Historical information

The subject item a multi tube boiler was made at the Johnson Tyne Foundry that also specialised in manufacturing many different types of foundry items. In addition the building of small vessels the most notable being the Lady Loch, a Yarra river ferry. Manufacture commenced on August 29, 1884 and when completed provided much needed access for passengers and vehicles over the Yarra River between the City and South Melbourne, crossing from Spencer Street to Clarendon Street.
The foundry was established by John Currie Johnson who had arrived in Melbourne in 1853 and worked at Langlands Foundry before establishing his own company around 1873. There was a description of the foundry in The Age in October 1883 stating.
(The extensive works of this firm are situated to the west of Wright and Orr's docks, on the South bank of the Yarra. The area of ground is 2 acres 1 rood 4 perches, of which about 1 acre is covered with buildings. The latter comprise a carriage building shop, wagon shop, boiler yard and shed, shipbuilding yard, smiths' Boiler shop, engineers' shop, forge shop and pattern shop. The average number of men employed during the year is 300 a week, the  wages sheet being about £800 per week ). 
Apart from the ferry the foundry built other vessels including the steam boat Sprightly (1875); the tug Pelican (1880) and the sand dredge, Pioneer (1949). The Foundry also supplied the wrought iron work on the Eastern Market, which opened December 1879,  built mining equipment and portable steam engines. John died in 1903 aged 77. His son, James Ritchie Johnson, later managed the Foundry. He died in 1945 aged 87, John Currie Johnson had a numerous other sons 13 in total.  The foundry closed about 1970.

Significance

A significant item that gives a snapshot into early Melbourne industrial history by a foundry that built the first ferry over the Yarra river in 1883. Also a company that made many differing types of iron work that are still around today.

Physical description

Boiler, Colonial Underfired Multi tubular boiler

Inscriptions & markings

Johnson & Co Boilermakers South Melbourne'