Telescopes are optical instruments that make distant objects appear larger and closer, thereby extending the range of what the human eye can observe. The development of the telescope was gradual, shaped by a series of important advances in optical science. In 1608, the Dutch spectacle-maker Hans Lippershey discovered that when two lenses were held apart in a particular way, distant objects appeared closer. He applied for a patent for this invention, creating the first documented telescope. In 1668, Isaac Newton produced the first successful reflecting telescope, using a two-inch concave spherical mirror. This marked a major step forward, demonstrating that mirrors could overcome some of the limitations of lenses and greatly improve magnification. Further progress followed in the eighteenth century. In 1729, Chester Moor Hall developed the achromatic lens by combining two types of glass with different refractive properties. This reduced colour distortion and produced a sharper image, although some edge distortion remained. That same year, the Scottish instrument maker James Short developed parabolic and elliptical mirrors that were better suited to reflecting telescopes because they reduced optical distortion. Building on these advances, John Dollond improved the achromatic objective lens by placing a concave flint-glass lens between two convex crown-glass lenses, considerably enhancing image quality. Telescopes were used by astronomers to observe planets and stars however they were also used for military and nautical purposes. Telescopes from the mid 1700 onwards consisted of anywhere between two and five brass sections, one sliding inside another to make the instrument's size more manageable when not in use. The brass tubes were called "draws" because they were drawn out of the main barrel. Our two artefacts appear to be two different sized "draws". It is not possible to say if they belonged to the same telescope or were from different instruments and nor is it possible to identify a maker. Both telescopic "draws" were recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard, on the southwest coast of Victoria and donated by a friend of the diver. The ship Loch Ard was built on the River Clyde in Scotland in 1873 for the prestigious Loch Line of colonial clipper ships, designed for the Australian run. It sailed from England on 1st March 1878 carrying 37 crew, 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880 - a diverse general cargo ranging from luxury items to bulk railway iron. On 1 June 1878, emerging from fog and hearing too late the sound of breakers against the tall limestone cliffs, the vessel struck the southern foot of Mutton Bird Island and sank in 23 metres of water. Of the fifty-four people on board only two survived, one young male crewman, Tom Pearce, and one young female passenger, Eva Carmichael. Ten days after the Loch Ard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Loch Ard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as Loch Ard Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only seven in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.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.Two metal (possibly brass) cylinders that appear to be parts of a telescope salvaged from the wreck of the Loch Ard. The larger cylinder 8718.1 has a smaller cylinder sitting inside the larger outer cylinder with a circular piece of opaque glass in one end. The metal on both inner and outer cylinders are very thin, fragile and brittle. The outside has verdigris oxidation. One end has a thin track of fine threads where another part would have been screwed on. The smaller cylinder, 8718.2, is in better condition. It appears to be a brass cylinder with a circular opening (one small and one larger) at each end. Inside the cylinder (about halfway down) is a pane of opaque glass. One end of the cylinder had a slightly flared cap screwed into it. An indistinct "8" appears to be printed in the casing."8"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, loch ard, wreck of the loch ard, loch ard salvage, telescope, loch ard artefact, telescopic draw

Spyglasses were popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuryGilt brass 5 draw spyglass or small monocular telescope. Foliate and floral decoration around eyepiece, ribbed casing with suspension ring. 5 draw telescopic action extends the spyglass for use.vision, optical devices, fashion