It’s a Furphy Locationless, Locationless, Locationless
By
Team Ladava on 21-Sep-07. Waypoint GA0879
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Locationless |
| Container: | Other |
| Proximity: | 161m |
Description
"Good, better, best - never let it rest - till your good is better - and your better best."
The Furphy water cart was a complete invention of John Furphy and was first made in the 1880's
The cart frame was made from wood and was fitted with 30 inch cast wheels. The first carts found a ready market in Victoria and the Riverina and eventually found their way into all states. The first end castings were plain, followed by the first to have an inscription reading "Furphy" at the top end of the plate. In 1898, John added a short rhyme with a strong message. It read "Good, better, best - never let it rest - till your good is better - and your better best."
John's son, William added a Pitman's shorthand inscription in 1920, which translated tells the reader that "Water is the gift of God, but beer and whisky are concoctions of the devil, come and have a drink of water". In 1942, William added a modified version of the saying attributed to W M Hughes, the prime minister of Australia, together with an illustration of a stork holding a baby in traditional fashion. The statement, also in shorthand, read "Produce and populate or perish." Whilst these messages are some of the more notable there were numerous variations to the words cast on the ends produced over the years.
Known as a "Furphy" Water carts were used extensively in Europe and the Middle East to carry water to the troops. The drivers of the carts were notorious sources of information and gossip for the men as they moved from camp to camp. As could be expected, not all their news was reliable and so it was that the word Furphy rapidly became a synonym for suspect information or rumour.
Production of the cast iron ends and other components ceased in 1983
A large number or these are scattered around Australia and overseas and even been used by the Australian Antarctic Division.
To log this cache, include the location, the coordinates and a photo of the complete cart (or just the end plate) including you or your GPS and the story of the tank if possible.
Supplied below by WazzaAndWenches is a link to the celebration of 150 years of production at the Furphy factory.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dxw-eVlJA9RUdsS1Z3VnRpOVk/view?usp=sharing
Enjoy.
Logs
At the rear of the Boho CFA shed is this Furphy water tank. All on its own, well cared for but no info re history of this Furphy tank.
We were visiting the Gatton Showgrounds for the Heavy Horse spectacular and as the Grand parade came by so did this Furohy drawn by a clydesdale horse
S27.33.587 E 152 16.929
S27.33.587 E 152 16.929
Rated: for Overall Experience
What more can we say, Absolutely Brilliant On our visit to the Yarrawonga and Mulwala Pioneer Museum, many years ago we came across this Classic Water Cart.
FURPHY'S FARM WATER CART
1895 - 1898 Indented Lettering.
This cart was purchased at Connell's clearing sale at Burramine in February 1999. The history of this water cart is unknown. It is owned and restored by Lindsay and Matt McQualter of Mulwala, water cart collectors, all makes and makes.
Rated: for Overall Experience
S23 29.294 E144 30.226
Discovered this Furphy in Ilfracombe Queensland.
Discovered this Furphy in Ilfracombe Queensland.
Rated: for Overall Experience
This furphy we came across at Mirrool, NSW
An oldie on the cart
S34 18.476 E147 05.423
An oldie on the cart
S34 18.476 E147 05.423
Rated: for Overall Experience
This Furphy was seen by me in a garden adjacent to a new coffee shop in the main street of Tambo. It is actually on the footpath in a spot made for its location. TFTL Team Ladava. 
I reckoned it was time I logged this since they were made in the city I live in, Shepparton. There used to be one in the grounds of the Furphy Factory which is not far from me, and when we had a look this morning it is no longer there, but Muggle Hubby was amazed at the area this business now encompasses, it has expanded so much.
However he took me to the local museum where there is one in pride of place at the front door of it.
Thanks for the Locationless Team Ladava
However he took me to the local museum where there is one in pride of place at the front door of it.
Thanks for the Locationless Team Ladava
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this pair of Furphy tanks in a compound at Patchewollock. It hasn't been till now that I've had time to search out the Cache so I could claim it. Haven't yet worked out hope to use it for Sates of the Nation 2017-18, but first things first!
TFTC Team Lavada. I was delighted when I first came across this Locationless, and pleased to have found a couple together for the claim.
And now a little sad that I can't claim because they've been found already.
Oh well. I'll keep my eyes open for the next one!
TFTC Team Lavada. I was delighted when I first came across this Locationless, and pleased to have found a couple together for the claim.
And now a little sad that I can't claim because they've been found already.
Oh well. I'll keep my eyes open for the next one!
