Showing 619 items matching royal humane society
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Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Certificate - Royal Humane Society, 1889 - 1900
... Royal Humane Society ...Royal Humane Society of Australasia...Archibald Ernest SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Humane...Royal Humane Society Certificate for the award ceremony... Street) Port Melbourne melbourne Royal Humane Society Certificate ...Archibald Ernest SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Humane Society bronze medals (case numbers 1817 and 1880) for rescuing two people from drowning on separate occasions, at Railway Pier, Port Melbourne and at Queensbridge (city). Medal awarded to Archibald Ernest Swannie 13.02.1899 . Bar awarded 25.12.1899. The RHS awards a bronze medal for the first award and then adds a bronze bar to that medal as the second award. The first saving occurred on 13 February 1899 and the award ceremony occurred on 19 April 1899. The second saving occurred on 25 December 1899 and the ceremony was 20 June 1900 (case number 1880 Cat Nos .03.and .05 relate to this case) A E SWANNIE lived in Gladstone Place Montague ; played 46 games with PMFC and was a member of the 1901 Premiership team.Royal Humane Society Certificate for the award ceremony on 20 June 1900awards and presentations, piers and wharves - railway pier, sport - australian rules football, royal humane society of australasia, archibald ernest swannie -
Orbost & District Historical Society
certificate/award, after 1934
... award certificate royal-humane-society flood snowy-river... from the Royal Humane Society of Australia awarded to Donald...Printed at top of certificate: THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY...Royal Humane Society of Australasia...-written certificate from the Royal Humane Society of Australia ...This certificate was presented to Donald David Thomson , sleeper hewer, aged 42 years for rescuing S.C. Curtis, aged 52, G. Wylie, aged 54, J. Dalgleish, aged 5 from flood waters at White gulch on the Snowy River on January 8, 1934. (The certificate reads as White's Gulch but should be Watt's gulch.) Although damage estimated at 500,000 pounds was caused by the unprecedented floods along the Snowy River, no lives were lost because of the courageous actions of men like Donald Thomson.A framed copy of a printed and hand-written certificate from the Royal Humane Society of Australia awarded to Donald David Thomson for rescuing victims of the floodwaters in Orbost January 1934. It is dated 6.3.1934.Printed at top of certificate: THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY / OF AUSTRALASIA. Has names of Society patrons and committee as well as names and ages of those rescued. award certificate royal-humane-society flood snowy-river 1934 thomson-david -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Award - Medal, James Patten, 18-041890
... royal humane society of Australasia... on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia...Medal awarded to James Patten by the Royal Humane Society...: Embossed on the medal around the edge "ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY...Royal Humane Society of Australia... on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia ...The Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia were awarded to James Patten for the bravery he displayed on 18th April 1890, and presented to him on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia was founded in 1874 with the aim to recognise those who risked their lives to save others and to assist those whose acts of bravery caused them or their surviving dependants to be disadvantaged in some way. Details of the incident were published in the Argus, Saturday 19 April 1890, page 11 - "FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT, (BY TELEGRAPH FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.), WARRNAMBOOL, FRIDAY A fatal boating disaster occurred in Lady Bay this morning, the victim being Joseph Lowe, licensee of the Bay View Hotel, South Warrnambool. The deceased, in company with two lads named James Ferrier and James Patten, went out in a small dingy to shoot musk ducks. The water was perfectly smooth, and the party were tempted to proceed as far as the mouth of the Hopkins River. In their eagerness they neglected to keep clear of the breakers, and were presently carried in on the crest of a large wave, and the boat cap sized within a cable's length of the shore, precipitating the occupants into the water. Patten and Lowe stuck to the overturned boat, Ferrier striking out for the shore, which he reached in an exhausted state. In the meantime his companions had been washed off the boat, and were struggling in the breakers. Lowe was unable to swim, and Patten kept him afloat, at the same time making gallant attempts to get him ashore, but finally had to leave him to his fate. Ferrier, seeing Lowe's danger, undressed and swam out, but became exhausted. Ferrier and Patten were both found in a fainting condition by persons who saw the catastrophe from the jetty, and ran along the beach to render assistance. Attempts were subsequently made to rescue Lowe's body, which could be seen washing abort in the surf. These proved unsuccessful, and no hope is now entertained of recovering it. Lowe was a smart young man, 28 years of age, and unmarried. He was formerly bar-man at the Commercial Hotel here, having been engaged in Melbourne ..." This medal recognises the bravery of James Patten, a local citizen who risked his life to save the life of his friend Joseph Lowe whilst at sea and was recognised for this act by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia.Medal awarded to James Patten by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for his bravery on18 April 1890 and presented to him on 21 May 1890. Bronze medal in hard black rectangular case. Lid and base have centre hinge and brass spring button catch. Case is padded and lined with blue silk and has a fitted hook. The round medal has a bronze bar with pin closure, dark blue, braided ribbon with brass swivel mount. The case has a gold embossed rectangular border on the lid and base. Embossed inscription on lid. The obverse shows a woman on the left in long robe placing a wreath on the head of a kneeling man at right, with the five stars of the Southern Cross constellation above his head. A motto is inscribed around the edge. The reverse has inscriptions around the edge, a wreath of two overlapping olive branches, and engraved text.OBVERSE: Embossed around "VIRTUTE PARATUM" REVERSE: Embossed on the medal around the edge "ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY OF AUSTRALASIA INSTD. A.D. 1874", in the centre "AWARDED TO" Engraved in the centre "James Patten/ 18th April / 1890" CASE LID: "PRESENTED BY / THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY / OF AUSTRALASIA / TO / JAS. PATTEN. / 21ST MAY 1890."