"The marine Hydrographers of the British Admiralty wanted desperately to chart a safe passage through the Great Barrier Reef and the gap between the northern tip of Australia and Papua New Guinea, which would open up the new colony to the East Indies trade. They commissioned the Rattlesnake, a 28 gun frigate of the Royal Navy, whose captain was a keen amateur artist and whose name, Owen Stanley, was given to the mountain ranges of PNG. After the passage out, Stanley brought aboard Oswald Brierly, later to be the marine painter to Queen Victoria, and together these men made two voyages through the Great Barrier Reef, painting and sketching all the while. They produced a visual record of 19th century contact between Europeans and the indigenous people of Northern Australia and New Guinea in an album which contains the original of this copy. It is held in the Mitchell Library in Sydney." (ref. State Library New South Wales) Sir Oswald Brierly, a young marine artist, arrived in Sydney in 1842 on the yacht Wanderer. Settling at the whaling station of Boyd Town in Twofold Bay, he painted extensively and left a vivid account of the whaling life during the five years he spent there. However it was the open sea and adventure that lead Brierly to accept a position on the HMS Rattlesnake as shipboard artist. This item is associated with the anchor of the The Rattlesnake. This anchor is in the main street of Orbost in front of what was once the museum.This is a copy of a picture of the H.M.S. Rattlesnake at sea with a canoe of Aborigines rowing towards it.h.m.s.-rattlesnake brierly-oswald stanley-owen

Cubed iron ship tanks were invented by Richard Trevithich in 1808, in partnership with Robert Dickson, and the design was patented that year. The invention was an improvement on the wooden casks or barrel that were in used at the time, as the ship tanks were more secure and their shape was much more economical on storage space. The robust metal tanks were originally made to transport water, but their preserving quality enabled them to transport perishable dry goods such as grain on long voyages, as well as other forms of liquid and solid cargo. The first ship tanks were made from sheets of iron, and later mild steel sheets, with double riveted edges and corners. A round cast iron lid with handle grips was fitted snugly into the top opening, providing an air tight and water tight seal. Brass taps were often fitted into the base. Sailing ships began using the new ship tanks on Australian voyages from around the 1830s, storing ford and water for those on board, and filling them with other cargo. A large number of the ship tanks were repurposed in 1838 for the Victoria Settlement at Port Essington, N.T., as they were able to protect the food, clothing and other stores from termite and insect damage. Other ‘recycled’ ship tanks were cut in half and used as washing tubs or cookers. A 1929 catalogue from Hudson’s Tank Stores advertised square tanks that contained around 600 litres – 160 gallons – which equals internal measurement of 33.25 inches – 84.5 centimetres – per side ship tanks are still made and sold in 1952 by the Globe Tank and Foundry in Wolverhampton, England, which was incorporated in 1922. Today, ship tanks can be seen around Australia. Wilsonson’s Promontory Lightstation has the lid from a ship tank that was used on site for the storage of water. Some have been repurposed as domestic water tanks and dog kennels, others for eucalyptus distilleries. Flagstaff Hill has two ship tanks in it grounds. The Campaspe Port at Echuca, once aa bustling river port, has a ship tank beside the locomotive yard. The lids of ship tanks are collectable items. Richard Trevithick (1771-1833): - Trevithick was born in 1771 in Cornwall, England. He was a famous British engineer and inventor during the Industrial Revolution, known for his invention of first full scale working railway, high pressure steam locomotive, which he demonstrated hauling a railway train in 1804 . He set up a small workshop in 1808 at 72 Fore Street, Limehouse, London, to make iron ship tanks, and this invention was instrumental in replacing the wooden casks formerly used for storage on ships. He was involved with mining technology, iron foundering and ship equipment. Ship tanks changed the way that cargo was transported on ships and other vehicles from the 1830s and were used into the mid-20th century. The ship tanks’ advantages were that they could store more content, lasted longer, were waterproof and airtight, stackable and could be repurposed for many uses other than water, such as fuel, dry goods and domestic cargo. They have even been used aa dog kennels and cookers. Ship tanks were part of the evolving methos to transport water, food and cargo, which changed in 1956 when Malcolm McLean invented the large, rectangular shipping containers that are in use today; they speed up the process of loading on and off the ships, saving time and money. Ship tank: a cubed iron container with an offset hole on one side. The hole has cutouts for securely attaching a lid. This tank is on its side on the ground with the opening facing sideways. The side facing upwards has a wooden bung in a round hole. The ship tank is made from six square, thick iron sheets, rolled and riveted along the edges. The inside has a black sticky coating, possibly bitumen, and a strong creosote odour. There are small remnants of green paint on the outer surface.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, iron cube, water tank, shipping container, ship tank, ship's tank, ship tanks, marine container, richard trevithich, 1808, robert dickson, water transport, water storage, iron foundry, steel sheets, iron sheets, revets, victoria settlement, port essington, globe tank and foundry, wolverhampton, british engineer, british inventor, wooden casks

