Historical information

This cup, saucer and plate are part of a tea set. It was given by Eva Carmichael, a survivor of the ship Loch Ard which was wrecked near Port Campbell in 1878, to Jane Shields, the young woman who supported her while she was recovering from her ordeal at Glenample homestead at Princetown. The two women remained friends after Eva Carmichael returned to her home in Britain and was married. Jane Shields also married and it was when her daughter visited Eva in England that she was given the tea set to take back home to her mother. Jane died in 1932 and Eva died in 1934 and the tea set was inherited by Jane’s daughters. In 1975 Jane’s daughter, Mrs Ann Fuller, donated a cup, saucer and plate to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The handle of the cup was mended.

Significance

These items (cup, saucer and plate) are of high significance as they are closely connected to the wreck of the Loch Ard, and one of the two survivors, Eva Carmichael. Memorabilia connected to Eva Carmichael are precious and rare.

Physical description

These china items (cup, saucer and plate) are coloured royal blue and gold.
.1 The cup has a gilt rim on the cup edge and base. There is a small crack on the side of the cup and the handle has been broken and mended.
.2 The saucer is glazed on both sides with a small fault in the middle. It has a gilt band on the inner rim.
.3 The plate is glazed on both sides with some evidence of scratching on the plate surface. It has a gilt edge.