In Flagstaff Hill’s collection are items associated with the Ancient Wreck, (also called the Gold Ship, Mahogany Ship or Ancient Vessel). Three relics were located in 1890, due to the ‘interest of a public works inspector, James Gilroy, who dug in the ship’s remains’. One of the relics was a heavily oxidated ‘quantity of ironwork’. The other two, now part of Flagstaff Hill’s collection, are - an iron latch probably from a galley oven door or fireplace - a bronze bolt (spike or pin) Both of these relics are listed on the same page in the records of the Old Warrnambool Museum, found by K.A.G. (or H.A.G.) on the site of the Ancient wreck in 1890. Interestingly, another item in these records is ‘Notes on Ancient wreck, near Gorman’s Lane’. Gorman’s Lane is just inland from the sand dunes of the Coastal Reserve at Tower Hill. The current location of these Notes is unknown. Another item thought to be a relic from the Mahogany Ship was the amphora or jug, also in Flagstaff Hill's collection. It was found in 1934 on a local property and donated in 1985. The Museum opened in 1886 and continued until 1963, when it was closed by the Warrnambool City Council and the whole collection was put into storage. The council then transferred items to various places including Flagstaff Hill and the current Warrnambool Art Gallery. Flagstaff Hill’s early Accession Records book lists the items as being received from the Old Warrnambool Museum collection; the Latch is record 152 and the Pin is record 153. An article, ‘Birthplace of our History’ by Don Dean, is on file in the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. It was published in the Australian POST, on March 17, 1955. This article describes the finding of the items going back to 1890, along with other information about sightings of what has come to be known as the Mahogany Ship. The mystery of the Mahogany Ship began in 1836 when two shipwrecked sealers discovered the remains of an “ancient vessel” in the sand dunes about four miles west of Warrnambool. Since the last recorded sightings in the 1880’s the true origin of the Mahogany Ship has remained one of Australia’s most famous historical mysteries. One of the more recent theories is that the vessel was one of the Portuguese ships exploring the Australian coast in 1522. For over one hundred years searchers have attempted to locate and identify the wreck. The search continues for the tangible evidence which will once and for all establish the Mahogany Ship’s place in Australia’s History. The latch has local historic significance as it was found in the sand dunes of Warrnambool in 1890. The latch is also significant for being part of the original 1886 Warrnambool Museum's collection. The latch is significant for its possible link to one of Victoria’s and Australia’s maritime mysteries, the Mahogany Ship (also known as the Ancient Wreck). It is one of very few known relics that could give evidence of the existence and history of the vessel. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register S438 as it is one of Victoria’s oldest recorded shipwrecks. The identity of the vessel has the potential to change Australia’s history.Latch, iron. Flat iron latch tapers inward from loop handle to narrow end with prongs. Handmade. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, mahogany ship, latch, relic, old warrnambool museum, ancient vessel, ancient wreck, oven latch, fireplace latch, galley oven, gold ship, gorman's lane, coastal reserve, tower hill

A door latch that has a small bar with handle hold by an omega plate with texts: "Ashwells System".Above the latch is plate with text "Presented by CPO Jim Britz" and below latch is plate with text "lock from four deck officers' heads HMAS Sydney. Why were offciers able to lock their heads when the remainder of the crew could not".Presented by CPO Jim Britz. Lock from four deck officers' heads HMAS Sydney. Why were officers able to lock these heads when the remainder of the crew could not !!!door latch, hmas sydney

The latch from the front of the right hand section of Robin Boyd's desk.walsh st miscellaneous

cast iron, hand tooled, with movement up and down. Originally had a strike plate. Possibly from the Athenaeum front gate when the Athenaeum was fenced. A 1930's photograph shows a picket fence with a front gate.Handmade cast iron with markings of tooling.

The cabinet appears to be homemade and purposely built for the storage of a collection of vinyl records. The records are stored vertically in a 'holder' with a rectangular wooden base with soft covered wire strips well spaced and each extended to fit up to 50 records. See KVHS 18 . The stands then fit into the cabinet with the base of the holder resting on wooden ledges glued on each side allowing the records to fit in all directions. There are two levels - one on the bottom and one halfway up. Holding approximately 100 records altogether. The cabinet's door is opened with a silver push button latch. Many men made their own furniture as they had the equipment and experience to do so. During the 1950s vinyl records were played to entertain families and to educate children in the areas of music and dance. Mt Beauty didn't have TV until much later than the cities and furniture wasn't always available at the local shops.Wooden cabinet with 4 legs and a door with a silver push button latch. Inside are small ledges on each side at the bottom and halfway up.vinyl records, music, wooden cabinet

Metal lock latch. Metal has been wrought with decorative scroll work. Latch is rusty and warped.bendigo, gold mining, qc binks, qc binks

Brown vinyl suitcase with metal latch. suitcase, baggage, travel, wodonga, case, bag

This padlock was used on the cells of Old Ararat Gaol in the 1800's. This padlock is significant in its interpretative abilities of showing what equipment was used in containing prisoners on the Victorian goldfield. Metal gaol padlock with open hinged clasp. Front view of open padlock with hinged keyhole cover with two engravings. Five bolts. Back view of padlock with 12 bolts. Large dent at the base. Two bolts on each side. Scratches and dents from repeated usage. Some spots of corrosion.Two engravings on keyhole latch - the word "SECURE" and a twelve prong star or flower.gaol, prison, prisoner, padlock

Colour photograph of a latch on a door in Hampton Palace.hampton palace, door handle, door

8498.1 - Red painted wooden box with hinged lid and latch.- Detonators max. 25

Round Metal Hat Travel Container with latched lid and handle.stawell

Metal can with flip lid. Has small handle and latch.

