Historical information

A surveyors chain is actually a thin steel band on a reel and is used for accurate measurements.
This 110 yard [101m] chain is subdivided every 10 links [2.2 yards or 2m]

Significance

Items belonged to J P Larkin Government marine surveyor who worked on surveys up to 1938. He worked in Port Phillip and Queenscliff related surveys [e.g. Western channel, Queenscliff channel].

Physical description

Survey tape on metal reel in leather bag with other articles: plumb bobs, number pegs, drawing instruments in box and steel punches

Inscriptions & markings

Made by A.E. Parsons surveying instruments, 215 Queen Street Melbourne

Subjects

References

  • The Isa is significant as one of a few Asian built wrecks in Victorian waters Listed as Powder hulk in 1938 Survey of West Channel (Larkin 1938) In spite of an exhaustive search, no record of the Iza has been located. A wreck of that name appeared on J.P.Larkin's Survey of the West Channel, 1938 and it seems almost certain that he mis-spelt the name. The evidence suggests that the powder hulk was the Isa, which was broken up in 1928 when the register closed and part of the remains used for a powder hulk. The Isa was a wooden, 2-masted schooner that traded between Melbourne and Geelong from the 1850s.The last located record of this trade is in 1877.The schooner foundered in Corio Bay on 4 June 1871, but was later refloated. The Marine Board Inquiry found charge of wilful damage against the master William Veale, not sustained. William Cowper, a well known lighter agent, and James Balfour were the owners at the time.