Used circa 1900 for boot makers to put lace holes in leather boots/shoesused during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for boot makingeyelet tool with wooden and metal hook bent to 90 degrees for pressing eyelet holestool, cobbler, hole making

Awl for making holes in leather. Wooden handle.trades, bootmaking

Wooden handle with long metal rod. The end of the rod has a corkscrew. Used for making holes in ground for plants, etc.

Used by turning the auger around to create a round hole.Used by residents of the Kiewa ValleySmall steel hand auger tools with a wooden handle. Used for digging more shallow holes eg. gathering soil samples and making post holes

This attachment was used by donor . It was a great improvement over hand made buttonholes.A Singer buttonhole attachment used about 1950s. It was attached to ordinary power sewing machines to make button holes. It includes a small metal plate to cover teeth when making button hole and a fairly long slotted screw for attaching plate.Singer 86662 completehandcrafts, equipment

A steel manual breast drill with an attached curved flat plate at the top to apply pressure with the chest.. This plate is attached to the drill by a screw. A wooden handle turns the drill mechanism to operate it and a second wooden handle is to steady the operation. It was used for making cylindrical holes by rotation.drills, push drills, hand drills, tools, handtools, breast drills, woodworking tools

Located in Surrey Park, this photo was taken about 1909-1912. The Surrey Hills Swimming Club formed in 1906 and swimming carnivals were popular from this time. The dive was created from a clay hole formed during brick-making activity at the adjacent brick works. From 1906 Carnivals were popular events. Olympic competitors trained here until Councils built Olympic-sized pools. Photo by William V Hill of Pembroke Street. Donor Mr Bill Dempsey was his nephew.A black and white photograph of a group of 15 young men standing and sitting on diving boards and a platform near some stairs. Most are wearing long trunks covering their thighs and singlets. One person is wearing a boater hat.surrey dive, swimmers, bathing costumes, surrey hills swimming club, box hill brick works, festivals and celebrations, olympics, (mr) william v hill

A scotch eye auger is perfect for quickly making holes in dry or wet wood for making chairs, stools, and any number of woodworking projects. The scotch eye serves as a peg gauge and whatever peg you make to go into the hole should fit into the augers eye. Robert Sorby & Sons: The forbearer's of Robert Sorby had been cutlers in the Sheffield region of England, dating from the mid 17th century. Robert Sorby and Sons were registered in Sheffield in 1828 as a manufacturer of edge tools, saws, scythes and hay knives. In addition to manufacturing tools, they also diversified into the manufacture of crucible steel for tool manufacture. From circa 1860-1967, the Sorby factory in Sheffield was known as the “Kangaroo Works”. The Kangaroo Brand of tools was made by Robert Sorby & Sons. During the 19th century, they had a large trade in Australasia. By the early 20th century, they were manufacturing carving tools, planes and plane irons, circular saws, wood saws, butchers saws and cleavers, garden tools, pruning knives, coopers’ knives, bricklayers tools and joiners tools. In 1923 Robert Sorby & Sons was bought by Sheffield company Hattersley and Davidson. They are today one of the few remaining British tool manufacturers.The company has a long tradition of making edged tools for various uses and exporting them to Australia, however the subject item was probably made from the early 20th century up until 1967 when the company stopped exporting to Australia.Scotch Eye Auger, Double Twist with Lead Screw, square shaft, socket set at right angleRob Sorbey Sheffield stamped on shaft with Kangaroo trade markflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ring auger, carpenders tools, hole drilling, rob sorby & sons

A Ditty Bag (or box) was originally called “ditto bag” because it contained at least two of everything, two needles, two spools of thread, two buttons, etc. With the passing of years, the “ditto” was dropped in favour of "ditty" and remains so today. Before World War I, the Navy issued ditty boxes made of wood and styled after footlockers. These carried the personal gear and some clothes of the sailor. Today, the ditty bag is still issued to recruits and contains a sewing kit, toiletry articles and personal items such as writing paper and pens. Another source says a Ditty Box or Ditty Bag is possibly from the Saxon word “dite”, meaning tidy or from the English word “dittis”, a type of canvas material. A small box or bag in which a sailor kept his valuables such as letters, small souvenirs and sewing supplies.An item that is socially significant as it gives insight into a sailors life aboard ship and is another part of marine history. Items such as these although they were regarded at the time as everyday objects help us now to map various aspects of marine archaeology thorough the ages.Sailors Ditty Bag, canvas bag for holding all the sail making and roping tools, with tie and brass clasp. Holed.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

