Carlo and the Point Gellibrand Pile Light

On Friday August 3, 1906 the Government steamer, the Lady Loch, sailed 12 miles down Port Phillip Bay, swung round so it was facing towards Melbourne and beneath the effulgence of a slightly obscured moon (1) the official party on board, including Carlo Catani, beheld the distinct and diamond-like beacon glittering clearly in the moonlight, leaving the backing of shore lights dull and dimmed  (2). This diamond-like beacon was the light of the newly erected Gellibrand Pile Light, which marked the reef  off Point Gellibrand, Williamstown, in Hobson's Bay. 

Other officials on the Lady Loch, included the Minister for Public Works, Ewen Cameron; the secretary of Public Works, David Martin; the inspector-general of Public Works, William Davidson;  the chief engineer of Ports and Harbours, Charles William Maclean; the Surveyor General, Joseph Martin Reed, as well as the Secretary of the Sea Pilots and members of the Marine Board. On the journey back to Port Melbourne tea was partaken of, and much admiration of the light was expressed in speeches later on, delivered by amongst others Mr. Maclean, Mr. Davidson and Carlo Catani and due credit  was given to Messrs. Davidson and Catani, under whose supervision it was constructed (3).

Location of Gellibrand Lightship, off Williamstown. This 1866 chart clearly shows the reef. The numbers are the water depth in feet.

Cropped from - Victoria-Australia, Port Phillip. Hobson Bay and River Yarra leading to Melbourne, surveyed by H.L. Cox ; assisted by Thos. Bourchier & P.H. McHugh, 1864 ; engraved by J. & C. Walker. London : Published by the Admiralty 1866. State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/114259

The reef off Port Gellibrand  was first marked by  a light in 1859, when a temporary lightship was moored there (4). It was replaced in 1860 at a cost of  £3,130, by  a new lightship built by W & G. White, Shipwrights and Boat builders of Williamstown (5).  They are called a lightship, not a lighthouse, because they are ships or other structures with a light,  moored in the water.  This creates its own  problems and there are various reports that during heavy weather, the light 'parted its moorings.' (6). 

Notification of the placement of a lightship off Gellibrand Point, in 1859.

Victoria Government Gazette June 30, 1859  http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1859/V/general/101.pdf

In 1895, it was reported that the lightship was replaced by the the circular light ship which has done service at Swan Spit in the West Channel replacing the one that has been moored off the point for many years (7). This light also had instances of breaking away from its moorings and being replaced with inadequate lights in terms of height and visiblity. For instance in March 1906 the Victorian Sea Pilots said a replacement light was too low  - only 15 feet high as opposed to the permanent light which was 38 feet above high water level and only tithe of the brilliancy of the previous beacon (8).  Added to this was that there was an increasing number of electric lights on the shore and it was sometimes hard to pick up the light amongst the shore lights (9).

It was decided in 1906 to erect a permanent fixed light to mark the reef at Point Gellibrand and this was the light that was reported to have been constructed under Carlo and William Davidson's supervision. 

In August 1906, the  Williamstown Chronicle had a good report of this new light -

An important event in connection with the shipping of the port took place last night, when the new lighthouse erected off the Point Gellibrand reef, Williamstown, was formally opened. The structure has been in course of erection for some months, and takes the place of the old Gellibrand light-ship. The contract for its erection was let to Messrs Ross, Fraser and Patience with a stipulation that it was to be completed by the end of July, so they are up to time in that respect. The new light has an altitude of 50 feet, and an illuminating capacity equal to 2,500 candle-power, and will, it is anticipated, be visible in clear weather at a distance of 12½ miles from the deck of an ordinary-sized ship. The light belongs to what is known as the "second order." It is equipped with an incandescent burner similar to the type used for lighting purposes in France, and is, it is believed, the first of its kind used in Australia. In addition to great efficiency as an illuminating agent, it is claimed that the burner is exceedingly economical, and will do all required of it in this direction at the expenditure of a few pints of petroleum per night. The new lighthouse stands on 36 piles, varying in length from 70 feet feet to 80 feet. They have been driven into the bottom of the bay, which is of a clayey nature at the spot, to a depth of nine feet, and will, it is expected, effectually resist the heavy seas which occasionally occur in Port Phillip. In the erection of the light house profitable use has been made of the old lightship, the entire upper portion of which consisting of men's quarters, tower, etc., having been used, a considerable saving in cost being thereby effected. This section has been completely renovated, all the work pertaining thereto having been carried out by the employes of the Government dock yard at Williamstown under the direction and supervision of Mr C. W. Maclean, Engineer of Ports and Harbors (10).

