Cream, gold embossed invitation card to Linton Maids and Matrons Return Ball 1929. Invitation sent to Misses O'Beirne - Kathleen and Annie, daughters of Francis and Annie O'Beirne of Linton to the Linton Maids and Matrons Return Ball held in Linton 11th September 1929.Text: ' Linton Maids' and Matrons' Return Ball / The Committee of the above request the pleasure of / the company of / Misses O'Beirne / at a Maids' and Matrons' Ball to be held in the / Parish Hall, Linton; on Wednesday, 11th Sept., 1929maids' and matrons' return ball, dances, entertainment

Return Ball, Entrée Card with blue printing. Ball held at the Town Hall, Thursday, 12th July, 1951. Cr N.J. Oliver, Mayor. Ticket in name of Miss E. Goetze and numbered 315.document, invitations, mayoral ball, document, return ball entrée card, cr & mrs n j oliver, miss e goetze

White programme for Return Ball by the Citizens of Bendigo to His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo, Cr. J. H. Curnow and Mrs. Curnow at the Town Hall, Bendigo on 20th July, 1904. Buff coloured with spring of flowers across centre of card. Printed on the inside is a list of dances.document, invitations, mayoral balls and other entertain, document, programme return ball, cr j h curnow, mrs curnow

Decorated commemorative card City of Sandhurst Return Ball to his Worship the Mayor and Mrs. Aspinall at the Town Hall 14 July 1874. Signed at the bottom by the Chairman John McIntyre? And the Hon. Secty. Has bright blue City of Sandhurst seal with gold painted around the edges. There is scroll work and pink, red, yellow, blue and purple flowers (hand painted?) as decoration.artwork, print, artwork, commemorative card for return ball, city of sandhurst, mayor and mrs aspinall, john mcintyre

Town Hall, Return Ball. Tendered by the Citizens of Bendigo to His Worship the Mayor, (Cr. M G Giudice) and The Mayoress, (Mrs. Giudice.) Town Hall, Bendigo. Tuesday, July 17th, 1923. Menu, Dindon Roti. Jambon de York. Canard Roti. Salad a la Francaise. Haricot Verts. Pommes de Terre a L;Anglaise. Trifle a L'Espangnole. Charlotte Russe. Crème aux Fraisee. Salade aux Fruits. Gelee au Madere. Meringues a'la Crème. Patrisserie. Gateau Assorties. Olive Farcies aux Anchois. Pailles au Parmeson. Amande a la Diable. Gingembre. Raisins. Café. The Oyster Soup will be served in Basement after Second Supper. Favaloros, Caterers. Wine List. Irvine's Great Western Champagne (Special Reserve.) Seppelt's. Penfold's. Max Cohn's. Port. Sherry. Claret. Burgundy. Muscat. Hock. Chablis. Planet. Old Scotch Whisky. Ales and Stout-Bendigo United and Cohn Bros. Aerated Waters and Cordials. Cigars Cigarettes. Toasts. His Majesty the King. - By the Chairman, 'Our Guests,' (The Mayor & Mayoress Cr & Mrs. M G Giudice.) by the Chairman. Where're they met a stranger; there they left a friend. Response by The Mayor. 'The Chairman Citizens Return Ball Committee,' (Cr E M Vains) By the Mayor. Response by the Chairman. The Citizen's Return Ball, Executive Committee - Cr E M Vains (Chairman), Mr. J Denton (Treasurer), A M Poole, T Pritchard, A B Wood, W Jeffrey, W H Taylor, F Monaghan, H S Marks, H W Tilley, F Cambridge, H Newman, E A Sayer, H Whitelock, W Currie, W T Patten, J. J. Caldwell, G H Dare, J H Sievers, F Ferguson, G J C Maxwell. F T Amer & T R J Brown; Hon. Secs. City of Bendigo logo is at the top on the front cover and an oval picture of the Mayor and Mayoress below it.Cambridge Press, Bendigoevent, entertainment, return ball, town hall

Hand sewn and printed blue and gold wall hanging inviting Mayor and Mayoress Giudice to the Return Ball. The text is printed on the blue central fabric panel which has a gold fringe and tassels. At the top of the fabric to enable it to hang on wall the fabric is sewn around a wooden rod with attached gold braid.The citizens of Bendigo present their compliments / to / HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR (Cr. M. G. Giudice) / AND MAYORESS, (Mrs Giudice) / and request the pleasure of their company at / THE RETURN BALL / at the / Town Hall, on Tuesday, 17th July, 1923 / E.M. Vains, Chairman J. Denton, Hon, Treasurer / Bendigo, 27th June, 1923giudice, mayoress giudice, city of bendigo town hall, city of greater bendigo ceremonial item, city of bendigo mayoress, city of bendigo mayor, city of greater bendigo events

Black and white photographImage shows Cr Spencer speaking at the Return Ball.