A dead eye is a part of a vessel’s rig On board sailing ships, dead eyes were used in three different areas. Traditionally dead eyes are made of wood but they have different forms according to where they were used in the vessel rigging. The most common type of dead-eye is flat, with three holes and was used to tension the shrouds, the heavy lines which steadied the masts on each side. Each shroud had a dead eye at the lower end, which corresponded to a similar dead eye attached to the side of the ship. The two were connected with a rope called a lanyard, which was used to tighten the assembly. The stays, heavy lines running forward from the masts, were also tensioned with dead eyes. These are much larger and rectangular, with four or six holes. The third type of dead-eye was a two-holed version attached to an eye at the end of the parallel, which tied a yard to the mast. The loose ends of the parallel rope passed through the dead eye and then down to the deck, making it possible to tighten or slacken the parallel from the deck so that the yard could be more easily manoeuvred. It was especially important for the mizzen yard, which had to be shifted from one side of the mast to the other when tacking the ship.An item used on sailing ships rigging this item of ships equipment and its use has been used from the beginning of the invention of sailing ships going back to ancient times. Its use on sailing vessels had not changed in design or use until they went out of fashion and steamships took their place.Circular wooden ships rigging dead eye with three holes Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sailing vessel rigging, dead eye, sailing equipment

R Timmins & Sons were makers of heavy steel 'toys' - toy in this context means any small metal object, including hand tools. The company was founded in 1790 by Richard Timmins and was situated in Hurst St, and later in Pershore Street, Birmingham. In 1850 Richard Timmins died aged 60 and the company continued with his wife Ann and their son Henry who were the executors of his will. In 1889 they were taken over by another Birmingham maker, W & C Wynn of Suffolk Street also edge tool makers and the business moved to Commercial Street Birmingham in 1872. For a few years, both companies continued to operate under their original names. In 1892 they were incorporated as Wynn, Timmins & Co, and in 1897 the premises in Commercial St were renamed Century Works. The company survived until 1969 when they were taken over by Balfour Dawins Ltd of Sheffield, and the works in Birmingham then closed.A significant item given its age having the probability of having been made after Richard Timmins had died and before the take over in 1872 during the time the company was being run by his wife Ann and son Henry. Given the inscription on the item is "A Timmins & Sons". The items significance is social given it was used to clean bungholes in barrels and was possibly used in the early cooperage industries of the early Australian colony. Bung reamer metal with wooden handle. A Timmins & Sons stamped on blade.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, coopers tools, bung hole reamer, barrels, barrel making

Frank Wright was born at Smeaton, lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner, and his large family was musical, winning many awards in the singing and instrumental areas. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and by the age of 18 was the Australian Open Cornet Champion. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and as conductor Frank won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. He became well known and respected as a conductor and adjudicator of band competitions at very high levels in Australia and New Zealand. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, as well as at Ballarat’s South Street and in Australia and New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia. Sepia photo postcard of Wright Family Group. Frank Wright's father (William) on far right, and mother in centre back.3 small holes in photofrank wright, smeaton, frank j wright, bill wright, william wright

Candles were the main source of lighting during the Colonial era. The candles were made at home from tallow, or animal fat, which was readily available and inexpensive. The tallow was soft, often had an unpleasant smell, band burned with a low, quickly fading light. Beeswax candles could be bought ready-made and lasted longer when lit. Bayberry wax could also be made into candles but was the process was labour intensive and time consuming. Spermaceti was from whale oil, a growing industry in the late 1800's, made firmer candles. Around this time wooden candle moulds were invented and uniform size and shape candles could be produced using the spermaceti wax. The candle mould is significant in the evolution of household lighting. It was an asset to the 19th century homemakers, allowing the production of their own candles in a uniform size. Candlelight allowed for the extension of time available for duties.Candle mould of tinplate for one dozen (12) candles. The tubular moulds stand upright, three rows of four, in a fitted tray. Another concave tray fits over the top ends of the moulds and has a hole above each of the candles, which is used for filling the moulds with melted wax. Ends have wire-reinforced edges.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, candle mould, candle making, lighting, candles, tallow, beeswax, bayberry wax, spermaceti was, whale oil, candlelight

The Archimedes drill, also known as a fretwork drill, is an old type of drill which works on the Archimedian principle; the drill rotates quickly as the barrel on the stem is worked up and down. This tool provides a quick and easy way to bore holes through ordinary fret wood and other substances, smaller versions are used in jewellery making where precision drilling is required. There were numerous different sized Archimedes drills made from various materials, usually a combination of wood and steel, some being all steel and some including brass parts. The fancier versions of these drills included parts made from Rosewood, Ebony, Ivory and decorative brass parts. Some of the later Archimedes drills had technological improvements such as a ratchet device and the inclusion of fly-weights. The ratchet device allows the drill to revolve continuously in the cutting direction. The fly-weights give momentum to maintain the speed of the drill during the upward stroke of the hand. Most old examples have no makers names.A vintage drilling tool that has been nickel plated with brass fitting and easier to sterilise. The item therefore could have been used in the medical profession as a bone drill during surgery. Weighted Archimedes drill all metal construction, nickel plated with brass handles centrifugal typeNoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, archimedean drill, drill, tool, drilling tool

