For Ship To Shore newsletter published in Autumn 2004. Depicts both Reverend Dalling and Mrs Marjorie Duckett (nee McLellan) a key supporter of MTS who worked with Opportunity shop in Williamstown raising funds for the Mission to Seafarers. The house of the Duckett family of Riversdale, Hawthorn was host to seafarers for picnics and outings in the 1920s.Mrs Duckett nee Maclennan was linked to families of both names who according to membership records appear to have provided long standing support to the Mission through much of the 20th and into the 21st century. Colour photograph of Peter Seamen, his wife Robyn, Marjorie Duckett and Reverend Bill Dalling in the club of the 717 Flinders Street MissionFrom Left to right: Peter Seamen, his wife Robyn, Marjorie Duckett and Reverend Bill Dalling.chaplain, marjorie duckett nee maclennan, robin seamen, robyn seamen, peter seamen, reverend bill dalling, mission to seafarers, flinders street

The postcard depicts the St Peter chapel with its furnitshing and furniture gifted by suppoerters.Early photograph of the St Peter Chapel.Glossy sepia tone postcard depicting the interior of the St Peter chapel.Printed on verso: Postcard / A Real Photograph / Produced in Australiast peter chapel, seamen mission, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, flinders street, melbourne, pulpit, prayer desk, altar, lectern, cross, credence, alm's dish

small b & w photograph depicting congregation at St Peter the Mariner chapel. Two blurry figures in foreground, seated figure in background.stamp: 8940, photographic paper markings ILFORDst peter chapel, seamen, services, pews

small b & w photograph of attendees seated at St Peter the Mariner chapelhandwritten number 8, stamp: 8940, photographic paper markings ILFORDst peter chapel, seamen, services, hlg

This window, in memory of Alfred Gurney Goldsmith, was unveiled on 9 February 1927 by Archdeacon Hayman along with the brass tablet in the Mission's hall. (AR 1927). It was created by George H. Dancey from Brooks, Robinson & Co, at a cost of £57. Arched windowsaltar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, kobe, william holman hunt, the light of the world, george dancey (1865-1922)

This window, in memory of Alice Sibthorpe Tracy, was unveiled on 31 October 1933 by the Right Reverend R. Stephen D.D. along with the brass tablet in the Williamstown building, and a sectile tablet in the Port Melbourne building. (AR 1933). "A scheme has been set in operation to raise funds so that a memorial may be erected to Miss A. Sibthorpe Tracy, who has done so much for the Victoria Missions to Seamen. It has been decided that a companion window to that of "The Light of the World" will be placed in St. Peter's Chapel, the design being that of a figure of Hope with her hand on a ship's anchor. The window will show a foreground of beach and pebbles, backed by breaking rollers and a flecked sky. Mrs J. W. Begg, of Stonehaven Avenue, East Malvern, S.E.5, is the honorary treasurer of the fund." (Article published in the Herald, 29 August 1933)Arched windows depicting the female figure of Hope with her hand on a ship's anchor in a foreground of beach and pebbles, backed by breaking rollers and a flecked sky. altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hope, alice sibthorpe tracy

"When Miss Karen Brady, typist of Westgarth St, Northcote, was knocked down by a motor-car at the corner of Heidelberg Road and Fenwick St, Clifton Hill, about midnight on Saturday (3 January 1942), her skull was fractured, and she died in St Vincent's Hospital 4 hours later. She was aged between 45 and 50. Miss Brady was for many years an enthusiastic worker for the Harbour Lights Guild for the Missions to Seamen. She worked there at the canteen many nights during the week, and assisted in many other ways at the mission. Mission officials said yesterday that Miss Brady had been a "splendid worker for the mission". (The Argus, Monday 5 January 1942, page 3) Karen Brady (1886-1942) daughter of Martin John Brady and Evelyn Whitmarsh This window in her memory, "a gift of friends among the seamen and workers of the Mission" was unveiled on the 14 December 1947 by Mrs Oliver, wife of Padre Oliver. Arched windows st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, ww2, karen brady, jesus, hlg, typist

