State Dockyard, Newcastle, New South Wales
Encyclopedia
The State Dockyard at Dykes Point, Newcastle
was built by the New South Wales Government
from 1938 until 1941 and opened in 1942 during World War II
. The dockyard was constructed using much of the plant and buildings from the former Walsh Island Dockyard and Engineering Works which had ceased operations in 1933. The dockyard launched its first vessel in July 1943. By 1945 it had built two vessels for the Royal Australian Navy
and twenty-two vessels for the United States and had repaired six hundred ships. The dockyard closed in 1987.
A 15,000 ton Floating Dock was located at Dyke Point in 1943 to repair damaged ships during World War II. The floating dock was scrapped in 1977.
In 2010, the southern roof of the former dockyard buildings still shows the faded, painted title "STATE DOCKYARD" when viewed from above. 32.92261°N 151.77512°W
built in 1963 for the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service which is now a museum ship
at Balls Head Bay
, Waverton
. the MV Freshwater and for the Manly-Circular Quay run and the a former Sydney Harbour ferry which is now a cruise boat in Melbourne.
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
was built by the New South Wales Government
Government of New South Wales
The form of the Government of New South Wales is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1856, although it has been amended many times since then...
from 1938 until 1941 and opened in 1942 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The dockyard was constructed using much of the plant and buildings from the former Walsh Island Dockyard and Engineering Works which had ceased operations in 1933. The dockyard launched its first vessel in July 1943. By 1945 it had built two vessels for the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
and twenty-two vessels for the United States and had repaired six hundred ships. The dockyard closed in 1987.
A 15,000 ton Floating Dock was located at Dyke Point in 1943 to repair damaged ships during World War II. The floating dock was scrapped in 1977.
After closure
As of 2009, the dockyard is proposed to be reutilised by Azzura Marine into a superyacht and large custom vessel construction facility.In 2010, the southern roof of the former dockyard buildings still shows the faded, painted title "STATE DOCKYARD" when viewed from above. 32.92261°N 151.77512°W
Surviving ships
As of 2011 the surviving State Dockyard built ships are the a lighthouse tenderLighthouse tender
A lighthouse tender is a ship specifically designed to maintain, support, or tend to lighthouses, or lightvessels, providing supplies, fuel, mail and transportation....
built in 1963 for the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service which is now a museum ship
Museum ship
A museum ship, or sometimes memorial ship, is a ship that has been preserved and converted into a museum open to the public, for educational or memorial purposes...
at Balls Head Bay
Balls Head Bay
Balls Head Bay is a bay located to the east of the Waverton Peninsula and the west of Berry Island, on the north of Sydney Harbour.Previously known as Oyster Bay, Sugarworks Bay and previously Kerosene Bay. is located within the bay....
, Waverton
Waverton
Waverton is any of the following places:*Waverton, Cheshire, a civil parish in Cheshire, England.*Waverton, Cumbria, a civil parish in Cumbria, England.*Waverton, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia....
. the MV Freshwater and for the Manly-Circular Quay run and the a former Sydney Harbour ferry which is now a cruise boat in Melbourne.