This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Ball, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A round woven cane ball, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre. The rod has a loop at each end, then a concave, octagonal metal plate that rests on the outside surface of the ball, serving as a washer. The rod has swivels at each end.distant signal, flagstaff signal, signal station, masthead signal, communications, marine technology, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, day shape, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Ball, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A round woven cane ball, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre. The rod has a loop at each end, then a concave, octagonal metal plate that rests on the outside surface of the ball, serving as a washer. The rod has swivels at each end.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, distant signal, signal, maritime signal, ball signal, signal shape, flagstaff signal, signal station, masthead signal, communications, marine technology, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, day shape, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Cone, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A woven cane cone, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre and two crossed metal bars at the base. The central rod has a loop at the top and passes through the bars at the base, finishing in a metal loop. The rod has swivels at each end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, marine navigation, marine communications, communication signal, lifesaving, ship at sea, day shape, masthead signal, day signal, day mark signals, marine technology, safety equipment, navigation equipment, marine day shape, day marker, cane day shape, signal cone, day signal cone, cone signal, cone day shape, distant signal, flagstaff signal, signal station, communications, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Cone, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A woven cane cone, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre and two crossed metal bars at the base. The central rod has a loop at the top and passes through the bars at the base, finishing in a metal loop. The rod has swivels at each end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, marine navigation, marine communications, communication signal, lifesaving, ship at sea, day shape, masthead signal, day signal, day mark signals, marine technology, safety equipment, navigation equipment, marine day shape, day marker, cane day shape, signal cone, day signal cone, cone signal, cone day shape, distant signal, flagstaff signal, signal station, communications, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

This three-dimensional Distant Signal is part of a Flagstaff Signal set of ball, cone and drum shapes. It has been woven and then fabricated with strong metal swivel fittings and loops for suspending from a high point on a flagstaff at a signal station or on a ship’s masthead. The cane signal was constructed to withstand all weather and to be visible from a long distance. The gaps between the woven cane allow air to pass through, minimising possible swaying. Similar sets were made from rope or fabric. Warrnambool's Flagstaff was erected in 1854. Its primary use was to display visual signals that could convey messages between land and sea. It was also used to notify the local population of the approach of ships. One of the popular signalling codes in use in the early-to-mid 1800s was the Marryat’s Code but there were others in use as well; there was no one standard code. In 1857 the International Marine Conference adopted an International Code of Signals as a standard communications system for all vessels that could be understood in many different languages. The Normanby Advertiser reported on June 5th 1857 a query from the Post Master General as to whether the request of the Chief Harbour Master would be carried out, in that Warrnambool would receive a new flagstaff and a set of Marryatt’s signal flags. The Table of Codes was published, showing how to use combinations of these flags to send messages. The Code was revised in 1887 to cover situations where distance, light, wind and weather conditions affected the visibility of the flags and prevented clear communication. The first report of the International Code of Signals Committee of 1897 warned signalmen not to rely on ordinary semaphore flags and introduced a Distant Signal Code using either particular semaphore flags or the three-dimensional shapes of a ball, cone and drum that aligned with the semaphore flag shapes of a circle, pennant and square. International Code of Signals In 1931, after World War I’s experiences in using signal codes, the International Code of Signals conference in Washington revised and published the rules for the conduct of signalling. One of the changes was that “the use of the Distant Signals and of fixed semaphore was abandoned”. It is of interest to know that modern marine law in many countries insists that a set of Day Shapes must be carried onboard vessels of a certain size. These highly visible geometric shapes are used at sea in daylight to communicate messages between vessels. They are used in a similar way to the Distant Signals, in that different combinations of shapes represent different messages. The set of shapes includes a ball, cylinder, cone and diamond. The shapes are hung between the top of the vessel’s foremast and the front of the vessel. They are only coloured black and are about 1.5 metres high. The vertical line of shapes can mean messages such as Boat not under command, Fishing, and Under sail and power.Distant Signals were an important means of marine communication from the late 1880s to the early 1930s, including during World War I. They were an advancement to the International Shipping Codes and safety. The cane signals’ shapes appear to be the same from whatever direction they are viewed, removing confusion about the message they convey. The same shapes continue to be used today for the sets of Day Shapes used as marine navigational signals that are mandatory on certain-sized vessels.Distant Signal Ball, part of a Flagstaff signal set. A round woven cane ball, painted black, with a metal rod passing through the centre. The rod has a loop at each end, then a concave, octagonal metal plate that rests on the outside surface of the ball, serving as a washer. The rod has swivels at each end.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, marine navigation, marine communications, communication signal, lifesaving, ship at sea, day shape, masthead signal, day signal, day mark signals, marine technology, safety equipment, navigation equipment, marine day shape, day marker, cane day shape, signal ball, day signal ball, ball signal, ball day shape, distant signal, flagstaff signal, signal station, communications, signals, marine signals, flaghoists, international marine conference, international code of signals, signal codes, marine safety, signal flags, daymark, day symbol, navigation, warrnambool flagstaff, 1854, 1857 1931, 1887, 1897

The donor recovered this navigation lamp before the 1980s from an old storage area in a South Melbourne factory where he worked. He asked about the lamp, but nobody there knew anything about its origin, and he was told that he could have it. This is a complete ship navigation lamp with its original oil burner. The internal red colour and shape indicate that the lamp was used for the port side of a vessel. The burner assembly is fixed to a removable tray, and the burner disconnects from the tank to allow fuel to be added. Light showing from the lamp is magnified by the polished brass reflector behind it, and the painted internal surfaces give the light its red colour. The lid on the chimney unclips for inspection purposes. The wedge shape of the lamp is intentional. It allows the light to be visible horizontally from up to a 112.5-degree angle, and to be invisible past that angle. The light's colour and position are part of the code of signals that inform viewers of the vessel’s position, direction of travel and status. The red lights indicate the port side of a vessel, green lights indicate the starboard side, and white lights are used on the masthead. From 1972, lights and signals on marine vessels are required to be fitted according to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. SEAHORSE lamp, made in Britain: The firm Bocock & Wilkinson was established in Birmingham in 1890 as an electroplate manufacturer. In 1900, Kelly’s Directory lists the firm as a ship lamp manufacturer. In 1910, the firm was listed Trading As “Seahorse” at 17 & 18 Mott Street, Birmingham. The firm later became Bocock & Son, and in 1932 was listed as George Bocock & Co. Ltd, and in 1973, it was still at that address. Ship’s navigation lamp: an original, galvanised metal, Port bow-side lamp. The wedge-shaped case has an arc front and two flat side panels that meet at the back, with a metal chimney and a swinging ‘C’ shaped handle on top. The curved, clear glass Fresnel has moulded ribs, top and bottom. The chimney has a hinged cap with a clip closure. One flat panel has a firmly attached, hollow rectangular channel for mounting onto a post or bracket. The other flat panel has a ‘D’ shaped, swinging handle, and slides upwards to access the burner assembly with its original brass burner. Concentric rings of ventilation holes are in the base. A removable tray, with ventilation holes on two edges, holds the round fuel tank and burner and the short post with the curved brass reflector. All internal metal surfaces, apart from the brass burner and reflector, were painted red sometime after the lamp’s manufacture. Inscriptions are embossed on the three brass plaques on the front; one has a rope design border and a seahorse emblem. Branded Seahorse, made in Great Britain, Ca. 1930s. Plaque on top, crescent shape: “PORT” Plaque in centre, square logo: “[rope design border] [Seahorse logo] “SEAHORSE / G B / TRADE / MARK / P55933” Plaque on base, rectangular: “PATENT NO. 546575 / AND OTHERS PENDING” flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, ship lamp, navigation lamp, masthead light, masthead lamp, port lamp, port light, bow side lamp, lighting device, navigation, marine light, marine lamp, marine equipment, marine technology, marine safety, running light, position light, code of lights, international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, antique, galvanised, seahorse, great britain, gb, patent 546575, seahorse logo, trade mark p55933, oil burner, bocock & wilkinson, bocock & sons, george bocock & co. ltd

This signal lamp was originally fitted on the steam tug 'Wattle'RAN Career 1932 to 1969: Wattle's construction and career as a non-commissioned vessel of the Royal Australian Navy. Saved from the Scrapyard 1969 to 1979: Sydney-based enthusiasts rescue Wattle from the scrapyard, forming an association with Sydney Heritage Fleet. Melbourne Pleasure Steamer 1979 to 2007: A volunteer group brings Wattle to Melbourne to restore, then sails Port Phillip on outings and excursions. Restoration Journey 2007 to 2015: Wattle is hoisted onto the hard to undergo major restoration work. Back in the Water, 2015 to present: Wattle returns to the water for further restoration, and in 2019 sails again on Port Phillip.Brass candle powered signal lamp with a lens circumference of 14cm, mounted on a timber plinthSundercombes Patent Eclipsesignal light, marine fittings, steam tug 'wattle'

Used by Mr. Gordon Blake of Ocean Grove, retired During WWII. The flares were black gunpowder in cardboard containers. The pistol was previously in possession of Coast Watch Radio and Marine Rescue Squad Inc., Ocean GroveBlack bakelite hand grip. Steel barrel 12cm long x 5cm dia. R F Sedgley Inc. Signal Pistol Mark IV. pt 8582 1-16-43 pAT.8-22-32gordon blake, signal pistol

QUEENSCLIFFE was built in 1926 to a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) design called the Watson Class. The double-diagonal planked vessel was built by A McFarlane and Sons in Port Adelaide SA, commissioned on the 6th of March 1926, and then officially named and launched on the 9th of April 1926. The original Wayburn petrol engine was replaced with a Gardner diesel. This gave QUEENSCLIFFE a top speed of 7.5 knots with a range of 350 miles. The equipment carried aboard included a VHF Radio Telephone, HF radio transceiver, visual signals, life rafts, hand rocket gun, flare gun, generator, search light and first aid supplies. In the tradition of many shore based lifeboats, QUEENSCLIFFE had its own shed and slipway and was always ready for launching when required to go to sea in response to an emergency call. Its area of operation included 'the Rip' at Port Phillip Heads and the Bass Strait seas immediately offshore. She was taken out of service in 1976 by the Marine Board of Victoria and subsequently offered to the Borough of Queenscliffe for care and display. The Lifeboat is listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels (ARHV). During her 50 years of service the Queenscliffe attended many calls for assistance both inside and outside the Heads. Some of the vessels and calls for help the lifeboat attended were: 1960 - Army Commandos lost in the Rip 1967 - The search for the late Prime Minister Harold Holt 1974 - The last attendance to a vessel was to the Brisbane Trader which was on fire The shed which housed the lifeboat is located on the Queenscliff 'New' or 'Steamer' Pier (built in 1884). This shed includes the internal section of the slipway used to launch and retrieve the lifeboat. The external slipway and some other structures associated with the lifeboat shed have been removed. Originally fitted with two masts, the stern mast being removed in the 1960's. A retractable centre plate was used when under sail. Delivered with an 80 hp Wayburn petrol motor which was later replaced by a 72 hp Gardiner diesel. Top speed of 7.5 knots and a range of 350 miles.QUEENSCLIFFE is a wooden lifeboat built in 1926 in South Australia. It has a long association with the Victorian port of Queenscliff. It was manned voluntarily by their local fishermen and is therefore closely attached to families of the Queenscliff community. It is a rare surviving example of the coastal shore-based lifeboats that were based around the Australian coastline.The lifeboat 'Queenscliffe' a Watson Class LifeboatQueenscliffelifeboat, rescue, watson class boat

This Loch Ard ship's bell was kindly loaned by Heritage Victoria. The Loch Ard was an 85-metre, three-masted square-rigged iron clipper that sank in bad weather after hitting Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell, on June 1, 1878, just days after completing its three-month journey from Britain. Loch Ard carried some of the finest items that 19th-century Europe had to offer, intended for display at Melbourne’s International Exhibition in 1880. Before the modern age, a ship’s bell was one of the most important functional objects on a ship, used to regulate the daily routine of life, sound the time, and to signal watches and emergencies to everyone on board. The Loch Ard Bell is made of lead, bronze and copper alloy, and weighs 33 kg. It is missing its clapper. The bell disappeared after being recovered from the wreck in the 1960s, and reappeared in November 2003 when it was soon returned to Heritage Victoria staff. Ship bells are used for time-keeping, with codes to signify every half-hour and the fourth hour, to mark the time to change the watch or shift. They are also used in emergencies, to warn of fire and other danger, and to alert nearby vessels of their presence, especially in poor weather. Ship bells are usually cast or engraved with the ship’s name and often its launch date. If time allowed during an imminent disaster, seamen would save the ship’s bell, but if the ship sank, its bell would be searched for by those who discovered the wreck, as proof of the ship’s identification. Some ships, such as the famous luxury sailing ship Schomberg, had two bells: the main deck bell and a small bell used in the pilot house. The location of another bell from the Loch Ard is currently unknown. Sometime after the initial salvaging of the wreckage of the Loch Ard, a ship's bell for the Loch Ard was washed up. It was used for several years to summon men to meals at Glenample homestead, where part-owner Hugh Gibson and his family had previously sheltered the Loch Ard survivors, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael, as they recovered. Gibson's business partner, Peter McArthur, purchased Gibson's share of the property in 1887. In 1942, the Princetown A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions, part of the World War 2 Air Raid Warden Service) and Observation group accepted the offer of the Loch Ard Bell from Mrs R.E. McArthur of Glenample homestead, for sounding an air raid alarm. Mrs McArthur was the daughter-in-law of Peter McArthur, and the mother of Colin McArthur, who had then inherited Glenample. Since then, the bell's whereabouts is unclear.Ship's bell: a cast bell of metal alloy - lead, bronze and copper. It has a square flat head with a central hole, a flat head, a band at the shoulder and waist, and a rounded sound bow. It no longer has its clapper. The surface is uneven and discoloured, and a vertical split has been mended at some stage. This ship's name has been cast into the bell's body. The bell was recovered from the wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard in 1967, and is on loan from Heritage Victoria. "LOCH ARD"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, loch ard, loch ard gorge, victorian heritage register, ship bell, ship's bell, loch ard bell, marine equipment, signal, alarm, marinter's watch, shipwreck artefact, shipwreck discovery