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, bronze medal 1890, royal humane society of australasia, james patten, medal, australian award medal, commemorative medal, numismatics, life saving, lifesaving, rescue, bravery, drowning, joseph lowe, james ferrier, lady bay, hopkins river, boating accident, certificate of merit, north eastern bight -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Award - Certificate of Merit, Royal Humane Society of Australia, James Patten, 21-05-1890
... royal humane society of Australasia... on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia... of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia. Awarded on 21st May 1890...Print and writing includes - "The Royal Humane Society...Royal Humane Society of Australia... on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia ...The Bronze Medal and Certificate of Merit of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia were awarded to James Patten for the bravery he displayed on 18th April 1890, and presented to him on 21st May 1890. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia was founded in 1874 with the aim to recognise those who risked their lives to save others and to assist those whose acts of bravery caused them or their surviving dependants to be disadvantaged in some way. The producers of the certificate were Fergusson & Mitchell, a Melbourne organisation established by 1858 that was an engraver, lithographer and printer. Details of the incident were published in the Argus, Saturday 19 April 1890, page 11 - "FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT, (BY TELEGRAPH FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.), WARRNAMBOOL, FRIDAY A fatal boating disaster occurred in Lady Bay this morning, the victim being Joseph Lowe, licensee of the Bay View Hotel, South Warrnambool. The deceased, in company with two lads named James Ferrier and James Patten, went out in a small dingy to shoot musk ducks. The water was perfectly smooth, and the party were tempted to proceed as far as the mouth of the Hopkins River. In their eagerness they neglected to keep clear of the breakers, and were presently carried in on the crest of a large wave, and the boat cap sized within a cable's length of the shore, precipitating the occupants into the water. Patten and Lowe stuck to the overturned boat, Ferrier striking out for the shore, which he reached in an exhausted state. In the meantime his companions had been washed off the boat, and were struggling in the breakers. Lowe was unable to swim, and Patten kept him afloat, at the same time making gallant attempts to get him ashore, but finally had to leave him to his fate. Ferrier, seeing Lowe's danger, undressed and swam out, but became exhausted. Ferrier and Patten were both found in a fainting condition by persons who saw the catastrophe from the jetty, and ran along the beach to render assistance. Attempts were subsequently made to rescue Lowe's body, which could be seen washing abort in the surf. These proved unsuccessful, and no hope is now entertained of recovering it. Lowe was a smart young man, 28 years of age, and unmarried. He was formerly bar-man at the Commercial Hotel here, having been engaged in Melbourne...." The bronze medal and accompanying certificate of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia recognise the bravery of James Patten, a Warrnambool citizen who risked his life in the attempt to save the life of his friend Joseph Lowe.Certificate, cream paper, rectangular, decorative border and headings, printed and handwritten in pen and ink. Letterhead of The Royal Humane Society of Australasia. Awarded on 21st May 1890 to James Patten of Warrnambool. for his bravery on 18th April 1890.Print and writing includes - "The Royal Humane Society of Australia under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and their excellencies, the Governors of all the Australian Colonies and Fiji. At a general court of directors holden at the Offices of the Society Melbourne on the 21st day of May 1890, it was resolves that the courage and humanity displayed by James Patten, aged 20 years, labourer Warrnambool in attempting to rescue Joseph Lowe from drowning in the North Eastern bight of Lady Bay 18th April 1890. Call for the admiration of this court and justly, entitles him to the Bronze Medal of this society which is hereby awarded." Signatures [Secretary] and [President]flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, bronze medal 1890, royal humane society of australasia, james patten, medal, australian award medal, commemorative medal, numismatics, life saving, lifesaving, rescue, bravery, drowning, joseph lowe, james ferrier, lady bay, hopkins river, boating accident, certificate of merit, lithograph, north eastern bight -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Container - Royal Humane Society certificate holder, 1889 - 1900
... Royal Humane Society certificate holder...Royal Humane Society of Australasia...Archibald Ernest SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Humane... Street) Port Melbourne melbourne Royal Humane Society certificate ...Archibald Ernest SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Humane Society bronze medals (case numbers 1817 and 1880) for rescuing two people from drowning on separate occasions, at Railway Pier, Port Melbourne and at Queensbridge (city). Medal awarded to Archibald Ernest Swannie 13.02.1899 . Bar awarded 25.12.1899. The RHS awards a bronze medal for the first award and then adds a bronze bar to that medal as the second award. The first saving occurred on 13 February 1899 and the award ceremony occurred on 19 April 1899. The second saving occurred on 25 December 1899 and the ceremony was 20 June 1900 (case number 1880 Cat Nos .03.and .05 relate to this case) A E SWANNIE lived in Gladstone Place Montague ; played 46 games with PMFC and was a member of the 1901 Premiership team.Black leather certificate holders (rolled) with gold lettering "RHS of Australasia"awards and presentations, piers and wharves - railway pier, sport - australian rules football, royal humane society of australasia, archibald ernest swannie -
