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ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT DAWES POINT RESERVE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A KIOSK SUB-STATION AND FEEDER MAINS . /, .. SOUTH PYLON, SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE '. I; ....... A REPORT PREPARED FOR SYDNEY ELECTRICITY JULY 1994 WENDYTHORP >:':1

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT DAWES POINT RESERVEnswaol.library.usyd.edu.au/data/pdfs/13429_ID_Thorp1994DawesPoint... · ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT DAWES POINT RESERVE ... It was concluded

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

DAWES POINT RESERVE

FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A KIOSK SUB-STATION AND FEEDER MAINS

. /, ..

SOUTH PYLON, SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

'. I; .......

A REPORT PREPARED FOR SYDNEY ELECTRICITY

JULY 1994

WENDYTHORP

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMEt~T

DAWES POINT RESERVE

SYDNEY

A REPORT PREPARED FOR SYDNEY ELECTRICITY

JULY 1994

WENDYTHORP

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

CONTENTS OF THE REPORT

1.0 Executive Summary ........................... 1

1.1 Precis of the Report ......................... 1

1.2

2.0

Recommendations .............. .

Framework of the Investigation . . . . . . . .

.. 3

.. 4

2.1 Location and Parameters of the Investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.2 Purpose ofthe Investigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.3 Status of the Site ............................. 4

2.4 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.5 Methodology ............................... 5

2.6 Authorship and Acknowledgements .................. 5

2.7 Abbreviations Used in the Text ..................... 5

3.0 Historical Context .......... . ............ 6

3.1 Phase I: 1788 - 1819, Establishment ............. 7

3.2 Phase Il: 1819 - 1856, Embellishment ................. 8

3.3 Phase Ill: 1856 - c.1880, Expansion and Redundancy ........ 9

3.4 Phase IV: c.1880 -1925, Urban Landscape ............. 10

3.5 Phase V: 1925 - 1994, The Harbour Bridge .............11

4.0 The Archaeological Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12

4.1 Physical Evidence ........................... .12

4.2 The Potential Resource ........................ .12

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

4.3 Significance of the Potential Resource .

5.0 Management ............

5.1 Description of the Proposed Wark

5.2 Impact of the Work . . . . .

5.3 Mitigating Work

5.4 Relics .....

5.5 Documentation ......

6.0 Subsidiary Documentation

6.1 Endnotes to the Text

6.2 Bibliography . . . . .

.13

.15

.15

.15

.15

.17

.18

.19

........ .19

........ .21

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point ReseTve

SECTION 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 Precis of the Report

1.1.1 Study Context

The subject of this report is an assessment of the impact on sub-surface archaeological resources likely to be created by the installation of a sub-station at the base of the south pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the excavation of an easement for feeder mains laid from Lower Fort Street to the station. This area, in Dawes Point Reserve, is known to be one of potential archaeological sensitivity because of its former use as a battery from 1788 onwards. However, this is the first detailed analysis of the archaeological resources that might be contained within the area.

The objectives of this work have been to define the principal periods and areas of occupation; to determine the probable archaeological resource that may have accumulated from that occupation; to assess the significance of that resource and the impact of the proposed work upon it and, finally, to recommend strategies for the management of that resource before and/or during the current proposed works.

1.1.2 Historical Context

The historical development of this site has been presented in several phases. These phases reflect the principal periods of the site's evolution. Essentially, however, there have been two major uses; the first as a military installation and the second as a park and construction site for the harbour bridge. The former occupied the site between 1788 and 1925 and was characterized by the development of an elaborate battery and several buildings used to house the detachment associated with that battery. These features were removed from the site to permit the construction of the bridge.

1.1.3 Potential Archaeological Resource

The development of this site for a single purpose throughout the nineteenth century created an extensive and substantial accumulation of features, structures and topographic changes. They included the earthworks and masonry of the battery, several substantial buildings and out-buildings, fences and gardens.