The ship’s telegraph section was once part of the navigational equipment of the famous paddle steamer, PS Hygeia, and was later installed on Flagstaff Hill’s exhibit, the steamer Rowitta. This is the Bridge Section of a ship’s telegraph, a Duplex Gong model, made by Chadburn & Son of Liverpool. The gong sounded two signals whenever the navigational commands to change the speed or direction were given by the ship’s pilot. Communication between the ship’s pilot and the engine room in the late 19th to the mid-20th centuries was made with a system called an Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.) or ship’s telegraph. The equipment has two parts, the Bridge Section and the Engine Room Section. The Bridge Section was usually mounted onto a pedestal, and the Engine Room Section was attached to a vertical surface. The standard marine commands were printed or stamped around the face of the dial and indicated by a pointer or arrow that was usually moved by a rotating brass section or handle. The ship’s pilot stationed on the Bridge of a vessel sends his Orders for speed and direction to the Engine Room with the E.O.T. He moves the lever or levers, depending on the number of engines the ship has, to change the indicator on the Bridge Section’s dial to point in the new direction and speed of travel. This change causes the Orders to be duplicated on the Engine Room Section’s dial and a bell or bells to signal the change at the same time. The engineer then adjusts the ship’s engines and steering equipment to follow the pilot’s Order. CHADBURN & SON, Liverpool- Chadburn Brothers, William and C.H., were joint inventors and well-established makers of optical and scientific instruments and marine gauges. The firm was granted the Prince Albert Royal Warrant in the late 19th century. In 1870, William Chadburn applied for a patent for his navigational communication device for use on ships. By 1875, Chadburn & Son was producing the brass Engine Order Telegraph in its plant at 71 Lord Street, Liverpool. In 1911, the ship, RMS Titanic, was launched, fitted with Chadburn & Sons E.O.T. The Chadburn Ship Telegraph Company Limited was registered in 1898 to take over Chadburn & Sons. In 1903, a large factory at Bootle, near Liverpool, and its products were being sold overseas. In 1920, electric-powered telegraphs were developed. In 1944, the name changed to Chadburn’s (Liverpool) Limited. In 1968, the company became Chadburn Bloctube Ltd. In 2000, the company, now Bloctube Marine Limited, was still manufacturing ship telegraphs. The P.S. HYGEIA 1890-1932: - This ship’s telegraph was installed on the new paddle steamer, PS Hygeia, one of three iconic pleasure steamers famous for providing regular services in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, to thousands of passengers between the ports of Queenscliff, Sorrento, Portsea, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye, and Mornington. It joined the Ozone and the Weeroona, all three described as being glamorous, powerful and fast. Its ticket office was on the pier itself. The P.S. Hygeia was built in Yorker, Scotland, in 1890, by Napier, Sharks & Bell. It was registered in Melbourne, Australia, by Hubbart, Parker & Co. in 1891. The steel ship was 92 metres long, able to travel at 22 knots, and licensed to carry over 1600 passengers in luxury, with even a barber shop on board. The regular service between the ports in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, continued for over 40 years. With the decline in passenger demand, the service wound down. The Hygeia was sold to H.M. Morris in 1931 for demolition and breaking up. Equipment, fittings, and even lifebuoys were sold, with many items purchased by people who had some connection to the Hygeia. On August 25th, 1931, what was left of the vessel departed Port Melbourne and eventually, in June 1932, it was laid to rest at the ships’ graveyard outside Port Phillip Heads. The SS ROWITTA 1909-2015: - The ship’s telegraph was originally installed on the PS Hygeia. It was purchased when the Hygeia was broken up in 1931 and later installed, in 1975, on Flagstaff Hill’s SS Rowitta, an exhibit greatly enjoyed by the public until it was demolished in 2015. The ferry “SS Rowitta” was built in 1909 in Hobart, Tasmania. The timber steam ferry was built using planks of Huon and Karri wood. It was a favourite with sightseeing passengers steaming along Tasmania’s Tamar and Derwent rivers for 30 years. Rowitta was also known as Tarkarri and Sorrento and had worked as a coastal trading vessel between Devonport and Melbourne, and Melbourne, Queenscliff and Sorrento. The vessel had given over 100 years of service and pleasure. This Bridge section of a ship’s Engine Order Telegraph, used with an Engine Room section, represents late-19th-century change and progress in communication and navigation at sea. This type of equipment was still in use in the mid-20th century. It is significant for its association with its maker, Chadburn & Son, of Liverpool, a well-known marine instrument maker whose work was recognised by English Royalty, and whose products were selected to supply similar equipment for use on the RMS Titanic. The ship’s telegraph is also significant for its association with the paddle steamer PS Hygeia, one of three iconic steamers that transported thousands of passengers from port to port within Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, for over 40 years from the 1890s to the 1930s. Queenscliff Borough remembers the Hygeia by naming a road near the pier Hygeia Drive. The Hygeia is registered on the Victorian Heritage Database as a vessel of significance, VHR S329. In 1901, Hygeia had the privilege of carrying their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York, from Mornington to St Kilda Pier, Melbourne, during their Royal visit celebrating the Federation of Australia. The ship’s telegraph is also important for its connection with the Rowitta, a large exhibit on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, aiding maritime education for over 40 years. It represented the importance of coastal traders to transport, trade and communication along the coast of Victoria, and before the availability of rail and motor vehicles, serving many roles. Bridge section of a Ship’s Telegraph or Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.). The round, double-sided, painted glass dial is inside a brass case behind glass. It is fitted onto an outward tapering brass pedestal with a round base. The brass indicator arrows between the handles point simultaneously to both sides of the dial when moved. An oval brass maker’s plate is attached to the top of the case. The dial’s faces have inscriptions that indicate speed and direction, and the front face and plate include the maker’s details. A serial number is stamped on the collar where the dial is fitted to the pedestal. The ship’s telegraph is a Duplex Gong model, made by Chadburn & Son of Liverpool. It was originally part of the navigational fittings on the paddle steamer, PS Hygeia.Dial, maker’s details: “PATENT “DUPLEX GONG” TELEGRAPH / CHADBURN & SON / TELEGRAPH WORKS / PATENTEES & MANUFACTURERS / 11 WATERLOO ROAD / LIVERPOOL” LONDON / 105 FENCHURCH STREET” “NEWCASTLE / 85 QUAY + SIDE” “GLASGOW / 69 ANDERSON QUAY” “PATENT” Dial instructions: “FULL / HALF/ SLOW / FINISHED WITH ENGINES / STOP STAND BY / SLOW / HALF / FULL / ASTERN / AHEAD” Maker’s plate: “CHADBURN / & SON / PATENT / LIVERPOOL” Serial number: “22073”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, engine order telegraph, e.o.t., navigational instrument, communication device, ship’s telegraph, engine room section, bridge section, rms titanic, chadburn & son, chadburn brothers, william chadburn, chadburn ship telegraph company, chadburns, duplex gong, liverpool, ss rowitta, navigation, marine technology, pilot’s orders, steam power, hobart, tasmania, devonport, tasmanian-built, ferry, steam ferry, steamer, 1909, early 20th century vessel, passenger vessel, tamar trading company, launceston, george town, sorrento, tarkarri, speculant, peter mcgennan, p j mcgennan & co. port phillip ferries pty ltd, melbourne, coastal trader, timber steamer, huon, karri, freighter, supply ship, charter ferry, floating restaurant, prawn boat, lakes entrance, ps hygeia, paddle steamer, pleasure steamer, port phillip bay, queenscliff, portsea, dromana, rosebud, rye, mornington, hubbart parker & co, 1890, 1903, h.m. morris, hygeia