Today we explored east of Alice Springs and found this Furphy on display at the Visitors Centre at Arltunga Historical Reserve.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Spotted this one in Ilfracombe QLD on the way home from the Alice Springs event and a few days in Darwin. A great 4.5 week road trip. Stopped here for lunch and spent a good hour looking all the other machinery and the free museum. Well worth the time to have a look around.
Thanks Team Ladava...nice to finally spot a Furphy.
Thanks Team Ladava...nice to finally spot a Furphy.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Trawling through the list of locationless cache I stumbled across this one, again. My last log on this cache was to say I kept forgetting to take my gps out to the Great Aussie Beer Shed. There's more than 30 Furphy's here and the collection is growing at a slow but steady rate. Well, today I didn't take the gps but I did take Seeka for the trip and he got his head into the picture.
Thanks Team Ladava.
Thanks Team Ladava.
Found a Furphy located at the The Australiana Pioneer Village on Australia day.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I thought I would not see one of these in a long, long time, and much to my disbelief when I was driving down a street at Narrawallee I saw this Furphy sitting in the front garden of a home. Just in time to log it for the Scavenger series.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Had our evening meal at the Furphy Restaurant in Figtree near Wollongong NSW and came across this display of the icon of the Furphy tank end. Hadn't known about the 150 anniversary in 1988. Tnx Team Ladava
Rated: for Overall Experience
This furphy was located at the Tom Collins House in Swanbourne (WA). Tom Collins (aka Joseph Furphy) was a famous author who was the brother of John Furphy....inventor of the Furphy Water Cart
Rated: for Overall Experience
I guess they have branched out, as I found this Furphy at Lomatia Park in Springwood...
This cache taught me all about the furphy and the history behind it which I love. Now I know what I'm looking at when I go to a museum or whatever and see one of these 
This was a surprise to discover in the National Transport Museum in Alice Springs. Well, not IN it as such, in the grounds outside where they keep the stuff there's no room for inside
This was a surprise to discover in the National Transport Museum in Alice Springs. Well, not IN it as such, in the grounds outside where they keep the stuff there's no room for inside
Rated: for Overall Experience
One for the adjudicator. At least this one is a cart albeit a little modern.
Spotted this one on a building site near Gungahlin and thought it needed to be shared.
Spotted this one on a building site near Gungahlin and thought it needed to be shared.
Drive past this spot at least once per week and have noticed a cart on the corner opposite the police station near the motel and paid it very little attention. It was not till a few days ago that I thought that it was strange just to be situated here and had a closer look A furphy water tank on cart with both ends writing attached. No Idea why it is located here. this is the first real furphy i have seen. Well constructed. TFTC and the opportunity to learn some history.
Location is on the Corner of Mill Street and the D'Aigular Highway at Yarraman Qld.
Location is on the Corner of Mill Street and the D'Aigular Highway at Yarraman Qld.
A Furphy located in a small park at Tambo in Central QLD
Found this Furphy at Scheyville National park in the hunt for the Summer Scavenger Series.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I was doing a delivery in Shepparton this afternoon and found myself outside of the Furphy Factory in Drummond Road.
Photos taken of the Water Cart in the front yard and the factory too.
Thanks for the Furphy, Team Ladava.
Photos taken of the Water Cart in the front yard and the factory too.
Thanks for the Furphy, Team Ladava.
This restored furphy at the very interesting Herberton Historical Village in NQLD. Definitely worth a visit.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Called into a little town called Patchewollock to do a couple virtual caches and at the one called Tractors we also spotted a couple of Furphy's abandoned in the yard, a sad end for them! TFTC
Saw this one on our Walk for Life trek Walking around Australia for Prostate and Breast Cancers
Rated: for Overall Experience
Discovered this water tank while at the Darwin Museum at East Point. A very interesting bit of history. Thanks
This Furphy is in the Darwin Mititary Museum, 5434 Alec Fong Lim Dr, East Point, Darwin, NT 0820 and is open from 9:30am to 5pm each day. AND it is well worth seeing as it gives you a better understanding of the bombing of Darwin in WW2 and the devastation that was caused.
NOTICE that the small wording on the end of the Water Tank is often different!!!
NOTICE that the small wording on the end of the Water Tank is often different!!!
We can't believe we found a Furphy. While visiting Wivenhoe Dam camping ground (S-E Qld) last week we spotted this little beauty sitting beside the office/caretaker's home.
