Fort Queenscliff

Fort Queenscliff Keep
Location:	Australia
Latitude:	38° 16.0' S
Longitude:	144° 39.0' E

Fort Queenscliff in Victoria, Australia, dates from the Crimean War of 1853–1856, when Great Britain and her allies (including the various British colonies in yet-to-be-federated Australia) were at war with Russia. The construction of a fort was deemed urgent and many local fishermen and farmers were employed on the building and excavation works. The Fort, built between 1882 and 1885, became the headquarters for an extensive chain of forts around Port Phillip Heads. Its garrison included volunteer cavalry, artillery, engineers, infantry and naval militia, and it was manned as a coastal defence installation continuously from 1883 to 1946. The other fortifications and armaments around the Heads were completed by 1891, and together made Port Phillip one of the most heavily defended harbours in the British Empire. Capital Melbourne Government Const. ... Combatants Allies: Second French Empire United Kingdom Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Bulgarian volunteers Casualties 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 17,500 British 2,050 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease 256,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War (1854–1856) was fought... Landsat 7 composite imagery of the bay. ... For people named Garrison, see Garrison (disambiguation) Garrison House, built by William Damm in 1675 at Dover, New Hampshire Garrison (from the French garnison, itself from the verb garnir, to equip) is the collective term for the body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but... Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback in combat are commonly known as cavalry (from French cavalerie). ... Artillery with Gabion fortification Cannons on display at Fort Point Continental Artillery crew from the American Revolution Firing of an 18-pound gun, Louis-Philippe Crepin, (1772 – 1851) A forge-welded Iron Cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. ... Engineering is the application of scientific and technical knowledge to solve human problems. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ...

On orders from Fort Queenscliff, the first British Empire artillery shots of World War One were when a gun at Fort Nepean fired across the bow of a German freighter attempting to escape to sea. The same gun, with a different barrel, also fired the first Australian artillery shot of World War Two. By 1946 coastal artillery was outmoded and the fort became home of Army’s Staff College. After three Service Staff Colleges were combined in Canberra, it became the base for Army’s Soldier Career Management Agency in 2001. Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... This article is becoming very long. ... 19th century coastal artillery guns preserved in Suomenlinna fortress in Helsinki Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating mobile anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ...

Fort Queenscliff is located in the Borough of Queenscliff, some 106 kms from Melbourne, on the western entrance to Port Phillip. It occupies an area of 6.7 ha on high ground known as Shortland Bluff and overlooks the shipping lanes leading to Melbourne and Geelong. Shortland Bluff has been occupied by military forces since 1860 and is now the permanent home of Soldier Career Management Agency (SCMA). The Fort is a superb example of the defences that existed around the coastline of Australia from colonial times through to the end of the Second World War. Considerable restoration has been accomplished at Fort Queenscliff in recent years, including the recovery and refurbishment of some of the original guns, the restoration of historic buildings and the development of a comprehensive indoor display and archival centre. Fort Queenscliff has been classified by the National Trust and entered in the Register of National Estate. The Borough of Queenscliffe is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... Landsat 7 composite imagery of the bay. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... - - Nickname: City by the Bay Geography Area: 1,240 km² Coordinates: Time Zone UTC +10:00 Population (2003) 200,067 Among Australian cities: Density: persons/km² Political Mayor: Shane Dowling Governing body: City of Greater Geelong Geelong is a port city of 200,067 people (2003 census) located on Corio... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ... The National Trust of Australia is a community-based, non-government organisation, committed to promoting and conserving Australias indigenous, natural and historic heritage through its advocacy work and its custodianship of heritage places and objects. ...

Fort Queenscliff Museum

A museum was established at Fort Queenscliff in 1982 to show the significance of the Fort in the local, state and national context and to provide a centre for historical research.