The company was originally founded by Frederick Perkins a Russian immigrant schooled in Germany as a machinist and tool and die, maker. Frederick came to the United States in the early 1890s and soon became employed as a machinist for E.W. Bliss & Company in Brooklyn, New York. In the early 1900s, he and a partner began operating a business, F. Persky & Company, Lantern Manufacturer, out of the basement of his house. In 1907, Frederick's son Louis joined him in the business, and together they enlarged both the product line and the manufacturing facilities. By 1912, they had seventeen employees and made a wide range of marine lanterns and products. The business continued operating until 1913 when Frederick became president of National Marine Lamp Company, based out of Forestville, Connecticut. Frederick and Louis left that company in 1916 and moved back to Brooklyn, New York, where they started Perkins Marine Lamp Corporation. Five generations later, PERKO is still a privately owned, family-operated corporation. Perkins Marine Corporation was initially known as Perkins Marine Lamp, Inc. The original focus was on the manufacture of hand-formed sheet metal products for the marine market. The first “Perko” catalogue was published in 1916. It included a full range of kerosene and electric lanterns for small and large boats, ventilators, chart cases, signalling devices, mooring buoys, pumps and a variety of spare parts. These products, fabricated from brass, copper and galvanized sheet metal, began a reputation for producing high-quality products. In 1922, the "PERKO" trademark was instituted with each new product utilising the latest, sophisticated metal manufacturing technology.A significant item from an American manufacturer that specialises in making marine products and is still in business today under the same trade name. The subject item is significant as it was made not long after the trade name of PERKO was registered in 1922 and began to be used on the company's various products.Kerosene lamp with circular fuel tank and chrome plated reflector shield. "PERKO" stamped on base.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, kerosene lamp, marine lamp, perko inc, lighting, marine accessories manufacturer

A foghorn is a device that uses sound to warn of navigational hazards like rocky coastlines, or boats of the presence of other vessels, in foggy conditions. The term is most often used with marine transport. When visual navigation aids such as lighthouses are obscured, foghorns provide an audible warning of rocky outcrops, shoals, headlands, or other dangers to shipping. An early form of fog signal was to use a bell, gong, explosive signal or firing a cannon to alert shipping. From the early 20th century an improved device called the diaphone was used in place of these other devices, The diaphone horn was based directly on the organ stop of the same name invented by Robert Hope-Jones, creator of the Wurlitzer organ. Hope-Jones' design was based on a piston that was closed only at its bottom end and had slots, perpendicular to its axis, cut through its sides, the slotted piston moved within a similarly slotted cylinder. Outside of the cylinder was a reservoir of high-pressure air. Initially, this air would be admitted behind the piston, pushing it forward. When the slots of the piston aligned with those of the cylinder, air passed into the piston, making a sound and pushing the piston back to its starting position, whence the cycle would be repeated. This method of producing a low audible sound was further developed as a fog signal by John Northey of Toronto and these diaphones were powered by compressed air produced by an electric motor or other mechanical means that admitted extremely powerful low-frequency notes. The example in the Flagstaff collection is an early cased and portable diaphone used on pleasure or sailing craft. By manually turning the crank handle air is produced and fed into valves that direct air across vibrating metal reeds to produce the required sound. in foggy weather, fog horns are used to pinpoint a vessels position and to indicate how the vessel is sailing in foggy conditions. One blast, when sailing on starboard tack and two blasts, when sailing on a port tack and three dots, when with wind is behind the vessel. Since the automation of lighthouses became common in the 1960s and 1970s, most older foghorn marine installations have been removed to avoid the need to run the complex machinery associated with them, and have been replaced with an electrically powered diaphragm or compressed air horns. The example in the collection is significant as it was used in the early 19th century for sailing vessels was important but these portable crank fog horns have also been superseded by modern electric varieties. Therefore the item has a historical connection with sailing and maritime pursuits from our past.English Rotary Norwegian Pattern nautical foghorn within a boxed pine varnished case with exposed corner dovetailing, original leather carrying strap, brass side crank, and original copper trumped horn. Card accessory with Directions for Use in both English and French.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, foghorn, maritime technology, maritime communication, marine warning signal, portable foghorn, bellows foghorn, crank handle, robert hope-jones, john northey

The boards each have instructions adhered to each side, printed in four languages (English, French, Dutch and German). At the beginning of a shore-to-ship rescue the instructions are sent to the distressed vessel after the first rocket line was received by them. The stranded people on the vessel follow the instructions to assist the life saving rescue crew in saving their lives. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. Victoria’s Government responded to the need for lifesaving equipment and, in 1858, the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for the lifeboat stations. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built for it on the Tramway Jetty, followed by a rocket house in 1864 to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater (constructed from 1874-1890), and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifesaving and rescue crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to rehearse and maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. In July 1873 a brass bell was erected at Flagstaff Hill specifically to call the rescue crew upon news of a shipwreck. Some crew members became local heroes but all served an important role. Rocket apparatus was used as recently as the 1950s. Rocket Rescue Method - Rocket rescue became the preferred lifesaving method of the rescue crews, being much safer that using a lifeboat in rough seas and poor conditions. The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. . The British Board of Trade regularly published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle, determined by the Head of the crew and measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A continuous whip line was then sent out to the ship’s crew, who hauled it in then followed the instructions – in four languages - on the attached tally board. The survivors would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line with a tail block connected to it. They then secured the block to the mast or other strong part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the survivors fixed above the whip’s tail block. The hawser was then tightened by the crew pulling on it, or by using the hooked block on the shore end of the whip and attaching it to a sand anchor. The breeches buoy was attached to the traveller block on the hawser, and the shore crew then used the whip line to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. The rescue crew wore scarlet, numbered armbands and worked on a numerical rotation system, swapping members out to rest themThis pair of tally board is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Tally boards, two, rectangular wooden boards, both with a hole drilled into one short end. Instructions are glued onto the boards. They were printed in light letters onto dark canvas in four languages (English, French, Dutch and German). Text (English) "MAKE THIS HAWSER FAST ABOUT 2 FEET ABOVE THE TAIL BLOCK. CAST OFF WHIP FROM HAWSER. SEE ALL CLEAR AND THAT THE ROPE IN THE BLOCK RUNS FREE, AND SHOW SIGNAL TO THE SHORE."flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, breakwater, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, marine technology, rescue boat, lifeboat, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket apparatus, rocket rescue method, shore to ship, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, line throwing mortar, mortar, rocket rescue apparatus, line thrower, line throwing, lifeboat warrnambool, beach apparatus, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, beach rescue set, rocket set, tally board, rescue instructions

