The Bounty Cannon Returns Home

Early on Tuesday morning the KAVHA team picked up the Bounty cannon from the Works Depot (all prepared and sitting on a crate ready to go thanks to Lee Hamilton-Irvine), and returned her safely to the Pitcairn Norfolk Gallery in the Pier Store. The KAVHA team are amazing – they managed moving this half tonne object with great skill and care. The cannon had been at the Works Depot for the last four months undergoing conservation work by Janelle Blucher to remove corrosion and be re-sealed.

The cannon has come home to sit on a new gun carriage made for us by Peter Horrocks. It is worth a visit to the Pier Store just to see Peter’s carriage - it is beautifully hand made to the exact original carriage plans and is a major addition to our displays and in particular, the display of the cannon. As large pieces of Norfolk Island Pine were needed for the construction, timber was specially sourced by John Pearson and Charles Christian-Bailey. The steel work for the cap squares was made by Greg Horrocks and KCI once again made a supporting frame for the cannon to actually sit on. Our sincere thanks to Pete, John, Charles, Greg and KCI.

Once again, the Museum has benefited from local skill and ingenuity and a major item of great significance to this community as well as internationally has been successfully handled and cared for.  We invite you to visit the Pitcairn Norfolk Gallery in the Pier Store to see our newly conserved Bounty cannon sitting on its hand-made carriage. This project was funded by the National Library of Australia through their Community Heritage Grants Program.

Up-town Museum Presence

We were recently asked by Baunti Escapes to provide a major display of our Museum tickets, products and tours in their Burnt Pine office. We have long desired the opportunity to have a substantial up-town display to ensure that visitors learn about the existence of our museums in the early stages of their holiday. One of the most common things we hear is “if only I’d found out about the museums earlier in my stay” – as visitors realise that more than the last morning or afternoon of their holiday is needed to really explore all we have on offer.

Many thanks to Baunti Escapes for providing this valuable space to us. Next time you walk past their office drop in to see the new home for our replica Bounty cannon made as part of the Bounty cannon conservation project, and displays on our museums and tours – including the chance to dress up and have your photo taken in either a Bounty or judges outfit (from the Trial of the Fifteen). Bring your camera for lots of fun!

Can you help us?

We recently received an enquiry asking for information about Carnfield (Carn or Karl) Bancroft. Carn managed the whaling station here in the early 1960s and lived in the Royal Engineers Office (now the R.E.O. Café and Bookshop) in Kingston with his wife Sybil. One of his descendants is looking for information about his time here on Norfolk. We would really appreciate your call on 23788 if you have any information we could pass on.

Maritime Archaeology Training

Last weekend 25 locals with a common interest in our maritime heritage spent their time in the Museum Theatre at Kingston attending a course on Maritime Archaeology. Everyone successfully passed Part 1 of the course offered by the Australasian Institute of Maritime Archaeology (AIMA) and Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS). Cass Phillipou and Sarah Ward were our main tutors and Andy Viduka also taught some sessions. Cass, Sarah and Andy are all members of AIMA and were here with funding provided to the Museum by the Commonwealth’s Historic Shipwrecks Program (Andy is the Assistant Director of Maritime Heritage in that Department).

 We were incredibly lucky to have these three run our course – not only are they very experienced maritime archaeologists and professionals, but their passion and enthusiasm for the subject made our learning experience a really enjoyable one, and as easy as possible. We covered topics that were totally new to most of us and there was a lot to take in including the Legislations covering shipwreck material, Archaeological Principles, site survey methods and conservation. We even managed in our small groups to survey parts of the New Gaol! The course is designed as an effective way to learn basic underwater archaeological skills.

AIMA is the only non-government organisation involved in maritime archaeology at a national level. It was formed in 1982 to assist in developing the maritime archaeology profession and furthering the aims of programs and projects carried out in Australia and other parts of the world. Volunteers make up a large part of maritime archaeology expeditions around the world and Membership of AIMA and Certification through the courses they offer, can provide the opportunity to volunteer on expeditions around the world.

After passing a short exam the outcome of our efforts was the presentation of Certificates certifying that we had each passed Part 1 of the AIMA/NAS course, and Membership to AIMA. Another outcome was that the group came together again during this week to start a Maritime Archaeology Association on Norfolk Island. This is incredibly exciting as it marks the beginning of a volunteer group of divers and non-divers who will research, locate, document and protect our maritime heritage. There will be further information provided by the group in coming weeks as they begin to confirm their purpose and objectives and formally establish themselves as an Incorporated Association.  This is great news for Norfolk – and for future generations of Norfolk Islanders.

Bounty Cannon Project near Completion

We are inching closer to the end of our Bounty Cannon Conservation Project, funded through a Community Heritage Grant from the National Library.

This has been a fabulous project to undertake on so many levels – most importantly our cannon is now rust free, and with new sealants to preserve it for years to come. Janelle Blucher has overseen all this work, painstakingly moving back and forth over the surface of the cannon to ensure the job has been done perfectly. We established a wonderful new relationship with Phillip Smith and the Museum of Tropical Queensland when he came to make the cast for us. We have also been able to engage with the skill of locals, in particular Lee Irvine and Peter Horrocks and volunteer Sue Brian. Lee was invaluable in working with Phillip during the making of the cast and also brought the know-how to move around and work with a half tonne object. Peter has made a truly beautiful carriage for the cannon to finally rest on which is quite a work of art in its own right. And Sue has given countless hours supporting Janelle with all the steps of the conservation process. While we won’t congratulate ourselves until the cannon is safely back on display in the Pitcairn Norfolk Gallery in the Pier Store, I’m sure this will be a project we look back on with great satisfaction and pride.

Testing the carriage with the replica cannon

Rhonda Griffiths sent me a link to the September edition of ‘Dem Tull Pitcairn News’ recently. Tim Young has written a great article on Pitcairn’s Bounty Cannon at www.demtullpitcairn.com. Tim says:

“The Bounty’s cannon did not see too much action, and seem to have been only used in anger during the aborted attempt by the mutineers to settle on Tubuai. Even then the only confirmed kill was a house rafter, as described by Bounty’s Boatswains Mate James Morrison: “(the mutineers) fired a four-pounder shotted among them (potentially hostile Tubuaians), at which they fled. The shot did no other damage then passing through a house where it cut away a rafter to which a man was hanging a gourd of water, and at which he was so terrified that he left the house.” 