William Digges Latouche Balden was an 18 year-old cadet on the Samarkund. He and three other crew members: William Archibald Jones, 35 (ship mate), Christopher Ewbank, 19 (third officer) and George P. Worsp, 45 (chief steward) died of oxygen starvation in the ballast tank of the ship on 20 August 1945 while in Geelong. Padre Oliver delivered a service in the St Peter chapel, on the 26th of August 1945, in the 4 men's memory. The window commissionned by his parents, was made by William Aikman (1868-1959), a reknown scottish stained-glass artist, and sent from England. Padre Oliver had met them during a voyage to England. It was unveiled on the 10 April 1949. This is the only imported window and according to Brownwyn Hughes the best quality one from all the opter windows.Arched windows depicting St Nicholas, patron Saint of Ships and Sailors, floating on the sea with a gallon shilling in the background. The small portrait of William Digges La Touche Balden, set within a laurel wreath in the window’s lower section.st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, ww2, samarkand, william digges latouche balden, cadets, officers, geelong, deaths, victory ship, merchant navy, st nicholas, galleon, william aikman (1868-1959), christopher ewbank, george p. worsp, william archibald jones

In conjunction with the fraternal visits of Hearts of Oak and the Maritime Lodge (now defunct), joint chapel services have been held in the chapel of St. Peter at the Missions to Seaman in Flinders St over many years. In 1975, the two lodges jointly funded the donation of a window in the Mission's chapel. The window was also part commissioned by what was then the Kanimbla Association who loaned the artist a book called "Cry Havoc - HMAS Kanimbla, a postscript" of photographs which was very valuable and formed part of Gerry's research. Interestingly the Association wanted the Kanimbla depicted in its post WWII passenger liner livery not during WW2. Reverend G.B Muston consecrated the window with Reverend Reginald Bolt on Christmas Eve 1981.Arched windows depicting a yacht shilling in the ocean, in the background a ship liner, on top the freemasonry symbols.st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, yachting, freemasonry, hmas kanimbla, hearts of oak lodge, gerry cummins, jill stehn, ss kanimbla, freemasons, sandringham yacht club, hms kanimbla, kanimbla association

Commodore Dacre Smyth (1923-2008), designed the two memorial windows for the 106th Anniversary of the Australian Navy and coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the Missions to Seafarers in Melbourne. The windows were dedicated by Reverend Bishop Jeremy Ashton on the 1st of March 2007. A plaque was also erected under the windows.Arched windows depicting HMAS Australia 1 (1913-1924) , HMAS Cerberus (1870-1924), and a portrait of Admiral W.R. Creswell, Father of the Australian Navy.st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, commodore dacre smyth (1923-2008), royal australian navy, ran, d-day landing, battle of the coral sea, william rooke creswell (1852-1933), hmas cerberus, hmas australia 1

Commodore Dacre Smyth (1923-2008), designed the two memorial windows for the 106th Anniversary of the Australian Navy and coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the Missions to Seafarers in Melbourne. The windows were dedicated by Reverend Bishop Jeremy Ashton on the 1st of March 2007. A plaque was also erected under the windows.Arched windows depicting HMAS Australia 11 (1928-1954) , HMAS Sydney 111 (1948-1975).st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, commodore dacre smyth (1923-2008), royal australian navy, ran, d-day landing, battle of the coral sea, william rooke creswell (1852-1933), hmas australia 2, hmas sydney 3

The window along with the plaque for Amy Brown were erected in 1976. The funds were raised in 1975 at the same time as the credence in memory of Alice (Micky Nicholls)Artisan's craftTony hallArched windows depicting a tug boat near a ship. In the foreground the Flying Angel flag with a reference to the BibleTHY WAY IS IN THE SEA AND THY PATH IS IN GREAT WATERS. Psalm 77:19st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, flying angel, tony hall, 1976, amy brown

