WILLIAMSTOWN STEAM FERRY LANDING, WHARF WESTERN SHORE
THE STRAND NEWPORT, HOBSONS BAY CITY
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Statement of Significance
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WILLIAMSTOWN STEAM FERRY LANDING, WHARF WESTERN SHORE - History
In 1873, the Williamstown Council launched a steam ferry called 'The Link' and the service became known as Clough's Short Road Ferry. The first ferry was replaced with another steam ferry, which ran between 1907 and 1931. A third ferry carried vehicles and foot passengers and operated from 1931-1974, when it became unviable due to the opening of the Westgate Bridge.
WILLIAMSTOWN STEAM FERRY LANDING, WHARF WESTERN SHORE - Interpretation of Site
The eastern landing at this site was demolished 10 years ago. The western remains probably date as far back as 1873. The ferry route is likely to have been removed by dredging.The geo-referencing process revealed that the steam ferry route and eastern landing location had changed since the widening of the Yarra River sometime before 1894. The ferry service operated continuously at this site from at least 1873 until 1974. This is a rare surviving example of one of many ferry service landings that once operated across the Yarra River.
A timber wharf frontage still remains on the western shore, and consists of vertical sheet piling with horizontal support beams, and iron ties connected to timber piles are buried into the embankment face. The top of this embankment is beginning to collapse due to erosion. The eastern ferry landing was demolished sometime in the last ten years (Somerville, pers comms).
Heritage Inventory Description
WILLIAMSTOWN STEAM FERRY LANDING, WHARF WESTERN SHORE - Heritage Inventory Description
A timber wharf frontage still remains on the western shore. It consists of vertical sheet piling with horizontal support beams. Iron ties connected to timber piles are buried into the embankment face. The top of this embankment is beginning to collapse due to erosion.
The site has the potential to contain archaeological evidence associated with its former use.
Archeological Potential:
West side - excellent, east side - fair
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PRINCE ALBERT HOTELVictorian Heritage Register H1793
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GREENWICH PIERVictorian Heritage Inventory
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OLD YARRA RIVER COURSE STONE EMBANKMENTSVictorian Heritage Inventory
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