Hand forged metal tool, possibly a sailmaker's hook with the hook broken. It may be a fire iron. The twisted metal is a skill learned by a blacksmith.The item is a handmade tool, an example of the work of a blacksmith. Smiths were sought after in colonial Australia. Their trade allowed them to custom make work for the different industries necessary for survival in a new land.Sailmaker's stretching tool; long thin metal rod bent in half, with centre forming a handle or loop, and long ends twisted together to form a stem. The loose ends are formed together but appear broken.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, tool, sailmaker's tool, fire iron, blacksmith, twisted rod, twisted wire, sailmaker's hook

This splicing tool is handmade on a forge. It is used for splicing in fibre and wire rope work to form a semi-permanent joint between two ropes, or parts of the same rope or steel cable. The rope is partly untwisted and then the strands are interwoven. Splices can be used to form a stopper at the end of a line, to form a loop or an eye in a rope, or to join two ropes together. Splices are preferred to knotted rope; a knot typically can reduce the strength by 20–40%, but a splice is capable of attaining a rope's full strength. This homemade, handmade splicer is an example of a tool used to splice a cable or rope, a craft that was in much need onboard a sailing ship. Splicing tool; a spike on one end and a flat blade on the other, with goose-neck centre for leverage. Handmade.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, splicing tool, rope work, rope strands, knot making, netting, net making, sailmaker's tool

A sailmaker's hook is also called a sail hook, bench hook, stretching hook or third hand. It is used to hold the canvas of a sail or similar object while pulling tight with the left hand. This ensures the canvas is tight while stitching, keeping the sewn seam straight. This tool is still in use today wherever a canvas sail requires stitching. it's design has not changed since it was invented centuries ago as a sailor's third hand, helping to keep canvas sails taught during edge stitching or repairs.Hook; sailmaker's bench hook. Metal rod with a hook at one end and a flat head at the other end. This tool would be used in conjunction with a brass swivel and a lanyard.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, sailmaker's hook, sail hook, bench hook, stretching hook, third hand, sailmaker's tool, sailmaking, canvas sewing, maritime trade, sailmaker

The Skaregrøm was a swedish windjammer. On his log during his time on the Skaregrøm Captain Archie Horka often mentions "Chile John" or "Chileno/Chilano John". He also mentions his real name John Oyarzo, probably Juan Oyarzo (see Sea History Magazine). His name, although misspelled, is written in the Freda Oxley album.The picture shows one of the work on board a sailing ship. It also demonstrates how international ship crew were at the time. The photograph was published in the annual report for 1926.Sailor with grey shirt and cap sitting on the deck of the ship, repairing sails. Around his right hand is one of the sailmaker tool: the sailmaker sewing palm is a leather strap with metal piece on the palm called the eye. This piece has indentations to accept the head of the needle as you push it through the cloth. The number 14 at the back indicates the photograph was previously on one of the grey album pages with the legend: "Chilean sailmaker on the Skaregrom".in pencil: "cut off"is written twice on the top and bottom of the photograph. Number 14 was added later in black inkskaregrom, sailing ship, sailmaker, skaregrøm, chilean, sailor, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), weller album, windjammer, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, juan oyarzo, john oyarzo

The rigger's knife is usually more square pointed and thicker than that of a sailmaker. ( C.W. Ashley 1944 Ashley book of Knots p. 19) The rigger usually had a kit of tools that would fit on a belt: a sheath knife, a marlingspike, and a grease horn containing tallow.Property of the anonymous donor a former seafarer who also presented us with two hand-crafted examples of knot tying.Knife; a wooden handle in two pieces either side of blade secured by two steel anchor points. The short steel blade is oxidised but the actual cutting edge is worn and honed. The yellow nylon sheath appears to be made from recycled material strongly stitched on two sides. Large font black lettering on the inside but indistinguishable.rigging, rigger, sailor, seamen

Craven-A box with Perspex at front secured by screws. Box contains 14 items including calliper, metal knife, three wooden cogs, stone item, hand palm protector, needle, line (rope), two Fids, scissors, threader, Virginia Cigarettes metal box used to represent beeswax. There is a piece of typed paper identifying different items. Piece of paper ‘These are some of the hand tools and equiopment used by sailors and sailmakers throughout the ages of sail and steam./?Hand palm (used) for pushing needles through canvas sails ans heavy lines (rope)/ Fids for opening up lines for splicing/ Needles for passing through canvas and lines/ beeswaz for preservation of twine used in sailmaking and splicing/ Gauges measuring rope thickness/ Curved scissors for cutting canvas and twine/ Threader for threading twine through rope and canvas.

