Peck, Stow & Wilcox was founded in 1870 by the merger of three different industrial tool manufacturers specializing in tin-processing equipment. Their factory complex was at 217 Centre Street in Southington, Connecticut. The company grew rapidly, and was by 1890 producing a diversified array of tools. It was also the town's largest employer. The plant was substantially enlarged in 1912, which is the period when most of the buildings surviving in 1989 were built. By that time, the complex was operated by Ideal Forging. That company went bankrupt in 2003, and the plant was acquired by real estate developers not long afterwards. Demolition of the premises took place in 2015, after hazardous materials were removed from the site.A large American company that exported it’s goods all over the world and was a major producer of balance scales. The company no longer in existence and its products are now regarded as collectors items. The subject item in the Flagstaff Hill collection is significant as the pocket spring balance scale is one of the earliest produced.Spring Balance Scale Weighs 0 to 25LBS.Stamped PS&W. Has a five pointed star stamped on front.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, spring balance scales, peck stow & wilcox, pocket balance scale, weighing scales

Black and white photo taken circa 1907 at Princes Street, Campbells Creek (Rantar's Gully). Sparnon house built 1862, demolished circa 1910, original home of John Sparnon and wife Bessie Peters Sparnon (nee Tyack/Teague). At this time (1907) Stow's were living there. Left to right: Joe Stow, stepson of Joe Stow and wife Kate (nee Sparnon). Annie Stow, daughter of Joe Stow and wife Kate (nee Sparnon). Unknown. Bessie Stow of Joe Stow and wife Kate (nee Sparnon). ''Jinny'' Jane Peters Stow of Joe Stow and wife Kate (nee Sparnon) born 1900. (Cliff) Arthur Clifford Gray son of Fred Gray and Kate (nee Teague) on bike. Out of the photo on the damaged paert probably Willam Stow eldest son of Joe and Kate. the photo was copied by Jim Goodwin.house, private, campbells creek

Poster was probably made as a training aide for newer members or display purposes for public talks. Original vehicle still owned by brigadeB&W photograph of brigades 1938 Dodge pumper taken from rear of appliance. Photograph shows appliance fully stowed and has an inventory of stowed equipment listed down both sides of poster with photo located in centre. aroows from item list to position on photograph appear to be hand drawn (possibly at later date) in red pen. 1938 Dodge fire appliance & auxiliary appliances, (numerous further inscriptions as per photograph of poster)

Matching carry box for Astro Compass 98.1Wooden box painted blue grey, hinged lid with brass latches. Mounting brackets inside to stow Astro Compass. Canvass shoulder strap (broken)Delicate Instrument To Be Handled With Great Care, Astro Compass Mk.IIcarry box, storage box, box, astro compass, cramer

Used by farmers and truckies to lift and stow heavy bags and wool bales.Large steel hook with wooden handlerural industry, agriculture

Lifeguard Milk was a product name for milk sold by the Bacchus Marsh Dairymen's Co-operative Association and its subsidiary the Federal Milk company. In 1938 the Diaryman's co-operative began trading as the Lieguard Milk Company. This company was a major employer in Bacchus Marsh and was in business until the late 1960s.Timber box used for packing condensed milk products for export.Stow away from engine room and boilers: Lifeguuard Milk Products on long side. Export Lifeguard Sweetened Condensed Milk 48 x 14 OZ tins Made in Australia on narrow side.dairying, milk factories, lifeguard milk company

This item and it’s associated gas mask (Cat.No. 0096.1) are of a style typical of German WW2 gas mask and connister, but the use of vinyl instead of rubber and the Spanish manufacture of the gas mask suggests post WW2 manufacture. German WW2-style tin gas mask container, with hinged lid with clip. Lid incorporate stowages for anti-fog lenses (2 in grease-proof envelope). Three loops for attaching webbing. Webbing carry straps missing. Olive green paint. Removeable cover from gas mask filter (ref: Cat.No. 0096.1) stowed loose in cannister.

c 1920s ? The cottage was known as "Gray's Cottage" and was one of a number in the campground that could be rented for the holidaysPhoto mshows four men in a gig drawn by two horses. A bundle (camping gear) is stowed in front of the gig. A hurricane lamp can be seen on top of the hear in front. On the right a building can be seen, with a woman wearing an apron in the doorway. The building front (presumably the verandah) is weatherboard with the upper half being lattice. Another building (? shed) can be seen vaguely on the left. Large gums and bush are seen in the background.recreation, camping, transport, horse drawn

