| Photographs: | None |
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| List: | Register of the National Estate |
| Class: | Historic |
| Legal Status: | Interim List (27/10/1998) |
| Place ID: | 101226 |
| Place File No: | 1/13/027/0094 |
| Statement of Significance: |
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HMAS Platypus is significant both for its industrial and defence related history. It was the location of the third gasworks in Sydney, established in 1877. Elements which clearly demonstrate the extent and functioning of the gasworks in response to the urban development boom which began in the late nineteenth century include; the modified cliffline expressing the industrial processes of the former gasworks; the former Exhauster House 1903; the former Coal Store 1906-1910; the former Retort Building 1886-1888; and the ashlar sandstone seawall which is continuous along the waterfront below the later submarine wharf facility (Criterion A.4). The former Retort Building is important as a rare example of a late nineteenth century imported, pre-fabricated building which in its use is representative of the development of retort houses in New South Wales gasworks.
(Criteria B.2 and Criterion D.2). The former Exhauster House is important as the only building surviving from the gasworks that displays the characteristic appearance of New South Wales gasworks buildings (Criterion D.2). The former Retort Building, former Exhauster house and former Coal Store, are also important for their association with the establishment in 1942 of Torpedo Maintenance Workshops which developed as the main torpedo workshops for Allied forces in the South Pacific during the Second World War. Since that time HMAS Platypus has been associated with the Australian Navy submarine fleet (Criterion A.4). The former Coal Store, although not purpose built as an Air Raid shelter, is a rare surviving example of an Air Raid shelter which demonstrates the principal characteristics of the adaptive design of large shelters; in this respect it is representative of a wide range of Air Raid shelters (Criterion D.2 and Criterion B.2) Historic Themes 2.6 Fighting for the land, 4.2 Supplying urban services. Indigenous values of national estate significance may exist in this place. As yet, these values have not been identified, documented or assessed. |
| Official Values: Not Available |
| Description: |
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HISTORY The history of this site is based on material compiled by Godden Mackay as part of a Heritage Assessment and Conservation Policy prepared for Defence in 1997. The primary source for Godden and Mackays work was Rosemary Broomham's report prepared for the North Shore Gas Company in September 1984. The Town Plan for North Sydney was established in 1828 by Sir Thomas Mitchell as Surveyor General. The development of local industry including the exploitation of coal seams in the area of Sydney harbour led in 1841 to the production of coal gas for street lamps at Darling Harbour by the Australian Gas Light Company. The HMAS Platypus site was occupied in 1863 by Captain Joshua Miller who ran a small farm and provided supplies to shipping. The discovery of oil shales in the Sydney Basin led to further development of alternative energy sources. In 1874 James Walter Fell, manager of the Western Kerosene Oil Company's Waterloo refinery, was appointed as Engineer to the AGL (Australian Gas Light) Company. Simultaneously the company advertised for a Gas Engineer in England. JW Fell's appointment as manager terminated in 1875 when he entered into partnership with Charles Watt to establish the North Shore Gas Company. In March 1876 land fronting Neutral Bay was purchased, after Government approval, and the erection of gas-making plant followed. By March 1877 gas production and supply commenced in what was the third gas works in Sydney. The site comprised horizontal brick gas retorts in the north west corner of the property located on the waterfront, with a small gas holder nearby. Excavation of the site created two levels; a flat shelf along the waterfront and an upper level on the ridge down which ran an acces road between the two levels. Coal was delivered by ship to the wharf. In 1880-82 a second gas holder was erected near to the access road. James Walter Fell died in 1884 when the partnership was liquidated. A new company, North Shore Gas Company Limited, was formed and the reclamation of the foreshore extended eastwards. Under engineer Thomas Morland a 10 year phase of expansion commenced, reflecting the urban building boom of the 1880s. From 1886-1888 a new Retort House (No.2), new Gas Holder (No.3), Exhauster house, Boiler House and Coke Plant were erected. The new equipment was supplied by John Abbott Co. Ltd of Gateshead on Tyne. The new retort was located centrally on the lower level of the site; the new gas holder and ancillary structures were added to the upper level of the site. In 1889 a new coal store was built on the northern side of the retort. Thomas Morland was appointed Chief Officer of the company in 1890 when the property doubled in size by the purchase of land to the south. From 1891-1902 additional plant was erected to cope with increased demand. Retort House No3 was built following the demolition of the first retort building. and a fourth gas holder erected on the upper level. Over the next ten years a second period of major expansion occured on the newly acquired land to the south. A new access road, new brick Retort House, new Coal Store and new Exhauster house were built taking advantage of the cliffline to develop a more functional site layout. In the process the natural cliffline was quarried and modified to reflect the gas producing process. Office and Stores buildings at the new entrance completed the operational layout. In 1913 site works commenced at Oyster Bay for the construction of a new gas works which began operation in 1917. A Carburetted Water Gas plant was installed in 1924. Gas production had ceased at Neutral Bay by 1932 although the plant was kept on standby and the gas holders were used as supply reservoirs. In 1935 the Office building was remodelled and let as flats. By 1940 the lower levels of the site were in process of disposal by the Company. By 1942 the Commonwealth had resumed the lower levels of the site, capitalising on the presence of the already developed industrial landform and wharf, the upper levels remaining in use for gas storage and distribution. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) occupied the lower levels, erecting Torpedo Maintenance Workshops in 1942 in the location of Retort House No.3. A large factory was erected on the southern portion of the site in 1942 as well as a central office building. The facility developed as the main torpedo workshops for the South Pacific allied forces. The former Office Building was remodelled as gatehouse and offices and the former coal bunkers remodelled as air raid shelters. From 1945 the facility remained in service as a support facility for submarines based at HMAS Penguin and for the RAN destroyer fleet. In 1964 the Australian submarine fleet was established with HMAS Platypus to be established at the former Torpedo Workshops. Between 1964-1967 the site was transformed into a submarine depot. By 1983 closure and removal of the Neutral Bay Works (upper level) and Oyster Cove Works had commenced. The upper level of Neutral Bay was sold for residential development completed by 1992. During the 1990s the decision to re-equip the RAN with Collins class submarines led to the strategic decision to relocate the facility. By 1996 disposal of the site was being considered by Defence. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION HMAS Platypus is a waterfront property located on the modifified sandstone cliffline defining the western side of Neutral Bay. Access to the two level site is by an excavated roadway at the southern end of the site which breaks through the former cliffline. The extant site development illustrates the use of the site by the North Shore Gas Company and Defence. - North Shore Gas Company 1876-1942 Evidence of the production of coal and water gas is restricted to possible archaeological material in the dock areas, evidence of pipework and other functions associated with the cliff line, the former Exhauster House now the compressor building, the former Coal Store, Retort House No.2 now a stores building, the former Office building now a guardhouse and the sandstone masonry sea wall defining the extent of the land fill begun in 1884. Coal Store 1906-1910: The former Coal Store was converted to a bomb shelter in 1942 and reduced in extent by some 50 percent to create a car parking area, but illustrates in its location and structure the process of coal storage and distribution by conveyor. Externally the battered ashlar sandstone base conceals seven arched brick tunnels which housed the conveyor belt system. The upper timber sections have been dismantled. Evidence of the change to an air raid shelter remains at the western end in carefully detailed doorways designed to minimise blasts and brick infill walls at the opposite end above the cliff line. Although not purpose built as an air raid shelter it is a rare surviving example of a large shelter which incorporates the principal characteristics of its type. Exhauster House 1903: the former Exhauster House, now the Compressor House, set into the cliff face behind Retort House No.2, links, in its location, the production of coal gas on the lower levels of the site and its storage on the upper levels. The building is characteristic of New South Wales gasworks buildings in appearance. Converted to compressor use by the Navy the building would appear to retain its external form almost intact on foundations cut into the sandstone bedrock of the cliff. The building features fairface brick walls below a flat concrete roof with perimeter concrete ring beams. The entrance to the building is flanked by symmetrical groups of windows, 3 each side, with timber sash windows and triangular widow heads. Window reveals, sills and heads are painted white in addition to the roof structure. Side walls feature single windows; three on the west side with one window and a second doorway on the east side. Approached by steel stairs up the cliffline. Retort House No.2 1886-1888: a rectangular Victorian industrial demountable building constructed on sandstone masonry foundation walls, rendered internally (the use of in situ mass concrete foundation walls needs to be confirmed since the Heritage Assessment contradicts itself) which extend one metre above present ground level. As erected the structure was supported by cast iron columns featuring capitals with Egyptian motifs and simple bases bolted to the perimeter foundation walls. The gabled roof structure is supported on wrought iron, rivetted, lattice girders spanning between columns. Between 1902 and 1913 the building was fitted with a Carburetted Water Gas Plant. This continued in service until the 1930s. With the establishment of the Torpedo Workshops in 1942 the building was stripped and used as a store by the Navy. The building has undergone a number of changes; extensions include a single storey skillion on the north side in the 1960s. Although reclad during the 1960s, and fitted with a mezzanine floor during the 1970s, the building clearly illustrates the characteristics of mid to late nineteenth century Victorian prefabricated industrial buildings in its internal detailing. Office building 1910: the former Office Building is associated with the last phase in the development of the gasworks. The much altered Federation Period building was remodelled in 1935. The two storey former office building expresses little of its original form with the exception of the tiled hipped roof which may define the extent of the original building. Flat roofed extensions on the western side may express the symmetry of the original building but clearly define the change in use to residential use in the flat roofed architectural idiom which is linked by a string course to the remodelled building of 1935. Inter War Functionalist porch and gateway extensions at the rear reflect the change to guardhouse function during the construction of the RANTME