This distress EPIRB unit (Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon) was found on the beach at Levy's Point, Warrnambool, in December 2000 by a Warrnambool resident. Local police were alerted at the time. This distress signal unit is a world-wide COSPAS/SARSAT, satellite assisted, SAR (Search and Rescue) system for location of distress transmissions emitted by an EPIRB. Offshore cruising vessels must have such a unit as part of its essential safety equipment. This model EPIRB relies on four satellites with orbit times of approximately 100 minutes. Earlier units relied solely on aircraft flying overhead to detect and forward on the EPIRB’s location to Search And Rescue authorities, whereas this new system utilises satellites. An employee from the Lokata firm provided additional information about the Lokata EPIRB units. They had a machined aluminium case with labels that were also made on site. The units could be activated manually or automatically released when a magnetic switch in the case casing was activated. This later model, circa 1983, would have been mounted externally on a vessel's bulkhead in a spring-loaded, stainless-steel protective 'skeleton' mounting, The unit released when the water pressure sensor detected a set time it was under the water, in a similar way that life crafts were released. Each unit was registered to a particular vessel - the vessel's details on this unit are indecipherable. The Lokata Company was established in 1970, designing and manufacturing marine products including communications. The company no longer makes products with the “Lokata” brand. In 2001 Sartech Engineering Ltd. took over the support for the Lokata EPIRB beacons. This emergency location device is a late 20th century invention to help save lives at sea. It adds to the history of maritime life, its risks, the lives lost as sea, and the many inventions aimed as rescuing and saving lives. The local area is notorious for the number of lives lost through shipwreck. It also carries stories of heroic efforts to save lives, and other inventions to help reduce the chance of accidents at sea.EPIRB unit; “Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon”. A distress communication unit for sending a distress location transmission in an emergency at sea. The EPIRB is a yellow, rectangular box with dials, buttons, indicator lights and instruction. An antenna protrudes from the top of the unit. The EPIRB unit sends a 406P (X) EPIRB, with 406M-Hz frequency, 48-hour duration signal. The maker was LOKATA Ltd in England. Remnants of a white label remain on the side. Circa 1980s."NAME OF VESSEL 'SERVICE IF SELF TEST FAILS' " “LO-KATA” moulded into the body. "406P (X) EPIRB" “Model 406” "Lokata Type No 92408" "UK Type approved to MPT 1278" "Class 2" "Made by Lokata Ltd, Falmouth Cornwall England TR10 8AE"" "LOKATE LTD. New North Road Hainault, Ilford Essex IG6 2UR" "ARMED / SAFE / TRANSMIT / CODE / DISPLAY / SET / wait / pass / fail / TEST" "IDENTIFIER / 1349:24034234N" [some characters may be different] "COUNTRY / DENMARK" "VESSEL IDENTITY / 124 [the rest is indecipherable]flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, emergency position indicating radio beacon, epirb, lokata ltd, marine safety equipment, satellite transmitting beacon, safety equipment, distress signal, life saving, safety at sea, shipwreck location, lo-kata, falmouth, emergency, beacon, radio signal, communication, marine equipment

A marine foghorn gives an audible navigational signal to warn vessels of dangers, hazards and the presence of other vessels in fog conditions. The foghorn signal is a series of long and short sounds with short or long pauses between them. These common signals conform to a code called the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and provide such information as whether the vessel is under sail or motor, large or small, aground or at anchor. The designs of foghorns vary but they all use a column of air to make a loud sound. Some use vibrating plates or metal reeds, others force air through holes in a revolving cylinder or disc, sounding like a siren, and some use a clockwork mechanism to open the valves that let the air into the horn. They are usually built to meet particular specifications e.g. U.S.C.G. (US Coast Guard). This Tyfon plunger foghorn has a horizontal handle attached to a vertical rod that moves up and down inside a cylinder. When the handle is plunged down, in a similar way to a bicycle pump, the air is forced out of the bottom of the cylinder into a pipe with a bell-shaped horn on the end, making a loud, low sound. The wider base of the cylinder helps to keep it stable. The original type Tyfon foghorns were manufactured in about 1910 by Kochums Mechanical Workshop (Kockums Mechanical Werkstad, Ltd.), Malmo, Sweden. The company was established in 1840, became a Limited company in 1866, and established a shipyard at the Port of Malmo, Sweden, in 1870. The civilian ship production in Malmo ceased in 1987. As well as building ships the company built large industrial and agricultural machinery and maritime goods.this replica foghorn represents the design of a Swedish, Tyfon model 1910. It is an example of the type of safety equipment used on marine vessels to signal other vessels and signal to land. Replica foghorn; portable marine, plunger operation. It has a brass cylinder and adjustable brass horn. The plunger handle and base are wooden. Inscriptions are on the plaque on the horn and moulded into the air intake. Facsimile of a Kockums of Malmo, Sweden, Tyfon model 1910 Fog Horn.Impressed into the attached plaque "KOCKUMS MLK. VERKSTAD / MALMO SWEDEN" and "TRADE TYFON MARK" Also added to the plaque individually "288938" Molded around the circumference of the air intake "TYFON PATENT"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, foghorn, fog horn, tyfon foghorn, kockums mlk verkstad, malmo sweden, replica, warning signal, safety equipment, ship's equipment

