CHINAMAN'S HAT - CAISSON M
OFF PORTSEA PORT PHILLIP BAY, UNINCORPORATED
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Statement of Significance
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CHINAMAN'S HAT - CAISSON M - History
Built in 1942, locally known as Chinaman's Hat, but also known as the electric eye, magic eye, caisson M and Station M. It was designed as a defence structure for the Port Phillip Bay. An electric light or beam was transmitted from the structure to both Point Lonsdale and Portsea and could detect incoming enemy ships by a break in the beam. When the beam was broken an alarm was activated. Structure proved unsuccessful as birds, fog and heavy rain broke the beam frequently.CHINAMAN'S HAT - CAISSON M - Interpretation of Site
The centre post originally supported a small octagonal shaped building and also the photo-electric light, which was positioned on top of the pole. Two timber struts also supported the building. The concrete and timber platform has become loose since the building was removed. The site is now home to a group of seals.
Heritage Inventory Description
CHINAMAN'S HAT - CAISSON M - Heritage Inventory Description
Circular concrete caisson base approx 7m diameter with a timber and concrete platform. One timber post remains standing with loose pieces of timber joining it near the top. It is octagonal in shape and lop sided. Relatively stable with foundations in sandy shoal of 6m of water.
Significant historically for its involvement in the defence system of Port Phillip Bay during WWII, archaeologically as the site has been used for recreational fishing and as an anchorage over the past 60 years and alos it is significant as a rare example of a photo electric light structure used for defence is Victoria and Australia.
Concrete caisson, timber platform and single timber post in the centre of the structure.
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CHINAMAN'S HAT - CAISSON MVictorian Heritage Inventory
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