HYDROMETER - SIKES PROOF SCALE

1924 - 1981
Overview

Clear glass tube, lower part has a bulb filled with lead shot, waisted to a cylindrical chamber approximately 55mm above then narrows to a long hollow tube with a graduated scale within.
The scale at the bottom has the letter [W] then from 90 to [P] above this the scale rises to 70 at the top.

Historical information

In 1894 business partners, and later brothers-in-law, Martin Jull and Mitchell Stewart started a vineyard in the hills overlooking Armadale where they planted several varieties of wine grapes. In 1896 visiting British lord, Sir Arthur Stepney, bought Stewarts share of the vineyard. Three years later he purchased Julls share of the vineyard and named it Derry Na Sura, which reportedly translates from Gaelic to Valley of the wine. Clement Edward Pike was the manager of Derry Na Sura vineyard between 1938 and the late 1940s. Clement Pike was born in Magill, a suburb in the foothills in eastern Adelaide, in 1899. He had come to Western Australia from South Australia where he had been a wine maker in Magill. This collection of instruments was used by Mr Pike at Derry Na Sura to test the quality and the alcohol content from the wines that they produce. In 1949 Clement took Derry Na Sura Pty Ltd too court for breach of contract which he won and was awarded 72 pounds. He then moved to East Bullsbrook were he ran another vineyard until 1954 when it is thought he returned to South Australia. He died in Margill in 1981, aged 93 years.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-33-AK1984.655A
Material
Width
30 cm
Height or length
2.3000 cm
Depth
2.3000 cm
Inscriptions and markings

Text on the paper in the tube [TEMP 60°F SIKES' PROOF SCALE. No-B.B.6480 THOMAS O. BLAKE (SIKES HYDROMETERS) LTD. 57 HATTON GARDEN LONDON. SIKES STANDARD B.B.6480]

Place made
Hatton Gardens
England
United Kingdom
Year
1924
Year End
1981
Statement of significance

This object is a part of a collection that represents the skills and scientific knowledge required to produce wine and fortified wines in a commercial vineyard and how the products of the wineries were sold and marketed across Western Australia. The collection also represents the important role wine making played in the agricultural development of the City of Armadale from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s. During this period several large and small commercial vineyards operated along Albany Highway and the South West Highway.

Primary significance criteria
Scientific or research significance
City of Armadale - History House

City of Armadale - History House

Organisation Details
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