The ship’s communication system that was used from the late 19th century to early-to-mid-20th-century is called an Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.) or ship’s telegraph. The system has two parts, the Bridge Section and the Engine Room Section. The Bridge Section is usually mounted on top of a pedestal, and the Engine Room Section is often attached to a vertical surface. The standard commands printed or stamped onto the dial are the directions of AHEAD and ASTERN, and the speeds of STOP, SLOW, HALF, and FULL. The ship’s pilot on the Bridge of a vessel sends his Orders for speed and direction to the to the Engine Room with the E.O.T. He moves the lever or levers, depending on the number of engines the ship has, to change the indicator on the Bridge Section’s dial to point in the new direction and speed of travel. This change causes the Orders to be duplicated on the Engine Room Section’s dial and a bell to signal the change at the same time. The engineer then adjusts the ship’s engines and steering equipment to follow the pilot’s Order. The manufacturer, A. Robinson & Co. Ltd of Liverpool, established his business in 1780 and continued until 1968 when the business was purchased by marine products maker Chadburns, established in London in 1870.This Engine Room section is part of a ship's telegraph communication system and represents marine technology used in the late-19th to mid-20th-century. Engine Room Section of a ship’s telegraph or Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.). The round brass dial has inscriptions stamped around its edge and centre. Red inlaid glass plates have inscriptions in white paint on them. The inscriptions are nautical terms for direction and speed and include the maker’s details. A rotating pointer is joined to the centre of the dial. The maker is A. Robinson & Co. Ltd of Liverpool. Stamped: “FULL / HALF / SLOW / STOP / FULL / HALF / SLOW / STOP”, “AHEAD / ASTERN” Printed: “FULL / HALF / SLOW / STOP / FULL / HALF / SLOW / STOP” Stamped on the dial: “A. ROBINSON & CO. LTD / MANUFACTURERS / LIVERPOOL”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, marine technology, marine communications, engine order telegraph, e.o.t., ship’s telegraph, bridge section, engine room section, ship’s engine telegraph section, marine telegraph, a. robinson & co. ltd, liverpool

In an article dated 26 March 1963, the Warrnambool Standard reported: “A cannon which has lain on the ocean floor since the barque, Children, was wrecked at Childer’s Cove on January 15, 1839, was raised by three Warrnambool skindivers at the weekend … The cannon, weighing about 750 lb. and 4-ft. 6-in. in length … is in excellent order considering the length of time it has remained underwater”. No conservation measures were taken at that time, other than chipping off the marine growth with hammers and cold chisels. The minutes for the 4 February 1974 meeting of the Flagstaff Hill Planning Board recorded that “a cannon recovered some time ago was lying in the garden of [one of the three original divers] and that it could be picked up at any time”. Peter Ronald, past Manager and Diver for Flagstaff Hill, notes that the CHILDREN cannon would have been recovered by the other divers around 1964. When the cannon came into care of Flagstaff Hill, it was given basic conservation relevant to the time. (At the same meeting, the Board was advised of the recovery of an anchor from the wreck of the CHILDREN by Flagstaff Hill divers (Peter Ronald, Colin Goodall and Gary Hayden, and Hank Howey and Andrew Coffee), and its interim relocation in the sea at the end of the Warrnambool Breakwater while awaiting conservation). About the ship CHILDREN 1825-1839: The sailing ship Children was a wooden, three-masted barque constructed of pitch pine in 1825 at Liverpool. It was felt sheathed and was coppered during an upgrade in 1837. The ship was only 29 metres long and 254 tons in weight; it had two decks and a square stern. The James Henty & Co., a pioneering family from Portland, Victoria, purchased the Children in 1837 for use as a coastal trader. The Children, under the command of Captain H. Browne, was on a voyage from Launceston to Adelaide when it foundered in rough conditions at Childers Cove, west of Peterborough, on 14 January 1839. On board were 14 crew members and 24 passengers, including 9 children. The ship’s cargo was awkwardly balanced: it carried 1500 sheep, 8 bullocks, 7 horses, 5000 London house bricks, 6 whaling boats with associated gear, and general trade goods including beef, pork, tobacco, tipe, butter, lime juice, horse hair, curtains, lead shot, beer and spirits. The hurricane-force winds drove the Children into the limestone stack at the entrance to the cove. The seas smashed it into pieces within twenty minutes. The bodies of sixteen of those who had lost their lives were spread across the shore, along with wreckage from the ship and the cargo of animals. Those who survived suffered injuries; they were rescued and taken by horse and cart to Campbell’s farm, near the whaling station at Port Fairy. They arrived at Portland eleven days after the wreck. The wrecking of the Children is one of colonial Victoria’s earliest and most significant maritime disasters. Little is left to mark the tragedy, apart from some house bricks intended for the Henty family’s Portland Bay settlement. Artefacts recovered in the 1960s to early 1970s include this signal cannon, an anchor, the bottom half of her ship’s bell, and two portions of a ship’s fitting, at one time thought to be a brass porthole frame, London housing bricks and timber flooring. Despite its poor condition, the CHILDREN’s signal cannon remains an important and interpretable record of its demise. From 2015, the CHILDREN cannon has been undergoing the first stages of further conservation.The signal cannon recovered from the Children's wreck is significant as part of the original fittings of the early 19th-century barque. It is an example of maritime defence in the early to mid-19th century. The 1839 wreck and recovered artefacts are examples of the construction methods and materials used in that era and can be used to study the evolution of shipbuilding methods and principles. The wreck of the Children is of state significance as one of colonial Victoria’s earliest and most significant maritime disasters, and one of the first vessels lost in the Western District. This is recognised by its inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register, VHR No. S116. Little is left on the seabed to mark the tragedy, apart from some of the house bricks intended for the Henty settlement. Signal cannon: a 1.3 metre iron 6pdr cannon recovered from the wreck of the CHILDREN. The shape of the cannon tapers from a thick round breech to a flared muzzle, with an 8-centimetre bore, and two side trunnions for pivoting on a wooden gun carriage. It was recovered from the shipwreck site of the CHILDREN by local divers in 1963. This small muzzle-loading signal cannon is in poor and unrestored condition. The cannon’s upper profile of smooth grey metal casing has corroded off, leaving an extensively oxidised rough red surface of crumbling iron. The bottom half of the cannon remains intact, although the outer smooth casing also appears to be separating from the iron core of the barrel. The original grey casting is also missing from the breech and muzzle ends of the cannon. Corrosion and spalling of the upper surface layer of the cannon have removed the maker’s marks and specificationsflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, shipwreck artefact, children, barque, three-masted, liverpool, childer’s cove, port campbell, 1839 shipwreck, 1939 wreck, james henty and co, henty brothers, captain h. browne, first mate t. gay, second mate w. wentworth, portland, portland bay, 1939, ship’s cannon, signal cannon, conservation of marine artefacts, 6pdr small bore cannon, defence

