The 1888 Centennial International Exhibition, celebrating a century of Australian settlement, surpassed even the grand scale of the1880 Melbourne International Exhibition. It attracted over two million people, but the Victorian government had to spend £250 000 on it, ten times the amount estimated. The exhibition had a distinctively imperial focus, and a greater emphasis on culture than in 1880, particularly on music and painting (1). (1. https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/273830) S.D. Gadd was appointed Curator of Parks and Gardens in 1874 an lived in residence in Rosalind Park. He resigned in 1905 and moved to Melbourne where he died in 1917. Mr Gadd was a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge. It is not clear why he was awarded this medal.The bronze medal of the Centennial International Exhibition awarded to S.G. Gadd. Obverse - Portrait: bust of Queen Victoria in left profile wearing a crown, veil and 3 medals. Reverse - Field: Victor's wreath consisting of leaves and acorns of British oak and the leaves and acorns of the wattle. The oak and wattle were tied together 'by a true-lover's knot, 'symbolizing the unity and affection between the mother country and the colony'. Southern Cross inside surrounded by a legend. (https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/273822) Obverse - Motto: Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne Reverse - Legend: (Latin) Artibus Dignis Honor Insignis (To the deserving arts, distinguished honor) (Mint) left: Melbourne Mint. (Date) Lower Centre: MDCCCLXXXVIII. (Engraver) Right: Stokes & Martin S.C. Edge - Plain, impressed with S.G. Gadd ESQ.centennial international exhibition melbourne 1888, s.g. gadd, rosalind park, city of greater bendigo medals

Jones and Sons were watchmakers, engravers, jewellers and opticians. The made the medals for the New Zealand International Exhibition, 1906-7. Foolscap letter on Jones and Sons letterhead relating to 2 gold medals awarded to the Ballarat School of Mines at the New Zealand International Exhibition, 1906-7.new zealand international exhibition, jones and sons, medals, letterhead

Medal, Australia : Victoria. Melbourne International Exhibition 1880, silver.Front: Melbourne Exhibition Building and Southern Cross / Melbourne / Exhibition / 1881 Back: Early "Coat of Arms" showing kangaroo and emu supporting a shield divided into quadrants representing Produce and Transport / rising sun (above) / 1880 (below)stokes melbourne, melbourne international exhibition 1880-1881

In 1791 Prague organized the first World's Fair, Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic). The first industrial exhibition was on the occasion of the coronation of Leopold II as a king of Bohemia, which took place in Clementinum, and celebrated the considerable sophistication of manufacturing methods in the Czech lands during that time period. The French tradition of national exhibitions culminated with the French Industrial Exposition of 1844 held in Paris. This fair was followed by other national exhibitions in Europe. In 1851, under the title "Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations", the World Expo was held in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, the United Kingdom. The Great Exhibition, as it is often called, was an idea of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, and is usually considered to be the first international exhibition of manufactured products. It influenced the development of several aspects of society, including art-and-design education, international trade and relations, and tourism. This expo was the precedent for the many international exhibitions, later called World Expos, that have continued to be held to the present time. (source; Wikipedia) Commemorative medal. Featuring the bust of Edward, Prince of Wales by G. Morgan with the Welsh plume behind and a scene from within the City of London.Front; Draped bust of the Prince of Wales left, plumes to right. ALBERT . EDWARD . PRINCE . OF . WALES . PRESIDENT . Verso; View of the Horticultural Society's arcades and the Albert Hall. MDCCCLXXIII below, LONDON . ANNUAL . INTERNATIONAL . EXHIBITION . OF . ALL . FINE . ARTS . INDUSTRIES AND INVENTIONSworld fairs, international exhibition, prince albert, expo

Brown cloth-bound hardcover book with leather spine. Title in gold on spine with decorative borders top & bottom. Upper spine torn & detached. First page loose as is page 673, otherwise largely intact. Minor foxing throughout, mostly on front pages.Nilkilmore mechanics institute library.