This pulley was found by Geoff Stevenson, on a beach near Cape Conran (east of Orbost). It probably came from a sailing ship which was wrecked there. Pulleys are simple devices for increasing mechanical advantage in a wire, chain or rope system. A pulley consists of a wheel with a specialized rim that rotates on an axle and carries some type of cable or chain. Ships used a variety of blocks (pulleys) for various tasks, such as stowing cargo or handling the sails. A large wooden pulley encased in iron. It was probably used on a sailing ship. pulley cape-conran sailing-ship maritime

Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of W2 257 after a collision with a large vehicle. Has part of the front saloon stowed in, footboard and grab handles torn away. Tram has the destination of Spencer St, route 27?. Appears to be in Wellington Parade at the Simpson St sidings junction. - see also Reg Item 5093 for another photo. Photo Wal Jack on a very wet day. Ray Pearson album dates the photo as 20/4/1957.trams, tramways, w2 class, wellington parade, accidents, route 27, tram 257

Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of W2 257 after a collision with a large vehicle. Has part of the front saloon stowed in, footboard and grab handles torn away. Tram has the destination of Spencer St, route 27?. Appears to be in Bridge Road with the river in the background - see also Reg Item 5171 for another photo in Wellington Parade, near Simpson St Photo Wal Jack on a very wet day. Dated 20/4/1951 in the Ray Pearson Album, photographed in Wellington Parade.trams, tramways, w2 class, wellington parade, accidents, route 27, tram 257

Thick impasto painting depicting six figures; two indigenous males catching a fish in a landscape.Signed (L.r) 'Eric L. Stewart'. On Reverse: 'Legend of Wur-run-nah's walkabout by Katherine Stow (later Mrs. k.L. Parker). Wurrunnah when in a strange country, saw little round men who live in water. They made a coolomon of bark to keep the fig flies from him. Caught fish which were thrown up by the little water men'.eric stewart, painting, landscape, indigenous male, fish

Ken Peeler (at head of horse), Ken's father, Ern Peeler and brother Don Peeler (sitting on load) with dray-load of 'five-foot wood'. Peeler's Road, Barkers Creek. Photographed by Alice 'Girlie' Adams, approx. 1942. Families living at Barkers Creek and Woodbrook obtained contracts to supply 'five foot wood' to Thompson's Foundry and Castlemaine Woollen Co. Rows of wood, neatly stacked, 10’ high X 5’ wide covered many acres at each factory, ready for use in firing the boilers. Much bushland was thus cleared for orchard or pasture. The horse depicted is fully harnessed with bridle, eye-winkers and reins, dray collar, hames, shaft saddle with girth & pole straps and breeching straps. Neatly stowed under the dray shafts can be seen the props, used to keep the dray horizontal when the horse was to be taken out of the shafts. The dray was almost entirely constructed of wood, with steel tyres on the wheelsA reminder of the significance of local sources of fuel to some of Victoria’s biggest manufacturing concerns as well as depicting a major source of employment involving minimal capital. A B&W photograph depicting 2 men and a boy with a horse-drawn dray filled with wood. Photograph taken by Alice 'Girlie' Adams in 1942. Ken Peeler, Ern Peeler and Don Peeler appear in the picture along with a horse with no known name.

Photograph shows a female uniformed employee sitting at the controls of a Y1 class tram with a male in a suit standing to her right with his left hand on the back of the small driver's seat. The leather curtain used to enclosed the driver is open and stowed to the right. The tram appears to be on a suburban street but is stationary as the closeup photograph is taken from outside the tram. As this class of tram was used to train drivers at the Hawthorn Depot driver training school, the location may be close to this depot. The sloping driver's windscreen and long upper side window identify it as Y1 class. The female employee's summer uniform dress and jacket were introduced in 1975. Caps were no longer required, replaced with employee number badges worn on the uniform. This undated photograph is significant because the first female driver, Joyce Barry, was finally approved as a driver in 1975 after years of strong resistance by the tramways union. The staff member pictured is not Driver Barry. Yields information about driver training and female drivers Black and white print with no note.y1 class, leather curtain, driver training school, hawthorn depot, sloping drivers windscreen, caps, 1975, summer uniform dress, joyce barry, tramways union