Black and white photographWritten on back of photograph: "Cr. Reg Spencer, Mayor 1958-9, Return Ball. Hallkeeper on right (Proudley)."

J. H. Carolin was active in municipal politics from 1886 - 1913. He began his career in Kyneton and arrived in Bendigo in 1879. Councillor Carolin became Mayor for the first time from 1889 - 90 and then again in 1907 -08. John Paul Carolin married Mary Corcoran in 1861and together had 10 children. Event program for the Mayor's Ball. Gold and purple print on pink card. Half fold with menu and wine list inside. Embossed and scalloped edging. Back cover lists the 'light refreshments' served in the Council Chamber throughout the night. Front cover: Return Ball / by the / Citizens of Bendigo / TO HIS WORSHIP / The Mayor of Bendigo, / Cr Carolin and Mrs Carolin / TOWN HALL, BENDIGO / TUESDAY, JULY, 14th, 1908bendigo town hall, making a nation exhibition, councillor john paul carolin, mayor carolin, mayoress mary carolin, mary corcoran, james printer eaglehawk, r.h. reed caterer bendigo, city of greater bendigo events, city of greater bendigo ceremonial item

Black and white photograph

For Return Complimentary Ball held at St Kilda Town Hall on 15 August 1922.White coloured paper receipt form printed in dark blue.st kilda mayoral function, st kilda balls

Ticket to a return complimentary ball at the St Kilda Town Hall on 16 August 1933.Cream card, discoloured with age, printed in blueStamped number 497 Some faint sketches and notes in pencilst kilda balls, st kilda mayoral function

Photo taken in Box Hill Town Hall at a Return Ball. It depicts 7 people on the stage - 3 women and 4 men. The Town Clerk, Mr. Andrew Walls, is on the LHS. At the microphone is a woman who has been presented with a framed photo. There is a floral display in the foreground.Black and white photobox hill town hall, return ball, town halls, box hill, walls> andrew (cr.), dewar> stan (cr.), mayors, councillors, clothing and dress, town clerks

Photo taken in Box Hill Town Hall at a Return Ball. It depicts 8 people - 4 women and 4 men. On the LHS is the Town Clerk, Mr. Andrew Walls. There is a gentleman at the microphone - the Mayor Cr. Stan Dewar - and a woman in a velvet cloak is holding a framed work. There is a floral display in the foreground. Black and white photobox hill town hall, return ball, town halls, box hill, walls> andrew (mr.), dewar> stan (cr.), mayors, councillors, clothing and dress, town clerks

Photo taken at Box Hill Town Hall at a Return Ball. There are 8 people on the stage - 4 women and 4 men. The Mayor, Cr. Stan Dewar, presenting a boxed item to another gentleman. A younger man on the right is holding a framed photo. There is a floral display in the foreground,, and a Queen Anne style writing desk is on the stage behind the flowers. See also photos Nos. 424, 426.Black and white photobox hill town hall, return ball, town halls, box hill, councillors, dewar> stan (cr.), mayors, clothing and dress

Three invitations to a Return Ball tendered by the Citizens of Bendigo to Mayor and Mayoress Cr J R and Mrs Flood. 16.7.1967.