Official record of the Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne 1888-1889 containing a sketch of the industrial and economic progress of the Australasian colonies during the first century of their existence and of the exhibition held in Melbourne, Victoria to commemorate the close of that period, also records of the manner in which the work of the different sections of the exhibition was carried out, the official awards of the executive commissioners, the catalogue of exhibits together with sundry illustrations. Published by authority of the executive commissioners, printed by Sands & Mcdougall Ltd 1138 pages with a pull out map.book, exhibitions, exhibitions, centennial international exhibition, awards

Maroon cover, gold print and trim, 1138 pages. On front of book 'Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne, 1888-9 Official Record' Patrick Payes, Mayor of the City of Sandhurst (Bendigo) was a member of the Commission and listed with other members of the Commission. The International Exhibition of Works of Industry and Art at Melbourne was held to commemorate the centenary ' of the founding of the first Colony of Australia' Some Bendigo exhibits include: Page 631: exhibit 1797, Harry J., Knape Street, American Gully, Sandhurst, Victoria - working model of a gold mine. Exhibit 1810, Percy and Hunter, Wattle street Sandhurst, Victoria - safety fuses for blasting operations. Exhibit 1811, Plainbeck, Hermann, Sandhurst, Model of a mine. The wine exhibits: page 304 - 317 A. Bruhn, EmuCreek page 305 - 306 F.Grosse, Strathfieldsaye page 307 W. Jones, Mandurang, page 309 H. Meyer, Mandurang, page 309 E. Schroeder, Castlemaine, page 310 F.K. Shaw, Goornong, page 310 A. Trinkaus, Muckleford, page 311 Albert Bruhn listed in competitors for Burgoyne Prize Bendigo Pottery Co, page 606.australia, history, centennial international exhibition

.1) London International Exhibition of 1873 (Melbourne 1872-3) Official Record containing introductions, catalogue of exhibits, index of exhibitors, reports and recommendations of experts, official awards of commissioners and essays and statistics on the social and economic resources of the Colony of Victoria, mining and mineral statistics .2) International Exhibition Essays, 1872-3: * Progress of Victoria by William Henry Archer. This includes birth places for the People of Victoria (1871), Education. * The climate of Victoria by Robert L.J. Ellery * Wines * Preserved Meats * The climate of Victoria in reference to vegetable production. * Agriculturenon-fictionballarat distillery company, ballarat meat preserving company, william bardwell, joseph bosisto, j. brache, clunes gold mining company, hubert de castella, gutheil, butner & co., lambert & co., fabrizzio crippa, robert brough smyth, william henry archer, robert ellery, g.l. graham, wines, john bleasdale, preserved meat, james harrison, agriculture, vienna universal exhibition, mining and mineral statistics, matilda lang

Reference to international exhibitions.Eight round cardboard boxes with lids, some with white paper black printed labels on lid and sides.On some lids 'IMPROVED GELATINE CAPSULES CONTAINING PURE YELLOW SANDAL WOOD DOSE TWO : THREE TIMES A DAY DR. FRANCAIS LEBEAUX RUE RIVOLI PARIS'. On the sides of some boxes are round white labels with printed black text. 'H & CO TRADEMARK HOOD & CO DISPENSING & PRACTICAL CHEMISTS MELBOURNE'. 'DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION SECTION ii HOOD & CO'. 'ARTS & MANUFACTURERS'. 'ADELAIDE PRESENTED H R H THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH 1867 HOOD & CO'. 'INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AWARD FOR CHEMICALS & C PHILADELPHIA 1876'. international exhibition 1876

