MARIBYRNONG GOVERNMENT SHIPYARDS AND SLIPWAYS
61-119 SIMS STREET AND 461 DYNON ROAD WEST MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY
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Statement of Significance
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MARIBYRNONG GOVERNMENT SHIPYARDS AND SLIPWAYS - History
The eastern shore between Bunbury and Dynon St were dedicated to shipbuilding industries that launched vessels sideways (parallel) into the river. Shipwrights in this area included Campbell, Schloss and McCann; Fawcett, and Raiseback (Somerville pers comms). Footscray was listed as having numerous boat/shipwrights and a floating dock in 1875. In its heyday, the shipbuilding yards here employed between 300-400 men during the mid 1880's (Haffenden, 1987: 10). These yards were run by private contractors, but were involved in the production of many small government vessels. The first warships for the Victorian Navy were supposedly built and launched here. Government vessel shipbuilding here produced the Victorian Navy vessels Nepean (dredge) and Elwood (Gunboat), which meant this site was the home of the earliest shipbuilding that went on to be part of the Royal Australian Navy (Somerville, pers comms). Further historical research is required to substantiate this claim. The government steamer Lady Loch (built by Campbell, Sloss and McCann in 1885), and the Gellibrand Lightship (1860) were also produced on this site. The site was later occupied by Blythe, Irvine and Bromley's (?) Bone Mills.MARIBYRNONG GOVERNMENT SHIPYARDS AND SLIPWAYS - Interpretation of Site
The eastern shore between Bunbury and Dynon St were dedicated to shipbuilding industries that launched vessels sideways (parallel) into the river. A road now runs along the riverbank, with several warehouses and other light industrial sites located behind. This area is under threat from the Flemington Flood Embankment Proposal. A road now runs along the riverbank, with several warehouses and other light industrial sites located behind. Somerville (pers comm) recalls that a capstan once stood on the northern end of this site, and was used to turn vessels around in the swinging basin here.
The site is of significance for its production of numerous early government municipal and naval vessels. The site also produced some of the early vessels associated with the lighthouses and navigation. The site has possible state level significance as a former government shipbuilding site.
Heritage Inventory Description
MARIBYRNONG GOVERNMENT SHIPYARDS AND SLIPWAYS - Heritage Inventory Description
No archaeological evidence of the shipyard was identified.
Pile remains, potential underwater and terrestrial archaeological deposits associated with shipbuilding.
Archeological Potential:
good
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FOOTSCRAY RAILWAY STATION COMPLEXVictorian Heritage Register H1563
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HENDERSON HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0183
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ERCILDOUNEVictorian Heritage Register H0494
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