PORT MELBOURNE LEAD LIGHTS AND ACCESS JETTY
BEACON VISTA ROAD PORT MELBOURNE, PORT PHILLIP CITY
-
Add to tour
You must log in to do that.
-
Share
-
Shortlist place
You must log in to do that.
- Download report
Statement of Significance
This record has minimal details. Please look to the right-hand-side bar for any further details about this record.
-
-
PORT MELBOURNE LEAD LIGHTS AND ACCESS JETTY - History
The original channel markers for defining the route into Port Melbourne were painted boards erected on the beach in 1849. In 1866, the markers changed to a green flashing light on end Railway Pier with beacon on beach west of the pier. Lights were constructed (on the Port Melbourne foreshore and end Railway Pier) and the channel was dredged in 1891 (Cox). Marker buoys defining the channel were also located on either side of Railway Pier. In 1906, the landward marker was located in the Torpedo Depot. The channel was dredged to 34ft in 1923, and was called the "Mailboat Channel". The demolition of Railway Pier, along with changing vessel size and speed necessitated redefined channel leads in 1923. Situated between Princes and Station Piers, the two new leads were constructed in association with the Port Melbourne Harbour Channel & Railway Pier reconstruction in 1923. One tower was built over the water, and the other was built about 450m behind on the land. The sight access easement between the two leads prevented further development of area from that time on. The seaward lead tower had an attached walkway access installed in 1924, and the candle power of the lights was increased in 1936. Two sector navigation lights were added to the landward tower by 1969. Two bays of the timber jetty platform was removed to the seaward beacon in 1976, with the remaining jetty sections removed in 1978. The lights are currently non functional, except for a land based directional beam. The easement is still important and has been maintained within the street structure of the Beacon Cove housing development.PORT MELBOURNE LEAD LIGHTS AND ACCESS JETTY - Interpretation of Site
Lead lights have been present in this general area for over 150 years. The current extant lighthouses have formed a significant part of maritime navigational landscape of Port Melbourne for over 80 years, and represent the only extant lead lighthouse in the Melbourne area.
Situated between Princes and Station Piers, the two new leads were constructed in association with the Port Melbourne Harbour Channel & Railway Pier reconstruction in 1923. One tower was built over the water, and the other was built about 450m behind on the land. The sight access easement between the two leads prevented further development of area from that time on. The seaward lead tower had an attached walkway access installed in 1924, and the candle power of the lights was increased in 1936. Two sector navigation lights were added to the landward tower by 1969. Two bays of the timber jetty platform was removed to the seaward beacon in 1976, with the remaining jetty sections removed in 1978. The lights are currently non functional, except for a land based directional beam. The easement is still important and has been maintained within the street structure of the Beacon Cove housing development. Anecdotal evidence exists for a large archaeological deposit at base of the seaward beacon. This might include batteries from the light itself, along with other discarded material from official and recreational use of the facility. The site of the original leads has been greatly disturbed by the installation of the Beacon Cove Development and Princes Pier
Situated between Princes and Station Piers, the two new leads were constructed in association with the Port Melbourne Harbour Channel & Railway Pier reconstruction in 1923. One tower was built over the water, and the other was built about 450m behind on the land. The sight access easement between the two leads prevented further development of area from that time on. The seaward lead tower had an attached walkway access installed in 1924, and the candle power of the lights was increased in 1936. Two sector navigation lights were added to the landward tower by 1969. Two bays of the timber jetty platform were removed to the seaward beacon in 1976, with the remaining jetty sections removed in 1978. The lights are currently non functional, except for a land based directional beam. The easement is still important and has been maintained within the street structure of the Beacon Cove housing development.Heritage Inventory Description
PORT MELBOURNE LEAD LIGHTS AND ACCESS JETTY - Heritage Inventory Description
Lead lights and access jetty.
Lighthouse, lead sighting easement, structural pier piles, and associated archaeological remains.
Archeological Potential:
Good
-
-
-
-
-
PRINCES PIERVictorian Heritage Register H0981
-
LEADING LIGHTSVictorian Heritage Register H0982
-
EXPERIMENTAL CONCRETE HOUSESVictorian Heritage Register H1863
-
-