The final seal is applied

When the Bounty was turned into a floating bonfire, all four cannons were still aboard.. Anyway, over fifty years later, in January 1845, two were recovered, and one was made into working order again. Sadly, this working cannon misfired on Wednesday 26^th January 1853 as they were trying to salute the H.M.S. Virago, injuring three. One of these was the Island Magistrate Matthew McCoy, and he died of his injuries about 12 hours after the accident. As a result, the cannon was spiked, and many years later it was given to a passing ship (I tend to call this one the “killer cannon”). The other cannon was taken to Norfolk Island where it is on display to this day. The two remaining in the ocean stayed as such until June/July 1973 when the third was recovered, and today sits outside a private home in Adamstown. The final one remained untouched until it was raised in 1999 and sent to the Museum of Tropical Queensland for preservation. It was returned last year. Having sat in a box since its return last year, a replica carriage was built, and after putting the cannon on it, and a Perspex case around it, it now sits in the Pitcairn Island Museum for all to see”.

Wheel detail

Making the supporting sections

 

Whale Watching on Norfolk Island

In years gone by Norfolk Island had an active whaling industry where whales were hunted and killed for their oil. However when we talk about whaling on Norfolk Island today, we are talking about the conservation of whales and the wonderul activity of whale watching. Two dedicated whale conservationists have been visiting the island every year for the past 8 years, spending a month here each time tracking the movement and numbers of whales that pass by the island. Adrian Oosterman and Merv Whicker have given countless hours of their time to the whales and Norfolk Island.

This year their visit has been a bit of a disappointment as the weather has not allowed many boat trips to occur and the wind has made the spotting of whales very difficult amongst choppy seas. On these trips they capture photos to ID the whales, take skin samples and hydrophone recordings. However they had a fantastic day spotting a dwarf minke whale the other day. Adrian said "Finally got on the water on Tuesday and came across this minke (dwarf) whale. Actually, we were attempting to locate a mother/calf pair of humpbacks when we came across the minke. One of the most outstanding experiences I have had with whales. This whale mugged the boat for about 45 minutes and could have jumped aboard. Came that close we could have patted it on the nose, but didn't of course. Finally broke away and headed towards the humpbacks, but they were not interested and they managed to give us the slip".

They were on-board Howard Christian's boat at the time and managed to get these wonderful images.The top photo is of a humback and the others are the minke.

Our Coat of Arms

30^th Anniversary of Norfolk Island Coat of Arms

Last Wednesday 20^th October marked the 30^th Anniversary of the granting and assigning of the Armorial Ensigns to Norfolk Island by Queen Elizabeth II. By request from the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mrs Robyn Adams, a small exhibition on the history of our Coat of Arms has been set up in the Legislative Assembly ante-chamber to the Legislative Assembly Chamber. Included in the display are some of the original design ideas submitted by members of the community and documents showing progress towards the issuing of the Coat of Arms. Of importance, the Official copy of the Warrant signed by Queen Elizabeth II is also on display.

The idea for our Coat of Arms began in 1973 when the H.M.S. Bounty Society International (Western U.S.A. Chapter) wrote to the then Norfolk Island Council submitting a Motion that the Council immediately approve the inauguration of procedural steps to acquire an Official Coat of Arms for Norfolk Island. In 1969 the Society had supported Pitcairn Island to gain their Coat of Arms. The Motion was unanimously accepted.

 Approval was obtained by the Commonwealth of Australia and the Norfolk Island Council then initiated the acquisition of a Coat of Arms by announcing a public call for designs. A gratuity of $25.00 was paid for ideas that the Council selected to be put forward for the design. These were sent to Sir Anthony Wagner, Garter King of Arms at the College of Arms in London, who prepared the design. It was originally hoped that the Coat of Arms would be ready for the 1974 Bi-Centennial celebrations, and then when that date was passed, for the formation of the Norfolk Island Government in 1979. Finally, on 20^th October 1980 on board H. M. Yacht Britannia, Her Majesty the Queen signed the Royal Warrant assigning a Coat of Arms to Norfolk Island.

A coat of arms was traditionally a heraldic design on a cloak used to cover and protect armour. Historically, armorial bearings were first used by feudal lords and knights in the mid-12th century on battlefields as a way to identify allies from enemy soldiers.  The design is a symbol unique to a person, corporation, or state. They are also known as armorial bearings or devices, heraldic devices, or arms. The design of an official Coat of Arms is strictly regulated by the College of Arms in London.

Bruce Baskerville is our local expert on this subject and is the Vice President of the Australian Heraldry Society Inc. He wrote the chapter Coat of Arms for the book “Symbols of Australia” UNSW Press 2010, which is thoroughly interesting and fascinating reading. He has provided the following information on the College of Arms and Garter King of Arms: 

The senior officer in the College is the Garter King of Arms.  Garter is the senior King of Arms of the College and takes his title from the Order of the Garter which Henry V instituted in 1415. Since medieval times, officers of arms have been divided into three ranks: kings of arms, heralds and pursuivants.  In England, the public official with overall responsibility for heraldic and ceremonial matters, such as coronations and the opening of parliament, is the Earl Marshall.  The Earl Marshall is a hereditary office in the Royal Household, established in 1373 under the 1^st Duke of Norfolk.  The 18^th Duke is the current Earl Marshall.  The Earl Marshall issues the Royal Warrant, on behalf of the Sovereign, which formally assigns or grants the coat of arms that were designed under the direction of Garter. The equivalent of the Earl Marshall is the Lord Lyon in Scotland, the Chief Herald in Ireland and in Canada, and the National Herald in South Africa.  Australia and Norfolk Island still retain the services of the College of Arms in London.

The symbols used in our Coat of Arms are as follows:

1.         The lion is used as a supporter and crest, reflects the Island’s historic links with Britain, New South Wales and Tasmania.

2.         The Kangaroo refers to the Island’s connection to Australia.

3.         The anchors and naval crown allude to the naval background of the settlers on Pitcairn Island and Norfolk Island and the importance of the sea in the history of Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands.

