Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
A 1949 image of part of the precinct, with the MSB building (now MCA) under construction and former wharf facilities in place; since removed and redeveloped.
|
|
| Location | 112-156 George Street, The Rocks, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1797–1939 |
| Owner | Property NSW |
| Official name: Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct; Museum of Contemporary Art; Maritime Services Board; Colonial Government naval dockyard; Commissariat Stores; Colonial Hospital; Kings and Queens Wharf; First Fleet Park | |
| Type | State heritage (archaeological-terrestrial) |
| Designated | 5 August 2011 |
| Reference no. | 1860 |
| Type | historic site |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct is a special heritage area in The Rocks, Sydney. It's like a time capsule showing us how Sydney began! This area includes the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), a police station, parks, shops, and roads.
Long ago, this place was home to a government dockyard, important storage buildings (called commissariat stores), and offices. Buildings here were built from 1797 onwards. The precinct is also known by other names like Museum of Contemporary Art and First Fleet Park. It's owned by the New South Wales Government and was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2011.
Contents
A Glimpse into Sydney's Past
This area is on the land of the Cadigal people of the Eora nation. It's believed that this part of Sydney Cove might have been a border area for the Eora people before Europeans arrived.
The First Years: 1788 to 1799
In 1788, the First Fleet arrived and started a new settlement here. This was a "penal settlement," meaning it was a place for convicts. Early maps show that muddy areas stretched along the western side of Sydney Cove. The First Fleet likely landed on the western shore, which had small sandy beaches.
For the first 40 years, the main purpose of the colony was to house convicts. Supplies came from the "Commissariat," which was like the government's supply department. The land's shape influenced how the settlement was organized. Civil authorities settled on the east side of the Tank Stream, and military authorities settled on the west.
In 1792, Governor Arthur Phillip set clear boundaries. The Governor and civil leaders lived east of the Tank Stream. The military barracks, parade ground, and hospital were to the west. Convicts lived on the sandstone ridges above the western shore, which is now known as The Rocks.
The colony's first hospital was built in 1788 along George Street. The Hospital Wharf was built nearby, becoming the first public wharf. This wharf was made of timber with rocks inside. It probably replaced an even earlier wharf from 1791.
At first, only the government could build boats that could travel far. This was to stop convicts from escaping. Private boats were limited to about 4 meters in length.
In 1797, Governor Hunter started the Government Dockyard on the western side of Sydney Cove. It was north of the Hospital Wharf. Workshops, storage buildings, and boat sheds were built. By 1797, 16 convicts worked there, repairing ships and building small boats. This number grew to 49 convicts by 1804.
Growing the Colony: 1800 to 1820
In 1800, Governor King ordered that all alcohol be unloaded at Hospital Wharf. By 1805, about 40 people worked at the dockyard.
Land was granted along the Tank Stream. Important early settlers like Isaac Nichols (a former convict who became a postmaster) and Mary Reibey (a successful businesswoman) built homes and businesses here. They were among the first to reclaim land from the mudflats.
In 1806, the dockyard needed repairs, which were completed by 1807. Isaac Nichols built a second, larger house on George Street. This house became Australia's first post office. He also built a large, three-story warehouse nearby.
The first market place was on the western side of Sydney Cove, near the Hospital Wharf. In 1811, Governor Macquarie moved the market further south to where the Queen Victoria Building is today.
In 1809, the first Commissariat Stores building was designed. It was a large, four-story stone building built by convicts. It had a stone quay (a kind of wharf) where ships could unload goods. In 1812, another Commissariat building was added on George Street. These stores held government supplies like food, clothing, and tools. They were very important because the receipts from these stores were used as money until 1816.
Between 1812 and 1813, Governor Macquarie replaced the old Hospital Wharf with a new, improved wharf called Kings Wharf. Stone steps were built to reach it from George Street. In 1837, when Queen Victoria became queen, it was renamed Queens Wharf.
Governor Macquarie greatly improved the dockyard. He added four "repairing docks" (some could be used as dry docks), new wharves, workshops, and a 12-foot high stone wall around the dockyard.
Big Changes: 1821 to 1855
In 1821, Commissioner Bigge supported Macquarie's dockyard improvements. By 1822, Macquarie reported that the dockyard was greatly improved with new docks, wharves, and workshops. The Coxswain's Barracks (now Cadman's Cottage) was also part of the dockyard.
Between 1825 and 1828, the dockyard workforce grew to about 100 convict men and boys. By 1831, dockyard activity slowed down, and it probably closed around 1833.
In 1833, a ship called Ann Jamieson exploded at Kings Wharf while unloading gunpowder. The wharf was blocked for eight years. In 1836, the Ordnance Department (which handled military supplies) moved into the 1812 Commissariat Stores building.
