British Admiralty Navigation Chart - Islands in the North Pacific (Western Hawaiian Group) : Midway Islands, Seward Road and Welles Harbour, Necker Island, Cure or Ocean Island, Pearl and Hermes Reefwarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, navigation chart, british admiralty navigation chart, midway islands, islands in the north pacific (western hawaiian group), seward road, welles harbour, necker island, cure or ocean island, pearl and hermes reef

This photograph records the interior of St Nicholas Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria, which was purchased and furnished around 1943. The furniture and furnishings are now part of the St. Nicholas Seamen's Church collection. HISTORY of the Missions to Seamen: - DETAILED HISTORY of the Missions to Seamen: - The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity that has served the world’s seafarers since 1856. It was inspired by the work of Rev. John Ashley, who, 20 years earlier, had pioneered a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. When Ashley retired, others continued the work, founding the Missions to Seamen. It adopted a Flying Angel as its symbol, inspired by a verse from the Bible in Revelation 14. Today, over 200 world ports have Missions to Seamen centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s club warmly welcomes sailors of all colours, creeds and races and provides a wide range of facilities. The Missions to Seamen organisation changed its name to the Mission to Seafarers in 2000, continuing to include Missions to Seamen clubs in Victoria’s cities of Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church is named after its namesake from Williamstown, Victoria, which began in 1857. Bishop Perry opened the first Sailors’ Church there, known as ‘Bethel’, on an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. In 1860, a Sailors’ Rest started operating from rented premises in Williamstown. In 1878, the Sailors’ Church moved into an old Wesleyan chapel in Ann Street. By the end of that year, they managed to purchase the building, which they had already refurbished. In 1883, they affiliated with the Victorian Seamen’s Mission. A few years later, in 1906, the building had to be demolished because it was no longer safe. While they raised funds for a new building, the Sailors’ Rest temporarily moved to premises in front of Customs House in Nelson Place. Around this time, in 1906, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild was formed in Australia to support and raise funds for the Mission to Seamen organisation in Melbourne. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founding members Ethel Godfrey and Alice Sibthorpe. During the Mission's time at Siddeley Street, Melbourne, the activities of the Guild raised funds for the Mission to Seamen's Chapel at their new, and still current, premises in Flinders Street, Melbourne, opened in 1917. The Guild continued its important work until the 1960s. In 1908, the Williamstown Mission had enough money to purchase the former Mascotte skating rink on Thompson Street, Williamstown. In August of that year, they were inaugurated into the Victorian Missions to Seamen. They continued at that venue for a few decades. In 1943, the former ES&A Bank building at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, was purchased to become the new Mission to Seaman’s Club. On May 6th, 1944, it was officially opened, described as a ‘distinctive little building’. Funds had previously been raised for the building and furnishing of the chapel at the rear. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church, after St Nicholas, fourth-century bishop and patron saint of sailors. Services were held on Wednesdays and Sundays. The church was supported by the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, newly founded by Mrs Ethel Margaret Musther in 1943, as well as the Harbour Lights Guild and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. The Williamstown Mission to Seamen’s Church operated until 1966, when large international ships no longer used the Port of Williamstown. The Commonwealth Government then leased the premises. In the formative years of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, the Advisory Board decided to include a Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room in its village. The Missions organisation was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the period that the Village represents. They often erected Missions to house social and worshipful activities for seamen. Flagstaff Hill’s curator, Mr Ken Marshman, approached the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen regarding the Williamstown branch. Consequently, the Board permitted the furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. A provision of the transfer was that the Victoria Missions to Seamen be recognised, that the items would remain as a collection, and that the chapel would be called St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and conduct Divine services. The donation was approved on 21st May 1979. Flagstaff Hill's St. Nicholas Seamen's Church: - The idea behind Flagstaff Hill’s Missions to Seamen’s Church was partly driven by the offer of Stained Glass Memorial Windows that originated from the Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, which was undergoing multi-storey expansion in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The hospital’s Manager/Secretary was eager to see the historic window installed in a suitable place. The church, or chapel, was designed by a local architectural draftsman in collaboration with the Flagstaff Hill Planning Board and was constructed by Mr Leon Habel. The designers hoped that the church would be used for formal worship such as weddings, funerals, and multi-denominational special services like war commemorations. The design is inspired by the ‘Missions to Seamen’ buildings in Portland and the Port of Melbourne. The furniture and furnishings were placed as accurately as possible according to photographs of the Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and with assistance from local clergy. The Recreation Room was furnished and arranged on advice from experienced members of the Missions to Seamen organisation. A framed document in the building recognises the donor of the furnishings, Victoria Missions to Seamen, and includes the names of some original donors and their donated item/s. The building’s design incorporates local features such as Warrnambool sandstone, which was no longer commercially available but was procured from demolished buildings and uniformly cut to use as a veneer over the stronger Mt. Gambier stone. Also, traditional green American roofing slate was used, sourced from the 1908 local shipwreck “Falls of Halladale” by Flagstaff Hill volunteer divers. The bell tower includes a bell believed to be from a local shipwreck. Additional furnishings were acquired locally, along with several items donated by Warrnambool residents. Light fittings in both rooms were assembled to simulate 19th-century gas light fittings. The stained-glass window at the back of the church is a memorial to Dr Connell, a well-respected member of the Warrnambool community. It was originally installed in 1928 in the main building of Warrnambool Hospital. The St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church at Flagstaff Hill was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor, Cr. John Lindsay, on Sunday, 11th October 1981. The event included a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Warrnambool Ministers Fraternal. Since then, the Chapel has been the historic venue for many weddings. This photograph is significant through its association with the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen Church in Williamstown, Melbourne, established in 1857. The building in the photograph is the former English, Scottish and Australian Bank (ES&A bank), also known as the Mission to Seamen. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database for having local historic and aesthetic interest. Photograph of St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown. Sepia photograph. The photograph shows the inside of the Chapel of Mission to Seamen, including organ, pews and other furniture and furnishings. There is a circular stained glass window high on the back wall depicting a sailor at the helm of a ship and a man standing behind him and pointing the way - "Christ Showing The Helmsman The Way". A Sanctuary Light is suspended from the ceiling. The Sanctuary chars are visible. This shows the St Nicholas Seamen's Church in Williamstown, the furnishings and furniture of which is now part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection’.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, st nicholas mission to seamen's church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, mission to seamen victoria, st nicholas mission to seamen, chapel window, christ showing the helmsman the way, stained glass window, st nicholas seamen's church, religion, religious service, sailor's rest, ladies harbour light guild

