Carlo's projects in Brighton

Carlo had a mixed relationship with people of Brighton -  he was helpful in having their breakwater constructed, which you can read about here; but they were unhappy with the fact that he took "their" beach sand away and that he wanted to build a foreshore road through their municipality; but on the other hand, Carlo also drew up plans to both strengthen and lengthen the Brighton Pier to allow excursion steamers to dock. 

Beach Sand removal

The Public Works Department removed beach sand to build up roads in low-lying areas of  Elwood. In January 1908, The Age reported that - 

The Brighton council having taken exception to the wholesale removals of sand from the foreshore at Elsternwick (1) by the Government, for the purpose of further improvements on the reclaimed lands at Elwood, delegates from that body had an interview yesterday with Mr. Catani engineer, of the Public Works department. The latter gentleman was able to demonstrate that the sand taken away was almost immediately replaced by the waters of the Bay. Recently, he explained, when operations were suspended for a day or two, the Government employes found that such a replacement of sand had taken place that the end of the railway track to the beach was buried beneath it. In the circumstances the council, which had suspended sales of sand from the beach elsewhere, will continue to authorise its removal at 2/6 per load under the supervision of its engineer. Further removals, free of charge by Government officers at Elsternwick will also no longer be opposed. (2)

In spite of Carlo proving to them that the sand was naturally replaced, Brighton folk were still complaining three years later. This report is  from January 1911 - 

Mr. Drake, secretary to the Public Works department, and Mr. Catani, engineer, visited Brighton yesterday, to confer with the local council in reference to repeated complaints by the latter that the Government had broken an undertaking given not to remove sand from the Brighton foreshore after a certain date, and that the continued removal was destructive of the attractions of the foreshore. The officials admitted that the complaint was well founded, as to the sand having been taken, explaining that it was used in making the boulevard at Elwood, but it was contended no detriment whatever would result, as the removals of sand were replaced by the deposits made by the incoming tide. Mr. Catani, in order to prove his contention, said that the rails of a tramway laid by the department on the beach at Cole-street wore on a level with the top of the sand on Friday, whilst yesterday they were 15 inches below the surface, and the men using it had to dig down to find the track. The rough weather of Saturday had also shifted a sandbank in the Bay from a position 100 feet out to close in shore. Mr. Drake said he would report on the discussion to the Minister. (3)

In 1917, at a function to mark Carlo's retirement from the Public Works Department, he reminisced about his career and had this to say about the sand - 

Making reference to the sand question, Mr. Catani said he could not see how any objections could be raised to the taking of sand for the work of beautification.... The Brighton Council say they want their beach left as it is, but the whole of the foreshores were just as much public property as the sun that shined to give us warmth. (4)

Brighton Beach, c. 1910. There was clearly, in Carlo's eyes, an abundance of sand.

State Library of Victoria image H40395/26

Foreshore Drive

Which brings us to the next issue Carlo had with Brighton - he had the vision to have a foreshore drive all the way from Port Melbourne to Sorrento. To further this end,  in 1911 Carlo, Mr. Snowball, M.L.A., and Mr Edgar, M.L.C., inspected the foreshore at Brighton and found that it was blocked by private land jutting into the sea. In the near future, consideration would be given by the Government to the question of providing a boulevard from St. Kilda to Brighton. (5)

Sadly for Victoria, this ambitious scenic roadway never eventuated and if the following report from 1917 is correct, Carlo placed the blame squarely on the people of Brighton -
The construction of a boulevard around the Bay was one of the many schemes which Mr. Catani endeavoured to carry out whilst engineer for the Public Works Department, but the work suddenly stopped at the boundary between Brighton and St. Kilda, owing to private owners having the frontages to the foreshore. At a social gathering tendered to Mr. Catani recently, on the occasion of his retirement from the Department, reference was made to it, and Mr. Catani, in replying, said that but for the selfishness of the Brighton people the public would have now had a fine promenade all along the eastern side of the Bay. (6)

Excursion Steamers to Brighton Pier
In September 1910 it was reported that -

Plans for the strengthening of the Brighton Beach pier, so as to enable excursion steamers to call for traffic, are being prepared by Mr. Catani, of the Public Works department, and will be completed in time for the conference of the municipalities of Brighton, Caulfield, Moorabbin and Prahran....to consider the suggestion of the Minister of Public Works for the municipalities to contribute one-third, the steamship companies one-third, and the Government one-third of the cost the work. (7)

The plans were approved; the work involved extending the present pier 150ft., with a width of 21ft. 6in., walings are to be placed on both sides to form berths for steamers. (8) The tender was let to Messrs. Ross, Fraser, and Patience for a cost of £889/11; the cost of the work being being split between the steamship companies, the Brighton and Moorabbin councils and the Government. (9)

The Ozone, who made the inaugural trip from Brighton Pier in January 1912.

