Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of two Navy pilots from the Sea King anti-submarine helicopter on board "the Vung Tau Ferry" HMAS Sydney, delivering the 9th Battalion to war service. They prepare to take off on patrol once HMAS Sydney reached the waters off Vietnam.photograph, ran, wessex, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9th battalion, anti-submarine, sea king, navy, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, australian navy pilots, sea king anti-submarine

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Australian Navy Sea King Wessex helicopters prepare to take off the flight deck of the "Vung Tau Ferry" HMAS Sydney to carry out anti-submarine sweeps around the Sydney and her destroyer escort.photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, wessex (helicopter), gibbons collection catalogue, australan navy sea king wessex, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of crew members of the Vung Tau Ferry ( HMAS Sydney) going through the ritual of walking the flight deck prior to a Sea King helicopter launch. They are picking up any foreign bodies that might be sucked into the helicopters engines on take-off.photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, sea king helicopter, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, crew members

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of the naval ground crew preparing a Sea King helicopter for a Anti-submarine flight around Vung Tau Ferry HMAS Sydney. Sydney had entered Vietnamese waters and went on full alert as it headed for Vung Tau with the 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.photograph, sea king helicopter, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9th battalion, royal australian regiment, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, navy ground crew, vung tau

Two holed Dead Eye. Found washed up on Sea Elephant Bay beach, King Island 1913.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, dead eye, sea elephant bay, king island

Ornate carved wood section. Found washed up on Sea Elephant Bay beach, King Island 1913.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, sea elephant bay, king island, wood sample

HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions. The ship was laid down for the British Royal Navy as the lead ship of the Majestic class in April 1943, and was launched as HMS Majestic (R77) in February 1945. At the end of World War II, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design, making Melbourne the third ship to be constructed with an angled flight deck. Delays in construction and integrating the enhancements meant that the carrier was not commissioned until 1955. Melbourne never fired a shot in anger during her career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War. However, she was involved in two major collisions with allied vessels. On the evening of 10 February 1964, Melbourne collided with and sank HMAS Voyager when the Daring class destroyer altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager's crew were killed, and two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the incident. The second collision occurred in the early morning of 3 June 1969, when Melbourne collided with and sank the Allen M. Sumner class destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in similar circumstances. Seventy-four United States Navy (USN) personnel died, and a joint USN–RAN Board of Inquiry was held. These incidents, along with several minor collisions, shipboard accidents, and aircraft losses, led to the reputation that Melbourne was jinxed. Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations. HMAS Melbourne was decommissioned on 30 June 1982, having spent 62,036 hours underway and having steamed 868,893 nautical miles. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold for scrap in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations.The pictorial history of HMAS Melbourne with rare photos. Now a scarce title and highly desirable title that is now long out of print. Has provenance history of all ships movements from 1955 till decommissioned.HMAS Melbourne 25 YearsOn the front page is a picture of HMAS Melbourne with the words at top "H.M.A.S. Melbourne. At bottom are the words in orange, '25 Years'. In white, are the words 'by Ross Gillett' then 'Forward by Rear Admiral G.G.O. Gatacre C.B.E. DSO. DSC & Bar, RAN'. On the rear page is a list of all the Captains that served on the HMAS Melbourne between 1955-1980.hmas melbourne, aircraft carrier, royal australian navy, australian navy, westland whirlwind, sea venom, fairy gannet, bristol sycamore, westland wessex, douglas skyhawk, grumman tracker, westland sea king, fleet air arm, hmas albatross, nowra

briefings: yf-23, casa 212ecm, jas 39 gripen, fairchild c-26a, sea king mk 41 upgrade, orlando qs-55/h-19, shenyang j-8 and j-8 ii ‘finback’, aero l-39 albatros, f-16 in ang service photo feature, focus aircraft: panavia tornado (58 pages), variant briefing: lockheed p-3 orion, portuguese air force photo feature, last few surviving a-3 skywarriors feature, air power analysis: warsaw pact air forces

