Historical information

Due to the interest of a public works inspector, James Gilroy, who in 1890 dug in the 'ship's remains' of a wreck now known as the Mahogany Ship, Ancient Wreck, Gold Ship, or Ancient Vessel, three relics were located. Two of these objects, a bronze bolt and an iron latch, are part of Flagstaff Hill’s collection of shipwreck artefacts. The third object was a heavily oxidised ‘quantity of ironwork’.

- The iron latch was possibly from a galley oven door or fireplace
- The bronze bolt, spike or pin

Both the bolt and latch are listed on the same page in the records of the Old Warrnambool Museum, and noted that they were found by K.A.G. (or H.A.G.) on the site of the Ancient wreck in 1890. Interestingly, another item in these records is ‘Notes on Ancient wreck, near Gorman’s Lane’. Gorman’s Lane is just inland from the sand dunes of the Coastal Reserve at Tower Hill. The current location of these Notes is unknown.

The Museum opened in 1886 and continued until 1963, when it was closed by the Warrnambool City Council and the whole collection was put into storage. The council then transferred items to various places, including Flagstaff Hill and the current Warrnambool Art Gallery. Flagstaff Hill’s early Accession Records book lists the items as being received from the Old Warrnambool Museum collection; the Latch is record 152 and the Pin is record 153.

An article, ‘Birthplace of our History’ by Don Dean, is on file in the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. It was published in the Australian POST, on March 17, 1955. This article describes the findings of the items going back to 1890, along with other information about sightings of what has come to be known as the Mahogany Ship.

The mystery of the Mahogany Ship began in 1836 when two shipwrecked sealers discovered the remains of an “ancient vessel” in the sand dunes about four miles west of Warrnambool. Since the last recorded sightings in the 1880’s the true origin of the Mahogany Ship has remained one of Australia’s most famous historical mysteries. One of the more recent theories is that the vessel was one of the Portuguese ships exploring the Australian coast in 1522. For over one hundred years, searchers have attempted to locate and identify the wreck. The search continues for the tangible evidence which will once and for all establish the Mahogany Ship’s place in Australia’s History.

Significance

The bolt has local historic significance as it was found in the sand dunes of Warrnambool in 1890.
The bolt is also significant for being part of the original 1886 Warrnambool Museum's collection.
The bolt is significant for its possible link to one of Victoria’s and Australia’s maritime mysteries, the Mahogany Ship (also known as the Ancient Wreck). It is one of the very few known relics that could give evidence of the existence and history of the vessel. The ship is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register S438 as it is one of Victoria’s oldest recorded shipwrecks. The identity of the vessel has the potential to change Australia’s history.

Physical description

Bolt, also referred to as spike or pin. Bronze bolt, round body with head on one end that has straight sides, tapers to a point at the other end.