The term 'seat squabs' is no longer commonly used, but is sometimes referred to in the upholstery and motor vehicle industries. Squabs are padded cushions frequently added to wooden chairs or benches to add comfort to their hard forms. They have been made to an 18th-to-19th-century pattern using beautiful, richly coloured satin fabric and fancy cord tassels. The weighted flap at the rear of the squabs helps to keep them in place on the chair, and could be used on the top of the backrest instead of on the seat. These days, squabs are attached with fabric ties or hook-and-loop tabs. These seat squabs were once used in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria, which was purchased and furnished around 1943. The furniture and furnishings are now part of the St. Nicholas Seamen's Church collection. DETAILED HISTORY of the Missions to Seamen: - The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity that has served the world’s seafarers since 1856. It was inspired by the work of Rev. John Ashley, who, 20 years earlier, had pioneered a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. When Ashley retired, others continued the work, founding the Missions to Seamen. It adopted a Flying Angel as its symbol, inspired by a verse from the Bible in Revelation 14. Today, over 200 world ports have Missions to Seamen centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s club warmly welcomes sailors of all colours, creeds and races and provides a wide range of facilities. The Missions to Seamen organisation changed its name to the Mission to Seafarers in 2000, continuing to include Missions to Seamen clubs in Victoria’s cities of Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church is named after its namesake from Williamstown, Victoria, which began in 1857. Bishop Perry opened the first Sailors’ Church, which was known as ‘Bethel’, on an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. In 1860, a Sailors’ Rest started operating from rented premises in Williamstown. In 1878, the Sailors’ Church moved into an old Wesleyan chapel in Ann Street. By the end of that year, they managed to purchase the building, which they had already refurbished. In 1883, they affiliated with the Victorian Seamen’s Mission. A few years later, in 1906, the building had to be demolished because it was no longer safe. While they raised funds for a new building, the Sailors’ Rest temporarily moved to premises in front of Customs House in Nelson Place. Around this time, in 1906, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild was formed in Australia to support and raise funds for the Mission to Seamen organisation in Melbourne. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founding members Ethel Godfrey and Alice Sibthorpe. During the Mission's time at Siddeley Street, Melbourne, the activities of the Guild raised funds for the Mission to Seamen's Chapel at their new, and still current, premises in Flinders Street, Melbourne, opened in 1917. The Guild continued its important work until the 1960s. In 1908, the Williamstown Mission had enough money to purchase the former Mascotte skating rink on Thompson Street, Williamstown. In August of that year, they were inaugurated into the Victorian Missions to Seamen. They continued at that venue for a few decades. In 1943, the former ES&A Bank building at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, was purchased for the new Mission to Seaman’s Club. The official opening was on May 6th, 1944. It was described as a ‘distinctive little building’. Funds had previously been raised for the building and furnishing of the chapel at the rear. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church, after St Nicholas, fourth-century bishop and patron saint of sailors. Services were held on Wednesdays and Sundays. The church was supported by the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, newly founded by Mrs Ethel Margaret Musther in 1943, as well as the Harbour Lights Guild and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. The Williamstown Mission to Seamen’s Church operated until 1966, when large international ships no longer used the Port of Williamstown. The Commonwealth Government then leased the premises. In the formative years of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, the Advisory Board decided to include a Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room in its village. The Missions organisation was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the period that the Village represents. They often erected Missions to house social and worshipful activities for seamen. Flagstaff Hill’s curator, Mr Ken Marshman, approached the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen regarding the Williamstown branch. Consequently, the Board permitted the furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. A provision of the transfer was that the Victoria Missions to Seamen be recognised, that the items would remain as a collection, and that the chapel would be called St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and conduct Divine services. The donation was approved on 21st May 1979. Flagstaff Hill's St. Nicholas Seamen's Church: - The idea behind Flagstaff Hill’s Missions to Seamen’s Church was partly driven by the offer of Stained Glass Memorial Windows that originated from the Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, which was undergoing multi-storey expansion in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The hospital’s Manager/Secretary was eager to see the historic window installed in a suitable place. The church, or chapel, was designed by a local architectural draftsman in collaboration with the Flagstaff Hill Planning Board and was constructed by Mr Leon Habel. The designers hoped the church would be used for formal worship, such as weddings, funerals, and multi-denominational special services like war commemorations. Its design was inspired by the ‘Missions to Seamen’ buildings in Portland and the Port of Melbourne. The furniture and furnishings were placed as accurately as possible according to photographs of the Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and with assistance from local clergy. The Recreation Room was furnished and arranged on advice from experienced members of the Missions to Seamen organisation. A framed document in the building recognises the donor of the furnishings, Victoria Missions to Seamen, and includes the names of some original donors and their donated item/s. The building’s design incorporates local features such as Warrnambool sandstone, which was no longer commercially available but was procured from demolished buildings and uniformly cut to use as a veneer over the stronger Mt. Gambier stone. Also, traditional green American roofing slate was used, sourced from the 1908 local shipwreck “Falls of Halladale” by Flagstaff Hill volunteer divers. The bell tower includes a bell believed to be from a local shipwreck. Additional furnishings were acquired locally, and several items were donated by Warrnambool residents. Light fittings in both rooms were assembled to simulate 19th-century gas light fittings. The stained-glass window at the back of the church is a memorial to Dr Connell, a well-respected member of the Warrnambool community. It was originally installed in 1928 in the main building of Warrnambool Hospital. The St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church at Flagstaff Hill was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor, Cr. John Lindsay, on Sunday, 11th October 1981. The event included a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Warrnambool Ministers Fraternal. Since then, the Chapel has been the historic venue for many weddings. This pair of seat squabs is historically significant for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for seafarers’ physical, social, and spiritual needs. The organisation originated in Bristol, England, when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The squabs are also significant for their use in the St Nicholas Missions to Seamen's chapel, Williamstown, as the original building is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Squabs or padded seat cushions, a pair of two. These 18th to 19th-century design squabs have crimson and cream satin fabric on top and underneath, and weighted tassels are attached to their rear corners. They can be used for comfort on hard seats and benches. The squabs were furnishings from the Missions to Seamen chapel in Williamstown, and they are now part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, st nicholas mission to seamen's church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, mission to seamen victoria, st nicholas mission to seamen, st nicholas seamen's church, religion, religious service, sailor's rest, ladies harbour light guild, squab, seat covers, cushions, squabs, religious furnishing, padded seats, seating, accessory