The subject item is an early Victorian Scotch Brace with a 10-inch sweep. They were also known as a six penny or "gentleman's" brace and were designed to accept tapered square shank bits, early designs have a thumb screw to help secure the bit. Later designs had a catch to secure drilling bits. This type of brace was used in wagon making for boring & drilling holes into the wood for a variety of purposes, including driving screws. The subject item is unmarked but could have been made in Glasgow Scotland by John Fray in the 1800s A significant early example of a drill brace made in the UK during the 1800s demonstrates the evolution of this type of tool from this time that today is a rare and collectable example of woodworking tools.Drill Brace metal with socket and thumbscrew, varnished wooden head and handleNoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, brace, carpenders wheel brace, cabinet makers tools, drilling tool, wagon makers drill

The Archimedes drill, also known as a fretwork drill, is an old type of drill which works on the Archimedian principle; the drill rotates quickly as the barrel on the stem is worked up and down. This tool provides a quick and easy way to bore holes through ordinary fret wood and other substances, smaller versions are used in jewellery making where precision drilling is required. There were numerous different sized Archimedes drills made from various materials, usually a combination of wood and steel, some being all steel and some including brass parts. The fancier versions of these drills included parts made from Rosewood, Ebony, Ivory and decorative brass parts. Some of the later Archimedes drills had technological improvements such as a ratchet device and the inclusion of fly-weights. The ratchet device allows the drill to revolve continuously in the cutting direction. The fly-weights give momentum to maintain the speed of the drill during the upward stroke of the hand. Most old examples such as the subject item have no makers names.A vintage drilling tool that gives a snapshot into how holes were drilled by hand into small or delicate objects during the Victorian era. Tools from this time are today regarded as collectable items eagerly sought by collectors of antique tools.Archimedean drill with wooden grip and butterfly nut on chuck.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, archimedean drill, drill, fretwork tools, wood working tools

The Archimedes drill, also known as a fretwork drill, is an old type of drill which works on the Archimedian principle; the drill rotates quickly as the barrel on the stem is worked up and down. This tool provides a quick and easy way to bore holes through ordinary fret wood and other substances, smaller versions are used in jewellery making where precision drilling is required. There were numerous different sized Archimedes drills made from various materials, usually a combination of wood and steel, some being all steel and some including brass parts. The fancier versions of these drills included parts made from Rosewood, Ebony, Ivory and decorative brass parts. Some of the later Archimedes drills had technological improvements such as a ratchet device and the inclusion of fly-weights. The ratchet device allows the drill to revolve continuously in the cutting direction. The fly-weights give momentum to maintain the speed of the drill during the upward stroke of the hand. Most old examples have no makers names.A vintage drilling tool, the item therefore could have been used in various industries or professions where precise drilling is required. Archimedean drill with Rosewood hand, brass grip and fittings Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, archimedean drill

These net floats are handmade from lightweight cork wood and are used for suspending fishing nets in the water. Newspaper articles dated from 1848 to 1916 mention net fishing in Warrnambool's Hopkins and Merri rivers and Lady Bay. The Melbourne Argus dated January 11, 1848, published a quote from Captain Theobald of the vessels ELLEN and ELIZABETH, made on his first visit to Warrnambool "“…Fish are very plentiful here; on Christmas day a net was thrown into the Hopkins, and, after two or three draws, a boat load of beautiful fish was obtained…” The Argus, Melbourne, Sat. 29 May 1858, forwarded from The Examiner newspaper; "Extraordinary Fish. We have been presented with a very singular fish, caught by Mr. Meek in the Hopkins [Hopkins River, Warrnambool] last week. It is about three inches long, with a slate-coloured body, and a beautiful wing on each side. It was caught with other fish at night, in a net, and its eyes shone as bright as diamonds." A method for making cork net floats mentioned, in a 15th-century book, advised cutting the corks and then burning a hole through the centre of each one with a hot iron. The prepared corks were then joined together with a horsehair line. The cork's size and the line's thickness depended on the net's weight.The net floats are an example of fishing equipment used for many centuries and still in use today. In Warrnambool net fishing was a common practice from 1848 and became a livelihood for many fishermen. Net floats; cylindrical blocks of 16 corks threaded onto string with a hook-holding device at the end. warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, net floats, cork net floats, fishing, fisheries, fishing equipment, handmade, net fishing, fisheries act, andrew ferrier, william flett, warrnambool breakwater, merri river, hopkins river, captain theobald, ellen, elizabeth