briefings: il-18 acp, an-26 elint, c-17, air power analysis update: croatia, aidc ching-kuo feature, us army’s russian helicopters feature, focus aircraft: mcdonnell douglas f/a-18 hornet (62 pages), bahraini amiri air force photo feature, variant briefing: sikorsky s-61/h-3 sea king, kubinka – russian navy air wing photo feature, air power analysis: brazil

combat report: operation crecerelle – french af operations over bosnia, briefings: raytheon/beech t-1 jayhawk, rockwell ov-10 bronco in batf service, airtech cn.235 feature, akhtubinsk test centre – russia’s secret military test base photo feature, focus aircraft: northrop f-5 (64 pages), variant briefing: westland sea king – british built versions, whiteman afb – b-2 base photo feature, air power analysis: czech republic and slovakia

This brass handle was found on Sea Elephant Bay beach in King Island, Tasmania, in 1913. The donor identified it as being from the wreck of the Newfield. It would could have been part of the fittings or amongst the cargo on the ship. ABOUT THE "NEWFIELD" The Newfield was a three-masted iron and steel barque, built in Dundee, Scotland, in 1889 by Alexander Stephen and Sons. It was owned by the Newfield Ship Company in 1890 and later that year It was registered in Liverpool to owners Brownells and Co. The Newfield left Sharpness, Scotland, on 28th May 1892 with a crew of 25 under the command of Captain George Scott and on 1st June left Liverpool. She was bound for Brisbane, Australia, with a cargo of 1850 tons of fine rock salt, the main export product of Sharpness. At about 9pm on 28th August 1892, in heavy weather, Captain Scott sighted, between heavy squalls, the Cape Otway light on the mainland of Victoria but, due to a navigational error (the ship’s chronometers were wrong), he assumed it to be the Cape Wickham light on King Island, some 40 miles south. He altered his course to the north, expecting to enter Bass Strait. The ship was now heading straight for the south west Victorian coast and at about 1:30am ran aground on a reef about 100 yards from shore and one mile east of Curdie’s Inlet, Peterborough. The ship struck heavily three times before grounding on an inner shoal with 6 feet of water in the holds. Rough sea made the job of launching lifeboats very difficult. The first two lifeboats launched by the crew were smashed against the side of the ship and some men were crushed or swept away. The third lifeboat brought eight men to shore. It capsized when the crew tried to return it to the ship for further rescue The Port Campbell rocket crew arrived and fired four rocket lines, none of which connected with the ship. A local man, Peter Carmody, volunteered to swim one mile to the ship with a line to guide the fourth and final lifeboat safely to shore. Seventeen men survived the shipwreck but the captain and eight of his crew perished. One of the men, apprentice William McLeod, was rescued by local woman Margaret E. MacKenzie. The Newfield remained upright on the reef with sails set for a considerable time as the wind slowly ripped the canvas to shreds and the sea battered the hull to pieces. The Marine Board inquiry found the wreck was caused by a "one man style of navigation" and that the Captain had not heeded the advice of his crew. According to Jack Loney ‘… when the drama was over . . the Newfield was deserted except for the Captain’s dog and two pigs.’ Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum has several artefacts that have been salvaged from the wreck. A report from SHP documented the following in regards to the Newfield collection: Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Newfield is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, because of its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register. The collection is significant because of its relationship between the objects. The Newfield collection is archaeologically significant as it is the remains of an international cargo ship. The Newfield collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 (Living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck. The Newfield collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criteria A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history Criteria B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criteria C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history Ornate brass handle, round plates each end, each with 4 round fixing holes. Found washed up on Sea Elephant Bay beach, King Island 1913, identified by donor as being from the wreck of the Newfield.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, barque newfield, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ornate handle, sailing ship fitting, sea elephant bay, king island

2 Candlesticks. Found washed up on Sea Elephant Bay beach, King Island 1913.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, candlestick, king island, sea elephant bay

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of diggers from 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. After being 'found guilty' one is cast into the sea by courtiers of King Neptune during the 'crossing of the line' ceremony on board the Vung Tau Ferry HMAS Sydney, taking the Battalion to war service in Vietnam.photograph, hmas sydney, vung tau ferry, 9th battalion, royal australian regiment, crossing the line, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, diggers

