The Sea-Cell pamphlet was written by Captain Henry Moors of the Land Forces Signal & Torpedo Corps. In the pamphlet Captain Moors investigates the theory that the zinc case of the torpedo, the iron hull of Cerberus and the sea water combined to form a sea-cell. (battery) Captain Moors investigates whether this sea-cell could have resulted in a current being produced that was strong enough to detonate the torpedo.

Eleven page pamphlet measuring 137 mm x 215 mm exploring the possibility that the Cerberus torpedo accident was caused by a Sea-Cell effect.

sea-cell torpedo

ammunition

Photograph depicting Peter Ratley aka Peter Searle and his Victorian Navy colleagues standing in front of a tall building with two torpedoes on a trolly in front of them.

Photograph depicting Peter Ratley aka Peter Searle and his Victorian Navy colleagues standing in front of a tall building with two torpedoes on a trolly in front of them.

X over Peter Ratley aka Peter Searle

victorian navy victorian naval forces torpedoes

One inch Nordenfelt machine guns were used on board vessels of the Victorian Navy to combat the torpedo boats. One inch, as opposed to the .45 inch, Nordenfelt guns used by the Land Forces could penetrate the boilers of torpedo boats and thereby stop them.

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A replica 1870 Victorian flag made of polyester.

1870 victorian flag, victorian flag

Represents the Victorian Navy in 1888. Reproduction of original painting by Arthur Victor Gregory.

Reproduction of the original held by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

The painting depicts HMVS Cerberus, HMVS Nelson and one of the P&O Mail Steamers.

Of great significance as the colour scheme of Cerberus and Nelson is shown.

Original oil painting by George Frederick Gregory.

G F Gregory 72

victorian navy, hmvs cerberus, hmvs nelson

A blank Victorian Naval Forces Discharge Certificate used when a member of the Victorian Naval Forces left.

Only known copy of a blank certificate with the stub that was retained by the Navy.

Piece of paper with fields to fill in.

victorian navy victorian naval forces discharge certificate

A 14 pounder shell casing manufactured for the two prototype guns used by the Victorian Navy. Unlike the later Mk I and M II 14 pounders which used separate components the ammunition for the prototype guns was assembled into one fixed piece and crimped together.

Only a handfull of these sheels are known to exist as later 14 pounder guns used separate shell casing and projectiles.

Cylindrical shell casing made of brass.

On base - "N"

nordenfelt shell case, ammunition

This fixed round was unique in that it could only be fired from two guns produced by Maxim-Nordenfelt as prototype guns. Subsequent guns were loaded with a separate projectile and shell casing. The 14 pounder Quich Firing (QF) guns were acquired for use on the armed commercial steamer SS Courier. While not in use they were used at Fort Queenscliff before being returned to the Victorian Navy. The guns were then fitted to HMVS Nelson and then HMVS Cerberus in 1897. In 1900 they were fitted to field gun carriages and accompanied the Victorian Naval Contingent to China.

Cylindrical steel projectile with conical nose.

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ammunition

Nordenfelt Six pounder quick firing guns were used by land and naval forces to counter torpedo boats.

The projectile and its shell casing are of the type and age used by the Victorian Naval Forces but could equally have been used by the land forces.

Cylindrical steel shell with cone shaped nose.

On side - "H/88"

common shell, hotchkiss, 6 pounder, ammunition

Mk III palliser shot was intended to be fired from the main guns of HMVS Cerberus.

Only know shot from HMVS Cerberus.

Cylindrical steel projectile with pointed nose.

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palliser shot, ammunition

Epaulette with gold.

10 inch, Mk II, Steel Common Shell

On side - "21/D 7 C/96" On Base - "[1]0 IN II/[C] s/R.L.

shell, common, common shell, mk ii, ammunition

Metal box with handle and broken catch designed to hold two shoulder epaulettes.

Engraving on lid - "A.M.T."

epaulettes, metal box

Epaulette with gold braid and anchor insignia.

Underside - "W.CHORLEY/OUTFITTER/SYDNEY,/N.S.W.

navy, epaulette

The Torpedo Manual was created in 1889 presumably as part of the training program of the Victorian Naval Torpedo Corps.

This item is significant partly because some of the information in the manual is not found elsewhere but also as it the only known copy of this manual. The manual is also evidence that a more professional approach to training was undertaken by the Victorian Naval Forces after the mid 1880s. Gunner/Instructor Corkle's of the Port Melboune Naval Brigade written in the manual is evidence of the manual's strong provenance.

Victorian Naval Forces Manual printed in 1889 with 62 pages with a burgandy cover. Two sections:- Part 1 - Whitehead Torpedos and their component parts used in the Victorian Naval Forces. Part 2 - Electrical section describing firing circuits, cells, fuzes, dynamoes, search lights.

Inside front cover - "Jno. Co[orkle] /Gunner & Instructor/oPort Melbourne Division/of/Naval Brigade/Port Melbourne/ January 1890." Inside back cover - "J Corkle GI/P.M.B. of N.B./January 1890"

whitehead, torpedo, manual, torpedo corps.

Nordenfelt Six pounder quick firing guns were used by land and naval forces to counter torpedo boats.

The projectile and its shell casing are of the type and age used by the Victorian Naval Forces but could equally have been used by the land forces.

Cylindrical brass tube closed at base and open at other end.

victorian naval forces, victorian navy, nordenfelt quich firing gun, ammunition