This framed lithograph print in watercolour and gouache was produced on November 19th, 1924, by 20th-century marine artist, Mr R.N. Duffield. It depicts the event of a sea rescue that took place two years earlier. The framer was A.L. Frith of Footscray, Melbourne, who actively advertised from 1933 to 1935. The now disbanded Shiplovers' Society of Victoria (1930-2018) donated the print, and it seems likely that this print was framed for that organisation. This graphic image shows the conditions in which the rescue from the wrecked Helen B. Sterling happened. Captain George Harris was master of the American-owned, four-masted windjammer. His wife Edith and their ten-year-old son Leslie were on board, along with a crew of fifteen seamen. The ship set off from Newcastle, NSW, on January 5th, 1922, loaded with a cargo of coal to deliver to the Society Islands and on to San Francisco. Young Leslie later wrote a lively school composition for his teacher about his experiences on board the Helen B Sterling. He tells of a fire that broke out the day after they departed and burned a hole in a beam. Then another troublesome time on the 9th, when a strong gale blew a sail off the ship. Finally, he tells of the highlight of his voyage when, on the 18th January, the ship was right in the path of a strong cyclone, which broke the mainmast. Huge waves crashed over both sides of the deck, meeting in the middle, and the ship began to sink. The rescue from the wreck was an exciting time for the young boy, and even more so when one of his cats survived after being carefully wrapped in a pillowcase and thrown down from the ship for the boy. Reporters later wrote about Leslie’s comments, “... what had grieved him most was the thought that he might never see his two little sisters again”. Captain Harris said in a published statement, “… the gale was the worst he had met in his 12 years’ experience at sea. All went well for the first week. We then encountered a strong blow from the south-east. We tried the gasoline pump, but the engine broke down, and we had to do the pumping by hand. We at once shortened sail, but the sea increased in fury to such an extent that men were washed from the pumps. I was below at 5:30 on Sunday morning [January 22nd, 1922] when the main mast went over the side, … I at once sent out SOS signals, and got word that HMAS Melbourne was coming to our assistance. I had made a mistake with regard to our position, but did not know it until 11:30 o’clock, when I sent out the correct location. This was picked up by the Melbourne and I received the following reply: “We will reach you about 2 am. Keep a good heart. The Melbourne will do all she can.” Our ship was practically awash when we were taken off.” (Ref: the ‘Helen B. Sterling Disaster’, Maitland Weekly Mercury, NSW, 4-2-1922.) Officers from the Royal Australian Navy, Captain Henry J Feakes (later Rear-Admiral) and Commander Wilfrid Ward Hunt, were on board the light cruiser, HMAS Melbourne (1913-1928), when it left Sydney for New Zealand. After the SOS was received, the ship sped at full steam towards the sinking Helen B. Sterling. They found the vessel at about midnight and shone bright search lights on the distressed ship to illuminate the desperate scene. The Melbourne was unable to move close to the schooner, so sixteen seamen, including Commander Hunt, volunteered to man the Melbourne’s lifesaving 12-oared cutter. They rowed the sea boat with great urgency towards the victims of the sinking ship, keen to save lives no matter what the conditions. When the cutter was close to the Sterling, a line was secured between the Sterling and the cutter. The weary, waterlogged and anxious men on board could be rescued, one at a time, in the breeches buoy equipment, which looked like canvas shorts with a lifesaving ring in the waistband. The victims were hauled along the line and pulled aboard by many willing hands. All eighteen crew and passengers were saved, including Captain Harris and his family. The seamen of the Melbourne received a heroes’ welcome when they arrived in New Zealand. The grateful survivors were taken to Auckland, where they received the care and comfort they needed. Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, Cr. Swanston, on behalf of the citizens of Melbourne, formally recognised the heroic rescue efforts of the seamen of the HMAS Melbourne on March 2nd, 1922, at a special presentation. Two large flags, a White Ensign and an Australian “Jack" Flag, were presented to the Captain of HMAS Melbourne, and souvenirs were awarded to the sea boat’s crew and its Commander, Wilfred Ward Hunt. Commander Hunt was also presented with an original watercolour depicting the heroic rescue from the wreck of the Helen B. Sterling, painted just after the event by renowned marine artist Arthur V Gregory (1867-1957), and he received a silver cigarette case bearing the City’s coat of arms and the inscription, "To Commander Ward Hunt from the Citizens of Melbourne as a memento of the rescue of the crew of Helen B. Stirling by H.M.A.S. Melbourne, on 23.1.22". Both the painting and the cigarette case are now treasured items inherited by his grandson; a reminder of “… a very fine naval gentleman who believed in leading by example." R.N. DUFFIELD: - The Lithograph print in our collection by 20th-century English artist R.N. Duffield