From 1838, work began on building Circular Quay. This was a huge project to reclaim land from Sydney Cove. By 1844, the eastern side of Circular Quay was finished. The Tank Stream was covered and became a drain. This first stage involved convicts reclaiming about 10 acres of muddy land and building a large stone seawall.
The second stage of Circular Quay, on the western side, happened from 1847 to 1855. This time, free men did the work. By 1854, the work reached the dockyard. Queens Wharf was removed, and the four docks were filled in. When finished in 1855, Circular Quay was one of the biggest land reclamation projects of the 1800s.
Around this time, Isaac Nichols' large warehouse was either pulled down or changed to build the Oriental Hotel. The British Navy started using the Commissariat Stores for their supplies.
Modern Times: 1856 to Present
By 1859, Circular Quay extended to Cadman's Cottage. The land in front of Cadman's Cottage remained tidal until about 1870, when it was filled in.
From the 1850s, more ships visited Circular Quay. However, mud built up, making it hard for ships to get close to shore. In 1856, the Commissariat and Ordnance stores were given to the Colonial Government.
Between the late 1850s and 1864, Argyle Street was extended east to the new Circular Quay. This went over the filled-in northernmost dock. New stores were built at the corner of George Street and Argyle Street.
In the late 1870s, ferry services started at Circular Quay. Shipping companies leased permanent spots. As trade grew, commercial shipping moved to Darling Harbour because they needed rail access. Passenger ships, like P&O, stayed at Circular Quay.
In 1889 and 1892, Isaac Nichols' and Mary Reibey's houses were demolished to widen roads. The area of present-day First Fleet Park was cleared.
The 1900s and Beyond
In 1900, the NSW Government took control of land in The Rocks due to the bubonic plague. In 1901, the Sydney Harbour Trust (later the Maritime Services Board) took over the former Commissariat Stores. Queens Wharf was changed and renamed Barton Street.
From 1901 to the 1930s, the Commissariat Stores were rented out to businesses. The Ordnance Stores housed government offices. In 1923, a new office for the Department of Labour & Industry was built at the corner of George and Argyle Streets. This building is now the Police Station.
In 1936, the site for a new head office for the Maritime Services Board (MSB) was chosen. In 1939, the Commissariat and Ordnance Stores were demolished to make way for the new MSB building. This demolition caused a big public debate. It helped start the heritage movement in Australia and led to the creation of the National Trust of Australia in 1949.
Between 1946 and 1952, the MSB head office was built. In the 1950s and 1960s, the foreshore was redeveloped. The Metropolitan Fire Station and Sydney Harbour Trust building were demolished. Their sites became a park (Maritime Reserve) south of the MSB building. In 1959, the new Overseas Passenger Terminal opened.
Recent History
In 1985, the NSW Government created a landscaping plan for a maritime reserve. The Circular Quay West roadway was closed and paved to create a promenade. In 1986, the park was redesigned and renamed First Fleet Park for the bicentennial celebrations of 1988.
In 1990, the former MSB building was converted into the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). It opened in November 1991. In 1997, a design competition was held for an MCA extension. The winning design didn't go ahead after archaeological remains of the Macquarie-era docks were found.
In 2000, a new design that would show some of the archaeological remains also didn't proceed. In 2010, work began on the MCA extension in the car park area.
What We Can Find Today
The former Maritime Services Board Building (now the Museum of Contemporary Art) stands where the old Commissariat Stores and part of the government naval dockyard used to be. The old dockyard site continues north of the MCA building, under the current car park and the Police Station at 132 George Street.
The site also includes First Fleet Park, south of the MCA. This park holds archaeological evidence of the Hospital, Kings, and Queens Wharves (from around 1791-1813). It also shows where the Market Place (around 1807-1811), Isaac Nichols' houses and warehouse, Australia's first post office (around 1798-1808), Mary Reibey's house (1811), and the mouth of the Tank Stream (filled in the 1840s) once stood.
The Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct has two main parts:
- The Government dockyards (1797-1859) and their buildings.
- The early 18th-century homes and businesses.
These areas contain important archaeological finds, including:
- Government dockyards (1797-1859).
- Commissariat Stores buildings (1810 and 1812-1939).
- Hospital/Kings/Queens Wharf (around 1791-1908).
- Isaac Nichols' and Mary Reibey's houses, warehouse, and post office (around 1798-1890s).
Government Dockyards: 1797-1859
The dockyards were bordered by George Street on the west and the old Sydney Cove shoreline on the east. The southern edge was the Hospital/Kings/Queens Wharf. The Macquarie-era dockyards extended north to include Cadman's Cottage, though the cottage itself is not part of this specific heritage area.
In 1797-98, the dockyards had workshops, a storehouse, boat sheds, and a watch house. By 1800, a stone house for the master builder was added. In 1809-10, a new blacksmith's shop was built. By 1816, Cadman's Cottage was completed.