An example of a Telephone Set D Mk V which was used by Australian forces during the Second World War for verbal and Morse code communications over short distances via a telephone line.An example of a Telephone Set D Mk V which was used by Australian forces during the Second World War for verbal and Morse code communications over short distances via a telephone line. Rectangular aluminum green painted box with broad canvas webbing strap secured to the side of the body through metal loops. Two vertical webbing loops are attached to the rear of the body. Stencilled in black on top TELE. SET. D. MK. V.'. The housing opens by a hinged fold back lid that is secured by a hook and eye closure. Attached to the inside of the lid are two metal plates. The first is a circuitry diagram, the second is the instructions for use of the set. The interior contains the phone assembly and is divided by a metal shelf. On the left is a bell with two screw terminal in front. At the center is the telegraph key and behind that is the battery box with a small metal plate with, 'TELEPHONE SET. D.MK.V To the right is metal box with two terminals in frontAttached to the bottom of the shelf is a slide out metal key Below the shelf is a compartment in which is stowed a black metal headset with provision for a bakelite handset with attached cord and four-prong plug.Tele Set stamped on outside of unit. Inside lid plaque - Telephone Set D MK V

Certificate from the Delaware Port Authority featuring large gold image of the Liberty Bell, Short description of the bell and the seal of the organisation. Sits in a gold frame. Philadelphia/ Bicentennial/ 1776-1976/ The Liberty Bell/ originally ordered to commemorate/ the 50th year of Pennsylvania under Penn's/ charter of 1701, the bell was cast by/ Thomas Lister of London, arriving here in/ 1752/ It was hung in the tower of the/ Pennsylvania State House. Cracked during/ testing, the bell was melted and recast by/ two Philadelphia foundrymen, Pass and/ Stow./ On July 4, 1776 the newly written/ Declaration of Independence was read to / The continental Congress in the State House./ Four days later the bell was rung to alert/ the people to the public reading of the / declaration./ As a result, the Pennsylvania State / House has become known as Independence / Hall and the revered symbol of the occasion / became our Liberty Bell./ it was cracked on July 8, 1835 while/ tolling for the funeral of Chief Justice/ John Marshall./ Presented by/ Delaware River Port Authority/ World Trade Division/ to/ Melbourne Harbor Trust Commissioners/ September 21, 1976." verso: PMA 0288

Alfred Patrick Armstrong was born in England in 1825 and was employed under the renowned Isambard Kingdom Brunel as a civil engineer during the construction of the Great Western Railway and the South Wales Railway. He came to Melbourne in 1852 and purchased property in Eltham. He became a mining surveyor and was Inspector of Mines and the Mining Registrar for the St Andrews Division of the Castlemaine Mining District. In 1855, he chaired a meeting calling for a bridge to be erected across the Yarra River between Eltham and Temple Stow. He was registered as an innkeeper in 1858, was a recognised collector of the £110 raised for the building of the first building of State School No. 209 (Eltham Primary) and was a Trustee for the Church of England site on the Eltham Cemetery Trust in 1860. He was elected to the Eltham District Road Board (forerunner of Eltham Shire Council) from 1867 to 1871 and then served as an Eltham Shire Councillor from 1871 to 1878 (including Shire President in 1873). Margaret Armstrong to whom he was married in 1854 at St Pauls Church, Melbourne, died on the 27th March 1887. Alfred died in 1893, having been in ill health for some time, and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Margaret. The monument features a tall pillar capped with a draped urn: a symbol of death. In Loving Memory of Alfred Armstrong Died May 27tth 1893 Aged 68 years Also of his wife Margaret Died March 27th 1887 Aged 63 years This burial site is of special interest as the monument has the tallest pillar-a vase-a draped cloth top (unfulfilled life) and additional panels of names around the sides and the base, which include: Ada Gertrude Armstrong, beloved daughter of Alfred & Margaret Armstrong, died May 30th 1878, aged 21 years Mary Armstrong, beloved mother to Alfred Armstrong, died April 10th, 1886 aged 82 years Arthur Vivian Harrison, died 4th Nov. 1899, aged 8 years Arthur Reynolds Stockwood Armstrong, son of Alfred Armstrong, died 4th Nov. 1908, aged 43 years Laura Augusta Harrison nee Armstrong, died 26th July 1921, aged 64 yearsRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsKodak GC 400-9eltham cemetery, gravestones, alfred armstrong, margaret armstrong, ada gertrude armstrong, arthur reynolds stockwood armstrong, arthur vivian harrison, laura augusta harrison (nee armstrong), mary armstrong