This photograph of the 10 crew of the SPECULANT would have been taken prior to Feb 10th 1911, when the ship was wrecked on the south coast of Victoria at a place called Cape Patton. The barquentine SPECULANT was a steel, three-masted sailing ship built in 1895 in Inverkeithing, Scotland, registered in Warrnambool, Victoria and wrecked at Cape Paton, Victoria, 10th February 1911. The SPECULANT had been involved in the timber trade between the United Kingdom and Russia, until sold to its Warrnambool owners and timber merchants Messrs. P.J. McGennan & Co. (Peter John McGennan) in 1902 for 3000 pounds and had her sailed to Warrnambool as her new port. Peter John McGennan was born in 1844 and worked as a builder and cooper in Holyhead, Anglesea, Wales. He immigrated to Australia in 1869 as a free settler and arrived in Warrnambool in 1871 and undertook management of a property in Grassmere for Mr. Palmer. Peter met his wife Emily in South Melbourne and they married in 1873. They had ten children including Harry who lived to 1965, and Andrew who lived until 1958. (The other children were their four brothers - John who was killed in the Dardenalles aged 35, Frederick who died aged 8, Peter who died aged 28, Frank who died aged 5 weeks - and four sisters - Beatrice who died age 89, Edith who died aged 49, Blanche who died aged 89 and Eveline who died aged 48.) In 1874 Peter starting a boating establishment on the Hopkins River. In 1875 he opened up a Coopers business in Kepler Street next to what was Bateman, Smith and Co., moving to Liebig Street, next to the Victoria Hotel, in 1877. In 1882 he then moved to Lava Street (which in later years was the site of Chandlers Hardware Store). He was associated with the establishment of the Butter Factory at Allansford. He started making Butter Boxes to his own design and cheese batts for the Butter Factory. In 1896 established a Box Factory in Davis Street Merrivale, employing 24 people at its peak, (it was burnt down in 1923); and in Pertobe Road from 1912 (now the Army Barracks building). Peter was a Borough Councillor for Albert Ward from 1885 to 1891, he commenced the Foreshore Trust (including the camping grounds along Pertobe Road), and he was an inaugural Director of the Woollen Mill in Harris Street, buying an extensive share-holding in 1908 from the share trader Edward Vidler. They lobbied the Town Hall to have a formal ‘Cutting’ for the waters of the Merri River to be redirected from its natural opening south of Dennington, to its existing opening near Viaduct Road, in order to have the scourings from the wool at the Woollen Mill discharged into the sea. He sold Butter Boxes around the state, and had to ship them to Melbourne by rail. Peter’s purchase of the SPECULANT in 1902 enabled him to back-load white pine from Kaipara, New Zealand to Warrnambool to make his butter boxes then, to gain profitability, buy and ship potatoes and other primary produce bound to Melbourne. (McGennan & Co. had also owned the LA BELLA, which had traded in timber as well, until she was tragically wrecked with the loss of seven lives, after missing the entrance channel to Warrnambool harbour in 1905. It appears that the SPECULANT was bought to replace the LA BELLA.) In 1911 the SPECULANT had been attempting to depart Warrnambool for almost the entire month of January to undergo docking and overhaul in Melbourne. A month of east and south-easterly winds had forced her to remain sheltered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool apart from one morning of northerlies, when an attempt was made to round Cape Otway; she had to return to shelter in Portland after failing to make any headway. With only 140 tons of sand ballast aboard, the ship would not have been easy to handle. Captain Jacobsen and his crew of nine, mainly Swedes, decided to make for Melbourne, leaving Portland Harbour on 5th February 1911. By the 9th they had reached Cape Otway, where they encountered a moonless night, constant heavy rain, and a heavy sea with a south-easterly wind blowing. After safely rounding Cape Otway the course was changed to east, then north-east to take the vessel to a point six miles off Cape Patton, following the orders of Captain Jacobsen, who told the crew to be very careful with the steering, as the wind and sea was running to leeward. The patent log (used to measure speed) had been out of order for the last four months as no-one in Warrnambool was able to fix it: it was intended to have it repaired in Melbourne. In the meantime the crew measured the vessel's speed by looking over the side and estimating wind strength. This compounded the difficulties of imprecise positioning, as the strong cross wind and sea were acting on the lightly laden vessel to steadily drive it towards the shore. At 3.30am on Friday 10 February 1911 Captain Jacobsen and the first mate were looking over the side of the vessel when they heard the sound of breakers and suddenly struck the rocks. The crew immediately knew they had no chance of getting the SPECULANT off, and attempted to rescue themselves by launching the lifeboat, which was instantly smashed to pieces. One of the crew then volunteered to take a line ashore, and the rest of the crew were all able to drag themselves to shore, some suffering hand lacerations from the rocks. Once ashore they began to walk along the coast towards Lorne, believing it was the nearest settlement. Realising their mistake as dawn broke they returned westwards to Cape Patton, and found a farm belonging to Mr C. Ramsden, who took them in and gave them a change of clothes and food. After resting for a day and returning to the wreck to salvage some of their personal possessions, at 10am on Saturday they set out for Apollo Bay, a voyage that took six hours, sometimes wading through flooded creeks up to their necks. The Age described the wreck as "listed to starboard. All the cabin is gutted and the ballast gone. There is a big rock right through the bottom of her, and there is not the slightest hope of getting her off". A Board of Marine inquiry found that Captain Jacobson was guilty of careless navigation by not taking steps to accurately verify the position of the vessel with respect to Cape Otway when the light was visible and by not setting a safe and proper course with respect to the wind and sea. It suspended his certificate for 6 months and ordered him to pay costs. The location of the wreck site was marked for a long time by two anchors on the shoreline, until in 1970 the larger of the two anchors was recovered by the Underwater Explorers' Club and mounted on the foreshore at Apollo Bay. The bell from the wreck was also donated to the Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club but is recorded to have been stolen. Rusting remains of the wreck can still be found on the shoreline on the southern side of, and directly below Cape Patton. Parts of the SPECULANT site have been buried by rubble from construction and maintenance works to the Great Ocean Road, as well as by naturally occurring landslides. Peter J McGennan passed away in 1920. The Gates in the western wall of the Anglican Church in Henna Street/Koroit St are dedicated to him for his time of community work, which is matched with other prominent Warrnambool citizens; Fletcher Jones, John Younger, J.D.E (Tag) Walter, and Edward Vidler. After Peter J McGennan's death Harry, Andrew and Edith continued to operate the family business until July 11th 1923 when the company was wound up. (Andrew lived in Ryot Street Warrnambool, near Lava Street.) Harry McGennan (Peter and Emily’s son) owned the Criterion Hotel in Kepler Street Warrnambool (now demolished). His son Sid and wife Dot lived in 28 Howard Street (corner of Nelson Street) and Sid managed the Criterion until it was decided by the family to sell, and for he remained Manager for the new owners until he retired. Harry commenced the Foreshore Trust in Warrnambool around 1950. The McGennan Carpark in Pertobe Road is named after Harry and there are Memorial-Stone Gates in his memory. (The Gates were once the original entrance to the carpark but are now the exit.). Peter’s great-grandson, also called Andrew, is a Security Officer in Warrnambool. The Patent Log (also called a Taffrail log) from the SPECULANT, mentioned above, and a number of photographs, are now part of the Collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The SPECULANT is historically significant as the largest ship to have been registered in Warrnambool, and is believed to have been the largest barquentine to visit Melbourne. It is evidence of the final days of large commercial sailing vessels involved in the Victorian and New Zealand timber trade. The SPECULANT is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S626Photograph, black and white. of the 10 crew of the SPECULANT on board the ship holding two 'Speculant Warrnambool' lifebuoys. Taken early 1900's flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, warrnambool historical photograph, la bella, speculant, cumming and ellis, international timber trade, p. j. mcgennan and co. warrnambool, peter mcgennan, capt. james jacobsen, warrnambool maritime history, h. pengilley apollo bay