Thelma Jessie Forster (1892-1945) was a member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild. Daughter of Henry William Forster and Jessie Graham Wheeler. On electoral Rolls she is registered as typist so it is likely she was typing the documents, newsletter or administrative documents for the Mission or the Guild.Arched windows st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, ww2, jesus, hlg, thelma forster, n. martin, b. martin, typist

Linda Reid Kerferd (born 1875) was a long time member of the Harbour Lights Guild. She died 23 July 1957. Daughter of George B. Kerferd and Ann Martindale. The window was taken from an old cartoon drawn up by George H. Dancey and adapted for the opening with a new background.Arch stained glass window depicting the birth of Jesus with a text in memory of Linda KerferdIn memory of Linda Reid Kerferd A much loved member of the H.L.G. for many years Died 23.7.52 This window is the gift of members of her family 1958 st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, linda reid kerferd, hlg, harbour lights guild, nativity

Moira Bird Oliver (nee Good) was a the wife of Padre Frank Leslie Oliver. They lived in the Mission for about 30 years. From Bronwyn Hughes: "The subject shows the resurrected Christ appearing to Mary. The window was probably the work of Joseph Stansfield and Phoenix Studios. After Brooks, Robinson & Co. closed its stained glass department in the 1960s, Stansfield, who was the senior artist and head of the department, set up in business with the foreman of the leadlight department, Jim Lynch. Phoenix continued to provide stained glass windows to churches in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales."Arched windows depicting a woman kneeling in front of JesusIn Living Memory Of Moira Bird Oliver / Wife of Rev. Frank Leslie Oliver . Chaplain of this Mission for 30 Years / - Erected by Friends . Inspired by her Life and Service.st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hlg, harbour lights guild, moira bird oliver (nee good), joseph stansfield, phoenix studios

This window, in memory of the crew of the ship Jervis Bay, was unveiled on the 14 December 1947 by Mrs Johnson, wife of the Bishop of Ballarat. As mentioned on the plaque below the window, it was a gift of the Ballarat branch of the HLG and the Lucas Girls from Ballarat. E Lucas & Co was a textile company in Ballarat. The "Lucas girls" are known Ballarat-wide for their commitment to philanthropic work during the period of the Great War. From Bronwyn Hughes report: The window was designed and made by Brooks, Robinson & Co. Melbourne, from an old cartoon that was ‘touched up’. The size (24 1⁄2 x 17 1⁄4 inches) precluded the inclusion of any ornamental borders or other decorative features. The order was not received until 1947. Below this window is the plaque from the donors: the Ballarat Branch of the Harbour Lights Guild and Lucas Girls. On the same occasion the mallet, used to launch the ship Manunda was donated to the Mission. (AR1947) Unfortunately it is lost. Arched stained glass windows depicting Jesus floating on the surface of the sea holding out his right hand to seamen who on a raft, their ship sinking in the background.To the Glory of God and in loving memory of the heroism of the Captain and Ship’s Company, of the Armed Merchant Cruiser ‘Jervis Bay’ and the Men of the Merchant Navy November 5th 1940.altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hope, jervis bay, crew, lucas girls, ballarat branch, hlg, jesus

This window, in memory of Captain Robert Sunter, was unveiled on the 14 February 1936 performed by Mr R. H. Martin, chief officer of the Manunda. The funds were raised by the crew of the ship Manunda. It was made after "In the anxious hours of waiting" by G M Langley, a print donated by the Godfrey sisters and also located in the St Peter chapel.Arched stained glass window in a restraint colour scheme made after the print "In the anxious hours of waiting" depicting a sailor guided by the light held by Jesus. The image of the sailor appears to be a portrait of Captain Robert Sunter.To the Glory of God and in memory of Robert Sunter Master Mariner, formerly Captain of the M.V. Manunda. This window erected by his former shipmates and other friends. Respected and loved by his men. Died at Cairns 15th September 1934 “Lo I am with you alway”altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hope, captain robert sunter, padre frank leslie oliver