This is another of the documents held within a frame 90.5cm X 66.5cm, covered by no-reflective glass of the Walter Thomas West Collection.Official Royal Document Certificate possibly done by caligrapher in old English script,signed by King George V, and a signature which is not decipherable.Top Left hand Corner: George R.I. (Signature of King George V). Main Face of Certificate: 13 George, by the Grace of God of the united Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the seas. King Defender of the Faith Emporer of India etc. To our Trusty and well Beloved Walter Thomas West MM Greetings We reposing a special trust and confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good conduct do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be an Officer in our land forces from the twenty - ninth day of November 1917. You are therefore carefully and diigently to discharge your duty as such in the Rank of Second Lieutenant or in such a higher Rank as we may from time to time hereafter be pleased to promote or Appoint you to, of which notification will be made in the London Gazette, and you are at all times to exercise and well discipline in arms both the inferior Officers and men serving under you and use your best endeavours to keep them in good order and disipline. And we do hereby command them to obey you as their superior Officer and you to observe and follow such orders and directions as from time to time you shall receive from us or any of your superior Officers according to the rules and discipline of war in persuance of the trust here by reposed in you. Given at our court at Saint James's the Third Day of May 1918 in the eighth year of our reign. By His Majesty's Command Signature Undecipheral Bottom Left hand corner Walter West MM Second Lieutenant Land Forcesww1, gazette, london, walter, thomas, west, mm, mc, lieutenant, royal, document, 2nd

A group of eleven dancers dressed in diaphanous gowns surround Cerberus mascot, Bruce of Woodside, and his sailor handler. Also visible is a large commemorative bell inscribed thus: "Bell presented HMAS Melbourne by the Chairman & Court of Directors of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company in commemoration of the invaluable services rendered by the SS "TAFF", St Lucia April 1916" “Bruce of Woodside” and The Society Girls September 1934: During a break in rehearsals for the Naval Pageant at HMAS Cerberus Flinders Naval Depot, King Neptune’s sea nymphs were photographed in their diaphanous sea-green draperies. The sea nymphs were a “who’s who” of Melbourne’s high society young women who often featured in Table Talk, a weekly social magazine with articles about local and overseas notables, their fashions, social engagements and relationships. Pet HMAS Cerberus bulldog mascot “Bruce of Woodside”, accompanied by his sailor handler, led naval parades and events wearing a Cerberus sailor hat, and achieved the rank of three badge Petty Officer. Every day at three bells (13:00 hours), Bruce ate a pound and half of raw steak and two raw eggs. Later, Bruce was demoted to Leading Seaman for “eating a goldfish out of the fish pond at the captain’s residence”. Bruce was demoted again for urinating on the wheels of the Captain’s car. On 28 July 1935, when Bruce collapsed and died of a chill after his customary swim, the papers declared it “to the sorrow of every man in the depot”. Featured in "Newsworthy : Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition held at East Melbourne Library from October to December 2023. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: The names of the sea nymphs: Miss Maisie Cooper, Miss Lorna Dawson, Mrs W. Catanach, Mrs Wallace Smith, Misses Valerie Wallace Smith, Beth Paxton, Elizabeth Darling, Barbara and Joyce Hayden Smith, Alison Mein, Valerie Pratt, Shirley Pratt, Brenda Payne, Elaine Knox-Knight, Betty Matear, Joan Ramsay, Ann Outhwaite [daughter of artist Ida Rentoul Outhwaite], Iris Connolly, Carmen Burridge, Dora Tait. The Naval Pageant, held at the Melbourne Show Ground, 31 October - 3 November 1934, was arranged as part of the Navy's contribution to the Victorian Centenary Celebrations. It was produced and acted by officers and men from the Navy Office, Flinders Naval Depot, H.M.A.S. Squadron, R.A.N.R. Depot, Williamstown, and R.A.N.R. Depot, Port Melbourne. Included were songs and marches, episodes from the life of Captain Cook, drill in honour of Nelson, Drake, Neptune's Court, and episodes from 1914. This was essentially family entertainment - advertisements in the souvenir programme are for ice creams, chocolates and engagement rings. A note about the episode in Cook's life in Tahiti reads 'The dresses worn by Tahitian dancing girls at this period were not considered suitable for the pageant, and historical accuracy has been sacrificed for attractiveness in choosing the raffia skirts of Hawaii.' References: Cerberus Shipmates (2002, December 5). Royal Australian Navy News (National : 1958 - 2021), p. 16. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article267342311 NAVAL PAGEANT (1934, June 25). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243171504 BRUCE WILL PARADE NO MORE (1935, July 29). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved January 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244930224 Souvenir Programme, 'Victorian Centenary Celebrations Naval Pageant', Ramsay Publishing, Melbourne, 1934. Source: Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/264023Photographer notations on slide: "Naval tattoo Girl dancers with sailors and naval mascot 1934".dancers, dogs, navy, events