These net floats are handmade from lightweight cork wood and are used for suspending fishing nets in the water. Newspaper articles dated from 1848 to 1916 mention net fishing in Warrnambool's Hopkins and Merri rivers and Lady Bay. The Melbourne Argus dated January 11, 1848, published a quote from Captain Theobald of the vessels ELLEN and ELIZABETH, made on his first visit to Warrnambool "“…Fish are very plentiful here; on Christmas day a net was thrown into the Hopkins, and, after two or three draws, a boat load of beautiful fish was obtained…” The Argus, Melbourne, Sat. 29 May 1858, forwarded from The Examiner newspaper; "Extraordinary Fish. We have been presented with a very singular fish, caught by Mr. Meek in the Hopkins [Hopkins River, Warrnambool] last week. It is about three inches long, with a slate-coloured body, and a beautiful wing on each side. It was caught with other fish at night, in a net, and its eyes shone as bright as diamonds." A method for making cork net floats mentioned, in a 15th-century book, advised cutting the corks and then burning a hole through the centre of each one with a hot iron. The prepared corks were then joined together with a horsehair line. The cork's size and the line's thickness depended on the net's weight.The net floats are an example of fishing equipment used for many centuries and still in use today. In Warrnambool net fishing was a common practice from 1848 and became a livelihood for many fishermen.Net floats; cylindrical blocks of 18 corks of various sizes threaded onto string.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, net floats, cork net floats, fishing, fisheries, fishing equipment, handmade, net fishing, fisheries act, andrew ferrier, william flett, warrnambool breakwater, merri river, hopkins river, captain theobald, ellen, elizabeth

Context: A brace is a hand tool used with a bit (drill bit or auger) to drill holes, usually in wood. The pressure is applied to the top and the tool is rotated with a U-shaped grip. Bits used to come in a variety of types but today the more commonly used Ridgeway and Irwin pattern bits also rely on a snail point (called the snail), which is a tapered screw point shaped the same as a wood screw thread, which helps to pull the bit into the wood as the user turns the brace handle and applies pressure. The designs used today come from an original idea and pattern invented by John S Fray. Company History: John S. Fray (1833 ) immigrated to Bridgeport Connecticut USA from England in the 1850s and established a working relationship with Nelson Spofford, who held an 1858 patent for a bit brace (the tool could be augured in a continuous circular motion by hand). He established the John S. Fray Co. around the same time and immediately began producing the Spofford bit brace. Fray himself held at least two patents: one awarded in 1869 for a boring brace attachment, and another awarded in 1883 for a tool handle. By 1889, the firm was located at the industrial complex that sits between the former International Silver Company and the former Bridgeport Chain Company on Crescent Avenue and is identified on the Sanborn Insurance Atlas as a manufacturer of Spofford bit braces, hollow handle awl, and toolsets. The company was in competition with Peck Stow and Wilcox Co. of Southington, and in 1898 was enjoined from making a ratchet bit brace for which the latter company held a patent. By the 1920s, the factory had been purchased by the Stanley Company of New Britain and leased to the American Tube and Stamping Company, a manufacturer of brass, copper, seamless, and bicycle tubing, which also ran a rolling mill to the south on Stafford Avenue (now demolished). The Stanley Company bought both mills in 1926, perhaps as a strategic move to be located along the Bridgeport Harbour, through which much of the raw material used in its operations throughout the state came. By the 1950s, the Crescent Avenue operations had been moved to other sites in Connecticut, and Stanley again leased the building to a company called Cornwall and Patterson, a manufacturer of piano hardware. Today the building appears to be vacant. An early carpenters tool made by a well known early manufacturer from America who instigated many innovations to the making of tools. His early pattern for the improvement of a tool that could be used for the boring of holes in wood was a significant step forward. His design for a boring brace attachment and later a specific handle is still in use today and his original brace and bit is now sought after by collectors of antique tools. Spofford Carpenter's Bit Brace metal has bit attached. Wing nut holds bit in place but nut missing. holds bit in place. 285mm long x 160mm Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

This disc belonged to Frank Wright. The letters ENSA refer to the Entertainments National Service Association, which was set up in 1939 to provide entertainment for the British armed forces personnel. Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born in 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. He was the youngest of eleven children. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was appointed in 1934 as the Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and Conducting and was a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. Frank was awarded an M.B.E. in 1967 and he died in November 1970. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.This red coloured 3.5 cm leather disc has been stamped with the letters ENSA Frank Wright CE. It has a hole pinched in the top, through which a string has been threaded.frank wright, armed forces entertainment, musician conductor, brass bands, ensa, entertainments national service association