Buninyong & District Historical Society
Photograph - Framed Colour photograph, Framed Colour Photograph of Royal Humane Society medal awarded to Cornelius Westh 18th November 1891, eb 1995
... Framed Colour Photograph of Royal Humane Society medal...Framed colour photograph of Royal Humane Society medal... colour photograph of Royal Humane Society medal awarded ...Cornelius Westh was presented with this award for attempting to rescue John James who was buried by a fall of earth in the Imperial Mine Hiscocks on 23 June 1891Record of an attempted mine rescue in the late 19th century by a prominent local citizenFramed colour photograph of Royal Humane Society medal awarded to Cornelius Westh by the Royal Humane Society of AustralasiaGift from Westh family to Buninyong and District Historical Society February 1995mining, hiscocks, rescue, award, westh -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Certificate - Illuminated Address & Certification, Royal Humane Society certificate/citation for Geatana Marabella, dated 11 May 1911, 11 May 1911
... Royal Humane Society certificate/citation for Geatana...Royal Humane Society Citation of 11 May 1911 for Geatana... Royal Humane Society certificate/citation for Geatana Marabella ...Disappearing gun relocated to Queenscliffe Fort from South Channel Fort 1980Disappearing gun barrel being transported.Royal Humane Society Citation of 11 May 1911 for Geatana Marabella for 'courage & humanity'Reverse - " nil "historical references -
Buninyong & District Historical Society
Photograph - Colour photograph, Framed copy of Award to Cornelius Westh from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia, 1940's
... Humane Society of Australasia... Westh by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia... Westh from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia Photograph ...Cornelius Westh was presented with this award for attempting to rescue John James who was buried by a fall of earth in the Imperial Mine Hiscocks on 23 June 1891Record of an attempted mine rescue in the late 19th century by a prominent local citizenColoured, framed copy of an award presented to Cornelius Westh by the Royal Humane Society of AustralasiaGift of Christine Westh to Buninyong and District Historical Society February 1995mining, hiscocks, rescue, award, westh -
Bacchus Marsh & District Historical Society
Medal, Royal Humane Society of Australasia Medal Awarded to Thomas Kennedy 3rd August 1891
... Royal Humane Society of Australasia Medal Awarded to Thomas... ceremony with this description, 'Bronze medals of the Royal Humane... Kennedy 3rd Aug 1891, Royal Humane Society of Australasia, INSTD..., Royal Humane Society of Australasia, INSTD. A.D. 1874 Bronze ...Thomas Kennedy aged 14 was awarded this medal in 1892 for the bravery he showed in rescuing members of his family from the flooded Werribee River on the 3rd August 1891. The Bacchus Marsh Express newspaper on for 30 July 1892, page 2, reported the awards ceremony with this description, 'Bronze medals of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia were awarded at the Melbourne Town Hall on Monday evening as follows: Thomas Kennedy, of Maddingley, near Bacchus Marsh, aged 14 years, for the risk he incurred in procuring assistance to rescue his father, mother, four brothers and sisters from being drowned during the flood of the Werribee River, on the 3rd August, 1891. He at daybreak swam across a strong current, and procured a boat, then rode a horse attached by a chain to the boat, and was returning thus to the house when he was washed off the horse, and with much difficulty rescued'. Bronze medal with ribbon.Obverse: Virtute Paratum; Reverse: Awarded to Thomas Kennedy 3rd Aug 1891, Royal Humane Society of Australasia, INSTD. A.D. 1874medals, awards, floods 1891 -
Vision Australia
Medal - Object, Royal Humane Society of Australasia medal, 1960s
... Royal Humane Society of Australasia medal...A Royal Humane Society of Australasia silver medal...A Royal Humane Society of Australasia silver medal ...A Royal Humane Society of Australasia silver medal for bravery was awarded to Mrs Isadore Susannah Smith who, although blind, went to the aid of her husband, Arthur who was also blind, when he fell against a gas fire on July 2nd, 1967. Mrs Smith suffered second degree burns to her hands and wrists when she removed his burning pieces of clothing. On the front shows a woman in Ancient Greek clothing standing at left placing wreath on head of young man kneeling at right below Southern Cross; around edge is ' Virtute Paratum' and on the back is at centre within olive wreath 'Awarded to Isadore Smith 2.7.67'around edge is , Royal humane society of Australasia Instd. A.D. 1874. 1 silver coloured medallion and ribbon bar with ivory, brown and yellow striped ribbon. Women in ancient Greek clothing with 'Virtute Paratum' on front. Back is inscribed with 'Isadore Smith 2.6.67' inside a wreath.medals, isadore smith -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Award - Royal Humane Society award extract from 1883 to A. Thwaites et al, Alfred Thwaites' award from 1883 from RHSA, c1978
... Royal Humane Society award extract from 1883 to A. Thwaites...Royal Humane Society award extract from 1883 to A. Thwaites ...Life savingLife savingRHSA award extract from 1883 to A Thwaites et al.Reverse " NIL "historical references -
Inverloch Historical Society
000923 - Photograph - 2nd November 1989 - Melbourne - Gary Swift with Royal Humane Society Medal at Government House - from Hazel Swift
... Swift with Royal Humane Society Medal at Government House - from... - Melbourne - Gary Swift with Royal Humane Society Medal at Government ... -
Cockatoo History & Heritage Group
Medal, Royal Humane Society of Australasia - Bronze Medal for Bravery 1983