This is the Point Gellibrand lightship in the dry dock in 1906, before the upper portion of this structure, the living sections and the light tower, were removed to be used in the new pile light.

Point Gellibrand Lightship in dry dock, 1906.Photographer: Thomas McKenzie Hill. 

State Library of Victoria Image H2004.84/28

The Age report, from August 1906, on the new pile light had other details on the workings of the light  - A powerful ray is thrown from the lantern, produced by a petroleum incandescent burner designed under the supervision of Mr. Maclean, Engineer in Charge of Ports and Harbors, and made by Mr. Henri Galopin (11) after the French lighthouse pattern. The lenses used are dioptric. By means of clockwork the light is rendered occulting, and changes color within certain sectors from white to red. It exhibits a full glare for 15 seconds, and is then eclipsed for 3 seconds. On the principal courses of ships, from the South Channel, West Channel, Portarlington and Geelong the white light is seen for 6 seconds, then the red appears for 3 seconds, and again the white appears for 6 seconds, after which it disappears. As mariners approach the shores of the Bay on either side the light becomes entirely red (12).

Point Gellibrand Pile Light

Public Records Office of Victoria - Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners, 

Progress of the Port of Melbourne - Lantern Slide 82 

This wonderful postcard shows the Loongana and the Gellibrand Point Pile Light.

The Loongana was built in Scotland and arrived in Melbourne in October 1904; she operated a passenger service between Melbourne and Launceston. (13)

Image: Isaac Hermann

The Gellibrand Pile Light had a living quarters for the keeper and his family and it was continuously manned. The Taylor family, Bill and Louisa and their children. Juanita and Max, occupying the quarters from 1934 until 1951 (14). In June 1946, The Herald newspaper visited the family and wrote an article about their life on a lighthouse.

Twenty year old Juanita and 16 year old Max on the Gellibrand light.

The Herald, June 20, 1946. Photographer: Laurie Richards. More photographs here  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/245538261

The Point Gellibrand Light Pile is shown in this photo from April 1973. 

It was a slide taken by my husband, John Arnold. He was working on the tug, the Elton Griffin at the time. Thank you to Ian Black who identified the wreck - The wreck being salvaged is the steam tug Melbourne which sank after colliding with the passenger/cargo ship Nieuw Holland in July 1972 with the loss of 5 crew. 

On  June 21, 1976 the Melbourne Trader, a 5,500 ton cargo ship in thick fog ploughed into the light after running aground. The light ended up with a 30 degree lean with the eastern side 3 metres below water. The Government already had plans to erect a new light, at a cost of $120,000. It was estimated that it would cost $500,000 to restore the historic light.  Two days after the light was hit, it was set alight by the Public Works Department as it was considered to be too dangerous for it to be dismantled manually and a shipping hazard  if it had broken up (15). The main light tower was given to the National Trust where it was displayed at the Polly Woodside Maritime Museum and in 2019 it was given to Seaworks at Williamstown (16).  

The team from the Dallas Brooks inspecting the Gellibrand Pile Light, after it was hit by the Melbourne Trader on June 1, 1976. 

The Age, June 23, 1976, from Newspapers.com on Ancestry. 

Acknowledgment

It was my fellow historian, Isaac Hermann, who alerted me to Carlo's connection to the Gellibrand light. Thank you, Isaac.

