Binoculars presented to Captain J.E. Meaburn

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Binoculars presented to Captain J.E. Meaburn

Date1883

Object number00050713

NameBinoculars

MediumMetal, glass

DimensionsOverall: 160 x 130 x 62 mm

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Geoff Thorne

Terms

DescriptionBinoculars presented to Captain J.E. Meaburn as a souvenir of the relief of SS COREA near Moreton Bay Bar on the 8th February 1883 by the SS QUEENSLAND. The plate on right side reads: To Capt. J.E. Meaburn as a souvenir of the relief of SS COREA near Moreton Bay Bar on the 8th February 1883'. The plate on the left side reads 'Presented by His Lordship the RC Bishop of Brisbane Dr Dunne, Hon. John Douglas C.M.G, Thos Coe J.P., P.G.R. Rosenthall and forty two other passengers, by the SS QUEENSLAND'.HistoryThe Brisbane Courier - Wednesday 21 February 1883, page 4 Yesterday Captain J.E. Meaburn, of the steamship Queensland, was presented with the souvenir subscribed for by the passengers on board at the time. the Queensland stood by the steamship Corea, when the vessel was in a disabled condition off Cape Moreton on the 8th February. having had her decks swept by a succession of high seas and her propeller rendered useless. The Queensland on the occasion was instrumental in saving two out of the five men who were washed overboard from the Corea. The souvenir consists of a pair of binocular glasses the firm of Messer’s. Flavelle and Co. could supply. On either barrel of the glasses is a silver shield bearing a division of the following inscription:- "To Captain J.E. Meaburn, as a souvenir of the relief of the s.s. Corea near Moreton Bay Bar on the 8th February, 1883. Presented by his Lordship the Roman Catholic Bishop of Brisbane Dr.Dunne, Hon. John Douglas, C.M.G., Thomas B. Coe, J.P., P.J. Rosenthal, forty two other passengers of the s.s Queensland." Mr. Coe presented the glasses on behalf of the subscribers to Captain Meaburn, who expressed himself gratified at the present, remarking that, as he had only done his duty, he never expected any reward: but he would nevertheless highly prize the souvenir. SignificanceThis is an outstanding collection of the memorabilia of the service and community support for an Australian coastal steamship captain. It shows the importance placed in these items by Captain Meaburn and his family and descendants, and reflects the faith and esteem placed on the service of sea captains by various Australian maritime communites during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The objects were treasured by Meaburn's descendants. They are exquistely and lovingly hand detailed - reflecting a lost art in illuminated and decorated community driven testimonials - and remain in remarkably excellent condition. As such, they are a rare and important group of artefacts.