| Photographs: | None |
|---|---|
| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Historic |
| Legal Status: | Registered (21/10/1980) |
| Place ID: | 2173 |
| Place File No: | 1/12/036/0371 |
| Statement of Significance: |
|---|
|
The Rigging Shed and Chapel building, dating from the late 1880s, is historically highly significant.
It was built during the major phase of nineteenth century development of Garden Island as the island was turned into a key naval station for the British Admiralty.
From the early decades of the twentieth century, Garden Island has functioned as the Royal Australian Navy's major fleet base and ship-refitting dockyard.
Consequently the building has a direct connection with a lengthy period of naval activity in Australia, and with a place that is central to the story of Australia's naval history (see also Garden Island Precinct, RNE 2171).
(Criterion A.4)
(Themes: 3.14 Developing an Australian engineering and construction industry, 7.7 Defending Australia, 7.7.1 Providing for the common defence, 8.6.4 Making places for worship) Of particular interest are the fact that the Chapel is the RAN's oldest church, the connection of the building with the days of sail, and the rarity of the building as a whole. Further, the internal fittings and furnishings of the Chapel, which include mosaics, memorial plaques, stained glass windows and a symbolically shaped pulpit add to the building's value. (Criterion B.2) The building has importance as an example of a functional naval building of the late nineteenth century, as designed in Victorian Italianate style by the NSW Colonial Architect working with designs used by the British Admiralty. The original and early fabric, both external and internal, contributes to the significance. (Criterion D.2) Further significance is found in the buildings' association with James Barnet, who as NSW Colonial Architect played a salient role in the architectural development of NSW over a long period. (Criterion H.1) The Chapel is of social and religious significance to former and present RAN personnel. (Criterion G.1) The building, owing to its styling and materials, contributes to the late nineteenth century presence and visual amenity in this part of Garden Island, and, being located near the waterside is a feature of the local harbourscape. It is similar to other buildings in terms of scale, form and design (eg the Factory, RNE 2178). The open, well proportioned spaces around the Rigging Shed and Chapel that provide both the setting for appreciating the distinctive building form and style, and the connecting link with other buildings, are important. The building has aesthetic significance. (Criterion E.1) |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
|
HISTORY In February 1788, only a month after the arrival of the First Fleet, an island in Sydney Harbour was selected as the site for a garden to supply vegetables for the crew of HMS Sirius. Soon the island became known as Garden Island, and it was allocated to various ships over the next few years. A hut and later a house were built on the island. By the early 1800s vegetable supplies from other gardens in Sydney made the island garden obsolete. Garden Island became part of the Domain (administratively) for a short period and then was a spot for picnickers. In the 1820s Judge Advocate Ellis Bent was buried on the island, as was Major John Ovens; their tomb was moved to North Sydney in the 1870s once naval development commenced on the island. In 1856, the NSW Government suggested that Garden Island be used as a naval base by the Imperial authorities (the northern end though was to remain for defence use by the army). Royal Navy occupation began in the late 1850s. In 1865 the south of the island was officially dedicated to the Admiralty, and in 1866 the rest of the island was dedicated to the Admiralty as well. The major period of development of the naval station took place from 1883 to 1896. The first task was to level the southern hill on the island, and wharves and buildings followed, slowly to the late 1880s and then with greater speed. By the early 1890s Garden Island had quite an industrial appearance. Electricity arrived in 1896 and the station was completed that year and handed over to the Admiralty. Following Federation in 1901 the Commonwealth Government took responsibility for defence. The Royal Australian Navy was formed in 1911 and from 1913 the Commonwealth had the use of Garden Island. The island became the RAN's main fleet base and principal ship-refitting dockyard. The period of the First World War saw much activity at the island, the work relating to the fitting out and arming of transports and troopships. A total of 852 ships was serviced, and 3,000 men employed. Garden Island treated ships from allied fleets as well as RAN vessels. The inter-war period witnessed, initially, reconditioning of merchant ships and, later, expansion of wharves at the island. From 1922 to 1929, in a long-running court case, NSW challenged the Commonwealth's claim to ownership of the island and won. Later, during the Second World War, the Commonwealth acquired Garden Island. During the Second World War many ships were refitted at the island. The major undertaking was the construction of the Captain Cook Graving Dock which began in 1940 and was completed five years later; it was a huge engineering project for Australia to that time, and it connected the island to Potts Point. The major incident at Garden Island during the war was when, during the May 1942 Japanese midget submarine raid, torpedoes were fired at USS Chicago moored at the island, and one hit HMAS Kuttabul, killing 19 men. After the war few new buildings were erected. During the 1980s a modernisation program got underway. The island is still used by Defence and continues to service the RAN. BUILDING HISTORY Building 37 was constructed during the major phase of development in the late nineteenth century, being built 1886-87, with fitting out completed by 1889. It was the first building made available to the Admiralty and its purpose was as a rigging shed, with a sail loft on the upper floor. The architect was James Barnet, NSW Colonial Architect, using Admiralty plans as a basis; Barnet played a major role in NSW architecture over a lengthy period. The building contractor was William Farley and the building cost over 16,000 pounds. In 1902 part of the first floor was converted into a chapel, and today it is the RAN's oldest church. During 1904-05 a naval gaol and warders quarters were added to the southern end of the building; they were demolished in 1948. The rigging shed and chapel are still in use today. DESCRIPTION The building is two storey and designed in the Victorian Italianate style. The facades have recessed bays with small arched windows and large doorways with timber sliding doors. Walls are brick, stuccoed and ruled to resemble ashlar stonework. The roof has a double hipped form and, originally clad with corrugated iron, was re-clad with corrugated asbestos and has since returned to corrugated iron; there are raised central ridge lights. An arched brick spine wall helps support the first floor, which is also supported by rolled and wrought iron girders. The timber floor of the first floor is still caulked with oakham and bitumen. Windows are double-hung sashes, with six panes to each sash. Parts of the hoisting facilities remain. The chapel features polished cedar furnishings and joinery, mosaics, memorial plaques, stained glass windows commemorating RAN ships and personnel, and a pulpit in the shape of a ship's bow. External stairs were added when the chapel was made, and in about 1980 two spiral staircases were added to the building. A mezzanine floor has been added to the southern end. Slipways to the eastern side have gone, although bollards and mooring rings remain. The building, owing to its style and materials, contributes to the visual amenity of the nineteenth century group of buildings at Garden Island and is a waterside feature in the precinct. It is similar in scale, form and design to other buildings, such as the Factory (RNE 2178). |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
| As noted above, various alterations have been made to the building over the years. In 1994 Building 37 was reported to be in good condition. It is still in use by the navy. (January 2002) |
| Location: |
| Building 37, corner Riggers Lane and Endeavour Road North, Garden Island. |
| Bibliography: |
|
Martin, Eric, "HMA Naval Dockyard, Garden Island: A Building Conservation Study of the Historic Buildings", for Master of the Built Environment course, University of NSW, October 1980. Schwager Brooks and Partners, "Conservation Strategy, Heritage Inventory: Garden Island Naval Base and Dockyard, Sydney", for the Department of Defence, June 1994. |
Report Produced: Tue Feb 9 16:03:40 2010