The construction of Circular Quay by 1859 meant the dockyards were no longer on the water. The land in front of Cadman's Cottage was filled in between 1870-75.
Between 1818 and 1822, Governor Macquarie made the dockyard much bigger. He built four repairing docks, new wharves, a sail room, workshops, and offices. A high stone wall was built around the dockyard. The four Macquarie-era docks stretched from the MCA building northwards to Bligh and Barney Park. Archaeological testing has found parts of three of these docks.
In 1822-1823, the Colonial Storekeepers Building was built at the north end of the dockyard. Between 1831 and 1836, buildings around the dockyard were demolished as it closed down. In 1847, the docks were filled in during the building of Circular Quay. New walls were built around the Commissariat Store.
From 1859 to 1863, Argyle Street was extended over the largest filled-in dock. The Colonial Storekeepers Building was then demolished. New stores were built at the corner of George and Argyle Streets. In 1914, the Department of Labour & Industry moved onto the dockyard site. In 1923, their new offices were built, which later became the George Street Police Station.
Commissariat Stores: 1810 and 1812 to 1939
The 1810 waterfront building was a four-story stone building right next to the original shoreline. It had two short wings that created a stone-paved quay for ships. The 1812 George Street building was for storing provisions, grain, and offices. It was extended between 1830 and 1831.
In 1836, the Ordnance Department took over the George Street building, and it became known as the Ordnance Stores. Convict masons carved their initials into the sandstone blocks used to build these stores. Both Commissariat Stores buildings were demolished in 1939 to make way for the new Maritime Services Board building.
Wharves and Market Place: Around 1791-1908
The colony's first public wharf (Hospital Wharf) was built by 1802, near the first hospital on George Street. Traders sold goods in the George Street marketplace, close to Hospital Wharf. This market was shown on maps from 1807. Governor Macquarie moved the market in 1810-11.
Between 1812 and 1813, Governor Macquarie replaced the Hospital Wharf with the new Kings Wharf. Stone steps were built for access. In 1833, the ship Ann Jamieson exploded and sank at Kings Wharf, blocking it until 1841. In 1837, Kings Wharf was renamed Queens Wharf. In 1854, Queens Wharf was replaced by new public wharves when Circular Quay was built.
Between 1890 and 1908, the NSW Government took over the land around the wharf. The former wharf area was changed and renamed Barton Street. Tram lines were laid, and the Sydney Harbour Trust headquarters was built nearby.
Early Homes and Businesses: Around 1798-1890s
Between 1798 and 1800, Isaac Nichols built his first house near Hospital Wharf. In 1808, he built a second, larger house on George Street, which became Australia's first post office. Mary Reibey built her house next to his in 1811.
By the 1850s, Nichols' house was the Australian Hotel. Mary Reibey's house became a ship chandler's (a shop selling ship supplies). Between 1843 and 1855, Nichols' large warehouse was demolished or changed to build the Oriental Hotel. In 1889, both Nichols' and Reibey's houses were demolished for road widening.
What We've Found Underground
Archaeological work in 1991 and 1997 found strong evidence that important historical remains are still buried here. A radar survey in 2009 confirmed large areas of archaeological remains underground.
Discoveries in the MCA Car Park
Significant parts of Governor Macquarie's dockyard (1810–22) survive under and north of the MCA car park. Remains of three of the four docks built by Macquarie have been found: the northern, middle, and southern docks. A fourth, largest dock is thought to be partly under Argyle Street and Bligh and Barney Park.
Testing shows that large parts of the northern and middle docks are still there. The middle dock is especially well-preserved. These docks are under the car park where the MCA extensions are being built. Parts of the southern dock wall have also been found.
Archaeologists also found old work surfaces around the docks. These are the levels where ships were loaded, unloaded, and repaired. They might still have evidence of old machinery.
Commissariat Stores Archaeology
Archaeological monitoring found parts of the Commissariat Stores, which were demolished in 1939. Sections of the stone quay (wharf) from the 1809 Commissariat Stores building were found under the MCA building.
Argyle Street and Bligh and Barney Park
Limited testing under Argyle Street found some dressed sandstone slabs that likely belong to the largest dry dock. Other remains, like wall footings and stone drains, were also found.
Circular Quay Seawall
Archaeologists have confirmed the seawall built for Circular Quay in the 1840s and 1850s. Massive stone blocks were found during MCA development work in 2010.
Cadman's Cottage
Investigations near Cadman's Cottage found evidence of the original 1788 shoreline.
First Fleet Park Discoveries
First Fleet Park has a high chance of having important archaeological remains. A radar survey in 2009 helped understand what's there. The construction of the MCA building in 1946-52 and later park landscaping raised the ground level. This helped protect the archaeological layers underneath.
