Historical information
This photograph shows the steam dredge Pioneer working to remove silt in Lady Bay, Port of Warrnambool. The dredge belonged to the Ports and Harbours department in Melbourne. Also in the photograph are two moored vessels, and the Warrnambool Lifeboat shed and Rocket house built on the Warrnambool Breakwater.
The Warrnambool Harbour had been experiencing heavy silting and sanding for many years. The problem continued even after the construction of the Breakwater in 1890. The Ports and Harbours' new, larger suction hopper dredge, the Matthew Flinders, was also employed in May 1919 to remove the heavy silting in the Harbour. Both dredges were sent up from Melbourne when required over the years to periodically attend to the silting. The Matthew Flinders was still dredging the Harbour even in the 1930s. (The ship’s original master was J G Rosney. In February 1922 Percy Taylor from Ports and Harbours joined the Matthew Flinders as a Mate. 1923 the master in charge was Captain Dunbar. In August 1926 Percy Taylor was appointed as her Master and was later transferred to the Pioneer as Master in 1933.) 1930 the dredges were no longer required as the Harbour was no longer suitable as a port. However, one source notes that the Matthew Flinders was still dredging the Harbour in 1938.
Significance
This photograph is significant for its association with the Port of Warrnambool, the Warrnambool Breakwater, and the issue of the silting in Lady Bay. The photograph is significant historically as it shows a point in time when efforts were employed to keep the Port of Warrnambool functioning, allowing shipping activities to continue operating.
The need for dredging in the Warrnambool Harbour was a serious and ongoing problem, as silting continued to happen after a series of measures were taken to try and resolve the issue. Eventually, the Harbour could no longer function successfully as a port.
Physical description
Photograph, black and white, showing two similar images and printed together. Images of Lady Bay, Warrnambool, the dredge 'Pioneer' on the left, ships and the Warrnambool Lifeboat and Rocket House on the right, beside the Breakwater. Ca. 1900 to 1930.
Inscriptions & markings
"BL016"
Subjects
- flagstaff hill,
- warrnambool,
- maritime village,
- maritime museum,
- flagstaff hill maritime museum & village,
- dredge,
- mathew flinders i,
- warrnambool harbour,
- lady bay,
- sanding,
- silting,
- breakwater,
- captain dunbar,
- ports & harbours,
- marine technology,
- percy taylor,
- matthew flinders,
- pioneer,
- dredge pioneer,
- lifeboat house,
- rocket house
References
- Dying Hopes, the history of the Warrnambool Breakwater, By Dr. John Sherwood, Deakin University, Warrnambool Video, FHMMV, LOCD 001 Cab 18, dredges Pioneer and Matthew Flinders at 16:53 mins
- Historic photographs of Melbourne Johnson's Tyne Foundry with dredge PIONEER under construction in dry dock