This compressor was part of the E.G. Ward Collection. It is connected to the diving suit and boots, also in our collection. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years, from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe's at 145 High Street, Holborn, London, but in 1828, new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods, including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water-pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on, and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12 bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy, and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis, and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family, and a new company, Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd. (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924, Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished, and in time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunnelling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company's products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman's fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest or change the company's business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed, and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on firefighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The diving compressor, along with associated equipment in the Flagstaff Hill collection, represents a highly significant snapshot of marine history. These items are particularly important in understanding the evolution of diving equipment, with a special focus on their use in salvage operations before and throughout the Second World War. Manufactured by a company renowned for its inventions, development, and innovation in marine engineering, the equipment demonstrates the progression of technology in deep-sea diving. Early helmets and related items produced by this company remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide, highlighting their historical and technological value. The presence of these items within the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum allows for a unique insight into the working conditions and methods employed by divers. It also illustrates the considerable dangers they faced while performing such essential and hazardous work, underscoring the critical role played by these professionals in maritime history.A single cylinder divers' pump by Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd, London, eccentric hand cranked in brass, brass-mounted mahogany case with instructions to the underside of the lid, brass-covered pressure gauge and air outlet, brass maker's plaque to the front, water inlet and outlet to the rear, green-painted lifting rings. Machinery has some blue-painted areas on the metal. This compressor is part of the E.G. Ward Collection.Plate on the back 'WATER SUPPLY" "WATER OVERFLOW" "WATER DRAIN-IN" Pressure gauge dial "BOURDON'S PRESSURE GAUGE" STEBE GORMAN & CO. LONDON", "LBS PRESSURE" "FEET OF SALT WATER" Plate on the front " PATENT, Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Submarine Engineers" below emblem (Lion, Crown, Horse)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, maritime-museum, diving compressor, london, siebe gorman & co ltd, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving, maritime museum, maritime village, manine history, maritime history, marine engineers, marine diving, deep-sea diving, e g ward, vintage diving compressor, e. g. ward, e.g. ward, edward ward, ted ward