History of Queenscliff

In 1852, the Lieutenant Governor of Victoria C.J. La Trobe commissioned a surveyor to layout a town at Shortland Bluff. On 1 May 1853, he appointed a postmaster at the Bluff to tranship Geelong and Western District mails. This first settlement was proclaimed Queenscliff on 23 June 1853 and two months later the first town lots were sold. Prior to these developments, between 1838 and 1843, pilot operations had begun, a grazing lease had been granted and a lighthouse had been established in the area. Charles La Trobe (March 20, 1801 - December 4, 1875) was the first lieutenant-governor of the state of Victoria. ... - - Nickname: City by the Bay Geography Area: 1,240 km² Coordinates: Time Zone UTC +10:00 Population (2003) 200,067 Among Australian cities: Density: persons/km² Political Mayor: Shane Dowling Governing body: City of Greater Geelong Geelong is a port city of 200,067 people (2003 census) located on Corio... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

In 1853-54, cottages for the pilots and a house for the Health Officer at the Quarantine Station were built in Gellibrand Street and a Customs Officer was appointed. A church and school, the first hotel and a second lighthouse were also built. The telegraph office was built and began operations in January 1855. The pilots' cottages were mainly occupied by the Health Officer and Customs boatcrews because the pilots preferred to live elsewhere and they commissioned some of the first private dwellings in the town. Joseph Tice Gellibrand (1786-1837), born in England was a Tasmanian attorney-general and later investor in the Port Phillip Association. ...

In the next few years, development continued and more houses, shops and hotels were built. By the time the Borough was incorporated in 1863, Hesse Street was established as the main street of the town and Queenscliff boasted five hotels, a library and cricket and recreation reserves. In addition, there was a lifeboat, a jetty and small steamers began offering trips around the Bay. The Presbyterian church had been opened, a Church of England was being created and a site had been selected for the Roman Catholic church. A fishing industry had commenced in the town and the first requests had been made for a railway. Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ... For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ...

A detachment of the Victorian Volunteer Artillery and Rifle Corps had been formed in Queenscliff in 1859, commanded by Acting Lieutenant Alexander Robertson. Construction of a gun battery began at Shortland Bluff which caused the building of two new lighthouses in 1861- 62 (The original lighthouse stood on the site now needed for the battery.) Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

A railway line from Geelong opened in 1879 which allowed better public access to the Bellarine Peninsula area and improved the supply of building materials to the Queenscliff area. In the 1880's large buildings were erected in the town - Lathamstowe and the Esplanade, Grand, Queenscliff, Royal and Ozone hotels. A new pier was built in 1885 and this encouraged the building of a larger paddle steamer, the ' Ozone'. The fortifications at Shortland Bluff were extended and, in 1885, the Victorian Permanent Artillery moved to Queenscliff. Continuing prosperity during the 1880s and 1890's led to the building of more guest houses and two further paddle steamers, the 'Hygeia' and the 'Weeroona', which serviced the tourist trade. - - Nickname: City by the Bay Geography Area: 1,240 km² Coordinates: Time Zone UTC +10:00 Population (2003) 200,067 Among Australian cities: Density: persons/km² Political Mayor: Shane Dowling Governing body: City of Greater Geelong Geelong is a port city of 200,067 people (2003 census) located on Corio... The Bellarine Peninsula is a peninsula located south-west of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, surrounded by Port Phillip, Corio Bay and Bass Strait. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

Queenscliff became one of the most popular Victorian seaside resorts until greater prosperity and the increasing popularity of the motor car enabled people to look further afield for their holidays. The attraction of the town for the holiday-maker came from its unique blend of military and civilian activities, the picturesque fishing fleet and the ever changing seascape. Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

The defence of Port Phillip Bay

The defences at Queenscliff, and elsewhere around Port Phillip Bay were developed in the second half of the nineteenth century, to protect Melbourne and its outlying settlements from invasion by hostile foreign powers. These hostile powers were, at various times, identified as the French, the Russians and, at one stage during the American Civil War, the United States. Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ... Landsat 7 composite imagery of the bay. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... This article is becoming very long. ...

In particular, the Crimean War (1853-56) stimulated public concern over Victoria's defences and after protracted discussions, reports and inquiries, Captain (later General Sir) Peter Scratchley of the British Army arrived in Victoria to advise on the development of the Colony's coastal defences. His recommendations included a proposal to construct four large batteries of guns at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, and suggested Shortland Bluff as the site for one of these batteries. He also recommended the construction of an inner ring of gun batteries around Hobsons Bay to provide a more intimate protection for Melbourne. Combatants Allies: Second French Empire United Kingdom Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Bulgarian volunteers Casualties 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 17,500 British 2,050 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease 256,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War (1854–1856) was fought... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Capital Melbourne Government Const. ... Landsat 7 composite imagery of the bay. ... The City of Hobsons Bay is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ...

