Adelaide Steamship House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adelaide Steamship House |
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Street view from the corner of Phillimore Street
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federation Free Classical |
| Address | 10-12 Mouat Street |
| Town or city | Fremantle |
| Current tenants | The Port Counselling Centre |
| Construction started | 1900 |
| Completed | November 1900 |
| Renovated | 1947-48, 1991, 2006 |
| Owner | Adelaide Steamship Company |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Oldham and Eales |
| Main contractor | C. Coghill |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | F.G.B. Hawkins |
| Awards and prizes | Commendation – 1993 Heritage Conservation and Property Value Awards |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 12 November 1994 |
| Part of | West End, Fremantle (25225) |
| Reference no. | 959 |
The Adelaide Steamship House is a historic building found at 10-12 Mouat Street in Fremantle, Australia. It was built in 1900 and designed by architects Charles Oldham and Herbert Eales. The building gets its name from its first owners, the Adelaide Steamship Company. This company used to transport people and goods by sea all around Australia.
Contents
The Adelaide Steamship Company's Story
The Adelaide Steamship Company (ASC) started in September 1875 in Adelaide. It was created by a group of farmers and business people. In 1883, the company bought two steamboats, the Otway and the Rob Roy. This helped them offer shipping services from Melbourne all the way to Derby.
Expanding Services in Western Australia
When gold was discovered in Western Australia in the late 1800s, the ASC grew even more. Gold rushes happened in places like Kimberley (1885), Pilbara (1888), and Coolgardie-Kalgoorlie (1892). This led the company to add more shipping routes in Western Australia.
Building a New Office
In 1883, the ASC opened an office in Fremantle. At first, they rented offices. But in 1900, they bought land on Mouat Street to build their own office. They wanted to be close to the Fremantle wharf. The ASC hired local architects Oldham and Eales to design the building. A builder named C. Coghill constructed it in the second half of 1900. The building was finished by the end of November 1900. William Ernest Moxon, the manager for the Adelaide Steamship Company in Western Australia, and his team moved in. Moxon was the manager from 1896 to 1918. He also led the Steamship Owners of Australasia, Fremantle Branch, for fifteen years. For two years, he was the president of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce.
Building Design and History
The Adelaide Steamship House is a two-storey building made of stone. It was built in a style called Federation Free Classical.
Architectural Features
The top floor has a fancy railing along the roof edge. It also has a detailed central pediment (a triangular part above the entrance) and decorative Ionic pilasters (flat columns). The windows on the upper floor have false railings and shell designs above them. The ground floor has a strong granite base. It features horizontal lines, wide Doric pilasters, and large arched openings.
Repairs and New Uses
The building was damaged by fire in January 1946 and again in April 1947. After these fires, it was carefully restored to its original look in 1947–48. Architect F. Hawkins oversaw these repairs. The Adelaide Steamship Company used the building for their Western Australian operations until 1978. After that, the building was sold. In 1991, it was renovated again. It was changed into a home, office, store, and warehouse.
Why This Building is Important
The Adelaide Steamship House is recognized for its historical importance.
- It was added to the Register of the National Estate on March 21, 1978.
- The National Trust of Australia (WA) also recognized it on November 5, 2012.
- The Heritage Council of Western Australia officially listed it on the State Register of Heritage Places on July 1, 1994.
- It is also on the City of Fremantle's Municipal Heritage List.