A small cream programme with red and gold lettering. On the front are the words, ' Programme Town Hall Bendigo. Return Ball. To The Mayor of Bendigo and Mrs. J.J. Curnow. Cambridge Press. 7-7-20.' On the inside is the programme.program, music, city hall, lydia chancellor, collection, programme, event, entertainment, civic mementoes, music, dancing, official

6.1 x 24.8 negative strip with four photos of 2 dance programmes, one of a German Mask Ball, which has a gold thread attached and the other, a Return Ball. Cr J H Curnow printed on the front of the programme.entertainment, dance, german mask ball, peter ellis collection, negative, german mask ball programme, cr j h curnow

Documents and invitations to Mr. C. Painter; 1 Envelope addressed to Mr. C. Painter 1960; 2 Envelope addressed to Mr. C. Painter 1961; 3 Invitation to Mr. and Mrs. C. Painter to a Ball in Ringwood Town Hall on 15th. June 1956 from the Mayor and Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs. B J. Hubbard); 4 Invitation to a Complimentary Return Ball on 24th. July 1956; 5 Letter detailing the Complimentary Ball +Additional Keywords: Painter, Mr C. Painter, Mrs. Hubbard, Mr. B.J.(Mayor)

Returned Soldier's Ball held in Wangaratta on 9th August 1937 Captain Mulder and Jim Boyd were floor stewards. A special set of four couples in full regimental dress danced the Quadrilles and other set dances.First Military Ball held in Wangaratta and due to its success it was decided to make it an annual event. Black and white unframed photograph of large group of men and women in front of stage with flags in background mounted on brown cardboardA momento of the Ret. Soldiers Ball Wangaratta 9.8.371937, wangaratta, returned soldier's ball

Returned Soldier's Ball held in Wangaratta on 9th August 1937 Captain Mulder and Jim Boyd were floor stewards. A special set of four couples in full regimental dress danced the Quadrilles and other set dances.First Military Ball held in Wangaratta and due to its success it was decided to make it an annual event. Black and white unframed photograph of large group of men and women in front of stage with flags in backgroundA momento of the Ret. Soldiers Ball Wangaratta 9.8.371937, wangaratta, returned soldier's ball

Three copies of menus, City of Bendigo Jubilee 1871 - 1921 Mayoral Ball Menus to be held at the Town Hall, Bendigo. D. Andrew, Mayor. Dated July 18th, 1921. Inside with the menu is a list of councillors from 1871 and 1921. Also Town Clerks from 1856 to 1921 and Area of City, Gold Yield 1871 to 1921 and value, 120 Miles of street Trees and £52,500 in Revenue. On the back is a picture of the Town Hall. (b) A menu for a Return Ball to His Worship the Mayor, Cr. D. Andrew and Mrs. Andrew to be held at the Town Hall, Bendigo on August 10th, 1921. On the left side of the menu is a purple coloured picture of a lady walking in a garden. She is carrying a posy of flowers and is wearing a long dress. M. Hicks is the caterer for both balls and Cambridge Press, the printer for the menus.bendigo, council, mayoral ball, menu for balls, d andrew, m hicks, cambridge press, city of bendigo jubilee of proclamation as a city 1871-1921, jas boyd, r burrowes, j mcintyre, g aspinall, e garsed, w c vahland, m moran, j holmes, a dunstan, j h curnow, w wilkie, t c pryor, j e holland, w t carter, m g guidice, w ewing, geo avery fletcher, d macdougall, w d c denovan, w honeybone

Minnie Mary Fimmel (1880-1965) was born at Kewell, near Minyip and married carpenter John Thomas Francis Moroney in 1897. His death left her a widow with two children. Minnie re-invented herself as Marie Minnie Dalley and commenced menial work in Melbourne. Known as ‘Ma’, she became a financially successful businesswoman, eventually owning various properties around Victoria including a ‘machinery factory’. She was much ‘talked about’ in the newspapers for her benevolent actions, particularly towards women. For this community service she received an O.B.E. in 1949. Aged 74, she became the first female mayor of Kew. Ma Dalley refused to accept a formal presentation of the honour at a ‘return ball’, insisting that the money be donated to St George’s Hospital, Kew. She continued to financially donate to various charitable organisations. Her piéce de résistance was a staggering £250,000 personal donation to further the building of St George’s Hospital. She died at Kew and is buried at Miniyip Cemetery. Framed large oil painting on canvas. Cr Marie Dalley in her mayoral robes. Painted inscription on reverse of canvas: ‘Ma Dally [sic]. 1st lady Mayer [sic] of Kew Vic. Pinxit Govett 1951". [Cr Dalley was Mayor of Kew in 1954-55, so the date given by the artist on the reverse is incorrect.]marie (ma) dalley, james william govett, ma dalley, minnie mary fimmel, mayoral portraits