Alfred Patrick Armstrong was born in England in 1825 and was employed under the renowned Isambard Kingdom Brunel as a civil engineer during the construction of the Great Western Railway and the South Wales Railway. He came to Melbourne in 1852 and purchased property in Eltham. He became a mining surveyor and was Inspector of Mines and the Mining Registrar for the St Andrews Division of the Castlemaine Mining District. In 1855, he chaired a meeting calling for a bridge to be erected across the Yarra River between Eltham and Temple Stow. He was registered as an innkeeper in 1858, was a recognised collector of the £110 raised for the building of the first building of State School No. 209 (Eltham Primary) and was a Trustee for the Church of England site on the Eltham Cemetery Trust in 1860. He was elected to the Eltham District Road Board (forerunner of Eltham Shire Council) from 1867 to 1871 and then served as an Eltham Shire Councillor from 1871 to 1878 (including Shire President in 1873). Margaret Armstrong to whom he was married in 1854 at St Pauls Church, Melbourne, died on the 27th March 1887. Alfred died in 1893, having been in ill health for some time, and is buried in Eltham Cemetery with his wife Margaret. The monument features a tall pillar capped with a draped urn: a symbol of death. In Loving Memory of Alfred Armstrong Died May 27tth 1893 Aged 68 years Also of his wife Margaret Died March 27th 1887 Aged 63 years This burial site is of special interest as the monument has the tallest pillar-a vase-a draped cloth top (unfulfilled life) and additional panels of names around the sides and the base, which include: Ada Gertrude Armstrong, beloved daughter of Alfred & Margaret Armstrong, died May 30th 1878, aged 21 years Mary Armstrong, beloved mother to Alfred Armstrong, died April 10th, 1886 aged 82 years Arthur Vivian Harrison, died 4th Nov. 1899, aged 8 years Arthur Reynolds Stockwood Armstrong, son of Alfred Armstrong, died 4th Nov. 1908, aged 43 years Laura Augusta Harrison nee Armstrong, died 26th July 1921, aged 64 yearsBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, ada gertrude armstrong, alfred armstrong, arthur reynolds stockwood armstrong, arthur vivian harrison, laura augusta harrison (nee armstrong), margaret armstrong, mary armstrong

Context: A brace is a hand tool used with a bit (drill bit or auger) to drill holes, usually in wood. The pressure is applied to the top and the tool is rotated with a U-shaped grip. Bits used to come in a variety of types but today the more commonly used Ridgeway and Irwin pattern bits also rely on a snail point (called the snail), which is a tapered screw point shaped the same as a wood screw thread, which helps to pull the bit into the wood as the user turns the brace handle and applies pressure. The designs used today come from an original idea and pattern invented by John S Fray. Company History: John S. Fray (1833 ) immigrated to Bridgeport Connecticut USA from England in the 1850s and established a working relationship with Nelson Spofford, who held an 1858 patent for a bit brace (the tool could be augured in a continuous circular motion by hand). He established the John S. Fray Co. around the same time and immediately began producing the Spofford bit brace. Fray himself held at least two patents: one awarded in 1869 for a boring brace attachment, and another awarded in 1883 for a tool handle. By 1889, the firm was located at the industrial complex that sits between the former International Silver Company and the former Bridgeport Chain Company on Crescent Avenue and is identified on the Sanborn Insurance Atlas as a manufacturer of Spofford bit braces, hollow handle awl, and toolsets. The company was in competition with Peck Stow and Wilcox Co. of Southington, and in 1898 was enjoined from making a ratchet bit brace for which the latter company held a patent. By the 1920s, the factory had been purchased by the Stanley Company of New Britain and leased to the American Tube and Stamping Company, a manufacturer of brass, copper, seamless, and bicycle tubing, which also ran a rolling mill to the south on Stafford Avenue (now demolished). The Stanley Company bought both mills in 1926, perhaps as a strategic move to be located along the Bridgeport Harbour, through which much of the raw material used in its operations throughout the state came. By the 1950s, the Crescent Avenue operations had been moved to other sites in Connecticut, and Stanley again leased the building to a company called Cornwall and Patterson, a manufacturer of piano hardware. Today the building appears to be vacant. An early carpenters tool made by a well known early manufacturer from America who instigated many innovations to the making of tools. His early pattern for the improvement of a tool that could be used for the boring of holes in wood was a significant step forward. His design for a boring brace attachment and later a specific handle is still in use today and his original brace and bit is now sought after by collectors of antique tools. Spofford Carpenter's Bit Brace metal has bit attached. Wing nut holds bit in place but nut missing. holds bit in place. 285mm long x 160mm Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