This window along with the the second window in the reredos was donated by the Misses Forge in memory of their brother, James Leslie Forge, 33yo, who died on the 23 April 1917 while working on his orchard in Wingello, NSW. A Footscray local, he had donated the funds (100 pounds) for the reredos of the St Peter chapel. Follow Me and Thou of little Faith in the Sanctuary of the Chapel were probably installed at or around the time that the building was erected. The windows are attributed to Brooks, Robinson & Co. on stylistic grounds, probably designed by William Wheildon and drawn up into a full scale cartoon by George H. Dancey c1918.Arched stained glass windows with design and texts from St. Matthew’s Gospel reference water by showing the Sea of Galilee and Christ stilling the water. The ornamental borders have the anchor of hope in the point directly central above the scene.‘Thou of little Faith Wherefore dost thou doubt’ Matt. 4.31 / To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of / J. Leslie Forge / This window is given by his sister R.F.altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, 1917, ww1, memorial chapel, reredos, footscray, james leslie forge, ruby forge, forge's store, gifts-1917

This window along with the the second window in the reredos was donated by the Misses Forge in memory of their brother, James Leslie Forge, 33yo, who died on the 23 April 1917 while working on his orchard in Wingello, NSW. A Footscray local, he had donated the funds (100 pounds) for the reredos of the St Peter chapel. Follow Me and Thou of little Faith in the Sanctuary of the Chapel were probably installed at or around the time that the building was erected. The windows are attributed to Brooks, Robinson & Co. on stylistic grounds, probably designed by William Wheildon and drawn up into a full scale cartoon by George H. Dancey c1918.Arched stained glass windows which design and texts from St. Matthew’s Gospel reference water by showing the Sea of Galilee and Christ stilling the water. The ornamental borders have the anchor of hope in the point directly central above the scene.‘Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men ‘ Matt. 4.19 / To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of J. Leslie Forge / This window is given by his sister E.F.altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, 1917, ww1, memorial chapel, reredos, footscray, james leslie forge, edith forge, forge's store, gifts-1917

This window, in memory of Ethel Godfrey, was unveiled in December 1935, by Archbishop Head. In June 1936 two other memorials were unveiled: brass tablet in the Williamstown building, and a sectile tablet in the Port Melbourne building. (Jottings 1936). The funds were raised by the Mission.Arched stained glass window depicting Mary with a cross, in the background the sail of a small barque on the sea with waves and skyTo the Glory of God, and in memory of a much-loved leader, Ethel Augusta Godfrey, one of the founders of the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, of which she was Honorary General Secretary until 1930. This memorial is erected in the year of her death.altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hope, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935

In November 2019, Peter Sharkey from England visited the Mission . In January 2020, he emailed scans of 3 letters from seaman Peter Donovan, a relative, written from Melbourne. The letters were written using printed paper from the Mission to Seamen.In total, there are 13 letters, written from various ports between 1920 and 1922; in many respects, they offer a glimpse of economic and social history. Although wages were higher in Australasia, the threat of unemployment appears as constant as it was in Liverpool, to where the correspondence was sent and from where the sender almost certainly hailed.Scan of letter written by seamen Peter Donovan to his sister peter donovan, peter sharkey, mission to seamen, seamen, sailors, ships, england, mission to seafarers, strikes, ss sealark, patrick steamship company, patrick s.s. co

In November 2019, Peter Sharkey from England visited the Mission . In January 2020, he emailed scans of 3 letters from seaman Peter Donovan, a relative, written from Melbourne. The letters were written using printed paper from the Mission to Seamen.In total, there are 13 letters, written from various ports between 1920 and 1922; in many respects, they offer a glimpse of economic and social history. Although wages were higher in Australasia, the threat of unemployment appears as constant as it was in Liverpool, to where the correspondence was sent and from where the sender almost certainly hailed.Scan of letter written by seamen Peter Donovan to his sister peter donovan, peter sharkey, mission to seamen, seamen, sailors, ships, england, mission to seafarers, strikes, ss sealark, patrick steamship company, patrick s.s. co

