tram made first appearance at Preston workshops. Orange undercoat. Wide gangways give tram a spacious look, brown padded seats for 48 people. Even heated. Will take another 5 years at present rate of production for 99 others. Transport minister, Wilcox, said can travel at 45 mph. Number of people travelling on trams has increased in the past six months.trams, tramways, prototype tramcar, bourke st, preston workshops, tram 1041 -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, A blue Harris electric train heads towards Union Road, Surrey Hills
The Harris blue electric trains were introduced in c1955 and followed the 'Red Rattlers'. They had a long life and were named after Norman Charles Harris, Chairman of Commissioners of the Victorian Railways, between 1940 and 1950. The first 30 7-carriage trains, known as the first series, were constructed in the United Kingdom by Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, and delivered between 1956 and 1959. Another 30, the second series, were built by Martin & King in Melbourne, and delivered between 1961 and 1967. The trains had either two or three sets of hand-operated dual sliding doors per carriage side. Later they were fitted with power doors. Initially, until late 1978, the interiors were split into smoking and no-smoking compartments. In 1978 smoking on trains was abolished. Carriages were also designated as First or Second class until 1958, when one class travel was introduced. they had florescent lights but no heating. Most of the early carriages did not have end doors and gangways between carriages, but safety concerns led these being incorporated in the sets delivered from mid-1966. With the exceptions of the last few carriages built, all Harris trains contained asbestos insulation. The first sets contained blue asbestos, and the later sets contained white asbestos in the linings for insulation of noise and temperature. Due to the presence of asbestos, they began to be withdrawn from the mid-1980s and most were disposed of in the 1990s, by being buried at Talbot Quarry in Clayton, some having been wrapped in plastic. No original Harris trailer cars remain. A coloured photograph of a blue Harris electric train heading towards Surrey Hills station from Mont Albert station. The electricity sub-station and Lorne Parade are on the RHS of the photo and Beresford Street on the LHS. The grey, smoggy appearance of the sky suggests a winter's morning.surrey hills, trains, lorne parade, beresford street, norman charles harris, gloucester railway carriage and wagon company, martin & king, talbot quarry, harris blue train -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Steel Sample, ca. 1876
The sample of steel from which the S.S. Julia Percy’s boiler was made has been tested, according to the attached label. The test involved heating the steel to blood red temperature (or dark red colour) then dipping it into water and bending it when it was cold. A “very severe test for quality” was written on the ticket by T.H. Osborne. (Mr Thomas Hamilton Osborne was the secretary for the Western Steam Navigation Co, established in Warrnambool in 1886. The company’s office was on the corner of Timor and Liebig Streets in Warrnambool and its north-western wall is now part of the current Warrnambool Regional Art Gallery. ) Cold bending of steel in a press or through rollers is the typical method of curving steel for construction. The steel needs to be manufactured in such a way that it is strong enough yet still flexible enough not to crack when bent or rolled. The boiler on the Julia Percy could have been a Scotch Boiler, a design introduced in the 1870’s and still being used today. This design was more robust that previous boilers, generating higher working steam pressures. The design incorporate greater ability to roll iron plates, leading to greater strength, thicker plating and fewer riveted joints. They were originally made of iron then later incorporated steel sections until they were entirely constructed of steel. Many examples of this type of boiler can be found on wreck sites. Shipping was the cheapest and most practical means of carrying produce and goods during the period 1840-1890. Regular domestic steamer services commenced in the Warrnambool district in the late 1850’s and by 1870 the passenger trade was booming. Produce was loaded from the jetty into ‘lighters’ (small boats), which took it to the ships at anchorage in the bay. Passengers were taken to the ship’s side then climbed aboard up ladders or gangways. The coming of the railway in October 1889 meant the gradual decline and end of the steam shipping era. Originally the ship was known as the SS Julia Percy and was later renamed as the Leeuwin. She was an iron passenger-cargo steam ship built in Glasgow by Thomas Wingate for the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company, which commissioned the ship for the steamship trade in Victoria’s western district. She was first registered in Warrnambool, Victoria in 1876. At one point in time the