The clock parts were discovered in 1980 by Julie Wilkins, a Victorian scuba diver who had already experienced more than 500 dives in Australia and overseas. She was holidaying in Peterborough, Victoria, and looking forward to discovering more about the famous Loch Ard ship, wrecked in June 1878 at Mutton Bird Island. The fast Glasgow-built clipper ship was only five years old when the tragedy occurred. There were 54 people on board the vessel and only two survived Julie's holiday photograph of Boat Bay reminds her of her most memorable dive. Submerged in the calm, flat sea, she was carefully scanning around the remains of the old wreck when, to her amazement, a gold coin and a small gold cross suddenly came up towards her. She excitedly cupped them in her hands and then stowed the treasures safely in her wetsuit and continued her dive. She soon discovered a group of brass carriage clock parts and some bottles of champagne. It was a day full of surprises. The items were easily recognisable, without any build-up of encrustations or concretion. Julie secretly enjoyed her treasures for twenty-four years then packed them up for the early morning train trip to Warrnambool. After a short walk to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village, her photograph was taken as she handed over her precious find. She told her story to a local newspaper reporter, lunched a café in town then took the late afternoon train home. Her generous donation is now part of a vast collection of Loch Ard shipwreck artefacts, including the gold watch and the Minton Majolica model peacock. This group of brass clockwork parts is incomplete. The pieces were in the ocean for over 100 years before Julie recovered them from the Loch Ard wreck. Their size would suit the works of a carriage clock, with a mainspring and weight to power the clock movement, a pendulum to measure the clock's speed, arbours, posts, pillars and at least one other plate. They would have been mounted inside a protective case with a small door to easily access the clock face for setting the time and accessing the key's winding hole. The clock cases were usually made from decorative gilt brass with a glass front and a carrying handle. The parts include a weighted second hand with a decorative four-pronged finish at one end, a rounded weight at the other, and a hole for attaching it to the clock face. The gear teeth profiles are ‘cycloidal’, an arch shape with vertical sides, which is common for antique clocks. Modern clockworks have ‘involute’ teeth with sloping sides and a squared-off top. The brass carriage clock parts are an example of a mechanical clock produced in the 1870s. The clock's design is a part of the chain of technological improvements in methods for timekeeping. Its cycloidal gear teeth were the forerunner of the more modern involute gears. The group of clock parts includes a weighted hand or arm for signifying the seconds. This feature was uncommon in portable Victorian-era clocks. The clock parts are also significant for their association with the ill-fated sailing ship Loch Ard, wrecked in 1878. The travelling clock or officer’s clock may have been part of the cargo destined for the 1880 Melbourne Exhibition, or the personal possession of one of the people on board the vessel. Brass clockwork parts from a mechanical clock, sixteen pieces. Parts comprise a plate, large gears or wheels, small pinions or wheels with fine teeth, wheels with cogs, and a weighted second hand. The parts were from a carriage clock ca. 1878. They were recovered from the wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, loch ard, wreck of the loch ard, 1878, mutton bird island, peterborough, scuba diver, 1980s, shipwreck artefact, relic, clock, mechanical, clock parts, time, timekeeper, horology, chronometry, cogs, time keeping device, scientific instrument, chronometer, john harrison, longitude, carriage clock, coach clock, portable clock, travelling clock, travel clock, traveller’s clock, officer’s clock, weighted second hand, victorian era, cycloidal gear teeth, brass clock, julie wilkins

