Summary
Mine explosion in Port Phillip Bay, during training exercises of the Torpedo Corps, circa 1880s.
Original photograph inscribed on back: 'Sergt. Kemp, with James Morris's compliments'. Kemp, assistant astronomer at Melbourne Observatory from 1873 to 1914, was a Sergeant in the Victorian Torpedo Corps, probably because Robert Ellery, Government Astronomer, and Kemp's manager, was a Major in the Volunteer Forces in charge of the Torpedo Corps.
The Torpedo Corps was established in 1873 to protect Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay from enemy ships. The 'torpedoes' were in fact mines that could be detonated at a distance via electrical cables.
Description of Content
Mine explosion in Port Phillip Bay, during training exercises of the Torpedo Corps, circa 1880
Physical Description
Digital image
More Information
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Barbara Dowling, Dec 2010
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Organisation Depicted
Victorian Torpedo Corps, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia, circa 1880s
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Format
Digital file, Sepia
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Keywords
Mines, Naval Forces, Victorian Colonial Defence Forces, Victorian Colonial Naval Forces, Victorian Volunteer Forces
