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SPECIAL HISTORIC ITEMS

The Queenscliff Maritime Museum collection includes a number of items which of significance to the heritage of Queenscliffe, Port Phillip and the early settlement of Victoria.

Click on the headings below to view details of these items.

Read about the following items on this page:

  • Torpedo Boat HMVS Lonsdale

  • Fisherman's Waiting Shed

  • Fisherman's Cottage

  • Shandon Deckhouse - Crew Quarters

TORPEDO BOAT HMVS LONSDALE

Classified as an historic vessel and protected by the Victorian Heritage Act 1995, the hulk of the HMVS Lonsdale is buried in the grounds of the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.

Built in 1883 in Chiswick, England, the Lonsdale was commissioned for the defence of Victoria to counteract possible invasion by Russia or France.  Along with her sister ship the Nepean, HMVS Cerberus and the first class torpedo boat Countess of Hopetoun, the Lonsdale was part of Victoria’s first Navy in a 'first line of defence' for colonial Victoria.  The fortifications at Point Nepean, Fort Queenscliff, South Channel Fort and Popes Eye were also part of this defence.

By 1912 the Lonsdale was obsolete and withdrawn from service.  She was eventually beached as a breakwater behind the houses in Beach Street Queenscliff.  From the early 1930s the flow of water in and from Swan Bay was altered by the development of the 'Cut'.  Over time the Lonsdale became buried due to the build up of sand resulting from this and other changes to the harbour.  The hulk location is now a considerable distance from the seashore which continues to change due to shifting sands around the harbour and ferry terminal.

A dig by Heritage Victoria and Queenscliff Harbour Pty Ltd in March 2006 ascertained that the conning tower and part of the hull are still in place but part of the bow had been removed some years previously, as local history suggested. The Maritime Museum wished to excavate the stern however funding was not available to undertake this work and the remains have been re-buried.

An interpretive display about the Lonsdale has been erected over the site of the hulk.

A page for the colonial Victorian Navy is under development and will appear on this site soon. Meanwhile more information is available at the Friends of the Cerberus website at www.cerberus.com.au

Further details of Lonsdale and Countess of Hopetoun may be found on the Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria website.

The heritage listing can be viewed on the Heritage Victoria website at HMVS Lonsdale.

FISHERMEN’S WAITING SHED

Originally erected on the old fishermen’s pier in the 1870s, the building was used as a shelter or waiting shed by Queenscliff fishermen.  In 1895 local fisherman Henry Zanoni began to paint many of the vessels that entered Port Phillip on the inside walls of the shed.  He continued his painting as a hobby over the next 51 years.

For many years the waiting shed had a collection box fixed to one wall and the money which was collected was sent to the Geelong Hospital.  Consequently, Henry Zanoni was presented with a Life Membership certificate by the Hospital.

When the pier was demolished in the 1950s the waiting shed was relocated to the edge of the creek near the slipway.  Some years later it was again relocated to Lower Princes Park.

When the Maritime Museum was established in the 1980s the waiting shed found a permanent home in the Museum grounds and has since been classified by the National Trust. 

The heritage listing can be viewed on the Heritage Victoria website at Fishermen's Waiting Shed.

FISHERMAN’S COTTAGE

The cottage was built in Bridge Street Queenscliff by Thomas Ikin, a professional fisherman who was born in Tasmania in 1840 and came to live in Queenscliff some time before 1870 .  This 2-roomed cottage built around 1870-1880s was home to Thomas, his wife Anna who was the local midwife, and three children.

The cottage was moved from Bridge Street to the Museum grounds in 1990.  At restoration much original material was left intact but the roof, some weatherboards and studs were replaced and the fireplace and chimney rebuilt. Where possible original building materials were used in the restoration.  During this work newspaper used as insulation was found between the weatherboards and lining boards.  The earliest newspaper date found was 1886.

Anne Ikin, granddaughter of Thomas, was a frequent visitor to the cottage.  On 19 September 1990, aged 89 years, Anne described the furnishings and paint colours to us and also discussed life in the cottage with three children, Obadiah (Anne’s father), John and Alicia. 

Based on Anne's description of the cottage furniture and household items typical of the period and the simple lifestyle of the local fishing families have been placed in the cottage.  Most of these items have been donated by local people.  Museum volunteers sourced materials and made furnishings which emulate the styles of the period.

The cottage provides an insight into the early social history of Queenscliff and the living conditions of the fishermen in those times.  Many comparable buildings can be found in the Fishermen’s Flat precinct which is adjacent to the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.

SHANDON DECKHOUSE - CREW QUARTERS

The Shandon was an iron sailing ship of 1397 tons, with dimensions – length 245.9 feet, beam 37.8 feet and draught of 21.3 feet.  Built in 1883 at Port Glasgow she had a chequered career as a trader for nearly 40 years.  She was converted to a lighter until the end of WWI then re-rigged as a barque and spent the next four years trading across the Pacific Ocean. In 1922 she was in use as a coal hulk in Adelaide. During WWII she was a coal hulk in Townsville.

Shandon had one moment of glory in 1934 when she was involved in Victoria’s 100th anniversary celebrations.  The photo at left was taken on that occasion and is held by the State Library of Victoria. Shandon returned to Melbourne sometime in 1961 and was broken up at Coode Island in that year.

In need of some restoration, the Shandon will eventually open as a public display.


Page last updated 22/03/2012  
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