A Report of the Commissioners, presented to Parliament in 1891, noted that: ‘The great Musical Festival, which was inaugurated and maintained during the time the Exhibition was open, was such as had never before been attempted. In that comparatively short period, no less than 263 orchestral, grand choral, and other concerts were given by the Centennial Orchestra and Choir, numbering nearly 800 performers, under the conductorship of Mr. F. H. Cowen. At these concerts the works of the great masters were performed in a manner hitherto unknown in these colonies, and your Commissioners are encouraged to hope that the stimulus given through their agency to the study of Music will prove strong and lasting. They also desire to return their thanks to the ladies and gentlemen composing the Centennial Choir, who devoted much time to the rehearsal and performance of the great choral works given during the Festival, and whose valuable services were rendered gratuitously.'An illuminated certificate inscribed to Miss L. Wilson in ‘recognition of valuable services rendered as a member of the Centennial Choir during the currency of the Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne 1888’. The illuminated certificate lists a number of works performed by the choir, at left, and also pictorial roundels of the exterior of the Exhibition Building and of its grand organ. Attached to the card on which the certificate is also attached is a separate Memorandum from the Music Business Manager to Miss Wilson. No other correspondence is extant to explain the reason for her request.Inscription: To Miss L. Wilson / In recognition of valuable services / rendered as a Member of / The Centennial Choir / during the currency of the / Centennial International/ Exhibition, Melbourne 1888. Separate Memorandum: CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION MEMORANDUM FROM EXHIBITION BUILDINGS FITZROY 8/10/1888 E. MILLER (MUSIC BUSINESS MANAGER) TO Miss Wilson Dear Madam In answer to your note I have the honor to inform you that you may remove your dress at any time, though you may need to show your choir pass & may have to submit to parcel being looked at - as the Customs officers are obliged to keep a very careful watch on any outgoing parcels. Yours obediently E. Millercentennial choir - 1888, centennial exhibition - melbourne (vic) - 1888, certificates

A rare example of an Australian colonial bookmark and also an early Braille bookmark, with the name of the recipient added in Braille. This bookmark was issued at the Adelaide International Exhibition in 1887.card stitched to burgundy silk ribbon printed around perimeter with T Gifford in Braille on card.school for the blind, adelaide, international exhibition, gifford, 1887, braille

Paper poster promoting the new invention, A Gatling Gun'. Exhibited at the International Inventions Exhibition on the 16 May 1885 in South Kensington London.Several versions of the Gun are shown: The Gatling Gun item 3 10 Barrel Gatling Gun with Acck's positive feed Item 4 Rapid firing Nondenfekk shell Gun item 5 The Holchhler Gun item 6 The Gardner Gun

Relates to the Whatmough family of Greensborough (mistakenly referred to as 'Queensberry' in the list of fruits in this copy). Mr Whatmough was a local orchardist. Casts of his apples are held in the State Library of Victoria archives.Relates to the pioneering Whatmough family.2 x A4 sheets. Photocopies of the title page and index from this book.whatmough family, orchards greensborough, beauty of kent apples

Short cylindrical off-white glazed ceramic pot with lid, with ridge at base of pot and top of lid. Remnants of a white label with black text on the side, the pot containing mouldy white tablets.Impressed on the base the numeral '1' over '2'. label on the side damaged but in its entirety would have originally read ' International Exhibition Award for Chemicals & c Philadelphia 1876.medicine, tablets, international exhibition 1876

The exhibition was held in the Royal Exhibition Building from 25 August to 3 September 1955. The proceeds went to the the Mission.The magazine is one the many fundraising efforts from the Mission.A4-sized magazine of multiple pages. Front cover of magazine is in blue, white and black ink. At the top of the cover is a stylised depiction of the world globe linked to a gear by a drive chain. The lower part of the cover depicts a stylised abbreviated city and seaside scene. Inner pages are monochrome and detail ship model builds, with pictures.'1955 All models exhibition, International trade fair' 'August 25 - September 3' 'All proceeds to Missions to Seamen'trade fair, 1955, probus club, ship models, fundraising

In 1880 Melbourne hosted its first major international exhibition the "Melbourne International Exhibition". In 1888 Melbourne hosted its second major international exhibition the "Melbourne International Centennial Exhibition".Two-piece evening dress comprising separate bodice and skirt made of gold-coloured silk damask woven with large curvilinear design in cream. Cream tulle trim around neck embellished with beads and artificial pearls. Similar trim down centre front and around lower edge of bodice. Short puffed sleeves Neckline trimed with wide gold satin riboon and bows. Bodice is boned and fastens centre back with hooks and eyes. Gored skirt pleated into waist. .1 - bodice . 2 - skirtLabel, woven blue on cream, centre back bodice: QUOD FACIMUS VALDE FACIMUS, George & George Ltd / Federal Emporium / Melbourne, International Exhibition Melbourne, Costumes and Mantlesgeorge and george, evening dress, georges of collins street, 1888

