PORT MELBOURNE SUBMARINE MINING COMPANY JETTY

PICKLES STREET AND 101-204 BEACH STREET PORT MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE CITY, PORT PHILLIP CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Other Records For This Place
  • Port Melbourne Submarine Mining Company Jetty - Vic. War Heritage Inventory
• Additional Place Information

  • History

    PORT MELBOURNE SUBMARINE MINING COMPANY JETTY - History

    In 1887, the Submarine Mining Company of Engineers was established east of Sandridge Baths. The unit was housed in a corrugated iron shed four feet above the beach and also had a drill room that was 80 x 40ft wide. A generator was also housed on site to supply power for lighting, and a telegraph cable led to mines laid in the Bay. Twenty men permanently staffed the unit, with an authorised force of 85 in total. The facility also had a 150 ft long jetty. The facility is not shown on any (located) plan for that period, but a triangular structure is shown is 1890 and a large drain outlet is shown at the end of Pickles Road in 1894.

    Interpretation of Site

    PORT MELBOURNE SUBMARINE MINING COMPANY JETTY - Interpretation of Site

    Given security concerns during that period, it is possible that these structures were deliberately disguised or omitted from the plans. Furthermore, field inspections here have shown that drain outlets were from this period were sizable structures, and from the examples at McGregor St, Lagoon Pier and Harold St it can be seen that they possibly were also used as jetty structures.

    No physical evidence was located onsite, but the archaeological potential for the jetty and shed remains are high given the mobile sand environment in this area.

    The site has social significance relating to military efforts and the methods of defense. Also this site demonstrates a technological example of the site of a drain being a favourable place for a jetty/pier due to the scouring activities of the drain.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    PORT MELBOURNE SUBMARINE MINING COMPANY JETTY - Heritage Inventory Description

    No physical evidence of the jetty was located. The drain and associated features lie in an area approximately 100 m on shore under reclamation and 100 m offshore.

    Possible archaeological deposits associate with the use of the facility as a pier/jetty, possible underwater structural remains of the pier/drain

    Archeological Potential:

    Good

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