This Engine Room section of a ship's telegraph system was part of the equipment of the Ports and Harbour ship the SS Rip. The vessel serviced and maintained the lights and buoys at Port Phillip Bay and Queenscliffe. The SS Rip was possibly the former gunboat "Albert". The ship’s communication system that was used from the late 19th century to early-to-mid-20th-century is called an Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.) or ship’s telegraph. The system has two parts, the Bridge Section and the Engine Room Section. The Bridge Section is usually mounted on top of a pedestal, and the Engine Room Section is often attached to a vertical surface. The standard commands printed or stamped onto the dial are the directions of AHEAD and ASTERN, and the speeds of STOP, FULL, EASY, STD. BY. and FIN. ENG. The ship’s pilot on the Bridge of a vessel sends his Orders for speed and direction to the to the Engine Room with the E.O.T. He moves the lever or levers, depending on the number of engines the ship has, to change the indicator on the Bridge Section’s dial to point in the new direction and speed of travel. This change causes the Orders to be duplicated on the Engine Room Section’s dial and a bell to signal the change simultaneously. The engineer then adjusts the ship’s engines and steering equipment to follow the pilot’s Order. The manufacturer, Mulne Bros., was a copper and brass works at 166 Sussex Street Sydney, in December 1892, and previously from 1870 at 128 to 130 Sussex Street. The company made and sold a wide range of equipment including machinery and gauges for the Railways.The Engine Room section is significant for being part of the communications system on the ship SS Rip, owned by Melbourne's Ports & Harbours department and used to service and maintain the navigation signals of Port Phillip Bay and at Queenscliffe in the mid-20th century. The dial is an example of marine equipment made in Australia and used for the safety of Victorian vessels. It is also significant for being made by an early Australian manufacturer, Milne Brothers of Sydney.Engine Room Section of a ship’s telegraph or Engine Order Telegraph (E.O.T.). The round metal dial has inscriptions stamped around the edges. The inscriptions are nautical terms for direction and speed and include the maker’s details. The dial was made by Milne Bros. of Sydney. It was part of the equipment on the "SS Rip" in Victoria.Black paint around dial: "MILNE BROS. / MAKERS / SYDNEY" "FULL EASY STD. BY " "FIN ENG. EASY FULL" ""ASTERN" "STOP" "AHEAD"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, marine technology, marine communications, engine order telegraph, e.o.t., ship’s telegraph, bridge section, engine room section, ship’s engine telegraph section, marine telegraph, milne bros., milne brothers, sydney, copper and brass works, ports & harbours ship, ss rip, gunboat albert, service ship, maintenance ship

The kerosene lamp was one of the most common oil lamps used and was manufactured until the 1980s. An anchor lamp like the lamps in this pair would be raised on the highest ship mast at night to signal other seafarers that the ship was at anchor or sailing at night. The metal loops on opposing sides of the lamp could hold a pair of rods or ropes. and be used to raise the lamp.The lamp is made to the design of a 19th and early 20th-century kerosene anchor lamp carried as essential marine equipment and used as a signal lamp on sailing ships. Lamps; a pair of cylindrical kerosene anchor lamps. Each has a flat back, a hinged door, a metal handle and two metal loops or guides fixed on each side. The glass window is convex and inside the lamp is a wick in an enamel wick holder.brass lamp, lamp, anchor kerosene lamp, kerosene lamp, marine equipment, marine lamp, navigation, light, ship light, ship lamp, lantern, maritime, nautical, safety lamp

This megaphone's conical shape amplifies the sound from the narrow end and would have been used to signal a warning or give instructions. Its design is similar to an earlier brass fog horn used on a marine vessel, as it has a wide brim that allows it to be free-standing, and a shoulder rope makes it portable and frees up the user's hands. The narrow end is shaped into a mouthpiece. The megaphone may have been used at sea foghorn on a vessel, although it has no reeds for the sound, or used by a leader of a band or a fireman or other similar uses. This megaphone's conical shape is based on the centuries-old ram's horn or horn from other animals, used to amplify sound to make it travel a long distance or be heard above other sounds. It represents a similar instrument made in the 19th century and used as a signal or to give instructions, such as on a vessel at sea, to a lifesaving team, or in a marching band. Megaphone; brass conical shape with an opening at both ends and a join near the wide end. The wide opening has a broad brim and is painted red inside. A brass ring is attached near each opening and a narrow rope is attached to each ring. warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, fog horn, marine equipment, navigation, warning signal, maritime, nautical, fireman, captain, shoulder rope, signal, safety equipment

William Harvie was granted a patent in 1868 for improvements in the manufacture of lamps, lanterns and lenses for ships navigation and signal lamps 1868. Production began at 222 Broomielaw street Glasgow Scotland. Another patent was issued in 1873 for additional improvements to the companies lamps. Records show that in1873 William Harvie was in partnership with Malcolm Graham & Co, grease manufacturers and rosin distillers at 50 Anderson Street Gallowgate Glasgow. It appears around this time the business was transferred to George Moffat of 128 Garthland Drive Dennistoun Glasgow to continue under the same name (William Harvie & Co at premises situated at 100 East John St Gallowgate Glasgow. It is unclear but at some point W T George & Co were one in the same with William Harvie & Co. W T George made lamps with the trade name “Meteorite” and after gaining a patent for improvements to his lamps in 1941 the patent numbers were affixed to his lamps. In the Scottish Post Office annual Glasgow Directory 1900-1902 William Haveie & Co. Ltd is listed with two addresses; 222 Broomielaw and 24 McAlpine Streets, Glasgow. In the early 20th century the business moved to Birmingham until 1983 when the company went into voluntary liquidation after a meeting was held at Newhall Street Birmingham on the 10th January 1983 for WT George and William Harvie. This meeting was for the purposes regarding the insolvency of a company as set out in Sec 294 & 295 of the companies Act 1948 as a result Harvie & Co cease production of their products.An item made by a company that was an innovator of significant improvements in the manufacture of marine signal and navigation lamps during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Lamps made by this manufacturer are now sought after collector's items that are of significant value. Navigation lamp, round ship's lamp with clear glass and a red filter, handle at top, fitted with hinged and catch section at top to service lamp. Bracket at back for hanging lamp item painted red with black handles.Black nameplate is unreadable. Front reference plate reads " Meteorite" then "Meteorite No. 92276" warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lamp, meteorite, william harvie, navigation lamp, kerosene lamp, signal lamp, marine equipment, marine navigation, w t george & co, george bocock & co, william harvie & co. ltd.