This photograph of the SPECULANT was taken while she was in dock at the Warrnambool, Victoria, Breakwater in the early 1900's. Crew seem busy on her decks and others are watching from the breakwater. There are also 2 steamships in the photograph. The barquentine SPECULANT was a steel, three-masted sailing ship built in 1895 in Inverkeithing, Scotland, registered in Warrnambool, Victoria and wrecked at Cape Paton, Victoria, 10th February 1911. The SPECULANT had been involved in the timber trade between the United Kingdom and Russia, until sold to its Warrnambool owners and timber merchants Messrs. P.J. McGennan & Co. (Peter John McGennan) in 1902 for 3000 pounds and had her sailed to Warrnambool as her new port. Peter John McGennan was born in 1844 and worked as a builder and cooper in Holyhead, Anglesea, Wales. He immigrated to Australia in 1869 as a free settler and arrived in Warrnambool in 1871 and undertook management of a property in Grassmere for Mr. Palmer. Peter met his wife Emily in South Melbourne and they married in 1873. They had ten children including Harry who lived to 1965, and Andrew who lived until 1958. (The other children were their four brothers - John who was killed in the Dardenalles aged 35, Frederick who died aged 8, Peter who died aged 28, Frank who died aged 5 weeks - and four sisters - Beatrice who died age 89, Edith who died aged 49, Blanche who died aged 89 and Eveline who died aged 48.) In 1874 Peter starting a boating establishment on the Hopkins River. In 1875 he opened up a Coopers business in Kepler Street next to what was Bateman, Smith and Co., moving to Liebig Street, next to the Victoria Hotel, in 1877. In 1882 he then moved to Lava Street (which in later years was the site of Chandlers Hardware Store). He was associated with the establishment of the Butter Factory at Allansford. He started making Butter Boxes to his own design and cheese batts for the Butter Factory. In 1896 established a Box Factory in Davis Street Merrivale, employing 24 people at its peak, (it was burnt down in 1923); and in Pertobe Road from 1912 (now the Army Barracks building). Peter was a Borough Councillor for Albert Ward from 1885 to 1891, he commenced the Foreshore Trust (including the camping grounds along Pertobe Road), and he was an inaugural Director of the Woollen Mill in Harris Street, buying an extensive share-holding in 1908 from the share trader Edward Vidler. They lobbied the Town Hall to have a formal ‘Cutting’ for the waters of the Merri River to be redirected from its natural opening south of Dennington, to its existing opening near Viaduct Road, in order to have the scourings from the wool at the Woollen Mill discharged into the sea. He sold Butter Boxes around the state, and had to ship them to Melbourne by rail. Peter’s purchase of the SPECULANT in 1902 enabled him to back-load white pine from Kaipara, New Zealand to Warrnambool to make his butter boxes then, to gain profitability, buy and ship potatoes and other primary produce bound to Melbourne. (McGennan & Co. had also owned the LA BELLA, which had traded in timber as well, until she was tragically wrecked with the loss of seven lives, after missing the entrance channel to Warrnambool harbour in 1905. It appears that the SPECULANT was bought to replace the LA BELLA.) In 1911 the SPECULANT had been attempting to depart Warrnambool for almost the entire month of January to undergo docking and overhaul in Melbourne. A month of east and south-easterly winds had forced her to remain sheltered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool apart from one morning of northerlies, when an attempt was made to round Cape Otway; she had to return to shelter in Portland after failing to make any headway. With only 140 tons of sand ballast aboard, the ship would not have been easy to handle. Captain Jacobsen and his crew of nine, mainly Swedes, decided to make for Melbourne, leaving Portland Harbour on 5th February 1911. By the 9th they had reached Cape Otway, where they encountered a moonless night, constant heavy rain, and a heavy sea with a south-easterly wind blowing. After safely rounding Cape Otway the course was changed to east, then north-east to take the vessel to a point six miles off Cape Patton, following the orders of Captain Jacobsen, who told the crew to be very careful with the steering, as the wind and sea was running to leeward. The patent log (used to measure speed) had been out of order for the last four months as no-one in Warrnambool was able to fix it: it was intended to have it repaired in Melbourne. In the meantime the crew measured the vessel's speed by looking over the side and estimating wind strength. This compounded the difficulties of imprecise positioning, as the strong cross wind and sea were acting on the lightly laden vessel to steadily drive it towards the shore. At 3.30am on Friday 10 February 1911 Captain Jacobsen and the first mate were looking over the side of the vessel when they heard the sound of breakers and suddenly struck the rocks. The crew immediately knew they had no chance of getting the SPECULANT off, and attempted to rescue themselves by launching the lifeboat, which was instantly smashed to pieces. One of the crew then volunteered to take a line ashore, and the rest of the crew were all able to drag themselves to shore, some suffering hand lacerations from the rocks. Once ashore they began to walk along the coast towards Lorne, believing it was the nearest settlement. Realising their mistake as dawn broke they returned westwards to Cape Patton, and found a farm belonging to Mr C. Ramsden, who took them in and gave them a change of clothes and food. After resting for a day and returning to the wreck to salvage some of their personal possessions, at 10am on Saturday they set out for Apollo Bay, a voyage that took six hours, sometimes wading through flooded creeks up to their necks. The Age described the wreck as "listed to starboard. All the cabin is gutted and the ballast gone. There is a big rock right through the bottom of her, and there is not the slightest hope of getting her off". A Board of Marine inquiry found that Captain Jacobson was guilty of careless navigation by not taking steps to accurately verify the position of the vessel with respect to Cape Otway when the light was visible and by not setting a safe and proper course with respect to the wind and sea. It suspended his certificate for 6 months and ordered him to pay costs. The location of the wreck site was marked for a long time by two anchors on the shoreline, until in 1970 the larger of the two anchors was recovered by the Underwater Explorers' Club and mounted on the foreshore at Apollo Bay. The bell from the wreck was also donated to the Apollo Bay Surf Lifesaving Club but is recorded to have been stolen. Rusting remains of the wreck can still be found on the shoreline on the southern side of, and directly below Cape Patton. Parts of the SPECULANT site have been buried by rubble from construction and maintenance works to the Great Ocean Road, as well as by naturally occurring landslides. Peter J McGennan passed away in 1920. The Gates in the western wall of the Anglican Church in Henna Street/Koroit St are dedicated to him for his time of community work, which is matched with other prominent Warrnambool citizens; Fletcher Jones, John Younger, J.D.E (Tag) Walter, and Edward Vidler. After Peter J McGennan's death Harry, Andrew and Edith continued to operate the family business until July 11th 1923 when the company was wound up. (Andrew lived in Ryot Street Warrnambool, near Lava Street.) Harry McGennan (Peter and Emily’s son) owned the Criterion Hotel in Kepler Street Warrnambool (now demolished). His son Sid and wife Dot lived in 28 Howard Street (corner of Nelson Street) and Sid managed the Criterion until it was decided by the family to sell, and for he remained Manager for the new owners until he retired. Harry commenced the Foreshore Trust in Warrnambool around 1950. The McGennan Carpark in Pertobe Road is named after Harry and there are Memorial-Stone Gates in his memory. (The Gates were once the original entrance to the carpark but are now the exit.). Peter’s great-grandson, also called Andrew, is a Security Officer in Warrnambool. The Patent Log (also called a Taffrail log) from the SPECULANT, mentioned above, and a number of photographs, are now part of the Collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The SPECULANT is historically significant as the largest ship to have been registered in Warrnambool, and is believed to have been the largest barquentine to visit Melbourne. It is evidence of the final days of large commercial sailing vessels involved in the Victorian and New Zealand timber trade. The SPECULANT is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S626Photograph. black and white, of the three-masted barque SPECULANT in dock at the Warrnambool Breakwater in the early 1900's. A steam ship is docked behind her and another steamship is in Lady Bay on her left. There are people on the SPECULANT and others walking nearby. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, la bella, speculant, cumming and ellis, international timber trade, p. j. mcgennan and co. warrnambool, peter mcgennan, capt. james jacobsen, warrnambool maritime history, h. pengilley apollo bay

This Chart titled “Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour” was surveyed by Nav. Lieut. H.J. Stanley, of Britain's Royal Navy, in 1870 and printed in April 1871. The chart was made before the Warrnambool Breakwater was built (construction had begun in 1874 and was completed in 1890). The chart includes Directions for entering Lady Bay, Warrnambool Harbour. These are "Vessels entering Warrnambool Harbour must bring the Red Light in sight and steer in with it in line with the upper white Light bearing North, until the Green Light on the Jetty is opened, when steer towards it and anchor. The best anchorage is in 2 ¼ fms [fathoms)] of water, about a cable from ledge off Breakwater rock. Or where convenient, according to draught of water, only endeavouring to anchor as close as possible to Breakwater rock. It is not safe to enter or leave the Harbour in south westerly or Southerly gales.” This chart is significant for its strong connection to the maritime history of Warrnambool Harbour and Lady Bay, and eventually to the Warrnambool Breakwater. The Warrnambool Breakwater is registered as a place of significance on the Victorian Heritage Database (VHR H2024). A copy of the same chart was used to plan several submissions for future changes to the jetty and breakwater. The chart is a historical record of structures existing in 1870; the Warrnambool Jetties, Lady Bay, the leading lights (lighthouses), streets, roads, bridges and many buildings. It also shows the lay of the land and seabed.Canvas chart of Australia, South Coast, Victoria Title: Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour Surveyed by Nav. Lieut. H.J. Stanley, R.N., 1870. Magnet Variation, 1870 Published April 3, 1871, by the Admiralty, London. Directions for vessels entering Warrnambool Harbour are printed on the chart. The chart has a lacquer or seal over it.Top of chart has logo "HYDROGRAPHER OFFICE" "Price Eighteen Pence". "Engraved by Edward Weller" Along bottom of Chart: “London… Published at the Admiralty, 3rd April 1871, under the Superintendence of Rear Admiral G.H. Richards, F.R.S. Hydrographer, Corrections July 71” Bottom of chart “Australia South Coast Victoria Lady Bay and Warrnambool Harbour. 2494”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, chart of lady bay warrnambool 1870, warrnambool harbour, cartography, navigation, warrnambool breakwater, 1871, australia – south coast / victoria, lady bay, 1870, nav. lieut. h.j. stanley, r.n, directions for entering warrnambool harbour, hydrographer office, rear admiral g.h. richards, edward weller, port of warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, map, chart, navigation chart, admiralty chart, breakwater, jetty, pier, vhr h2024

Charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within The Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. The booklet reviews the object of the mission and in particular the role of the Ladies Harbour Light Guild which is to ensure the moral and spiritual well-being of sailors through social events, arranging and attending picnics for the men on public holidays, presiding at the Sunday teas, making gloves, woollies and other comforts and helping to collect and distribute literature (books, papers, etc) .This paper flyer holds historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild involvement in the Mission to Seafarers. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers. Small booklet, Written in Blue 8 pages, back to front. The cover has a photo of the MtSV building next to the words " The Victorian Missions to Seamen" and at the bottom the title reads "OBJECT OF THE MISSION: moral and spiritual well-being of our Sailors."missions to seamen institute, ladies' harbour lights guild, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, lhlg, chapel, flinders street, sir thomas david gibson carmichael (1859–1926)

Charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within The Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. This paper illustrates the rules for branch secretaries as well as the membership types at the bottom. This paper holds historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the Ladies' Harbour Lights' Guild organization and membership types that were essential to for the success of the charity. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers as well as attending social events.Cream colour document with typed text in blue ink about the rules for Branch secretaries and written inscriptionWritten in black ink 'Blue card' next to '1. Honorary Members' and 'White card' next to '2. Working Members' and 'Red card' next to '3. School Members'. missions to seamen institute, williamstown, port melbourne, ladies' harbour lights guild, lhlg, branches, rules, secretaries, seamen's mission, mission to seafarers, flinders street, australian wharf, honorary members, working members, school members, knights of the guild

Charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within The Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. These cards illustrate the rules for different type of Members and the suggested Intercession. These cards hold historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the membership types of the Ladies' Harbour Lights' Guild organization and how each member (according to membership) contributed to charity. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers as well as attending social events. Small bright pink membership card typed in blue ink. Font is for the name of the member and her branch. On the back rules and the suggested Intercession.missions to seamen institute, williamstown, port melbourne, rules for members, ladies' harbour lights guild, australian wharf, school branches, membership

This photograph is part of a donated sub-collection relating to the history of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild. This photograph is of Lillie Duncan in her early adulthood, presumably taken in the 1920s based on the fact that she was born in 1897.This is a photograph of social and historic significance, being part of a sub-collection of material that provides a snapshot of the type of individuals involved in the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and the activities carried out by that organisation. This photograph was used for the poster of the exhibition, My Little Melbourne Girl in 2015.Small black and white photograph of Lillie Duncan sitting in a wicker chair in a garden, in front of a hedge with a large tree in the background.On reverse "LILLIE DUNCAN" is written in pencil as well as "5-109" At the base of the photograph there is a black line at an angle which slightly crosses over the image ladies harbour lights guild, lillie duncan, lhlg, my little melbourne girl

The photograph shows five seated individuals dining at Marios' restaurant in Carlton, Melbourne. The ladies are wearing finery and corsages which suggests that this may have been a post-marriage celebration following the wedding of Lillie and James Morgan. Their marriage certificate records the date as 26th of April, 1969.This is a photograph of social and historic significance, being part of a sub-collection of material that provides a snapshot of the type of individuals involved in the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and the activities carried out by that organisation. The image is also an insight into fashions of the time as well as into the relationship between Lillie and James.A professional photograph of Lillie Morgan (nee Duncan) and husband James Morgan dining at Marios' restaurant in Melbourne with three unidentified friends. The printed image is professionally mounted in a Marios' display folder.The front of the display folder reads "Greetings from Marios' Continental Restaurant Melbourne - Australia" Insignia of the restaurant is printed beneath the photograph and the photographer's name 'Renouf' is printed alongside. On the reverse "Fully air-conditioned" and "Photography by Renouf of Marios'" is printed in red ink. There is also a sketch in blue biro of a cat and a horse and rider.lillie duncan, lillie morgan, james morgan, marios', 1960s

This photograph is part of a donated sub-collection relating to the history of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and Olive Hall (nee Duncan) who was a member. Olive Duncan was Lillie Duncan young sister. Here she stands next to her husband, David Hall, and her father, David Hood Duncan.This is a photograph of social and historic significance, being part of a sub-collection of material that provides a snapshot of the type of individuals involved in the LHLG and the activities carried out by that organisation. It is also an insight into Olive Hall's (nee Duncan's) personal life as well as the fashion of the period.Small black and white photograph of two men, Henry Hall and David Hood Duncan, and one woman, Olive Hall (nee Duncan) standing in front of a motor car in a bush setting.On the reverse of the photograph in biro is written "Harry Hall and Olive and David Hood Duncan" The marking F 597 is also printed ladies harbour lights guild, olive duncan, olive hall, 20th century, lillie duncan, harry hall, david hood duncan, lhlg, seamen mission

This booklet was given to subscribers to the Warrnambool Standard newspaper as an almanac for the year 1888. These Standard Almanacs were produced from 1875 to 1930. They contain much local information on Warrnambool and district about the businesses, government officials, harbour management, churches, schools, banks, societies and organizations etc. The Warrnambool Standard newspaper was established in 1872 and continues to this day. This booklet is of high significance as it contains valuable information on Warrnambool and district for the year 1888. It is a very important research tool for those studying and writing the history of Warrnambool. This copy has the names, ‘Murdoch Macdonald’, ‘D. Drynoch’ and ‘John Hyland’. Nothing is known about the first two people except that Murdoch Macdonald was the donor of the booklet but John Hyland was a well-known 19th century identity in Warrnambool – a policeman, a Council rate collector and an auctioneer. This is soft cover booklet of 71 pages plus several pages of a gardener’s almanac and advertisements. The original cover is missing and has been replaced by a plain piece of cream cardboard which is attached with a metal pin. The front and back pages are partly torn away and some pages of advertisements may be missing. There is a typed note on the inside front cover regarding the first Standard Almanac of 1875. The name of ‘Murdoch Macdonald’ is written in black ink in several places. ‘Murdoch Macdonald’ ‘John Hyland’ ‘D. Drynoch’ warrnambool standard newspaper, history of warrnambool, standard almanac 1888

Stoves of this design are used for heating domestic places and were available in many designs and shapes. They commonly used wood as fuel and were not only used for heating but cooking as well. This stove was part of the original furnishings of the 1922 vessel 'Reginald M a South Australian costal trader it was made from material and fittings obtained from salvage yards. The vessel “Reginald M” was a two-masted coastal ketch, owned and built by Mr. Jack (John) Murch of Birkenhead, Port of Adelaide, South Australia. Its construction took approximately 6 months and it was launched at Largs Bay in 1922. Reginald M had a very shallow draft and a flat bottom that enabled it to come close to shore and to sit high and dry at low tide or to be beached on sand. The flat bottom was also to make the ship able to skim over reefs. Wagons could load and unload direct from her side. Her cargo included Guano, Barley, Wool, Horses, Cattle, Timber, Explosives, Potatoes, Shell Grit and Gypsum. On April 9th 1931Reginald M weathered a large storm in St Vincent Gulf, SA. The vessel suffered much damage; mast snapped and the crew labored for four hours to free her by chopping off the past and rigging. The crew patched her up and slowly returned to Port Adelaide with only a portion of the insured cargo being damaged. Her crew members at the time were owner Mr John H Murch of Wells Street Largs Bay, Skipper Mr R Murch John’s brother, Murray – son of Captain Murch and Seaman John Smith. Reg Webb purchased Carribie Station, at Marion in the Warooka District, south of Adelaide, in 1921. He cleared the land and farmed sheep and grain. In 1923 he shipped his own wool and grain from Marion Bay, having first carted 300 bags of the barley grain, 12 bags at a time, along the unmade track to the jetty. A photograph donated to Flagstaff Hill, dating about 1929 - 1942, shows two men on the Reginald M, holding between them their fishing catch of a large hammer shark. The photograph is stamped “GRENFELL STUDIO PORT LINCOLN PRINT” and titled “hammer shark caught on Reginald M”. The donor’s family lived on the Your Peninsular and dispatched their grain from a chute at Gleeson’s Landing to the awaiting transport vessel. Reg knew the Murch Brothers from Port Adelaide. The brothers had been using their ketch REGINALD M to ship Guano from the Islands, led by Captain Richard Murch. Reg approached them in 1934 about shipping grain from Marion Bay. The brothers visited the bay and thought it was an ideal place. They showed Reg where to stack his grain and they measured up the cliffs. When Reg was ready, they brought down and installed a ninety foot wooden chute. The bags of grain were then individually sent down the chute, landing in a waiting small boat then rowed to REGINALD M, 14 bags at a time. After 10 hours REGINALD M would be fully loaded with 1300 bags of grain and shipped to waiting ports. At one time a wild storm destroyed the chute but it was rebuilt and strengthened. REGINALD M was involved in shipping the grain from there until 1938. In 1940 Able Seaman Allan H Lucas served on Reginald M between September and December, being engaged and discharged from Port of Adelaide. His Certificate of Discharge was signed by ship’s Master W S Murch. It seems that at some stage Reginald M was used as a Customs vessel, as one photograph in Flagstaff Hill’s collection shows “H.M.C. No. 3, Pt Adelaide” on the bow. In 1969 the last freight left Marion Bay on the ketch REGINALD M carrying grain, wool and explosives. In late 1970 she was sold to the Mt. Lyell Mining and Railway Company and was used by them as a barge to carry explosives. In 1972 the Navy League of Strahan, Tasmania, purchased her for use by the Strahan Sea Cadet Unit to use at Macquarie Harbour and renamed her T.S. Macquarie. However this plan for use of Reginald M did not come to pass. In 1974 Mr. Andrew Rennie, of East Brighton, Melbourne, bought her for a similar purpose. , paying $5,000 and donating a ‘Cadet of the Year” trophy to the Sea Cadets. He sailed her from Strahan to Melbourne, planning to use her for pleasure sailing. In 1975 Reginald M was sold to Melbourne Ferry Company at auction. Later in 1975 the Reginald M was bought by Flagstaff Maritime Museum for $20,000 . She has been restored and is now one of the exhibits in the Village lagoon or lake. It was restored in 2006 using funds from a $4,000 government grant. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s Collection holds several other artefacts associated with Reginald M. They include photographs of the Reginald M, including one photograph of her in Outer Harbour, S.A. dated 1947, with Skipper- R.F. Dale and Owner- John Murch. Another shows her docked at Port Adelaide, with the lettering H.M.C. No. 3 Pt ADEL (standing for His or Her Majesty’s Customs). The stove is significant as it represents the heating and cooking appliances used in late 19th and early 20th century, both on board vessels as well as for domestic purposes. The stove has additional significant for its association with the vessel "REGINALD M" a coastal trading ketch from South Australia built in 1922 at Largs Bay. It is one of very few sailing coastal trading vessels built in Australia with its flat bottom, single chine shape designed for navigating shallow water. See additional comments in the Production section this documents under Comments for further information regards the stove. Stove a cast-iron, rectangular, four-legged stove with a hinged front door. This stove was part of the original furnishings of the vessel 'Reginald M', built in Adelaide 1922. Image of a log cabin with an illegible inscription below it.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, coastal trader, trading vessel, vessel reginald m, ketch, john murch ship builder, reg webb, carribie station, mt lyell copper company, queenstown navy league, andrew rennie, melbourne ferry company, r.f. dale, port adelaide vessel reginald m, macquarie training vessel, grenfell studio port lincoln, stove, domestic heating, domestic cooking, heater, cooking unit, wood fired stove, wood stove, wood-burning stove

Charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within The Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. These cards illustrate the rules for different type of Members and the suggested Intercession. These cards hold historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the membership types of the Ladies' Harbour Lights' Guild organization and how each member (according to membership) contributed to charity. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers as well as attending social events. Small creamy colour membership card typed in blue ink. Font is for the name of the member and her branch. On the back rules and the suggested Intercession.missions to seamen institute, williamstown, port melbourne, rules for members, ladies' harbour lights guild, australian wharf, school branches, membership

Amy Neville Brown (1882-1974) was a longlife member of the Mission to Seafarers ladies' Committees: 1910 - Amy is first mentioned in our records as LHLG branch secretary for Elsternwick. (from diaries written by her and her sister Beatrice during 1909-1913 and held at the Glen Eira Historical Society, Amy tells she attends “kirk” with Miss Godfrey about once a month and each time they go to the “Institute” afterwards.) 1918 - 1922 sees Amy as “Schools secretary” LHLG. 1933 - Miss A N Brown becomes Honorary Secretary of the LHLG. 1946 – LHLG becomes “Harbour Lights Guild”. 1949 – Dora Simpson is president of HLG & Amy Brown is Honorary Secretary. 1957 – Amy retires as Honorary Secretary of the HLG. Other interests: 1933 - Amy founded the Victorian Aboriginal Group along with Valentine Alexa Leeper (1900-2001). She acted as Hon. Sec. to the VAG for 40 years until its winding up in 1971 8 boxes of papers related to their activities are held at the SLV under Amy’s name (with Val Leeper). 1950 - Amy was a member of the YWCA 1963 – she was president of the Agnes Benson Auxiliary of the YWCA. Amy’s parents were Andrew Howden Brown & Catherine Marianne (Kitty) Wight. She had 2 brothers: Charles John Brown, Edward Byam Brown & 3 sisters: Jean Constance Brown (1884-1973), Catherine Philpott Brown (1886-1980), Grace *Beatrice Brown (1889-1984) who was also a member of the Mission's ladies' committee. None of 4 sisters married, they lived all their lives in Elsternwick. Edward Byam Brown was an academic at Melbourne University rising to become Ass. Prof. of Electrical Engineering by the 1950s. He married Vera Scantlebury in 1926 – they had 2 children. Amy’s maternal grandparents were Edward Byam Wight and Catherine Philpott. Both arrived in Melbourne in the early 1840s. Edward Wight is included on Thomas Chuck’s collage of early Victorian pioneers. Anne Jackson has written a short biography of Catherine’s brother, William Philpott, which includes a paragraph on Edward Wight. Catherine’s youngest son, Neville Wight, became a solicitor living at Woodend. He married Grace Rutherford – Mrs Neville Wight was a member of our Executive Committee from 1929 to 1933. Neville Wight’s obituary states that “he served his articles with … the firm of Moule & Seddon”. The principal of this firm was W H Moule, well known judge and cricketer. His son, also W H Moule, was Honorary Secretary of MtSV Executive Committee for 20 years until his retirement in 1958. was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild ( Honorary General Secretary in the 30s) then the Flying Angel League. She passed away in September 1974. A protege and friend of the Godfreys and Ina Higgins she actively assisted in setting up school branches of LHLG and eventually became a leading member in the 1930s.The window made by Tony Hall along with this plaque were dedicated in 1976. Amy Neville Brown had a lifelong association with the Mission and other philanthropic and social causes. Small plaque mounted on wooded board.In memory of Amy Brown For her lifetime of devoted service to the Mission 26th September, 1974amy brown, plaque, memorial, flying angel club, lhlg, amy neville brown (1882-1974), victoria aboriginal group (1933-1971), vag, val leeper, valentina alexa leeper (1900-2001)

Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith has two memorial plaques at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria. One in the the Mission's club room and this one in the Chapel of Saint Peter. He served as Senior Chaplain from 1905 to 1924 through a considerable period of upheaval including the building of two Missions between 1906 and 1917. For more information see 0639 an invitation to the laying of the foundation stone, 0704 a photograph of Reverend Goldsmith and his wife as well as the Mission's annual report from 1925 or contact the curator.Rev'd Gurney Goldsmith arrived in Australia in 1905, an experienced missionary with the intention of establishing a branch of the London Mission to Seamen. After a public meeting organised by the Victorian Mission to Seamen he entered into an amalgamation forging formal links with London, enabling a continuation of the services to seafarers, first commenced in 1857. Goldsmith also conceived the formation of an auxiliary, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, which was to play a significant role in support of the Mission and seafarers.Long rectangular brass plaque mounted to brick wall.To the glory of God and in loving memory of Rev. Alfred Gurney Goldsmith M.A. Chaplain 1905 to 1924reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, brass, plaque, memorial, chapel, hong kong, kobe, melbourne, lhlg, seamen mission, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, chaplain

A 128-page book of printed matter, photographs, engravings and drawings. The hard cover is white with the title in gold lettering on the front. The dust-cover is also white with black lettering. Along the lower half of the cover, front and back, is a strip of six photos, three coloured and three black and white. 128 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 22 x 25 cm.non-fictionWharves to the World: The Development of Melbourne's World Trade Centre is a photographic chronicle of the history of the World Trade Centre and its surrounds. The book traces the journey of land and the buildings that occupied it - from its beginnings with the Wurundjeri people to its role as a trading hub in early Melbourne, then as the site of the modern-day World Trade Centre, and now as part of a flourishing residential and commercial Precinct. As with any major project The World Trade Centre has face its share of fêlures, but despite thèse it has become an integral part of the City. So it goes that was once home to swampland and the City morgue has been transformer into a Diamond of the Yarra River.yarra yarra tribe, early melbourne, world trade centre, melbourne, southbank, northbank, australian wharf, siddeley street, waterfront, amy zurrer, wurundjeri, spencer street bridge, north wharf, riverlee, wtc, wharf, harbor trust, sir john coode, harbour trust, little dock, polly woodside, wharfies, divers

