Souvenir lifebuoy - Melbourne 1910

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1910

Overview

A miniature souvenir life buoy, handmade from timber and painted white. A rope loop is fastened in 4 places around the edge of the buoy by faded blue cloth attached to make the stripes. Writing is in gold paint and reads 'Souvenir' with a gold star below at the top, and 'Melbourne' at the bottom.
It is decorated with two gold painted anchors and two red, white and blue flags - the British Red Ensign on the left and the Australian Red Ensign on the right.
The underside shows three pieces of unfaded cloth in a vibrant blue-purple, stuck to an unpainted timber back. The fourth is missing.

Historical information

Souvenir items such as this miniature lifebuoy were often made by current or former sailors, although usually with the name of the vessel at the top rather than the word 'Souvenir'.

An article published in the 'Sydney Morning Herald' newspaper on 29th October 1910 mentions the 'great naval event of the year' being held in Melbourne, so this may have been made as a souvenir.
"AUSTRALIAN NAVY.
BATTLE PRACTICE.
MELBOURNE, Friday.
During the past week the great naval event of the year, the annual battle practice, has been carried out, and, in spite of the rather
squally weather, It is believed that HMS. Powerful and some of the other ships made very good shooting The squadron will remain
at Port Melbourne until November 10, when the Powerful will proceed to New Zealand accompanied by the Encounter and Cambrian."

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00333

Item type

Themes

Defence > Navy
Social History
Transport

Material

Paint