Hydrometers in wooden box, pre Hartung.

This Sikes brass hydrometer was manufactured by the optical and scientific instrument makers Kasner & Moss of 17 Collins Street West, Melbourne, in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The firm adverted hydrometers, as well as optical instruments, as early as August 13th, 1864, in The Age, Melbourne. This hydrometer set was donated to Flagstaff Hill in 1979 by local wine and spirits merchants Lynch Bros of Fairy Street, Warrnambool. Giffen Russell had established the business in 1878, and Harry Lynch took it over in the 1930s, and after he passed away in 1953 Kevin Matthew Lynch became proprietor of K M Lynch Food and Liquor. The business closed in the 2010s. The hydrometer may date back to the establishment of the business in 1878, as Kasner & Moss were selling hydrometers in Melbourne from 1864. Hydrometers were used to measure the density, or relative density, of liquids from the late 1600s. In 1816 Bartholomew Sikes won the competition for the most useful accurate hydrometer. Hydrometers were commonly used by distillers, vintners, and brewers to establish accurate measures of alcohol concentration in their beverages. Following this manufacturing process, government inspectors and excise officers used them to check that the labelled indications of alcohol-proof were correct and that the right amounts of duty were being paid. This hydrometer and its fitted and hinged wooden container show signs of heavy and protracted use in a working environment. Although the instrument has some parts missing and has been recently repaired, the original quality of the inlaid box and the fine engraving on the instrument and the attachable weights, are indications of the hydrometer’s very real value when new. This Sikes hydrometer, bearing the maker's mark of “Kasner & Moss Melbourne” and the registered number “20373”, was presented to the purchasing public as a precision-made instrument designed for professional use. The Sikes hydrometer is of local significance because of its implied association with the alcohol trade in the southwest region of Victoria. It was donated by a family member of Lynch Bros, a local licensed outlet for wines and spirits in the period before the general relaxation of liquor licensing laws in the State of Victoria. It may have belonged to Griffin Russell who established the liquor store in 1878.Hydrometer; original Sikes brass hydrometer in a polished wooden case with an inlaid plaque on the lid. The brass float is a sphere with a thin flat upper stem and a short, lower stem with a bulb-shaped end. The upper stem is engraved scale on both sides with the numbers 1 to 10, and five divisions between each number. There are ten fixed pegs in the base to secure the thick brass horseshoe-shaped, numbered, various-sized weights (20, 30, 40, 80, 90); the free pegs would have originally stored another five weights (10, 50, 60, 70, and 100). The empty compartment in the box suggests another part in the initial set, probably a thermometer. The fitted, fabric-lined box has two brass closures and two brass hinges. The scientific instrument shows signs of heavy use and repairs. The Serial Number on the float matches the Serial Numbers on the weights. The plaque on the lid, the float and the weights have inscriptions. Made by Kasner & Moss, Melbourne. Plaque: “SIKES HYDROMETER / KASNER & MOSS / MELBOURNE” On float's lower stem: “SIKES 20373” On one thin edge of the float's scale, engraved in script “Kasner & Moss” and stamped “MELBOURNE”, and symbol“P” rotated 90 degrees. On the opposite thin edge of the float: “N20.373”, “SIKES”, “I P % II O” (in ornate capitals). Each weight has s unique number, and the same serial number “20373”.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, sikes hydrometer, scientific instrument, pressure measurement, measuring instrument, ullage tool, customs, excise duty, tax, alcohol content, proof, calibrate, standard weights and measures, tariff, kasner & moss, scientific instrument makers, specific gravity, liquid density, alcohol testing, technology, alcohol measurement, proof spirit, wine and spirits merchants, local business, brass measuring instrument, k m lynch, giffen russell, harry lynch