Dora Walker, a member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild married H.P. Simpson on 14 February 1928. The wedding was celebrated at the Mission's chapel at 2.45pm. The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Sea men's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."2 original prints and a reprinted version depicting the St Peter chapel decorated with flowers for Dora Walker's wedding in 1928 wedding, dora walker, st peter chapel, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, flinders st, lhlg, dora simpson, 1928, valentine's day, amy dora walker, ladies harbour lights guild, malvern, reverend j.r. weller, molly walker, ella kendall, flowers

In January 1929, two parties were organised in the honour of the Wellers as they left Melbourne. Reverend Weller had been appointed assistant superintendent to the headquarters of the Missions to Seamen in London. They boarded the Osterley on the 22 January. Unfortunately Mrs Weller died in 1934. Many ladies on the photograph are yet to be identified. Refer to the identification numbers: 7 - Alexina Weller (nee Caley) (marked by red cross). 8 - Alice Sibthorpe Tracy 20 - Ethel Godfrey 23 - Dora walker Group portrait of the Ladies Harbour Light Guild in the cloister at the Mission to Seamen Flinders Street. Written in blue ink at the back: Farewell party in courtyard Missions to Seamen for Mrs Wellerlhlg, alexina weller (nee caley), dora walker, ethel augusta godfrey, alice sibthorpe tracy

In the minutes of the 21st meeting of the Victoria Mission to Seamen, held at the Harbour Trust Board Room on Thursday, 8th October 1925 , the Treasurer, Mr Perry reported that he had obtained a fresh lease of land of the Central Institute with an extra piece of land to be used for the future tennis court. The lease started on the 1st of January 1926 and was for 21 years. The tennis court was funded by the Hawtorn branch of Ladies Harbour Lights Guild.The tennis court was a feature of other missions overseas and it seems seamen were asking for one in Melbourne. It was in use until the mid fifties.Small silvertone photograph depicting four men working with horses are preparing the ground of the future tennis court. Behind is the Mission to Seafarers (chapel side) and the docks on the Australian Wharf. The photograph is glued to the photographic album with the caution belowBelow in white ink: Making the tennis courttennis court, weller album, 1926, garden, trees, horses, flinders street

A picnic organised on the first of January 1928 on the grounds of the Duckett family home, Riversdale in Hawthorn. (See Jottings 90, January 1928) Mr Duckett , an ironmaster and manufacturer. In 2017 a link with a Mrs Marjorie Duckett (nee Mclennan) in the late 20th C confirmed her role as secretary of the Altona Op Shop which provided funds to the Mission in the late 20th C. An image was also found in Ship to Shore newsletter of the MTSV.The Ducketts had links to the McLennan family also supporters of the Mission. Connections and memberships with both families identified in the records and Archive. This image links to just one of the the strong local networks of MTS supporters and their substantial residential properties made available to host seafarer events and for leisure outings. small B & W photograph mounted in album depicts grip of seafarers and Mission to seamen hosts posed for photograph on verandah of large house in Hawthorn circa 1920s.Inscription found on page below: see title entryflying angel league, picnics, outings, melbourne-missions-to-seamen, ladies' harbour lights guild, riversdale, hawthorn, lhlg, reverend reginald weller, edward duckett, fan album

Dora Walker (married 1928 taking the name Simpson) had a long association with the Mission as a member of the Ladies Harbour light guild. This image is similar to another image in the collection which depicts the garden of the Walker family where many fund-raising events and hosting of seafarers took place. Rev Weller dates the image to around mid to late 1920s. In the 1960s and 70s Dora was president of the LHLG which later merged with the Flying Angels. She was awarded the MBE for her services to the community in the 1970s. Dora's son David Simpson is a volunteer still iat MTS n the 21stC. The Walker and Simpson families are examples of long association and commitment supporting the Mission to Seafarers. As they are researched it is clear the stories of these families document not only support for the Mission but are also shown to have been significant contributors, leaders and donors to the broader Melbourne and Victorian community from the 19th Century and up to the present day. The photograph shows the garden in its early years.Group portrait depicting 4 men in suits standing (reverend Weller on the right), a man sitting on the grass, next to a woman in white summer dress (Dora Walker), sitting on a chair in front of the men. They are photographed outdoor probably in the mission's garden (in the background we can see the letters E-EX on a building wall, thought to be from the Extension Bond and Free Stores located next to the mission at the time)dora walker, reverend reginald weller, picnic, cadets, officers, lhlg, amy dora walker, dora simpson, mission's garden, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, ladies harbour lights guild, melbourne, lawn, grass, trees, plants, peppercorn tree, weller album, dora simpson nee walker

Reverend John Weller and his wife with young officers on the terrace of the Manse.Reverend Weller, his wife Alexina (nee Caley) and young sailors are posing on the terrace of the Mission, Flinders Street. In the background we can see the Harbour Bond Store with the inscription "-ne 770-" (Phone 7704).alexina weller (nee caley), officers, manse, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), terrace, weller album, 1926, verandah

The picture was possibly taken during the opening of the court.The 20s was the golden age of tennis around the world and its popularity was growing in Australia as well. It is unclear why it was decided to build a tennis court at the Mission but Reverend Weller, freshly arrived from the UK, probably saw the opportunity to entertain the benefactors and attract a younger generation to visit the Mission. And it was surely popular with the young ladies of the Harbour Light Guild. See pictures 0518 and 0521.Young unidentified tennis players (men and women) posing behind the net of the Mission to Seamen court.tennis court, sports, lhlg, seamen, officers, siddeley street, weller album, cadets, 1926

Picnic Picnics were one the events the Mission with the Ladies Harbour Light Guild would organise on regular basis. This was an opportunity for the sailors to enjoy some time off on the land, a time to play games and sports.Black and white photograph depicting sailors wearing suits and hats seated in two motor boats on the river. In the background on the right is the ship they might have just left to go to a picnic. On loose page 14Below on the album page is written: Boats going to picnic 1928.picnic, lhlg, sailors, seamen, yarra river, ship, melbourne, 1928, fan album, john reginald weller (1880-1969)