The above ground elements of this cumulative resource were demolished to make way for the construction of the bridge. There is a considerable degree of ambiguity with respect to the extent of disturbance caused by that work on the below ground

Pagel

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

evidence of the lengthy occupation from 1788. At best it may be said that there is likely to be a fragmentary and disturbed archaeological resource within the site.

1.1.4 Significance of the Resource

The archaeological evidence of the Dawes Point Battery and the several structures and features added to the site throughout its evolution as a military facility during the nineteenth century may be determined to be of high cultural significance. However, the ability to demonstrate or address that significance is likely to have been compromised by the extent of disturbance caused by the works associated with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

1.1.5 Impact of the Current Work

The work will be in two stages: the construction of a kiosk sub-station at the base of the pylon and the creation of an easement, excavated to a depth of 1.1 metres, to lay feeder mains to the station. The latter is likely to cause the most significant impact on any intact archaeological resource. Principally this will be in the area of a mid-later nineteenth century officers' quarters and several out-buildings to the west of the battery.

1.1.6 Management of the Resource

Three options for management have been considered in this report. The first addresses the possibility of prior archaeological testing. The second option evaluated the implications of allowing the work to proceed as currently planned through the area of the barracks building. The third option presented the alternative of rerouting the easement in a less archaeologically sensitive area of the site.

The third option was the preferred management strategy. The second option could be implemented but it is likely to have implications for both the current work and any future exploitation of the area that are less desirable than the impacts assessed to arise from the implementation of the third option. The first option was considered to be inappropriate; the projected outcome of this work could be achieved through either of the alternate options. All work in this area that disturbs the ground must be done within the provisions of an Excavation Permit issued by the Heritage Council of NSW with provisions for monitoring and recording work.

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ArchaeologicalAssessment: Dawes Point Reselve

1.2 Recommendations

For the management of the archaeological resource within the Dawes Point Reserve it is recommended that:

• the easement for the feeder mains be rerouted to a less archaeologically sensitive location.

e that all work carried out in this area that requires the ground to be disturbed be done so within the guidelines of an Excavation Permit issued by the Heritage Council of NSW prior to the commencement of that work.

• that the owner/manager make application for an Excavation Permit with provisions for monitoring and recording any significant archaeological evidence.

• that provision is made for the professional maintenance and curation of any significant relics retrieved from the site.

• that the programme is documented at its completion and copies of the final report are made available to the Department of Planning and Sydney Cove Authority.

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point ReseTve

SECTION 2.0 FRAMEWORK OF THE INVESTIGATION

2.1 Location and Parameters of the Investigation

The subject of this assessment is the potential archaeological resource that may be contained within Dawes Point Reserve close to the south pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The site is to be used for the construction of an electrical sub-station; feeder mains are to be laid to it from Lower Fort Street. The sub-station is to be built at the south-western corner of the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Archaeological evidence, or "relics", is defined in the Heritage Act of NSW (1977, amended 1987) as,

"any deposit, object or material evidence relating to the settlement of New South Wales, not being Aboriginal settlement and which is fifty or more years old".

This definition encompasses fragmentary and intact evidence, structural or otherwise, above and below ground and stationary or portable.

2.2 Purpose of Investigation

This report has been commissioned by Sydney Electricity. An assessment of the possible impact upon archaeological evidence in Dawes Point Reserve was a condition required by the Sydney Cove Authority prior to the commencement of the work.

2.3 Status of the Site

The archaeological site was addressed in the Rocks/Millers Point Archaeological Plan of Management prepared in 1991. It was concluded in this document that the Dawes Point Battery site may have been extensively disturbed by the works associated with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It recommended the completion of an "archaeological conservation plan" prior to any work in the area that was likely to disturb remnant archaeological evidence. This report fulfills that recommendation.

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

2.4 Objectives

The principal objectives of this report are:

• to define the principal periods and areas of occupation;

• to determine the probable archaeological resource that may have accumulated from that occupation;

• to evaluate the significance of that resource;

• to assess the impact of the proposed work upon the archaeological resource;

• to recommend strategies for the management of that resource before and/or during the current proposed works.