factory building. In this respect it has functioned as the public expression of the Naval facility since 1942. Sea Wall: sandstone ashlar construction expressed at the south eastern end of the site defines the extent of land reclamation by the North Shore Gas Company. The majority of the wall is screened by the new wharf erected in the 1960s for submarine docking and servicing. - Defence 1942-present The site is dominated by three industrial workshop structures which occupy the south eastern half of the site; the RANTME Factory of 1942, early RANTME Office building of 1942 and associated facilities located behind the guardhouse (former offices), the two storey formerTorpedo Maintenance Facitity, now the Submarine School, of 1942 against the cliffline and the Workshops Building of 1942, formerly the Torpedo Maintenance Facility, located at the limit of the stone seawall adjacent to the RANTME Office Building. A roadway between the two latter structures provides access to the dock, the former Retort House No.2 (Stores Building), the Administration Building at the northern end of the site and a number of small ancillary structures associated with the dock. The RANTME Factory building extends across the former cliffline and has been developed as two storeys in its lowest section. The RANTME workshop contrasts with the lower workshops in the use of a pitched roof form above perimeter fairface red brick walls and a mezzanine floor; the lower workshops employ similar brickwork at ground level but the upper wall areas feature proprietary metal cladding below saw tooth roof profiles typical of the1940s. The workshop buildings have few physical features which relate specifically to the functions of the naval base. The two storey guardhouse is linked to the RANTME Factory building by the flat roofed porch of 1935 at the rear (which flanks the access gates to the delivery docks) which is expressed in the fairface brickwork of the boundary wall along High Street. The RANTME building is linked to the upper level car park by a pedestrian bridge across the access roadway opposite the former Coal Storage areas. A second, smaller guardhouse is associated with the construction of the three storey Administration Building 1967 and lift tower c.1970 located at the northern entrance to the site. The three storey Administration Building is of load bearing brick witha metal decked roof and aluminium sash widows expressing the internal functions and is represenative of utilitarian office buildings in the Post-War International Style The later wharf, complete with travelling crane on the new concrete deck, erected in the 1960s, defines the edge of the dock and is clearly associated with the use of the area as a submarine depot. Of particular interest is the earth mound below the Exhauster House used for testing torpedos (torpedo test chamber); this mound has been landscaped to provide a contrast with the cliffline which dominates the site. The only other vegetation on the site, a Norfolk Island pine is located at the base of the roadway from High Street. |
| History: Not Available |
| Condition and Integrity: |
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INTEGRITY All RANTME buildings are essentially intact in aereal extent and structure. Changes reflecting site useage evident in the internal organisation of the buildings. The Guardhouse/former Office building retains the external form which was developed during the adaptation in 1935 to 2 residential units. Changes since then appear to have been restricted to Wartime additions in 1942 at the rear to create a secure entrance to the RANTME Factory. The sandstone seawall screened by the later wharf remains intact to varying heights above high water level. Other structures associated with the gasworks are as follows: - Stores Building, formerly Retort House No.2. Sandstone foundation walls intact as is the fabric of the shell of the building. Changes include the addition of skillion stores, recladding and the relocation of doorways. The floor has been infilled to create level surface for storage. Internally little evidence of former use as a retort building with the exception of an overhead crane of uncertain date. - Compressor House, formerly the Exhauster House; essentially intact. Changes include the addition of external storage spaces at the rear and the modification of internal floor structure to accommodate compressor equipment. Roofline changed by the addition of two courses of brickwork to the perimeter during the 1960s. - Air Raid Shelter formerly the Coal Store; the building has been reduced in area by some 50 percent and the upper storage structure removed. Rubble from the upper walls has ben used to provide cover to the tunnels for use as air raid shelters. The former conveyor tunnels have been modified to create seven separate parallel air raid shelters. CONDITION July 1998: All RANTME buildings have been maintained in good order as have the former Retort Building, Office Building and Exhauster House, although the Retort Building foundations are contaminated. The 1960s wharf is in good condition but the sandstone seawall has undergone some erosion of blocks and joints. The tunnels and sandstone ashlar of the Air Raid Shelter, the former Coal Store, are stable and in good condition despite poor drainage of the upper surfaces and contamination. The cliff face has been modified by quarrying and ashlar infill to create a fairly even surface which appears to be in good condition, but is contaminated. |
| Location: |
| Off High Street, North Sydney, comprising 1. the former Coal Store 2. the former Exhauster House 3. the former 1887 Retort House 4. the ashlar sandstone sea wall along the waterfront below the submarine wharf facility and 5. the modified cliffline. |
| Bibliography: |
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Godden and Mackay, Heritage Consultants, December 1997, HMAS Platypus, Neutral Bay Heritage Assessment and Conservation Policy. Godden and Mackay Pty Ltd, November 1990, Mortlake Gasworks Gaswholders No.s 3 and 4, Conservation Plan prepared for The Australian Gas Light Company. |
Report Produced: Wed Feb 10 02:41:38 2010