TFTC Team Ladava
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this Furphy in amongst a collection of old farm machinery at the Wongan Hills Museum
GUYRA NSW
We were exploring at the old and now not used Guyra Railway Station when we saw the distinctive end plate of a furphy. The support is beside the tank but no sign of the wheels. An unexpected bonus find ... we're starting to get a real liking for these little water tanks!
We were exploring at the old and now not used Guyra Railway Station when we saw the distinctive end plate of a furphy. The support is beside the tank but no sign of the wheels. An unexpected bonus find ... we're starting to get a real liking for these little water tanks!
Rated: for Overall Experience
I often enjoy a cold drink at the Great Aussie Beer Shed. The owner has a large collection of Furphy water tanks in his museum but I forget to take the gps when I visit 
To compensate for my slackness here's a link to a newspaper insert celebrating 150 years of Furphy Engineering...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dxw-eVlJA9RUdsS1Z3VnRpOVk/view?usp=sharing
To compensate for my slackness here's a link to a newspaper insert celebrating 150 years of Furphy Engineering...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0dxw-eVlJA9RUdsS1Z3VnRpOVk/view?usp=sharing
GUNNEDAH NSW
Finally found a furphy, they're a hard item to find in this area. Don't know where this one came from but it was making a visit to Agquip as part of the Rural Museum display.
Finally found a furphy, they're a hard item to find in this area. Don't know where this one came from but it was making a visit to Agquip as part of the Rural Museum display.
Rated: for Overall Experience
baby&Mrs gopher found this old Furphy while wandering around Katamatite. There is a museum just beside the pub and near the bakery. Worth a stop and look while having lunch.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I found this Furphy tank in the corner of the local DEPI Depo in St.Arnaud.
Here is a photo of the end plate of a Furphy in the town where they were made and that is in Shepparton in Victoria. It is installed on the wall in the town's RSL club and has pride of place.
Found whilst looking for a nearby GC cache. Thanks for the cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
It is amazing what you can find out there, and today we found a furphy. Spotted it from a distance and we were very please to see it is still complete. We did not think we would ever find one having looked out for sometime to try and spot one.
Thanks Team Ladava for letting us know of these furphy's, we had fun finding this one.
Thanks Team Ladava for letting us know of these furphy's, we had fun finding this one.
Rated: for Overall Experience
found theses on my desert trip (not my photo so not logging the cache)
TFTLSL
Edited wanted it on the map so maked as a find sorry
TFTLSL
Edited wanted it on the map so maked as a find sorry
Found this one during the recovery breakfast for work'd Christmas party.
Rated: for Overall Experience
taking a lot of green waste to the dump and also had a lot of metal to recycle so then I trotted around the corner to the Metal recycler when I found all these Furphy cast ends and two, at least, complete water containers also a LAUGHTON water carrier with wheels.
The complete Furphy for sale $2500!!!!!
Thanks Acko
The complete Furphy for sale $2500!!!!!
Thanks Acko
I was so excited to find this wonderful old furphy in Darwin. It's really well presented with an information board explaining all the history of it's development too.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Spotted this Furphy at the new Darwin Military Musuem at East Point - well worth a visit
101212L/MMAY12 (Google DTG for details)
2755km from home.
Spotted this WW2 survivor at the East Point Military Museum in Darwin.
We took nothing but memories, left nothing but footprints.
Thanks for the cache Team Ladava.
Roaring Ford
Discovering Australia and the World, one hide at a time.
2755km from home.
Spotted this WW2 survivor at the East Point Military Museum in Darwin.
We took nothing but memories, left nothing but footprints.
Thanks for the cache Team Ladava.
Roaring Ford
Discovering Australia and the World, one hide at a time.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Mr Shifter is getting quite good at spotting Furphy's. This is the second one in two days, this time in Huntley outside of Bendigo.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this furphy while driving around Albury during the Oz Mega Event.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Finally found a Furphy.
While out driving around Porepunkah early in the morning I drove past this sitting on a cart advertising a caravan park.
I did a u turn returned and cam across this fella in rather good condition.
A couple of snaps and I was on the move.
TFTL
While out driving around Porepunkah early in the morning I drove past this sitting on a cart advertising a caravan park.
I did a u turn returned and cam across this fella in rather good condition.
A couple of snaps and I was on the move.
TFTL
Rated: for Overall Experience
This Furphy Water Tank appears to be mounted on an original cart. The tank has extensive rust and some holes but it is clearly recognisable as a Furphy.
Near the above coords. The farmer wasn't keen on me putting the coords of his place in the log. He had had the furphy in the family for quite some time but didn't know the history of it.
