Historical information

This item is linked to the 'HMAS Encounter', possibly made on the ship c. 1913. In 1916 this ship visited a then unnamed island off the Western Australian coast, where the crew discovered two bronze cannons protruding from the sand. These cannons now in the WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle, have been linked to the "Mahogany Ship" legend by historian K.G. MacIntyre.
Cribbage is a very popular card game, particularly with naval personnel. This cribbage score board belonged to Alexander Charles Forsyth who used it aboard H.M.A.S. Encounter in 1913. He was a stoker, service number 3086, from New South Wales. H.M.A.S Encounter, the fourth warship of that name, was built at Devonport Dockyard, Tasmania, for the Royal Australian Navy in 1905. She was a second class protected cruiser and in 1909 was lent for three years to the British Admiralty. In 1913 (the year marked on this cribbage board) she was in New South Wales and Queensland waters and in World War One she served in the Pacific region, taking part in the capture of German New Guinea. She was finally scuttled in 1932.

Significance

Social significance: an example of leisure activities in early C20th. Historical significance: link to "Mahogany Ship" legend through H.M.A.S. Encounter.
This is an interesting item with social significance as cribbage was a popular game, particularly in the 20th century, and it illustrates the pastimes of a generation past. It was given to Warrnambool and District Historical Society by a Wangoom couple and so may have local significance if A.C. Forsyth was related to this couple. H.M.A.S. Encounter was important in Australia’s naval history.

Physical description

Rectangular brass plate with rows of holes, grouped in tens. Plate mounted with 5 brass studs to a rectangular wooden base. 134 holes in brass, grouped in tens. Three holes in each end of wooden base.
Board used for scoring made out of brass for game of cribbage
Burnished gold on playing surface
Reddish-brown on base
144 main indentations, 10 minor indentations

Inscriptions & markings

Machine engraved "A.C. Forsyth" (in script)/ "1913"/ "H.M.A.S. ENCOUNTER" across middle of the plate, between the rows of holes.