Julia Percy would sail from Warrnambool to Melbourne every Friday and return from Melbourne to Warrnambool every Tuesday. The cost of a return ticket for a Saloon Fare was £1.0.0. She would sail “if practical and weather permitting”. The Julia Percy changed hands several times. Her next owner was the Western Steam Navigaiton Co of Melbourne (1887). It was the manager of this company, Mr. T.H. Osborne, who tagged ths steel sample above. Melbourne Steamship Co became the next owners (1890), followed by William Howard Smith and Sons (1901) for use in Queensland coastal trades, then she was bought by George Turnbull in 1903 and used for local mail contract in Western Australia. She was sold to the Melbourne Steamship Company Ltd. (1906) and re-named the Leeuwi but continued in her Western Australian coastal run. She was converted into a coal hulk in Melbourne in 1910 as a result of damaged caused when she was driven against the jetty at Dongara during a gale. The ship was eventually dismantled and scuttled in Bass Strait on 28 December 1934. The steel sample is significant for its association with the wreck of the Leeuwin (Julia Percy), which is on the Victorian Heritage Register. It is historically significant for being a rare artefact that has potential to interpret aspects of western Victoria’s 19th century steamship trade and Victorian cultural history, including the testing and manufacturing process associated with steam power. Leeuwin is listed on the Victorian heritage Register as being historically significant ‘as one of only four wrecks of steamships in Victorian waters associated with the western district of Victoria’s coastal steamship trade. Her registered number is VHR S413. A sample of the steel from which the boiler of the "SS Julia Percy" (later named Leeuwin) was made. The piece of steel is a ‘C’ shape with the ends almost meeting. A luggage ticket is tied onto the steel and has an inscription on it. The steel is rusty.Ticket with typed information “Steel of which the Boiler of the “Julia Percy” (Warrnambool Steam Navigation Co) was made. TEST: Made Blood hot or Dark Red then dipped into water and bent cold. A very severe test for quality T.H. Osborne. Below these words is the hand written inscription in black “FM 151 / 9.75” julia percy, leeuwin, steel, boiler, steam ship, metal testing, western steam navigation co., flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, t.h. osborne -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Craft - Ship Model, S.S. Nelson, 1877 - 1984
This beautifully made ship model is a side relief of the steam ship “S.S. Nelson”, which was launched in 1877. The model’s case stands out because of its ornately carved internal frame. Relief models of ships, sometimes called half models, were often built by the shipbuilders as an exact scale model of the finished ship. The shipbuilders would use the model to ensure that the design was balanced. They would use the model as a point of reference during building. Also, ship models were used to demonstrate the designs to prospective buyers. It is not known whether this model of the “S.S. Nelson” was made for these purposes. HISTORY of the “S.S. Nelson” During the period 1840-1890 shipping was the cheapest and most practical means of carrying produce and goods to and from coastal towns such as Warrnambool. In the 1850s regular domestic steamer services began and by 1870 the passenger trade was booming. Passengers were taken to the ship’s side in small boats called lighters, which took it to ships at anchorage in Lady Bay, then climbed aboard up ladders or gangways. Their fare covered accommodation Saloon/Cabin section (higher class and more expensive) or the Steerage section (lower class and less expensive, below deck level). Produce included livestock such as pigs and fowls, and dairy products, bales of wool, and potatoes. The goods were loaded from the Warrnambool Jetty into the lighters. The S.S. Nelson was built by Messrs Blackwood and Gordon of Port Glasgow for a cost £25,000 in 1877. She was an iron screw steamer with an overall length of 200 feet, beam 25.5 feet and a depth of hold of 19.4 feet, which gave her a gross measurement of 649 tons. Her engines gave her a best speed of 13 knots and a maintainable speed of 12 knots. She was described as a handsome, star decked, efficient steamship, fitted with accommodating for 75 first class passengers in a saloon, and 40 second class passengers in a cabin. The S.S. Nelson arrived in the colony of Victoria on March 9th, 1877. She was first registered in Warrnambool by the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company under the management of Mr William Evans, and employed in the coastal trade of south west Victoria. She was very popular in 1878, registered under the new ownership of the Western Steamship Navigation Company, trading between Melbourne, Warrnambool and Portland. Captained John Nicholson commanded the S.S. Nelson after the previous captain, Thomas Smith, was suspended in 1882 for six months by the Victorian