2.5 Methodology

Primary research has been carried out in the major archival repositories of the State Archives Office of NSW, the Mitchell Library, the Water Board Archives and those of the Royal Australian Historical Society. Discussions have also been held with staff of the Sydney Cove Authority with respect to their appreciation of the historic resources of the area and their management requirements.

2.6 Authorship and Acknowledgements

This report has been prepared by Wendy Thorp. The author would like to acknowledge the work presented in several secondary sources (refer Section 6.2) and to the assistance provided by Mr Wayne Johnson from the Sydney Cove Authority.

2.7 Abbreviations Used in the Text

HRA Historical Records of Australia

ML MItchell Library

SAONSW State Archives Office of NSW

WE Water Board Archives

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reserve

Location Plan

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

SECTION 3.0 HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Throughout the nineteenth century Dawes Point was progressively developed as the site of one of Sydney's military defence fortifications. Several structures and features were added to the site throughout this period to facilitate this use. As alternative military strategies gained favour the Dawes Point battery became obsolete, was used for other purposes and became absorbed in the increasingly urban environment surrounding it.

During the twentieth century some of the structures were used for new purposes. The entire nineteenth century occupation was only removed prior to and during the work associated with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The following sections are not definitive historical discussions and documents for each phase of the site's evolution. The principal purpose of these phases is to identify the major features from each and the impact of succeeding works upon those features. This is done as a means of evaluating the likely archaeological resource arising from this evolution. It also provides the context for determining the cultural significance of any archaeological material. The latter is the framework in which are made management decisions.

Five phases of development have been identified for the purposes of this work. These are:

Phase I: 1788 - 1819, Establishment

Phase ll: 1819 -1856, Embellishment

Phase Ill: 1856 - c.1880, Expansion and Redundancy

Phase IV: c.1880 - 1925, An Urban Landscape

Phase V: 1925 - 1993, The Sydney Harbour Bridge

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Al'chaeologicalAssessment: Dawes Point Reselve

3.1 Phase I: 1788 - 1819

Establishment

Dawes Point, originally Maskelyne Point, was utilised for several important purposes from the earliest days of the colony. An observatory was established high on the slope to record astronomical data. A flagstaff, manned as a signal station, was mounted at the peak connected to the battery by means of a path later named Fort Street. Fort Phillip was built on the high land above The Rocks. On the slope of the point a battery of five guns taken from HMAS Sirius was erected to provide defence for the fledgling settlement. This was the beginning of the Dawes Point Battery.

By 1791 the battery consisted of a semi-circular formation of the five cannon mounted on a rock platform with a mounded earth rampart in front (1). The effectiveness of the fortification to the defence of the town was questioned by several contemporaries. It was stated that

"it is inadequate to the defence of the town against any respectable force" (2).

Of even greater and more immediate concern was the stability of the structure:

"The battery consists of 10 guns and 14 embrasures formed of stone and earth miserably put together, with a parapet of twelve inches, as under, and a breastwork four feet four inches high; the whole in such a state that many parts of the workfall to pieces when the guns are fired" (3).

Some improvements were put into effect to mitigate this problem. By 1801 it was reported that the battery,

"has been reconstructed and is now capable of annoying any vessels with effect" (4).

In 1806 it was noted, though, that of the twelve guns mounted at the battery eight were out of operation (5). The battery, with little to do in the way of protecting the colony and even less to do it with, offered its support where it could. At the arrest of Bligh, for example, it fired a salute (6).

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

3.2 Phase 11: 1819 - 1856

Embellishment

Late in the administrative period of Governor Macquarie a substantial stone guard house and castellated tower was added to the Dawes Point Battery. The buildings were designed by Frands Greenway who had proposed a much grander scheme but was reduced to,

"build a sort of a screen in the plainest way, with embrasures towards the harbour, and to cover the walls with shingles, as it now appears, making a circular glacis for the guns now there, in consequence the whole buildings with the magazine were spoiled in appearance and utility" (1).

