Sutherland Dock

Sutherland Dock
Sutherland Dock
	Sutherland Dock
Location	Cockatoo Island, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	33°50′54″S151°10′13″E / 33.8484°S 151.1703°E Coordinates: 33°50′54″S151°10′13″E / 33.8484°S 151.1703°E
Commonwealth Heritage List
Official name	Sutherland Dock
Type	Listed place (Historic)
Designated	22 June 2004
Reference no.	105260
	Location of Sutherland Dock in Sydney

Last updated November 28, 2020

Sutherland Dock is a heritage-listed dockyard at the former Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Cockatoo Island, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.^[1]

History

Cockatoo Island became a gaol in 1839, following advice from New South Wales Governor George Gipps to the British Secretary of State for the Colonies that convicts would be sent to the island after the closure of the Norfolk Island convict establishment. The convict precinct was built over a number of years. Quarrying of silos was one of the early convict tasks. To service Royal Navy ships, Fitzroy Dock was completed in 1857. Cockatoo became the major government dockyard in Australia.^[1]

In 1869 prisoners were transferred from the island to Darlinghurst, and the prison buildings became an industrial school for girls and a reformatory in 1871. The dockyard area was now separated from the institutional area on the top of the island by a fence. Following the departure of the females in 1888, prisoners were again sent to the island, and the gaol function continued until about 1909. Meanwhile, the dockyard function expanded, and the Sutherland Dock was built in 1890. The New South Wales Public Works Department declared Cockatoo Island the state dockyard.^[1]

Following Federation, in 1913 Cockatoo became the Commonwealth Dockyard, and the island, both through shipbuilding and servicing, played an important role both in the development of the Royal Australian Navy and during World War I. The former prison buildings were then used as offices. From 1933 the dockyard was leased from the Australian Government by Cockatoo Docks and Engineering Co Ltd and the island played a very significant role during World War II. After the war the dockyard (now known as Vickers) continued, and submarine facilities were introduced. The dockyard closed in 1992, and some demolition took place. Sale of the island was proposed. The island is now vested in the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.^[1]

As the nineteenth century proceeded, the size of ships increased as steel came into more widespread use in shipbuilding. Fitzroy Dock was becoming increasingly unable to handle bigger ships. Consequently, it was decided to build a new dry dock on Cockatoo Island. Drawings were made in 1882 and excavation of the dock into the sandstone commenced. Sutherland Dock was designed and built by engineer Louis Samuel who won the contract at the age of 23. Samuel died at 26, not long before the dock was finished; the job was completed by his younger brother Edward. Unlike Fitzroy Dock (built by convicts), the workforce on Sutherland was free.^[1]

When completed in 1890, Sutherland Dock was 635 feet long and 84 feet wide at the entrance. It was then said to be the biggest dry dock in the world (in terms of its width and depth of water over the sill) and was one of Australia's most significant engineering projects to that time. Subsequently, twice the dock was increased in size to meet the needs of ever bigger Australian naval vessels, reaching 690 feet (210 metres) in length in 1927, and a width of 27 metres. The dock was named after John Sutherland, the Minister for Works in the government of Sir Henry Parkes, and cost £ 267,825. A special feature of the design was the caisson (or "gate" of the dry dock) which was very heavy wrought iron, pulled by an endless chain horizontally on bronze rollers and it moved in a particularly effective fashion; it was steam powered but was converted to electricity in 1918. The dock was also fitted with electric lights to facilitate emergency work at night. A new pump house on the west of the island was built for the dock, and this was also used for Fitzroy Dock.^[1]

Sutherland Dock catered to the larger Royal Navy vessels, then, following the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy, it dealt with the bigger RAN ships, such as the battle cruiser, cruiser and other large classes. These sorts of RAN ships docked at Sutherland twice yearly for routine scraping and painting and other work. Much of this role transferred to Garden Island following the completion in 1945 of the bigger Captain Cook Graving Dock, but Sutherland still took large ships, and HMAS Melbourne docked at Sutherland after the tragic collisions with HMAS Voyager and USS Frank E. Evans. Many non-navy ships, e.g. merchant and some passenger vessels, also used Sutherland Dock.^[1]