This diving suit with helmet, boots and weight is part of the E. G.Ward collection, along with the diving compressor and a photograph of a diver in this equipment. Siebe Gorman & Company Ltd was a British company that developed diving equipment and breathing equipment and worked on commercial diving and marine salvage projects. The company advertised itself as 'Submarine Engineers'. It was founded by Augustus Siebe, a German-born British engineer chiefly known for his contributions to diving equipment. Siebe Gorman traded as an engineering firm for over 180 years from 1819 to 1999. The early success of the business was due to its founder, the Prussian immigrant Christian 'Augustus' Siebe (1788-1872). For business reasons, he applied for and was granted British citizenship in 1856. He was a gifted engineer who was able to translate theoretical problems into practical, working products. During the industrial Victorian period, the business traded as 'A. Siebe' at 145 High Street Holborn London, but in 1828 new premises were acquired at 5 Denmark Street, Soho. The family firm produced a wide range of manufactured goods including paper-making machinery, measuring machinery, water pumps, refrigeration equipment and diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe specialised in submarine engineering early on and the company gained a reputation for the manufacture of safe, reliable diving apparatus. Augustus Siebe is best remembered for the development and manufacture of the ‘closed’ Diving Dress based on the ideas of Charles and John Deane, George Edwards and Charles Pasley. Apart from some small modifications to valves and diver communications, the basic 12-bolt ‘closed’ diving dress remained relatively unchanged after the 1870s. Later company successes were also based on innovation, with new products that could be successfully developed and manufactured to high standards. This was largely attributed to the inventive nature, foresight, engineering and entrepreneurial skills of Robert Henry Davis (1870-1965). In 1882, RH Davis joined the company of 'Siebe & Gorman' as a young 11-year-old office boy and he was to remain with the company until he died in 1965. Augustus Siebe retired in 1869 and handed over the company to a new partnership of Henry H. Siebe (1830-1885) and William A. O'Gorman (1834-1904). The new firm traded as 'Siebe & Gorman' (1870-1879) from premises in and around Mason Street, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London. The two partners soon recognised the potential of R.H. Davis and in 1894, aged 24, he became General Manager of Siebe & Gorman. Davis increasingly ran the company until the surviving partner (W.A. Gorman) died in 1904. The firm was disposed of to the Vickers (armaments) family and a new company 'Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd.' (1905-1998) was formed. Under the chairmanship of Albert Vickers, R.H. Davis was kept on as Managing Director, and the company forged ahead. However, after WW1, the Great Depression caused manufacturing output and share prices to slump. In 1924 Robert Davis made a deal with the Vickers Board and acquired control of the company through majority shares. Under his leadership, the Siebe Gorman Company flourished and within time, four of his sons also joined the firm. The company gained a worldwide reputation for the manufacture of diving apparatus, decompression and observation chambers, and safety breathing apparatus of all types for use on the land, in the air and under the sea (including mine rescue, tunnelling, aircraft, diving, submarine escape and in other hazardous environments). Close research and development links with the MOD (especially the Admiralty), also provided a lucrative outlet for the company products. In 1932, Robert Davis was knighted by King George V, principally for his invention of the ‘Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus’ (D.S.E.A.). Siebe Gorman essentially remained a family firm from the beginning (under A.Siebe) until it became a public company for the first time in 1952. However, following WW2, British manufacturing stagnated through stifled investment and post-war austerity, and there was little innovation. Siebe Gorman fortunes began to decline as an ageing Sir Robert Davis failed to invest, or change the company business and management practices. In 1959, Siebe Gorman was acquired by the “Fairy Group” and the ailing Sir Robert was made Life President. Consequently, nothing changed and the slow decline continued until Sir Robert's death in March 1965. Around 1960, Siebe Gorman acquired the diving apparatus manufacturer C E Heinke, and for a brief period, it manufactured some diving equipment under the combined name of Siebe Heinke. Around 1964, Mr E. 'Barry' Stephens was appointed as the new Managing Director to modernise Siebe Gorman. Changes were made, including a move to a new factory in Wales in 1975. The new company concentrated on fire-fighting breathing apparatus and escape equipment, and the move coincided with the loss of many of the older, traditional craft skills. Between 1985 and 1998, Siebe expanded through acquisitions, and several other companies were acquired. The Siebe Gorman (diving apparatus) company has therefore traded as A. Siebe (1819-1870); Siebe & Gorman (1870-1879); Siebe Gorman & Co (1880-1904); Siebe Gorman & Co. Ltd (1905-1998).The diving suit, helmet, boots, and weights, along with associated equipment in the Flagstaff Hill collection, represent a highly significant snapshot of marine history. These items are particularly important in understanding the evolution of diving equipment, with a special focus on their use in salvage operations before and throughout the Second World War. Manufactured by a company renowned for its inventions, development, and innovation in marine engineering, the equipment demonstrates the progression of technology in deep-sea diving. Early helmets and related items produced by this company remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide, highlighting their historical and technological value. The presence of these items within the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum allows for a unique insight into the working conditions and methods employed by divers. It also illustrates the considerable dangers they faced while performing such essential and hazardous work, underscoring the critical role played by these professionals in maritime history.Diving suit including helmet, boots and a weight. Diving suit is made of canvas with knitted cuffs. The helmet is metal. The boots have a thick sole and thick leather upper that is held on with leather straps and buckles. The toe of the boot is heavy metal. The weight is worn next to the trunk of the diver and it has an inscription to mark the front. It is worn with straps and buckles holding it in place. Royal Navy Admiralty Pattern 6 bolt No 3 light Siebe Gorman light diving helmet circa 1960, used by the Royal Navy before and after World War 2. This equipment is part of the E. G. Ward Collection."Siebe Gorman & Co Ltd Marine Engineers London. Patent" with "E G Ward" on front and back plate. On weight "FRONT"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, diving suit, siebe gorman and co ltd., siebe gorman and co ltd marine engineers london, marine engineers, diving helmet, diving boots, diving weight, marine diving, maritimemuseum, maritime village, maritime history, marine technology, life saving, deep sea diving, maritime museum, siebe gorman and co ltd., siebe gorman and co ltd, london, deep-sea diving, e. g. ward, e g ward, e.g. ward, edward ward, ted ward