In November 2019, Peter Sharkey from England visited the Mission . In January 2020, he emailed scans of 3 letters from seaman Peter Donovan, a relative, written from Melbourne. The letters were written using printed paper from the Mission to Seamen.In total, there are 13 letters, written from various ports between 1920 and 1922; in many respects, they offer a glimpse of economic and social history. Although wages were higher in Australasia, the threat of unemployment appears as constant as it was in Liverpool, to where the correspondence was sent and from where the sender almost certainly hailed.Scan of letter written by seamen Peter Donovan to his sister peter donovan, peter sharkey, mission to seamen, seamen, sailors, ships, england, mission to seafarers, strikes, ss sealark, patrick steamship company, patrick s.s. co

This register was used by the Mission to Seamen, in the St. Peter's Seamen's Church from the 14th of December, 1935 to the 3rd of May, 1941. It records the weddings that took place at the church, along with all the information necessary to legalise the marriage under Australian law.The register details weddings conducted at the St. Peter's Seamen's Church between 1935 to 1941.Front cover: REGISTER NO. 4 / 14-12-35 / TO / 3-5-41 handwritten in ink. In the top right hand corner of the the front cover is a Mission to Seamen, Melbourne stamp, in blue ink.wedding, mission-to-seamen, wartime, register, marriages, dio-marriages, st peter chapel, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission

Note - Identification as David Kent needs to be confirmed.small b & w photograph of a young chaplain conducting a service in St Peter the Mariner chapel, chaplain facing away from congregationstamp: 8940, photographic paper mark ILFORDst peter chapel, services, seamen, pews, altar, chaplain, david kent

small b & w photograph of seated congregation at service in St Peter the Mariner chapelstamp: 8940, photographic paper markings ILFORDst peter chapel, services, seamen, hlg

The photograph was published in the 1936 Annual Report on page 22 with the caption: "Abide With Me" - a snap during a week-evening service at Central.medium sized b & w photograph of a group of five men during a service in the St Peter the Mariner chapelstamp: 1298, handwritten numbers: wide 4 x 3, 12 - 8 5/8, st peter chapel, service, seamen, praying, mass

The Chapel attached to the 1917 Mission Building has been known variously over the years as: Memorial Chapel ( WWI Merchant seamen) ; St Peter Mariner's Chapel and St Peter's, Mariner's Church. In current day usage due to modest size it is referred to as Chapel. This postcard provides a sample record of the appreciation of volunteers by committee members at the Mission in the 20th C. and forwarded on their behalf to the donor's Grandfather Mr Arthur Ware countersigned by Padre Oliver ( Chaplain 1930-1960)A black and white photographic postcard of the interior of St Peter's Chapel, Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders St Melbourne. Image has a 5cm white border.On the back is a message from Padre Oliver on behalf of the Christmas Committee to Mr Ware and dated 14-12-51. "Thanking Mr Ware for ... all your kindness..."photograph, josephine atkinson, arthur ware, padre oliver, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, seamen's mission, donors, supporters, frank leslie oliver, 1951

Photograph shows the ship FIJI where she met her demise, in Wreck Bay, on the shipwreck coast of South West Victoria. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the captain being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967. Amongst the artefacts salvaged from the Fiji are china miniature animals, limbs from small china dolls, rubber balls, a slate pencil, a glass bottle, sample of rope from the distress rocket and a candlestick holder. These items are now part of the Fiji collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, along with Captain Vickers’ pocket watch and Julius Gebauhr’s sheath knife. Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Black and White Photograph of the ship "Fiji" taken from Wreck Creek. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, pocket watch, fob watch fiji, william vickers, william robe, bill robe, gebauhr, stansmore, carmody, wreck bay, moonlight head, fiji shipwreck 1891, port campbell rocket crew, wreck bay victoria