4.         The covered cup is taken from the Arms of the Fletcher Christian family

5.         The book stands for the Bible taken from H.M.A.V Bounty

6.         The two Mullets (stars) on the Shield refer to those used in the Crest of Australia, the Arms of New South Wales, but they are depicted in the conventional heraldic manner with five points. Stars appear in the posthumous arms of Captain James Cook, the discoverer of Norfolk Island.

7.         Norfolk Island Pine Tree on the rocky mount is taken from the landing scene depicted in the 1856 Great Seal, and the hulls in the Naval Crown can also be taken as a reference to the boat in that scene.

8.         The laurel wreath around the neck of the lion is taken from the posthumous Arms of Captain James Cook.

The Motto “Inasmuch” is taken from the words of the Pitcairn Anthem, from the Gospel according to St. Matthew (25.40):  “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”.

The exhibition is open until Friday 19 November. If you would like to view it please contact the Clerk to the Legislative Assembly, Gaye Evans, at the Assembly on 22003.

Sirius Links

I think that perhaps out of everybody on Norfolk Island, I have the best office location of all. Every day from my desk in the Pier Store I have to draw myself away from looking out the window, across about 25 metres of Kingston Pier to the reef and over to Phillip Island. I can easily gaze at the site of the wreck of HMS Sirius and often find myself thinking about that day. Every day visitors come to see the artefacts from the Sirius on display at the Pier Store. Due to her role as the flagship of the First Fleet she is Australia’s most important shipwreck and her artefacts are of National significance.

The Sirius’ story is part of our Norfolk Island story. Her wrecking here has meant that we have forged particular relationships with others in Australia and beyond. One of those links is with HMAS Sirius and the other is with the suburb of Mosman in Sydney.

HMAS Sirius 

On the 16^th September 2006 the HMAS Sirius was Commissioned as an auxiliary oiler carrying over 34806 cz of fuel to replenish ships at sea by day or night. She is one of two ships of the Afloat Support Force. The name Sirius was selected because of its historical connections with the First Fleet and the important role the HMS Sirius played in providing logistical support to the struggling colonial settlement and economy. There have been six other ships of the Royal Navy named HMS Sirius, however this is the first time a Royal Australian Navy Ship has been named Sirius. Norfolk Island is her home port and her crew has freedom of the island whenever they visit.

The Commissioning Lady was Jeanine Nobbs, fourth Great Grandaughter of Fletcher Christian and married to Benjamin (Booda) Nobbs, who is the third Great Grandson of Philip Gidley King, the second Lieutenant on board HMS Sirius during the voyage of the First Fleet and the first Commandant on Norfolk Island.

  

 HMAS Sirius was built as a double-hulled commercial product tanker, MV Velos and purchased by the Commonwealth on 3 June 2004. She underwent modifications including the adding of a flight deck for helicopter operations. She is capable of replenishing two ships at once and has transfer points for fuel, water and stores. She is 183.22 metres long, has a displacement of 25016.53 tonnes and a crew of 60. Her motto is “To serve and provide”.

Links to Mosman, NSW

In October 1788 the Sirius went on a voyage back around the world to get supplies from Cape Town. The voyage home to Port Jackson very nearly ended in disaster when they encountered severe storms when rounding the south of Tasmania. When she arrived in 1789 the Sirius required a major refitting and was beached on the north side of the harbour at a place that was then referred to as Elbow Cove and Careening Cove, later Great Sirius Cove and eventually Mosman Bay.

The reason for venturing across to the other side of the harbour from the main settlement is written about by Judge Advocate David Collins in his chronicle of the first decade of New South Wales: “There was no doubt, that the work necessary to be done to the Sirius would meet with fewer interruptions if the people who were engaged in it were removed from the connections which seamen generally form where there are women of a certain character and description”. The seamen’s stay of five months was Mosman’s first European settlement. (Talk by Gavin Souter: HMS Sirius NSW 2008, November 2007)

Repairs were carried out to repair storm damage and to replace weak timbers and dry rot. It was found that some vital fittings had been omitted when the ship was readied for the voyage from England and this, along with the deterioration of the iron bolts, had caused many of their problems.

A connection between the people of Mosman and Norfolk Island was formalised in 1989 by Mosman Council and the Norfolk Island Government with the introduction of a Friendship Agreement.

A bas-relief of the Sirius commissioned by Mosman Council was installed at Mosman Bay in 1989. A second one was gifted to the people of Norfolk Island by the citizens of Mosman in celebration of their Sister Community relationship and was installed on Norfolk Island in 1990. A third was installed on the Isle of Wight in 1991 celebrating their connections with the Sirius and Friendship status with Mosman. The bronze relief sculptures were made by Dr. Alex Sandor Kolozsy. Dr Kolozsy is a leading Australian sculptor represented in many major museums in Australia and worldwide. He is particularly known for his fine figurative bronzes, portrait busts and monumental sculpture commissions.

Since 1989 there have been a number of visiting delegations between the two communities. In 2003 Mosman Council presented a special Friendship Agreement display about Norfolk Island in the Mosman Library. The display provided information about the community and its natural and built environment, and promoted Norfolk as a tourist destination for residents of Mosman.

In 2008 Norfolk Island participated in The Art of Friendship, an exhibition presented at the Mosman Art Gallery. Twelve artists were selected to represent the community and displayed their artworks which included paintings, drawings, printmaking, photography, ceramics, jewellery and fibre work.

The full story of the life and wrecking of HMS Sirius is told on our web site at www.hmssirius.com.au

A carriage for the Bounty cannon

Conservation work on the Bounty cannon has been continuing over the last few weeks however the focus of this project is now shifting to the return of the cannon to the Pier Store museum. This will most likely be in the next few weeks after Janelle Blucher has completed her work.

Part of this project, funded by the National Library’s Community Heritage Grants Program, included making a replica carriage for the cannon to sit in. We obtained plans of the original carriage from Nigel Erskine at the Australian National Maritime Museum and Peter Horrocks has taken on the job of making it. The original cannon would have sat in the carriage resting on its trunions (the small arms that come out of each side of the cannon). Our cannon does not have the trunions left on it anymore so working out how the cannon will sit in the carriage has been one of the design problems Peter has had to deal with. The replica cannon that we made at the beginning of this project has proved to be very useful to have on hand! Peter has used it to check the cannon’s position in the carriage, to help determine the best method for designing and placing supports which will actually hold the cannon in place. Our photos show Peter in the midst of making the carriage, including using the replica cannon made last month.

