FORMER MOYNE RIVER BRIDGE

GIPPS STREET PORT FAIRY, MOYNE SHIRE

All information on this page is maintained by Heritage Victoria. Click below for their website and contact details.

Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

• Additional Place Information

  • History

    FORMER MOYNE RIVER BRIDGE - History

    Public agitation for a bridge over the Moyne River at Port Fairy began in the mid-late 1840s, led primarily by Mr. William Rutledge (of Rutledge & Co. pioneer, substantial landowner & prominent merchant). The absence of a bridge crossing was of particular annoyance to Rutledge, who had stores on both the eastern and western banks of the Moyne - indeed he was the only person at that point to have property on the eastern shore. At several meetings among notable Port Fairy inhabitants in 1849, Rutledge attempted to gather support to petition the Governer for funds for a timber bridge, maintaining that it was a "most shameful neglect" on behalf of the government "in not having long ere this, built a bridge between the door of my store on the Belfast side of the river, and the door of my other store on the hummock side." In order to tempt others to support his cause, Rutledge offered that if the bridge were built, he would permit local residents to cross the bridge free of charge every Sunday "to take the air on the sea beach" - as long as, of course, said residents dealt exclusively at his stores; those who dealt with his competitors would be charged a toll. Although several residents felt such a bridge would depreciate the value of the western part of the township and any government funding that could be obtained would be better spent on other public works, by April 1849, Rutledge had managed to convince enough people and a formal petition was sent to the Governer.

    Plans of Port Fairy dating to 1850 show several markings depicting proposed bridge locations. By 1852, funding was provided and tenders were called to erect a timber bridge according to plans and specifications prepared by the Bridge Office, Melbourne. Based on an 1856 sketch of Port Fairy, it appears that the bridge constructed was a simple timber beam bridge. Later plans show that the location selection was along a NE-SW orientation leading from the northern extent of Gipps Street. Four years later, in 1857, tenders were again called for the erection of a bridge over the Moyne River; finally awarded to A. Amos in 1862 who completed the work in 1863. While specifics are unclear, it is possible that the original bridge was somehow unsuitable or was already failing.

    Plans of Port Fairy dating to 1850 show several markings depicting proposed bridge locations. By 1852, funding was provided and tenders were called to erect a timber bridge according to plans and specifications prepared by the Bridge Office, Melbourne. Based on an 1856 sketch of Port Fairy, it appears that the bridge constructed was a simple timber beam bridge. Later plans show that the location selection was along a NE-SW orientation leading from the northern extent of Gipps Street.

    By 1865, however, the timber bridge was apparently in a dilapidated and dangerous condition. Temporary barriers were erected by local residents to prevent dray traffic from crossing - a "precaution" which seems to have partially aimed to pressure the government to provide funds for a new bridge. The issue was debated in parliament throughout 1867 and a resolution was finally reached to build a new bridge, based largely on a special report by Mr. Steavenson, Engineer of Public Works Department.

    Interpretation of Site

    FORMER MOYNE RIVER BRIDGE - Interpretation of Site

    Based on mapping, the 19th century bridges appear to be on a slightly different alignment and to the immediate south of the present bridge. No piles were observed on the bank or in the water at the time of inspection.

    Archaeological Significance

    FORMER MOYNE RIVER BRIDGE - Archaeological Significance

    The archaeological significance of the remains of the two timber bridges would be the information they can provide in the method and quality of construction including the materials used. The stumps of piles can be expected to be found within the river sediments and under the rock armour on the west bank. There may be some buried evidence of stone abutments on either side of the river.

    Historical Significance

    FORMER MOYNE RIVER BRIDGE - Historical Significance

    The 19th century bridges over the Moyne River reflects attempts in the 1850s to expand the township of Port Fairy onto the east bank of the Moyne River.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    FORMER MOYNE RIVER BRIDGE - Heritage Inventory Description

    The site is located in the vicinity of the current bridge over the Moyne River, Port Fairy. The west bank at the former bridge crossing is a mud flat, which progressively hardens as it slopes up to Gipps Street. On the east bank there is a bluestone rubble retaining wall.

• Location map
• Explore related places
  • Show:
    -- select -- Nearby Places

  • 
    EMOH

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H0252
  • 
    FORMER ST ANDREWS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND MANSE

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H0850
  • 
    GUNS AND EMPLACEMENTS

    

    Victorian Heritage Register H1504
• Public contributions