Trove list

I have created a short list of articles on Trove, on the Gellibrand Point light, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) The Age August 4, 1906, see here.

(2) The Argus, August 4, 1906, see here.

(3) The quotes and report of the Lady Loch trip come from The Age August 4, 1906, see here and The Argus, August 4, 1906, see here.

(4) Victoria Government Gazette, June 30, 1859, see here.  

(5) Acceptance of tender to build the lightship was published in the Victoria Government Gazette, July 17, 1860, see here.

Acceptance of W. & G. White's tender.

(6) See my Trove list, here, for reports.

(7) The Age, March 5, 1895, see here.

(8) The Herald, March 10, 1906, see here.

(9) See my Trove list, here, for reports.

(10) Williamstown Chronicle, August 4 1906, see here.

(11) Henri Galopin - inventor and instrument maker. He died March 1, 1933, aged 82. There was an account of his life in The Leader September 18, 1897, see here. He's an interesing man, I will write about him one day.

(12) The Age, August 4, 1906, see here.

(13) More information on the Loongana http://ssmaritime.com/SS-Loongana.htm from the Remembering the Classic Liners of Yesteryear website compiled by Dr Reuben Goossens.

(14) https://lighthouses.org.au/vic/point-gellibrand-pile-light/

(15)  Reports in The Age, on June 22, June 23 & June 24, 1976. Available on Newspapers.com an add-on to Ancstry. 

(16) https://maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekly.com.au/news/gellibrand-pile-light-finds-her-way-back-home/

Carlo Catani and Wattle trees

The wattle tree grows prolifically on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. Even 130 years after the Swamp was drained in accordance with plans drawn up by William Thwaites, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department and later plans developed by Carlo Catani, the black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) still sprouts up anytime and anywhere. It flowers from late July to mid August and is just spectacular. Carlo Catani had a love of wattles; did this love develop from his many trips to the Koo Wee Rup Swamp and seeing the wattles in bloom?  I would like to think so. This is a post celebrating Carlo's fondness of the  wattle. 

This is the Main Drain of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp, the drain which was part of William Thwaites' original drainage plan, and self-seeded wattles.

  Looking east from the Eleven Mile bridge at Vervale/Cora Lynn, taken July 31, 2011.

In 1904, the Public Works Department planted 1500 wattle trees, comprising 40 species, along the Alexandra Avenue (1). This would have been at the direction of Carlo Catani who designed the Avenue and the adjoining Alexandra Gardens. A visitor from Western Australia described these trees a year later - Off Alexandra Drive Mr. Catani has a magnificent grove of wattles, now in full bloom, forming a magnificent sight, charming the eye and diffusing a subtle perfume (2). A report in 1909 said the collection of acacias or wattles in the avenue has been the admiration of the thousands of persons who have visited this truly lovely spot (3).

If you know wattles then you know that they can tend to get a bit straggly and have a short life-span or as The Australasian reported in 1909 -  Many of the acacias have the reputation of being short-lived, and this is correct if the plants are left to themselves; but it is well known that longevity in many trees may be promoted by judicious pruning and attention to watering in the dry weather. Mr. G. W. Cooper, the intelligent head gardener at this place, lays great stress on the value of pruning these plants immediately after they have done flowering. Numerous tall growing kinds may be kept within reasonable dimensions, and even the medium growers or those of bush habit may be kept quite dwarf by using the knife (4).

George Cooper worked with Carlo Catani from 1900 on the landscaping of Alexandra Avenue and at the Alexandra Gardens, where he was the head curator until 1917.  George Cooper not only worked with Carlo but deserves equal praise and recognition for making the Alexandra Gardens  one of Melbourne's most picturesque embellishments (5).  I have written about him, here. George Cooper was also an expert on wattles who developed a wattle variety the "knife-leaved" wattle (A. cultrifoixuis) is very distinct, and is one of the best, but there is a variety of it which is of deeper colour, of dwarfer habit, a profuse bloomer, and with much closer set foliage than its parent; it originated in these gardens, and it is proposed to name it Cooperi, in honour of the head gardener (6). It would be interesting to know if this ever happened and if there is a George Cooper wattle. 

