Step back in time.

The picture below is a hand drawn image that appeared in the “Australian Town and Country Journal” in a story about Huskisson,  it featured this image of a ship being built on the shores of Currambene Creek in 1883. .

Visit the Museum today, and take a step back in time 132 years. This beautiful hull was purchased from Mr. Arthur Williams from Batemans Bay in 1986 after a lot of work by John Hatton,  John was the Member of the South Coast and also Chairman of the Lady Denman Restoration and Historic Site Committee at the time. John and his dedicated team of volunteers worked for many years to get the then named “Lady Denman Heritage Complex” to where it is today, one of the premium regional maritime and heritage museums in Australia. The committee had a plan to build a boat shed much like the original sheds that once stood on the banks of Currambene Creek,  and this boat frame would be the perfect centre piece once the shed was built.

Alf demonstrating how to use a broad axe.

Alf Settree the last wooden boat builder had his sheds and slipway near the entrance to Currambene Creek at Huskisson, he designed and help build the boat shed in the traditional manner,  the shed is named in his honour. In 2001 this beautiful old hull was nearly destroyed in the Christmas day fires that savaged the region. Fortunately the fire was bought under control and the frame suffered only minor damage.

Home of the Lady Denman

The museum grounds are looking fantastic at the moment – the bottle brushes are flowering and there are all sorts of birds flitting about.  Come along and take a leisurely stroll through the grounds,  you won't be disappointed.

Wirreecoo Garden

November 2015

Australian Clipper Ship Mystery.

What happened to the Strathnaver? - 1875

Example of a clipper ship - State Library of Queensland The vessel was a first class sea going one,  and in every respect was well found and ably manned. The vessel left Sydney in April 1875 and was never heard of again. Headboard found at Jervis Bay. The only piece of the vessel found was her “head board”,  this was found at Jervis Bay a few weeks after she had sailed, no other sign of wreckage was found. She was well freighted having onboard a valuable cargo, comprising 3423 bales wool, 21 bales skin, 15 casks tallow,  127 bags bone dust, 13 bales leather, 38 logs timber,  931 cases meat,  2517 ingots,  488 cakes copper,  3585 ingot tin. During this voyage she carried no passengers,  but had a crew of some thirty all told. Questions were asked of the government and the Navy why a search for this vessel was never undertaken, the correspondents at the time were scathing in their reports about missing ships and the governments response.

" Anyone familiar with the actions of colonial governments in the matter of marine disasters and missing ships in these waters will well understand that neither the governments of these colonies nor the representatives of H.M. Navy on the Australian Station seldom trouble themselves about such matters until urged by public opinion to make some effort"

"Until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore, you will not know the terror of being forever lost at sea." — Charles Cook

Remembrance day

At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years. The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. This first modern world conflict had brought about the mobilisation of over 70 million people and left between 9 and 13 million dead, perhaps as many as one-third of them with no known grave. The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their war dead.

A journey to Jervis Bay 1908

The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), Thursday 30 July 1908

The following story from a visitor to the bay over 100 years ago paints a different picture to the one we now have of the bay.  Some thing haven’t changed, the beauty of the area is still a sight to behold. The main change derived from this story are the regulations we are governed by now.   The regulations have taken away some of the freedom people had back then to roam about the bay pursuing their own interests, be it fishing,  hunting or sightseeing.   The rules and regulations are necessary to deal with technology and the rising population,  and the associated pressure this is putting on the bays environment. Enjoy the story below,  it’s a fascinating journey, there are a couple of inaccurate references,  The “Chimbozaro” did smash into Point Perpendicular, but without any loss of life. The area described as “Boat Harbour” we now know as “Honey Moon Bay” - there is another “Little Boat Harbour”  it featured in the previous story about the ‘Torpedo Tubes.” The reference to a waterfall at the head of Moona Creek, there is no such waterfall – I think the story refers to Currambene creek and the waterfall at Falls Creek.

