Edward Orpen Moriarty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Orpen Moriarty
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| Born | 11 October 1824 County Kerry, Ireland
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| Died | 18 September 1896 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | Trinity College Dublin |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Spouse(s) | Leila Helen Geary (1853–1896) |
| Parent(s) | Merion Marshall Moriarty Annie Orpen |
| Engineering career | |
| Discipline | civil engineer |
| Projects | Newcastle Harbour, Clarence River entrance |
Edward Orpen Moriarty (1824–1896) was an important civil engineer from Australia. He worked on many big public projects in New South Wales during the late 1800s.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Edward Orpen Moriarty was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1824. He was the second son of Commander Merion Moriarty. His parents moved to Australia, but Edward stayed to finish his studies.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts and then a Master of Arts degree. This was at Trinity College, Dublin. After college, he worked as a cadet on the Isle of Portland breakwater project. He also became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
Edward then trained with William Morgan in Bristol. He helped design and build several steamships. These included "Little Western" and "Archduke Frederick." Later, he worked on railways in Ireland with Sir John Macneill. He also passed an exam to become a County Surveyor.
In 1848, Edward moved to New South Wales, Australia. He first worked for the Surveyor-General's Department. He did survey work in Queensland. In 1852, he started his own engineering business in Sydney. He married Leila Helen Geary in Brisbane in 1853.
Engineering Career in Australia
Edward Moriarty held several important jobs in engineering. From 1853 to 1855, he was an engineer for the Steam Navigation Board. Then, from 1855 to 1858, he worked on improving the Hunter River.
He became the Engineer-in-Chief for Harbours and River Navigation. This was for the NSW Department of Works from 1858 to 1859. He also worked on projects outside his main job. These included the Penrith Nepean Bridge and the first Pyrmont Bridge in 1866.
In 1855, Moriarty mapped the Hunter River at the Port of Newcastle. He created a plan to improve the port. This plan included building breakwaters and river walls. It also aimed to help export coal. He is well known for building "The Dyke." This was a wall on the Hunter River at Newcastle. It became a place for loading coal onto ships.
In 1862, Moriarty was made commissioner for roads. He was also the engineer-in-chief. He helped with the Sydney Water Supply in 1868. He led the Hunter River Floods Commission from 1869 to 1870. He was also in charge of water supply plans for many towns. These included Albury, Bathurst, and Wagga Wagga.
Moriarty was responsible for the Clarence River Entrance Works. This was between 1862 and 1889. He suggested building short breakwaters there. However, sandbars still formed near the river opening. Moriarty argued with another engineer, John Coode, about how to fix this. When Moriarty retired, his replacement used Coode's plan. Part of the north training wall is still called "Moriarty's Wall." This is to remember his work.
Other Interests
Edward Moriarty also had a military career. He was a lieutenant in the Volunteer Artillery. He became a captain in 1869. He also worked on boards for inspecting military supplies. He was a Captain of the Engineers Corps Volunteer Rifles.
Outside of his engineering work, Moriarty had other interests. He was a councillor for the Philosophical Society. He was also a member of the New South Wales Linnean Society. He belonged to the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
He retired from his engineering jobs on December 31, 1888. He then moved back to England. He died in Southsea, Hampshire, on September 18, 1896.
Major Engineering Projects
- Lake Parramatta Dam (1855)
- Clarence River entrance (1862)
- Richmond River entrance
- Morts Dock in Balmain
- Sutherland Dock at Cockatoo Island Dockyard
- First Pyrmont Bridge
- Upper Nepean Water Supply Scheme for Sydney
- Newcastle Harbour improvements
- Prospect water supply plan for Sydney
- Kiama Light (lighthouse) (1887)
- Warden Head Light in Ulladulla (1873)
- Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse (1871)
- Trial Bay breakwater (1877–1903)
- Grey River entrance, New Zealand (1874)
- Moyne River Training Walls, Port Fairy (1869–74)
- Tathra Wharf
- Western Springs water supply for Auckland, New Zealand
