Historical information

The Joseph H Scammell sailed from New York on 13th January 1891 bound For Melbourne Australia.
On 7th May 1891 she hit rough weather outside Port Phillip Bay, and hit the reef 400 metres off Port Danger, at Torquay. The people on board were rescued the next day but the ship broke up and cargo and goods were strewn along the foreshore. An auction of goods was conducted by Burns and Sparrow and this dish was purchased by Edwin Molyneaux, one of the Founding Fathers of Torquay, and donated by his Great Grand daughter

Significance

This item was rescued from the only shipwreck off Torquay. The focus of this wreck has formed part of Torquay's history and folklore

Physical description

A solid rectangular clear cut glass dish, part of collection from the Joseph H. Scammell.

Inscriptions & markings

Original Note of unknown author "off /Joseph H/Scammell/May7th 1891