White card. Red writing. Bendigo Senior High School Debutante Balls The Debutantes were presented to His Worship The Mayor of Bendigo Cr. M. Currie and Mrs. Currie at 9 p.m. Strathdale Community Centre Thursday and Friday June 25th and 26th, 1987. Thursday, June 25th Debutantes Partners Yvonne Bergameier, Geoff Campbell, Sonya Broadbent, Greg Lyon,, Leanne Cooper, Darren Curnow, Kylie Ennis, Jason Tully, Kerry Lukeis, Adrian Kalms, Siri Lill Mannes, Leigh Johns, Sally Morshead, Roy King, Jodi O'Shea, Scott Wilson, Ingrid Panknin, Gerald Honeychurch, Naomi Peacock, Graeme Beagley, Dale Rilen, Craig Swift. Chaperone Mrs. Norma Cook Master of Ceremonies Mr Colin Silk Announcers Mrs. Dianne Jakubans Mr. Brian Armstrong Tutors Mr. Peter Ellis Mrs. Mary Smith Flower Girls Prue & Bree Hamilton, Page boys Jarrod Keetelaar & Andrew Whalen Stage, Mrs. Esme Turner Pianist Mrs D Grotto. Friday, June 26th Debutantes Partners Rachel Baker Robert Musk Anita Blandford Tony Jinks Kerri Bond Richard Bishop Natalie Boromeo Scott Harbridge Alison Brown Brad Plant Brigitte Dole Mark Perini Gillian Dumont Tim Jenkyn Joanne Eames Craig Abbott Janelle Hester Andrew Cameron Angela Horne Jason McGregor Andrea Lee Luke Stow Michelle Lucas Adrian Lock Susan Martin John Maber Deanne Martin John McInerney Nicole Mattingley Warrick Higgins, Katherine Neil,l John Killcullen, Carmel Smith, David Robinson, Amanda Steen, Justin Stent, Sharon Tung, Jason Martin, Sueanne Walker, Darren Field. Presentation Dance The First Set of Quadrilles Commencing with a Grand March. The Ball Committee wish to thank you sincerely for your support. The proceeds will be donated to charity. We wish you all the best for the future and hope this occasion is one to remember. Neville Sharpe Norma Cook.person, individual, peter ellis oam

The gold cross was discovered by Victorian scuba diver Julie Wilkins, who had already experienced more than 500 dives in Australia and overseas. She was holidaying in Peterborough, Victoria, and looking forward to discovering more about the famous Loch Ard ship, wrecked in June 1878 at Mutton Bird Island. The fast Glasgow-built clipper ship was only five years old when the tragedy occurred. There were 54 people on board the vessel and only two survived Julie's holiday photograph of Boat Bay reminds her of her most memorable dive. Submerged in the calm, flat sea, she was carefully scanning around the remains of the old wreck when, to her amazement, a gold coin and a small gold cross suddenly came up towards her. She excitedly cupped them in her hands, then stowed the treasures safely in her wetsuit and continued her dive. She soon discovered a group of brass carriage clock parts and some bottles of champagne. It was a day full of surprises. The items were easily recognisable, without any build-up of encrustations or concretion. Julie secretly enjoyed her treasures for twenty-four years then packed them up for the early morning train trip to Warrnambool. After a short walk to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village, her photograph was taken as she handed over her precious find. She told her story to a local newspaper reporter, lunched a café in town then took the late afternoon train home. Her generous donation is now part of a vast collection of Loch Ard shipwreck artefacts, including the gold watch and the Minton Majolica model peacock. The small decorative cross dates back to on or before 1878, when the Loch Ard had set sail. The loop and ring have been added, perhaps as a pendant, pocket watch accessory or similar purpose. It may have been worn for ‘good luck’ or a ‘blessing’ on the long journey to Australia, where ships had to carefully navigate the treacherous Bass’s Strait before arriving at their destination of Melbourne. Sadly, many met their fate on that short stretch of ocean aptly named the Shipwreck Coast. The cross is very recognisable even though it was exposed to the wrecking of the ship, its consequent movement, and the sea's turbulence. Its scratched, pitted and worn condition, and the damage near the loop, is part of its story. The red-brown-black discolouration is similar to that found on other gold coins, sometimes called the ‘corrosion phenomena’. Studies suggest the possible cause is contaminants in the minting process reacting to the coins’ environment. Three edges of the cross have slightly raised narrow ridges of gold which could have been cause by the gold being cast liquid gold into a mould.This gold cross pendant is significant as a symbol of Christianity, a sign of hope and safety, and a sample of the religious following on board the Loch Ard, although not everyone wears a cross for this reason. This cross is a sample of jewellery owned by people migrating to Australia in the late 19th century. The cross and the guinea recovered together from the wreck of the Loch Ard are made of gold and help interpret the financial status of some of those on board.Gold cross; yellow gold with decorative hand engraved foliage design on the front, fitted loop and ring on top. The simple Latin or Roman variation of the cross, with an elongated vertical arm, has no figure on it and the reverse has no decoration. The right, left and base edges have sections of narrow, long slightly raised ridges. The top edge has remnants of red-black colour. Victorian era cross, ca. 1878. The cross was recovered from the wreck of the ship Loch Ard.Engraved foliage design. Slightly raised long ridges on sides and base edges. flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, gold cross, religious cross, religious trinket, religious jewellery, engraved cross, cross pendant, cross with ring, victorian era, 1878, antique cross, crucifix, religious symbol, christian symbol, christian jewellery, contamination phenomena, gold corrosion, good luck, lucky charm, blessing, pendant, loch ard, wreck of the loch ard, mutton bird island, peterborough, scuba diver, 1980s, shipwreck artefact, relic, latin cross, roman cross, pectoral cross, julie wilkins