Rated: for Overall Experience
WanderingAus wandered by with the WanderingMrs (aka SWMBO) on day 103 of our annual Climatic Refugee trip. We stopped for a comfort break at Ilfracombe, then we took a wander around looking at the historic stuff. I also managed to hunt down GC14TNN Have a rest by wirzwei without arousing the suspicion of the large contingent of muggles in the vicinity.
I found this wheeled Furphy, giving me the opportunity for a "two for one", claiming a find of GA2612 Wheely Old by Coruze.
*Overall Experience: 2*
T4TC Team Ladava
Keith
I found this wheeled Furphy, giving me the opportunity for a "two for one", claiming a find of GA2612 Wheely Old by Coruze.
*Overall Experience: 2*
T4TC Team Ladava
Keith
Rated: for Overall Experience
WanderingAus wandered by with the WanderingMrs (aka SWMBO) on day 99 of our annual Climatic Refugee trip, heading East from Mount Isa, and stopped for lunch at Cloncurry's Mary Kathleen Park, where I spotted this Furphy amongst the machinery display.
*Overall Experience: 2*
T4TC Team Ladava
Keith
*Overall Experience: 2*
T4TC Team Ladava
Keith
Rated: for Overall Experience
WanderingAus wandered by on day 91 of our annual Climatic Refugee trip, finally heading south out of Darwin with the WanderingMrs (aka SWMBO) after an 11 week stay.
After doing some maintenance on GC1TFK4 1888 by gibbo003 in Pine Creek, I crossed the road to the Museum/Public Library, located in the Pine Creek Repeater Station which dates back to 1913 and was declared a Heritage Place in 1995.
In front of the museum I found this Furphy.
*Recommended* *Overall Experience: 2*
T4TC Team Ladava
Keith
After doing some maintenance on GC1TFK4 1888 by gibbo003 in Pine Creek, I crossed the road to the Museum/Public Library, located in the Pine Creek Repeater Station which dates back to 1913 and was declared a Heritage Place in 1995.
In front of the museum I found this Furphy.
*Recommended* *Overall Experience: 2*
T4TC Team Ladava
Keith
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this example of a Furphy when on a caching weekend with Emnjared and DJ Rascal. Thanks to Darren for telling us about this particular locationless, so we could snap a pic, and log the find.
While on a drive through Goolgowi after finding a cache, I spotted this in a front yard.
Rated: for Overall Experience
290. I was looking at caches to do on the way back from Geelong to Victoria last month and was sure this one would be easy given the small towns we were going to cache in. No dice, but FFP suggested that there was probably one much closer to home and on display. And she was right. I had reason to head to the National Museum for a desktop emergency exercise and what did I see? This Furphy. Story is pretty much as you described. Unfortunately my GPS is also my camera.
TFTC and the fib.
TFTC and the fib.
Rated: for Overall Experience
When is a furphy not a furphy - when it has been built by an apprentice of John Furphy. This 'furphy' was built by the Close brothers who are in Finlay NSW. Apparently apprentices were allowed to build and name their own machinery once they had built 10 that John Furphy passed as good carts. So says the man who owns this Close Furphy - owner of 20 furphies - now have we been spun a furphy I wonder?!!!
FlyingPigSquadron has landed!
Driving through Donald Victoria today and stopped to do a cache, when saw an old historic police camp and buildings. Investigating the wonderful site revealed one well maintained furphy and one Bills trough - bingo!
Driving through Donald Victoria today and stopped to do a cache, when saw an old historic police camp and buildings. Investigating the wonderful site revealed one well maintained furphy and one Bills trough - bingo!
Found this one on a farm near Humpty Doo, NT when I was working nearby. As it's on private land I haven't given exact coords but it's in the area. Pretty good nick still but hasn't been in use for years.
While this location does not include a famous water cart it is the site of a well known West Australian author , Mattie Furphy, the house has been preserved in a special park in Swanbourne W.A together with Tom Collins House and form the head-quarters of the W.A Writers Guild
This one was spotted leaving Raymond Island on the ferry, on a trailer on the back of another trailer. The coordinates are in the water, so don't go looking for the Furphy.
Greynomads - Bill and Diana
Greynomads - Bill and Diana
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this amongst a cool collection of of stuff in the Cathart museum. Cheered me up a bit after I'd been done on a FTF just across the road 
Rated: for Overall Experience
Spotted this complete and restored one in Stroud NSW.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I was at the Wagga Wagga Mega event and was down the road at the winery doing volunteer duty taking the money and in the garden was this Furphy Water Tank.