Description

Sutherland Dock is at Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson).^[1]

Sutherland Dock is a dry or graving dock and is located on the south-western side of Cockatoo Island, where it is excavated into the island's sandstone. The dock is 210 metres long and the depth of water over the sill at high tide is 9.75 metres. The drive chain and mechanism for moving the caisson is still extant. There are steam travelling jib cranes at the dock.^[1]

The dock is a major feature of the island's built landscape and, contributing strongly to the island's maritime associations, it has considerable aesthetic value.^[1]

Condition

The 1997 Conservation Management Plan noted that the caisson and mechanism was still extant and had, at least until recently, been functional. As at May 2001, Sutherland Dock was filled with water.^[1]

Heritage listing

Sutherland Dock was listed on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004 having satisfied the following criteria.^[1]

Criterion A: Processes

Sutherland Dock, completed in 1890, has a direct and lengthy association with NSW's maritime history, Australia's naval relationship with its allies, and Australia's naval development, particularly during the First and Second World Wars. It is one of the nation's most important former graving docks and has great historical significance.^[1]

Criterion B: Rarity

The enlargement of the dock over time reflects the development in warship construction, and shipbuilding more generally, during the early twentieth century.^[1]

Criterion D: Characteristic values

Sutherland Dock is important as an example of a nineteenth century harbour facility of this type.^[1]

Criterion E: Aesthetic characteristics

Sutherland Dock is a major element of Cockatoo Island's built landscape, a key foreshore element on the island, and, contributing strongly to the island's maritime associations and atmosphere, it has considerable aesthetic value.^[1]

Criterion F: Technical achievement

At the time of its opening, Sutherland was said to be the biggest dry dock in the world. It was one of Australia's greatest engineering projects (and remained the nation's largest dry dock until 1945), and therefore has considerable technological significance. It also reflects good design and construction qualities. Further, the original caisson and its distinctive mechanism are still extant.^[1]

Related Research Articles

HMAS Onslow was one of six Oberon-class submarines operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The submarine was named after the town of Onslow, Western Australia, and Sir Alexander Onslow, with the boat's motto and badge derived from Onslow's family heritage. Ordered in 1963, Onslow was laid down at the end of 1967 by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Scotland, launched almost a year later, and commissioned into the RAN at the end of 1968.

Cockatoo Island (New South Wales) New South Wales, Australia

Cockatoo Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove River in Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia.

Royal Navy Dockyards were state-owned harbour facilities where ships of the Royal Navy were built, based, repaired and refitted. Throughout its history, the Royal Navy has made extensive use of private shipyards, both at home and abroad; but at the same time it also had a policy of establishing and maintaining its own dockyard facilities. Portsmouth was the first ; it was followed by Deptford, Woolwich, Chatham and others. By the 18th century, Britain had a string of these state-owned naval dockyards, located not just around the country but across the world; each yard was sited close to a safe harbour or anchorage used by the fleet. Most Royal Dockyards had a dual function, providing for both ship building and ship maintenance. Over time, they accrued additional on-site facilities for the support, training and accommodation of naval personnel.

The Cockatoo Island Dockyard was a major dockyard in Sydney, Australia, based on Cockatoo Island. The dockyard was established in 1857 to maintain Royal Navy warships. It later built and repaired military and civilian ships, and played a key role in sustaining the Royal Australian Navy. The dockyard was closed in 1991, and its remnants are heritage listed as the Cockatoo Island Industrial Conservation Area.

HMAS Warrego, named for the Warrego River, was a River-class torpedo-boat destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Ordered in 1909, construction of the destroyer started in England, but she was then broken down and reassembled at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in order for the Australian shipbuilding industry to gain experience in warship construction. Warrego was commissioned into the RAN in 1912, and spent her early career operating in Australian waters.