is dated Nov. 19, 1924. It is very similar to, and possibly created from, the original A V Gregory watercolour presented to Commander Hunt and dated 1922. Mr R.N. Duffield has art works in the Yarmouth Museums, Norfolk Museums Collection; “Orient Liner Otranto …,” and "Convoy of six ships at sea", both painted in watercolour and gouache during the 1940s. Some of his other works, also painted in watercolour and gouache, have been advertised for sale on Internet sites. Some details differ between the original A.V. Gregory and this Lithograph Print: - -the words on the bow on the original watercolour are “Helen B. Sterling, Blain”, which is in Washington, USA, where the Sterling Shipping Company was registered from around 1919; the words on the print are “Helen B. Sterling, Halifax, N S”, for Nova Scotia, Canada, which is the hometown of Sterling Shipping Company founder’s wife, Helen B Sterling. -The watercolour is coloured and has fine details; the print is monochrome - The A V Gregory signed the watercolour in 1922, on the lower left; the print is signed with the Lithographer’s name on the lower right; “R N Duffield, Nov. 19. 1924” ARTHUR VICTOR GREGORY (1867-1957): - A.V. Gregory is a renowned marine artist who worked in watercolour and gouache. He painted actively between 1899 and 1932, creating over 3o0 works. South Melbourne, Victoria, was where he lived and worked. This Lithograph print is significant in that it depicts the rescuing of the passengers and crew of the schooner “Helen B Stirling”. At the time this was a significant event that made most Australian and New Zealand papers because of the involvement of the Australian cruiser “Melbourne”. The image demonstrates the perilous conditions experienced by seafarers. It includes an example of the line and breeches buoy method used to save lives at sea from the 1860s and into the 20th century. It reflects a time in our history when sail and steam ships cruised the world’s seas together, the former trading with a cargo of coal from Newcastle, the latter defending our country in World War I. The print is part of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum’s Collection of maritime artworks that depict famous events, vessels and locations, showing the evolution of sea craft, and aiding the interpretation of our maritime history. The Lithograph print is behind glass in a black painted timber frame and mounted under a cream matte. The vivid image depicts a sea rescue in progress. The night scene is illuminated by a light beaming from a steamship, the Cruiser HMAS Melbourne. It reveals figures on the deck of a sinking sailing ship, the schooner Helen B. Sterling, as foaming waves roll across it. The stricken ship has a broken main mast, and a sail has been detached. A small figure is floating in the choppy sea, secured in a breeches buoy that is attached to a rescue line between a lifesaving cutter and the sailing ship. The crewmen in the cutter are ready to haul the shipwrecked victim aboard, while the figures on the foundering ‘Sterling’ watch them. The print’s paper-covered wooden backboard is attached to the frame with small tacks. A metal hanging wire is secured to two dissimilar eyelet screws. Inscriptions include text on the bow of the sinking vessel, a handwritten title below the picture, and a handwritten name in the print’s lower right corner. On the reverse are two oval, black ink stamps and a round cream label with printed text. The hand-painted print was reproduced from a lithograph, signed in the lower right, by R.N. Duffield of England, on November 19th, 1924. A Frith of Footscray, Melbourne framed it. Painted on the ship’s bow: “HELEN B. STERLING / HALIFAX N S” [Nova Scotia, Canada] Handwritten below the print: “AUSTRALIAN CRUISER “MEMBOURNE” (Tons 5600) rescuing crew of sinking four-masted schooner “HELEN B. STERLING” of Halifax NS Canada, Tons 1343 in a gale in the Pacific Ocean.” Handwritten on lower right: “R.N. DUFFIELD / Nov. 19. 1924” (underlined) On paper label: “Phone: / Footscray 398 [some of the text has torn off] / “A. FRITH / PICTURE FRAMER / Manufacturer / 17 Paisley Street / Footscray.“ On both oval stamps: “SHIPLOVERS SOCIETY OF VICTORIA / LIBRARY” flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, lithograph, lithograph print, reproduction print, helen b. sterling, the sterling, american owned schooner, halifax, halifax n s, halifax nova scotia, nova scotia, halifax n s canada, schooner, windjammer, sailing ship, four-masted ship, captain george harris, george harris, edith harris, leslie harris, sterling shipping line, hmas melbourne, hmas melbourne (1), cruiser hmas melbourne, the melbourne, australian cruiser, captain henry j feakes, commander wilfred ward hunt, sinking ship, shipwreck, sea rescue, gale, cyclone, 1922 rescue, shipwreck rescue, breeches buoy, line rescue, rescue line, lifesaving, cutter, cutter melbourne, sea boat, lifesaving crew, 12-oar cutter, shipwreck victim, r.n. duffield, marine artist, nov. 19. 1924, 20th century artist, a frith, footscray picture framer, shiplovers’ society of victoria, shiplovers’ society library, watercolour, a v gregory, arthur victor gregory, melbourne artist, newcastle coal, newcastle nsw, society islands, san fracisco, aukland new zealand, school composition, ship’s cat, sos signal, lord mayor cr. swanston, heroes, cigarette case