Other than the completion of the Shortland Bluff battery, little work was actively undertaken on Scratchley's recommendations for the next fifteen years. In 1875, a colonial Royal Commission recommended that the Director of Works and Fortifications in London, Lieutenant General Sir William Jervois be invited to Victoria to further advise on Victoria's defences. He arrived in 1877 accompanied by the now Colonel Peter Scratchley. Their joint report again recommended that the basic defences for the Colony should be concentrated on the Heads, and consist of fortifications at the entrance to the Bay and on the shoals between the main shipping channels. Between 1879 and 1886 their recommendations were substantially actioned and these Bay defences were progressively developed. In states that are Commonwealth Realms a Royal Commission is a major government public inquiry into an issue. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, GCMG CD, Governor of New Zealand, 1883-89, b. ... Capital Melbourne Government Const. ...

Fort Queenscliff was developed as an enclosed battery armed with heavy calibre cannons on Shortland Bluff. Swan Island at the northern end of town covered the western shipping channel and was similarly fortified. Two 'island' forts at Popes Eye and South Channel, were to be raised on existing shoals in the Bay to cover West, Symonds and South Channels. Although the South Channel Fort was eventually built, work on Popes Eye Shoal was discontinued because of cost and the development of torpedoes that could effectively block Symonds Channel. These torpedoes and mines were located at Swan Island and were to be laid across the shipping channels in times of tension. Swan Island was permanently manned by Engineers of the Victorian Military Forces. The fortifications at Point Nepean and Point Franklin on the eastern side of the Bay were also developed and, although on a lesser scale, were similar to those at Fort Queenscliff. Swan Island is an island in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia. ... Swan Island is an island in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia. ... Swan Island is an island in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia. ...

By design Fort Queenscliff became the command centre for the Heads defences, probably because of its strategic location and established telegraph links with Melbourne. In recognition of its importance, a landward defensive system around the Queenscliff guns was commenced in 1882. Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

By 1886 Port Phillip was the most heavily fortified port in the southem hemisphere. Over the next fifty years, the Bay Forts were manned and both Fort Nepean and Fort Queenscliff were fully operational during both World Wars. In 1946 Fort Queenscliff ceased to be a coastal artillery station and since then has housed the Australian Army's Command and Staff College (until 2001) and now Soldier Career Management Agency has occupied the Fort since 2002. The other Bay forts have since fallen into disrepair. Landsat 7 composite imagery of the bay. ... 19th century coastal artillery guns preserved in Suomenlinna fortress in Helsinki Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating mobile anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Development of Fort Queenscliff

The first military works at Queenscliff commenced in 1860, with the construction of a sea wall along the top of Shortland Bluff. Built from sandstone quarried at Point King, this sea wall was positioned directly east of the site of the original upper lighthouse. It was designed to strengthen the cliff face and allow the positioning of heavy calibre guns in an elevated location, right on the edge of the Bluff. Also during 1860, the Queenscliff Company of Volunteer Artillery (of 50 men) received its first official commander, Acting Lieutenant Alexander Robertson. Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ... Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

Between 1861 and 1864, the construction of the first permanent battery, directly above the sea wall, was completed as Captain Scratchley had recommended. The Shortland Bluff battery was made from local sandstone at a cost of 1,425 pounds. Designed in a quarterfoil pattern, it accommodated four 68 pound muzzle loading cannons which were manned by the Volunteer Artillery, made up of local residents. Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... A quarterfoil is a design element, as in architecture, with four lobes or leaves, called foliations. ...

The building of this battery required the construction of new lighthouses. In 1861, contracts were let for the lighthouses to replace the timber framed leading light built in 1854, and the badly decaying sandstone upper light. Both new lighthouses were built in dressed basalt and by February 1863 were operational. (The timber light was subsequently re-erected at Point Lonsdale.) In 1862-63, lighthouse keepers quarters were erected at the Bluff for both Queenscliff lighthouses. The upper quarters still survive within the Fort. Between 1864 and 1879, the rate of military construction at Queenscliff declined. In 1870, as the last detachment of British troops left Victoria, the debate on the Colony's defences remained unresolved and the future of the Queenscliff battery was by no means certain. Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... Basalt Basalt (IPA: ) is a common gray to black volcanic rock. ... Point Lonsdale is a coastal township near Geelong, Victoria, Australia. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ... Victoria may refer to: // Victoria of the United Kingdom, aka Queen Victoria, former British monarch Victoria (Australia), a state in Australia Victoria, British Columbia, the capital of the Canadian province Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory Victoria may also refer to: Victoria (name) Main disambiguation page: Victoria of the United... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