Ahhhh, what a bonus. A double up cache at the site of the old Alien Outpost Cache by Webby.
Happy for an extra smiley though.
Shame that Sheyville is Nat P ark managed now. No more caches here.
Happy for an extra smiley though.
Shame that Sheyville is Nat P ark managed now. No more caches here.
Saw this Furphy water cart at Neville NSW but being on private property unable to include the GPSr. The owner has numerous artefacts particularly relating to the Steam era. There is another Furphy in a neighbours yard opposite but will leave that one for someone else to claim.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Located this furphy while admiring the automobiles and machinery at the old Qantas hanger in Darwin.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this Furphy on the way to the Information Centre in Tennant Creek NT.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I have been here before, but it was before caching. I believe the museum is for sale if anyone to buy it all. Well worth a visit when you are passing through. Thanks. Albida.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Was visiting the Pioneer Settlement, Swan Hill - had a great day at this fascinating place - lots to see and do - discovered not only one furphy but two - what a bonus - enjoy.
Rated: for Overall Experience
found it - will upload photo and log when I have better internet - Spirit of Tas ain't the best place...
Found whilst travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne after the huge caching trip with Macca. I drove past this one and suddenly realised what it was. A quick u-turn and parked nearby. This Furphy is sitting at the gate to the Stawell nursery / garden centre.
The only other one I have ever seen was attached to the tray of an old restored truck, parked on Davey Street in Hobart near the Southern Outlet. I didn't get a chance to take any pictures of that one.
Found whilst travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne after the huge caching trip with Macca. I drove past this one and suddenly realised what it was. A quick u-turn and parked nearby. This Furphy is sitting at the gate to the Stawell nursery / garden centre.
The only other one I have ever seen was attached to the tray of an old restored truck, parked on Davey Street in Hobart near the Southern Outlet. I didn't get a chance to take any pictures of that one.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this furphy at the Bunninong Festival. Part of a display put on by the Ballarat stationary engine club. The only problem was that they'd parked themselves almost on top of the final for a multi. It took me awhile to get a break in the passing crowd to make the retreive. Not a bad day out. Good to see some history as well as do a variety of caches.
Found this cache at Burrow Creek pub is located 282 kilometers north of Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway, midway between the towns of Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Thanks for organising the cache. 
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this one in Berwick Vic.
Well this one is not what we are use to seeing when hear the name Furphy but it is a couple of Furphy's none the less.
I Found this one whilst Completing a GC Cache nearby.
There i a steam clock near this one as you will in one of the photo's.
Just have a look at the Photo's
You can see it's a Furphy
Well this one is not what we are use to seeing when hear the name Furphy but it is a couple of Furphy's none the less.
I Found this one whilst Completing a GC Cache nearby.
There i a steam clock near this one as you will in one of the photo's.
Just have a look at the Photo's
You can see it's a Furphy
Found the "Furphy" At Timber Creek, NT. "Police Station 1908" Worth to visit. Thanks.
Rated: for Overall Experience
At the Katherine Museum to find another cache and to have a good look around and there it was, under the civic guide! Its only an end plate but an end is a good as a complete unit i reckon! I am not 100% sure but i believe that this serviced the local hospital and royal flying doctor service for quite some time at the katherine airstrip.
TFTC
TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this cache near Wivenhoe Dam today in the pouring rain. Only got a quick shot and back into the car as it was really cold and wet. This was about 100 metres from the cache at S27 20.930 E152 33.178
Not sure if this one has already logged, but I'm logging it anyway.
Was seen in Echuca along the river frontage as I was collecting clues for another cache.
Was seen in Echuca along the river frontage as I was collecting clues for another cache.
WanderingAus wandered by on day twenty-four of a 6 month trip Wandering Australia for my find No 552. I was hunting down GC17287 Guinea Airways by Kerr NT, headed for the 'Visitors Parking', parked in the shade and noticed this fine Furphy about 1.2 metres from the front bumper. I had just saved the waypoint when I got a call from SWMBO 'Requesting' a pickup from the Entertainment Centre, so I didn't get to find Guinea Airways - maybe later.
T4TH Team Ladava
Keith
T4TH Team Ladava
Keith
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this example of a Furphy outside the Dunkeld Emergency Service sheds just off the main street.
We travelled to where it all happened for the famous Furphy and found this one proudly on display for all to see.
After my last dismal photographic skills, I found this exceptional end plate at 'The Sticky Beak Shop' at Finlays Stones, near Palmerston NT. Also photographed 'The History of the Writing'.