This photograph was taken at the presentation of a bust of Dick Richards to the Ballarat School of Mines. Dick Richards joined the Ballarat School of Mines (SMB) in 1914, and soon afterwards was granted leave to join an expedition to Antartica. In 1915 he sailed from Australia with the Antartic Exploraton Expedition, led by Sir Ernest Shackleton. Dick Richards was the physicist and sled manager for Shackleton's Ross Sea Party - with the task to meet Shackleton on the other side of the continent. When Shackleton planned his transcontinental crossing he decided to use supply depots as loads of supplies were too heavy to pull. The depots would enable Shackleton's party to carry just enough to reach the Pole, relying on the depots which were to be left by the Aurora's crew every 60 miles, stowed in 2 sledge journeys in 1915 and 1916. Dick Richards spent 3 freezing years in Antarctica between 1914 and 1917. Travelling south with Sir Ernest Shackleton Richards' worst experience was when his ship Aurora, tethered offshore, was blown away in a gale leaving Richards marooned for two years with nine other men on the ice floe. The Ross Sea Party arrived in McMurdo Sound aboard the Aurora in January 1915. The going was tough on the sledging trips as the sledges were overloaded. Temperatures were as low as minus 68F. In June 1916 the party crossed on foot to Cape Evans, occupied Scott's Hut (from his Terra Nova Expedition, erected in January 1911) in May 1915, for two months. On 10 January 1917 Richards was hunting for seals when he saw a ship on the horizon. It was 'The Aurora'. Picking up the relieved survivors 'The Aurora' arrived in New Zealand on 9 February 1917 to a hero's welcome. Joyce, Wild, Hayward and Richards later won the Albert Medal for their heroic devotion to duty. Later an inlet on the Antartic continent was named after Richards. Dick Richards wrote the following years after the ordeal "To me no undertaking carried through to conclusion is for nothing. And so I don't think of our struggle as futile. It was something the human spirit accomplished." After returning to Australia Dick Richards resumed his work at SMB as Lecturer in Physics and Mathematics, and developed many pieces of experimental equipment. During World War Two he acted as a scientific adviser in the production of optical apparatus in Australia. In 1946 he was appointed Principal and twelve years later he retired after a total of 44 years service. Dick Richards has been honoured through the naming of a Ballarat School of Mines prize - The R.W. Richards Medal. This medal later became a University of Ballarat prize. It has been awarded annually since 1959 to the Bachelor of Applied Science graduate considered to have achieved the most outstanding academic performance of their course. The award was was introduced to commemerate the long years of service to tertiary education in Ballarat by Mr Richards. See http://guerin.ballarat.edu.au/aasp/is/library/collections/art_history/honour-roll/honourroll_Richards,Dick.shtmlBlack and white photograph featuring 4 men who had serves as Principal of the Ballarat School of Mines. Left to Right: E.J. (Jack) Barker, Peter Shiells, Richard W. Richards, Graham Beanland.ballarat school of mines, dick richards, antarctica, ernest shackleton