News and events Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Harbour Trust: News and Events

Harbour Trust Breeds Winners: Nicorette takes line honours in Sydney-to-Hobart

The Woolwich Dock-built Super Maxi Nicorette has claimed line honours in the 2004 Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race.

The old Nicorette arrives at Woolwich Dock

But before the yacht made it to the start line it undertook an amazing construction journey using the latest of design technology within the facilities of a 100 year old site famed in Australian maritime history for its shipbuilding and repair innovations and achievements.

Why use Woolwich Dock?

To understand why Woolwich Dock has become such a naturally well-suited facility for modern-day yacht construction you have to understand the history of its own construction and achievements.

A Construction Feat

The Dock's history is full of examples of leading technology of the age. Maritime operations were first set up on site in 1883, and the Dry Dock was opened in 1901 - the largest Dock of its kind in Australia at the time.

Construction of the Dock involved the removal of 85,000 cubic metres of sandstone, utilising day labour (mostly newly arrived immigrants) in back-breaking work.

The Nicorette enters the Sawtooth Shed

Steam-driven quarrying machines travelled slowly back and forth along rails, their chisels being driven rapidly up and down into the rock.

When it opened on 4 December 1901 Woolwich Dock was the largest in Australia, 188 metres long and 27 metres wide and over 6 metres deep. It remained the largest until Garden Island was built in 1945. There were several extensions over the years to cope with the increasing size of shipping. The dock’s present length is 260 metres and it is approximately 6½ metres deep.

Shipbuilding and Repair - a long history

Between 1901 – 1958 ships from all over the world were cleaned, repaired and repainted here, from tall ships to steamships through to large warships.

Woolwich Dock could be emptied of water in three hours. As the water level fell, the ship would settle on keel blocks arranged on the floor of the dock.

The New Hull is constructed

Associated buildings and amenities blocks were constructed over this period to support the work of the Dock.

The Sawtooth Shed

The Sawtooth Shed was constructed in the 1940s to replace the original engineering and blacksmiths workshops.

The internal gantry crane has been conserved for usage and the large floorspace allow room for construction/repair activities, storage or showroom. Small scale offices are also available onsite to support activities within the Shed.

The Army Days

In the ealy 1960s, the Army moved into the Dock and it eventually became the home of the Water Transport Division for over 30 years.

Over this time, cargo ships, landing boats, workboats and a Command Craft were stationed at the Dock.

Working on the inner lining of the hull

Woolwich Dock Today and its Future

The Harbour Trust took over control of the Dock after concerted public action to save the site from sale.

The site is now held within public ownership forever.

Woolwich Dock will become the centrepiece for a maritime village that will be created over the next several years.

The site will be a place of recreation, and enjoyment for the public, and a focus for maritime activity within its harbour and parkland setting.

Further Information

If you would like to know more about Woolwich Dock and its facilities, click here.

If you would like to read the Management Plan for the Dock, click here.

Final Congratulations

Finally the Harbour Trust would like to congratulate Ludde Ingvall and the entire Australian Big Boat Racing Team on their success with their Super Maxi Nicorette.