These net floats are handmade from lightweight cork wood and are used for suspending fishing nets in the water. Newspaper articles dated from 1848 to 1916 mention net fishing in Warrnambool's Hopkins and Merri rivers and Lady Bay. The Melbourne Argus dated January 11, 1848, published a quote from Captain Theobald of the vessels ELLEN and ELIZABETH, made on his first visit to Warrnambool "“…Fish are very plentiful here; on Christmas day a net was thrown into the Hopkins, and, after two or three draws, a boat load of beautiful fish was obtained…” The Argus, Melbourne, Sat. 29 May 1858, forwarded from The Examiner newspaper; "Extraordinary Fish. We have been presented with a very singular fish, caught by Mr. Meek in the Hopkins [Hopkins River, Warrnambool] last week. It is about three inches long, with a slate-coloured body, and a beautiful wing on each side. It was caught with other fish at night, in a net, and its eyes shone as bright as diamonds." A method for making cork net floats mentioned, in a 15th-century book, advised cutting the corks and then burning a hole through the centre of each one with a hot iron. The prepared corks were then joined together with a horsehair line. The cork's size and the line's thickness depended on the net's weight.The net floats are an example of fishing equipment used for many centuries and still in use today. In Warrnambool net fishing was a common practice from 1848 and became a livelihood for many fishermen.Cork net floats; lengths of 15 various sized cylindrical blocks of cork threaded onto string. warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, net floats, cork net floats, fishing, fisheries, fishing equipment, handmade, net fishing, fisheries act, andrew ferrier, william flett, warrnambool breakwater, merri river, hopkins river, captain theobald, ellen, elizabeth

These net floats are handmade from lightweight cork wood and are used for suspending fishing nets in the water. Newspaper articles dated from 1848 to 1916 mention net fishing in Warrnambool's Hopkins and Merri rivers and Lady Bay. The Melbourne Argus dated January 11, 1848, published a quote from Captain Theobald of the vessels ELLEN and ELIZABETH, made on his first visit to Warrnambool "“…Fish are very plentiful here; on Christmas day a net was thrown into the Hopkins, and, after two or three draws, a boat load of beautiful fish was obtained…” The Argus, Melbourne, Sat. 29 May 1858, forwarded from The Examiner newspaper; "Extraordinary Fish. We have been presented with a very singular fish, caught by Mr. Meek in the Hopkins [Hopkins River, Warrnambool] last week. It is about three inches long, with a slate-coloured body, and a beautiful wing on each side. It was caught with other fish at night, in a net, and its eyes shone as bright as diamonds." A method for making cork net floats mentioned, in a 15th-century book, advised cutting the corks and then burning a hole through the centre of each one with a hot iron. The prepared corks were then joined together with a horsehair line. The cork's size and the line's thickness depended on the net's weight.The net floats are an example of fishing equipment used for many centuries and still in use today. In Warrnambool net fishing was a common practice from 1848 and became a livelihood for many fishermen.Cork net floats; a set of two cylindrical blocks of varying sizes threaded onto strings.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, net floats, cork net floats, fishing, fisheries, fishing equipment, handmade, net fishing, fisheries act, andrew ferrier, william flett, warrnambool breakwater, merri river, hopkins river, captain theobald, ellen, elizabeth

These net floats are handmade from lightweight cork wood and are used for suspending fishing nets in the water. Newspaper articles dated from 1848 to 1916 mention net fishing in Warrnambool's Hopkins and Merri rivers and Lady Bay. The Melbourne Argus dated January 11, 1848, published a quote from Captain Theobald of the vessels ELLEN and ELIZABETH, made on his first visit to Warrnambool "“…Fish are very plentiful here; on Christmas day a net was thrown into the Hopkins, and, after two or three draws, a boat load of beautiful fish was obtained…” The Argus, Melbourne, Sat. 29 May 1858, forwarded from The Examiner newspaper; "Extraordinary Fish. We have been presented with a very singular fish, caught by Mr. Meek in the Hopkins [Hopkins River, Warrnambool] last week. It is about three inches long, with a slate-coloured body, and a beautiful wing on each side. It was caught with other fish at night, in a net, and its eyes shone as bright as diamonds." A method for making cork net floats mentioned in a 15th-century book advised cutting the corks and then burning a hole through the centre of each one with a hot iron. The prepared corks were then joined together with a horsehair line. The cork's size and the line's thickness depended on the net's weight.The net floats are an example of fishing equipment used for many centuries and still in use today. In Warrnambool net fishing was a common practice from 1848 and became a livelihood for many fishermen.Net floats: cylindrical blocks of 10 corks threaded onto string.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, net floats, cork net floats, fishing, fisheries, fishing equipment, handmade, net fishing, fisheries act, andrew ferrier, william flett, warrnambool breakwater, merri river, hopkins river, captain theobald, ellen, elizabeth

