Carbet Castle Bell, 1875

Overview

Ship's bell from the wreck of the barque Carbet Castle. Large, heavy bronze bell with intact clapper hung from a later metal attachment.

Historical information

The School is in possession of the ship’s bell from the barque Carbet Castle, which was wrecked in Bunbury Harbour in a fierce gale in April 1897. Apparently the cargo and many of the fittings were salvaged and sold at public auction (possibly in May 1897). It is understood that the bell came into the School’s possession with the Sisters of Elizabeth (Bunbury's Grey Nuns) buildings that were transported to the School in late 1972. By 1979 the bell was hanging at the end of G Block to be rung on very special occasions, including the Lishman Lap of Valour. Many former students have fond memories of the bell from when it hung outside G Block and the Old Grammarians’ Association (OGA) decided that it would like it on display for past, current and future members of the School community to see. In 2013 the OGA paid for the bell to be professionally cleaned and conserved by the WA Maritime Museum. It has now been presented back to the School so that many more people can enjoy it. The Carbet Castle Bell is on display at the front counter in the Bishop Ralph Hawkins Administration Building.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-18-ITM2005/3658
Item type
Material
Inscriptions and markings

Inscribed: Carbet Castle - 1875 - Liverpool. Original weathering retained as patina. Some rust deposits from previous corroded headstocks.

Contextual Information

The WA Maritime Museum wrote to the School on 30 March 1990, advising that good care be taken of the bell due to its historic value and it was taken down to be stored more securely, initially in the D & T Centre and later in Archives. In 2010 it was loaned to the Bunbury Port Authority as an exhibit in their Centenary Exhibition. In 2011-12 investigations were undertaken into possible conservation of the bell and permanent display at the School. The Carbet Castle Bell is a physical link to the dedicated work of Bunbury’s Grey Nuns, their student hostel and the history of Bunbury.

Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Historic significance
Scientific or research significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Related Objects

Related Objects

Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School

Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School

Organisation Details
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 Ship's Bell Restoration, Carbet Castle

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