WATSONS BATHS
BEACH STREET PORT MELBOURNE, PORT PHILLIP CITY
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Statement of Significance
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WATSONS BATHS - History
Bathing had always been on this beach, and from 1860 special trains bought patrons to the Watson's Baths, also called the Hobson's Bay Bathing Company Baths. The baths fell into disrepair in 1906 when Melbourne Harbour Trust refused a licence renewal, predominantly due to plans to resurrect the Straight Canal construction project. The structure was demolished sometime after the construction of Princes Pier in 1912, and open sea bathing was permitted in the area.WATSONS BATHS - Interpretation of Site
Taylor (pers comms) maintains that during underwater work to lay a concrete seawall, the grab dredge raised various quantities of lead lighting, bottles and various other artefacts (from his description probably dating to the late 1880s). This could be from the torpedo depot, but the leadlight is more likely to have originated form Watson's Baths to the east, which is shown with a dome in 1890 (Messum), which could possibly have been lead lighted. Deposits may be encountered further offshore from the concrete seawall, as its construction only proceeded approximately 10 m out from its current location.
The baths were the first of their kind in the Port Melbourne area, and have social and archaeological significance as part of the recreational landscape of Melbourne.
Heritage Inventory Description
WATSONS BATHS - Heritage Inventory Description
Former baths complex between Station and Princes Piers.
Possible timber piles and archaeological deposits from bathers.
Archeological Potential:
Good
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PORT MELBOURNE COURT HOUSE, POLICE STATION AND LOCK-UPVictorian Heritage Register H1318
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FORMER SWALLOW & ARIELL BISCUIT FACTORYVictorian Heritage Register H0567
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JUBILEE TERRACEVictorian Heritage Register H1829
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