Last update from Pauline Reynolds-Barff

LAST STOP: NORWAY
By the time this article is published, my 6 week Round-the-World scholarship will have come to an end … I’ll be home and wondering, ‘did it all happen to me?’.

Firstly, I wish to encourage anyone who has a worthwhile project of benefit to our island and/or our culture, to apply for a Churchill Fellowship. What a wonderful opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and on return give back to the community. Sir Winston Churchill is famously quoted as saying, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  His life is awe inspiring, and what better way to assure his memory lives on than these Memorial Fellowships?

Pauline in the archives at the Royal Scottish Museum

The fellowship has allowed me to see around 40 pieces of Pitcairn barkcloth and some of the beaters that were used to make them.  This data will provide valuable information about the makers - the Bounty women and their daughters.

Whilst the studying of barkcloth in itself is fascinating, the stories related to each piece make the Pitcairn barkcloths even more interesting. The curators have been equally eager to know more about them, so it really has been a two way street.

It has been a moving experience touching these pieces, knowing they were made by my foremothers (and the foremothers of many of you reading this article now). Whilst they were creating this fibre to clothe themselves and their children, they were also creating the fabric of the new society on Pitcairn.  They truly were pioneering women, and deserve much more than the historical fiction that has been written about them to date and that I am sure will continue to be written.  It is my mission to find as much historical factual data as possible about them - it just requires digging and an open mind.  The mythic, sometimes sensational, movie drama story has seen its day: our history is fascinating, but only half told as far as I am concerned.

At the time of writing I am in Norway waiting for my appointment with the Kon-Tiki Museum’s curator whom I met during an archaeological dig near our house on Huahine, Tahiti many years ago.  I’m looking forward to seeing the lovely finely made barkcloth and beaters they have in their collection.  By looking at the fabric itself, and the collection data, I might be able to determine the maker of the piece and the tree it was made from.  The beaters are also extremely interesting – in the Norfolk Island Museum there is a beater that has always been associated with the Melanesian Mission, however, I believe it came from Pitcairn to Norfolk on the Morayshire in 1856, and so I’ll be doing some comparisons.

Some museums have asked me to contribute thoughts and some writing for future exhibitions including Pitcairn tapa-cloths.  I hope now that our material heritage might continue to be featured, even if in small ways, in exhibitions around the world.  I broached the idea of the possible loan of some of these items to our own museum on Norfolk and have received some positive responses.

Moorland Close Homestead

There is another guideline highlighted by the Churchill Trust - and that is to make the most of one’s travel, to watch local news and really breathe in the local culture. With my appointments attended, I’ve tried to pack in quick visits to meaningful areas and cities surrounding the museums.

Grasmere of Lakes District

The most memorable visit was after my appointment at the Liverpool World Museum. I had met up with friends who took me to Moorland Close (Fletcher Christian’s birthplace and childhood home), Cockermouth (the nearby village) and St Bridget’s Church (where the Christian family is buried and where they sought solace during their lives). This area forms part of The Lake District and a place I feel we all need to visit!  I felt a real resonance with this beautiful area, which is much like the Gloucester district of NSW Australia. 

So the Fellowship has taken me to the following cities: Wellington in New Zealand; Honolulu in Hawai’i; London, Kew, Cambridge, Oxford and Liverpool in England; Edinburgh and Aberdeen in Scotland; and finally Oslo in Norway.  This has been one of the most empowering, lonely, inspiring and enriching experiences of my life and I know that this will benefit our culture and people.

I’d like to give thanks to the Churchill Trust, those who had a hand in my selection, to Lisa Richards and Rhonda Griffiths, to those of you who have sent me messages of encouragement, my wonderful family who let me go, and all the museum curators and friends met along the way.  It’s been an amazing trip and I look forward to putting pen to paper to continue writing about the forgotten women of the Bounty.

Show Day on Norfolk Island

The Norfolk Island Agricultural and Horticultural Show

Yesterday was the 150th showing of the A&H Show. However did you know that it was Fletcher Christian’s first cousin John Christian Curwan, who is credited with founding the first Agricultural Show in England when he established the Workington Agricultural Society in 1805? His work in scientific agriculture earned him the title of “The Father of Agriculture”. Over 200 years later no doubt some of his cousin’s descendants will be vying for prizes at a show that may not be too dissimilar to that of his own!

During the Sesqui-centenary in 2006, one of the community exhibitions at the Museum was devoted to the A&H Show. Mary Christian-Bailey provided a fabulous overview of the history of the show – reprinted here to enjoy once again.

“The first Norfolk Island Show was held on 21st February 1860, and created great interest in the community, newly arrived from Pitcairn Island. An extract from a letter written by Andrew Christian on 14th September 1840 to Bishop George A. Selwyn reads:

“Everybody is busy. All are striving for the prize which is to be given to the person who raises the best 200 heads of corn and another for the one who gets most of the different sorts of things such as cabbages, yams, onions, bananas, sugar cane etc. and another is for the woman who makes the best three school dresses. All prizes to be one pound each”.

From their arrival in 1860 to their departure in the early 1920s, the Ministers of the Melanesian Mission of Norfolk Island actively participated in the organisation of the Society. On 8th December 1880 the day after St. Barnabas Chapel was consecrated, a Horticultural Show was held at Longridge, at which there was a Spring and Autumn Show, the later being held on the Thursday in Easter week. The Rev. John Palmer was then President of the Society. Judges in the agricultural section were Mr. Stephen Christian, Mr. David Buffett and Mr. Hardy Rossiter. In the horticultural section, Rev. John Palmer, Dr P.H. Metcalfe and Dr. Codrington were judges.


The Society’s Show on 10th November 1921 was well attended. There were five sections for farm produce with excellent exhibits of potatoes, kumeras, yams and various vegetables as well as many sections for arts and crafts. The classes attracted 430 exhibits from a population of approximately 699 persons. Fifty-three pounds five shillings and nine pence was paid out in expenses including prize monies.

