William Withers and Edward Ryan drowned near Point Lonsdale on 19 October 1954 when they tried to enter the Rip at Port Phillip Heads against an ebb tide with a strong south-west wind blowing. They were sailing a large crayfishing boat, the 'Robert John', returning with a load of crayfish from King Island.Photograph shows William (Bill) Withers and Edward Ryan who worked in the local Queenscliff and Victorian fishing industry. The commercial fishing industry developed in Queenscliff from the 1860s, with early fishing developing around the couta boat and barracouta fishing. Crayfishing and shark fishing also became important, especially as the supplies and popularity of barracouta as a commercial species waned. Local Queenscliff fishermen often fished outside Port Phillip into Bass Strait and had to navigate the dangerous entry to Port Phillip, known as 'The Rip', with its turbulent and variable water and weather conditions. This added to the everyday dangers of sailing faced by fishermen in their industry. The local fishermen often had the local knowledge of these waters, but the fishing community in Queenscliff also lived with the threat or fear that the Rip could rob them of one of their own. The entrance to Port Phillip with this Rip is the scene of many shipwrecks,often resulting in tragic loss of life or injuries, including passenger and cargo ships travelling to/from Melbourne and Geelong as well as accidents to local Queenscliff and Port Phillip sailors such as the fishermen or sea pilots. A B/W photograph of two Queenscliff fishermen, William (Bill) Withers and Edward Ryaninformation about photo and donation handwrittten on backfishermen, queenscliff fishermen, withers, william withers, ryan, edward ryan, robert john crayfish boat, shipwreck, port phillip

Charlie 'The Coach' Zanoni was born in Queenscliff in 1909 and fished from 1924 to 1989 on a 67 foot iron bark boat 'The Olympic'Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Charlie 'The Coach' Zanonni. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'charlie zanoni, the olympic, queenscliff, fishermen

Colin 'Steak' Shapter was born in Queenscliff in 1913 and fished from 1927 to 1953 on a 20 foot clinker boat 'JWC'Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Colin 'Steak' Shapter. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'queenscliff, fishermen, jwc

The Court of Marine Inquiry found that the steering gear had failed as the SS Time entered Port Phillip Heads. It was established that the fault lay with the Lloyd's surveyor for not detecting the fault when the Time had been classified Al. No blame was attached to the master. Two Queenscliff fishermen purchased weck for 950 pounds (insured value 30,000 pounds)and its timber cargo - handsome profit. Cargo and most fittings of value recovered. Wreck visible until early 1960s, until during a storm it slid off northern side of Nepean reef and broke up in 20 feet of water. The most noteworthy shipwreck to date at the heads.Two Queenscliff fishermen purchased the weck for 950 pounds (insured value 30,000 pounds) and its timber cargo - handsome profit. The cargo and most of the fittings of value were recovered. The wreck was visible until the early 1960s, until during a storm, it slid off the northern side of Nepean Reef and broke up in 20 feet of water. The most noteworthy shipwreck to date at the heads.A Commonwealth of Australia Navigation Act, Boat Station List form, showing the names of crew assigned to each of 4 lifeboats on the Port [P] and Starboard [S] sides of the SS Time dated 1 August 1949.Form C.B.D.F 3 for 4 lifeboats; Boat Station List navigation act, ss time, port phillip, shipwrecks, lifeboat rules

Coloured photographic postcard. Image is of a curve of beach with fishermen's huts against a background of trees. There are several piers and jetties stretching out into the water, one with two buildings. The words Fishermen's Huts Inner Beach Queenscliff Vic are printed on the top left hand side. The reverse is addressed to Miss Gladys Dean "Esmond" McKenzie Street Golden Square. Handwriting covers the opposite side. The words VSM Series are printed bottom left hand side.VSM Seriespostcard

Harry Mouchemore was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1934 to 1995 using a 30 foot Cayzer built boat called PepeOne of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Harry Mouchemore signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'Harry Mouchemore; Born Sth Melbourne 1920, fished 1934 - 1995; Boat: Pepe, 30 ft, Cayser builtpepe, harry mouchemore, dr mike birrell

Lock up originally located at rear of police station in Gellibrand Street QueenscliffFrequent occupants of the gaol were fishermen and sailors for being intoxicatedTimber lock-up building with tin roof painted white with small well secured door in the middle. A window with bars is high above the door. Door has black hinges, double locks and viewing window.gaol, lock up, queenscliff historic buildings

Thought to be from the SS Time as donor's relative was part of the salvage group in 1949As the salvage group was made up of fishermen form Queenscliff the wreck of the SS Time at Port Phillip Heads as well as its salvaged items are still of great significance to the community at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale. Timber chair with arm rests and canvas seat and backchair, ss time, salvage

Used by local fishermenUsed by local fishermenCane basket with long line and hookslong line, fishing

Ian 'Sam' Culliver was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1930 to 1992 using a 26 foot Couta boat called 'Phyllis'One of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Ian 'Sam' Culliver signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'dr mike birell, ian 'sam' culliver, phyllis

Ron 'Bluey' Welch was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1938 to 1987 using a 24 foot Couta boat called 'Claire Sans'One of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Ron 'Bluey' Welch signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'dr mike birrell, ron 'bluey' welch, 'claire sans

'Young' Les Wright was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1945 to 1991 using a 36 foot flush-deck well boat called 'Sea Hunter'One of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman 'Young' Les Wright signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 10 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'dr mike birrell, 'young' les wright, 'sea hunter'

