MERRI RIVER MORTAR SHED SITE

STANLEY STREET WARRNAMBOOL, WARRNAMBOOL CITY

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Victorian Heritage Inventory

Statement of Significance

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  • History

    MERRI RIVER MORTAR SHED SITE - History

    In ca. 1858 a government designed and funded "rocket shed" or "mortar shed" was constructed at Warrnambool on the hills northwest of the jetty, on the north shore of the Merri River. "Rockets" or "mortars" were used throughout the 19th century along the SW coast of Victoria as an alternative to lifeboats for the rescue of crew and passengers on board vessels in distress. They were small devices which fired rockets attached to lines of rope from shore to a stricken vessel. Survivors on the ship were instructed to fix one line to the ship's mast and a second line was then run out.A "breeches buoy" was attached to this line and survivors would place themselves on the buoy and be hauled to safety. Sheds were specifically built to store the rockets or mortar in dry and secure conditions.

    By the 1870s, following various infrastructure and harbour works at Warrnambool, including the construction of a tramway jetty, tramway and a re-alignment of the Merri River, the mortar shed was either moved to a new location or decommissioned.

    Interpretation of Site

    MERRI RIVER MORTAR SHED SITE - Interpretation of Site

    The location of the Mortar Shed has been recently raised up from a Landcare Project with plantings and mulch.  A path passes over the top of where the she would have been. The river bank here is steep. No cultural remains were observed.

    Archaeological Significance

    MERRI RIVER MORTAR SHED SITE - Archaeological Significance

    The archaeological significance of the remains of the Mortar shed lie in its ability to provide information on the dimensions and the manner of its construction as well as the materials used. Such structures should have been well built firstly so as to keep the contents dry and secondly to muffle any accidental blast. It is possible that foundation - whether strip footings or post holes - of the building are present and buried under the recent landscaping

    Historical Significance

    MERRI RIVER MORTAR SHED SITE - Historical Significance

    The Mortar/Rocket shed was a standard feature in any port in the 19th century. Mortars and rockets were used to illuminate when vessels were in distress at night and to fire lines onto vessels from shore so as to secure them or take off passengers and crew.

    Heritage Inventory Description

    MERRI RIVER MORTAR SHED SITE - Heritage Inventory Description

    The site is near the eastern bank of the Merri River, north of the Stanley Street bridge. It is in open parkland with walking trails nearby
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