Macquarie described it as,

''A New Guard house (stone built) at Dawses Battery and the Battery itself greatly improved" (2).

Plans to link the battery with Fort Macquarie on Bennelong Point never eventuated and Dawes Battery was left to evolve over the years. The earliest survey of the site, after this period of expansion and dated c. 1822, illustrates the basic structures and paths constructed to provide access to it from Fort Phillip, Lower George Street and The Rocks (3).

Despite the additions there remained many critics of both its usefulness and style. The Surveyor General described it as,

"another attempt in the style of castellated Gothic - a style of building as ill adapted to the purposes of modern defence, as the attempt at its imitation in this instance is miserably and contemptibly defective and irregular in itself' (4).

Surveys of the 1840s show little change to the basic arrangements created during the Macquarie administration (5). A description of 1839 stated that,

"Dawes Battery is a curved fleche, the length round the crest of the parapet being 120 feet; the interior slope is two feet high and retained by a stone wall; the remainder of the parapet is fonned of earth; it mounts eighteen guns, viz., six six-pounders and twelve twelve-pounders; the whole of them are en barbette. The site of this battery is considerably above the level of the water" (6).

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reserve

Dawes Point Battery c. (Source: SAONSW AO Map

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reserve

3.3 Phase Ill: 1856 - c. 1880

Expansion and Redundancy

The first significant expansion of the Battery after Greenway's additions occurred in 1856. This work was carried out to provide an officers' barracks and an upper and lower ring of defences. The upper line comprised the original earthworks and five mounted cannon on traversing platforms. The lower line of defences comprised a long earthwork armed with fifteen guns, the end two on mounted platforms (1).

One of the earliest detailed surveys of the site was carried out in 1876. In addition to the battery it records the quarters to the west of the battery improvements including a second major building (a barracks) apparently built in the early 1870s, extensive gardens and a drilling ground (2). All of these encompassed most of the land on the upper slopes of the point; another barracks was located across Lower Fort Street.

Throughout the nineteenth century public money was constantly spent on additions and maintenance of the battery and its buildings (3). In this same period military strategic thought was changing; the battery was approaching obsolescence. During the 1870s, particularly, detailed studies undertaken on Australia's defence requirements recommended the abandonment of the inner harbour defences and their replacement with fortifications at Middle, Georges and South Heads (4).

The work to achieve these objectives was to occupy a significant period of time during the later years of the century. Dawes Point Battery continued to serve throughout this phase but it remained only a matter of time before it would no longer provided a useful military purpose.

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

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Survey of Dawes Point Battery (Source: SAONSW AO Plan 1545)

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

3.4 Phase IV: c.1880 - 1925

Urban Landscape

Despite the increasing redundancy of the fort during the later years of nineteenth century the reserve it occupied remained open space although now, rather than for military purposes alone, it began increasingly to serve as a recreational area and one becoming increasingly integrated with the urban landscape surrounding it. The mounds of the battery survived and the several buildings and gardens (1) but around it the city began to take over the formerly isolated space. New roads and other structures were built around it.

During the 1880s a ferry ramp was installed along the eastern sea-wall of Dawes Point. Hickson Road was constructed up to the point of the ferry ramp. Money continued to be spent also on the battery and its various buildings.

By the end of the century, however, the reserve was in a poor state. In 1905 plans of improvements were prepared including the provision of several paths (2). The principal changes to the environment occurred, however, in relation to the development of Walsh Bay and the former private wharves in that area. During the first few decades of the twentieth century new finger wharves were built here, Hickson Road was extended and several overhead roads connected the upper levels of the wharves to the higher slopes of the point (3).