Mort's Dock is a former dry dock, slipway, and shipyard in Balmain, New South Wales, Australia. It was the first dry dock in Australia, opening for business in 1855 and closing more than a century later in 1959. The site is now parkland. The surviving remnants were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 14 January 2011.

HMAS Vigilant was an auxiliary patrol boat serving with the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War. Notably it was the 120th ship built by the Cockatoo Island Dockyard and the first aluminium ship built in Australia.

Fitzroy Dock is a heritage-listed dockyard at the former Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

HMAS Koolonga was a 4,260 gross tons cargo ship built by Sunderland Shipbuilding Company, South Dock Sunderland, England, in 1914 and bought by McIlwraith, McEacharn Line Pty Ltd, Melbourne and named SS Koolonga. She was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy on 6 August 1914, as a collier and supply ship. She was returned to her owners in late 1915. She was sold in 1937 to Madrigal & Company, Philippines and renamed Paz. She was scuttled during the Second World War at Sourabaya Harbour in 1942 and was later salvaged by the Imperial Japanese and renamed Hatsu Maru. While at anchor in Manila Bay, Philippines on 13 November 1944, she was attacked by United States Navy carrier aircraft and was sunk.

South Brisbane Dry Dock is a heritage-listed dry dock at 412 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by William David Nisbet and built from 1876 to 1887. It is also known as the Government Graving Dock. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

The Underground Grain Silos are heritage-listed silos at Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Biloela House is a house at the centre of a heritage-listed historic precinct on Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Prison Barracks Precinct is a heritage-listed prison precinct at Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Convict Barracks Block is a heritage-listed convict barracks within the Prison Barracks Precinct, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Military Guard Room is a heritage-listed military installation within the Prison Barracks Precinct, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Mess Hall is a heritage-listed part of the Prison Barracks Precinct at Cockatoo Island, New South Wales, Australia. It is also known as Mess Hall (former). It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Cockatoo Island Industrial Conservation Area is a heritage-listed protected area relating to the former Cockatoo Island Dockyard at Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

Power House & Pump House is a heritage-listed power house and pumping station at Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. It was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004.

The Garden Island Naval Precinct is a heritage-listed naval base and defence precinct located at Cowper Wharf Roadway in the inner eastern Sydney neighbourhood of Garden Island in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The precinct was built from 1856. It includes the HMAS Kuttabul naval base, formerly known as HMAS Penguin. The property is owned by Australian Department of Defence. It was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on 22 June 2004 and the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 12 November 2004.

Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct is a heritage-listed precinct that contains The Rocks police station, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, car park, parks, shops and roads located at 112-156 George Street, in the inner city Sydney suburb of The Rocks in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales, Australia. The precinct previously contained a commissariat store, Maritime Services Board offices, dockyard and Department of Labour & Industry offices. Buildings in the precinct were developed in various stages since 1797 to date, with heritage-listed buildings dating from 1797 to 1939. The precinct is also known as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Maritime Services Board, Colonial Government naval dockyard, Commissariat Stores, Colonial Hospital, Kings and Queens Wharf and First Fleet Park. The property is owned by Property NSW, an agency of the Government of New South Wales. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 5 August 2011.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Sutherland Dock (Place ID 105260)". Australian Heritage Database . Department of the Environment . Retrieved 15 September 2018.

Bibliography

Mackay, Godden (1997), Cockatoo Island : conservation management plan, Australian Department of Defence, retrieved 16 September 2018
Parker, R. G. (Roger Grosvenor) (1977), Cockatoo Island : a history, Nelson, ISBN 978-0-17-005208-5

Attribution

This Wikipedia article was originally based on Sutherland Dock , entry number 105260 in the Australian Heritage Database published by the Commonwealth of Australia 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 15 September 2018.

External links

Media related to Sutherland Dock, Cockatoo Island at Wikimedia Commons

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[ahd-105260-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Sutherland Dock (Place ID 105260)". Australian Heritage Database . Department of the Environment . Retrieved 15 September 2018.

[1]