The Administrator, Major-General Selheim, C.B.M C.M.G officially opened the Annual Show on 23rd November 1927. The Secretary at that time was Mr. Ernests V. Stephenson and the Show attracted 473 exhibits. Mr. Ivens Nobbs carried off the prize for the best bunch of bananas. It stood 4 feet high and the bananas measured some 7 inches long. Mrs. C.C.R.  Nobbs won the silver cup presented by the Society for the exhibitor gaining the greatest number of points. The Show Schedule in November 1931 shows the Patron as Colonel A.J. Bennett, the President Mr. C.C.R. Nobbs, and the Secretary/Treasurer as Mr. A.A. Greenwood. Competition was invited in 150 classes and many more local crafts were included than at present. The livestock section was confined to two classes for pigs.

During the Centenary Celebrations in June 1956, the Society organised an exhibition in the Methodist Hall. The President was Mr G.G. F. Quintal with Mr. N.V.D. Kilvert as Secretary. The Exhibition was opened by the Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency  Sir. William Slim, C.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. On 18th July 1968 her Majesty the Queen was graciously pleased to grant Her Patronage to the Society. The President during the year was Mr. J. Carr with Mrs. Tim Lloyd as Secretary.

1974 was the Bi-Centenary Year of Norfolk Island’s discovery by Captain James Cook, and the Society’s Show was held on 14th October during the week of the Bi-Centenary celebrations. The venue was the Rawson Hall Memorial Hall and adjacent grounds (named the Bi-Centenary Centre). The Society invited entries in 407 classes and attracted a total of 2204 entries. The Show was officially opened by Air Commodore E.T. Pickerd, O.B.E., D.F.C. and approximately 1658 people including children passed through the gates to visit the show. In 1978 His Honour the Administrator, Mr. D.V. O’Leary, V.R.D., in opening the Show announced that Her Majesty The Queen had granted her approval of the use by the Society of the prefix ‘Royal’. The President during the year was Mr. David E. Buffett.

By 1984 entries had reached an all-time high of 3,060. This was the year that we were honoured by a special visit of His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen, who accompanied by Lady Stephen, officially opened the Show. In 1985 the 125th Anniversary of the first Exhibition was high-lighted with the issue of two commemorative postage stamps, the miniature sheet being reproduced in full colour on the cover of the Show Schedule. Special prizes were awarded for classes recorded as being in the 860 Exhibition. 1985 also saw the innovation of a Woodchop Team from Queensland.

The Bi-Centennial Show in 1988 was officially opened by the Duke of Norfolk on 17th October. The Duke was accompanied by the Dutchess of Norfolk and this was the first visit by any member of the family. In 1992 the Society moved onto its own premises on the Bi-Centenary Show ground. The building was officially opened on the 21st April by His Honour the Administrator Mr. Alan Kerr”.

More news from Pauline Reynolds-Barff

More news from Pauline Reynolds-Barff on her Churchill Scholarship Tour
THINKING ABOUT THE PACIFIC IN THE UK

For someone who has spent most of her life in the Pacific, it’s been a real revelation to me to travel to the UK via New Zealand and Hawai’i … I’ve been glad for the itinerary that led me gently out of the Pacific then onto Los Angeles airport and onwards to Heathrow.

Pitt River Tapa on display

Mauatua tapa on display at the British Museum

My scholarship is to study the material culture left by our Polynesian foremothers who boarded the HMS Bounty in 1789 bound for Pitcairn – barkcloths gifted to passing captains which eventually made their way into European museums. Now I find myself making my way to them by joining the dots on a vast museum map working toward the north of the UK and then across to Norway.  Since my last report I’ve been to museums in London, Cambridge and Oxford.

I’ve been surprised and disappointed at the minimal Pacific representation in British museum displays in general. So it is a sweet thing indeed to have seen two Pitcairn barkcloths on display in public galleries: one in the British Museum (in the Enlightenment Gallery: a tiny piece by Mauatua, Fletcher Christian’s sweetheart) and the other at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford (a lovely patterned poncho). Another pleasant surprise is the resoundingly enthusiastic reception I have received at each of the museums I have visited by the hard-working curators of huge out-of-sight collections.

Behind archive doors there have been more, so many more, pieces of beautiful barkcloth for me to ponder over.  Some white and finely made - others a patchwork of colours.  A great side effect of my visits is the raising of awareness of the significance of these pieces. I am hoping that, even in a small way, my visit may change the way the pieces are viewed within the museums, because an item with a story makes it so much more valuable.

By the time you read this, I will have left Oxford and will be working my way up to Scotland where there are several interesting barkcloths.

PS … I wish to apologise to those who asked me to write a blog - I just haven’t had enough time but will make it up to you when I come home.

Pauline Reynolds Barff

Conservation Report for the Bounty Cannon

This report details the work that has been done on the cannon to date. It is still undergoing treatment which is expected to continue for another few weeks. This is a fairly technical report as it has been written by our Conservation Office Janelle Blucher as part of our formal Condition Reporting regime. Despite its technical nature - it is still a really interesting report.

Conservation Report for The Bounty Cannon - September 28 2010
The initial objective was to remove a coating of Kephos primer, F & T Imperite 390 (polyurethane).  This coating was applied to the surface of the cannon 32 years ago . 

Description of Kephos Primer (sourced from supplier of product): Non – aqueous liquid chemical used undiluted (except for dip operations) to produce corrosion resisting, paint bonding coating on steel.  The paint grip coating when dry protects the surface from fingerprints, rust, etc. – usually for 6 months

Karina Acton of International Conservation Services tried to remove the coating with various solvents whilst on the island in 2008, eventually the only effective removal came about with the use of Selley’s Kwikstrip.  A sample of the coating was removed by Karina and taken back to I.C.S to further test for any other means of removal.  It was determined that the best option was to use Selley’s Kwikstrip.

One of the lockable sheds at the Administration works depot was set aside for the conservation area, this provided protection from weather and also salt air.  Lee Irvine from the Works Depot made a wooden cradle for the cannon to sit on whilst undergoing conservation.  The cannon was situated under a block and tackle which enabled a method of rotation for conservation purposes as well as being able to elevate at the cascabel end.

