Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store, Stratford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store |
|
|---|---|
Former Explosives Magazine and Denonator Store, Stratford, 1993
|
|
| Location | Magazine Street, Stratford, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1901 |
| Official name: Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store (former), Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600754 |
| Significant period | 1900s (fabric) 1900s-1940s (historical) |
| Significant components | shed - detonator, magazine / explosives store |
| Builders | JC Thomson |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store is an old building in Stratford, near Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1901 by JC Thomson. This special place was used to store dangerous materials like gunpowder and detonators. Today, it is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical site.
A Look Back: The Story of the Magazine
Why Was It Built?
The magazine and detonator store in Stratford were built in 1901. They were needed by the Queensland Government's Marine Department. This department was in charge of keeping large amounts of explosives safe. These explosives, both government and private, arrived by ship in the port of Cairns.
Keeping Explosives Safe
From 1860 to 1963, different government departments managed explosives in Queensland. If a ship brought gunpowder into a Queensland port, it had to be stored in a government magazine. This was required by a law called The Navigation Act of 1876. The government was responsible for building these magazines and keeping explosives safe.
Magazines were built in main ports and gold mining areas. They were made from stone, brick, timber, or iron. By 1900, the Marine Department had magazines in many Queensland ports. Before the Stratford magazine, Cairns used a floating magazine, which was a barge anchored in Trinity Inlet.
Growing Demand for Explosives
Around 1900, Cairns was receiving a lot of explosives. This amount was quickly growing. Businesses needed more space to store them. Explosives were brought to Cairns by merchants from Brisbane. They were then stored at the government magazine for a fee.
These explosives were sold to mining companies. They were used in the tin mines of the Atherton Tableland and the copper mines of Chillagoe. Explosives were also used to build the Mareeba-to-Chillagoe railway. This railway opened up new mining areas and farms, increasing the need for explosives even more.
Choosing the Right Spot
Because of the huge demand, the Marine Department asked for a new magazine in 1900. A good spot was found in Stratford, about five miles from Cairns. This area was chosen because it was not very populated. It was also near the Cairns-Mareeba Railway, which made it easier to send explosives inland.
Building the Magazine
Designs for the new magazine and detonator store were made by the Queensland Government Architect's office. The plan included brick buildings with concrete foundations. A small timber house for the magazine keeper was also planned.
The building contract was given to JC Thomson in November 1900. During construction, they decided to use solid concrete walls instead of brick. This change helped to reduce the building costs. The buildings were finished by mid-July 1901, costing about £2,471.
Safety Features
The magazine could hold over 6,000 cases of explosives. It was praised for its advanced safety features. These included good ventilation and lighting. Air vents were placed in the thick concrete walls and roof. The timber floor was built three feet above the ground. This allowed air to move freely underneath.
A tall fence made of galvanised iron surrounded the magazine and detonator store. The whole area was also fenced with strong timber. The Railways Department even built a special railway line and siding to the magazine.
Magazine Keepers and Changes
John Miller was the first magazine keeper, starting in July 1901. Arthur Howgego took over in 1915 and stayed until 1939. During his time, explosives were sent to places like Mount Mulligan, Mount Molloy, and Mareeba.
In 1911, the explosives reserve was made much larger. This was because they expected to expand the magazine. However, during the First World War, fewer explosives came into Queensland. This delayed the need for expansion. By the 1920s, the Stratford magazine was handling many explosives again.
Moving the Magazine
By the late 1920s, more people were living near the magazine in Stratford. This worried the Chief Inspector of Explosives. In 1931, the original reserve was closed. A new, larger reserve was planned further east along the railway line. But due to money problems, new buildings were not built for over ten years. So, the 1901 buildings continued to be used.
When the Second World War began in September 1939, soldiers were stationed at the Stratford magazine. By early 1940, the government decided to build new magazine facilities. These new buildings were at Queerah, on the southern edge of Cairns.
The Queerah magazine was finished in October 1941. By March 1942, all explosives from Stratford were moved there. The magazine keeper stayed at Stratford during the war. This was because the soldiers were using the new caretaker's house at Queerah.
After the War
From June 1942 to May 1945, the Australian Military Forces used the Stratford magazine site. They stored explosives in the concrete buildings. During this time, most of the iron fence around the buildings was removed.
After the Second World War, the site was used by the Department of Public Works. In 1953, a sawmill owner, JM Johnston Pty Ltd, leased the buildings and about five acres of land. They later bought the property in 1980. The old magazine keeper's house is no longer on the site.
What Does It Look Like?
The former Stratford Explosives Magazine is now used for storage by a nearby sawmill. It sits on flat ground, facing Magazine Street. The magazine has two main parts: a large explosives store and a smaller detonator store.
The Explosives Store
The explosives store is a rectangular building with a hipped roof made of corrugated iron. The word "EXPLOSIVES" can still be seen on the roof. Three square metal vents with classic decorations stick up from the roof.
The walls are made of solid concrete, poured in place. They have a concrete finish. The walls have many vents for air. The longer sides (north and south) have a central doorway. On each side of the door, there are three narrow windows. The east and west sides have three narrow windows each. The south entrance has a small timber landing.
All windows have timber frames. They once held louvres and wire screens. There were also timber shutters on the inside. Both doors on the outside were covered with copper sheets. The copper has been removed from the south door, but the screws are still there.
The Detonator Store
The detonator store is a small, square building. It has a hipped corrugated iron roof with one square vent. It is located to the east of the explosives store. Its walls are also made of solid concrete with a concrete finish.
There is a door on the south side and one narrow window on each side. The door and windows look similar to those on the explosives store. However, these windows have glass louvres and no timber shutters.
Inside the Buildings
Inside both buildings, the ceilings are made of timber boards. The edges of the ceilings slope up towards the outer walls. There are also ceiling vents in the middle of each room.
The railway line, which once connected to the magazine, is located across Magazine Street.
Why Is It Important?
The former Explosives Magazine and Detonator Store was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992. This means it is recognized as a special historical place for several reasons.
Showing Queensland's History
This place helps us understand how Queensland's history unfolded. It played a key role in the economic growth of the Cairns area in the early 1900s. It is especially linked to the expansion of railways and mining in the region.
A Great Example of Its Kind
The magazine shows us what a large explosives magazine and detonator store from the early 1900s looked like. It was built using concrete. It also demonstrates the special ways people ventilated explosives magazines around 1900 to keep them safe.
Beautiful and Important to the Community
The buildings have a certain look and feel that is important to the local community. Their size, shape, and materials add to the character of Stratford. Their practical design and how well they have been kept also make them valuable.