Steam Navigation Board following the collision between the S.S. Nelson and the S.S. Julia Percy. Other Captains include S Drewet and John Thompson. The S.S. Nelson was sold to Messrs. Huddart, Parker and Co. and re-registered in Melbourne on June 23rd, 1890. The new owners intended to use her for their Bass Strait crossing between Melbourne, Victoria and Launceston, Tasmania. On the night of Friday, June 27th 1890, under the command of Captain Carrington, she was on her way to Launceston on her first crossing for her new owners. She had no passengers and very little cargo and was to return to Melbourne with passengers the following morning. She was only 21 hours out of the dock when she struck Porpoise Rock in the Tamar River. All crew of 25 were saved but the bulkheads gave way and she rapidly filled before keeling over and disappearing in approximately 130 feet of water. The new owners had fully insured the almost 14-year-old S.S. Nelson with the Australian Alliance Insurance Company and she had only been in their possession for four days. This ship model of the S.S. Nelson is significant for its connection with the steam screw ship S.S. Nelson, one of a fleet of vessels owned by the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company. The S.S. Nelson was specifically built and purchased for the Victorian coastal trade business of the late 19th century, when shipping was the cheapest and most practical means of transporting goods and passengers between Victoria’s coastal towns and the major port at Melbourne. Once the railway came to Warrnambool in 1889, the steam shipping industry began to decline.Ship model; relief of the S.S. Nelson, showing deck superstructure, ventilators and single funnel. Ship's name is painted on the bow "NELSON". Wood model, varnished finish over natural wood and black painted areas. Timber case with ornate edging and glass front and sides."NELSON" painted on bowflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, s.s. nelson steam ship 1877, screw steamer, 1877 vessel, ship model s.s. nelson, blackwood and gordon port glasgow, warrnambool steam packet company, western steam navigation company, south west coast trader, sea transport melbourne to portland, victorian steam navigation board, s.s. julia percey, captain john nicholson, captain thomas smith, captain s drewet, captain john thompson, captain carrington, huddart, parker and co, bass strait crossing 1890, sea transport melbourne to launceston, porpoise rock tamar river, australian alliance insurance company, ship model making, vessels, victorian coastal trader -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Document, 12-01-1882
This hand written letter, in black ink script on blue lined paper, is impressed with the official stamp of the Victoria Steam Navigation Board. The left margin has the reference “S82/12" It is transcribed: "Victoria Steam Navigation Board, Melbourne, January 12th 1882 To Frederick Chapman, Master, S.S. "Julia Percy" You are herewith furnished with a copy of the report of the Official Court which assembled to enquire into the circumstances attending the collision between the steamers "Julia Percy" and "Nelson" off Apollo Bay near Cape Otway on the morning of the 25th December 1881, and you are hereby expected to attend at the Board Room, Custom House, Melbourne, at 2pm, on 13th January instant to show cause why you should not be censured accordingly. [Signature] Secretary" This document refers to the matter of a collision between two steamships, the Julia Percy and the Nelson, on 25th December 1881. The Julia Percy was at that time owned by her first owners, the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company, and she sailed under the command of Captain Chapman. She had left Melbourne the evening of 24th December, with about 150 passengers, sailing in fine weather through Port Phillip Heads around 9pm. She was headed for Warrnambool, Belfast (now named Port Fairy) and Portland. The Julia Percy was off Apollo Bay when Captain Chapman was woken by the ship’s whistle after midnight, the steamer Nelson being on a collision course with the Julia Percy.[See Link.] The Nelson struck Julia Percy midship. Boats were lowered from the ship (apart from a damaged lifeboat) and about 30-40 of the passengers boarded the Nelson. The engine room and the forehold were checked and found clear of water. The company manager, Mr Evans, had been on the Nelson, so he boarded and inspected the Julia Percy and the decision was made to continue on to Warrnambool with the passengers as there appeared to be no immediate danger. However, Captain Thomas Smith said the Nelson was taking on water, so Julia Percy followed her for about an hour towards Melbourne on standby in case of need. Then Julia Percy turned around towards Warrnambool again. Shortly afterwards the Nelson turned to follow her, the ships stopped and passengers were returned to Julia Percy, and three from Julia Percy boarded the Nelson. Both ships proceeded on their way. Julia Percy passed Cape