- Author
- Rivett, Norman C
- Subjects
- History - general, Garden Island
- Tags
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- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 2009 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The adaptation of the stair from the demolished modern spiral stair to an imposing ‘floating’ structure has ensured that massive red and grey ironbark bearers reclaimed from the RTA site in Botany will remain part of our history. The bearers, 5.5 meters in length x 450mm x 350mm in section were sent to Echuca on the Victorian border, the only known place with the facility to mill timber of this size. Ironbark is used for all stringers and balustrade posts. The main stringer is red ironbark and located directly above the main entry doors, is 3.2 meters in length and twice cranked x 450mm x 150mm in section and weighs approximately 1.3 tonnes. Taking a good part of the overall live and dead load, this stringer is fixed into the walls at either end giving the appearance of a ‘floating’ stair. Sydney bluegum, reclaimed from the Home Yardage Building, formerly WD & HO Wills warehouse in Kent and Bathurst Streets Sydney, will also remain a part of our history. The reclaimed timber is rich red from 350mm x 75mm sections of floor joists and is used for the risers, treads, landings, handrails and balustrades