Swish is a fast paced game played on a table tennis table with an upright board instead of a net. Players hold a miniature cricket bat and use an audible ball that must go under the middle board and off the table to win a point. Players must use only their bat to keep the ball on the table, and not their body, and keep the ball moving along the surface of the table. In this image, two men hold bats and attempt to return the ball back to their opponents. 1 black and white photograph of men playing swishswish, recreation, royal victorian institute for the blind

This cash ball was used by Cramond and Dickson, a large clothing store on the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets, Warrnambool. The Cash Ball system serviced the ground floor, which measured about 30 metres by 25 metres. An overhead pipe connected each service point in the store, with the pipes connected to the upstairs office. The ball would be filled with a note of details of the sale, and the cash payment; a vacuum system would be activated that would transport the ball upstairs to the office, where details were recorded and the change assembled. Change was placed in the ball, and the vacuum system was activated to return the ball to the correct sales point. A frequent customer has reported that she never remembered the system not working efficiently, and the service was probably quicker than having a cash register at each sales location. John Glass Cramond and James Dickson migrated from Scotland to Melbourne, where they opened a Cramond and Dickson store in St Kilda. They were inspired by the growth in Warrnambool after a visit and opened a second store there in 1855. The Cramond and Dickson store, grocers – drapery – ironmongery - chemist, was located on the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets, Warrnambool (now the site of a Mexican restaurant). Both Cramond and Dickson were involved in the business and social aspects of Warrnambool’s community. Cramond and Dickson closed in 1974. An advertisement placed by Cramond and Dickson in The Camperdown Chronicle, Saturday 6th April 1895, states them “showing the latest novelties for the coming winter season” … “import directly from English and Continental manufacturers” … “representatives in London … always in touch with the Newest Continental Fashions” ... “having been established for so many years we know the requirements of the Western District”… “allow 5 percent discount on goods paid for at the time of purchase”.The cash ball represents an efficient retail system used in the late 19th to mid 20th century to securely transfer cash from one part of the store to another. It is significant for its association with Cramond and Dickson, a large retail store established in Warrnambool and operating from 1855 to 1974. Both partners were prominent figures in the community.Cash ball: a wooden, round, hollow ball in two pieces. Two half spheres that fit into each other securely. Both are marked with carved characters. "B4" and one has "Fancy" marked on it. It was used by Warrnambool's Cramond and Dickson clothing store. "B4" "Fancy"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, cash ball, cramond and dickson, office equipment, retail equipment, cash handling, sales, warrnambool business, department store, commerce, timor street, liebig street