The route from Nowra for the first eight miles passes through dairying country,  and over the last 81/2 miles through dense hardwood forests,  which have, as yet, only been partly touched by the woodman’s axe. Here and there are to be seen busy little saw mills with large quantities of logs waiting to be turned into girders, paving blocks, and other commercial sizes. Emerging from the timber at the end of the road,  the sudden view of the bay is one of the grandest imaginable.  Straight in front is the entrance with it's bold headlands - Perpendicular Head,  with Bowen Island in the centre,  and Governor Head at the south - standing like sentinels on guard.  At the blush the entrance might be taken for Sydney Harbour,  but is of greater width,  being 2 miles across,  while the headlands are much higher. Point Perpendicular is a most imposing mass of rock,  raising abruptly from the ocean to a height of 250 feet. It was against this rock the "Chimbarazo."  some years ago,  in a most unaccountable manner,  ran full tilt,  the impact being terribly disastrous and attended with considerable loss of life.   The bay is nearly circular in form,  and almost landlocked,  being 10 miles across as the widest part.  A distinct charm of the bay is the regular manner in which it is divided into beaches of beautiful white sand,  alternating with rocky points jutting into the waters,  which constitute excellent fishing grounds. Jervis Bay is destined to become one of the favourite fishing resorts in Australasia,  as capital bream and schnapper fishing can be enjoyed in any weather close to the hotel or accommodation houses,  the later being most comfortable and moderate as regards tariffs.  The transparent waters of Currumbene Creek literally make the most lackadaisical fisherman's mouth water,  as he perceives immense quantities of bream, blackfish, mullet, garfish,  and many other members of the finny tribe looking vainly for a hook and line. It is a common occurrence for 3 and 5 pound bream to be taken,  indeed the bay is the veritable paradise for the angler. Shooting enthusiasts are also well catered for,  bird-life of all kinds being most prolific,  The marsupial also abounds,  and many stirring stories are told of immense bags,  by the oldest inhabitant,  who,  incidentally,  has been in and around the bay for fifty years. There are many point of interest.  the principal being Moona Creek,  with a public oyster bed,  and a splendid waterfall at the creek head. The salamander,  in search of ideal camping spots far from the maddening crowd,  would do well to select Lamb's,  Chinamen's,  New Bristol,  or Captain's points.  All are charming places, plentifully supplied with with clear fresh water,  tons of fire wood,  and beautiful beaches,  the acme of perfection for sun-hatching; But the spot which eclipses all the rest is Boat Harbour,  a beautifully secluded lagoon at the northern end of the bay. Oil launches,  with a draught of 31/2 feet, can pass through the narrow entrance,  which will only comfortably admit one boat at a time.  Once inside one gets a view of this lovely little place,  an acre of crystal water,  a beach which circles around the whole,  safe bathing,  immune to sharks,  grass trees growing right to the edge of the basin,  fresh water in plenty,  high beetling cliffs surrounding,  and brilliant sunshine,  and you have a view of campers paradise. Honey Moon Bay.  Visitors to the bay should not neglect to land on Bowen Island,  on which are to be seen large numbers of penguin.  The antics of this strange bird are indescribable,  and one gets great amusement in watching the beautiful creatures walking awkwardly about.   There are also numbers of rabbits,  hares and wallabies,  and snakes are in-numerable. The fishermen of the bay,  especially the brothers Dent,  know the bay from end to end,  and,  being equipped with fast launches,  guarantee sport,  pleasure,  and comfort to any visitors who may desire to make a trip to this charming resort for a holiday.

Earthquake shakes the Shoalhaven.

The Shoalhaven News 1901.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt at Terrara and Numba on Oct 10the 1901.  All the storekeepers were made aware of the fact by the rattling of the crockery ware and a general shaking of the buildings.  In Jones’ store a large jar of salt fell from a shelf,  caused by the violence of the vibration,  whilst the doors of the building remained open were closed with a slam.  At Numba the clock of Mr. Alexander was stopped by the perceptible shaking of the house.   The vibration lasted for seven or eight seconds

Alcohol add that appeared in the local paper from the same time.

Australian Society for Growing Australian Plants

Crap Spider putting on a show.

