Whilst the gale was at its height last night about a dozen pleasure yachts, moored under the lee of Brighton pier, were totally wrecked. The craft were all anchored from the bows, and the strong southerly wind blowing at the time driving the sea straight over their decks simply smashed the little vessels to matchwood. Nearly a dozen yachts were sunk and two or three more totally disabled. (2)
Ten years before this storm, in 1881, it was reported that -
A deputation from Brighton, introduced by the Hon. C. J Jenner, M.L.C., waited upon the Commissioner of Trade and Customs yesterday, to ask that the pier at Park street, between Brighton and St Kilda, might be extended about 300ft. in a N.N.W. direction, and the sides boarded up above low water mark. It was explained that this was the only pier for boats between Schnapper Point [Mornington] and Williamstown and if the application were granted a shelter would be formed for yachts, fishing boats, and trading crafts. At present there was not the slightest shelter, and the boats were subject to frequent damage. (3)
The breakwater was funded by the Brighton Council and the Brighton Yacht Club, who jointly contributed £1000 and the Public Works Department, who contributed the remaining £3000 (11). I don't have a completion date but it was reported in November 1913 that such progress is being made with the work that it is believed its protective uses will be in full effect by Christmas. (12)
In 1891 there was another deputation -
A Breakwater at Brighton - A deputation from Brighton requested the Commissioner of Trade and Customs yesterday to provide a breakwater near Park street Jetty, Middle Brighton, for the shelter of fishermen's boats and pleasure yachts. (4)
And another ten years on, in 1901 -
The request made to the Port and Harbors Department for a breakwater in the neighborhood of the Middle Brighton pier was considered by them, and an officer was sent to report on the matter. The council was informed that the proposed works would cost £1,500, and it was asked what portion of the amount it was willing to pay. The council then wrote to the Brighton Yacht Club offering to contribute £250 if the club would give a similar sum. (5)
The pier, c. 1907, before the addition of the breakwater.
State Library of Victoria image H90.111/164
In July 1908, Carlo Catani, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, was consulted on the matter -
Extra mooring accommodation is required for the fleet, and the advice of Mr. Catani, of the Public Works Department, was sought to fix upon a suitable site for a breakwater. Mr Catani has recommended that the breakwater be placed about 200 yards beyond the Middle Brighton pier, and to form an irregular curve of the end of the pier. The recent waling of the pier affords of efficient shelter for the smaller boats. and the proposed breakwater would enable the largest yachts in the bay to moor safely at Middle Brighton. (6).
Another report from July 1908, showing Carlo's involvement -
Mr. Catani, engineer to the Public Works department, on Saturday visited Middle Brighton to make an examination of the local pier, for the purpose of reporting upon a proposed extension that would serve the purpose of a breakwater for the protection of yachts against south-westerly seas. He found that the waling put upon the pier last year is answering well in breaking the force of the water, and said that will be adequate for the sheltering of small boats, but in order to provide a smooth roadstead for larger craft it will be requisite to considerably extend the pier in the form of a curve in a northerly direction. This, he informed the members of the Brighton Yacht Club who accompanied him on his inspection, will be the effect of his report. (7)
Even with Carlo involved, things moved slowly, but in July 1910 Carlo was a part of a Ministerial inspection of the foreshore from South Melbourne to Black Rock and the proposed breakwater was part of this tour -
Favorable consideration was promised regarding an application for £2000 for a breakwater at Middle Brighton, the council to contribute £1000. Mr. Catani said he estimated that the complete scheme would cost £4000. For a like work at Sandringham, it was stated that £650 was required, and that it would be very difficult to raise as much more money locally. No promise was extracted from the Ministers, though the Minister of Works was impressed with the place as a harbor for yachts. (8)
Three years later, in March 1913, there was some actual progress -
Mr. O. R. Snowball, M.L.A., notified the Brighton Council on Monday evening that a tender had been accepted for the extension of the Middle Brighton pier at a cost of £2,800, which was considerably below the estimate. In order that an improved breakwater might be secured, the Brighton Yacht Club were anxious that the balance, £1,200, should be expended, and he suggested that a deputation should wait on the Minister of Public Works to urge the request. Cr. Hall said that the estimate cost was £4000, and the Government had placed £2000 on the estimates as the first installment towards the work. Tenders were invited for the extension in messmate, ironbark or red gum, and after consultation with the Yacht Club, Mr. Catani recommended that the tender for the work in messmate at £2,800 be accepted. The Cabinet had agreed to find the £800 required so that the whole of the work could be carried out. In order that the breakwater might be more beneficial, the Yacht Club were desirous that close piling should be substituted for 200 feet of the new work instead of waling, and that the arm be extended 95 feel. This extra work would cost £1200, and it was necessary to obtain the Government sanction so that the contract might be to amended in that way. He moved that the Government be asked to extend the work so as to cover the original estimate, viz., £4,000. Cr. Francis seconded the resolution. He, however, considered it was wrong for the Government to accept a wood of less quality. The best material should be always used to obviate the necessity of repairs. In answer to Cr. Pullman, Cr. Hall said the extension of the pier by 95 feet would give a deeper and safer anchorage. Cr. Hall also contended that messmate timber was suitable for the work, although not so good as ironbark. Once the pier was constructed the Government would be responsible for its maintenance. Cr. Pullman suggested deferring the matter to the next meeting. Cr. Cheeseman said that it would not be wise to delay the matter, as the contractor was anxious to make a start with the work, and the part where close piling was required would be the place first undertaken. The resolution was adopted. (9)
Mr Snowball could later report to the Brighton Council that the Public Works Department had amended the plans of the Middle Brighton breakwater to provide for an additional 600 feet and a landing near the present shed. (10)
Aerial view of Brighton Baths, pier and surrounds, 1940-1950.
The breakwater was extended in the 1930s.
Photographer: Francis Hodgson. State Library of Victoria image H96.163/4
The breakwater was extended in the 1930s, as we can see in the photograph, above, and in 1953, The Herald, published an unusual story, by Alan Dower, about this extension -
Somewhere in the pile of prison bluestone used to build the breakwater at Middle Brighton 20 years ago, is one of the few links with the most charming but cunning and vicious murderess in Australian crime history. Pretty Martha Needle, curly-haired 30-year-old house wife, poisoned her husband, her two children and her fiance's brother . . . and sang hymns and recited psalms as she was being led to the gallows. Mrs Needle was buried in the wing of the old Melbourne gaol that now houses wireless patrol cars. But when most of the gaol was demolished in the 'twenties, the rough headstone of her grave was buried in the Middle Brighton breakwater. (13). Read the rest of the story here.
Trove list - I have created a short list of articles related to the breakwater at Brighton and the involvement of Carlo Catani, access it here.
Footnotes
(1) Bate, Weston A History of Brighton (Melbourne University Press, 2nd ed., 1983) p. 351.
(2) The Age, July 13, 1891, see here.
(3) The Argus, August 27, 1881, see here.
(4) The Argus, June 25, 1891, see here.
(5) Caulfield and Elsternwick Leader, June 15, 1901, see here.
(6) The Argus, July 7, 1908, see here.
(7) The Leader, July 11, 1908, see here.
(8) The Age, July 1, 1910, see here.
(9) Brighton Southern Cross, March 15, 1913, see here.
(10) Brighton Southern Cross, April 26, 1913, see here.
(11) The Herald, February 14, 1913, see here.
(12) The Leader, November 1, 1913, see here.
(13) The Herald, November 21, 1953, see here.