A “Bill of Fare” is a menu or list of food offered for a meal. This Bill of Fare from the sailing ship Schomberg is handwritten in pen in hard-to-read script on the printed pages specifically for the Schomberg ship, of the Black Ball Line of Australian Packets. (‘Packets’ were vessels that had a regular trade run of cargo, passengers and mail; the sailing ship Schomberg was designed for long voyages between England and Australia.) These menus posed a puzzle as they have the handwritten dates of, May 10 and 12, 1856, by which time the Schomberg had sunk (she sunk on December 26, 1855). The donor of these pages of Bill of Fare is a stamp collector from Melbourne. He came across the menus in a package that he bought in 1980 at a stamp auction in Tasmania. He decided to give the menus to Flagstaff Hill this year during his annual family holiday in Warrnambool. A 1981 newspaper article about this donation included an interview with Flagstaff Hill’s curator Mr Peter Ronald, who said that the stationery of these menus is genuine. He went on to say that there would have been much stationery printed for use on the Schomberg although she sank on her maiden voyage. These menus could have been written at a dated late because the surplus Schomberg stationery could have been used for menus on other ships. We will probably never be sure of the answer but none-the-less the pages are still connected to the Schomberg. Below is what we believe the menu consists of although some of the writing is indecipherable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (first menu) Roast Mutton Boiled Mutton? Ox Tail Mulligatawny? Or possibly Ox Tail Vegetables? Mutton Pies? ------------------------------- Vegetables Potatoes ---------------------------------- Dessert Fruit Puddings? Saturday May 10, 1856 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AND - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (second menu) Boiled Mutton Roast Mutton? Roast Geese? Ox Tail?? Calves Head Broth? ------------------------------- Vegetables Potatoes ------------------------------- Dessert Tarts? Rice Pudding? ?...Maids?? Monday May 12, 1856 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Background of “SCHOMBERG” When SCHOMBERG was launched in July, 1855, she was considered the “Noblest ship that ever floated on water.” SCHOMBERG’s owners, the Black Ball Line (one of three companies by that name), commissioned the ship for their fleet of passenger liners. She was built by Alexander Hall of Aberdeen, UK at a cost of £43,103. She was constructed with 3 skins: one planked fore and aft, and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw threaded trunnels (wooden rails). Her first class accommodation was luxurious: velvet pile carpets; large mirrors; rosewood; birds-eye maple; mahogany; soft furnishings of gold satin damask; an oak-lined library; and a piano. Overall she had accommodation for 1000 passengers. SCHOMBERG’s 34 year old master, Captain James ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days at the launch, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. She departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway as well as a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, and 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. SCHOMBERG also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune for the time. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off. Due in large part to Forbes regarding a card game as more important than his ship, SCHOMBERG eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to SCHOMBERG and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted the steamer SS QUEEN at dawn and signalled it. The master of the SS QUEEN approached the stranded vessel and all of SCHOMBERG’s passengers and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the SCHOMBERG. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 1864 salvage efforts were abandoned after two men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck of the SCHOMBERG lies in almost 9 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated, the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen surrounding the wreck, by divers. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed in concretion), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the SCHOMBERG. These Bills of Fare are significant due to their connection to Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg, which is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck S612. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. The Schomberg collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing 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 collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day. The Schomberg 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. Menu, or Bill of Fare, on cream coloured stationery from the sailing vessel “Schomberg”. Two rectangular pieces of paper, each bears the printed words “Black Ball Line of Australian Packets, Bill of Fare, Ship, Schomberg”, a printed symbol of the Black Ball line (a black ball on a red flag) and a decorative border. Both pages are handwritten, in similar but different sized writing, with a Bill of Fare and a date, Page (1) dated May 10th 1856 and (2) dated May 12th ’56, (Both dates are AFTER the Schomberg sank in December 26th 1855.) Both pages have three fold lines spaced across their width. To be used for the return voyage.Printed on the pages ““BLACK BALL LINE OF AUSTRALIAN PACKETS.” “Bill of Fare, / SHIP / “SCHOMBERG”.” Handwritten list of food, and on one page “Saturday May 10 1856” and on the other page “Monday May 12” warrnambool, peterborough, shipwrecked coast, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, maritime museum, great ocean road, flagstaff hill, sailing ship schomberg, shipwreck schomberg, black ball line of australian packets, bill of fare schomberg, menu schomberg 1856, food mid-1800’s, food on ships mid-1800’s, menu, may 10, 1856, may 12, 1856

When the ship Schomberg was launched in 1855, she was considered the most perfect clipper ship ever to be built. James Blaine’s Black Ball Line had commissioned her to be built for their fleet of passenger liners. At a cost of £43,103, the Aberdeen builders designed her to sail faster than the quick clippers designed by North American Donald McKay. She was a three masted wooden clipper ship, built with diagonal planking of British oak with layers of Scottish larch. This luxury vessel was designed to transport emigrants to Melbourne in superior comfort. She had ventilation ducts to provide air to the lower decks and a dining saloon, smoking room, library and bathrooms for the first class passengers. At the launch of Schomberg’s maiden voyage, her master Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, drunkenly predicted that he would make the journey between Liverpool and Melbourne in 60 days. Schomberg departed Liverpool on 6 October 1855 with 430 passengers and 3000 tons cargo including iron rails and equipment intended the build the Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. The winds were poor as Schomberg sailed across the equator, slowing her journey considerably. She was 78 days out of Liverpool when she ran aground on a sand-spit near Peterborough, Victoria, on 27 December; the sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to Schomberg and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS Queen at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS Queen approached the stranded vessel and all of Schomberg’s passengers were able to disembark safely. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the Schomberg. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. After two of the men drowned when they tried to reach Schomberg, salvage efforts were abandoned.32 In 1975, divers from Flagstaff Hill, including Peter Ronald, found an ornate communion set at the wreck. The set comprised a jug, two chalices, a plate and a lid. The lid did not fit any of the other objects and in 1978 a piece of the lid broke off, revealing a glint of gold. As museum staff carefully examined the lid and removed marine growth, they found a diamond ring, which is currently on display in the Great Circle Gallery.33 Flagstaff Hill also holds ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and photograph from the Schomberg. Most of the artefacts were salvaged from the wreck by Peter Ronald, former director of Flagstaff Hill. The Schomberg, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S612), has great historical significance as a rare example of a large, fast clipper ship on the England to Australia run, carrying emigrants at the time of the Victorian gold rush. She represents the technical advances made to break sailing records between Europe and Australia. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Schomberg is significant for its association with the shipwreck, The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg. It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger Ship. It is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day Lithograph of the Schomberg. The vessel is partially rigged with a buoy in the foreground. Behind the vessel are a number of small boats. The writing on the lithograph states "The Schomberg, GALOP Dedicated to Mrs Charles Schomberg (of Liverpool) by Chas D'Albert" Two names BRANDARD and M & N HANHART.IMP on bottom of lithograph.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, brandard, lithograph, m & n hanhart.imp