The Display Board of Konts was handmade in Kings Lynn, Devon, England, by Tom Long DSM, a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Tom Long more recently lived in a suburb of Melbourne. This display board shows the knots and joins used in ropework performed by a sailmaker and other skilled knot tyers and ropeworkers. It demonstrates the uses of some of the knots, such as knobs and handles, suspending lengths of wood, reinforcing spliced rope and even for decorative work. The sailmakers, travelling as part of the ship’s crew, stored their tool kit in a canvas ditty bag. It contained needles, awls, a sailmaker’s leather-palmed glove with a heavily reinforced palm, a shuttle to mend and make nets, fids, knives, mallets, brushes, rulers, and rope gauges. Sailmakers used their ropework and knot-making skills for various purposes and chose the type of rope fibre for its particular properties. For example, Italian hemp rope was preferred for the light line used in shore-to-ship rescues because it was lightweight, not easily knotted, and absorbed less water. A supply of various types of rope was a commodity on board a ship and on land in the new colonies. It was flexible, easily stored, and could be worked to create an endless variety of objects on its own or with other materials like wood. An example is a simple rope ladder. Lengths could be combined to make various thicknesses, and pieces could be skilfully joined together by splicing. The importance of knots in seafaring cannot be overestimated. When ships relied on only the wind for power and speed, there were a huge number of various ropes in use, particularly about the sails and rigging. Seafarers would be judged on their ability to tie knots speedily and correctly. A mounted display of authentic seamen's knots is on a board covered in blue fabric. Various rope grades and fibres were used to work numerous knots and splices. Some of the uses are familiar, such as the toggle, the pineapple knot, and the Turk’s head. A selection of rope grades and fibres was used to work numerous knots and splices. Some of the uses are familiar, such as the toggle, the pineapple knot, and the Turk’s head. The name or purpose of the knot is on the label below it. Labels below each knot give its name or use.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, knot display, knot making, ropework, marine technology, sailmaker's work, sailor's knots, ship's rigging, seamen's knots, handmade, rope craft, knots, splices, display board of knots, knot board, tom long, sailmaker's knots, mariner's knots

Punch, metal, with round burred head, four flat sides that taper to a flat narrow endflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, punch, tool, metal work, metal work equipment, carpenter tool, sailmaker tool

While a sailmaker’s palm is intended for rope work, hand sewing sails and marine canvas work, it can also be used for other extremely thick or heavy-duty sewing applications. You can use a sailmaker’s palm for hand sewing leather, webbing or any sewing assembly that’s thicker than your sewing machine can handle.A late nineteenth to early twenty century sewing palm heavy duty used for rope work, its a tool that is still in use today aboard sailing vessels and gives a snapshot into the sailors life aboard the old sailing ships of times past.Leather roping palm. Left hand- simular to a seaming palm, except for the much heavier indentations in the eye and thicker moulded leather guard to the thumb hole. Rd No 666761.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Sailmaker's twine is usually stored on a reel. It is wax coated and ready to use. The twine is made from strands of fibres that are plied together. The wax waterproofs the twine and smooths out the fine hairs of the fibres, making it easier to work with. The waxed twine helps prevent the ends of the rope work from fraying. Sailmakers use twine and needles to sew sails and many other canvas items such as bags and covers. Special tools, equipment, benches and seats are needed to work with the large heavy and thick pieces of canvas. Sometimes the sailmaker with have special-purpose tools made for his unique work. The place of work on shore is often called a sailmaker's loft. However, sailmakers also work on the job, on sailing ships and boats. This twine is an example imperative equipment for sailmakers. Sailmaking was an essential trade in the shipping industry of the 17th to 19th and early 20th centuries. Sailmakers were often part of a ship's crew, making repairs as needed and using their skills for other work such as net making.Twine; reel of brown waxed sailmaker's twine.warrnambool, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, twine, waxed twine, sailmaker's twine, sailmaker's equipment, sailmaking, canvas work

used by fishermen and sailors to protect their hands as they made and repaired sails with large needlesThis object is not used so much today because of industrial machines taking over the job of making sailsLeather palm protector with metal inset fastened around hand with leather strap and buckle fastenerlocal history, maritime technology, sail making, fishermen, sailors

Saddlers thimbles are used to help pass thick needles through hard leather while protecting hands. Leather saddler's thimble designed to fit into palm of right hand over the thumb.Indistinct maker's name stamped into leather: "Thomas Bane (or Rane?) 1885 London"sailmaking tools, leathermaking tools, sailmakers palm