Colour photograph of an exhibit at the Dior Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.national gallery victoria, ngv international, dior, fashion, exhibition, 1950s, dress, red, silk, hat

Trove contains one newspaper reference to a firm called Ballard & Bowsers. This is in a report on the International Exhibition of 1862. So the company predates the English firm of Callard & Bowsers. Perhaps it is a late Victorian example of piracy of trade names. Old lolly tin with an art nouveau design in a darker metal on the lid. The interior contains a floral spray of lily of the valley made from pressed metal. The title is definitely Ballard & Bowsers rather than Callard and Bowsers. tin, international exhibition 1862

These boots may have been made as a sample as they are a very small size and do not appear to have been worn. They come from the New Zealand International Exhibition held at Hagley Park, Christchurch from November 1906 to April 1907. This exhibition was the brainchild of the New Zealand Prime Minister, Richard Seddon who died before the exhibition opened. Nearly 2 million people visited the exhibition at a time when the population of New Zealand was less than one million. The exhibition was thus rated a success even though there was a financial loss. No information has been found on the bootmakers, H. Perry & Co. In the 19th and early 20th centuries boots were an essential item for women who often had to walk through unmade streets and muddy paddocks. This item is of interest as it is a memento of an important New Zealand Exhibition early in the 20th century. This is a pair of a lady’s light brown leather boots. The boots have long leather tongues with 16 eyelets either side to lace up the front instep. The laces are missing. The wooden heels are slightly raised. H. Perry & Co. New Zealand International Exhibition Christchurch 1906-7 vintage footwear, christchurch new zealand exhibition, 1906-7

This list of rocks, minerals, etc. from Victoria was complied and forwarded by the School of Mines, Ballarat, to the Calcutta International Exhibition. At the end of the exhibition the items were to be presented to the Geological Survey of India. One Hundred items are listed. Pages 4 and 5 also show diagrams relating to the land formations and sections. Places in Victoria are named indicating where items were found. List compiled by Professor Ferdinand Moritz Krause. He joined Ballarat School of Mines in 1880 and lectured in Mineralogy and Geology. He was also the Curator of the Ballarat School of Mines Museum.6 pages, handwrittenSignature of F M Krause Dated 30th August 1883ballarat school of mines, rocks, minerals, calcutta international exhibition, geology survey of india, victoria, professor ferdinand moritz krause, mineralogy, geology, curator, ballarat school of mines museum

The Warrnambool Camera Club is a group of like -minded people who meet once a month in Dennington. The ledger contains lists of entrants and photographs from International Exhibitions of Photography held from 1966 to 1970. The exhibition was held in January 1966 at the Warrnambool Town Hall. Patrons were the Governor of Victoria Sir Rohan Delacombe and the Hon. H. E. Bolte.The significance of this ledger lies with its links to a local club which is still viable. It also shows the organisation behind holding an International Exhibition.Black leather bound volume with green card inside front and back cover. Contains handwritten entries and a number of brochures, tickets and statements. Modern print 91 Kepler Street, Warrnambool. Telephone 2274.warrnambool, warrnambool photography club, photographs, ledger, international photographic exhibition warrnambool photographic society

Beautiful black silk top hat, lined with a 6cm wide band of leather, cream silk, and cream fiber board, with the markings - Wallworth 270 Bourke Street, Melbourne. First Class Award Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888-9. A signature on the headband reads Jn H Sargood. A small silk ribbon bow, possibly used to tighten the headband. Two air vents in top of crown - 0ne is external, with an eyelet in the centre of the crown. Sargood Family Notes in Clothing Box 157.Wallworth, 270 Bourke Street, Melbourne. First Class Award. Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne 1888-89. A printed royal coat of arms… MON DROIT. Also in black ink signature: Jn H Sargood 16/87.costume, male, silk top hat