Archaeological work in the 1990s found:
- A stone seawall from the 1840s reclamation of Circular Quay.
- Timber piles from the mid-19th century Queen's Wharf.
- Wall foundations of buildings along George Street, possibly including Isaac Nichols' 1808 house (Australia's first post office).
- Parts of the quay floor from the 1809 Commissariat Stores building.
The 2009 radar survey, despite a thick clay layer limiting its depth, found important features:
- A strong linear feature in the south-west corner of First Fleet Park, possibly building foundations from early 19th-century homes and shops. This matches findings about Isaac Nichols' houses.
- A linear feature that might be related to the Kings/Queens Wharf (from 1816).
- A linear feature that could be a seawall from the 1840s land reclamation.
- A rectangular shape that might be foundations or basements of buildings next to Isaac Nichols' house.
- The foundations of the 1809 Commissariat Stores building are clearly visible in the MCA forecourt.
- A strong signal under the car park, north of the MCA, matches the remains of the dockyard.
- Other strong signals likely relate to the docks, wharf construction, or later building foundations.
Overall, while some areas have been disturbed, the archaeological remains in the landscaped areas between the MCA and Circular Quay, and in First Fleet Park, are expected to be well-preserved because the ground level was raised.
Changes Over Time
- 1789-92: Hospital Wharf built.
- 1797: Government naval dockyards established.
- 1798-1800: Isaac Nichols builds the first house on the west side of Sydney Cove.
- 1805: First land grants along the Tank Stream.
- 1808: Isaac Nichols builds his larger home, which becomes Australia's first Post Office.
- 1809 & 1812: Commissariat Buildings constructed.
- 1810-1811: Market Place relocated.
- 1811: Mary Reibey builds her house.
- 1812-1813: Hospital Wharf replaced by King's Wharf.
- 1818-1822: Governor Macquarie builds four new docks and expands the dockyards.
- 1830-1831: Extensions to the 1812 Commissariat Store.
- 1831-1836: Dockyards slow down and close around 1833.
- 1847: Dockyards filled in; new walls built.
- 1850s - c.1864: Argyle Street extended over the largest filled dock.
- 1860s-1870s: More stores and buildings constructed.
- 1923: New office for Department of Labour and Industry built (now Police Station).
- 1938: Designs begin for the new Maritime Services Board (MSB) Building.
- 1939: Commissariat Buildings demolished for new MSB building.
- 1946-1952: Construction of MSB Building.
- 1952: MSB moves into the building.
- 1980s: MSB moves to new offices.
- 1988: Landscaping for MSB building forecourt; First Fleet Park upgraded.
- 1990: Former MSB building becomes the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).
- 1991: MCA opens.
- 2010: Work begins on MCA extension over the car park.
Why This Place Is Important
The Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct is incredibly important because it shows us how Australia's first colonial settlement began. It has some of the earliest structures from the convict era.
This site is unique for its historical importance. It contains the remains of:
- Australia's first Government naval dockyards (from 1797, improved by Governor Macquarie).
- The Commissariat Stores buildings (built by Governor Macquarie in 1810 and 1812).
- The seawall built for Circular Quay (1840s-1850s).
- The first public wharf in the colony (around 1798).
- The colony's first market place (around 1807-11).
- The first post office (around 1811).
- One of the colony's earliest business and residential areas, including the homes of important former convicts like Mary Reibey and Isaac Nichols (from around 1798).
- There might even be remains from before 1788, when Aboriginal people lived here.
The site is also important because it was a landing place for convicts. The First Fleet likely landed on the western shores of Sydney Cove. The Third Fleet landed at the Hospital Wharf in 1791.
This area is linked to important historical figures like Governor John Hunter, Governor Macquarie, and early settlers Isaac Nichols and Mary Reibey. It's also connected to the convicts of the Third Fleet.
Sydney Cove is a famous symbol of European settlement in Australia. It's a place where Aboriginal people first met European settlers, and it marks the beginning of Aboriginal dispossession. This site has social importance for all Australians, showing both settlement and dispossession, and over 200 years of continuous European presence.
The demolition of the Commissariat Stores in 1939 caused a big public discussion. This helped people realize the importance of protecting historical buildings in NSW. It led to the creation of the National Trust of Australia after World War II.
This site has great potential for research because of the large archaeological remains. Finding 18th-century archaeological remains is very rare in Australia. The Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct is a very rare and valuable resource. It can help us answer questions about the earliest years of European settlement in Australia.
This site is unique in Australia's history of European settlement. The docks are the earliest stone docks built in Australia. This was Australia's first government and naval dockyard. It also contains the remains of the 1840s and 1850s seawall of Circular Quay, a major engineering project. The 1810 Commissariat Stores building was the largest building in the colony at the time. This rare resource can help us understand the very first years of European settlement in Australia.