The Australian Society for Growing Australian Plants will be holding a conference in Canberra on 16th November. Members attending will be from all states of Australia and some will be on the pre conference tour of the South East Coast from 9th November to 13th. This tour will take in different areas of Eurobodalla Shire and within the Shoalhaven. They will visit local gardens as well as the Wirreecoo Wildflower Garden at the Lady Denman (JBMM) on Thursday 12th from 10am to 11.45. Members of the Nowra group of the Australian Plants Society (NSW) will host the group for morning tea and take them around the garden and if there is time take in part of the complex.

One of our locals putting on a show. A beautiful Crab Spider waiting for an unsuspecting insect in the Wirreecoo Wildflower Garden

The garden looks fantastic at the moment,  do yourself a favour and come along for a relaxing browse around the garden.  If your quiet and observant you will see all sorts of insects amongst the beautiful array of plants.

Schooner Adelaide

The Sydney Morning Herald  Monday 13 July 1874

Cape St George Lighthouse

As reported in the The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser - 1860

Continue Reading – Despite the great enthusiasm stated above, the light was embroiled in controversy even before it was built, Meaning: Catoptric - a light in which the rays are concentrated by reflectors into a beam visible at a distance.

South Coast Snippet.

As reported in the Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser 1911

Jervis Bay - World War Two – The “Tubes”

 

With the fear of an invasion by an enemy force, the government implemented measures inside Jervis Bay to surprise the enemy. The Navy has long used Jervis Bay for “shot practice”. During the war Jervis Bay was used by the Australian Navy as a staging place. They would move ships between Sydney Harbour and  Jervis Bay.

The Australian Navy Squadron.  The War Vessels Nelson and Rapid in Jervis Bay – Torpedo and Boarding Practice.

Two of the fastest ships afloat at the time the  passenger liners  Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, were converted into troop carriers.  They would be loaded with supplies and troops in Sydney Harbour and then under cover make the run to Jervis Bay.  The trip was always perilous as the east coast was patrolled by marauding enemy submarines. The ships would shelter inside Jervis Bay before embarking for the middle East. To protect the ships and the bay from a sea bound enemy attack, strategically placed, land bound torpedo launching tubes,  two sets, four tubes in total,  were placed on the north side of the bay.  One just inside Point Perpendicular. A gun emplacement was also installed onto Bowen Island in an attempt to catch the invading navy in a cross fire. “The tubes” rusting remains can still be seen on the rock ledges,  the one inside Point Perpendicular “the Outer Tubes” is now more famous for being a world class land based marlin fishing location.  It’s not uncommon for over a hundred marling to be caught off the rocks during the season.

“Outer Tubes” well tucked away and protected from enemy guns.   Fishermen set up for catching marlin.

The “Inner Tubes’ are less frequently visited.  In the early 1970’s before the track closures, we use to make our way to the inner tubes via a rough four wheel drive track,  there use to be a beautiful old sandstone house built in colonial style,  sitting on the ridge above the small secluded harbour known as ‘Little Boat Harbour”.  This old house was used to house the men and equipment that manned “the tubes”. Sometime in the late 80’s? early 90’s? the Navy took the decision to blow this remarkable old sandstone house into eternity,  leaving nothing but a huge crater,  garbage and twisted broken trees.     One can only think that if it had been left alone it would now be regarded as another valuable piece of Jervis Bay History. I have been trying to find an image of the old house but have had no luck as yet – if you have an image please let me know – contact details are above.

Inner tubes.

The “Tubes” were never tested in battle,  just how successful they would have been is debatable.  One can think it was more an exercise in public relations that any sort of real defence strategy. Both can still be reached,  the outer tubes is easier to access via the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse car park, the track is marked  and stairs provided, “the inner tubes”  takes more effort and guidance from National Parks Rangers is suggested. Both are located in spectacular spots,  and if you have the chance should be visited..

Jervis Bay

The cliffs that run north from Point Perpendicular are spectacular.

Take a closer look.-

The “Wirreecoo” native plant gardens on the western side of the museum are looking superb. I shot a few pics this morning while the garden volunteers were working hard making the gardens a wonderful place.   All these shots were taken in around 10 minutes and within a 2 meter square area.

Click on the images to have a closer look.

Crab Spider and a Hover Fly