This framed photograph is of the Victoria Challenge Shield which was presented in 1888 by the Warrnambool firm of Cramond and Dickson for competition among the Victoria Garrison Artillery members in Victoria. There were 8 garrison groups in Victoria at that time. The shield was 22 inches wide and two feet six inches high.The quality of the shield can be gauged by that fact that it was exhibited at the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888 and was one of the items inspected by Queen Victoria. The stipulation by the donors was that the competition had to be held in Warrnambool. The Warrnambool artillery group won the trophy in 1898 and this is noted in one of the newspaper cuttings included with the photograph of the shield. The Cramond and Dickson general store in Warrnambool was founded in 1855 by John Cramond and James Dickson and was a prominent business in Warrnambool until it closed in 1973. This photograph is of considerable interest as it is a reminder of the Victoria Challenge Shield that was a competition prize for competing groups of the Victoria Garrison Artillery in the times when volunteer militia groups were strong in Victorian country towns ( from the 1860s to the beginning of the First World War). This is a framed oval photograph of the Victoria Challenge Shield. The photograph is of poor production and fading. The shield details include images of War and Peace, Coat of Arms, militia figures and guns and a rifle match (in the centre). There are two newspaper cuttings included in the frame and a handwritten date. The photograph has a beige background and is under glass in a wooden frameVictoria Challenge Shield inspected by Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen at the Glasgow International Exhibition 24th August 1888 presented by Messrs Cramond & Dickson Warrnambool cramond & dickson warrnambool, victoria challenge shield, garrison artillery groups in victoria

This Minton floor tile is from the wreck of the Loch Ard and is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery at Flagstaff Hill. The iron hulled clipper ship from the Loch Line was heading for Port Phillip from London, when it ran into the cliffs of Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell. The Loch Ard was laden with a high value cargo including luxury goods intended for display at the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. One notable survivor from the ship’s freight manifest was the well packed Minton porcelain peacock, a two meter high ceramic masterpiece of vivid glazed colours. (This is also on display in the Great Circle Gallery). The almost total loss of life and property from the Loch Ard registered as a shocking tragedy for the Colony of Victoria, at a time when social confidence and economic optimism were otherwise high. Wealth generated from Gold and Wool was increasingly being spent on grandiose private residences and imposing public buildings. The demand for quality furnishings and fittings was therefore strong. Among the products consigned to burgeoning colonial markets by the Milton pottery at Stoke upon Trent, were their new range of colourfully patterned but very durable floor tiles ideal for the high-traffic spaces in the large civic buildings then being constructed in Australia and America. These new floor tiles were “encaustic”, meaning that their designs and colours were encased “within” the depth of the tile. Rather than their decorative patterns being glazed onto the surface of the tile, their inlaid designs were created during the manufacturing process, as “coloured slips” (or liquid clay) were poured into a deep pre-molded casting. When fired, the resulting tile was colours-fast and design-fast. The Minton floor tile is significant for its hard-wearing yet attractive design. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulations of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections of objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. A square Minton floor tile with a dark brown, beige and white pattern. The tile has a piece broken off along one side and some chipping along the edges. This ‘encaustic’ floor tile was recovered from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD. Branded "... MINTON&CO Patent ..."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, minton floor tile, encaustic tile, melbourne international exhibition, floor tile

This Minton floor tile is from the wreck of the Loch Ard. The iron-hulled clipper ship from the Loch Line was heading for Port Phillip from London, when it ran into the cliffs of Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell. The Loch Ard was laden with high-value cargo including luxury goods intended for display at the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. One notable survivor from the ship’s freight manifest was the well-packed Minton porcelain peacock, a two-meter high ceramic masterpiece of vivid glazed colours. (This is also on display in the Great Circle Gallery). The almost total loss of life and property from the Loch Ard registered as a shocking tragedy for the Colony of Victoria, at a time when social confidence and economic optimism were otherwise high. The wealth generated from Gold and Wool was increasingly being spent on grandiose private residences and imposing public buildings. The demand for quality furnishings and fittings was therefore strong. Among the products consigned to burgeoning colonial markets by the Milton Pottery at Stoke upon Trent, were their new range of colourfully patterned but very durable floor tiles ideal for the high-traffic spaces in the large civic buildings then being constructed in Australia and America. These floor tiles were “encaustic”, meaning that their designs and colours were encased “within” the depth of the tile. Rather than their decorative patterns being glazed onto the surface of the tile, their inlaid designs were created during the manufacturing process, as “coloured slips” (or liquid clay) were poured into a deep pre-moulded casting. When fired, the resulting tile was colour-fast and design-fast. The Minton floor tile is significant for its hard-wearing yet attractive design. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulations of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections of objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. A square Minton floor tile with a white background, and beige, dark blue, light blue and black geometric pattern as well as leaves in the design. The tile has corner broken off and some chipping along the edges. The reverse has five rows of five evenly spaced holes. The back of the tile has inscriptions. Made by Minton & Co. at Stoke upon Trent. This encaustic floor tile was recovered from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD. Branded "... MINTON&CO / PATENT / STOKE UPON TRENT"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, minton floor tile, encaustic tile, melbourne international exhibition, floor tile, minton tile, minton & co., stoke upon trent