The Schomberg Cannon was recovered from the 1855 wreck of the SCHOMBERG in 1974 by Flagstaff Hill divers Peter Ronald, Colin Goodall and Gary Hayden. The wreck site was discovered in August 1973 by Stan McPhee and John Laidlaw. ABOUT THE SCHOMBERG When SCHOMBERG was launched in 1855, she was considered the “Noblest ship that ever floated on water.” SCHOMBERG’s owners, the Black Ball Line, commissioned the ship for their fleet of passenger liners. The ship was built by Alexander Hall of Aberdeen at a cost of £43,103. It was constructed with three skins: one planked fore and aft and two diagonally planked, fastened together with screw-threaded trunnels (wooden rails). Its first-class accommodation was simply luxurious; velvet pile carpets, large mirrors, rosewood, birds-eye maple, mahogany, soft furnishings of satin damask; an oak-lined library and a piano. Overall she had accommodation for 1000 passengers. At the launch, the SCHOMBERG’s 34-year-old master, Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes, had promised Melbourne in 60 days, "with or without the help of God." James Nicol Forbes was born in Aberdeen in 1821 and rose to fame with his record-breaking voyages on the famous Black Ball Line ships; MARCO POLO and LIGHTNING. In 1852 in the MARCO POLO he made the record passage from London to Melbourne in 68 days. There were 53 deaths on the voyage but the great news was of the record passage by the master. In 1954 Captain Forbes took the clipper LIGHTNING to Melbourne in 76 days and back in 63 days, this was never beaten by a sailing ship. He often drove his crew and ship to breaking point to beat his own records. He cared little for the comfort of the passengers. On this, the SCHOMBERG’s maiden voyage, he was going to break records. SCHOMBERG departed Liverpool on her maiden voyage on 6 October 1855 flying the sign “Sixty Days to Melbourne”. The ship departed with 430 passengers and 3000 tons of cargo including iron rails and equipment intended to build the Melbourne to Geelong Railway and a bridge over the Yarra from Melbourne to Hawthorn. She also carried a cow for fresh milk, pens for fowls and pigs, and 90,000 gallons of water for washing and drinking. It also carried 17,000 letters and 31,800 newspapers. The ship and the cargo was insured for $300,000, a fortune in those times. The winds were poor as she sailed across the equator, slowing SCHOMBERG’s journey considerably. Land was first sighted on Christmas Day, at Cape Bridgewater near Portland, and Captain Forbes followed the coastline towards Melbourne. Forbes was said to be playing cards when called by the Third Mate Henry Keen, who reported land about 3 miles off, Due in large part to the captain's regarding a card game as more important than his ship, it eventually ran aground on a sand spit near Curdie's Inlet (about 56 km west of Cape Otway) on 26 December 1855, 78 days after leaving Liverpool. The sand spit and the currents were not marked on Forbes’s map. Overnight, the crew launched a lifeboat to find a safe place to land the ship’s passengers. The scouting party returned to SCHOMBERG and advised Forbes that it was best to wait until morning because the rough seas could easily overturn the small lifeboats. The ship’s Chief Officer spotted SS QUEEN at dawn and signalled the steamer. The master of the SS QUEEN approached the stranded vessel and all of SCHOMBERG’s passengers and crew were able to disembark safely. The SCHOMBERG was lost and with her, Forbes’ reputation. The Black Ball Line’s Melbourne agent sent a steamer to retrieve the passengers’ baggage from the SCHOMBERG. Other steamers helped unload her cargo until the weather changed and prevented the salvage teams from accessing the ship. Later one plunderer found a case of Wellington boots, but alas, all were for the left foot! Local merchants Manifold & Bostock bought the wreck and cargo, but did not attempt to salvage the cargo still on board the ship. They eventually sold it on to a Melbourne businessman and two seafarers. In 1864 after two of the men drowned when they tried to reach SCHOMBERG, salvage efforts were abandoned. Parts of the SCHOMBERG were washed ashore on the south island of New Zealand in 1870, nearly 15 years after the wreck. The wreck now lies in almost 9 metres of water. Although the woodwork is mostly disintegrated the shape of the ship can still be seen due to the remaining railway irons, girders and the ship’s frame. A variety of goods and materials can be seen scattered about nearby. Flagstaff Hill holds many items salvaged from the SCHOMBERG including a ciborium (in which a diamond ring was concealed), communion set, ship fittings and equipment, personal effects, a lithograph, tickets and a photograph from the SCHOMBERG. One of the SCHOMBERG bells was in the old Warrnambool Library. The Schomberg cannon is currently on loan to the Port Campbell Visitor Information Centre.The SCHOMBERG collection is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S612. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the SCHOMBERG is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck. The collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the SCHOMBERG. The SCHOMBERG collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship. The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing 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 collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be the fastest and most luxurious of its day. The SCHOMBERG 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.Cannon; 6-POUNDER (6pdr) smooth bore cannon, mounted on a wooden frame. The cannon has a metal lug on each side. It is commonly known as the Schomberg cannon. It was recovered from the wreck of the Schomberg in 1974.warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, schomberg, shipwrecked-artefact, clipper ship, black ball line, 1855 shipwreck, aberdeen clipper ship, captain forbes, peterborough shipwreck, ss queen, cannon, the schomberg cannon, schomberg cannon, peterborough, 1855, sailing ship