Letters of condolence written to parents of "M.C. Townsend" KIA on sinking of HMAS SYDDNEY on 15/11/41. Refer to Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.1. Handwritten letter of Sympathy from John Lemmon, Parliament House, Victoria. Stamp of Legislation Assembly, Victoria on top. 2. Handwritten letter from Electoral office, Bendigo to parents, on folded over white piece of paper.1. Signed “John Lemmon”, Headed - Parliament House, Melbourne C1, and dated 11/12/41. 2. Signed “Tilbert J. Boyle”, Headed Electoral Office Bendigo and dated 2/12/41.hmas sydney, kia, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

Messages in relation to the death of "Mervyn Clive Townsend" KIA on sinking of the HMAS SYDNEY by the HSK Kormoran on 15 Nov 1941. Refer Cat No. 2313P for Townsends service.Folded white Sympathy cards for Mervyn Townsend. Sizes ranging from 13 x 8 to 10 x 8 cm. 1. Folded three sheets with message in middle. Cover says sent in Heartfelt Sympathy. 2. Folded 3 sheets with message in middle and cover saying "With Deepest Sympathy". 3. Folded 2 sheets with message in middle and cover sheet saying "With Sincere Sympathy". 4. Folded 2 pieces with inside message and cover sheet saying "With Sincerest Sympathy". 5. Double folded sheet with message "Peace, perfect peace and dove flying over a sun and picture of Lilies all in black." 1. From Mr. & Mrs. John Owen, East Melbourne. 2. From Norma D. Young, Bendigo. 3. From Mr. & Mrs. J. L. Horne. 4. From E. Casey & sisters, Murrumbeena. 5. From Mr. & Mrs D.J. Treage, Balwyn. hmas sydney, hsk kormoran, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