The photograph shows the three-masted iron and steel bark "Newfield" sailing in open seas. It event would have been between 1889-1892 during the ship's working life. ABOUT THE NEWFIELD The Newfield was a three-masted iron and steel barque, built in Dundee, Scotland, in 1889 by Alexander Stephen and Sons. It was owned by the Newfield Ship Company in 1890 and later that year It was registered in Liverpool to owners Brownells and Co. The Newfield left Sharpness, Scotland, on 28th May 1892 with a crew of 25 under the command of Captain George Scott and on 1st June left Liverpool. She was bound for Brisbane, Australia, with a cargo of 1850 tons of fine rock salt, the main export product of Sharpness. At about 9pm on 28th August 1892, in heavy weather, Captain Scott sighted, between heavy squalls, the Cape Otway light on the mainland of Victoria but, due to a navigational error (the ship’s chronometers were wrong), he assumed it to be the Cape Wickham light on King Island, some 40 miles south. He altered his course to the north, expecting to enter Bass Strait. The ship was now heading straight for the south west Victorian coast and at about 1:30am ran aground on a reef about 100 yards from shore and one mile east of Curdie’s Inlet, Peterborough. The ship struck heavily three times before grounding on an inner shoal with 6 feet of water in the holds. Rough sea made the job of launching lifeboats very difficult. The first two lifeboats launched by the crew were smashed against the side of the ship and some men were crushed or swept away. The third lifeboat brought eight men to shore. It capsized when the crew tried to return it to the ship for further rescue The Port Campbell rocket crew arrived and fired four rocket lines, none of which connected with the ship. A local man, Peter Carmody, volunteered to swim one mile to the ship with a line to guide the fourth and final lifeboat safely to shore. Seventeen men survived the shipwreck but the captain and eight of his crew perished. One of the men, apprentice William McLeod, was rescued by local woman Margaret E. MacKenzie. The Newfield remained upright on the reef with sails set for a considerable time as the wind slowly ripped the canvas to shreds and the sea battered the hull to pieces. The Marine Board inquiry found the wreck was caused by a "one man style of navigation" and that the Captain had not heeded the advice of his crew. According to Jack Loney ‘… when the drama was over . . the Newfield was deserted except for the Captain’s dog and two pigs.’ Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum has several artefacts that have been salvaged from the wreck. The report from SHP documented the following in regards to the Newfield collection: Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from the Newfield is of historical and archaeological significance at a State level, because of its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register. The collection is significant because of its relationship between the objects. The Newfield collection is archaeologically significant as it is the remains of an international cargo ship. The Newfield collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 (Living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck. Black and white photograph of the three-masted sailing ship “Newfield” in the open sea, sails unfurled. The ship was built in 1859 by Alexander Stephen and Sons Limited of Dundee, Scotland. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, barque newfield, photograph, 1880s sailing ship