WT George & Co of Sherlock Street Birmingham were makers of ships lanterns under the trade name “Meteorite”. In 1941 Thomas George writer assumes a relative of WT George was granted a patent number GB546575 relating to improvements to his lamps. After this date a plate was affixed with this number. What's confusing with the companies records is that they show that in Birmingham three companies are listed making lamps together and the writer is assuming under a partnership agreement. First in 1983 W T George & Co with William Harvie & Co went into liquidation with G Bocock & Co, together, then in 1992 George Bocock and Harvie Ltd were in liquidation. Although these companies seem to have different addresses in Birmingham they were linked together given they were all liquidated at the same time for two of them. They all appear to have been partners in some way making marine lamps under the William Harvie banner. William Harvie & Co. Ltd advertised as being electric light and power engineers, and patent ship lamp manufacturers, as early as 1901-1902, as listed in the Post Office annual Glasgow Directory 1901-1902.An item made by a company that was an innovator of significant improvements in the manufacture of marine signal and navigation lamps during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Lamps made by this manufacturer are now sought after collector's items that are of significant value. Lamp, round ship's copper lamp with clear glass, handle at top, fitted with hinged and catch section at top to service lamp. Bracket at back for hanging lamp. Stamped "Meteorite 110560" Bottom stamped "Patent no GB546575 and others pending".warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lamp, round ship's lamp, kerosene marine lamp, w t george & co, william harvie & co, george bocock & co

William Thomas George was born in Birmingham in 1884 and was a tin plate worker. He and his wife Ellene had a son Leslie Thomas George. The firm W T George & Co was formed sometime later. In 1939 his firm produced ship lamps. The Patent Number GB546575 on the lamp's plate was assigned to Leslie Thomas George in 1941 for improvements in, or relating to, ships' lanterns. From that time the patent number was affixed to their namufactured Meteorite lights. The ship navigation lamp is important as an example of the evolution of marine safety technology. Countries began passing laws and regulations in the 1830s that required ships to show navigation lights at night or in poor weather. From the late 1840s colours were standardised; red for portside of the vessel and green for starboard, a white masthead light, and a white light at anchor. By 1914 the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea was formed and continues, with decisions and notifications on improvements and changes.. Lamp; Portside ship's lamp is rounded in the front with two flat sides coming to a point at the rear. Glass has circular ridging. Metal handle with lid and clasp. The reflector has red colouring. Inscribed on fixed plates on the front, with maker's details and Patent number. This Meteorite lantern was made by W T George and Co Ltd, of Birmingham. "Port" "W T George and Co Ltd" "Sherlock Street Birmingham" "Meteorite 68990 Patented No 546575 and others pending"warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, portside ships lamp, portside, port lamp, ship's lamp, marine lamp, navigation lamp, w t george & co, coloured lens, red lens, ship fitting, marine technology, navigation light, signal lamp, leslie thomas george, gb546575, patent gb546575, meteorite, lantern, lamp, light

In 1832 William McGeoch & Co., Ltd was established, by William McGeoch senior at 113 Argyle St Glasgow as hardware merchants and exporters, and later were manufacturers of lamps and electrical fittings for ship, railway and domestic use. In the 1900s the company had expanded and had offices at 28 West Campbell Street Glasgow with a factory and warehouse located at the Warwick Works, 46 Coventry Rd, Birmingham. In 1922 the company had expanded and were employing 400 to 500 people. William seniors three sons had joined their father in establishing the business around 1888. The business was run by William McGeoch senior with Williams three sons Alexander, William and Andrew also taking an active part in the day to day running of the company. The company had expanded to such a degree that they were now manufacturing a variety of ships' hardware. This included metal cabin furnishings, signal lamps, ships' oil and candle lamps, motor lamps, switches, switchboards, electrical accessories and fittings. In 1982 William McGeoch & Co., Ltd was acquired by Bowthorpe Holdings Ltd.A lamp made by a significant manufacturer of marine equipment that made fittings for many famous ships including the Titanic.Marine oil Lamp with glass panels. Front panel missing. Access through glass panel door at side flat metal back. Metal fuel reservoir and no burner. Metal rounded chimney on top. Embossed McGeogh Maker Glasgowwarrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lamp, ships lamp, wm mc geoch ltd, hardware merchants, ships outfitters

This marine oil lamp reservoir with a reflector may have been used in a marine navigation lamp. This oil tank is missing its burner.In the early-to-mid 19th century, a marine navigation lamp would use an oil reservoir with a reflector such as this one for marine signals at sea.Oil lamp reservoir, part of a ship's lamp or lantern. It includes the diamond-shaped base, curved reflector and fuel tank.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lamp, ship's lamp, oil lamp reservoir, spare part, marine lamp, navigation lamp, lamp reflector and reservoir, marine equipment, shipping, marine technology

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

This flare pictured is one of three lighting or signal flares. These are pyrotechnic devices used at sea, mainly as a distress signal. However, they have other meanings when used for naval purposes, such as the executive order to start a particular manoeuvre. These are usually packaged as part of a distress pack containing all necessary rockets or flares for immediate use, in any emergency, by ships and off-shore yachts. The inscribed numbers could possibly be the date packaged or the date of useful life i.e. 27-11-1955.This set of three flares is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Flare (three), ; metal base, black cylinder, removeable wooden end cap that has a wooden key attached by string at centre. Inscribed "R↑L" on the cap and metal base. Inscribed: "R↑L", "27, 11, 55", "Long Lights"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, marine technology, rescue boat, lifeboat, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket rescue method, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, mortar, life jacket, rocket machine, rocket line, rocket set, schermuly, harbour board, government of victoria, harbour master, armband, l.s.r.c., lsrc, flare, light, safety equipment, distress signal, safety at sea, emergency signal, broad arrow, communication signal, vingage, pyrotechnic flare

This flare pictured is one of three lighting or signal flares. These are pyrotechnic devices used at sea, mainly as a distress signal. However, they have other meanings when used for naval purposes, such as the executive order to start a particular manoeuvre. These are usually packaged as part of a distress pack containing all necessary rockets or flares for immediate use, in any emergency, by ships and off-shore yachts.This set of three flares is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Flare; mushroom coloured cylinder, metal base with wooden top joined to it. Base has removable cap with metal encased wooden fuse attached, which holds seven removeable pegs and rings. String threaded through top holes has a wooden peg attached. Top also has holes drilled on opposing sides through which the peg would fit. Inscriptions stamped in black on base, and impressed into cap. Stamped black: "I" Impressed into cap: ""I", "R↑L" (inside oval).flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, rocket crew, lifeboat men, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket equipment, marine technology, rescue boat, lifeboat, life saving rescue crew, lifesaving rescue crew, rocket rescue method, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, mortar, life jacket, rocket machine, rocket line, rocket set, schermuly, harbour board, government of victoria, harbour master, armband, l.s.r.c., lsrc, flare, light, safety equipment, distress signal, safety at sea, emergency signal, broad arrow, communication signal, vingage, pyrotechnic flare

The Geoff mentioned in the inscription is Geoff Biddington.Children's book with colour and black and white illustrations.Inside front cover "To Geoff With Best Wishes From Aunty Vi 1932army, airforce, navy, armed service, royal marines, sailors, naval aircraft carrier, signalling, submarine, royal horse guards, military band, drum major, argyll and sutherland highlanders, royal artillery, machine gunners, tanks, bridge building, the piper, whippet tank, airmen, armstrong whitworth atlas machine, hawlker fury aeroplance, super-marine napier, schneider racing aeroplane, fairet iiif sea-plane, hawker hart day bomber, parachute jumping, schneifer trophy sea-plane, bristol bulldogs, iris flying-boat, geoff biddington, uniforms