Sympathy cards for the death of "Mervyn Clive Townsend" KIA on 15/11/41 on the sinking of HMAS SYDNEY by HSK Kormoran. Refer No. 2313P for Townsends service.Small white folded sympathy cards. 1. Double folded sheet with message inside in black writing and "Sympathy" on front. 2. 4 page card tied with black ribbon with flag and wreath on front and "In Remembrance" . 3. Double folded sheet with message on front "With Sympathy and deep regret". 4. Four page card with black ribbon. On front "Kindest Sympathy" over top some flowers. 5. Double folded sheet with "Sympathy". 1. From Mr. & Mrs. C.L. Stewart, East Melbourne. 2. From Rosemary Graham, Wedderburn. 3. From Veda Ashford. 4. From Mr. & Mrs Cowling, Bendigo. 5. From C. M. Crum, Bendigo.hmas sydney, hsk kormoran, ww2, mervyn clive townsend

Item in the collection re the BCOF Association Collection, refer Cat No 7625.This is a single sheet of paper (foolscap size) dated No 10 Vol 1 14 April 1947. Text in black both sides. Side 1 - Headline - MANOORA ANCHORS AT 0800 HRS Sub Headlines - NO ELECTRIC TRAINS IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA THE BEST COUNTRY, GENERATIONS TO CHANGE JAPAN. Side 2 - HEADLINE - CAPTAIN'S VARIED WAR CAREER Sub Headlines - EARLY JAP TREATY REQUIRED, MELBOURNE MAY BE AN AIR TERMINAL, DISPLAY AIRCRAFT IN TROUBLE, NEW PLANE NAMED COBB, SHIP'S STAFF GOSSIP. bcof, hmas manoora, newsletter

HMAS Perth (D29), a modified Leander-class light cruiser. Commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Amphion in 1936, she was sold to the RAN three years later. The ship served until 1 March 1942, when she was sunk during the Battle of Sunda Strait. HMAS Perth (D 38), the lead ship of the Perth-class guided missile destroyers. Built as a Charles F. Adams-class destroyer derivative for the RAN and commissioned in 1965, the ship served until decommissioning in 1999. She was sunk as a dive wreck off the coast of Albany, Western Australia, in 2001. HMAS Perth (FFH 157), an Anzac-class frigate commissioned in 2006 and active as of 2012Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm with insignia of H.M.A.S. Perth H.M.A.S. Perth

Card was hand drawn to celebrate Christmas 1951 at H.M.A.S. Commonwealth .HMAS Commonwealth was a former Royal Australian Navy administered shore base located in Kure, Japan. The base was previously run by the British as HMS Commonwealth, the base was renamed HMAS Commonwealth on 1 October 1948 until it ceased operation , at which time the base was transferred to Japanese control HMAS Commonwealth(Establishment) was then transferred from 28 Apr 1952 19 Apr 1956 to KoreaChristmas card / Menu for the H.M.A.S. Commonwealth 1951 at Kure Japan. Map shows Japan and Korea where shore base was in service until 1956Xmas Greetings H.M.A.S. Commonwealthh.m.a.s. commonwealth, kure japan, korea, bcof

HMAS PARRAMATTA had active service during the Vietnam War,escorting the troop transport HMAS SYDNEY to Vietnam in 1965,1968 and 1971. She also served on patrol duties between 1964 and 1966 during the Indonesian Confrontation. In July 1976 PARRAMATTA was diverted to the Indonesian of Bali to provide humanitarian relief following an earthquake which killed over 500 Balinese and injured another 3,000. PARRAMATTA was decommissioned in 1991 as the River Class Destroyer Escorts were replaced by the Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates. She was sold to a Pakistani company in 1991 to be broken up.anchor parramatta escort

HMAS Australia (1) The largest war ship in the Australian fleet was the first flagship of the Australian fleet in WW1. She was Commissiond and paid for by the Australian Goverment to ensure sdequate protection for the Australasion Pacific Region. She had a crew of 900 "Officers and Crew" and was equipted with four sets of 12 inch breech loading guns,side firing torpedos and fourteen 4 inch guns for surface and air contacts. On the 12 of April 1924 HMAS Australia (1) was with "Full Military Honours" Scuttled 50 km east of Sydney. Only 14 Years old.Framed Oil Paintinghmas australia oil painting pictures