Photographer: Allan C. Green.

State Library of Victoria Image H91.108/2033

The inaugural trip from Brighton Pier took place on January 16, 1912 and The Argus reported - 
The parade steamer Ozone arrived a few minutes before 3 o'clock, and without any difficulty berthed on the east side of the pier. Close upon 400 residents of Brighton and Moorabbin, including Mr. M'Bryde, M.L.C., Mr Snowball, M.L.A., the mayor and councillors of Brighton, and the president and councillors of Moorabbin, boarded the steamer, which had already about 200 passengers from Port Melbourne and St Kilda on board. Amid the cheers of the large crowd on the pier, course was shaped down the bay. Whilst the ladies were being entertained at afternoon tea, a number of gentlemen assembled in the smoke-room, and several toasts were honoured. The Mayor of Brighton (Councillor Francis), in proposing the toast of the company, congratulated the directors on the success of their undertaking, and hoped that the steamers would frequently call at Brighton Beach. Mr. M'Bryde, M.L.C., Mr Snowball, M.L.A., and Councillor Small supported the toast. Captain Ramsay responded. He said that but for the assistance of the Brighton and Moorabbin Council the pier would not have been extended. He said that if the traffic warranted it, the company would run regular trips along the eastern side of the bay. He considered that the Brighton Beach pier was more suitable for the steamers than the St Kilda pier, and that although the former was unsheltered from the south-westerly and westerly winds, the water would have to be very rough to prevent the steamer calling. The company has not yet decided upon an itinerary for Brighton Beach, but the latter will be discussed at the directors' meeting on Wednesday week. (10)

In spite of the acclaimed inaugural trip, this service was not a success, as this report from January 1918 notes -
The paddle steamer Ozone will not be calling at Brighton Beach pier during the present season, as the boat has been taken out of commission. The traffic developed at Brighton has been very small, due primarily to the infrequency of the service, and it is understood to be the intention of the company to cancel the service in future. The service was instituted in 1910 [sic], falling upon the extension of the pier, the cost of which was borne by the Government, the company, and the Brighton and Moorabbin Councils in equal proportions. The only undertaking the company would give when asked by the councils to guarantee a regular service, was to agree to call for a period of 5 years as occasion permitted. The Brighton Council will have to contribute £20 a year for a further five years before they are relieved of their liability in connection with the venture, for which outlay they have a fine promenade pier at the beach. (11)

Another connection Carlo had with Brighton was his relationship with Thomas Bent - the Brighton Councillor and Mayor on nine occasions; Chairman of Moorabbin Roads Board, Shire President of Moorabbin on three occasions;  local M.L.A, held several Ministries and was at times the Premier of Victoria; however that is  a story for another time.

Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove connected to Carlo's projects in Brighton, access it here.

Footnotes

(1) In 1870 about 641 acres of Elsternwick was annexed to the municipality of Brighton. The annexed section included the area, and thus the foreshore, between Head Street and North Road. Parts of Elsternwick were also in the City of St Kilda and City of Caulfield.(Victorian Municipal Directory and Gazetteer for 1940)

(2) The Age, January 17, 1908, see here.

(3) The Age, January 10, 1911, see here.
(4) Prahran Chronicle, May 26, 1917, see here.

(5) Brighton Southern Cross, December 9, 1911, see here.

(6) Brighton Southern Cross, June 30, 1917, see here.

(7) Brighton Southern Cross, September 10, 1910, see here.

(8) The Argus, August 16, 1911, see here.

(9) The Age, July 24, 1911, see here.

(10) The Argus, January 17, 1912, see here.

(11) Brighton Southern Cross, January 5, 1918, see here.

Carlo and the Brighton Pier Breakwater

The citizens of Brighton spent decades advocating for a decent breakwater in the area for the protection of the Brighton Yacht Club vessels as well as other craft. A basic breakwater was established after the Yacht Club moved in 1886 to its present site adjacent to the pier, but this did not give sufficient protection. (1).  There are many reports of storm damage sustained by the boats; this example is from 1891 -

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)

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) 

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)

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.