George Street North (now Lower Fort Street) was widened in this period and just prior to 1917 George Street North and Cumberland Street were rerouted to form an intersection with Lower Fort Street. Walls, steps and other features were constructed as part of the programme. During these early years of the twentieth century the former battery and barracks buildings ceased to be used for military purposes. One barracks became the headquarters of the Sydney Water Police and the other barracks building was used as a trades school (4).

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reserve

Dawes Point BattelY 1891 I (Source: SAONSW AO Map 677)

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reserve

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Plan of Improvements to Dawes Point (Detail), 1905 (Source: SAONSW AO PLan 1759)

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

3.5 Phase V: 1925 -1993

The Harbour Bridge

The construction of a bridge in this location had been considered and planned for over a century commencing with a plan prepared by Francis Greenway in 1815 and including several variations (as well as a tunnel option) throughout the later years of the nineteenth century. The final concept was prepared and the contract was awarded in 1924.

Construction for the bridge commenced in 1925. It required, apart from the resumption and demolition of several hundred properties and streets, the demolition of the Dawes Point Battery and the buildings associated with it. The earthworks were flattened, paths and roads formed and most vegetation was removed as part of the work. The guns were relocated to Taronga Park. Portions of the reserve were excavated, site offices were constructed there and equipment brought to it (1).

The principal impact on the reserve was the construction of the south pylon and the placement of the main bearings for the approaches to the bridge. During this work a stone marked "R.R" and bearing the date 1789 was excavated; its location was recorded on a survey plan. This location was in the centre of the water police building or former officers' quarters (2).

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reserve

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

SECTION 4.0 THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE

4.1 Physical Evidence

There is no above ground evidence to indicate the presence or otherwise of sub-surface archaeological features associated with the battery and other buildings. The gun that has been placed in the reserve is no longer in its original location having been removed from the site during the 1920s and brought back to it in recent years.

4.2 Potential Resource

The development and occupation of this site for a single purpose throughout the nineteenth century created an extensive and substantial accumulation of features and structures and significant changes to the pre-existing topography. They included the earthworks and masonry of the battery, several large buildings and out-buildings, fences and gardens.

This cumulative resource, encompassing the full period of occupation from 1788, was demolished only to make way for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The principal question then becomes the extent of damage caused by that work to the evidence of the nineteenth century use of the site.

Plans of the cumulative development of the Dawes Point Battery overlaid with the principal features of the Bridge make clear that, in relation to all known features of the battery, the principal sites of disturbance are in the areas of the approach spans. The foundations for the main bearings of these spans impact directly on some of the features and structures of the battery and one of the officers' quarters, the southernmost of those buildings.

The foundations for these elements of the bridge were dug to a depth of 12.2 metres, were then filled with concrete and reinforcing. Evidently the construction of these foundations would have completely removed the parts of the battery and its buildings that were within that area of excavation.

The excavation and recording of a stone marked "R.R. 1789" within the interior of the southern barracks, however, demonstrates that excavation went beyond the area of the bearings. The position marked on the survey plan is several metres from the

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

position of the bearing. It might also indicate a more comprehensive level of excavation of all building foundations than can be deduced from any records now remaining of the construction phase.

Those buildings and features located farthest from these portions of the bridge are less likely to have been effected by the work. The northern barracks and out-buildings are the farthest from these elements.

The pylon is situated away from the battery and buildings although the work entailed in the excavation and construction for this part of the bridge is likely to have impacted on the northernmost portion of the northern barracks and its garden if only to have disturbed remnant evidence particularly the more fragile cultural deposits.

It is likely therefore, that the work occasioned by the general construction and site works associated with the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge either disturbed or destroyed portions of the battery and the military quarters. At least in the areas of the excavations for bearings this destruction is certain to have been comprehensive. However, the extent of the general disturbance cannot be gauged with the degree of precision required to state with certainty that all evidence of the former battery has been completely removed from the site.

