- Author
- Sullivan, John
- Subjects
- Ship design and development
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 1986 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
9. Nelson Pier. The location of Nelson Pier, west of the Dockyard Pier, will be known to most readers. This pier was first built in 1879, and was extended twice. The original pier was demolished in recent years and a new Nelson Pier has been constructed to the east of the old one. The name has many connotations, the main two being from Admiral Lord Nelson and HMVS/HMCS Nelson. This pier was not part of the Dockyard area when I worked there, but was frequently used by vessels undergoing repairs at the Dockyard. It is now within the Yard boundaries, which have been extended since my day.
10. Creswell Gate is situated at the southern end of the Dockyard’s western boundary, and provides access from Ann Street. It is named for Vice-Admiral Sir William Creswell, who was deeply involved in the formation of the Royal Australian Navy.
11. Conway Road runs north from Olive Bank Road along the west side of the graving dock. It is named for the sailing frigate Conway which was a familiar sight in Australian waters in the late 1830s. When she returned to England she was used as a training ship for boys, for which her name is perhaps rather better known.
12. Lion Road also runs north from Olive Bank Road along the east side of the graving dock. Although a small Customs steam launch (which on occasion served in the Victorian Navy) was named Lion, a more colourful character also bore the name. A galvanised iron fence separated the Yard from the Naval Depot, the entrance of which was situated near the south end of the graving dock. Fruit trees and large peppercorn trees ornamented the site of the old barracks for many years, and these afforded shade for Lion, the horse which for a very long time pulled a dray around the Dockyard for the collection of rubbish. Lion was an intelligent animal, and delighted in outwitting his drivers to gain extra rest or feed time. Make your own choice as to whether Lion Road was named for the vessel or the horse!
13. Stone Cottage Road is another fairly short road which runs west from Naval Depot Road, with the Annealing Shop and change-rooms on one side and the Machine Shop and Progress Store on the other. It joins up with Olive Bank Road on that road’s S-bend, at about the same point where Conway Road begins. The Dockyard notes state that several stone cottages were located adjacent to this roadway, the last being demolished about 1950. However, I cannot recall any in this area in my day, in the 1940’s. As I remember, the old First Aid building could have been described as a stone cottage, but this was situated much further west than the area shown on my plan as Stone Cottage Road.
14. Pelorus Road. This north-South road is the continuation of Naval Depot Road after that road does its right turn (see above). It runs past the east side of the change-room and the Joiners’ and Shipwrights’ Shop, passing the eastern end of Olive Bank Road. It is named for HMS Pelorus, which spent some time in Australian waters during the period of the Maori War.
15. Discovery Quay. This is the short stretch of wharf running west from the entrance of the graving dock to the head of the Dockyard Pier. It is named for the Antarctic research ship Discovery which, as mentioned earlier, was fitted out at the Dockyard in the early 1930s. This famous and picturesque ship was closely inspected by the Dockyard staff whilst she was fitting out. The crow’s nest on the forward mast was a great attraction to the apprentices, who at every opportunity climbed to this vantage point.
16. Dockyard Pier. This pier commences at the north end, east side, of the building berths. It was originally known as Dock Pier, because it was built as the pier to which ships moved pre- and post-docking. Common usage has corrupted the name to Dockyard Pier, as it was the only pier attached to the Dockyard prior to Nelson Pier coming within the yard boundaries.
17. Victoria Gate. This gate is (or maybe, was) located in Nelson Place, outside what is now the Administration Building. It is named for HMVS Victoria, which was the first ship in the Victorian Navy.