This Minton floor tile is from the wreck of the LOCH ARD along with other examples of this manufacture recovered from the wreck site and form part of the collection at Flagstaff Hill. The iron-hulled clipper ship from the Loch Line was heading for Port Phillip from London when it ran into the cliffs of Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell and was wrecked on June 1st, 1878. The LOCH ARD was laden with high-value cargo including luxury goods intended for display at the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. One notable survivor from the ship’s freight manifest was the well-packed Minton porcelain peacock, a two-metre-high ceramic masterpiece of vivid glazed colours. The almost total loss of life and property from the LOCH ARD registered as a shocking tragedy for the Colony of Victoria, at a time when social confidence and economic optimism were otherwise high. The wealth generated from Gold and Wool was increasingly being spent on grandiose private residences and imposing public buildings. The demand for quality furnishings and fittings was therefore strong. Among the products consigned to burgeoning colonial markets by the Milton Pottery at Stoke upon Trent, were their new range of colourfully patterned but very durable floor tiles – ideal for the high-traffic spaces in the large civic buildings then being constructed in Australia and America. These new floor tiles were “encaustic”, meaning that their designs and colours were encased “within” the depth of the tile. Rather than their decorative patterns being glazed onto the surface of the tile, their inlaid designs were created during the manufacturing process, as “coloured slips” (or liquid clay) were poured into a deep pre-moulded casting. When fired, the resulting tile was colour-fast and design-fast. A brief history of the Loch Ard (1873-1878): - The sailing ship Loch Ard was one of the famous Loch Line ships that sailed from England to Australia. Barclay, Curdle and Co. built the three-masted iron vessel in Glasgow in 1873. It had sailed three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of recently married, 29-year-old Captain Gibbs. It was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, and a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. Other cargo included items intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The Loch Ard had been sailing for three months and was close to its destination on June 1, 1878. Captain Gibbs had expected to see land at about 3 am but the Loch Ard ran into a fog that greatly reduced visibility and there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. The fog lifted at 4 am and the sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast were much closer to them than Captain Gibbs expected. He tried to manage the vessel but failed and the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. The top deck loosened from the hull, and the masts and rigging crashed down, knocking passengers and crew overboard. The lifeboat was launched by Tom Pearce but crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. He clung onto its overturned hull and sheltered under it. He drifted out to sea and the tide brought him back to what is now called Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore and found a cave for shelter. A passenger, Eva Carmichael, had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening and was confronted by towering cliffs above the ship. She was soon swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He swam out and dragged her to the shelter of the cave. He revived her with a bottle of brandy from a case that had washed up on the beach. Tom scaled a cliff in search of help and followed some horse hoof prints. He came from two men from Glenample Station, three and a half miles away. He told the men of the tragedy and then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. They reached Loch Ard Gorge and took the two shipwreck survivors to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome and was presented with a medal and some money. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck, it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register. The Minton floor tile is significant for its hard-wearing yet attractive design. The shipwreck of the LOCH ARD is of State significance. Victorian Heritage Register S417. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best-known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. A square Minton floor tile with a black and apricot pattern against a chocolate brown background. There is a large chip missing. This decorative floor tile was recovered from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD. On the back, or base, of the tile is inscribed the number “46” and the letters “Minton & Co Patent Stoke upon Trent”.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, encaustic tile, melbourne international exhibition, floor tile, minton floor tile