... Royal Humane Society of Australasia - Bronze Medal for...-and-the-dandenong-ranges Medal Royal Humane Society of Australasia - Bronze ...Bronze Medal. Ribbon navy blue edged with silver & gold central strip. Observe (face or main design) the female figure represents Australasia placing a wreath on the head of a kneeling figure, under the Southern Cross. The Latin motto translates as "Bravery Rewarded". Reverse: the name of the awardee is inscribed inside a wreath of laurel and eucalyptus.Awarded to DJ Griffin 16-2-1983bravery awards, ash wednesday, bushfires, cockatoo victoria, dorothy joan griffin, -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Award - Humane Society Bronze Medal, 1889 - 1900
... Royal Humane Society of Australasia...Royal Humane Society Bronze medal and bar attached to navy... Award Royal Humane Society Bronze medal and bar attached to navy ...Archibald Ernest SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Historical Society bronze medals (case numbers 1817 and 1880) for rescuing two people from drowning on separate occasions, at Railway Pier, Port Melbourne and at Queensbridge (city). Medal awarded to Archibald Ernest Swannie 13.02.1899 . Bar awarded 25.12.1899. The RHS awards a bronze medal for the first award and then adds a bronze bar to that medal as the second award. The first saving occurred on 13 February 1899 and the award ceremony occurred on 19 April 1899. The second saving occurred on 25 December 1899 and the ceremony was 20 June 1900 (case number 1880 Cat Nos .03.and .05 relate to this case) A E SWANNIE lived in Gladstone Place Montague ; played 46 games with PMFC and was a member of the 1901 Premiership team.Royal Humane Society Bronze medal and bar attached to navy corded ribbon and bronze pinawards and presentations, piers and wharves - railway pier, sport - australian rules football, royal humane society of australasia, archibald ernest swannie -
Victoria Police Museum
Certificate and Scroll (Robert Graham), 1888
... Royal Humane Society... Royal Humane Society Award Certificate awarded to Robert Graham... leather scroll with printed and handwritten Royal Humane Society ...Black embossed leather scroll with printed and handwritten Royal Humane Society Award Certificate awarded to Robert Graham for rescuing sufferers from the flood at the Goulburn River at Shepparton on 7th November 1887robert graham, greta, kelly gang, ellen kelly, royal humane society, bravery, awards, shepparton -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Certificate - Awards received by Charles McCarthy
... the royal humane society of australasia... 1877 .02 from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia 1883.... .01 from the Victorian Humane Society 1877 .02 from the Royal ...A3 colour photocopies of certificates of "courage and humanity" awarded to Charles McCarthy for rescuing people at Railway Pier, Sandridge. .01 from the Victorian Humane Society 1877 .02 from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia 1883piers and wharves - railway pier, awards and presentations, charles mccarthy, victorian humane association, the royal humane society of australasia -
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Memorabilia - Certificate and Medal, 16 January 1949
... royal humane society of australasia...Royal Humane Society certificate and medal presented..., telegrams of congratulations Royal Humane Society Certificates ...Royal Humane Society Certificates and Medals are not given lightly and these items have been treasured by the family since presentation in the 1940's. Donated to the Museum for safekeeping/display in July 2011Royal Humane Society certificate and medal presented to Thomas Warren - fisherman aged 43 from Queenscliff, in helping to rescue four men from drowning from the wreck of the yacht Merlan on the outer reef at Point Lonsdale on 16/01/1949Includes letters, telegrams of congratulationsroyal humane society of australasia, thomas warren, merlan, rescue -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Certificate, Royal Human Society, 1921
... royal humane society...The Royal Humane Society of Australasia in gold lettering... with gold lettering on the outside. The Royal Humane Society ...This item is a Certificate of Merit awarded to Leslie Arthur Tinker for bravery in risking his life in going to the rescue of passengers on the motor launch "Nestor " on the Hopkins River at Warrnambool On January 09 1921. Leslie Arthur Tinker was 31 years of age at the time of this rescue of passengers from the launch"Nestor". Les Tinker was the third son of Jessie and Frank Tinker. He was caretaker at the Town Hall for many years and lived on site. He was married to Elsie Moore and they had one son Donald born 1928. The sinking of the Nestor claimed 10 lives in Warrnambool that day and was a tragedy for Warrnambool. Two long remaining survivors were Janet Glass Dickson who died in 2011 at 97 years of age and A Mr Jim Russell who was still living in Warrnambool in 2011 at the age of 94.This certificate has strong historical and social significance with strong links to one of Warrnambool's larger families. The event itself was a tragedy for Warrnambool with ten people losing their lives. The award comes from The Royal Humane Society of Australasia and as such is a national recognition. Cream parchment certificate with black text. The text sits within a border with coats of Arms at the top The certificate sits on a paper lined brown leather scroll with gold lettering on the outside. The Royal Humane Society of Australasia in gold lettering on the outside.awarded to leslie Arthur Tinker16th June 1921 Nestor jan 9, 1921 Mason Firth and McCutcheon on the bottom of the certificate. Signed by George Lush and Thomas Brentnall. warrnambool, leslie tinker, royal humane society, nestor rescue, nestor warrnambool, certificate of merit tinker -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Framed Life Saving Certificate, 11-07-1901