This photograph was taken at the scene of the fire on the LIGHTNING, in Corio Bay, Geelong on 31st October 1869. The American clipper ship LIGHTNING was a 3 masted, fully rigged extreme clipper ship. She was commissioned by James Baines, of the Black Ball Line in Liverpool, England, during the time of the Australian Gold Rush for the trade of passengers and cargo between England and Australia. Her cargo listed early consignments of livestock and animals, including rabbits sent to Thomas Austin of Barwon Park, Winchelsea, Victoria. The LIGHTNING was built in 1854 by shipbuilder Donald McKay, of East Boston, USA. She was described as spacious and comfortable, and one of the smartest ships known. The LIGHTNING set many speed records for her sea crossings, and became one of the most famous of the racing clippers and one of the fastest ever launched. In 1854, with Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes and Mate ‘Bully’ Bragg, LIGHTNING made the return trip from Melbourne to Liverpool in only 64 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes; a record for all time. Captain Enright became the new Master of LIGHTNING soon afterwards. He has been described as one of the finest mariners in the Australian trade. One of Captain Enright’s innovations was to publish a ship’s paper called The Lightning Gazette. (Captain Forbes had left to captain the SCHOMBERG.) In January 1855 Capt. Enright sailed the LIGHTNING from Liverpool with over 700 passengers and returned home carrying gold as her cargo. In 1857, for a very brief time under Capt. Byrne the LIGHTNING was used as a troop ship, taking British officers and soldiers, stores and ammunition, to fight in India. In 1859 she then returned to her run between Liverpool and Melbourne, apart from 1867 when she made a special trip between Melbourne and Port Chalmers in New Zealand. In 1869 the LIGHTNING was sold to Thomas Harrison of Liverpool, and she continued to sail for the Black Ball Line. Master of LIGHTNING, Captain Henry Jones, sailed her to Geelong in October 1869, and whilst docked, he had her loaded with a cargo of wool, copper, wire, tallow and other goods. At about 1am on 31st October 1869, whilst still docked and fully laden, a fire was noticed on the LIGHTNING. Efforts to extinguished the fire were unsuccessful, so she was towed to the shoals in Corio Bay, where she eventually sank, losing all cargo but no lives. The area is now known as Lightning Shoals. The LIGHTNING is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S415. She is historically significant for being one of the fastest wooden ships ever built, the first clipper built in the USA for British owners and being the worst shipping disaster in Geelong's history. It spent its whole career carrying cargo and immigrants from England to Australia.Black and white photograph of the burning of the clipper Lightning in Corio Bay Geelong, Sunday Oct 31st 1869. Photograph shows the Lightning in the process of burning, smoke billowing above the deck. Another sailing ship, plus several small boats, are in the bay, with a crowd on the pier.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, sailing ship lightning, extreme clipper ship, american clipper ship, record breaking clipper ship, james baines, black ball line, donald mckay shipbuilder, captain ‘bully’ forbes, australian immigration, liverpool to melbourne migration, captain enright, captain byrne, captain henry jones, corio bay geelong, lightning shoals geelong, rabbits introduced to australia, historic photograph of shipwreck lightning, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, clipper lightning, photograph