Conservation method -Week 1
Patch test 1 – Kwikstrip applied and left on the cannon for 5 minutes, then washed off resulted in no visible removal of coatings. 
Patch test 2 - Kwikstrip was left on the surface for 10 minutes, washed off resulting in some removal of coating, what appeared to be approx. 25%.
Patch test 3 – Kwikstrip was left of the surface for 15 minutes, washed off resulting in approx. 75%  removal of coating.

This satisfied any concern that the application of Kwikstrip was going to have any adverse affect to the surface of the cast iron and with repeated coatings of Kwikstrip the coating would eventually be removed. Proceeded to apply Kwikstrip working in sections throughout the day until entire surface had been treated twice over.  Left overnight to observe any changes to the cast iron being exposed.  A third application of Kwikstrip was painted on the following day and this appeared to remove the remainder of the coating. Brushed repeatedly with a nylon brush (dish brush) and washed repeatedly, final washes were with water collected from dehumidifiers (distilled water is not available). The exposed surface of the cannon had less corrosion than we anticipated, however approx 50% of the surface area did have superficial corrosion areas.  These spots were scraped with a scalpel and brushed with a soft wire (ferrous) brush.

Communication with Karina Acton: Emailed images of cannon to Karina and phoned to inform of the process and results at this stage.  The cannon obviously showing less corrosion than expected resulted in the decision to not immerse the object in a bath of caustic solution with electrolytic reduction process. She suggested using Citric Acid 5%/Thiourea 1% poultices on patches of corrosion.  These poultices were applied and left on for approx 15 minutes and then thoroughly washed off with water.  Mechanical and chemical removal of these superficial corrosion areas on the outside surface of the gun continued throughout the week.

Treating the bore:
The cannon was elevated approximately 20 degrees at the cascabel end.  A flat round wire brush was attached to the end of a steel rod which reached up to the end of the bore (approx. 2metres) this was used initially to scrape out the delaminated iron.  The wire brush and rod was attached to an electric drill and the inside heavily brushed to remove the flaking and delaminating material, a total amount of 263gms was removed.   Compressed air was blown through a hose attached to a rod which reached up to the end of the bore to remove all dust.

Thin metal tubing with holes punctured around the end was attached to a spray gun, this tube also reached to the end of the bore.  A substantial spray of methylated spirits was applied and allowed to dry.  The bore is clean and has a smooth surface except for one chunk of delaminating iron which would not come away, this piece is near the muzzle end of the gun and can be easily monitored and removed at a later time if necessary.    The same spray gun was then used to apply a substantial amount of Senson Rusticide (corrosion converter), this process was repeated twice and after examination with a light we could see a thorough application was achieved.  The bore did not have the coating of Kephos Primer and F & T Imperite 390 like the outside of the gun.

There was an unidentified coating around the circumference of the bore, approximately 2cm in from the muzzle and approx. 10cm in length.  It appeared to be wax, no solvent would remove it and Kwikstrip wasn’t having any affect.  Heat was applied to a patch with a hot air gun and this turned it white and sticky similar to chewing gum consistency. It appeared to be silicon, this was eventually removed mechanically with scalpel and wire brush and the area received its 2xcoatings of Senson Rusticide.  A coating of Senson Rusticide was painted on the whole outside surface of the gun on the Friday afternoon and it was left for 2 days.

Week 2
Continued working on areas of corrosion on outside surface of cannon using scalpel, soft wire brush and methylated spirits which removed most of the Rusticide that had been applied. It soon became very evident that microscopic pieces of the original coating still remained.  The surface of the gun is quite uneven and pitted and these small pieces of coating were embedded into the ‘pores’ of the cast iron. 

Communication with Karina Acton: Emailed images of cannon and informed Karina of these remaining small pieces of coating and she advised to return to further use of Kwikstrip until all had been removed.  Corrosion treatment would not reach the metal that was underneath these remaining pieces of coating.

Washed with water collected from dehumidifiers and brushed (nylon brush), dewatered (methylated spirits) and returned to Kwikstip application and removal.  Hot water was tried in some areas to maneuver the Kwikstrip into and out of the pores.  A scalpel was used to remove any stubborn coating that had been softened but not removed by Kwikstrip.  Repeated Kwikstrip process numerous times and washed, dewatered and brushed with nylon brush numerous times.  Superficial corrosion areas treated with the citric/thio poutices, localised ‘shaving’ with a scalpel, and soft wire brushing. Friday afternoon completed with an application (brushed) of Rusticide to the entire outside surface of the cannon.

Week 3: Removed Rusticide with dehum. water, dewatered (meths.) and brushed with nylon brush, applied Kwikstrip process to any further areas of remaining coating.  Brushing cannon with nylon brush after dewatering seemed effective in removing any microscopic flakes of loosened coating.   The cannon was continuously examined under artificial lights and sunlight when possible and a magnifying glass, finally satisfied that all of the original coating had been removed.  Fine ‘shaving’ of superficial corrosion areas still revealed a layer of fine ‘brown’ powdery corrosion.

Communication with Karina Acton: Karina was satisfied with amount of time spent working on the removal of the surface coating, her original observations of this coating had led her to believe that it would take approximately 2 weeks of continuous ‘work’ to remove it.  It was acceptable if 95% of the coating had been removed, a percentage that was certainly achieved. A fine layer of brown powdery corrosion products is acceptable and expected on the object.  Further treatment with citric acid/thiourea solution was recommended.  Senson Rusticide to be applied and object left for a few weeks for observation purposes prior to final sealing of the surface with Senson Ferroguard.

A fresh solution of 5% Citric Acid/ 1% Thiourea was prepared and brushed over the surface in sections until entire surface was treated.  This solution was applied 3 times and left on for 15 minutes each time (Approx. total of 450ml).   Repeated washing with dehumidifier water, brushing and dewatering and brushing again with nylon brush between each application. Senson Rusticide was brushed onto the surface of the cannon, a second coating was applied the following day. A blow up ball wrapped in my mylar was pushed into the muzzle of the gun to provide a seal for the bore. Once Rusticide had dried the cannon was covered loosely with mylar topped by a cotton cover  to keep off any dust.

