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Port MacDonnell jetty
Title : Port MacDonnell jetty Port MacDonnell jetty
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Source : B 30836, Port MacDonnell Collection
Date of creation : 1905
Format : Photograph
Contributor : State Library catalogue
Catalogue record
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Description :

The Jetty at Port MacDonnell.


Port MacDonnell was officially declared a port on 4 April 1860. A safe channel to anchorages protected by Cape Northumberland and Breakers Reef was marked out. Construction of a jetty began in December 1860. The shed for the lifeboat was added in 1863 and was finally removed in 1957.

Initially the jetty was 244 metres long, but the townspeople immediately petitioned for an extension. By 1863 it was 305 metres, giving a depth of 2.1 metres at low tide. Prolonged negotiations were undertaken and by 1885 the jetty was 323 metres.

The port reached its heyday during the 1870s and at one time it was the second busiest port in the colony. With the advent of the railways Port MacDonnell waned in importance. By the 1930s the jetty was in disrepair but it was not repaired without extensive lobbying.
The fishing fleet replaced the mosquito fleet of ketches that had dominated the 1860s-1880s. Finally in the 1970s the South Australian Government built the long desired breakwater. At 1,565 metres, this provides shelter and security for the fishing fleet and for private pleasure craft.
Subjects
Coverage year : 1905
Period : 1884-1913
Place : Port MacDonnell
Region : South East
Further reading :
Collins, Neville C. The jetties of South Australia: past and present Woodside, S.A.: Neville Collins, 2005
Duruz, Rosamund. The history of Port Macdonnell Warrnambool, Vic.: PAP Book Co., 1978
Internet links :
Exhibitions and events :

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-


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