- Author
- Churchill, J., Lieutenant Commander
- Subjects
- Garden Island
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 1971 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Access to the clock tower is from an office on the first floor. An old style stirrup ladder leads to a landing which opens onto a storage room. This room is not in use at present. A further ladder leads up to the machinery room which houses the clock machinery. A third ladder gives access to the gallery under the cupola which crowns the tower.
The Garden Island clock has the reputation of being one of the most accurate mechanical clocks in Sydney.
Specifications for the materials used in the building are not available but superficial inspection indicates that they were of the highest quality.
No reference is made to the lighting of the building, but it is reasonable to suggest that it was gas. The gas tanks for the island were situated in the nearby Boatshed.
The sewerage systems emptied directly into the harbour and the nine inch pipes may be detected entering the water near the Office Steps jetty.
Heating was by coal fires and fireplaces were located in all offices.
The cost of the original building, including furniture was £3,424.18.9.
Nine officers occupied the building. The ground floor was occupied by the Captain Superintendent and two storekeepers, the first floor by Staff Commanders 1 and 2 and three Inspectors Machinery.
Transport was by steam launch which berthed at the jetty at the foot of the lawn.