The collection comprises items listed as Schedule 1 of Permit No. 100547 for possession of protected underwater cultural heritage items in accordance with Australian Government legislation. The collection is restricted for purchase by Australian collectors only and cannot be exported.

Medium
Boats

Provenance
The Dunbar was wrecked at the entrance to Sydney Harbour on the night of 20 August 1857, becoming one of the greatest maritime disasters in the history of colonial New South Wales. The clipper had departed Plymouth on 2 June under the command of the experienced Captain James Green, who had previously completed numerous voyages to Sydney. Carrying approximately 122 people, including 59 crew and 63 passengers, only Able Seaman James Johnson survived. Found clinging to rocks beneath South Head the following morning, Johnson became the sole eyewitness to the tragedy. His testimony suggested that, in darkness and severe weather, the ship was mistakenly steered towards The Gap rather than the true harbour entrance. Moments after the crew sighted breakers, the vessel struck the cliffs, broke apart, and the passengers—many asleep below decks—were thrown into the sea. Contemporary newspaper accounts describe horrifying scenes as wreckage and bodies were battered against the cliffs before being swept into Sydney Harbour. The disaster profoundly shocked the colony, prompting criticism of Sydney's harbour pilot system while Captain Green was largely absolved of blame by the official inquiry. The Dunbar was a wooden clipper partly sheathed in copper and had previously served as a troop transport during the Crimean War before returning to passenger service. When it broke apart, its heavier structure, anchors, cannon and passengers' possessions settled in shallow water beneath the cliffs. Although no significant shipment of gold was aboard, the wreck contained personal valuables including coins, jewellery, silverware and a quantity of Hanks & Lloyd penny tokens struck in London for Sydney merchants. Because the site lay in only 6–8 metres of water and was not protected until 1991, it was extensively salvaged by divers for more than a century. Artefacts recovered from the wreck, including coins, buckles, personal effects and ship fittings, provide poignant reminders of those who lost their lives. Belt buckles decorated with kangaroos, Queen Victoria, Scottish motifs and Crimean imagery offer fascinating insights into the identities and backgrounds of passengers and crew. The wreck of the Dunbar remains one of Australia's most significant maritime heritage sites. The monument overlooking The Gap continues to commemorate the victims of a tragedy that forever changed Sydney's maritime history.

Literature
Artefact 52560 Set of nested Troy weights. Artefact 52561 Dessert spoon - silver with 'D' engraved on handle. Artefact 52562 Gold Sovereign coin dated 1835 (GB William IV). Artefact 52564 Silver coin dated 1834. Artefact 52565 Gold heart locket with cabochon stone. Artefact 52566 Gold fob watch case inscribed with initials 'G.C.' dated 1856. Artefact 52567 Gold ring with red gemstone, two side stones missing. Artefact 52568 Silver Half Crown coin dated 1834 (William IV) (actually a George IV penny [see photo], date not legible) with pierced hole. Artefact 52569 One shilling coin dated 1834 (William IV) pierced with hole. Artefact 52570 Bank of Ireland - ten pence token dated 1805. Artefact 52571 British coin dated 1819 - pierced with hole. Artefact 52572 Fountain or dip pen nib. Artefact 52573 Belt buckle (military) snakes head clasp. Artefact 52574 Holloway's Ointment jar and pot lid. Artefact 52575 Telescope - 5 sections, retractable. Artefact 52576 Dessert spoons x 6. Artefact 52577 Dessert spoons x 8 encrusted together. Artefact 52578 Soup ladle. Artefact 52579 Dessert forks - silver x 3. Artefact 52580 Spoons x 4, handles engraved with 'D', hallmarked. Artefact 52581 Cake spoon - silver. Artefact 52582 Seal of Thomas Milne (cabin passenger) - Gold (remains of). Artefact 52583 Trunk label holder plate. Artefact 52584 Spurs (horse riding) - pair of. Artefact 52585 Trigger guard - musket rifle. Artefact 52586 Plate - silver, ornamental surround, crest in centre. Artefact 52587 Belt buckle - cannons and shields design. Artefact 52588 Belt buckle (military) (2 piece) - kangaroo design. Artefact 52589 Belt buckle - lady's head motif. Artefact 52590 Britannia and lion from brooch or belt buckle. Artefact 52591 Belt buckle - cricket design, standing man wearing hat. Artefact 52592 Hull sheathing - piece with Muntz Metal stamp. Artefact 52593 Belt buckle - Florence Nightingale, VR, Crimea motif. Artefact 52594 Belt buckle (2 piece) - thistle design. Artefact 52595 Belt buckle (military) (2 piece) - snakes head clasp. Artefact 52598 Lid - possibly ornamental pot lid. Artefact 52599 Key - silver. Artefact 52600 Dessert spoon - silver with 'D' engraving. Artefact 52601 Adams Patent 54 Percussion Revolver bullet mould. Artefact 52602 Adams Patent 54 Percussion Revolver bullet mould. Artefact 52603 Bullet mould - left side. Artefact 52605 Tablespoons x 3 encrusted together. Artefact 52606 Telescope lens - glass with outer copper alloy ring. Artefact 52607 Telescope - ships - engraved Flavelle Bros & Co Sydney. Artefact 52608 Telescope - ships (telescopic) - engraved Flavelle Bros & Co Sydney. Artefact 52609 Musket or rifle butt plate. Artefact 52610 Musket or rifle butt plate. Artefact 52611 Musket or rifle trigger guard. Artefact 52612 Bugle horn - small (in two pieces). Artefact 52613 Crucible. Artefact 52614 Sextant or survey instrument - folding. Artefact 52615 Small bell - table bell - brass. Artefact 52616 Air Vent - sliding (Garton & Jarvis, Exeter). Artefact 52617 Flint tinderbox decorated with transport images. Artefact 52618 Spigot for barrel (Fiddian). Artefact 52619 Belt buckle (military) - snakes head clasp design. Artefact 52620 Dessert spoon - silver with calligraphic engraving 'GPD' on handle. Artefact 52621 Teaspoon - silver. Artefact 52622 Projectiles - (2) musket ball and expanding bullet head. Artefact 52623 Dessert forks - silver (x 2) - engraved with 'D' on handle. Artefact 52624 Dessert fork - silver. Artefact 52625 Tablespoon - engraved with 'M'. Artefact 52626 Berry serving spoons (x 2) - ornate berry design. Artefact 52627 Dessert fork - EPNS with 'D' engraving. Artefact 52628 Spoon - possibly bouillon spoon - dashed line design and calligraphic engraving on handle. Artefact 52629 Knife - fish or cake serving knife - engraved with 'D'. Artefact 52630 Dessert spoons (x 3) - possibly EPNS plated. Artefact 52631 Dessert spoon - with 'D' engraving on handle. Artefact 52632 Spoon thread and handles (x 2) - silver. Artefact 52633 Printing plate for visiting card for Captn & Mrs Kilner Waller. Artefact 52634 Musket or rifle stock (in two pieces). Artefact 52635 Explorers compass - Flavelle Bros, Sydney. Artefact 52636 Belt buckles (x 2).

Exhibited
General