The wooden pattern forms part of a larger collection; some of them were secured within a durable wooden crate. The cast 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 produces brass and copper alloy items 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. It is 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. HISTORY OF BRIGGS MARINE: The Briggs Brass Foundry, trading as Briggs & Son Foundry, was established in 1912 by Herbert Harrison Briggs (1863-1931) with his son George Edward Briggs. In 1922, the youngest son, Cyril Falkiner McKinnon Briggs, joined the foundry. After Herbert died in 1931, his sons George and Cyril ran the foundry. The business became known as Briggs Marine Foundry, the “non-ferrous founders” and “bell specialists”. The foundry products were made using the traditional sand-casting method, which is now over two thousand years old and is becoming a dying art. The foundry operated at 70 Wellington St, Collingwood, and specialised in casting ship bells and other marine equipment and fittings. It also made decorative items such as miniature ship propellers. The great-granddaughter of Herbert Briggs inherited a Briggs brass bell, similar to one at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. In 1965, Cyril was the only remaining family member involved in Briggs Marine Products. The firm relocated to Chesterville Rd, Moorabbin and Cyril went into partnership with Frank Lee. In the same year, the firm exhibited its products at the 1965 Boat Show. When Cyril passed away in 1967, Frank took over the business with two new partners. After Frank Lee died in 1971, the foundry was run by his son and daughter-in-law, Les and Eva Lee. Briggs Marine still exists today, but the Briggs family is no longer involved. Briggs Foundry had a community-minded retail branch in Warrnambool, selling cast boat fittings and equipment to fishermen and others in the regional marine industry. The branch closed in 1972. In Flagstaff Hill’s formative years, 1972-1975, many Briggs Marine brassware products were generously donated from its Melbourne foundry, along with casting patterns, tools, machinery and a cupboard. EXHIBITION and LEGACY: The donated items were displayed in a simulated Brass Foundry within the Village, where visitors could view them 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. This exhibit was part of a broader showcase of working crafts, trades and services typical of a Maritime town. The display was available to the public from the completion of the building in 1986 until 1994, when the space was repurposed. It is believed that Briggs Marine’s family members gave personal assistance in setting up the displays in the original village shops, particularly the ‘Brass Foundry’ building. A notable feature of the Village Brass Foundry was the historic Cornish chimney, presented as a working model. This chimney visually demonstrated the process of smelting metal in furnaces and pouring it into sand moulds. Constructed from specially curved bricks, the chimney now stands at about two-thirds of its original height, having been relocated from the Grassmere Cheese factory. The hand-cast sand patterns hold considerable significance due to their association with Briggs Brass Founders, a firm established in the early 20th century and widely recognised for its expertise in producing, repairing, and restoring ship bells and marine equipment. Known for their specialisation in non-ferrous metal casting, Briggs Brass Founders supplied high-quality fittings and equipment for maritime use. The company extended its operations by opening a branch in Warrnambool, where it actively supported the local community. The foundry’s ability to cast essential products was important to local and regional industries, like fishing, farming, manufacturing and commercial businesses. Through its presence, its reputation was reinforced as both a skilled manufacturer and a community-minded enterprise. The foundry is notably associated with the Schomberg Bell at Flagstaff Hill, having restored this small, historic bell to its original condition. The Schomberg Bell is a fine example from a luxury migrant vessel dating back to the mid-19th century, reflecting the craftsmanship and heritage preserved by Briggs Brass Foundry. Wooden rectangular crate with removable wooden lid. Inside is a set of wooden patterns of various shapes and sizes for making sand moulds in a metal foundry. The crate is made from thick wooden planks nailed together. The extended wooden struts on the long sides form a frame to hold the wooden lid. A pair of metal handles is at each short end of the crate, fixed with strong metal bolts. Between each pair of handles is an inscription stamped into the wood. The underside of the crate has red paint splashes. There are insect holes in the wood, but no active infestation. The patterns were made and used at Briggs Brass Foundry in Melbourne.Stamped: "H.33 / II" (H may be N or a square B)flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, pattern, mould, foundry, brass foundry, metal foundry, crate, box, wooden container, briggs, traditional method, trade, sand cast, cast, brass alloy, copper alloy, marine equipment, marine tools, marine fittings, briggs' bronze, copper tin zinc lead, non-corrosive, briggs family, brassware, metalware, foundering, metalwork, maritime, casting, cornish chimney, curved bricks, grassmere cheese factory, 1912, herbert harrison briggs, h h briggs, george edward briggs, briggs & son foundry, collingwood, cyril falkiner mckinnon briggs, cyril briggs, h h briggs & sons foundry, bell founders, schomberg bell, alliance casting & engineering solutions, collingwood foundry, ship chandlers, marine products, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, briggs & son brass foundry, briggs marine, moorabbin, 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, metalworking, traditional sand casting, casting pattern, foundry pattern

