Hi Simon
I know some descendants of Charles Seymour Vaughan b1878 but of course I can't disclose their names on this forum or any other forum. However I can still share my research with you.
I have a vague recollection that there were some inaccuracies in the following reports when I did a timeline or similar but I can't remember what they were.
Williamstown Advertiser, 19 June 1926
Time-Ball Supervisor Dead.
INTERESTING FIGURE PASSES.
MR. R. T. VAUGHAN'S RECORD.
The death of Mr. Richard Thomas Vaughan, which occurred at his home, 19 Thomas-street, North Williamstown, on Tuesday, is regretted by a large number of friends throughout Australia and in almost equal degree by hundreds who knew him as the supervisor of the time ball and tide gauge at Williamstown. He filled this position ably for 37 years, and his zeal was frequently commended by navigatiors and shipping companies. His passing marks the close of a cycle of eventful years for Williamstown.
The late Mr. Vaughan was born 76 years ago on the site of Federal Parliament House, Melbourne, where his father conducted the business of a glass bender and embosser. His recollections dated back to the time when the Williamstown foreshore was a dumping ground for criminals. The small octagonal building in which he recorded the tide gauge was fitted with loopholes, and was originally used as a guard house against prisoners making their escape.
Mr. Vaughan joined the navy at the age of 10 years. He served for a time as powder monkey on the warship Port Arthur. His next appointment was on a billy-boy schooner trading from London to Germany and Russia. Later he transferred to an American "hellfire" packet running across the Atlantic. He returned to Australia in 1864 on the clipper Sirocco, which brought 365 migrants from London. In 1866 he voyaged to Japan, and before the trip was ended he experienced one of the most trying ordeals of an unusually adventurous life. The ship on which he was sailing was buffeted by an Atlantic gale and put into an Irish port for repairs. The Fenian trouble was being ruthlessly put down, and the crew, who were mistaken for rebels, were summarily treated by the "Castle" government.
Returning to Australia in 1871, Mr. Vaughan joined the vessel which conveyed the first party of workers to Darwin to construct the telegraph line to Adelaide. Rejoining the navy in 1876, he was attached to Sir Charles Hotham's yacht, Victoria, which was then doing duty as a survey ship. In the following year he was transferred to the Cerberus. He remained in the service in varying capacities until he was incapacitated by illness some ten days before his death. The tide ball did not drop during his absence.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, the cortege leaving Thomas-street for St. Mary's Church. After prayers for the dead were recited, interment was made at the Williamstown cemetery. The rev. M. Flannery, P. P., officiated at the graveside, and the funeral arrangements were in the capable hands of Mr. Ernest W. Jackson. Deceased leaves a widow, two sons, and one daughter.
http://www.cerberus.com.au/muster_dadabik/index.php?table_name=crew&function=details&where_field=ID&where_value=138Victorian Navy Muster for the Colony of Victoria. (muster range 1856-1910)*
Details
Last_Name Vaughan
First_Name R. T.
Rank Chief Petty Officer
DOB 00-00-1850
Branch Permanent Force
Profile
MR. R. T. VAUGHAN
Chief Petty Officer
On Wednesday, the remains of Mr. R. T. Vaughan were interred in the local cemetery by Mr. E.W. Jackson. Mr. Vaughan was born in Spring street, Melbourne, 76 years ago, and for the past 37 years had attended daily at the Breakwater Pier and dropped the time ball at 1 o'clock, and also checked the tide gauge. In 1861, when a lad of 10, he joined the man o war, Prince Arthur, and then had a seafaring life until 1876, when he retired, and joined the Victorian navy, being attached to the Victoria, then doing duty as a survey ship. In the following year he transferred to the Cerberus, and held the rank of chief petty officer. He resided at No 10 Thomas street, North Williamstown, and the cause of death was pneumonia. For the ten days during which he was ill, the time ball was neglected. Mr. Vaughan, some years ago, detailed some interesting information to a Melbourne daily regarding the historical surroundings of the old time ball tower at Williamstown.
The Argus, 19 June 1926
died: 14-6-1936
source:
Victorian Navy Monument, Williamstown Cemetery
Erected by the Officers, Petty Officers and Men of the Permanent Naval Force of Victoria
In Memory of their Deceased Comrades
Large Monument surmounted by Large Anchor
courtesy of Helen Harris, OAM