Lewis Ferrier was a fisherman in Queenscliffe from 1938 to 2008 using a 26 foot Couta boat called 'Rosebud'One of a series of 10 pencil drawings entitles 'The Old Salts' of prominent Queenscliffe fishermen Framed pencil drawing of prominent Queenscliff fisherman Lewis Ferrier signed by artist Dr Mike Birrell 1996. One of a series of 9 drawings entitled 'The Old Salts'dr mike birrell, lewis ferrier, 'rosebud'

This drum winch was used by the Pilot Service to haul dinghies into the work shed in Tobin Drive Queenscliff. It was situated on the slip way on the fishermen's pier.This drum winch was used by the Pilot Service when it was situated on the slip way on the fishermen's pier in Queenscliff.Drum winch used by the Port Phillip Pilotswinch, port phillip sea pilots

A Couta boat is a type of sailing boat originally designed and built in Victoria, Australia, around Sorrento, Queenscliff and along Victoria's west coast as far west as Portland. It was originally used as a traditional fishing boat from around 1870 until the 1930s, although it survived as a commercial fishing vessel until the 1950s. From the 1970s onwards a community of enthusiasts started restoring old couta boats to use recreationally.The Couta Boat has been associated with the fishermen of Queenscliff from the first quarter of the 20th Century, and still is of significance due to the popularity of this boat as a leisure sailing vessel.2 Reproduced photographs of couta boat fishing fleet under full sail in Queenscliffcouta, couta boat, sailing, fishing, port phillip, queenscliff

Queenscliff’s first pier, then known as the Fishermen’s Pier, was completed in 1857. It was not until some thirty years later that the second Steamer Pier was constructed adjacent to the former and periodically extended from the mid to late 1880s to cope with the demand in pleasure bay steamer services. The last of these extensions was to provide a dog-leg construction and the extant shelter shed. 1960 witnessed the demolition of the original Fishermen’s Pier - by this time having been extended in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to the equivalent length of the Steamer Pier - and saw the relocation of its 1926-29 lifeboat house to the Steamer Pier, now Queenscliff Pier. The mid to late 2000s saw Queenscliff Harbour undergo large-scale redevelopment in order to deepen its waters for pleasure craft and increase its berths to over 300. This was met with strong community opposition, largely with concerns for neighbourhood character and perceived cause for gentrification its stakeholders would impart. With early construction estimates of $20 million dollars, this figure had almost doubled upon realisation. (Lovell Chen Architects. ‘Individual Property Citation’, Queenscliffe Heritage Study, 2009.) (Freya Mitchell, ‘Queenscliff residents fight a tide of development sweeping the historic town’ ABC radio, 15 April 2005).Fishermen's Pier Watercolour painting of Fishermen's Pier in Queenscliffwatercolour, fishermen's pier, queenscliff

The winch was relocated to the Queenscliff Maritime Museum when the shed was moved from Fishermen's Pier [when demolished] and relocated to its present location at the end of the Queenscliff Pier. The Lifeboat shed is an iconic building for the township of Queenscliff. It once was located on the now demolished Fishermen's Pier and relocated to the current Queenscliff Pier. However, the motor winch that used to be housed there is now in pride of place adjacent to the Queenscliffe lifeboat which it served for many years. Photograph of a motor winch from the 'Queenscliffe' Lifeboat Shed.queenscliffe lifeboat service, lifeboat shed, fishermen's pier, queenscliff pier

Common home made example of a dip net used by fishermenRound shaped dip net used to hold caught fish.fishing, leisure activity

Harpoon belonged to Cappy Felman, one of several fishermen from Barwon Heads post WWIIMetal Harpoon tip missing handlefishing, harpoon

This smock was hand sewn by Florence Kelly for her husband Reuben Kelly to be used as protective clothing when catching couta in Port Fairy 1948.Fishing industry from Queenscliffe to Port Fairy up to the 1950s /60s. A hand sewn fishermen's smock used by the maker's husband as protective clothing when fishing for couta.couta fishing, protective clothing, fishing industry, port fairy, fishermen's smock

This low-lying northern-most tip of Queenscliff saw its physical origins in 1863 with allotments let to a burgeoning fishing community previously accommodated on the site of the current railway station and whose construction in 1879 necessitated eviction. Among this community, Chinese fishermen are thought to be of the first international settlers. The success of the fishermen’s settlement was due in part to commercial trading prospects the railway afforded and the size of catch available to those fishing in Bass Strait. Salmon, snapper and particularly barracouta led to the success of the local industry.Original Fishermans Cottage previously located at Swan Bay end of Bridge Street Queenscliff. Timber - Weatherboardfishermen's cottage, fishermen's flat, queenscliff

Originally located on the Queenscliff Pier from 1856. It was known as the waiting shed for registered fishermen. It was moved from Queenscliff pier to near slipway in 1960, then to Princess Park in the 1970s and to the museum in late 1980. Henry Zanoni, a fisherman was responsible for painting the many pictures of ships on the inside walls.Waiting Shed for Registered Fishermen Weatherboard - Timber Cream Weatherboards and Brown Trimfishermen waiting shed, queenscliff

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

Queenscliffe pier, fishermen's catchDisplay of fishermen's catch on Queenscliffe pier, 1908Black & white 1908 photograph of Queenscliffe fishermen's catch on the pierReverse - " nil "historical references

Disappearing gun relocated to Queenscliffe Fort from South Channel Fort 1980Disappearing gun barrel being transported.Black & white 1908 photograph of Queenscliffe fishermen's catch on the pierReverse - " nil "historical references

Cray fisherman's cray crate at dock.Cray catch & production method.Black & white photograph of Queenscliffe cray fishermen unloading cray crate at Fishermen's Pier.Reverse - " NIL ".historical references