It may be concluded with respect to the potential archaeological resource within the Dawes Point Reserve that:

• the potential archaeological resource could encompass evidence of the development of this site, principally for military purposes, from 1788 onwards;

• that the demolition, general construction and earthworks and site movement caused by the construction for the Sydney Harbour Bridge in this reserve is likely to have, in parts, completely removed that archaeological evidence and in other parts disturbed it, particularly the more fragile cultural deposits;

• it is impossible, however, on the basis of the available evidence to categorically state that all archaeological evidence has been removed from the site due to those processes of demolition and construction carried out from 1925 onwards.

4.3 Significance of the Potential Resource

The significance of the historical site of the Dawes Point Battery and its cumulative development since 1788 is not the issue of this discussion. There can be, of course, no question of the highest possible cultural significance of this site for several reasons. These include:

• its direct and close historical associations with key figures in early nineteenth century colonial development from Governor Phillip through to and including Macquarie and Greenway;

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ArchaeologicalAssessment: Dawes Point Reselve

• its importance as a long term vestige of the earliest townscape of Sydney;

• its unique demonstration of the evolution of military/strategic thinking and technology from 1788 onwards;

• its landmark qualities.

The principal issue is whether any remnant physical evidence is capable of documenting and interpreting that significance.

The foregoing discussion indicates that there is likely to have been, in places, complete removal of the evidence associated with this site. In other places quite extensive disturbance of archaeological evidence is likely to have occurred and, in some places, it is possible that elements of the former nineteenth century military occupation remain intact.

On the basis of possible rarity (particularly for any evidence of the 1788 - 1820 phases) and especially for the reasons of this potential resource being the only means of documenting and demonstrating those several aspects of significance discussed in the preceding paragraphs it must be concluded that intact archaeological evidence would be of high cultural significance. However, like the archaeological resources of First Government House, the ability of this resource to demonstrate those aspects may be impacted upon by the degree of disturbance.

It may be concluded that archaeological evidence of the Dawes Point Battery and the several structures and features added to the site throughout its evolution as a military facility during the nineteenth century may be determined to be of high cultural significance. However, the ability to demonstrate or address that significance is likely to have been compromised by the extent of disturbance or destruction caused by the works associated with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Rese,ve

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south pylon of Sydney Harbour Bridge

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Archaeological Assessment: Dawes Point Reselve

SECTION 5.0 MANAGEMENT

5.1 Description of the Proposed Work

The work that is to be carried out in the Dawes Point Reserve comprises two parts. The first is the establishment of a kiosk sub-station at the base of the south-western corner of the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This ldosk is supported by a platform.

The second part of the work involves the creation of a two metre wide easement, excavated to a depth of 1.1 metres, to lay feeder mains to the sub-station. The proposed route of the easement is at an oblique angle from the south-west corner of the ldosk sub-station, into the driveway to lead into Fort Street, then south along that street eventually crossing into Hickson Road.

The principal disturbance to the site is caused by the excavation for the easement.

5.2 Impact of the Work

The creation of the kiosk sub-station is likely to have a low impact on its site. It involves relatively little surface disturbance, it is in an area generally some distance from the known structural features of the battery and is likely to have been disturbed already by the construction of the pylon.

The principal impact of the work lies in the excavation for the easement. As it is currently planned the easement will be excavated through the site of the mid-later nineteenth century northern barracks building and several other structures located behind that building. The excavation, to over a metre in depth, will have a substantial impact on any remnant evidence, structural or otherwise, in this location.

5.3 Mitigating Work

5.3.1 Excavation Permit

The foregoing assessment has identified the possibility for the work associated with

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the construction of a sub-station and, more particularly, the excavation of a trench for feeder mains, to unearth and remove significant historic relics as they are defined by the Heritage Act of NSW. It is a requirement of that Act that anyone seeking to disturb such a relic must do so within the provisions of an Excavation Permit issued by the Heritage Council of NSW.

Application may be made for the permit through the Heritage Branch of the NSW Department of Planning. The permit requires explicit statements of the history and significance of the site, the reasons for the disturbance of the relics and the means by which they (or it) will be managed before or during the course of that disturbance. An "Excavation Director" must be nominated by the applicant, the former to be an historical archaeologist recognized by the Department and the Heritage Council of NSW.

