Ruined dashboard clock from Australian National Airways Avro X aircraft 'Southern Cloud', which crashed in 1931
Object type
Dashboard clocks
Object number
2006.0039.0001
Description
Ruined dashboard clock from Avro X aircraft 'Southern Cloud'. The clock is in pieces, including: a round rusty metal clock case with a small bolt hanging from the rim on the side; two circular clock face bezels, one with a ridged surface pattern; a severely corroded clock face without numerals or hands, a rust-stained base plate consisting of a flat metal circle with a small round mechanism attached to the back; two five-spoke gear wheels; a three-spoke balance wheel; an escapement platform; an upper balance bridge; a pallet bridge; and three pieces of broken glass, possibly part of the clock face cover.
Collection name
John Boddington collection
Collection statement of significanceThe John Boddington Collection consists of the remains of the clock from the instrument panel of the aircraft Southern Cloud.
Southern Cloud, operated by Australian National Airways, crashed in 1931 during appalling weather on the Sydney-Melbourne route. The wreck was not found in the subsequent search and the mystery of the plane's disappearance captured the nation's attention during the dark days of the Depression. It was Australia's first major civil aviation disaster. Only in 1958 - and quite by accident - was the wreckage found by a worker on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme. A significant outcome of the crash was a recommendation for the adoption of radio in civil aircraft in Australia, enabling changed weather forecasts to be conveyed to aircrews. The loss of Southern Cloud and the eight persons on board played a part in creating safer air travel for all Australians. The surviving handful of damaged clock components forms a poignant and graphic reminder of the dangers of flying in the 1930s.
Date made1929 - 1930
Approximate
UserAustralian National Airways LimitedAssociated personTravis ShortridgePilot of the 'Southern Cloud' when it crashed
Associated personTom SonterDiscovered the wreckage of the 'Southern Cloud'
Associated organisationSnowy Mountains Hydro-Electric AuthoritySonter was employed by the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority
CollectorMr Alan Reid JrAlan Reid Jr accompanied his journalist father to the crash site within days of its discovery and souvenired the clock from there
CollectorMr John BoddingtonJohn Boddington bought the clock from Alan Reid Jr for five shillings when they were both students at Canberra Grammar School
Associated personSir Charles Edward Kingsford-SmithCo-founder of Australian National Airways, who searched unsuccessfully for the 'Southern Cloud' after it went missing
Associated personMr Charles Thomas Philippe UlmCo-founder of Australian National Airways, who searched unsuccessfully for the 'Southern Cloud' after it went missing
Place of eventSydney Airport, Mascot, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaThe 'Southern Cloud' took off from Mascot Airport in Sydney bound for Essendon Airport in Melbourne
Place of eventToolong Range, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, AustraliaThe 'Southern Cloud' crashed on Toolong Range
Associated placeEssendon, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaThe intended destination of the 'Southern Cloud'
Date of event21/03/1931
Date the 'Southern Cloud' crashed
Date of event26/10/1958
Date the wreckage of the 'Southern Cloud' was discovered by Tom Sonter
Materials
Metal - non specific, Brass, Glass
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