This Sike’s Hydrometer was donated by the Port Fairy Customs Office as it was no longer required by them due to a change in the law. The hydrometer was part of a system for Ullaging or calculating the amount of liquid remaining in a container of liquor such as a barrel, and the amount of alcoholic content in the contents. It can also measure the free space or head space remaining. Hydrometers were used to measure the density, or relative density, of liquids from the late 1600s. In 1816 Bartholomew Sikes won the competition for the most useful accurate hydrometer. Hydrometers were commonly used by distillers, vintners, and brewers to establish accurate measures of alcohol concentration in their beverages. Following this manufacturing process, government inspectors and excise officers used them to check that the labelled indications of alcohol-proof were correct and that the right amounts of duty were being paid.The Sikes hydrometer is of local significance because of its association with the Government's Customs Office in Port Fairy, in the southwest region of Victoria. It is also associated with Bartholomew Sikes, whose design of a hydrometer was chosen in 1816 as being the most useful and accurate hydrometer. The hydrometer has evolved into the digital version available today to measure density of liquids.Sikes Hydrometer and thermometer in a fitted wooden case with crimson lining inside the lid and dark lining in the base. The case has ten vertical pegs to secure the weights. The brass hydrometer has a spherical float and eight thick brass horseshoe-shaped weights. The serial number is on each section of the float and all weights. Both sides of the float’s upper flat stem have a scale from 0-10, with five divisions between each number. The eight weights are numbered from 20 – 90 in increments of 10. The set includes a mercury thermometer mounted on an ivory back plate labelled with Fahrenheit and Centigrade Scales. The Sikes hydrometer set was made by Loftus of London. The hydrometer model is IID 510, Serial Number is 14674, calibrated by Longs, London. All parts of the float and eight weights are inscribed with Serial Number “14674” The float stem is stamped "SIKE'S IID 51o” Calibrator, "LONG LITTLE TOWER ST LONDON" The weights are numbered individually ”20”, “30”, “40”, “50”, “60”, “70”, “80” or “90” Each weight in inscribed; symbol “(J L) [inside an ova, with textured background]” The thermometer inscribed: “LOFTUS OF LONDON”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, measuring instruments, customs tax, weighing instrument, sike’s hydrometer, calibrator long of london, loftus of london instrument maker, loftus, j long, sikes hydrometer, scientific instrument, pressure measurement, measuring instrument, ullage tool, customs, excise duty, tax, alcohol content, proof, calibrate, standard weights and measures, tariff, scientific instrument makers, specific gravity, liquid density, alcohol testing, technology, alcohol measurement, proof spirit, wine and spirits merchants, local business, brass measuring instrument, port fairy, customs office, port fairy customs, joseph long, instrument maker

The book was compiled for the proprietor, L Oertling (Ludwig Oertling), who established his firm of precision scientific instruments in 1849 and went on to become well-known in Britain for its manufacture of precision instruments, particularly its balance scales. In 1865 Ludwig Oertling and business partner Edward Wilds Laad at 27 Moorgate Street London were granted Patent 75 for the invention of improvements in hydrometers. The firm was situated at Turnmill Street, London, in 1922, when it advertised its products including hydrometers, petroleumeters, saccharometers, balances and weights, and automatic coin weighing machines in the British Industries Fair catalogue. In 1925 the firm became part of the Avery group of companies, which acquired Stanton Instruments in 1968 and about two years later Stantons merged into L. Oertling Ltd. Joseph Long has been mentioned by some sources as the author of this book, written for the proprietor of L. Oertling Ltd.The book has been recognised as being culturally important as a basis for our current civilization. It was of great importance to the Board of Revenue for the collectors of taxes and duties Customs Offices, and used in the calculation of alcohol levels in wine and spirits.Reference book, hardcover, burgundy with gold text and lines. Cloth cover with embossed design. Title: Tables for Ascertaining The Strength of Spirits for ascertaining the strengths of spirits with Sike's Hydrometer; Compiled for L. Oetlihg, by appointment, sole manufacturer of Hydrometers & Saccharometers to the Board of Inland Revenue. [some sources say the author is Joseph Long] Published in Turnmill Street, London, near Farringdon Street Station Printer: Printed in London, England by George Berridge and Co, Eastcheap Works, ECflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, l. oertling, ludwig oertling., precision balances, edward wilds ladd, patent 75, improvements in hydrometers, hydrometer, automatic balance for weighing sovereigns, hydrometers, petroleometers, saccharometers, balances and weights, automatic coin-weighing machines, avery group, stanton instruments, l. oertling ltd, testing machine, tables for hydrometers, strength of spirits, alcohol content, alcohol measurement, board of revenue, joseph long