The wattle planting was not just confined to Alexandra Avenue, in 1904 wattles were planted at Richmond Park, also known as the Survey Paddock. Richmond Park is located in the bend of the Yarra River, surrounded on the north, west and south by the Yarra Boulevard (7). The planting was reported  in The Age - In referring to-day to the wattle planting along the Alexandra Avenue. Mr Catani, of the Public Works Department, mentioned what had been done to also improve in the same way the Richmond Park, formerly known as the Survey paddock. On the high bank of the park, along the river, he said, wattles had been planted for some time, and were now being extended from the Hawthorn road bridge, to the Hawthorn railway bridge. The work was he remarked being carried out under the direction of the Richmond Park committee of which Mr David Martin, secretary of Public Works, was Chairman. A suitable approach was also in course of formation from Bridge road to the avenue. At an early date the trees would be in bloom. "I think," added the engineer with a smile mingled with a touch of enthusiasm, "we will soon restore to a once-beautiful stream, some suggestion of its pristine charms" (8). An ambitious claim indeeed to believe the Yarra could be restored to even a suggestion of pristine charm, but this repesents the enthusiasm and hope that characterised Carlo.

There was more planting of native trees in 1913, on the north bank of the Yarra, on the east side of the Anderson Street bridge, also known as the Morell bridge. The tree planting took place in conjuction with Arbor Day on June 27, 1913. The ground, which was part of the old river bed, was prepared under the supervision of Carlo Catani, by George Cooper and his team. It was hoped that the planting will present an agreeable contrast to the odious tip still occupying the remaining part of the river bed on the other side of the bridge. With the exception of an avenue of deciduous trees along the river road, the planting is to consist entirely of Australian trees, such as mahgony gums, West Australian redgums and red flowering gums, lemon scented gums, flame trees, Bunya Bunya pines, waratahs, lilly pillies, grevilleas, wattles, and smaller plants (9). 

The plan for the planting of the 'All-Australian' plantation on June 27, 1913.

The Argus, June 27, 1913. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10792411

The Herald reported that with the exception of a border of Australian plants in the Botanical Gardens, this will be the first "All-Australian" plantation ever laid down (10). 138 trees were planted of which 100 were Australian varieties and the rest English deciduous. It was a well attended function, over 1,000 people, including many local school children, were reported to have been present. The first tree was planted by the State Governor, Sir John Fuller, it was a mahogany gum (Eucalyplus botryoides). Sir John Madden, the Chief Justice, planted the next tree, a Western Australian red gum (Eucalyptus calophylla). Other dignatories also planted trees, including Carlo. The planting was supported by the Australian Forest League, the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria and the Australian Natives' Association (11).

The Governor, Sir John Fuller, addressing the children at the 'All-Australian' planting 

on June 27, 1913. 

Punch, July 3, 1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/176547645

It has been suggested that the planting of wattle trees on Alexandra Avenue and near the Anderson Street bridge, may have been due to the influence of the Premier, Sir Thomas Bent. For instance in 1909 it was reported that it is about five years since the late Sir Thomas Bent, then Premier, expressed a desire that a number of our native acacias should be planted on some then vacant ground, near the banks of the river (12). And in 1913 The Herald wrote this about why native trees were planted near the Anderson Street bridge in this connection the Government has followed in the direction of Sir Thomas Bent, who was an enthusiastic admirer of all Australian flora, and wattles in particular (13). It may be so, but I prefer my interpretation that it was Carlo and George Cooper who influeneced the planting and they may well have influenced the Premier.  It was well known that Carlo was fond of wattles. The Prahran Telegraph, in article about the landscaping on the St Kilda foreshore said this Mr. Catani has much to say also in favour of the Australian wattle as an ornamental addition to the parks and reserves (14). 

