This is the last remaining structure left of the Deepwater Jetty in Albany. The original timbers were supplied by M.C. Davies of Hamelin and required 7 shiploads. The structure was made from the best quality karri.
Inscription :
The Deepwater Jetty
In June 1884 Mr A Horden representing Western
Australian Land Company was awarded a contract by
the Western Australian Colonial Government to Build
the jetty and a railway connecting Albany to Perth.
Construction of the jetty began on the 29th March 1888
and it was opened on the 15th December 1888.
The jetty was 549m long and 6.71m wide for the first
335.5m and 12.81m wide for the remaining 213.5m.
The railway began on the jetty and allowed ships
to discharge cargos and passengers directly onto the
steam train for Perth. It was an important harbour facility
when Albany was Western Australia’s principal
international port.
In 1915 a 306.22m arm was added to the west side.
In 1972 the original arm and head was demolished.
The west arm was demolished in 1993.
Trivia About Deepwater Jetty: The deepwater Jetty was notorious for people coming to untimely ends. In most cases it was misadventure or drunk behaviour.
In May 1898 a sailmaker from the barque Carlisle Leslie tumbled off the jetty at night and drowned.
In July 1898 a carpenter from the steamer Cornwall drowned after attempting to retrieve the cook’s pajamas that had fallen off the deck.
In 1899 August Hagland fell off the jetty while attempting to board the barque Lir and perished.
In 1903 and elderly man and his wife were returning to their ship when he got hit and killed by a cargo train operating on the jetty. They had just sent a telegram to their family in Melbourne informing them of their return from an around the world tour.
In 1906 the director of police, Inspector Connor met a tragic end at the jetty. Connor was fishing with his 9-year-old son and nephew when his son accidentally fell off the jetty into the water. When Connor leaned over to see if he was OK, he also fell in. Despite grabbing hold of a dangling rope he had a massive heart attack due in part to the shock being in the cold water.
In 1909 a drunk passenger on the steamer Runic fell from the jetty and drowned.
In 1939 a 7ft grey nurse shark tried to attack a man who had his feet dangling in the water on the landing of the jetty. He lived to tell the tale.
In 1950 an 18-ton crane being used during construction work fell off the jetty narrowingly missing workmen and a diver.