The period 1879-1889 was the major stage of development at Fort Queenscliff. New works recommended by Scratchley and Jervois were started and formed the basis of the layout of the Fort as it stands today. In 1879, two contracts were let for the construction of an upper and a lower battery. The lower battery was to contain four 80 pounder rifled muzzle loading (RML) guns and the upper battery, three 9 inch RML guns. Both batteries were completed by early 1882, although not armed. In 1882, work commenced on the walls of the Fort and a Keep and proceeded erratically until their completion in 1886. A year later a ditch or dry moat was excavated around the Fort walls to provide a further defensive measure. An array of support facilities were also erected, including a drill hall (1882), barracks (1885) assorted sheds and stores, a guard house (1883) and a separate cell block (1887). These buildings were all constructed from timber and corrugated iron, were purely functional and had little architectural embellishment. Many of them still exist today. With the erection of the wall, the civilian presence in the Fort came to a virtual end and, by 1887, both the lighthouse keepers' quarters and the post and telegraph office were turned over to military use. From this point on, regular civilian entry to the Fort has been restricted. Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, GCMG CD, Governor of New Zealand, 1883-89, b. ... The keep of Scarborough Castle Rochester Castle featuring a massive turreted keep Early 13th century keep (Rouen, France) The 14th century residential keep at Largoët A keep is a strong central tower which normally forms the heart of a castle. ... A drill hall is mainly a place such as a bulding or a hangar where persons go to practice/perform drill. ... A barracks housing conscripts of Norrbottens regemente in Boden, Sweden. ... Corrugated iron is a building material made by taking sheet iron or steel and pressing it into corrugations to give the flat sheet stiffness without the need for a frame. ...

After 1890, apart from continual improvements to the Fort's guns and their emplacements and the construction of search-light apertures, little development took place within the Fort until the 1914-18 War. Around 1915, substantial development occurred along the northern boundary of the parade ground which involved the removal of an old shrapnel mound from behind the wall and the erection of a number of timber barracks and mess buildings. For other uses, see Mess (disambiguation). ...

All the old barrack buildings were demolished in 1936 to allow the construction of the present red brick buildings. One of the more unfortunate aspects of development since the 1930s has been the encroachment of structures outside the Fort Walls, especially on the Hesse and King Street sides. In terms of layout and despite some changes in architectural style, the Fort, as it stands today, is almost the same as it was in 1889.

The soldiers

Though over two hundred military units have been associated with Fort Queenscliff since the 1860s two major groups of permanent soldiers have been based here: the coastal gunners of the artillery and their technical support provided by the sappers of the fortress engineers. As well, there were Militia (part-time) soldiers who were to bring the Bay forts to full strength during wartime and who trained at the Fort throughout the year, particularly at camps over Easter. Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection, the Sunday of the Resurrection, or Resurrection Day, is the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed between late March and late April (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity). ...

To a great extent, the soldiers at the Fort were peacetime soldiers - and as has been said, 'soldiers in peace are like chimneys in summer'! Though always part of the town, the soldiers (leathernecks) could always find opponents such as the fishermen (squids) and rivalries, not always healthy, resulted. However, many soldiers married Queenscliff lasses and there are frequent cases of whole families of men joining the Service, sometimes over three generations. Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

The routine of the Fort governed the lives of its occupants. New recruits were given rigorous training by experienced non-commissioned officers, but given few privileges until they had fully joined their regiment. Married recruits were normally not accepted - indeed soldiers had to notify their Commanding Officer and, at times, gain his approval to marry. Prior to World War One, 'the married establishment', that is those who were entitled to married quarters and rations, was severely restricted. A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer), also known as an NCO or noncom, is a non-commissioned member of an armed force who has been given authority by a commissioned officer. ... A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - - commanded by a colonel. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ...

Food was very basic and monotonous. One incident in the early 1900s told how for weeks on end there was not 'pudding' until constant demands resulted in a desert made from boiled cabbage scraps! Sobriety was encouraged, not always successfully, by the establishment of a soft drink bottling factory inside the Fort. The 'Artillery' bottles of this factory are much sought after today. Sobriety is solemn or dignified personal behaviour, in particular moderation or abstinence with regard to (typically) the consumption of alcoholic beverages or other drugs. ...