Wood munitions box, green colour with steel closing latch.“Ammunition smoke - J.B.P 7/96 - WT 12 K.G CU.025M - NEQ 4.905 KG” Other inscriptions unreadable.containers - arms- ammunition - military, smoke

Sad-irons or "solid" irons were made by blacksmiths and used to smooth out material by pressing the hot iron over it. A piece of sheet -iron was placed over the kitchen fire and the irons placed on it could be heated whilst remaining clean of ash.. The women used 2 irons - one heating while the other was used. Thick cloth or gloves protected their hands from the hot irons. The handle was removed from the cool iron and re- attached to remove the hot iron from the fire. The cool iron was replaced on the fire or stove to heat again. Mrs Florence Potts invented in 1871 a detachable handle made from walnut wood with a metal latch to release the handle. These wooden handles prevented burned hands and were sold to grateful women all over the world. These irons were cleaned with steel wool to prevent them marking the material. If the iron was too hot the material would scorch. Most homes set aside one day for ironing and some large households had an ironing room with a special stove designed to heat irons. However, most women had to work with a heavy, hot iron close to the fireplace even in summer.Mrs Florence Potts invented this type of detachable walnut wood handle with a meta release latch for sad irons in 1871 and it sold widely throughout the world to grateful women including those in Moorabbin Shire. The family of Ms May Curtis were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA) A sad iron, made of cast iron , has a special handle invented in 1871 by Mrs Florence Potts of Iowa, USA. B) The detachable handle made of walnut wood to prevent burned hands, was attached to the iron by a metal latch.A) UNITED/ N0 / 50 / AUSTRALIApotts florence, iowa usa, melbourne, moorabbin, sad irons, kitchen equipmentn fireplaces, walnut wood, sewing, laundry, table ware, linen, pioneers, early settlers, washing days, craftwork

A small compass in a square-shaped hinged wooden box with a metal latch.compass instrument

Brace wooden plated with brass plates and brass button latch chuck. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, brace

This is a common small 'meat safe' used in most homes prior to the arrival of Refrigerators. Food, such as milk, butter, cooked meat would be stored for a short time in this safe. It would be suspended from the ceiling / roof in a cool place - Dairy - and the mesh sides allowed air circulation while providing protection from insects and vermin.A green, tin meat safe with mesh sides and a hinged door with a latch lock. early settlers, pioneers, food preservation, meat safe, kalgoolie safe, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, ormond, dairy products, diseases, vermin

Spring Latched Bit Brace. All metal with a wooden handle. Length 325mmflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, spring latched bit brace, bit brace, brace

Periscopic Binocular Case - Green Has two latches to close lid,and chain.Binocular. Periscopic, A.F.V. Cased MK1/3 m L5 1240 - 66 - 052 - 4953 Case 053087A /AK & Sbinocular periscopic

Cardboard & plastic school case with hinged lid. Metal handle. Metal latchesInside: Jennifer Wright Form IVeducation, school, school case

Metal can with hinged lid, handle and latch. Has image of flowers on the side.

8492.1 - Oval sided prism in shape, has latches, hinged door and carry handle.

Belonged to Colonel Otter.Khaki Helmet with brass Military Badge. Rusted metal Helmet Box with handle and latch.Badge: Pro Deo Et Patia and Victoriamilitary badges, military helmets

Wooden box, painted black with straps for canister, leather handle and metal latches, missing lidCheney/ Englandport melbourne authority (pma)

This lock was recovered from an unknown shipwreck in the coastal waters of Victoria in the late 1960s to early 1970s. It is part of the John Chance Collection. The small size of the lock indicates that it was possibly used for cabinetry such as a cupboard, desk or wardrobe. It may have been part of the ship’s fittings or perhaps luggage or cargo. The blue-green patina on the metal is caused by a reaction from its exposure to external elements such as the sea water. The lock is likely to have been in the water for over 100 years, as the more widely known shipwrecks along Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast date from 1837 to 1940. Although the lock is not linked to a particular shipwreck, it is recognised as being historically significant as an example of hardware either as part of the ship’s fittings or imported for use in Colonial Victoria in the 19th to early 20th century. The lock is also significant as it was recovered by John Chance, a diver in Victoria’s coastal waters in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Items that come from several wrecks have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value. Lock, brass, with separated moving parts. Rectangular plate with keyhole, plus two cogs and a latch.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, john chance, hardware, door fitting, ship’s fitting, furniture fitting, security, 19th century lock, cabinetry, brass lock

CABIN TRUNK, PAINTED BEIGE A HANDLE AT EACH END, AND A HANDLE IN THE MIDDLE LATCH TO ATTACH LOCKtravel, cabin trunk, trunk