Otway light afterwards, signalling that there had been a collision. It was discovered later that one of the passengers was missing, then thought to have boarded the Nelson but later thought to have fallen into the sea and drowned while trying to jump from Julia Percy to Nelson. There had been 3 tickets purchased under the same name of that passenger “Cutler”; a father, son and friend named Wordsworth, which had caused quite some confusion. No further mishap occurred to either ship and both the Julia Percy and the Nelson reached their destinations safely. An enquiry was instigated by the Victoria Steam Navigation Board regarding the cause of the accident between the two steamships, in connection with the death of Cutler who was supposed to have lost his life by the collision. The enquiry resulted in the following decision: "The Victorian Steam Navigation Board having taken into consideration the points urged by Captain Thos [Thomas] Smith and also by his legal advisers, is of opinion that the charge prepared against him has been sustained, but taking into consideration Captain Smith’s previous good conduct and character, the board suspends his master’s certificate No 227 issued by this board for a period of six calendar months from this date – Robert Fullarton, Chairman. “The Victorian Steam Navigation Board having beard the statement of Captain Frederick Chapman urged in his defense to the charge of dereliction of duty as master of the Julia Percy, in having no standing order on board that vessel to be called in the event of any approaching steamer’s lights being seen, find such charge sustained, and censure him accordingly – Robert Fullarton, Chairman.” ABOUT “JULIA PERCY” The S.S. Julia Percy (later named Leeuwin ) was an iron passenger-cargo steam ship built in 1876. At one point in time the Julia Percy would sail from Warrnambool to Melbourne every Friday and return from Melbourne to Warrnambool every Tuesday. The cost of a return ticket for a Saloon Fare was £1.0.0. She would sail “if practical and weather permitting”. Shipping was the cheapest and most practical means of carrying produce and goods during the period 1840-1890. Regular domestic steamer services commenced in the Warrnambool district in the late 1850’s and by 1870 the passenger trade was booming. Produce was loaded from the jetty into ‘lighters’ (small boats), which took it to the ships at anchorage in the bay. Passengers were taken to the ship’s side then climbed aboard up ladders or gangways. The coming of the railway in October 1889 meant the gradual decline and end of the steam shipping era. The Julia Percy was built in Glasgow by Thomas Wingate & Company, Whiteinch, in 1876 for the Warrnambool Steam Packet Company, which commissioned her for trade in Victoria’s western district. She was first registered in Warrnambool, Victoria in 1876. The Julia Percy changed hands several times. Her next owner was the Western Steam Navigation Co (1887), managed by Mr. T.H. Osborne (the company’s office was on the corner of Timor and Liebig Streets, Its north-western wall is now part of the current Warrnambool Regional Art Gallery. ) The Melbourne Steamship Co became the next owners (1890), followed by William Howard Smith and Sons (1901) for use in Queensland coastal trades, then she was bought by George Turnbull in 1903 and used for local mail contract in Western Australia. The Julia Percy was sold to the Melbourne Steamship Company Ltd. (1906) and re-named the “Leeuwin” but continued in her Western Australian coastal run. She was converted into a coal hulk in Melbourne in 1910 as a result of damaged caused when she was driven against the jetty at Dongara during a gale. The ship was eventually dismantled and scuttled in Bass Strait on 28 December 1934. The document is significant for its association with the wreck of the Leeuwin (Julia Percy), which is on the Victorian Heritage Register, VHR S413. . It is historically significant for being a rare artefact that has potential to interpret aspects of Western Victoria’s 19th century steamship trade and Victorian cultural history. The Leeuwin (Julia Percy) is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register as being historically significant ‘as one of only four wrecks of steamships in Victorian waters associated with the western district of Victoria’s coastal steamship trade. Reports of Victoria Steam Navigation Board about the collision on 25th December 1881 between the steamers " Julia Percy" and "Nelson". Letter from Victoria Steam Navigation Board, Melbourne to Frederick Chapman, Master, S.S. "Julia Percy", dated January 12th 1882. reference on letter in left margin "S82/12"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill –maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, victoria steam navigation board, captain frederick chapman, captain thomas smith, thomas wingate & company, steamer julia percy, steamer leeuwin, steamer nelson, steam ship, warrnambool steam packet company, t. h. ostorne, western steam navigation co., charles cutler