This sword was a pre-colonial Victorian Navy Issue. (i.e. Pre-Federation). It came into the possession of of Allan John Rankin Watkins who used it during has naval service.Naval Officers Cermonial SwordThe sword has the Queen Victoria Coat of Arms on the Blade and the Crown on the Hilt. hmas sydney & the vietnam logistics support veterans association, naval sword

Used by Leonard George Pollard. He served in H.M.A.S. ANZAC in Vietnam and retired as LCDR Engineer Ceremonial Naval Officers Sword Fine etching on both sides of the bladeh.m.a.s. anzac, hmas sydney & the vietnam logistics support veterans association

Wooden Plaque with the names of the ship and crew written in gold leaf. The ships crest is shown on the top of the boardThe names of the ship and crew written in gold leaf. The ships crest is made from plaster is shown on the top of the board

Cap RAN sailors with HMAS tallybandheadgear, c1970's, ran

RAN blue sailors 'HMAS Sydney' Tallybandheadgear, cww2, ran

This album containing 50 photographs depicts a year at the Mission in 1928: Wedding of the Dora Walker with Harry Simpson on 14 February. Picnic at Riversdale Hawthorn, 1 January 1928 Ships in Port Melbourne in November: HMAS Australia, HMAS Brisbane, and destroyers Anzac, Success, Swordsman Wharfs, Victoria Dock, Stevedores Picnic in Finhaven, Kew, the Buchan's Property for Cup Day (6 November) Views of Port Melbourne from 1888 building Monday 29 October: return of Archbishop of Melbourne (Dr. Harrington Lees), who had spent a 10-month holiday in England with his wife. Arrival on the RMS Maloja Two photographs are missing.Pre Great Depression, 1928 was a difficult year in Melbourne and also for the Mission. Ships were rare on the wharfs meaning seamen were also rare in the missions. However they started the fundraising for the extension of the 1888 Port Melbourne building which was becoming too small. At the end of the year, Reverend Weller announced he was appointed assistant in London. He and his wife Alexina left in January 1929 after five years. They sailed on the Osterley on the 22 January 1929.Embossed yellow font on cover reads: ALBUMfan, strikes, police, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), alexina weller (nee caley), freda oxley, hmas australia, hmas brisbane, great depression, unemployment, port melbourne, station pier, sugar cane, queensland, dora simpson nee walker, weddings, cup day, finhaven, kew, the ducketts, mrs john buchan, flinders street extension, gasworks, wharfs, victoria dock, motorboat, southern cross, success, destroyers, football, sports, rms maloja, lhlg, fan album, anzac, swordsman, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, annie alexandrina caley (known as alexina) 1885-1934

HMAS "Sydney"photo, ww2, ran

Sidney Charles Rowley KIA Jan 1945 on HMAS Australiaphoto, ww2, army

Newspaper page - The Sun Saturday Jan 27th 1945.photo, ww2, general

HMAS "Australia" 1928-1954 Honour Roll showing Leading Seaman S.C.Rowleyphoto, 1928-1954, ran

HMAS Jervis Bay Catamaran.poster, peacekeeping, raaf

Badge for HMAS Ovensbadge/buttons, ran

HMAS Tingirabadge/buttons, ran

HMAS Cerberus key ringephemera, current, ran

Blazer Pocket Badge HMAS Brisbanebadge/buttons, ran

Blazer Pocket Badge HMAS Yarrabadge/buttons, ran

Envelope addressed to Dr N Thetford MD New Jersey USA from Korea 2 3d Stamps King George Vi and 4 X Orange 1/2d Kangarood stamps Postmarked HMA Shipsephemera, general

Ship L3501 Australian Navy landing ship tank HMAS ''Labuan''photo, ww2, ran

HMAS Sydneypicture