TFTC
I have visited Maryborough many times. We usually stay with family, but due to circumstances on this trip (sadly, a funeral), we stayed at a motel. Sitting by reception was this Furphy.
Unfortunately we had quite a busy few days so I didn't get the chance to find out how it came to be here. It gave me the chance to explain to my son where the expression comes from though.
Thanks Team Ladava, a great idea for a uniquely Aussie cache.
Unfortunately we had quite a busy few days so I didn't get the chance to find out how it came to be here. It gave me the chance to explain to my son where the expression comes from though.
Thanks Team Ladava, a great idea for a uniquely Aussie cache.
Came across this Furphy while looking for a cache near the Wivenhoe Dam in Queensland. It is located beside the Ranger's house in a camping ground.
We went for a drive up to the Watagans with Pesky! to do a couple of caches. While we were heading for Wish-You-Well Mrs Shifter spotted this Furphy. (Pesky! wasn't happy)
The farm had plenty of antique farm equipment. We tried to talk to the owners of the property to get more information about the Furphy, but unfortunately they were not home.
Thanks to Pesky! for taking the photos.
The farm had plenty of antique farm equipment. We tried to talk to the owners of the property to get more information about the Furphy, but unfortunately they were not home.
Thanks to Pesky! for taking the photos.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Located this one at the Kerang Museum as we were entering the caravan park for Christmas.
This 1942 Furphy Water cart is to be found in my uncle's possession at his winery near Pipers Creek. It has been in the family for a few generations now though it rarely sees service these days.
Stumbled onto this "garden feature" while parking the van at Lake Boga. Don't normally bother with GCA caches, but I thought this would give people who are interested in Furphys something to compare to. Looks like it is pretty good condition.
Found on a great day of caching in Katherine, Northern Territory.
Even though it is only an end plate I found this one at the Katherine Museum in the NT. There are a couple of these at the musuem. Sorry about the photo but it was about 38C in the shade and only had my phone camera with me and was unable to see what I was photographing.
Found this one in the Katherine, NT Heritage Museum whilst searching out another cache. Its is rather sad with only the end plate really surviving. But it is at least in area with tons of old farming machinery.
Having been the proud owner of two Furphy tanks during our time on the family farm, both modified from their original delivery form of designed to be horse drawn, were modernized primarily to provide water for fire fighting units, one on pneumatic tires and the other on a quick load skid frame, although both performed other duties related to sheep dipping, stock drinking and the like, outside fire danger periods.
However with our move from farming into retirement these tanks continued on serving a similar purpose elsewhere.
Our photos show Roma holding all that remains of one that we still have access to, and one rather unusual one a friend is using to store rain water in for his garden during the severe local water usage restrictions we have been experiencing for the last 12 months or so! Our photos of his tank cast ends show the Pitmans shorthand messages, "Good better best never let it rest till your good is better and your better best", and the stork also with its inscription.
The standard delivery size from the foundry was 180 gallons, this being determined by readily available galvanised sheet sizes used in fabricating the barrels, our friends tank was unusual by having been fitted with a new barrel enabling storage of 220 gallons.
Re barreling was a craft in itself, performed over the years by local black smiths using their forges to expand the steel barrel clamping bands.
Although many are still in use as intended they have also become quite valuable collectors items!
However with our move from farming into retirement these tanks continued on serving a similar purpose elsewhere.
Our photos show Roma holding all that remains of one that we still have access to, and one rather unusual one a friend is using to store rain water in for his garden during the severe local water usage restrictions we have been experiencing for the last 12 months or so! Our photos of his tank cast ends show the Pitmans shorthand messages, "Good better best never let it rest till your good is better and your better best", and the stork also with its inscription.
The standard delivery size from the foundry was 180 gallons, this being determined by readily available galvanised sheet sizes used in fabricating the barrels, our friends tank was unusual by having been fitted with a new barrel enabling storage of 220 gallons.
Re barreling was a craft in itself, performed over the years by local black smiths using their forges to expand the steel barrel clamping bands.
Although many are still in use as intended they have also become quite valuable collectors items!
Whilst doing a nearby cache in the town of Devenish (Vic)recently, we took a photo of all the wonderful old machinery in the nearby shed. And taking pride of place is the Furphy water cart. It was a bit hard to get in there with the GPS however. This is a lovely little town and well worth a visit especially on a week day. Did not get a chance to visit the pub this time but will go back there next time we are up that way.