Touch Hole: J. Carpenter 1987 WAMM report states that in 1977  “touch hole still to be drilled out (at present 2 inches  deep).” No known documentation states that it was ever drilled out.   Measurement now is a depth of 45mm which indicates this was never done. The touch hole was brushed with a thin nylon brush, washed, dewatered, paper was used a wick to draw out moisture and Rusticide filled the hole.

Core Sample Hole: This core sample was taken in the late 1970’s.  A small hole measuring 16mm remains at the side of the gun at the cascabel end.  Unable to fit nylon brush (width allows only a piece of tie wire to be inserted) otherwise received same treatment as the touch hole.

News from Pauline Reynolds-Barff

We’ve had a lovely email from Pauline Reynolds-Barff who left Norfolk a few weeks ago on her Churchill Scholarship trip. Pauline is visiting over twelve museums and collections around the world that hold pieces of tapa and other material relating to the Polynesian women who became the wives of the Bounty mutineers and are the foremothers of many Pitcairn and Norfolk Islanders. Pauline is the author of “Pitcairn Tapa: ‘Ahu no Hitiaurevareva”, (Ahu is Polynesian for tapa, and Hitiaurevareva is Polynesian for Pitcairn) which looks at some of the surviving bark cloths made on Pitcairn by the Polynesian women. She will be viewing some of these at the museums she visits as well as new pieces held in Hawaii, the UK and Norway. At the same time Pauline will be collecting other pieces of information on the women and their lives on Pitcairn. Through this she hopes to learn more about the vital role those women played in establishing the new community on Pitcairn. It is fascinating research that she is undertaking. Here is Pauline’s first report back to us…

Around The World In 6 Weeks – the fist 2 weeks …

Well how often have I silently given thanks to Mr Churchill for this marvellous opportunity to travel the world and search out material culture relating to our Bounty heritage.

I touched down in Auckland, then Wellington in early September … what a great town it is! Accompanied by Jean Clarkson and Sue Pearson, we declared ourselves on ‘Mother’s Annual Leave’ and enjoyed visiting the Turnbull Library and Te Papa Museum. Together we were greeted by curators and shown museum archives of tapa and beaters. 

A few days later I flew out to Honolulu and stayed at my friend Lovina LePendu’s house … many of you may remember her coming to Norfolk to teach Tahitian tamure some years ago. She owns land near ours on Huahine.  Honolulu of course was just coming out of summer so it was hot like Huahine … sigh!  Off to the museum I went on my own this time. The Bishop Museum archives are old and a stark contrast to the new and lavish Wellington archive space.  But what a great museum the Bishop is.  So rich in history, and interesting to those of us who are drawn to all things Polynesian.  I met up with a friend who is an expert barkcloth maker and we compared notes (actually I was the one mostly note taking!). We have a plan to meet as a group in Huahine in a couple of years to further our knowledge.

Then came the time for me to leave familiar places and faces and for the first time in my life leave the Pacific.  After two long days of travel, I landed here in London.  I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I am … though I have to say thank goodness for Skype, email and mobile phones.  I’ve been lucky enough to be able to talk with my family every day since arriving and that has helped a lot with the homesickness I was dealing with earlier on in Hawai’i.

I’m blown away by London’s art, sculpture, museums and ease of getting around.  By sheer luck I ended up in Camden Markets on my first day – what a trip!  I have of course made ‘official’ visits to the British Museum – the days go so fast I know I wont end up doing a heap of sightseeing … but even just a little is marvellous.  Things are different yet strangely familiar here – all those Monopoly games and history lessons must have sunk in.  I have an idea ... our Norfolk Island kids come to England and go to Tahiti for a complete history round up - probably next to impossible but wow, wouldn't that be educational.

I’ve taken zillions of photos of course and notes on every scrap of paper I have … by the time you read this I will have headed off again to visit more museums around the UK… I’ll catch up with you next week … thank you to all those who have been so supportive – there’s no place like home.

Maritime Archaeology on Norfolk Island

Most of the focus of historic shipwrecks on Norfolk Island has been on the HMS Sirius. As the flagship of the First Fleet the wreck site and artefacts have national significance and so of course have been the focus of much attention. However there have been many other shipwrecks around Norfolk and there are various anchors and other objects that have been sighted by divers across the years. It is now timely to begin to shift our focus to trying to discover the stories of these other shipwrecks and objects and by doing so ensure that they are protected. We are very excited to be able to do this via some wonderful training in maritime archaeology that will be of interest to divers and non-divers alike.

On the weekend of November 6th and 7th the Museum will be running part 1 of the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology and Nautical Archaeology Society (AIMA/NAS) course which will be run by Cass Phillipou, the senior AIMA/NAS tutor. This exciting course is able to be offered via funding from the Historic Shipwrecks Program. The aim is to start a Norfolk Island Maritime Archaeology Association which will help to plot shipwreck sites and objects, look for items and help protect those that are found.

The course is designed as a general introduction to maritime archaeology and will cover a wide range of issues and skills such as recording techniques and surveying methods. It will focus on the importance of shipwrecks to archaeology and our national heritage in addition to the basics of how to locate, identify and survey shipwrecks in a non-intrusive way. Other topics are definitions, archaeological sciences, material conservation, ship construction and State and Commonwealth legislation.

Normally this 8 hour course is $200.00 per participant, however as we are able to offer it with funding from the Historic Shipwrecks Program – it will be free to Norfolk Island participants. On completion, you’ll gain a 12 month membership to AIMA and an internationally recognised AIMA/NAS certificate.

This course will be of interest to people who want to enhance their diving experience, be involved in underwater projects and be part of a forum of wreck enthusiasts. You
 don’t need to be a diver to be involved – there is plenty for the non-diver who is interested in our underwater archaeology. While we don’t want to knock back anyone, the class size limit will be about 20. If you’d like to hear more about the course or register your name for attendance please call me on 23788.

Progress on Bounty Cannon Conservation

Janelle Blucher has spent a painstaking week slowing covering and re-covering every inch of the cannons surface. She has been removing microscopic pieces of the original surface coating with Kwik Strip, then using citric acid with thiourea to remove surface corrosion. This is slow methodical work that requires intense concentration and Janelle has not let up all week – good on you Janellle!

By the end of the week Karina Acton, our specialist consultant from International Conservation Services had given Janelle the all clear to start applying rusticide on the outside. Having done this she will now leave the cannon for a few weeks and see if any further corrosion spots appear before the final sealing. For the bore, silica gel will be inserted and left over the next few weeks, prior to the final sealing with vapour guard pads. The pads are essentially scotch guard pads that are impregnated with corrosion inhibitors.

A New Look for the Norfolk Island Museum

Our new logo

When the Norfolk Island Tourist Bureau unveiled the new branding for Norfolk Island towards the end of last year, they provided us with the opportunity to look afresh at how the Museum presents itself to visitors. We wanted to work with the new “World of Norfolk” brand and were really excited by the new colour palate provided by the creative team that worked on the “Welcome Back to Earth” tag line. When our brochures were due for a re-print earlier this year, we used that as the opportunity to apply a make-over to our logo and overall look to bring us in line with the brand.

 
We were very happy to work with local graphic designer Haylee Fieldes, now living in Perth. Haylee produced a new logo and style guide, brochure and flyers for us. Using the new logo, and with the help of Eve Semple's business Signed, we’ve also updated the sandwich boards that sit outside each of our Museum venues.


To say we are delighted with Haylee’s work is an understatement! She has provided us with a really great new logo which incorporates the door image from our old logo with new fonts and colours. The new brochures and flyers are vibrant and clear and are exactly how we want to present ourselves to visitors. As we produce nearly all our advertising and promotional material in-house, with the help of Haylee’s style guide we can use the key elements of the logo, font and colouring to make sure that everything is consistently presented so that our look is intact. Visitors should have no problems identifying our various products. 

Back to Taking off the Surface Coating

If you've been following the story of our Bounty cannon conservation project, you'll know that last week we had great success removing the surface coatings. The coatings were applied by the Western Australian Maritime Museum in the 1980s when the cannon received treatment in WA. The coatings are Kephos primer, F & T Imerite 390 and polyurethane which our Conservation Officer Janelle Blucher, removed with Kwik Strip.

Late last week Janelle and Sue Brian (our wonder volunteer) began the process of removing surface corrosion and applying rusticide. This involved several days of working with a magnifying glass, wire brush and scalpel, slowly working their way away across the entire surface. The good news at that point was that the level of corrosion was less than anticipated, and with advice from Karina Acton from International Conservation Services, there would be no need to immerse the cannon in a solution tank.


However our good progress was interrupted early this morning. With a strong light, Janelle could see that there were still microscopic spots of the surface coating still intact. This means that we will have to go back to the  process of applying Kwik Strip then brushing and washing it off and carefully picking away at every inch of the surface. This is extremely detailed work and will require many hours of work. But it is necessary to make sure that all the old coatings have been removed before new ones are applied. This really just re-inforces for us the point that conservation work is usually detailed, hardly ever straight forward and a process of determining an action, gently seeing how it goes and moving on one step at a time from there. 

Progress of Conservation of the Bounty Cannon

Final removal of Kwik Strip from the touch hole

Over the last few weeks we’ve been following the story of our Bounty Cannon Conservation Project, funded by the National Library of Australia through the Community Heritage Grants Program. The first step was the making of the replica cannon and now that that is complete we have begun the conservation work. Janelle Blucher has been heading this work with phone advice from Karina Acton from International Conservation Services.

Janelle has been assisted by our wonderful volunteer Sue Brian who has been there each day to help with the work. The first step they had to undertake was the removal of the surface coatings. Until they began applying the Kwik Strip, which is then brushed and washed off, it was not clear how much time this would take but we had set aside a week to do the job. However progress was so good that they had removed all the coatings by Wednesday afternoon. And when the coating was removed we discovered that the surface corrosion activity was not as bad as we had thought it could be. The top side of the cannon has more corrosion than the bottom side, which you would expect as it is more exposed. The heavier areas of corrosion are being treated with citric acid thiourea poultices, before a rust converter is applied and finally the whole cannon will be sealed with Senson Ferroguard to protect it against future corrosion.

The bore of the gun was trickier to assess. We knew that this was the area with the most corrosion and was going to be the most difficult to work with. As the bore goes right up to the touch-hole region which is 1.5 metres long, it presents us firstly with the difficultly of being able to see all the way up, and secondly with how to get to the top area to clear the corrosion. Using a long arm torch Janelle and Sue were able to see up to the top area and asses the corrosion. Once again we were very pleased to discover that it appears the corrosion does not go deep into the cannon.

Tlting the cannon to get to corrosion in the bore

With the help of Lee Irvine the cannon was tilted so that the iron corrosion could be removed with a wire brush mounted onto a 2 metre extension arm and also an air gun on an extension. A few objects that we weren’t expecting to see came out of the bore during the brushing – a beer top, an Anticol wrapper, a piece of paper and a nail - not quite from 1790! A series of sprayings with rust converter and dewatering then occurred.

Finally,  Senson Vapour Guard Pads will be inserted, which are corrosion inhibitors, together with silica gel and then a tampion will be inserted into the end to seal the bore. All these treatments have been recommended by the Western Australian Maritime Museum and Karina Acton.

Wire brushing

Kel Adams came into the Museum with an article from Pix Magazine, August 19, 1950 (reproduced here). It has a photo of the cannon in the New Military Barracks compound being inspected by Johnnie Young, Pastor Pat Adams, Ben Christain and Carty Christian. A fabulous image and amazing to see the cannon where it stood for so many years before being restored in Western Australia – many thanks Kel for bringing it in. If anyone has any other images of the cannon, particularly when it was used in the Compound on Bounty Days, I would really appreciate being able to see them. Please give me a call on 23788.

Using the air gun to remove debris

Unexpected finds from the bore of the cannon!

It has been fascinating to watch the progress of this Project. One of the most inspiring aspects has been that the solutions to all of problems posed with handling the cannon have been resolved by our local people. We should not underestimate the skill of our local Administration and Museum workers – it is solid indeed.

From PIX Magazine, 19 August 1950