Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:
There is always a romance to a bottle washed up on a lonely shore, containing a message from the past and from far away. This may be a message of greeting, of despair, for science or sometimes even a hoax.
People & professions, Such was life:
During her 1854 voyage to Melbourne, the ‘Marco Polo’ published a weekly newspaper for passengers- which provides a vivid description to life on board.
Herbert Swire was 22 years old when he joined a scientific voyage to Antarctica on board the ship, HMS Challenger. He captured what he saw in two delicate watercolours that have recently been donated to the library.
People & professions, Such was life:
The British barque Trafalgar docked at Williamstown on 16 December 1893 after a harrowing voyage. Several of the senior officers had died from fever on the journey, and the charge… Read More ›
Painting, Photography, Rare Books & Arts:
An enquiry from a customer regarding maritime painting uncovered a watery treasure-trove! The sun rising through vapour : Turner’s early seascapes by Paul Spencer-Longhurst Difficult to go past Turner’s astonishing… Read More ›
Collections, Family matters, Research guides, Research tips & tricks:
So you’ve trailed through immigration indexes and passenger lists and found your ancestor arriving into Australia. You may have discovered their age, their occupation, their nationality and possibly even details… Read More ›