The firm Dring and Fage were active from 1790 to 1940 in London and were manufacturers of hydrometers and mathematical instruments they became established in London in 1790 by John Dring, who was a brass worker and hydrometer maker, and William Fage. Dring and Fage manufactured also saccharometers and other instruments used to measure the strength of alcohol. These instruments were primarily used to calculate excises. They traded at various addresses in London and they were at 56 Stamford St. between 1903 and 1938. By 1850 the company was owned by Edward Hall and Edward Jenkin and in 1940 the company became Dring & Fage Ltd, trading till the 1960s. Historically, gauging has meant measuring a volume, these gauging instruments were used by Customs and Excise and manufacturers for determining the volume and contents of liquid containers. For Customs the determination and collection of duty on imported goods which has had a very long history. Chaucer was a Customs Officer as was his father and grandfather, excise was first officially introduced in 1643, with the aim of maintaining military forces raised by the English Parliament at that time. Excise was initially a duty on home produced alcoholic beverages and soap but being easily applied, spread rapidly to a wide range of goods including imports of varying kinds. The government departments of Customs and Excise merged only in 1909 and it is from around this time that our instrument was made and used. The item demonstrates a long social history of the practice of Government's collecting duty on alcoholic beverages and thereby makes this item historically significant as it was used locally at Port Fairy by the ports Customs agents. Gauging rod or bung rod; ullaging gauge. Long brown wooden gauging rod with brass tips and sliding brass marker. Measurements are marked along the length of the rod. Used for measuring volume of liquor in casks in order for Customs to calculate excise (tax) on the contents. Made by Dring & Fage, London.Engraved “Dring & Fage 56 Stamford St London flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, gauging rod, ullaging rods, measuring instruments, customs tax, dring & fage, alcohol measurement

The firm Dring and Fage were active from 1790 to 1940 in London and were manufacturers of hydrometers and mathematical instruments they became established in London in 1790 by John Dring, who was a brass worker and hydrometer maker, and William Fage. Dring and Fage manufactured also saccharometers and other instruments used to measure the strength of alcohol. These instruments were primarily used to calculate excises. They traded at various addresses in London and they were at 56 Stamford St. between 1903 and 1938. By 1850 the company was owned by Edward Hall and Edward Jenkin and in 1940 the company became Dring & Fage Ltd, trading till the 1960s.Historically, gauging has meant measuring a volume, these gauging instruments were used by Customs and Excise and manufacturers for determining the volume and contents of liquid containers. For Customs the determination and collection of duty on imported goods which has had a very long history. Chaucer was a Customs Officer as was his father and grandfather, excise was first officially introduced in 1643, with the aim of maintaining military forces raised by the English Parliament at that time. Excise was initially a duty on home produced alcoholic beverages and soap but being easily applied, spread rapidly to a wide range of goods including imports of varying kinds. The government departments of Customs and Excise merged only in 1909 and it is from around this time that our instrument was made and used. The item demonstrates a long social history of the practice of Government's collecting duty on alcoholic beverages and thereby makes this item historically significant as it was used locally at Port Fairy by the ports Customs agents. Boxwood barrel calipers, wooden slide-rule with right angles at each end and brass fittings used for measuring casks length."Dring & Fage Makers to the Customs" stamped on side.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, customs, long calipers, excise duty, barrel calipers

