CROWS NEST CAMP BUNKER
THE ESPLANADE QUEENSCLIFF, QUEENSCLIFFE BOROUGH
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Statement of Significance
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CROWS NEST CAMP BUNKER - History
In 1890, the Defence department purchased (from Travers Adamson) the two story waterfront building known as Maytone (which is located diagonally opposite the bunker). From 1910 – 1947, it was used predominantly as an officer mess, except for a short period where it became the Commanding Officers Quarters for three years from 1916. In 1946, Maytone was used converted to a married quarters for officers of the Australian Staff College.
The attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 saw the realisation of the potential of air power for long distance attacks. Anti-aircraft guns were installed in the local football field, along with a 4 inch gun at Crows Nest to combat this threat.
With the threat of war so close to home during WWII, proposal were made towards the end of the war for dual purpose lightweight guns for anti aircraft and small vessel deterrence, which were installed at the football ground and near Crows Nest. The operations at the Heads were scaled down by the end of the war, and Pt Nepean defences were declared redundant. In 1946 the guns were removed from Fort Queenscliff and it was converted to the Australian Staff College.
In 1942, two 4.7 quick firing guns were mounted at Crows Nest Battery. Both sets of guns had rear protection shields. In that same year, a sentry at Crows Nest was killed by an unknown person, who later fired on other soldiers. The threat of war appeared closer to home around this time, when enemy submarine and aircraft were sited in the area. Several local residents recalled a big gun emplacement near Maytone (Guesthouse) during WWII.
The bunker is probably related to the new defence emplacements that were installed during WWII, as it is not shown on two plan for the areafrom 1916 (Barrett) or 1918 (Read).
(Cited from Duncan 2005 - PhD Thesis)
CROWS NEST CAMP BUNKER - Interpretation of Site
The gun dates to at least the second World War. The bunker is intact, and the entrance has been recently boarded over to prevent access to the interior. The bunker is probably related to the new defence emplacements that were installed during WWII, as it isnot shown on two plan for the areafrom 1916 (Barrett) or 1918 (Read). However it could have acted as a shelter for the former Officers Mess at Maytone or the Crows Nest Camp.
Heritage Inventory Description
CROWS NEST CAMP BUNKER - Heritage Inventory Description
Underground concrete anti-aircraft bunker used in conjunction with the nearby anti-aircraft gun (H7821-0085).
concrete underground bunker,archaeological deposits associated with former site use
Archeological Potential: Excellent
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PILOTS COTTAGESVictorian Heritage Register H1618
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ROSENFELDVictorian Heritage Register H1134
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