Outside the barracks activities with the locals included concerts, musical recitals, spelling bees, roller skating, lectures and lantern slide shows, occasional tattoos and moving picture shows.

A humorist during World War I perhaps exaggerated only a little when he wrote in the Fort news sheet:

"When you take a boat to Queenscliff as you're standing on the shore.

You will see some dinkum soldiers for a cert.

For when they are not drilling or the amber liquid swilling.

They are down there on the lookout for some skirt."

Significance

A conservation study initiated in 1982 by the Department of Defence analysed the Fort and its cultural significance. After assessing archaeological, architectural, historical and environmental factors, the study concluded: 'The significance of Fort Queenscliff and its location on Shortland Bluff can be viewed at a number of levels: Historically, Shortland Bluff is the raison d'etre for the existence of the town of Queenscliff. As the site of the first lighthouse and the first pilots' hut, it contained the earliest major navigational aid to ships entering Port Phillip Bay. Subsequently, as the location of the telegraph station, it provided Melbourne with vital overseas information long before incoming ships reached their berths, and was the civil centre of the early township. A defence minister (Commonwealth English) or defense minister (American English) is a cabinet portfolio (position) which regulates the armed forces in a sovereign nation. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

In terms of military history it is the site of the first substantial attempt to defend the entry to Port Phillip Bay, and subsequently was the centre of the major fortification of the Heads. The Fort is the tangible remains of part of this system of defences, retaining its nineteenth century layout largely intact, and illustrating the rapid evolution of military engineering during this period. Landsat 7 composite imagery of the bay. ...

Its significance also relates to its designers, Sir Peter Scratchley and Sir William Jervois, two of the most important figures in the design of the defences for the Australian colonies in the nineteenth century. Although a number of other examples of their works remain, Queenscliff is one of the largest, both in terms of area covered and ordnance mounted. As the central command post for the defences of the Bay, it was the premier Fort. Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, GCMG CD, Governor of New Zealand, 1883-89, b. ... Queenscliff is a small town that lies on the Bellarine Peninsula. ...

The mount for an 8" disappearing gun at South Channel Fort, Victoria, Australia

The restored gun, taken during a car show on the parade ground

Finally, its significance relates to the fact that the site on which it is built has been utilised for military purposes for over one hundred and twenty years, and is presently still occupied by the Australian Army. Although not utilised in the manner in which it was originally designed, this continued occupation has been instrumental in maintaining the Fort as an example of living history as opposed to being a museum piece. Preservinq the Heritaqe The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ...

Today the Australian Army is very much aware of its responsibilities preserving the Fort as part of Victoria's heritage. The Fort Queenscliff Museum was formed in 1982 for the purpose of raising and maintaining a display and archival centre, obtaining, refurbishing and reinstalling original guns and equipment re-establishing and restoring the original fortifications and facilities and last but no means least, raising funds. This Museum is authorised by the Department of Defence. The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ... A defence minister (Commonwealth English) or defense minister (American English) is a cabinet portfolio (position) which regulates the armed forces in a sovereign nation. ...

To date several guns have been recovered, refurbished and re-established at Fort Queenscliff, including the recovery from South Channel Island of a 65 tonne on a hydro-pneumatic or 'disappearing' mounting. Considerable work has also taken place on the restoration of most of the defensive positions and some of the underground magazines. A significant archival collection has also been established. In recognition of these efforts, in 1983, the Fort was awarded the 'Museum of the Year' award for "'- Victoria. Today the Fort Queenscliff Museum receives support from a wide range of government and private organisations and many interested individuals.

Since 1983, approximately 35 000 people have visited the Fort annually. Many of these are school children visiting on excursions. It is expected that the ongoing restoration program will result in a substantial increase in the number of visitors and an increase in public interest. The ultimate objective of the Fort Queenscliff Museum is a fully restored Fort and the development of a museum which will allow visitors to tour the Fort and inspect a multitude of indoor and outdoor displays.

Today visitors are encouraged to look upon Fort Queenscliff as a part of the national heritage which belongs to all Australians. Accordingly, the Fort Queenscliff Museum has sought to create an environment that evokes public interest and reminds visitors of our early military history.