... royal humane society of australasia.... Certificate is from Royal Humane Society of Australasia.... Royal Humane Society of Australasia. (Hand written ...This was given to William James Kennon. He was attempting to take assistance to a wrecked barque at Cape Patterson on April 25th, 1901. The ship was the barque "Artisan".Framed, printed Certificate of Meter, in black lettering with hand written name and particulars of recipient. A gilded matt is surrounded by an ornate wood and gesso frame which is in poor condition. On the back the paper has disintegrated. The Certificate is paper, mounted on cloth, mounted on stretcher. Remains of framer's label, also Phillip Island label stuck on back. Certificate is from Royal Humane Society of Australasia.(Hand written in copperplate, in black ink) ......11th Day of July 1901:...... William James Kennon of Cowes, a blacksmith, aged 21 years, in attempting to take assistance to the crew of the wrecked barque "Artisan" at Cape Paterson, on the 23rd April 1901................? Hamilton (Sec) ..........? (Pres.)...............local history, trophies & awards, public events, certificate of meter, cape patterson, royal humane society of australasia -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Portrait, Thomas Pearce, survivor of the shipwreck Loch Ard, c1887, c1878
... was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society... gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria.... wearing the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society ...Thomas Pearce (1860?-1909) was an apprentice on the English merchant vessel the Loch Ard, which embarked for Victoria in March 1878 carrying 37 crew and 16 passengers, many from the Carmichael family. In stormy weather on 1 June 1878, just days from completing the three-month voyage, the Loch Ard wrecked against Muttonbird Island. Supported by an upturned lifeboat, the teenaged Pearce was washed ashore in a small bay, now known as Loch Ard Gorge; but when he spotted eighteen-year-old Eva Carmichael clinging to wreckage in the ocean, he swam out and struggled back to shore with her. As sole survivors of the wreck, Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael became celebrities and posed for a number of Melbourne photographers after their recuperation. Pearce was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria. Popular sentiment was for a permanent union; but Eva returned to Ireland, and Pearce became a ship's captain. This photograph is in an album associated with the Fullerton Family. James Lucas Fullerton was born in Northern Ireland on 02 July 1842, and died on 23 November 1932. HIs wife Mary Carson was born on 30 May 1844 in Northern Ireland, and died on 22 April 1917. They married on 14 October 1869 at Brisbane before moving to Creswick where James Fullerton worked as a grocer. They later moved to Ballarat where they ran a grocery shiop. James and Mary had ten children, and are buried in the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. Photographic portrait of Thomas Pearce wearing the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria.thomas pearce, eva carmichael, loch ard shipwreck, loch ard gorge, royal human society of victoria gold medal -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Newspaper - The Argus articles re Archibald Ernest SWANNIE, 1889 - 1900
... Royal Humane Society of Australasia...Archibald Ernest SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Humane... SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Humane Society bronze medals (case ...Archibald Ernest SWANNIE was awarded two Royal Humane Society bronze medals (case numbers 1817 and 1880) for rescuing two people from drowning on separate occasions, at Railway Pier, Port Melbourne and at Queensbridge (city). Medal awarded to Archibald Ernest Swannie 13.02.1899 . Bar awarded 25.12.1899. The RHS awards a bronze medal for the first award and then adds a bronze bar to that medal as the second award. The first saving occurred on 13 February 1899 and the award ceremony occurred on 19 April 1899. The second saving occurred on 25 December 1899 and the ceremony was 20 June 1900 (case number 1880 Cat Nos .03.and .05 relate to this case) A E SWANNIE lived in Gladstone Place Montague ; played 46 games with PMFC and was a member of the 1901 Premiership team.Articles from 'The Argus" concerning the award ceremonies for Archibald Ernest SWANNIEawards and presentations, piers and wharves - railway pier, sport - australian rules football, royal humane society of australasia, archibald ernest swannie -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Memorabilia - Realia, 1906
... Gilchrist – Certificate – The Royal Humane Society (Photo... Humane Society (Photo copy only) stawell ...Gilchrist – Certificate – The Royal Humane Society (Photo copy only)stawell -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Memorabilia - Realia, 1906
... Framed Certificate, Medal and Photo – Royal Humane Society... – Royal Humane Society Mr Albert Illig Stawell ...Framed Certificate, Medal and Photo – Royal Humane Society Mr Albert Illigstawell -
8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles Regimental Collection
Photograph - McGrath, 1918 circa
... Royal Humane Society NSW... as an accountant. He was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane... Battalion. McGrath 8th light horse Garrison Royal Humane Society NSW ...William 'Lauchie' McGrath, an accountant with Australian Mercantile Land & Finance (AML&F), enlisted in AIF in September 1914. He was posted to 8th Light Horse regiment with the No 268 and rank of trooper. He rose through the ranks, serving at Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine reachin the rank of Captain/Adjutant of the regiment. The 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF was raised at Broadmeadows Victoria in September 1914 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander White and formed part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. The regiment served at Gallipoli where in a courageous but ill-fated charge at the Nek on 7 August 1915 it suffered horrendous casualties including Lieutenant Colonel White. Rebuilt in Egypt under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Maygar VC the regiment went on the serve throughout the Middle East Campaign. Colonel Maygar died of wounds at Beersheba when the regiment was attacked by enemy aircraft while waiting to follow up the successful charge of the 4th LH Brigade on 30 October 1917. The 8th Light Horse AIF was disbanded in 1919, but soon after re-raised as the 8th (Indi) Light Horse in the Citizen Military Forces, superseding 16th (Indi) Light Horse. McGrath wrote the History of the regiment (See 3091.901) Following his return to Australia he took up farming in the Upper Murray, On 10 February 1924, a community