eHive Object Details

Name/TitleDavid Dibbs : Old Melbourne Cemetery, c. 1920

About this objectPhotograph focusing on a simple rectangular tombstone marking the burial of David Dibbs. The stone was leaning to the left, as seen in the original photograph (AL045-0008), but has be straightened here in GS-TM-55.

The inscription reads: (67 in Selby's grave index, p. 377, OPMHoM)

SACRED (Gothic script)
To The Memory of
David Dibbs Seaman who
was Unfortunately Drowned
in the Yarra on the 15th June 1846
Aged 26 Years
Erected by his brother Seamen
as a token of respect.

Selby writes that several people who drowned in the Yarra were buried in the Old Cemetery, "revealing the absence of bridges and good landing places, and the peril in the currents of the Yarra to swimmers."

Newspaper reports tell us that Dibbs "fell from the taffrail of the lighter Flinders, on Saturday afternoon." An inquest returned a verdict, "that the deceased was accidently drowned, whilst labouring under the effects of liquor."

This image is attributed to Everard Studley Miller who photographed many graves and tombstones in the Old Melbourne Cemetery (established in 1837) around 1920 as part of a project led by Isaac Selby to record and commemorate all aspects of Melbourne's second cemetery (the first being at Flagstaff Hill). The RHSV holds original glass negatives and albums of the photographs from this project.

One of the many glass slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund. Selby numbered this slide #4.

For more information about this image contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

MakerMiller, Everard Studley, 1886-1956.

Maker RolePhotographer

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1910-1920

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsMiller, Everard Studley, 1886-1956.

Subject and Association KeywordsOld Melbourne Cemetery (Melbourne)

Subject and Association KeywordsYarra River (Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsSailors

Subject and Association KeywordsMonuments and memorials

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-TM-55

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved