No.26 - October 2012 CALLINGTON FLOUR MILL AT OATLANDS RESTORED Lincolnshire style windmill. Built to the highest In 2004 the concept of restoring the mill standards by John Vincent, speculator and sly and adjacent buildings to enable the mill to grog seller, the 15 m high sandstone tower mill produce flour from locally grown grain was had four floors and the best machinery and explored and, after a further round of planning grinding stones. While initially successful, a and assessment, this proposal was found to recession saw it pass through several hands be a viable option. Government grants of and the addition of a steam–driven mill to $2.4 million in 2008 enabled millwright Neil maintain production in calm weather. It finally Medcalf to design and fabricate an authentic closed in 1892-93 and fell into disrepair. set of mid 19th Century milling machinery, cap and sails in the UK and deliver them in 2010. Martin Farley from Creating Preferred Futures The sandstone tower remained a significant The millwright then installed the machinery and Hugh Murphy, Consulting Engineer landmark on the Oatlands skyline and attracted into the mill tower refurbished to meet current presented a paper on the recent restoration and periodic interest in its restoration. Some approvals to operate as a commercial mill. re-commissioning of this historic mill. works were carried out in 1976 with the aim of preventing further deterioration. For The four large sails have adjustable louvres This wind-driven flour mill built in 1837 the 1988 bi-centenary, funding allowed the to regulate the speed, and a clever fantail is back in business, with authentic replica re-installation of four timber floors, stairs and (tail rotor) turns the cap to keep the sails equipment producing a commercial product. a hemispherical cap. In 1999 a new fantail was pointing into the wind. Through wooden It is Australia’s only remaining example of a installed on the cap. Continued on page 3

LOST IN SPACE? BIOGRAPHY ACROSS THE HEMISPHERES INSIDE this edition Mike Chrimes, Institution of Civil Engineers 2 16th ENGINEERING HERITAGE AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE UK, was a keynote speaker who is still deeply Hobart November 2011 involved in the ICE Biographical Dictionary of ...... Civil Engineers project. His paper addressed 2 16th ENGINEERING HERITAGE AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE the challenges of engineering biography. Here Pre-conference tour November 2011 are a few snippets: ...... 3 MOBILE APPS for Heritage ...... Selecting great engineers: How does one 4 MURTOA STICK SHED ...... measure the greatness of an engineer – Engineers inspecting the Sydney 4 TASMANIAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM innovation, great work(s), aggregate scale of Harbour Bridge ...... contribution, size of estate/wealth, legisla- their association with the bridge globally 5 GETTING IT RIGHT tive impact, contribution to the profession? while Bradfield, despite his considerable ...... Mike gave examples where well known names engagement with ICE, had never really been 6 HOBART’S FLOATING BRIDGE, 1943-1964 ...... may have had a lesser claim than others, appreciated for his work on the development 6 ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL ARTILLERY when more research was done. Although the of Sydney outside Australasia...... early great names – Smeaton, Telford and 7 PROTECTING AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST BRIDGE Rennie – held their own by most criteria, in Access to biographical information: The ...... the Victorian period the relatively unknown greatest challenge facing biographical 7 THE ENGINEERING OF BUDJ BIM ...... (to the public at least) Sir John Hawkshaw researchers seeking information across the 8 SUBMARINES in Australia scored highest in most categories. world was access to information to create ...... a full biography. Thanks to the efforts of 8 STEAM TUG WATTLE - a restoration story Credit for great works: Mike quoted several various national archives, the Mormon examples in which due credit was in dispute: Church and www.ancestry.co.uk, a good deal EDITORS’S NOTE the development of NSW railways (Whitton of basic genealogical information was now Unlike usual editions of the EHA newsletter, or Fowler?), the Port of Melbourne (Coode?) available over the internet for researchers. this edition is concerned solely with the 2011 and the Mersey Tunnel in the UK (Brodie Hobart Engineering Heritage Conference. or the consultant/contractor?). In relation Careers in two hemispheres: Tracking Papers selected by the conference committee to the Sydney Harbour Bridge (Bradfield or British engineers who came to Australia can be and EHA board members have been summa- Freeman?), Mike’s own view was that difficult if they did not come directly, e.g. via rised by them for a general readership. Most Freeman Fox and Partners capitalised on time in India. In relation to Melbourne’s Yan of the papers referred to will be published shortly in a special edition of the Australian Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering. Continued on page 3 16th ENGINEERING 16th ENGINEERING HERITAGE AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE HERITAGE AUSTRALIA Pre-conference tour November 2011 CONFERENCE Hobart November 2011 As a precursor to the Engineering Heritage During the afternoon there was a brief stop at Australia Conference, a pre-conference tour the 110 m high Cethana concrete faced rockfill was conducted to showcase the engineering dam, recognised as a National Engineering The 16th Engineering Heritage Australia highlights of to conference Landmark. Conference was held at the Wrest Point participants. The tour began by heading north Conference Centre in Hobart on 13-16 through Hobart, crossing the River Derwent Day Three began with an optional inspection November 2011. Delegates numbered 110 via the Bridgewater Causeway and Bridge of Robert Sticht’s former office at the Mount and there were 40 accompanying persons. (1942) with its recently re-furbished vertical Lyell Mining & Railway Co. Robert Sticht lift span. From here we followed the Heritage joined the company in 1893 and became its to Oatlands where some of the group first general manager (1897 -1922). He was The Governor of Tasmania opened the were able to inspect the re-commissioned 1837 responsible for the economical pyritic smelting conference. Professor Geoffrey Blainey and Callington wind-driven flour mill. process which used the combustion of the Michael Chrimes were the two keynote sulphur in the ore to replace expensive NSW speakers. Further north the convict built coal. and the at Campbell Town were Forty-four papers were presented in two admired and photographed. The latter was The main attraction of the day was a trip on combined sessions and fourteen parallel strengthened in 2000 using the Archtec system the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway sessions over two & a half days. Each of tension rods over its three red brick arches. from Queenstown to Regatta Point, Strahan. presenter was given 20 minutes for the This vital rail connection had been built by the presentation within a 30 minute period. The In Launceston the tour stopped for lunch MLM&R Co. in 1895-6 to export its copper two lecture rooms were adjacent allowing at the Queen Victoria Museum where the to the Mainland. The line was closed in 1963 blacksmith’s shop of the former Tasmanian but with the aid of a $20M government grant, easy transfer between presentations. The Railway Workshops was visited. After lunch we work commenced in 2000 on re-opening the rooms were amalgamated for the opening travelled via the East Tamar Highway and the railway as a tourist venture. The 35 km rail session. (the first cable-stayed bridge in line follows the steep sided, densely wooded Australia, 1968) to the Beaconsfield Mine & Queen and King River valleys, via steep grades The setting of Wrest Point alongside the Heritage Centre. This gold mine had three of and narrow cuttings. Three original steam Derwent River provided a spectacular the largest mine pumping steam engines in the locomotives have been fully restored to run on setting for conference attendees to enjoy world before closing in 1914, but reopened in the line. morning and afternoon teas, and lunches. the 1990s. The Museum includes a model of All delegates enjoyed the wonderful vista the tiny cage where two miners were trapped During the afternoon, the tour continued and hospitality provided. underground for two weeks in 2005. onto Zeehan for an inspection of its Pioneers Memorial Museum. On Day Two the tour stopped for an inspection Social functions during the conference of Pearn’s Steam World at Westbury. Large and Sunday started with an inspection of the Upper consisted of a Welcome Reception, a small working steam traction engines (Foden Lake Margaret Power Station, one of the reception at Government House and the and Fowler) were on display here, as well as a oldest hydro power developments in Tasmania. Conference Dinner at which the 2011 wide range of other steam and diesel operated It was built by the MLM&R Co and supplied Colin Crisp Awards were announced and farming equipment. This was followed by electricity for its Queenstown operations from presented. an extended inspection, and lunch, at the 1914 to 2006 when it was closed by Hydro Redwater Creek Tourist Railway establishment Tasmania. The power development has recently A pre-conference tour is described elsewhere at Sheffield. Delegates were able to experience been re-opened with its original machines, in the Newsletter, with the other major steam travel along the RCTR’s rail line as new wood-stave pipelines and automated organised excursion being a trip to well as observe Marshall and McLaren steam control systems. traction engines in action. There was also Glenorchy for an inspection of the an announcement that Chris Martin, the The trip back to Hobart was via the Lyell Tasmanian Transport Museum and to President of RCTR, was to receive the 2011 John Highway, which follows the Derwent River witness a Heritage Recognition Ceremony Monash Medal for his personal contribution with its six hydro power developments, at which the Governor of Tasmania and to the conservation of engineering heritage construction of which commenced during the the Immediate Past President of Engineers (formal presentation later in Canberra). late 1930s and was completed in the 1960s. A Australia unveiled an Engineering brief stop was made at the Tarraleah Lookout, Heritage Marker and Interpretation Panel which provides a view of the Tarraleah and for the Museum (also described separately Tungatinah power stations. in this Newsletter). Thanks to those individuals on the tour who Overall the conference was deemed to be provided historical and specific technical information for this article: Bill Jordan on an outstanding success. The wide variety of bridges, Peter Stevenson on dolerite, Robert session and paper topics attracted special Vincent on Robert Sticht’s office, Bruce Cole praise, and the Government House on hydro power developments, and Brian reception proved to be a special highlight. George (our coach driver) on general points of interest. Bruce Cole Bram Knoop ABT Railway: stop to take on more water Engineering Heritage Australia - Edition No. 26- October 2012 - Page 2 Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 Callington Flour Mill at LOST IN SPACE? BIOGRAPHY ACROSS THE HEMISPHERES Oatlands Restored Yean water supply, Binnie had limited success have less Australian and New Zealand entries in tracking the career of Matthew Jackson, because antipodean careers were the province designer of the dam and water works, based of local engineering historians, even though on Blackburn’s proposal. Continuing the many leading engineers were ICE members. water supply theme, Mike outlined the careers of Dobson and Gordon who pooled their Conclusion: Mike concluded by saying that experience in building Lower Stony Creek a profession with no history is no profession Dam (1875) in mass concrete at Geelong. at all. If engineers could point to a bridge and only explain its design, without relating that Changing criteria for inclusion: For the first volume, 1500-1830, inclusion could be to the people who conceived and built it, how justified for involvement with a major work, could they expect the public to appreciate usually in the UK. However, for the proposed the work of the individuals who made up the second volume, 1830-1890, a different scale profession? The ICE building is full of names of activity had to be considered as British on stones, and portraits of gloomy old men. projects took place all around the globe, If we cannot tell their stories, the building is although many engineers returned to the UK. a mausoleum, not a celebration of life and The third volume, 1890-1920, was likely to progress.

MOBILE APPS for Heritage Whether you use mobile applications (apps) or not, you could not help but be inspired by the paper presented by Daniel Woo, Design and User Experience Engineer, University of New South Wales, on his work producing engaging stories which visitors walking to heritage sites can view and hear on their mobile devices. bevel gears, the sails drive a vertical shaft down the centre of the tower, and that shaft rotates the upper grinding His Digimacq project aims to bring heritage to arrival at a heritage site, the visitor had to key stone into which the grain is fed. An life and to engage a younger generation. From in three icons displayed on a sign to receive electrically-powered “Hurst Mill” maintains a whole range of possible sites and interesting a clue which enabled them to play the main production during periods of low winds. stories, the connecting theme of people story for that site. In late 2010, two trained millers living in Parramatta at the time of Governor recommenced operations using locally- Lachlan Macquarie was chosen for six sites, Daniel went on to describe what can be grown millable-quality grain. The mill has and the project was completed in time for the achieved using next generation devices such as achieved the production quality expectations, Lachlan Macquarie bicentennial in 2010. It was tablets. The UNSW Green Trail is a project to is accredited as an organic food processor, not focussed on merely delivering historical highlight examples of native Australian bush and will be able to produce in excess of the tucker plants that can be found on campus. volumes identified in the initial feasibility. facts, rather it looked to tell great stories. The mill operation has an association with Creative character development is not generally Being outdoors, the GPS location sensor a baker to ensure the ongoing quality of the an engineer’s forte, so it was necessary for and compass were used to determine the product. collaborative teams to be put together in order user’s location and orientation. Using this

deliver engaging outcomes. information, the app presents information Guided groups kitted out in the visitors about relevant plants within the field of view. centre are able climb up the tower to follow the whole fascinating operation. They see Digimacq was designed to run on iPhones the millers in action, constantly dashing up & iPods on loan to the visitor from the For the Powerhouse Museum, a web service and down their own stairs to make minor Paramatta Council. The overall parameters is used to search for items in the collections adjustments. were to limit the tour to one hour and each database. Finally, digital books (or “ePubs”) are gaining popularity in the market place Throughout the project the steering story to 2 minutes. The final result produced committee has held solidly to the view that a series of stories that had direct connection to as both the readers mature and the on-line authenticity was essential. Restoration of the actual places on the walking tour told by availability and purchase experience improves. the mill and associated buildings on the site several characters that lived at that time, using This means that heritage content could be (granary, stables, mill owners house and high quality video and audio. For navigation distributed to the mobile masses using the millers cottage) provides visitors with a latest technologies. unique example of a colonial industrial between sites, the screen displayed progressive site during a foundation period of Australia. street scenes and an animated map. On

Engineering Heritage Australia - Edition No. 26- October 2012 - Page 3 MURTOA STICK SHED - New Life for a Wheatbelt Cathedral

Martin Zweep, Conservation Officer from The majority of the causes of deterioration were Heritage Victoria, presented a paper on associated with rot of the poles supporting the the spectacular Murtoa Stick Shed dealing roof where they were buried in the ground. In primarily with recent conservation work. addition there was significant termite damage, particularly to the unmilled poles and borer The Murtoa Grain Store is the earliest and only damage to some timber members. This dam- remaining of three large sheds of this type built aged resulted in many structural failures and, in Victoria. By the outbreak of World War aided by the wind on the exposed site, there Two there was a worldwide glut of wheat, and was considerable loss of roof sheeting. Australia had a massive surplus which it was unable to export. The storage deficit had A repair strategy was developed, aided by become an emergency by 1941 as Britain reference to the Burra Charter but limited by obtained its imports from North America, the funding available. This work consisted rather than over the lengthy and difficult primarily of stabilisation of the structure shipping route from Australia. followed by repair of damaged or missing components. Damaged poles were either The shed is 280 m long, 60 m wide and 19 m replaced by steel poles or strengthened by high at the ridge with a capacity of 3.4 million adding bow trusses. All poles which had not bushels (124,000 m3). The hipped corrugated already been repaired were given new bases. iron roof is supported on 560 unmilled hard- The steel rod bracing was tightened and wood poles set in a concrete slab floor and augmented. The upper timber work (rafters, braced with iron tie rods. purlins, etc) was repaired and the roof sheeting was patched where collapse had occurred. It is considered the largest timber framed shed in Australia and has high heritage significance. That the building has been successfully The building had been unused since 1989 repaired puts it in a better position to attract and was progressively deteriorating while new uses under new management, as any new a new use was being sought. In early 2009 management body does not have to contend the Heritage Council of Victoria funded with the repair of the building prior to use. conservation works with an initial budget of The cathedral-like interior of the $1.2 million to repair the building. Murtoa Stick Shed.

TASMANIAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM Heritage Recognition

On Tuesday 15 November 2011, the The collection continues to grow and represents various forms of transportation and associated Tasmanian Transport Museum in systems from previous eras. Significant exhibits include the: Glenorchy was recognised by Engineers Australia for its collection of transport • only Australian-built Steam Locomotive preserved in Tasmania items that have engineering heritage • first Main Line Diesel Electric Locomotive operated in Australia significance. • only Hobart Electric Tram preserved in original operating condition • only Tasmanian Trolley Buses in original operating condition The formal ceremony included an address • first production bus to be built with a Hino chassis in Australia from His Excellency the Honourable Peter • only original Vertical Boiler Locomotive preserved in Australia Underwood AC, Governor of Tasmania. • oldest preserved Tasmanian railway carriage The ceremony was performed at the • oldest surviving Tasmanian Railway Station building museum and was attended by 160 dignitaries and guests including delegates His Excellency and guests were treated to train rides featuring Tasmania’s oldest railway carriage, to the 16th Engineering Heritage Australia built in 1869, and the 1902 built steam locomotive, C22. The Tasmanian Fire Services Museum Conference held in Hobart. also shares the site and were on hand with an impressive display of early Tasmanian fire fighting appliances. With the imminent closure of Hobart’s Ben Johnston electric tramway system in June 1962, the Unveiling the Heritage Marker and Interpretation Panel are (l-r) Metropolitan Transport Trust agreed to His Excellency the Honourable Peter Underwood AC, Governor of Tasmania, donate tram No. 141 for preservation and Professor Doug Hargreaves, Immediate Past President of Engineers Australia, thus the collection of Tasmania’s transport and Philip Lange, President of the Tasmanian Transport Museum Society. heritage began with the formation of Photo: Stuart Dix the Tasmanian Transport Museum Society. In 1972 the Glenorchy City Council leased Tasmanian Transport Museum Society Life Member, Graham Clements the current site to the Society, conveniently addresses the crowd during the heritage recognition ceremony. beside the main north-south railway, and Photo: Stuart Dix the Museum officially opened in 1983. Tasmanian Transport Museum

Engineering Heritage Australia - Edition No. 26- October 2012 - Page 4 GETTING IT RIGHT at Heritage Sites

Keith Baker presented a paper entitled The paper addressed a number of these areas, including: “Getting it Right at Heritage Sites” at the • providing appropriate conservation expertise where needed; conference, where he set out opportunities • contributing to the balance of views on significance; for greater engineering involvement in • helping to protect places at risk; heritage conservation, with examples where • engaging in adaptive reuse; engineering input is absent, mis-directed or • interpreting the original function and process, not just the shell; undervalued. He made suggestions as to the • taking care of building services sensitively; stronger role engineers could play. • nominating significant engineering and industrial works for national recognition; and • engaging in the development and review of conservation codes. Opportunities sometimes present themselves for engineers when there is a structural failure The paper argued that if engineers are to claim a stronger role in heritage conservation, they or a requirement for a statutory assessment, must be prepared to back this up with skills development, community education and the use but lack of sympathy for heritage can of professional influence where needed with decision makers. The heritage engineer firstly sometimes result in an easy condemnation of needs to have the knowledge and experience of an engineer in their chosen field of practice, the structure rather than a more considered to overlay this with an understanding of general conservation principles and conventions, and preservation approach. But there are wider to couple this with an understanding of the materials and processes used in their profession avenues for engineering involvement when in the past. engineers are more proactive in the heritage conservation field. Engineering Heritage Australia has taken steps to recognise Heritage as a discipline, and the need to provide training for registration as a heritage engineer. The National Engineering The built heritage conservation profession is Registration Board now recognises Heritage and Conservation Engineering as a specific area strongly represented by architects, historians of practice in the National Professional Engineers Register. and archaeologists, with some materials specialists and a few engineers, lawyers Several conservation organisations are open to engineers on a voluntary basis, as well as and other professionals. It is rightly multi- some specialist salaried positions. But given the extent of engineering and industrial works disciplinary, but engineers tend to be that have contributed to our society, engineers are generally under-represented in the bodies involved in structural assessments and repairs, that make decisions about our heritage, and those that develop and implement the codes of more than in areas across the board where practice or promote built heritage conservation. While recognising the centrality of place to they also have useful expertise. The paper did significance in the Burra Charter, engineers need to make it known that for the appreciation not suggest that all engineers are insensitive to of engineering heritage works, function is often more important than place. conservation issues, but argued that engineers are able to contribute more than they are often Engineering Heritage Australia is moving with current best practice and is open to change. asked to do. The organisation is keen to engage with the public in broadening their understanding of engineering, and to get it right at heritage sites.

How do you provide an authentic heritage experience?

GIT-Restored Traction Engine GIT – Unrestored Traction Engine

Engineering Heritage Australia - Edition No. 26- October 2012 - Page 5 HOBART’S FLOATING BRIDGE, 1943-1964

on the eastern shore. The PWD designed the bridge, assisted by David Isaacs from Melbourne. Foundation investigations and detailed designs took two years. The construction contract was let to the Timms Bridge Construction Pty Ltd and work began in April 1938. The contractor had difficulty excavating the foundation for the river-side lift-span tower where sound rock was 10 metres lower than expected, and he eventually withdrew, leaving the Hobart Bridge Company to carry on. The two-lane floating arch consisted of 24 reinforced concrete pontoons launched individually and joined into two 480 m long half arches. Hinges at each abutment allowed for the rise and fall of the Bruce Cole from Engineering Heritage Tasmania presented a tide, and there were three vertical swivel pins, one at each abutment paper on the first road bridge across the Derwent River at Hobart. and one to join the two half arches at mid-river. The wide and deep Derwent Estuary formed a natural barrier Installing the arch segments bridge across the river was a major between Hobart on the western shore and the growing logistical operation, using a motley flotilla of local vessels as no tugs were settlements and farms to the east. Crossings depended on passenger available. The bridge was virtually complete when, on 4th December 1943, and vehicular ferries but there was a growing need for easier a ferocious storm occurred. Parapet panels along the sides were smashed access. Many different designs for bridging the estuary had been and undulations were observed along the roadway as the bridge rode the suggested and abandoned over the years. At last in 1936 Alan waves. At the western end, four of the ten bolts attaching one hinge to the Knight, Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), pontoon snapped. (Those bolts were found to be made of wrought iron proposed a floating concrete bridge with a lift span for shipping instead of mild steel.) However the bridge survived and was opened on as a feasible and affordable solution. He realised that a horizontal schedule on 24 December 1943. The bridge was insured as a ship and, three-pinned arch securely attached to each abutment would not require after the storm, the insurers paid out $250,000 under the terms of the mid-stream anchors like straight bridges, after tests showed that anchors policy. were unlikely to hold in the soft mud of the river bed. After 21 years of service, the two-lane floating bridge was removed when The Hobart Bridge Company obtained Government approval its high level four-lane replacement immediately downstream opened in and financed the project, hoping to profit from land appreciation 1964.

ANCIENT & MEDIEVAL ARTILLERY This entertaining paper was presented by horse hair, human hair or sinew to power asymmetrically supporting a long beam, with Tasmanian Consulting Engineer Jim Gandy, catapults. The weapon was cocked by working a heavy counterweight on the short end and a who has made an in-depth study of a winch set on the back end of the missile sling for the missile on the other. It is cocked historical records of ancient and medieval track. They could be configured to throw either by the crew raising the counterweight using an artillery. He has established the performance arrows or balls. arrangement of pulleys and winches. When of three different types of artillery by triggered, the counterweight drops, the arms mathematical analysis, by model testing and Accounts of engines pinning men to trees or swings over and the sling flicks the missile by building replicas. walls with spears hurled from way outside bow overarm like an onager. range refer to ballistae. To do this a ballista Long before gunpowder, artillery existed would have to throw an arrow of about 0.5kg at To be capable of breaching a medieval castle in the form of war engines that harnessed least 150 m on a fairly flat trajectory. with stone walls some metres thick, while sited the muscle power of their crews. There are outside bow range, a trebuchet would have had stories in the ancient texts of engines The Onager is powered to be able to throw missiles of about 50 kg at that could pin men to walls with spears, by a tightly-twisted least 200 m uphill - the equivalent of about smash castle walls with huge stones or hurl skein strung between 300 m on the flat. plague-ridden corpses over the walls of the two side frames and holding the firing arm Analysis of performance: Assuming that all the besieged towns. But not one these engines at midspan. The engine is cocked by pulling the stored energy was transferred to the missile, has survived intact. The historical descrip- arm down. When released, the skein swings the author arrived at the upper bound of tions or illustrations are usually drawn by men the arm up and the sling flicks the missile in an performance of these machines, i.e. the with no engineering training and are often overarm action. maximum ranges for various missile masses if difficult to interpret. The only hard evidence the machines were 100% efficient. we have is a few fragments of mechanisms and As it was imperative that artillery outrange a lot of abandoned ammunition. bowmen, it must be the case that ancient Models: The author designed and built a catapults could throw at least 18 kg stones at number of models to find out the key The first type of least 200 m. parameters which affected the performance, mechanical artillery, the The Trebochet was most and how these parameters changed if the Ballista, was invented likely invented in China whole machine was scaled up to a larger size. by the Greeks about about 1000 AD, but in very In the presentation, videos of tests on these and 350 BC in the form short time they were to be other models were highly entertaining, of a large crossbow on a stand, but with the found all over Europe as with a toilet bowl, a TV and a grand piano bow arms powered by torsion skeins, not well. Powered by gravity hurled considerable distances, disintegrating by bending. The ancient engineers used it comprises a frame spectacularly on impact.

Engineering Heritage Australia - Edition No. 26- October 2012 - Page 6 PROTECTING AUSTRALIA’S OLDEST BRIDGE Managing motor vehicles on a horse and cart design

The paper Vibration Monitoring as a The traditional conservation approach is to Vibration levels were set by reference to Management Tool for Masonry Bridges by repair an item after it is damaged. ground vibrations from blasting with the Tasmanian Consulting Engineer, Peter Spratt German standard DIN 4150 chosen as being presents a new and innovative technique The vibration technique described in the paper the most appropriate. The test involved the for the protection of the six span sandstone carries heritage conservation to a new level temporary installation of both vertical and masonry arch bridge at Richmond in Tasmania. enabling action before damage occurs. horizontal vibration sensors with sensors located at the midspan of each arch on both The author was involved in the preparation of a sides of the bridge. The results were consistent Conservation Management Plan for the bridge over the test range of vehicles with multiple and made the recommendation to the bridge testing of particular vehicles. They showed that the vertical vibrations are the most important authority to trial vibration testing as a possible and that sensors need only be mounted on technique for obtaining an automatic advance one side of the bridge. None of the measured warning of structural problems. The authority vibrations at the loads and speed limit currently accepted the recommendation. set exceeded the adopted vibration damage limits. The paper describes the bridge construction background and the vibration monitoring test The usefulness of the technique is the ability The 1823 bridge was designed and constructed used to determine whether the technique was to pick up vibrations which can damage the for horse and cart transport. applicable to a masonry structure of doubtful bridge before damage occurs. The monitoring continuity. gives advance warning of a problem enabling 189 years later it is still in use on a major road action. and carries a range of motor vehicles and loads The results demonstrated beyond doubt the never envisaged by the people who designed usefulness of the proposal. Information subsequent to the Paper is that a and built it. permanent monitoring system with an alarm Tests were done using different vehicles at vibration trigger level with linked camera and The bridge is cracked both longitudinally varying speeds and showed the most sensitive automatic recording has been installed. The and laterally and has a history of foundation arch in the bridge, the vehicle giving most sensors are located at arch midspans below movements of its piers. vibration, the effect of speed and the effect surface level on the upstream gravel footpath of a pavement failure. It also verified that and the only visible parts of the installation are The bridge has both an arbitrary load and speed the arbitrary limits on load and speed are a steel pole set clear of the bridge containing limit, and management techniques include the appropriate. The most sensitive arch identified the small control cabinet with its landline data periodic monitoring of crack movements, of by the vibration agreed with previous structural transmission equipment, and a camera linked which there is no recent evidence. analysis. to the preset alarm activated by sensor reading.

THE ENGINEERING OF BUDJ BIM and the evolution of a societal structure in Aboriginal Australia

This paper by Bill Jordan difference in the Budj Bim landscape was of between two and sixteen houses were explains why the aquaculture that channels were excavated and races were common along the Tyrendarra lava flow and works constructed by the constructed above the natural surface, to direct early European accounts of Gunditjmara Gunditjmara clans more than the flow to the fish trapping structures, and describe how they were ruled by hereditary dams were built as holding ponds to keep the chiefs (Wettenhall, 2010). 6000 years ago are recognised as eels fresh and ready to be harvested. significant engineering works. Not only did the settlement enjoy a permanent In the Lake Condah area, five different systems food supply for the three Gunditjmara clans, The works are located in south-west Victoria were built to operate at widely different lake the eels and other fish were smoked for storage north-east of Portland, where the lava flows levels. and trading in the language group meetings of from Budj Bim (Mt Eccles) changed the up to 1000 people, held to organise marriages, topography between Mt Eccles and Bass Strait. The secondary fishery was off Darlot Creek, settle disputes, dance at corroborees and play The new watercourses and wetlands were soon near Tyrendarra, where a single system of sport (Wettenhall, 2010). populated with a number of fish species and, channels with weirs and traps was constructed The transition from a hunter-gatherer to a in particular, became a migratory and breeding “off–creek”, partly with diverted water. The settled lifestyle changed the societal and ground for Short-finned Eels, Anguilla eel traps were woven funnel–shaped baskets governance structures of the communities australis. The changes made conditions suitable which were either placed singly in a stone weir concerned. The different form of society of for the harvesting of eels and the establishment or, in wider channels, multiple baskets were the people of Budj Bim was not appreciated of permanent settlement, in stark contrast to placed in a woven timber “fence”. by most European settlers and governments, the normal nomadic hunter-gatherer existence but continuing “discovery” and recognition of Aboriginal occupation. The Gunditjmara clans used the conveniently is now taking place, so allowing modern sized basalt blocks to build permanent Australians to appreciate better this aspect of Aboriginal fish–trapping sites are known in dwellings in which they lived year round. A their country’s history. many parts of Australia, particularly in NSW sketch of a pre-contact ‘village’ made about inland rivers and coastal Queensland. These 1840 (Wettenhall, 2010) shows details of what Two of the Budj Bim sites are on the Australian sites are generally within existing river or was described as a group of 20 – 30 bee-hive Heritage List, and the works were recognised as tidal flows and little needed to be done except domed shaped houses. Recent archaeological an Engineering Heritage National Landmark to create structures, using available stones and and architectural studies have reconstructed by the Institution of Engineers Australia in boulders, in which to set fish traps. The major interconnecting stone–based houses. Groups October 2011.

Engineering Heritage Australia - Edition No. 26- October 2012 - Page 7 SUBMARINES in Australia Owen Peake presented a paper on the history of submarines in Australia operations from these ports destroyed large tonnages of Japanese and the conservation of submarine-related engineering heritage in shipping, seriously depleting the Japanese war effort. Australia to the 16th Engineering Heritage Australia Conference in Hobart in November 2011. The acquisition of the competent British-designed and built Oberon Class submarines during the 1960s placed the Royal Australian Navy in The history of submarines in Australia has been characterised by a strong position and these boats were significantly refined during their indecision about the use of submarines by the Royal Australian Navy; service lives. The Oberons were replaced by the ambitious, controversial lack of a submarine capability during the critical years of World War II and successful Collins Class boats, built in Australia, which remain in and the emergence of a well refined submarine service from the 1960s service today. onward. Conservation of submarines in Australia has had some notable The start was promising with the acquisition of two competent British successes. All, or parts, of Australia’s six Oberon Class boats are boats (AE1 and AE2) just prior to World War I. AE1 was lost with all conserved, including HMAS Onslow at the National Maritime Museum, hands in New Guinea waters at the very beginning of World War I in Sydney and HMAS Ovens at the Western Australian Maritime mysterious circumstances and the wreck has never been found. Museum, Fremantle. Visitors to both museums can experience guided tours of the internal spaces of the boats. The Western Australian AE2 was then placed under Royal Navy control and was in the Maritime Museum also has an exhibit showcasing the story of the Mediterranean prior to the Gallipoli Landings. She was the first submarine operations from the Port of Fremantle during World War Allied submarine to successfully navigate through the treacherous II. These are world class museum exhibits. Conservation of the Collins and well-defended confines of the Dardanelles and reached the Sea of Class boats, after they retire, represents a future challenge for the Marmara just as the landings were commenced at Gallipoli on 25 April engineering heritage and submariner communities. 2015. She caused panic amongst the Turkish naval forces and local fishermen, seriously disrupting sea transport of supplies to the troops defending the Gallipoli Peninsula. After several days of disrupting Turkish shipping she was damaged by gunfire from a Turkish patrol boat and was scuttled by her crew, all of whom were taken prisoner by the gunboat and spent the remainder of the war as Turkish Prisoners of War. The wreck was found in 1998 and is recognised as a significant site by both Turkey and Australia.

Australia entered World War II without a submarine service although large scale operations by submarines of several Allied nations occurred from Australian ports during this period. Fremantle was the principal submarine port in the region with American, British and Dutch submarines operating out of the port against the Japanese. Brisbane was also used as a submarine base, primarily by the US Navy. Submarine The business end - forward torpedo room of HMAS Onslow

Steam Tug Wattle - a restoration story Anthony Mansfield presented a paper titled Australia. She was also built at the cusp of Modern materials and repair methods have the “To Repair or Restore the steam tug Wattle”. another major change in ship building with advantage of speeding up the work and have parts of her original structure being welded now been adopted in areas of the ship where The steam tug Wattle was built at the and parts riveted. this work is not highly visible. This method has Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney as an the further advantage of speeding up progress apprentice project during the Great Depression Finding funding and physical resources for for the satisfaction of the volunteer workforce and was launched in 1933. On completion she the restoration of Wattle was difficult and who are retired and aging and are concerned to was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy took considerable time. Fortunately, in 2007 see the Wattle back in the water while they are and served the navy around Sydney Harbour arrangements were made with the steam rail still around to see it. until she retired in 1969. Wattle was then used enthusiast group Sorrento Steam to fund and for tourist cruises around the harbour by the manage the project. A site was acquired as a When the work is completed it is hoped that Wattle Syndicate until 1976 when she was laid temporary shipyard, on the Yarra River bank Wattle will be fit for another eighty years of up and was later acquired by the Victorian under the Bolte Bridge, and the Wattle was work. Steamship Association who had her towed to lifted out of the water and set on keel blocks Melbourne in 1979. After a refit Wattle was in October 2009 so that work on restoration returned to tourist cruise duty around Port could commence. This work has proceeded Philip Bay in 1984. In 2003 Wattle was refused since then and it is expected to reach the point survey due to the condition of her hull. where the ship can be refloated in 2013.

Wattle is a small tug, 24.76 m long with a beam Along the way detailed inspection has revealed of 5.33 m and a gross tonnage of 99.8 tons. further “emergent work” which needs to be She is powered by a compound steam engine attended to. Also the group has had a difficult of 287 indicated horsepower giving the ship debate centred on carrying out the repairs a speed of 10.8 knots at 132 revolutions per using either traditional materials and methods Steam tug Wattle at Garden Island, Sydney in minute. The ship was built, and remains, oil- (as used at the time of original construction) or 1939 while in navy service. fired. She was the first oil-fired steam tug in using modern materials and repair methods. Source: NSW Public Records Office.

This newsletter is published by Engineering Heritage Australia, a Special Interest Group of Engineers Australia. Please contact us on (02) 6270 6530 or visit our website at www.engineeringheritage.com.au. Editor Bill Jordan, assistant editor Lyndon Tilbrook. Contributions for the next edition gratefully accepted - email: [email protected] Engineering Heritage Australia - Edition No. 26- October 2012 - Page 8