picnic was being held at a creek below his Jingellic homestead when a maniac armed with a rifle came out of the scrub and proceeded to shoot indiscriminately int the party. No reason was ever given but it was presumed that he wanted to kill one man who was not among the five he hit. McGrath got the women and children into the creek and organised the other wounded - he had already been hit in the chest - into cover before running over open ground for his rifle in the house. In all he stopped five bullets but the gunman bolted once McGrath appeared with his own weapon.Some weeks later he was captured getting milk from a dairy and declared insane. One of the five victims died that day, one some months later, one had to use a stick for the rest of his life and McGrath was forced to give up the farm and return to his old job as an accountant. He was awarded the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society of NSW and the silver medal of the Royal Shipwreck Relief & Humane Society of NSW. The latter body felt the water in the creek made it appropriate to also make the award. McGrath enlisted again in World War Two, serving firstly as 2/ic Broadmeadows Camp and later 2/ic the Officer Commanding 12th Garrison Battalion. Framed black and white photograph of mounted officer with tents in background.Across lower edge of frame "Capt. McGrath. MC.. MID. 8th Australian Light Horse"mcgrath, 8th, light horse, garrison, royal humane society nsw -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Document - Regarding awards received by James Elder, 2007
... awards of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia to any one..., recipient of most awards of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia ...Documentation regarding James Elder, recipient of most awards of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia to any one person. .01 - Letter from City of Port Phillip regarding plaque. .02 - Letter from Royal Humane Society regarding James Elder. .03 - Extracts from Royal Humane Society annual reports 1902, 1903, 1904, 1910. .04 - Extracts from Life Saving Awards research society - 2 pages. .05 - Letter from Paul Street regarding James Elder. .06 - Royal Humane Society Annual Report 2006.piers and wharves - station pier, james elder, paul street -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Newspaper - Rescue of Mr Hendy by Arthur Downer, J Kitchen & Sons driver, 9 Feb 1918
... The Royal Humane Society of Australasia written in ink... and Sons driver, Arthur DOWNER The Royal Humane Society ...Photocopy of download of item from Port Melbourne Standard (Vic 1914 - 1920), Saturday 9th February 1918. The rescue of a Mr HENDY by J Kitchen and Sons driver, Arthur DOWNERThe Royal Humane Society of Australasia written in ink at the bottom of the pageindustry - manufacturing, transport - roads, sport - swimming, j kitchen & sons pty ltd, arthur downer, port melbourne swimming club, mr hendy -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph, Foyle Photographic Studio, Wreck of La Bella, about 11/11/1905
... Royal Humane Society medal... was awarded the Silver Medal for bravery by the Royal Humane Society... by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured by the Prime Minister ...The photograph shows the wreck of La Bella in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, Australia. It was probably taken on 11th November 1905, the morning after she was wrecked. “Foyle” written on the photograph is the name of Foyle’s Photographic studio. At the time of the photograph the studio was owned by both Charles and Lilian Foyle (sometimes known as Lillian or Lily), either of whom could have taken this photograph. They also worked together at a later date on the photographs, sketches and paintings of the famous and historical Pioneers’ Honour Board, which is currently on view in the Warrnambool Library. Foyles Photography was the studio of James Charles Foyle. He owned “Foyle’s Photo Card Studios” in Liebig St , Warrnambool, which operated between 1889 – 1919 . A letter to the editor (by Mr Edward Vidler) in the Melbourne Argus, 3rd August, 1907, mentions that in that year Warrnambool would celebrate its 60th anniversary of its proclamation as a town, and that talented local artist Miss Lily Foyle would paint 200 portraits in watercolour of the pioneers who settled in the district prior to 1860. The Pioneer Honour Board can still be seen on display in the Warrnambool Library. In the Warrnambool Standard, Dec. 1917, “Mr Foyle’s studio was awarded contract to decorate rail cars on newly opened Trans-Continental railway, assisted by his sister, Miss Findlay.” The subject of the painting, La Bella, has its own tragic story. Read on for further details … On November 10th, 1905, the Norwegian-built barquentine La Bella approached Warrnambool at the end of her 37 day voyage. She was carrying a cargo of timber from Lyttleton, New Zealand, in heavy seas and evening mist. (On its only other visit to Warrnambool a year earlier the master had gone to shore to find a tow. He returned to the ship to find the crew drunk and unwilling to take up their posts, even though the ship was dragging its anchors and in a dangerous position.) As Captain Mylius steered La Bella to Lady Bay Channel the ship was tossed onto its side by heavy breakers and ran aground on what is now known as La Bella Reef. The sea was so rough that it wrenched a one-and-a- half ton anchor from the vessel. Several attempts were made by parties of volunteers in lifeboats to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boats to get close enough to the ship and the parties had to return to shore. The La Bella’s crew became exhausted and sailors were being washed overboard, one by one. By sunrise only five of the twelve crew still clung to the wreck. A local fisherman, 25 year old William Ferrier, rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the captain, whilst the volunteer lifeboat crew rescued a further three sailors, returning to shore. Ferrier made a final attempt at rescue and was able to reach its stern as the conditions eased slightly, saving the last remaining, terrified sailor just before the ship broke up and sank. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. He was awarded the Silver Medal for bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured by the Prime Minister and the Governor. He was presented with several other awards for his daring rescue. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. The wreck now lies in 13m of water and is home to an abundance of marine life. Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a rail holder from La Bella, a photograph of William Ferrier with four of the five men rescued, a rail holder from the ship and the letter from the Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament that was sent to William Ferrier to commend him for his bravery. La Bella has been protected under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976) as a Historic Shipwreck since 23 April 1982 (VHR S401). It is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international and inter-colonial passenger and cargo ship. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the La Bella is of historical and archaeological significance because of its association with the La Bella, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register, and because of the relationship between the objects. The collection represents aspects of Victorian history, and the letter to William Ferrier demonstrates how important his rescue efforts were to Victoria and Australia. Black and white photograph of the wreck of the sailing ship La Bella in the bay at Warrnambool. The photograph shows the ship lying on its side in rough sea, with mast and rope rigging hanging loosely. Several large rocks are also visible. The photograph is a rectangle shape, mounted on heavy card, with slightly ragged edges. The photographer’s name, a title for the photograph and the location are hand written in white along the bottom third of the photograph. The back of the photograph is blank. Printed in white hand writing “Foyle”, “WRECK OF “LA BELLA”, “W’Bool”foyle, la bella, william ferrier, lady bay, lifeboats, lilian foyle, lillian foyle, charles foyle, james foyle, royal humane society medal, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Portrait, about 1930
... royal humane society of Victoria... gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000... gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 ...This photograph is of Angela Elizabeth Pearce, granddaughter of Tom Pearce - one of only 2 survivors from the shipwreck LOCH ARD. Angela Elizabeth Pearce had written in her grandfather’s Bible in childish handwriting the words “This Bible belongs to Angela E. Pearce”. Angela was born in England in 1925 and died in Woollahra N.S.W. in 1944, aged 19. She was one of Tom Pearce’s granddaughters. Her father, Robert Pearce was Tom’s second son. Tom Pearce is a famous hero, the rescuer of Eva Carmichael, the only other survivor from the 1878 shipwreck of the LOCH ARD. The Bible was given to Tom Pearce in recognition of his bravery at the wreck of the LOCH ARD. It is on loan to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village from Parks Victoria. The ‘official’ inscription in the Bible reads, “Presented to Mr Thomas Pearce, In recognition of invaluable service performed in saving life when the Loch Ard was wrecked off the coast of Australia., by the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria, Protestant Hall, Melbourne, August 1878” The photograph is accompanied by a letter, dated 4th May 2010, and is written by Angela’s cousin, Pamela Dormer of Devon, U.K. Her letter includes the words “Dear Mr Abbott, re Tom Pearce’s Bible, As you know, I have been in contact with Mr Peter Yarnis about means by which my grandfather’s presentation Bible can be released to be exhibited with his other effects, like the binoculars at Flagstaff Hill Museum. In the event that it will be, I have enclosed a photograph to join it. When my son Bill Dormer was at Port Campbell he was about to handle his great grandfather’s Bible and was surprised by a childish inscription opposite that of his presentation, which reads (I think this is the way it goes), THIS BIBLE IS THE PROPERTY OF ANGELA ELIZABETH PEARCE. Angela is my late cousin. Her father was Tom Pearce’s second son Robert Strasenburgh Pearce. I and my brother Raymond Simpson are the surviving grandchildren of Tom, by my mother Edith May Pearce, his only daughter. Angela and her mother, at the beginning of W.W.2, evacuated from England to Sydney, N.S.W. but sadly both were dead by early in the 60’s. Robert (my uncle Bobby) went down with his ship on the Malta Convoy, code named PEDESTAL, escorting with other ships the vital oil tanker OHIO to the island. (signed) Pamela Dormer” THE LOCH ARD’S STORY The sailing ship LOCH ARD was built in Glasgow in 1873 and belonged to the famous Loch Line. She made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage which ended in tragedy near Port Campbell. The LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. The ship carried a general cargo which reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. LOCH ARD also had a crew of 37, and 17 passengers. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the boat out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers, and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef running out from Mutton Bird Island. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. It took time to free the lifeboats and when one was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "if you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open a case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance, upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. The media of the time had created one of Australia's first media celebrities. Everyone followed the story of Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael with great interest and were disappointed when the two went their separate ways. It was felt by many that Tom should have proposed to Eva - given they had spent an evening together unsupervised in the cave and had drunk brandy to keep warm. Coleman Jacobs composed the music “The Young Hero Schottische” and dedicated it, by permission, to Mr. Thomas R. (Tom) Pearce. The sheet music was published in 1878 by the Messieurs Roberts, professors of dancing etc. Melbourne. It was on sale for 3/- (3 shillings) and in aid of the “LOCH ARD” fund. [This is Coleman Jacobs’ only surviving musical work Coleman Jacobs, accomplished pianist, musical performer, singer, composer, professor of music and music teacher, was born in 1827 and died on 4 July 1885, aged 58 years. Coleman Jacobs was buried in the Melbourne Cemetery (grave 461, Church of England section).] The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island and much of the cargo has been salvaged. Some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge following the shipwreck. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. The photographic is of significance because of Tom Pearce and his association with the disaster of the LOCH ARD shipwreck, which is of State significance ― Victorian Heritage Register S417 Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD 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 LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Photograph, sepia coloured, with accompanying letter. The photograph is a portrait of a young girl in a short sleeved top with a flower on her left shoulder. The girl is "Angela Elizabeth Pearce, granddaughter of Tom Pearce" as inscribed on back of photograph. Tom Pearce was one of two survivors of the 1878 shipwreck LOCH ARD. Included with the photograph is a letter from its donor, Pamela Joan Dormer, other granddaughter of Tom Pearce. The letter dated 4th May 2010 explains the connection between Angela Pearce and Tom Pearce's Bible.Back of photograph, written in blue pen “ANGELA ELIZABETH PEARCE / TOM PEARCE’S GRANDAUGHTER / PHOTO PRESENTED BY / HIS OTHER GRANDAUGHTER / PAMELA JOAN DORMER / 2010” Letter from Pamela Dormer verifying the connection between Angela Pearce and Tom Pearce’s Bible.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, angela pearce, tom pearce, thomas r pearce, eva carmichael, loch ard shipwreck, tom pearce bible, loch ard presentation bible, hero tom pearce, loyal orange institution of victoria, royal humane society of victoria, mutton bird island, coleman jacobs, the young hero schottische -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Postcard - People, Bill Ferrier - rescuer, 11th November, 1905
... royal humane society medal... for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter... for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter ...The postcard shows a photograph of William Ferrier, the 25-year-old Warrnambool fisherman from South Warrnambool whose rescue of two sailors from the wrecked La Bella made him an overnight National hero, quoted as “one of the most heroic rescues in Victoria’s shipwreck history”. The La Bella was wrecked on 10th November 1905 and the photograph was taken on the next day. In the photograph, William Ferrier is seated in the centre, with four of the five survivors beside him: (from left to right) Leonard Robertson, R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. The photograph was taken by Foyle Photography Studio in Warrnambool, originally owned by James Charles Foyle. He previously had a photographic studio in Melbourne 1882 1887, then opened “Foyle’s Photo Card Studios” in Liebig St, Warrnambool. James Foyle died on 13th July 1905 and his son and daughter, Charles and Lilian Foyle continued on with the business until 1945. This photograph was most likely taken by either Charles or Lilian Foyle. The story of William Ferrier’s brave act follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, the company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a northwesterly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person had washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this postcard, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and the letter from the Prime Minister and other Members of Parliament that was sent to William Ferrier to commend him for his bravery. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This postcard is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The photograph of William Ferrier and four of the five survivors demonstrates the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The postcard is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it portrays William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The postcard connects to the congratulatory letter which was sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia and demonstrates the importance they attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The postcard is also an example of the photography of Foyle Photographers who were in the town of Warrnambool from the late 1800’s. Charles and Lillian Foyle took over the business when their father James died in 1905. Lillian Foyle is significant as the first woman photographer in Warrnambool. It is not known whether Charles of Lillian took this photograph. This postcard is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Sepia photograph of William (Bill) Ferrier (seated in the middle), heroic rescuer of two crew members of the La Bella, wrecked at Warrnambool. The photograph is a postcard and shows five men dressed formally in suits and hats. Printed below the photograph are the name and place of the photographer, a royal crest and the details of two patrons of the photographer. Also below the photograph are some handwritten words in black pen. On the back of the postcard is a handwritten message in the same writing as the front.Printed on the front of the card is “Foyle, WARRNAMBOOL” “PATRONS: / HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CORNWALL & YORK. / HIS EXCELLENCY LORD BRAS_ EY, R.O.B.” Handwritten on the front of the card is “Bill Ferrier / rescuer / Oh my hero _ _ _ “ Handwritten on the back of the card is a message. “La Bella” Wrecked off W.Bool Breakwater Nov. 1906 (_ _ _ _ show night) Payne Noake Rosenholme Robertson and Capt Mylius (saved) (moonlight bright) Watson (_ _ _ _ boy) Richwoud [possibly Richmond] drowned” and signed “Desdewoua [possibly Desdemona] Slogos”la bella, foyle, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, royal humane society medal, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Document - Poster: Restoring the Apparently Dead, 1888
... Poster from the Royal Humane Society of Australia outlining... the Apparently Dead Document Poster from the Royal Humane Society ...Poster from the Royal Humane Society of Australia outlining instructions for "Restoring the Apparently Dead". The original poster is printed in black ink on silk .resuscitation, drowning