The Australian Customs Service, Melbourne, donated a set of gauging instruments, and Port Fairy Customs donated another instrument, the Sike’s Hydrometer, to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, all of which were no longer required. However these ullaging tools were in use for many years by Customs officials, called Gaugers. Ullaging is a term describing the measurement of the amount of liquid remaining in a container of spirits such as a cask or barrel. It can also measure the free space or head space remaining. The primary role of customs officers in Victoria was to calculate the tariff or excise duty payable on goods imported into Victoria. (Excise duty is a tax on goods produced within a country, and customs duty is imposed on imports.) Customs officers spent a great deal of their time measuring and weighing goods, and then calculating the amount of duty to be paid by the importer. The tariffs for different products varied, and officers consulted published lists. Calculating the duty payable on a barrel of brandy was a detailed task. The gauger had to measure the barrel to determine its volume. Barrels were irregular in shape, and finding the volume required several measurements and checking tables of figures. Alcoholic content was then measured with a hydrometer. The duty paid varied according to the alcoholic strength of the spirits. Uniform national customs and excise duties were operative in Australia from October 1901. These tools were still being used in Australia in the 1950’s. The Federal Government still imposes excise taxes on goods such as cigarettes, petrol, and alcohol. The rates imposed may change in February and August each year in response to changes in the consumer price index. ULLAGING TOOLS (1) Head Rod - this instrument measures the diameter of the heads (top and bottom ends) of a cask or barrel. The shaped brass pieces on the head rod enable the diameter of a barrel to be measured inside the chimes at the head end. The slide rule could then be used to calculate the internal volume of the barrel. On the reverse side is a set of ullaging scales, used like those on any ullaging rule, to calculate the volume of liquid in a partially filled barrel. (2) Bung Rod – this instrument measures the diameter of a cask or barrel when it is lying on its side. It is a rod that fits into the ‘bung’ hole of a cask and is long enough be extended to reach the opposite side of the cask. The brass sliding pointer can be moved to mark the ‘wet’ line. When the rod is removed the bung measurement can be read from the scale on the rod. (3) Long Calipers - this instrument measures the length of the cask between the heads. It has two rules sliding beside each other, each end having another piece of wood fixed firmly at right angles downwards then turned inwards at the ends so as to reach over the heads of the casks without touching the projecting ends. The centre pieces enable it to extend or contract, changing the distance between the two other parallel sides, the distance they are apart being shown by the rule on the sliding pieces. (4) Cross Calipers – this instrument is used to take the bung diameters of casks, or "the Cross " as it is called. This instrument has two rules sliding beside each other, each end having another piece of wood fixed firmly at right angles downwards, together forming a 3 sides of a rectangle with the centre pieces enabling it to extended or contracted, changing the distance between the two other parallel sides, the distance they are apart being shown by a the rule on the sliding pieces. (5) Sike’s Hydrometer – this instrument is used to gauge the strength of different alcoholic spirits when fitted with the different weights in the set. Every set is individually calibrated to ensure that it meets the exact Standard Weight and Measure compliance, then every piece in that set is stamped with the same number by the Calibrator, to ensure that the measurements are taken using the same hydrometer set. [References: A Handbook of Practical Gauging, Janes Boddely Keene of H.M. Customs, 1861, F. Pitman, London; Customs Act, Volume 2, No. 1, April 1999; Old Customs House website ] Head Rod, ullaging gauge. Long wooden rod made of three joined sections, brass hook on end, sliding centre section with hook, measurements marked along each section as on a slide rule. Used for measuring diameter of heads of casks in order for Customs to calculate excise (tax) on the contentsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, head rod, gauging rod, ullaging rods, measuring instruments, customs tax

