Spectacle Island (Port Jackson)
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Spectacle Island is an island in the
The island is historically significant as it is the oldest naval explosives manufacturing and storage complex in Australia (from 1865).[1] Originally built to store government gunpowder, the complex was converted to store naval munitions in 1893, for which purpose it hosts storesheds, jetties and an internal railway system.[2] The island has been significantly increased in size by the use of waste from the nearby Balmain Colliery.
Today, the island is a depository of heritage items of the Royal Australian Navy, and also is the home of Training Ship Sydney, a unit of the Australian Navy Cadets.
Spectacle Island was added to the
History
Spectacle Island is a small island in
The colonial government selected Spectacle Island in 1865 as a storage site for the colonial government's gunpowder. Plans for the initial group of buildings (centred around the three-bay main magazine) were drawn up in the office of Colonial Architect James Barnet. The buildings were mainly built of sandstone and had slate roofs; a pair of civilian residences (which later served as the offices and house of the officer in charge) were given verandas.[4] Before long, more buildings were added; the shape of the island began changing as well, and the isthmus was gradually built up.[1]
In 1884 Spectacle Island became the naval armament depot and the colonial government's explosives were removed. Existing buildings were altered and new ones were constructed to suit the new military needs, and the completed installations were at the forefront of munitions handling and storage technology at the time.[1]
The Royal Australian Navy took over Spectacle from the Royal Navy in 1913. By then, there were 40 buildings on the island, the isthmus had been filled in and the area of the island had been increased by about a hectare through reclamation works utilising spoil from the old Balmain coalmine.[1]
During the
Spectacle Island once again played an important role in the
Present day
Spectacle Island is still used by the Royal Australian Navy to house the Naval Repository, including a collection of relics and artefacts, ranging from small items to vessels.[1]
The island is now home to Training Ship Sydney, a unit of the Australian Navy Cadets.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Spectacle Island Explosives Complex (listing CHL105393)". Australia Heritage Places Inventory. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
- ISBN 0-646-17888-1. Pages 66 and 99.
- ^ Raper, George; Hunter, John (c. 1788) [surveyed 1788]. Chart of Port Jackson New South Wales as survey'd by Capt.n Iohn Hunter, second captain of His Majesties Ship the Sirius 1788 / Drawn from the original by George Raper Midn (Map).
- ^ Coad, Jonathan (2013). Support for the Fleet: architecture and engineering of the Royal Navy's bases, 1700-1914. Swindon, Wilts.: English Heritage.
- ^ "Where Are We". tssydney.com. 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.