This photograph shows the remains of the clipper ship LIGHTNING as it continues to burn to its end in Corio Bay, Geelong, 31st October 1869. The American clipper ship LIGHTNING was a 3 masted, fully rigged extreme clipper ship. She was commissioned by James Baines, of the Black Ball Line in Liverpool, England, during the time of the Australian Gold Rush for the trade of passengers and cargo between England and Australia. Her cargo listed early consignments of livestock and animals, including rabbits sent to Thomas Austin of Barwon Park, Winchelsea, Victoria. The LIGHTNING was built in 1854 by shipbuilder Donald McKay, of East Boston, USA. She was described as spacious and comfortable, and one of the smartest ships known. The LIGHTNING set many speed records for her sea crossings, and became one of the most famous of the racing clippers and one of the fastest ever launched. In 1854, with Captain ‘Bully’ Forbes and Mate ‘Bully’ Bragg, LIGHTNING made the return trip from Melbourne to Liverpool in only 64 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes; a record for all time. Captain Enright became the new Master of LIGHTNING soon afterwards. He has been described as one of the finest mariners in the Australian trade. One of Captain Enright’s innovations was to publish a ship’s paper called The Lightning Gazette. (Captain Forbes had left to captain the SCHOMBERG.) In January 1855 Capt. Enright sailed the LIGHTNING from Liverpool with over 700 passengers and returned home carrying gold as her cargo. In 1857, for a very brief time under Capt. Byrne the LIGHTNING was used as a troop ship, taking British officers and soldiers, stores and ammunition, to fight in India. In 1859 she then returned to her run between Liverpool and Melbourne, apart from 1867 when she made a special trip between Melbourne and Port Chalmers in New Zealand. In 1869 the LIGHTNING was sold to Thomas Harrison of Liverpool, and she continued to sail for the Black Ball Line. Master of LIGHTNING, Captain Henry Jones, sailed her to Geelong in October 1869, and whilst docked, he had her loaded with a cargo of wool, copper, wire, tallow and other goods. At about 1am on 31st October 1869, whilst still docked and fully laden, a fire was noticed on the LIGHTNING. Efforts to extinguished the fire were unsuccessful, so she was towed to the shoals in Corio Bay, where she eventually sank, losing all cargo but no lives. The area is now known as Lightning Shoals. The LIGHTNING is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S415. She is historically significant for being one of the fastest wooden ships ever built, the first clipper built in the USA for British owners and being the worst shipping disaster in Geelong's history. It spent its whole career carrying cargo and immigrants from England to Australia.Black and white photograph of the burning of the sailing ship LIGHTNING, 31st October 1869 in Corio Bay, Geelong. The photograph shows the ship with only 2 masts remaining, still billowing smoke. Below the photograph is the photograph's title.Title hand written 'LIGHTNING"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sailing ship lightning, extreme clipper ship, american clipper ship, record breaking clipper ship, james baines, black ball line, donald mckay shipbuilder, captain ‘bully’ forbes, australian immigration, liverpool to melbourne migration, captain enright, captain byrne, captain henry jones, corio bay geelong, lightning shoals geelong, rabbits introduced to australia, burning of the lightning, historic photograph of shipwreck lightning