The company was established in 1859 by Alfred Charles Cossor following a period of apprenticeship by the founder as a glass blower, Having gained a high reputation for his skills and the quality of his products, the founder was joined by his sons Alfred Charles in 1875 and then by his younger son Frank in 1885. In 1904 Accoson produced their first glass manometer, using their glass blowing skills, known as the sphygmomanometer. A year later Russian surgeon Nikolai Korotkoff first described the technique to measure diastolic pressure. In 1921 Frank Cossor was joined by his son Frank Gordon Cossor and the company expanded its products to include all types of thermometers, hydrometers and syringes. However, Sphygmomanometers became the main product of the company. When Adrian Cossor joined the company in 1966 he was the fourth generation to do so. Accoson was acquired by the HCE Medical Group in 2018 and relocated to new premises in Irvine, Scotland. An item made for the confectionery industries not very rare, but made by the company that invented and pioneered the blood pressure meter (sphygmomanometer) that is still in use today and an item we all have use when we have visited our doctor when our blood pressure is checked.Thermometer wooden casing with a metal tip. used for measuring temperature by the expansion and contraction of mercury or alcohol in a capillary tube and bulb. Inscription Made by ACCOSON, in England for B.M.I. Ltd.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, thermometer, b.m.i. ltd, accoson, blood pressure

This small barrel looks well used. Unfortunately, the inscription on the barrel is indecipherable so its story is a mystery. However, the bungholes on the side are a clue that it was once used for storing liquid, likely to have been liquor. Barrels have been used over many centuries for transporting and storing a wide range of dry and liquid goods. They are made by tradesmen called coopers, who use heat and steam to bend and shape the wood to suit the work in hand. They add metal reinforcing, handles, spouts and suchlike, to complete they process. Their produce also includes buckets, casks and tubs. Ships transported bulk liquor in their cargo, stored in wooden barrels. The barrels' round shape allowed them to be easily moved by rolling them into place. The body's shape gave the barrels added strength and the iron bands helped the wooden sheaves stay in place. The tops and bottoms allowed for easy grip. The bungholes gave access to government representatives, who would sample the contents, measure the alcohol percentage, and charge the appropriate duty or tax; the process was called Ullaging and the instrument they used was a Hydrometer. Hundreds of barrels of cement were imported into Warrnambool in the late 19th century for the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater. Barrel-shaped concrete blocks are still visible at shipwreck sites such as on the LOCH ARD wreck, which carried cement among its cargo.This small barrel is representative of 19th century containers used for transportation and storage of liquid such as liquor. It is a historic shape that is still used in modern times.Barrel; wooden barrel, cylindrical shape with metal bands or ribs for reinforcement. The side has two bungholes; one has a bung or stopper. Inscription on top (indecipherable). (indecipherable)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, barrel, cask, small barrel, trade, coopering, cooper, casket, transport, storage, bunghole

Victorian Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (VIOSH) Australia is the Asia-Pacific centre for teaching and research in occupational health and safety (OHS) and is known as one of Australia's leaders on the field. VIOSH has a global reputation for its innovative approach within the field of OHS management. VIOSH had its first intake of students in 1979. At that time the Institution was known as the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. In 1990 it became known as Ballarat University College, then in 1994 as University of Ballarat. It was 2014 that it became Federation University. VIOSH Australia students are safety managers, senior advisors and experienced OHS professionals. They come from all over Australia and industry. Students are taught active research and enquiry; rather than textbook learning and a one-size fits all approach. VIOSH accepts people into the Graduate Diploma of Occupational Hazard Management who have no undergraduate degree - on the basis of extensive work experience and knowledge. Instrument used to determine the humidity in a location. Made in England by Brannan. Established in 1913, Brannan are a global manufacturer of thermometers, pressure gauges & associated instrumentation productsBrown leather case with brass clip. Wooden frame with thermometer tubes. Black handle used to swing meter around. Gauge for temperature scale Made in England. Brannanviosh, victorian institute of occupational safety and health, brannan, england, thermometers, pressure gauges, humidity hydrometer