This photograph was one of ten photographs donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village by Fred Trewartha. Frederick John Fox Trewartha (Fred) was a well-known Warrnambool businessman. He was born in Beeac near Geelong in 1920 and came to Warrnambool with his family as a very young child. He was apprenticed to his father John, as a saddler and later opened his own shop on Raglan Parade. He then moved into working with tarpaulins and canvases for the trucking industry. Fred was keenly interested in photography (and was a member of the Warrnambool Cine Club), yachting and boat building. He kept his yacht moored at Port Fairy for many years and participated in sailing events locally and interstate. He also built boats with his sons. He had the opportunity to meet many older sailors and it's thought this photo (and others in the set) may have been given to him by one of these men. Fred Trewartha died in 2016 in Warrnambool. The S.S. Casino was a passenger and freight steamer built in Dundee, Scotland, in 1882 for the Newcastle and Hunter River Steam Navigation Company of N.S.W. She weighed 425 tons gross with a length of 160.4 feet, beam of 24.1 feet and a depth of 10.2 feet. She had saloon accommodation for 35 people, a fore cabin for 25 more people, and she carried 300 tons of cargo. While on her delivery journey on May 30th 1882, the S.S. Casino called in at the Port of Warrnambool for coal, narrowly escaping going ashore in gale force winds due to the quick action of the pilot. At that time, still at anchor, she impressed the directors of the Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company so much that they bought her immediately; she was ideal for trade along the West Coast of Victoria. (The Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company was first managed by Messers. Saltau and Osburne and after the passing of Mr. Osburne, by produce merchants Messers H. Sautau and Sons, who had a hay and corn store and shipping agency on the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets in Warrnambool. ) The S.S. Casino became “the most famous steamer to operate in Victorian waters along the West Coast” by author Jack Loney. Captain Boyd was her first Master, followed by Captain Chapman, who stayed with her from 1890 until 1924. Captain W. Robertson followed for a short term, and then Captain Middleton then took command from 1925 - 1932. An article published on Monday 11th June 1932 in The Sun News Pictorial (Melbourne) giving a detailed history of S. S. Casino said "owned by Port Fairy interests, she was an integral part of the town's development ... for a long time, her arrival in Port Fairy was an event, the townspeople going down to the wharf to see her come in". It also said "Except when the weather was bad, the Casino hugged the coast on her trips and passengers obtained wonderful views of the sandstone terraces and caves. A little time ago every member of her regular crew except one, was a Scotsman." This particular photograph of the S.S. Casino shows it decorated with numerous flags in "holiday rigging". During the years between 1884 and 1915, the Casino would take locals and holiday makers on excursions around the Port Fairy Bay. Local towns such as Terang, Penshurst and Mortlake held their Picnic Days in Port Fairy and excursions on the Casino would be available for them and in 1906 Terang and District Schools held an excursion to Port Fairy (where the Casino was organised to provide a series of trips around the Bay.) In 1916 new regulations introduced by the Marine Board requiring the Casino to carry enough lifebelts for every passenger on board, prevented the steamer from making trips around the Bay on excursion days. The S.S. Casino had several mishaps during her life. One was on 3rd January 1898 when she collided with the S.S. Flinders in Apollo Bay with minor damage. Another was on 24th October 1924 when she grounded on a reef at Point Hawdon near Grey River and most of her cargo (of Christmas goods) had to be dumped into the sea. Then in February 1929 she was ‘holed’ when she struck a submerged object as she entered Lady Bay, Warrnambool. In the years following the turn of the century, the S.S. Casino remained the only regular trader with normal passenger accommodation along the West Coast. From 1882 she had made at least 2,500 voyages on the one run. On the morning of 10th July 1932, after attempting to berth at Apollo Bay jetty in heavy seas, Captain Middleton decided to take her out into the bay and wait until the seas abated. It was not realised that the anchor used to steady her as she manoeuvred to her berth had pierced her hull. She put about and headed for the beach but sank. Captain Middleton and nine others lost their lives; nine people were rescued including the two female passengers. Captain Middleton had been in charge of the S.S. Casino for seven years. He was the first ship’s Master to lose his life in a shipwreck in the West Coast trade. In June 1932, the directors of the Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company had proposed to celebrate the completion of fifty years of trading by the steamer Casino in August, but tragically the Casino was wrecked only one month later (and "was only one month off completing its fifty years of valuable service between Melbourne and Portland.") Flagstaff Hill’s collection has a photograph of a portrait of Captain Chapman, a ship model of the S.S. Casino that shows both forms of power under which she sailed, steam and sail. The ship is painted green and flies three flags. The inscription across the case of the ship model, incorrectly dated, tells the sad story of the wreck of the ship and the loss of lives on July 10th 1932 at Apollo Bay. A print in the Collection shows S.S. Casino underway in the heavy sea off Point Lonsdale, another two photographs show her at the Port of Warrnambool, leaving from the Breakwater in Lady Bay and another identifies the S.S. Casino as a ship from the Belfast and Koroit Steam Navigation Company. (Belfast is the original name for the township of Port Fairy).This photograph is significant because of its association with the coastal trader S.S. Casino and its significance to trade along Victoria's West Coast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The wreck of the S.S. Casino is considered an important part of Victorian and Australian cultural heritage and as such has been declared and protected as an Historic Shipwreck under State and Commonwealth Law in the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).A black and white photograph showing a small steamer with decorative flags on both masts, coming into up a river towards a pier where a small crowd is waiting. The pier on the left of the photograph has several buildings and a bell on it. Three small boats are tied up to the dock. Low lying land with several buildings scattered on it can be seen on the right hand side. On the back of the photograph are handwritten labels. One is printed in dark blue ink and one is written in cursive writing in biro. There is also the number 6944 stamped in the centre of the photograph.Back - Donors name, address and telephone number 6944 "CASINO IN HOLIDAY RIG" "at Port Fairy"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, s. s. casino, steamer casino, casino, port fairy, captain chapman, belfast and koroit steam navigation company, saltau and osburne, captain middleton, apollo bay, apollo bay shipwreck, lady bay