As more evidence of Carlo's fondness for the wattle in 1911, member of Parliament, Harry Lawson, wrote a letter to his local paper, The Mount Alexander Mail. The letter set out a list of wattles, suggested by Carlo, which could be planted so you would have blooms all year round.

WATTLE DAY.
Sir,— With reference to the observance of Wattle Day, I desire to inform you that I recently obtained from Mr Catani, the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, a plan for planting different varieties of acacias, whereby it is claimed that perpetual bloom is secured. Mr Catani designed Alexandra Avenue, which is still under his care and supervision. I have inspected his wattle plantations (containing 44 varieties), where the plan is in operation. Mr Catani tells me that he has proved the scheme by actual experience. As it may be of interest to your readers, I enclose the list. You may be able to find space for them in your columns. —
Yours, etc., HARRY S.W. LAWSON State Parliament House, August 31st, 1911.

Time of Blooming, January. Common Name, New Year Wattle. Botanic Name, Acacia Elata.
February, Lightwood Wattle, Acacia Implexa.
March, Maiden Wattle, Acacia Maidenii.
April, Whipstick Wattle, Acacia Retinodes.
May, Sunshine Wattle, Acacia Discolor.
June, Sweetscented Wattle, Acacia Sauveolens.
July, Cootamundra Wattle, Acacia Baileyana.
August, Silver Wattle, Acacia Dealbata.
August, Coastal Wattle, Acacia Longifolia.
September, Golden Wattle, Acacia Pycnantha (also Acacia Spectabrilisy)
September, Latrobe Wattle, Acacia Acinacens.
October, Scrub Wattle. Acacia Leprosa.
October, Western Wattle,  Acacia Macradenia.
November, Black Wattle, Acacia Mollissima.
December, Black Wattle, Acacia Mollissima (15).

More Koo Wee Rup Swamp self-seeded wattles.

Main Drain Road, looking west from the Eleven Mile Bridge at Cora Lynn, taken July 31, 2011.

In 1932, a bequest of £5000 from Sir Sidney Myer was reported of in The Herald. The paper had hoped that the generous bequest will forge another link in the scheme for a chain of boulevards and parks along the River Yarra. The scheme was first visualised many years ago by the late Mr Catani, of the Public Works Department. His idea was that a river boulevard should run from the city to Yarra Glen, where it would join the Healesville Road and link up with the highway over the Black Spur and the mountains beyond. Mr Catani's vision was one which has caught the imagination of town planners and beautifiers ever since. Many proposals have been made, although no official comprehensive plan exists....Among the many suggestions made in connection with the boulevard was one that it should be planted with wattles, and known as the Golden Highway (16). How wonderful that would have been and it could have happened if the politicians of the day had the vision and appreciation of beauty that Carlo had.

Acknowledgment

I was alerted to the Alexandra Gardens wattle grove and the all-Australian plantation at the Anderson Street bridge, by my fellow historian and Carlo enthusiast, Isaac Hermann. Thank you.

Trove list 

I have created a short list of articles connected to Carlo and Wattles and the all-Australian plantation on Trove, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) The Advocate, August 27, 1904, see here.

(2) The West Australian, August 4, 1905, see here.

(3) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(4) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(5) The Age, February 1, 1929, see here.

(6) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(7)  Location of Richmond Park

Richmond Park, is bottom left. This is from the Melway Street Directory, Edition 10, 1977.

(8) The Age, August 25, 1904, see here.

(9) The Argus, June 27 1913, see here.

(10) The Herald, June 18, 1913, see here.

(11) The Herald, June 18, 1913, see here. See my Trove list for other articles about planting near the Anderson Street bridge.

(12) The Australasian, September 25, 1909, see here.

(13) The Herald, June 18, 1913, see here

(14) Prahran Telegraph, September 13, 1913 see here.

(15) Mount Alexander Mail, September 1, 1913, see here.

(16) The Age, November 15, 1932, see here.