 |
 |
|
        |
|
Harbour Trust: The SitesMarine Biological Station
Location Map
Natural features of the Area
The former Marine Biological Station lies at the southern end of Camp Cove on a sandstone spur created by the forces of coastal processes, particularly wind, water currents and wave action. The house and adjacent Green Point Reserve are on a sandstone knoll created by the erosion of wind, current and wave action. Originally an extensive coastal lagoon flowed out to the harbour through a channel that crossed the beach near what is now the western end of Victoria Street. When it was built in 1881 the station sat on a bare windswept peninsula. Early settlement and the introduction of domestic goats stripped the area of native vegetation. What remained was a landscape of rock faces, scattered sandstone rocks, grass and small plants, and the outlet to the freshwater lagoon.
History of the site
Pre-1788: Indigenous CultureThe Watsons Bay area provided abundant fish, shellfish and food for the local Aboriginal community in a sheltered environment. Rock engravings in the area depict a range of marine creatures including whales and fish. There is also a rock shelter at the northern end of Camp Cove Beach that shows evidence of habitation by the local Aboriginal people. 1788-1850s: A Resting Place and Fishing HubGovernor Phillip and the First Fleet rested for a night at Camp Cove before landing at Sydney Cove in 1788. In 1790 a lookout was established on South Head by Captain John Hunter. Later, Robert Watson was appointed as signalman and granted an area of land. As early as 1791 a beacon stood on South Head, first fired by wood and later by coal, to guide vessels to the harbour entrance at night. A fishery was established nearby in 1792 to help feed the new settlement at Sydney Cove. Edward Laing, a surgeon in the NSW Corps was granted land to the north of Watsons in 1793. The point of land became known as Laings Point. This grant formed the nucleus of Watsons Bay village and the subdivision that consisted mostly of shanty structures occupied by fishermen. In 1854 the area surrounding the Marine Biological Station was subdivided and allotments were sold off. The site of the station was either excluded from Laing’s original grant or acquired by the government at a later stage. 1850s-1870s: Military Fortification of the Area Portrait of Miklouho-MaclayIn the 1850s the military began work on fortifications for South Head in reaction to the Crimean War and continued through the 1860s and 70s. Green (Laings) Point was the site of a submarine minerrs firing station for the electric mines stretching across the harbour to Georges Head (1871-1890s). The 1942 anti-submarine boom was also anchored to this point. Watsons Bay had become a popular area for recreation with its hotel and private zoo, and The Gap close by. A horse drawn omnibus service was running from Circular Quay by 1869. 1878-1890s: Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay and the Marine Biological StationRussian scientist and explorer Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay came to Australia in 1878 and set out to convince the scientific community and government of the importance of building a biological station at Watsons Bay for studying Australian flora and fauna. Maclay had a reputation as an authority on marine animals. He had carried out anthropological and zoological research in the Canary Islands, New Guinea, Malaya, the East Indies and Micronesia. He was invited by naturalist, William Macleay to live in Elizabeth Bay House and use a small laboratory there. He also spent considerable time at the Australian Museum. The Macleay Museum, which is today at Sydney University, contains some of Miklouho-Maclay’s material.  View from the balconyIn 1879 lots 6,7 and 8 of Watsons Bay were gazetted for a biological station. The NSW Government committed 300 pounds to the project but it was up to Miklouho-Maclay to match this sum. Prominent Sydney architect John Kirkpatrick was appointed to the project. Other projects of his were the Colonial Mutual Life Building at Martin Place, the Commonwealth Bank in Pitt Street and grandstands at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Marine Biological Station was completed in October 1881. Miklouho-Maclay married Margaret Clarke, the widowed daughter of Sir John Robertson, and they had two sons, Alexander Nicolai and Vladimir Allan. Robertson, who was five times Premier of NSW, owned the Watsons Bay property of ‘Clovelly’ with its extensive gardens. In 1886 Maclay travelled to Russia where he became very ill and died in April 1888. The Marine Biological Station was urgently required for military purposes in 1885. It became known as the Green Point Quarters, associated with the School of Gunnery on South Head. The first recorded occupant is Lieut. CW Lamb in 1899. 1900s-2001: Army Officers' Married QuartersFor over 100 years the house at 31 Pacific Street has been used as army officer’s married quarters. There have been various occupants, including Captain Walter Coxan from 1904-1908 who became Major General and Chief of the General Staff in 1931. Alterations to the house have included extensions in the early 1900s and from 1915-1920 to provide additional bedrooms, a sitting room and bathroom. An external stairway was added and a garage built on the site. Refurbishments and alterations over the years reflect the taste and lifestyle of the different periods of residential occupation. The Indian Coral trees on the South Head Military Reserve and at Laings Point were planted in the 1930s, creating a new landscape character for the site. The timber house and gardens are tucked away at the southern end of Camp Cove (pictured far right, white roof). The house's sandstone foundations are a good example of practical colonial architecture. It contains beautiful pressed metal walls and ornate fireplaces. The house will be leased out as a residence, however there will be at least six days per year for the public to be able to access the interior of the house. A park has been constructed that provides public access from Victoria Parade to the beach.
Access Information The
Marine Biological Station is on the far right with white roof
A small park has been constructed in order to provide a passive recreational open space, associated with the beach and improved legibility of access to Camp Cove. The house itself will be leased out to private tenants, however as part of the lease agreement, the tenant will commit funding towards the restoration of the house as well as make the house open for public open days at least six times per year. Click here to find out what projects and activities are being and have been carried out on the site.
Management Plan
The management plan for the former Marine Biological Station was approved on 18 May 2004. Further InformationAny enquiries can be directed to the Community Consultation Coordinator on (02) 8969 2100. View the Draft Management PlanClick here to view the management plan.
|
|||||||||||||||||
Sydney Harbour Federation Trust · PO Box 607 · Mosman NSW 2088 Australia · Tel 02 8969 2100 · Fax 02 8969 2120 · TTY 02 8969 2152 Business Hours: Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm This page last modified 8 December, 2006 |
|
© Copyright 2001 Commonwealth of Australia. All rights reserved. |
Home | Site Map | Privacy | Disclaimer | Copyright |
)