5.3.2 Options for Management

Three options for the management of the archaeological resource have been addressed in this report. Option 1 was a recommendation of the Sydney Cove Authority.

Option 1: Prior Archaeological Testing

This work, to be carried out prior to the excavation of the easement, has been suggested by the Sydney Cove Authority as a means of testing the sensitivity of the site. However, in the light of this assessment it has little to merit its implementation.

Action of this nature would provide evidence as to whether the archaeological site of the Battery was intact or, if not, the degree of its disturbance. However, both of the options outlined in the following discussion will achieve the same result, particularly the third option, during the course of the work. The implications of prior archaeological testing are that the evidence gained by the work would permit a more accurate evaluation of the archaeological resource which would result in the adoption of one of the following two options.

The recommendation for testing, with either of these two possible outcomes, implies an expectation of intact archeological evidence. However, this assessment has concluded that there is a high degree of ambiguity with respect to the survival rates of that material. The time and expense involved in this work because of its ambiguity does not justify this course of action particularly as a similar outcome could be achieved through monitored site work (Option 2) or the issue could be avoided by the adoption of Option 3.

A possible result of evidence gained through this testing, that of subsequent overall archaeological investigation and recording of the Battery site, is not an issue for Sydney Electricity.

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Option 2: Excavation of the Easement As Planned

The second option involves the excavation of the easement as it is now planned for the site. The implications of this course of action are that the work may disturb and/or destroy evidence of the later nineteenth century barracks and any associated cultural desists if they are found to survive in the site. This action could provide confirmation of the presence or absence of archaeological evidence within the site (the intention of the Sydney Cove Authority recommendation), howGver, it would necessitate a probably time consuming recording process and, possibly, an attempt to retain the material in situ. It could also compromise any future investigation of the area.

Option 3: Rerouting the Easement

The third option involves rerouting the easement to avoid any of the known features of the battery, thus leaving relatively intact the potential resource while at the same time having tested the sub-profile. It would be preferable to reroute the cable to run nearly parallel with Lower Fort Street, to the east of the site of the barracks, and then to reach the street in a corridor that passes between the sites of the two principal buildings.

The implications of rerouting the easement are that it is likely to mean less time required for observing and recording than might be the case for the currently planned option; that the work is likely to have less impact on remnant evidence of significant features of the site; that it will not compromise to a great degree any future investigation of this site.

The excavation of either option, rerouted or as planned, will require the owner/manager to acquire an Excavation Permit from the Heritage Council of NSW, as described previously, with provisions for monitoring and recording all work in this area.

The third option, that of rerouting the easement to a less sensitive area of the potential archaeological site is the preferred option.

5.4 ftelics

It is possible that excavation in the area will unearth portable relics or artefacts. The significance of these artefacts should be determined by the supervising archaeologist. If the relics are found to have significance it is the responsibility of the owner/manager of the site to provide professional curation and long term maintenance for them. This is a condition of the Excavation Permit.

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5.5 Documentation

All archaeological work carried out on this site will need to be documented; it is a condition of the Excavation Permit. Copies of the final documentation should be made available to the Heritage Council of NSW (via the Heritage Branch of the Department of Planning) and the Sydney Cove Authority.

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CU17'ent line of easement shown: - - - -

Proposed line of easement shown: • • • •

/ /

/ /

/

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SECTION 6.0 SUBSIDIARY DOCUMENTATION