Museum

The Fort Queenscliff Museum has a number of exhibits that are of special value. The collection includes:

• The documents relating to the 1860 occupation of Shortland Bluff and Captain Jordan.
• The uniform of Lieutenant Colonel J.E. Newland, VC.
• An Artillery bottle, from the soft drink factory inside the Fort
• The collection of items relating to Major Hany Ronald, perhaps the person with the longest association with the Fort
• The Major General W.A. Coxen collection
• The Roll Book of the Victorian Permanent Artillery from 1882 to 1905
• The rifle issued to the soldier murdered in Crow’s Nest in 1942

The Museum also has a rare manual entitled, "The Artillerist's Manual". The contents include Cautionary Remarks (on the importance of drill and bearing), Recruit (a section on basic foot drill), Manual and Platoon Exercises (more foot drill), Company Drill, Inspection on Review, Battalion Drill, Sword Exercise, Light Drill, Instruction in Gunnery and finally Cavalry Exercise. This manual may be the second or third oldest Australian Military Publication. John Ernest Newland (VC, MSM) (22 August 1881- 19 March 1948) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ...

References

• A soldier's five minutes on the Fort: A concise history of Fort Queenscliff, Fort Queenscliff Museum, 1982
• Fort Queenscliff museum: Victoria's premier coastal fortress, Fort Queenscliff Museum
• Fort Queenscliff Museum: Guide book, Fort Queenscliff Museum, King Street, Queenscliff, Victoria 3225
• An attack on Melbourne: a case study of the defence of Australia’s major ports in the early 1890s, Michael Kitson, Journal, Australian War Memorial.
• "Queenscliff", Travel, Sydney morning Herald, February 8, 2004

Bibliography and additional reading

• Tate, Jim; A History of Fort Queenscliff, 1988
• A soldier's five minutes on the Fort: A concise history of Fort Queenscliff, Fort Queenscliff Museum, 1982
• Fort Queenscliff museum: Victoria's premier coastal fortress, Fort Queenscliff Museum
• Fort Queenscliff Museum: Guide book, Fort Queenscliff Museum, King Street, Queenscliff, Victoria 3225
• Conservation management plan for the Command and Staff College, Fort Queenscliff, Volumes 1 & 11, Melbourne, Allan Lovell & Associates, 1982
• Follows, Barrie; Defence at Point Nepean: a History of Defence at the Nepean Peninsula, Victoria Australia 1802-1997, Sorrento Historical Society, c 1997
• Gill, G. Herman; Australia in the war of 1939-45, Series 2, Volume 1, Royal Australian Navy 1939-42, Canberra, Australian War Memorial, 1957
• Gill, G. Herman; Australia in the war of 1939-45, Series 2, Volume 11, Royal Australian Navy 1939-42, Canberra, Australian War Memorial, 1968
• Jose, A.W; Official History of Australia in the war of 1914-18. Volume IX, the Royal Australian Navy, Sydney, Angus & Robertson, 1940
• Loney, J; the Sea War in Bass Straight, Portarlington, Marine history publications, 1993
• Noble, J; Port Phillip Pilots and Defences, Melbourne, the Hawthorn Press, 1973
• Bonwick, J; Port Phillip settlement, Samson Low, marston, Searle and Rivington. London 1883
• Prosten, G; Historical record of Queenscliff Borough 1863-1933, Peninsular Beacon, Queenscliff, 1933
• The Encyclopaedia of Victoria: An Historical Review, descriptive and biological, facts, figures and illustrations, etc, James Smith (ed), The Encyclopaedia publishers, Melbourne and Ballarat, 1905
• Noble, Captain J; Port Phillip Panorama, hawthorn Press, Melbourne, 1975
• Bognuda, Joan & Moorhead, Leslie W; Gateway to Port Phillip, Wilte & Company, Clayton, Victoria, For Jolbo studio, 1980
• Kerr, Colin & Margaret; Port Phillip Bay, Rigby, 1979
• Turner, H.G; A history of the colony of Victoria. From its discovery to its absortion into the commonwealth, Longmans green & Company, London, 1904

External links

• Borough of Queenscliff
• Fort Queenscliff Museum tours
• Australian Army Museums
• Australian Army
• Oz @ war
• Cars of the world
• Australian War Memorial