Captain Charles Ferguson was born in Scotland in 1813. He was the Master of the "Rajah" from 1838 to 1850 on voyages from England to Australia and vice versa. He became the First Chief Harbour Master for the port of Melbourne in 1852 after being the first Harbour Master and Water Police Officer in Geelong for 12 months. On the 5th of April 1841, the Rajah sailed with James Donovan M.D. as Surgeon Superintendent, and the Rajah sailed from Woolwich with 180 female convicts. The Rajah arrived on the 19th of July in Hobart, with 179 females (one died during the voyage) and 10 children. Miss Kezia Elizabeth Hayter was the matron on board. On page 28 of the "Sailing directions for Port Phillip, in the colony of Victoria including the ports of Melbourne and Geelong", a mention is made of the Mariner's Hospital and Floating Church soon to be established. There were discussions to built the hospital in Williamstown but instead the Government decided to build it in Melbourne. The Harbour Master and a commiittee decided to use the water police hulk, Emily, left unsold in 1856, to create a floating church: the Bethel was open in July 1857 with Reverend Kerr Johnston as Chaplain. Latrobe wrote a letter to Captain Cole in 1869, a few months after learning his death : "To Captain George Ward Cole † [from a draft in another’s hand] Clapham House, Lewes, Sussex, January 28th, 1869. My dear Captain Cole, Last mail will have taken out the sad intelligence of the death of our excellent old friend, Captain Ferguson. This will have been a terrible blow to his children and to his friends in the colony, who may have held reason to expect his early return to his home, with a not unreasonable prospect of ultimate restoration to health and activity. In the course of last October I went up to town with one of my children, mainly with the purpose of finding my way to Pinner, where he and Mrs. Ferguson were staying with an intimate friend. I found him in excellent health and spirits, and enjoying the prospect of a speeding resumption of the service to which he had devoted his best days, and upon the furtherance of which his entire energy was still directed. A week or two later Captain and Mrs. Ferguson went to Dover for change of air, and being still under the impression received from the advisers by whom they had been guided during their residence at a hydropathic establishment at Matlock, felt encouraged to plan almost immediate return to the colony by the Jerusalem early in December. However, certain misgivings in the mind of a medical gentleman, then in England, under whose care Captain Ferguson had at one time placed himself in Williamtown, led them to consider it judicious before departure to take the advice of some surgeon of eminence in London. Accordingly they came up to town at the close of November. The first London practitioners they consulted shook their heads, and advised consultation with Sir Wm. Ferguson. The result was that amputation, without loss of time, was pronounced necessary. The rest is soon told. He received the painful intelligence with calmness and full resignation to God's will, and underwent the operation at King's College Hospital with exemplary firmness and Courage on the 28th of November. Perfect success seemingly attended it, and there seemed, humanly speaking, to be every prospect of a prompt cure and early convalescence; everything seemed in his favour. A few days later, however, all was clouded by symptoms of hospital fever (pyoe æm ia). This resisted all control, and finally carried him off on the 27th of December, just one month after the operation. He had lived a Christian life, and his death was the peaceful and resigned death of a Christian. It was a melancholy satisfaction to me to be able to join a few friends in following his remains to their resting place in one of the outlying London cemeteries on the last day of the year. You know Mrs Ferguson well, and will be prepared to hear me say that her whole conduct and demeanour throughout this period of suspense and bitter trial has been worthy of her high character and steadfast principle. Come what will, and happen what may, I have the fullest conviction that neither the widow nor the children will be forsaken, however doubtful and clouded the future may appear, in consequence of the irreparable loss which, they have sustained. And now, dear Captain Cole, it is possible that you may already have heard all this from other sources, but I have dictated it to you under strong impulse, for I feel assured that there is no member of the community in which you live who will more sincerely deplore the loss of Captain Ferguson on private grounds; at the same time that there is no one who, from long acquaintance with his official character and services, will be in a better position to estimate their real value or the loss which the colony has sustained. The circumstances in which Captain Ferguson's family are left not only demands the utmost display of sympathy and interest on the part of friends, but may call for decided and prompt action; therefore I cannot rest satisfied without discharging what I consider my duty, and seeking to strengthen your hands as far as I may in bringing the character of his long services before the existing colonial authorities. Of his private career previous to his entering the service of the Colonial Government in 1851 nothing need be said. Captain Ferguson was appointed as the Harbour Master at Geelong in April, 1851 – a few months before the separation of the colony from New South Wales. He there did excellent service in a variety of ways calculated to advance the interests of the port, and to introduce www.latrobesociety.org.au 27 order, where, from circumstances, but little order had hitherto prevailed. His was the first appointment of this class in that locality. The separation of the colony from New South Wales took place in the month of July following. Shortly after, the late Captain Bunbury resigned the Harbour Mastership of Port Phillip. Captain Ferguson was at once (February, 1852) appointed to succeed him, and from that time performed all duties of Chief Harbour Master of the colony. The previous year (May 1851) the first gold discoveries in New South Wales had taken place, and in the month of August those of our colony followed. At the time of Captain Ferguson’s taking charge of the Port of Melbourne their influence had begun to be fully felt, and in no department more seriously than in that of the Harbour Master. This is no place for statistical details, but they must bear me out in reminding you of a few facts connected with our late friend’s career. At the time of separation that department comprised only 30 individuals of all ranks, and when he took charge the number was much reduced. There were at that time, according to the returns, no fewer than 54 vessels, registering 26,785 tons, in Hobson’s Bay alone. The crews on arrival numbered 1,235 men. Of this number only 463 remained on board, 500 having deserted, and the rest having been discharged by arrangement or pure necessity. For the first six months after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office as Harbour Master the duties of Police Magistrate and Chief of the Water Police were superadded, and how much labour they involved may be surmised from the fact that from 1st of April to the 31st July, 1852, four months only, no less than 236 marine cases were brought before the bench at Williamstown - sometimes as many as 30 in a day. A year later (March 1853) the returns show that the number of vessels in the harbour in Hobson’s Bay alone were 91, tonnage 43,754; and passing on to the still later returns of May, 1853, two years after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office, we find from the records that the number of ships in port had increased to 129; tonnage, 63,292; crew on board on arrival, 2872, and at the date of report, 1628; the amount of desertions at that time having, however, proportionally diminished, in consequence of the abatement of the gold fever, caused by the non-success attendant upon the labours of thousands at the goldfields. The above numbers take no account of the large number of vessels and amount of tonnage lying at the wharves at Melbourne or elsewhere. From these figures alone it may be judged what must have been a struggle in which the Chief Harbour Master was engaged from the very outset to secure order, and answer the innumerable calls on every branch of his department, at the same time that there was for many months an almost complete impossibility of securing subordinate agency, such as boatmen, pilots, and police, at any price. But I may bear witness to the untiring diligence, energy, and self-devotion with which Captain Ferguson grappled with the difficulties of his position, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles which stood in his way. Ashore and afloat he was always ready, showing the same directness of purpose, intelligence, and forgetfulness of self. He shunned no responsibility, and turned his hand from no work, whether within or beyond the ordinary scope of his duty, which the hard necessity of the times forced the Government to bring under his notice. Already in 1852, when the overflowing of our gaol and stockade rendered the adoption of other methods of restraint absolutely necessary, and addition to the existing buildings could not be thought of, it was Captain Ferguson who first suggested the employment of hulks; and it was with his personal assistance and supervision, and under his unflagging energy, that the three first of these – the Success, the President, and the Sacramento – were purchased, fitted up, and made available for the purpose in view, and the rules and regulations for the employment and safety of the men afloat and ashore prescribed and carried out. He carried the same energy into every branch of his department, and his influence was soon apparent. His subordinates of every class became actuated by his spirit. As time moved on, the range of his duties, both ordinary and extraordinary, increased. In the formation of the quarantine station at the heads, in the management if not the erection of lighthouses, sailing directions, port and wharf regulations, buoys, signal stations, www.latrobesociety.org.au 28 steam dredging &c., he was the main and most active agent. The whole pilot establishment and regulations, men, and vessels, were under his charge; and when I left the colony in May, 1854, the entire range of ports outside Port Phillip Heads from Point Lonsdale to Portland, as well as that of Geelong had felt the influence of his intelligent supervision and care. The entire department of Chief Harbour Master, which I have numbered at the period of separation about thirty individuals, then numbered 230. The character of Captain Ferguson’s unbroken service during the fourteen years which have elapsed since I left the colony must be well known to the Government and the people he has served so long and so faithfully. I confine myself to recalling to mind those earlier, and what must have been the hardest and most difficult, period – none can know how difficult but those who were in that fierce struggle for the maintenance of order under so many disadvantages; and on this subject I have spoken advisedly and with reason, for I may truly say he worked under my own eye. I had sincere regard for the man, and just pride in the qualities of his heart, head, and hand. Whatever mistakes may have been made by the Government of the colony in those hard and difficult times (and I am quite ready to admit that there were many, especially if the past is to be judged by the light of the present), I never have hesitated in believing that, in appointing Captain Ferguson to the office he has so long filled, it was the right man in the right place. I shall be heartily rejoiced to find that the Government and inhabitants of the colony admit that this has been the case, and to learn that they have not forgotten the strong claims of one who has served them so long and so faithfully, and who, removed by God’s providence, so to say, in the maturity of his powers, has left a widow and young family behind him. I have done, I leave you to make use of this communication, or any portion of it, which you may think judicious and called for. There may be among Ferguson’s friends those who may not be sorry to be reminded of facts. By-the-bye, I may mention as a proof how completely Captain Ferguson’s mind was engrossed by devotion to his public duty, that while in Dover, only ten days before the operation, he took an opportunity to drag himself up into the lantern of the S. Foreland Lighthouse, and made a most careful scrutiny of the whole apparatus and arrangement, with a view of the adoption of any hint for the perfection of those under his charge in the colony. And now, goodbye. I trust this will find you in good health, and in comparative vigour. Believe me ever, dear Captain Cole, Yours very truly, C. J. La Trobe"The attempt for a floating church was made as early as 1853 following similar examples in London like the Seamen's Hospital. Captain Ferguson was instrumental in the foundation of the Bethel Church.Digital copies of the 37 pages ; 22 cm.1854, hobsons bay, geelong, melbourne, williamstown, sandridge, mariner's hospital, floating church, seamen's hospital, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), kezia elizabeth hayter (1818-1885), rajah quilt, prison hulks, water police, harbour master, harbor master, gaols