6.1 Endnotes to the Text

Section 3.1

1. Environmental Partnership Pty Ltd, Dawes Point Reserve Plan of Management., 13.

2. Robert Burford, Description of a View of the Town of Sydney New South Wales 1829., 11.

3.Return of Guns and State of Batteries, October 11800. BRA H., 668

4. King to Portland, 10 March 1801., HRA Vol.HI, 73.

5. Return of Ordnance, 13 August 1806. HRA Vol.VI., 131

6. Bligh to Castlereagh, 30 June 1809. HRA Vol.VI, 521.

Section 3.2

1. Francis Greenway quoted in Kerr and Broadbent, Gothick Taste in the Colony of NSW., 44.

2. Return of Public Works, Macquarie to Bathurst, 21 July 1822. HRA Vol. X., 687.

3. Survey of Dawes Point Battery c. 1822. SAONSW AO Map 6313.

4. Surveyor General quoted in Kerr and Broadbent, Gothick Taste in the Colony of NSW., 43.

5. Plan Shewing the Site for the New Government House, Public Offices, the Library, Circular Quay and Improvements of Streets Connected Therewith. ML 811.17/1840/1

6. James Mac1ehose, Picture of Sydney and Strangers Guide in NSW for 1839., 122.

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Section 3.3

1. Environmental Partnership Pty Ltd, Dawes Point Reserve Plan of Management., 13.

2. Plan of Dawes Point Port lackson 1876, SAONSW AO Plan 1545.

3. See individual entries for Dawes Point Battery in Statistical Registers of NSW, "Sydney Public Buildings" 1867 onwards.

4. Environmental Partnership Pty Ltd., Loc. Cit.

Section 3.4

1. Plan of Dawes Point. c. 1888, SAONSW AO Plan 1294.

2. Plan of Improvements to Reserve Dawes Point 1905 SAONSW AO Plan 1759.

3. Wendy Thorp, Historical Report Walsh Bay Environmental Impact Statement.

4. Environmental Partnership Pty Ltd, Dawes Point Reserve Plan of Management., 17

Section 3.5

1. Environmental Partnership Pty Ltd, Dawes Point Reserve Plan of Management., 18.

2. Plan Locating Stone Found During Excavations for Harbour Bridge 1925. SAONSW AO Map 6317.

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6.2 Bibliography

Books, Reports

The Story of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Robert Burford Description of a View of the Town of Sydney New South Wales. 1829. Fac. Ed. Library of Australian History. 1978.

Max Dupain and Howard Tanner Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge the Photography of Henri Mallard Sun Books. 1976.

Environmental Partnership Pty Ltd Dawes Point Reserve Plan of Management South Sydney City Council. 1990.

Edward Higginbotham and Terry Kass Archaeological Management Plan for The Rocks and Millers Point Sydney Cove Authority. 1991.

Robyn Howard Picturesque Sydney Harbour View Productions Pty Ltd. 1984.

J oan Kerr and J ames Broadbent Gothick Taste in the Colony of New South Wales David Ell Press. 1980.

J ames Maclehose Picture of Sydney and Strangers Guide in NSW for 1839. Fac. Ed. John Ferguson Pty Ltd. 1977.

Peter Spearritt The Sydney Harbour Bridge A Life George AlIen and Unwin. 1982.

WendyThorp Historical Report Walsh Bay Environmental Impact Statement. Schwager Brooks and Partners. 1988.

JamesWaugh The Strangers Guide to Sydney Arranged in a Series of Walks. 1861. Fac. Ed. Library of Australian History. 1978.

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Correspondence and Statistics

Historical Records of Australia Volumes II, Ill, VI

Statistical Registers of NSW 1867 -

Maps and Plans

Survey of Dawes Point Battery c. 1822 SAONSW AO Map 6313

Plan of Dawes Point Port J ackson 1876 SAONSW AO Plan 1545

Plan Shewing the Site for the New Government House, Public Offices, the Library, Circular Quay and Improvements of Streets Connected Therewith. ML 811.17/1840/1

Plan of Dawes Point. c. 1888 SAONSW AO Plan 1294

Circular Quay Compiled 1891 SAONSW AO Plan 667

Plan of Improvements to Reserve Dawes Point 1905 SAONSW AO Plan 1759.

Plan Locating Stone Found During Excavations for Harbour Bridge 1925. SAONSW AO Map 6317

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