Upper Deck, P.S. Gem

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Upper deck on P.S. Gem, at the Swan River Pioneer Settlement.

THE WHEELHOUSE

The nature of river travel on the ever changing Murray River required that the Captain have good visibility in order to guide his vessel through the pitfalls of snags, changing river levels and sand bars. From his perch high up in the wheelhouse the captain could pilot his boat secure in the knowledge that he had the best possible view–even if the foredeck was piled high with cargo. The broad decks fore and aft of the wheelhouse and accommodation on this level were also favourite spots for passengers. Overhead frames could be fitted with canvas shades on hot sunny days.

MURRAY RIVER CHART

The original Murray River charts were individually sketched by each captain based on his knowledge and experience in navigating the river. He would use India ink on cotton or linen materials and would map out features and topography for the appropriate length of the river. The map would then be rolled up like a scroll and unrolled as the boat progressed along different parts of the river. Survey bench marks, islands, snags and buildings would be added to the map by the Captain in order to assist in navigation. This section of a map shows part of the River Murray between Swan Hill and Boundary Bend; approximately 85 river miles (140 kilometres) downriver.

Down to Middle Deck

Down to Middle Deck.

Middle Deck, P.S. Gem

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iddle deck on P.S. Gem, at the Swan River Pioneer Settlement.

From panel:
ART GALLERY
As part of the process of converting the PS Gem to an Art Gallery, all of the dividing bulkheads between the cabins along this row were removed. This gave a single large space which could be used for exhibitions. However, like the dividers in an egg box, the bulkheads also served a structural purpose and their removal meant that this deck of the vessel was largely open causing the vessel to change shape.

BATHROOMS
As “Queen of the Murray”, the Gem was expected to provide a level of luxury beyond that of the “ordinary’ boat. One of the elements of luxury which passengers could experience on the Gem was in the row of bathrooms and toilet facilities on either side of the main passenger deck.

Although the water wasn’t plumbed, crew members would bring buckets of hot water up from the boiler room and passengers | could luxuriate in a hot bath.
It was, however, still the Murray River water and, given that the toilets simply emptied straight out into the river, as did every other paddle steamer using it, there was no guarantee of the water’s cleanliness.

To upper deck

Into Music Saloon

Into cabin

To Upper deck

To Lower deck

Produce Wagon, Echuca, Victoria

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Larger version

Port of Echuca Discovery Centre

From information panel:

Produce Wagon
This very significant van is one of 71 box vans built at Newport Workshops in 1893 with a solid timber door and a barred door to provide ventilation when carrying fruit or vegetables. These vans were the last design of H class box van on Victorian Railways, and only remained in their intended use for a relatively short time.

Read more

Water Cart, Horse-drawn

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This water cart has two points of interest on the back. On the left is an information panel and on the right is an opening that lets you look inside.

The panel says:

This water cart was used at the Tasmania Mine to spray the mine year to rest the dust. The driver could operate the release valves with a foot lever.

The draught horse pulling the cart must have been a powerful animal as the tank held amost a tonne (1000kg) of water!

Inside

Charlie Napier Hotel, Sovereign Hill

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This is one of two hotels in the main street of Sovereign Hill (open air museum & replica gold fields town). The other one, with less photos, is across the road.

Picture of original hotel.


Door to the right leads into the bar.


Two rooms off to the side. I presume they are parlours (one for men, one for women).


Two bedrooms upstairs, the first with one bed (one photo) and the other with four beds (two photos)


Also upstairs is a Masonic Hall.

Concord model thorough-brace coach

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Larger image.

At the National Museum of Australia (database record, has more photos).

The accompanying panel says:

Concord model thorough-brace coach 1860-80
This coach may have been manufactured by Cobb and Co. at its Charleville coachworks in Queensland or by a smaller company in the Gunnedah area of New South wales. It was used on Robert Nowland’s Gunnedah to Coonabarabran mail run, probably the 1870s. At first this 100-kilometre route followed a rough bush track, if the coach got bogged or the road was too steep for the four-in-hand horse term, passengers had to get out and walk. In 18880, just after the railway reached Gunnedah, the government built a good road between the two towns. Nowland was granted persimmons to use the road in 1882 and it proved a lucrative route. If the weather was fine, the new route took 12 hours, with tree stops along the way to change horses.

Trunk about 1900
When the coach was acquired by the Museum in 1980 this wooden trunk came with it. The tray on the rear of the coach, known as the ‘boot’, was used for luggage, as was the roof. Goods were sometimes stowed under the seats and could bang passengers’ legs on rough stretches of road.


Inside.

Susannah Place, Sydney

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Larger version

Susannah Place Museum (also here) is a row of four working-class terraces built in 1844. Rather than being “lovingly restored”, each room reflects different occupants from the terrace’s 150 year history.

Most of these photos are external. There don’t seem to be many internal photos online either.
Middle room of No. 62 (1970s) & basement kitchen of 58
Video about basement of No. 58
Kitchen of No. 60 (1940s Greek family)
Shop at No. 64


There are two rooms upstairs, two living rooms on the ground floor and a basement, where the kitchen was originally located.


No. 64, at the end, is a corner shop.


xxx


Two of the terraces have wooden kitchen additions on the back.


Rear of No. 64.


Lean-to typed kitchen addition. (Probably No. 64)


Back living room connected to above kitche.


Rear of No. 62.


xxx


Basement. Fairly sure this is No. 62. Its not No. 58.


Rear of No. 60

Light Weight Air Warning (LW/AW) Radar

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Larger image

At the Australian War Memorial.

“The LW/AW set was developed in 1942 in Australia by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (later CSIRO) Radiophysics Laboratory in response to the need for a portable air defence radar station that could be readily deployed in northern Australia, New Guinea and the islands to Australia’s north.”
Read more (and better photo).

Powder Magazine, Beechworth

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Larger image

“Built in 1860 to store the gunpowder used in goldmining, the powder magazine was designed to minimise the risk of exploding. Only copper fittings were used, an elaborate lightning rod was fitted and people entering had to wear special shoes. Should an explosion have occurred, the design of the build would direct the blast safely upwards. The magazine was closed in 1918 and fell into decay. The roof was removed to stop vagrants sleeping there and it was almost demolished. The National Trust restored the building in 1966.”

“Beechworth Powder Magazine was constructed in 1859 by T Dawson and Company. In 1857 the Victorian Government passed an act to regulate the importation, carriage and custody of black powder which led to the construction of several Powder Magazines throughout Victoria. According to the National Trust, the Beechworth Powder Magazine is the best example in Victoria of this particularly important building type.

The architecture of the building features a classical style in the tradition of the early colonial military buildings. It is constructed in local granite and includes sever safety precautions within the structure which directs a potential explosion upwards to minimise damage.

The Powder Magazine was no longer being used by the end of the 19th century and was officially closed in 1918 and abandoned. Neglected for many years, the building was left to decline until the 1960’s when local interest was raised and a restoration process began. In 1965, the project was formally adopted by the National Trust and opened to public access.”

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“Windows.”

Narryna, Battery Point, Hobart

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This series of photos is from an “1830s merchant’s house” in Hobart. There is more information here, including a site plan and a visitor’s guide (PDF) with a description of each of the rooms.

I have broken my photos up by room/part of the house, and linked them below.

1 Entrance Hall
2 Drawing Room
3 Dining Room
4 Guest Bedroom
5 Breakfast Room
6 Back Hall
7 Kitchen
8 Landing
9  Exhibition Rooms
10 Nursery
11 Bedroom
12 Hall & Dressing Room
13 Servants Quarters
14 Pantry
15 Laundry
Courtyard