These wrought iron rings look to stem back to the Elwood Swamp Canal's 1889 construction through the lagoon, where not only reclamation was a goal, but securing safe anchorage for small vessels between Brighton and St Kilda was also an essential goal.
One of the remaining mooring rings
Image: © VanishedVictoria
The industrial scale of the Canal was primarily designed for navigational purposes, with an early proposal for a deep water lagoon for commercial vessels and barge transport.
'Tinnies' regularly moored in the Canal, though with the lowered height of the two 1967 Country Roads Board Marine Parade bridges, access became difficult. The new St. Kilda Marina nearby was also seen to provide alternative anchorage.
Only 11½ mooring rings remain out of the original 82.
1956: A low tide view of the Elwood Canal anchorage from Marine Parade
Image: Development of the Elster Creek Drainage System /
Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, 1979.
1976: High tide view from Marine Parade
Image: Development of the Elster Creek Drainage System /
Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, 1979.
Should you have any information about this item's history or location, please leave a comment below or see 'Contact us' tab for anonymous emailing.
Should you actually possess the item and wish to return it its rightful owners or custodians, please contact us.
No comments:
Post a Comment