This cannon ball formed the basis of a discussion with artillerist Peter Webster and historical society members in 2011. The following ideas were put forward. It was approximately 5 inches in diameter and weighed 10lb, Such cannon balls were used in an 18 calibre cannon, which were used only on ships. (12 calibre guns were field artillery). Australia was behind England in its artillery use and used hand me downs. In the 1800's Australia did an audit of artillery and cleared out those no longer in use. By the time of the 1830's 18lb cannons were largely obsolete and removed from service Australia used 18 calibre cannons in Northern Australia at Port Essington and Fort Dundas (Melville Island) Perhaps this cannon ball has no real connection with Australia and came as ballast from some other country.This is one of the more interesting items in our collection and there has been much conjecture over the years as to the story of how it ended up in Warrnambool. In that way it has built its own mystery and provenanceRound metal ball measuring 5 inches in diameter, weighing 10lb. The surface is pitted with the original surface visible in some parts.defence, war, ships, cannon ball, exploration, warrnambool, warrnambool history, warrnambool cannonball

This painting of the barque Sydney Griffiths and two smaller ships, ‘the brothers’ and Essington’ graced the offices of Powling solicitors for 3 generations. This painting illustrates the scene of the first export of wool from Belfast to England.Depicts a significant moment in time when the first shipment of wool from the port was being loaded for London.A watercolour painting on paper and linen in a gold and Black frame showing the Barque "Sydney Griffiths" sailing before Griffith island, also shown "Essington" and "The Brothers" John Griffiths House and other buildings on shoreThe Barque "Sydney Griffiths" Capt. Cowtan leaving Port Fairy for London, February 8th 1851. "Essington" "Brothers"local history, illustrations, powlings, watercolours, exports, essington, sydney griffiths, shipping, the brothers, wool export, capt cowtan

Ill, p.327.non-fictionFactual account of life in the Northern Territory in the late 19th century; - 1st section - Authors adventures as a shipwrecked mariner at Wark Aboriginal Settlement and Port Essington; 2nd section - Detailed narrative of the authors work & explorations as a customs official and as a patrol police officer, stationed at Port Darwin; Description of Malays and their trading ventures by proas; Relations between Malays and Aborigines employment of latter in collecting, trepangs, pearls, tortoise-shells - physical and cultural influences (e.g. intermixture, and language) feuds and murders; Notes on food gathering and hunting (use of wommera) - tracking - corroborrees settling of disputes by simulated fighting - group murder and guilt rites (Malays and Chinese), canoes decorated - Maria Is. sacred burial ground qualities of Aborigines; noted; Intertribal fighting - Woolna tribe against local Darwin Aborigines; Cannibalism at Limba Luchumbo - King River; Contact between Aborigines and settlers, ranging from extreme cruelty to great friendships; Aboriginal girls stolen for domestic work causing trouble; Further accounts of Chinese - opium & gold smuggling; Search for Dylompo - Groote Eylandt unsuccessful. northern australia - description and travel, northern australia - economic relations

non-fictionLudwig Leichhardt (1813 -1848) is known as one of the most individualistic of Australian explorers. This is the first substantial account of his life and work, based on his diaries, logs and field books. Leichhardt's accomplishments have been uncarefully handled by many researchers and much hearsay and supposition has marred the record of the explorer's life. Not assisting in these efforts is the fact that his journals and logbooks were all written in the Gothic form of the German language and have been largely indecipherable and, in places, open to misinterpretation. With the publication of this volume, the story has been set straight. Using unprecedented access to Leichhardt's writings, including his personal correspondence, the author throws new light upon the scandals and defamations which historians - many with vested interests - have heaped upon him. It also includes Leichhardt’s observations of Aboriginal culture round Durundur Station; references to meetings with groups by 1844-1845 expedition to Port Essington; predominantly friendly relations with tribes; instruction in bush foods and medicines; Koko-Pera attack; appendix includes table of Tribal areas traversed 1844-5.ludwig leichhardt 1813 - 1848, exploration australia, australia -- discovery and exploration, leichhardt biography