This gauge was used in the making of components for the ship model Sovereign of the Seas. It is part of a collection of objects used by Jim Williams, maker of fine ship models from about 1930-1955. Most of the components for the models, as well as many of the tools, were handmade by Jim Williams. Jim’s family has donated the ship model “Sovereign of the Seas” and many tools, accessories and documents used in the making of this and other ship models have been donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Ship model of HMS Sovereign of the Seas, scale model of 17th Century English war ship, was handmade and carved from plans, enclosed in airtight glass case. All components of that model, including even the smallest pulleys, were hand crafted using tools designed and made by Jim. Outstanding details include functional rigging and moving cannons. Please see our record 3732 of the mode Sovereign of the Seas for further details of the ship and the maker. This gauge is connected with the hobby and skill of ship model making that has been crafted as a leisure activity for many generations. The hobby is often chosen by serving and retired mariners who appreciate the connection with maritime history. This gauge was used by local Warrnambool man, Jim Williams, who was employed at Cramond and Dickson clothing store, and then at Fletcher Jones menswear for 27 years. It was used in making components for the model of the historic ship, the Sovereign of the Seas. The Sovereign of the Seas was a historic 17th century English war ship with important maritime heritage. Gauge; marking gauge, wooden. Wooden handle threaded through hole in wooden block, adjusted along the handle by tightening a wing-nut screw. The end of the handle has a pointed pin fitted for scoring a mark on the work surface to mark timber before cutting. This gauge is part of a collection of tools and accessories once used by Jim Williams, maker of a series of ship models 1930-1955 including “HMS Sovereign of the Seas”.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, jim williams, james bernard williams, ship model hobby, ship model tools, ship model making equipment, ship model making accessories, wood working tool, model making tool, drawing instrument, gauge, tool, sovereign of the sea, ship model, hobby, ship model tool

A dead eye is a part of a vessel’s rig On board sailing ships, dead eyes were used in three different areas. Traditionally dead eyes are made of wood but they have different forms according to where they were used in the vessel rigging. The most common type of dead-eye is flat, with three holes and was used to tension the shrouds, the heavy lines which steadied the masts on each side. Each shroud had a dead eye at the lower end, which corresponded to a similar dead eye attached to the side of the ship. The two were connected with a rope called a lanyard, which was used to tighten the assembly. The stays, heavy lines running forward from the masts, were also tensioned with dead eyes. These are much larger and rectangular, with four or six holes. The third type of dead-eye was a two-holed version attached to an eye at the end of the parallel, which tied a yard to the mast. The loose ends of the parallel rope passed through the dead eye and then down to the deck, making it possible to tighten or slacken the parallel from the deck so that the yard could be more easily manoeuvred. It was especially important for the mizzen yard, which had to be shifted from one side of the mast to the other when tacking the ship.An item used on sailing ships rigging this item of ships equipment and its use has been used from the beginning of the invention of sailing ships going back to ancient times. Its use on sailing vessels had not changed in design or use until they went out of fashion and steamships took their place.Circular wooden ships rigging dead eye with three holes Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sailing vessel rigging, dead eye, sailing equipment

The Archimedes drill, also known as a fretwork drill, is an old type of drill which works on the Archimedian principle; the drill rotates quickly as the barrel on the stem is worked up and down. This tool provides a quick and easy way to bore holes through ordinary fret wood and other substances, smaller versions are used in jewellery making where precision drilling is required. There were numerous different sized Archimedes drills made from various materials, usually a combination of wood and steel, some being all steel and some including brass parts. The fancier versions of these drills included parts made from Rosewood, Ebony, Ivory and decorative brass parts. Some of the later Archimedes drills had technological improvements such as a ratchet device and the inclusion of fly-weights. The ratchet device allows the drill to revolve continuously in the cutting direction. The fly-weights give momentum to maintain the speed of the drill during the upward stroke of the hand. Most old examples such as the subject item have no makers names.A vintage drilling tool that gives a snapshot into how holes were drilled by hand into small or delicate objects during the Victorian era. Tools from this time are today regarded as collectable items eagerly sought by collectors of antique tools. Archimedean drill with Rosewood hand, brass bearings, steel twist and wooden grip. Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, archimedean drill, archimedean drill with wooden hand, drilling tool