Rocket Rescue Equipment on display in Portland

A new display of 19th century rocket rescue equipment has been opened at Portland's Rocket Shed. It is an initiative of Glenelg Shire Council’s Maritime Heritage Advisory Committee. The project was funded by Heritage Victoria and Council.

The bluestone rocket shed is the smallest building in the town’s “government block” between the old Portland Town Hall (History House) and the Watch House was built in 1886 by local builder George Sedgewick, replacing an earlier weatherboard structure. Rocket rescue equipment was stored in the shed, and used by volunteer rocket crews who attended ship rescues in the region.

In Portland, the lifeboat crew and the rocket crew were generally the same group of volunteers, many being fisherman or whalers. The rocket rescue service supplemented the limited range that lifeboats could provide during a sea rescue.

The rocket line of one inch Italian hemp was the first of a series of successfully stronger lines sent from the shore to the wreck, fired from the rocket launcher.

As the survivors pulled it in, an attached tally board gave instructions in four languages of the procedure. To their end of the heavier rocket line, the rescue crew attached a heavier endless line called a whip with a tail block attached. Secured to the mast, the whip carried out a hawser to which a breeches buoy was attached. One by one, the rescued were brought to shore in the breeches buoy.

Rocket equipment was used by the Portland crew on four occasions: at the wreck of the Admella in 1859; Tamora in 1860; Jane in 1863; and Lady Robilliard in 1867. Only at the wreck of the Tamora and Lady Robilliard was the rocket line used successfully.

The new display includes a rocket, rocket launcher and megaphone from the Glenelg Shire Cultural Collection, and rocket line box, tally boards, stores box, water barrico, fuse box, rocket carrier powder box and arm bands on long term loan from the Moyne Shire Lifeboat Advisory Committee.

This unique display is available for viewing during the same hours as History House: from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon, and 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm daily, except Christmas Day and Good. There is no charge to view the Rocket Shed display.

Portland, located in south-west Victoria, offers visitors a wealth of opportunities to explore rugged landscapes, discover a colourful history, get back to nature, surf some great waves, catch a fish, wander historic streets and dine on great local food and wine.

For more information:
Phone toll free 1800 035 567
Phone +61 (0)3 5523 2671
Or go to the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre page.