NAVAL WORKSHOP, TOWNSVILLE

The Naval Workshop and adjoining Naval Depot, HMAS Magnetic, was built on reclaimed land (Reserves 166 and 306 owned by the Townsville Harbour Board THB) at the junction of the Strand with the western Breakwater, near the Harbour Board's mechanical workshop. It was used to overhaul naval vessels, particularly corvettes. The Naval repair staff were under the command of Lieutenant Commander "Jock" Webster.

The Naval Workshop was built by the Allied Works Council at a cost of £13,000. Plans were submitted to the THB before construction had commenced and general arrangements were made to suit the THB's requirements. It was originally suggested that the building be built adjacent to the slipway (perhaps David's Foundry Slipway mentioned above?), but it was pointed out that most repair work was done off the slip and therefore the provision of a workshop adjacent to the slipway would not be essential. THB went on to indicate that if the building was located at a convenient site for the THB's operations, then the THB would be prepared to take over the building at the conclusion of the Navy's requirements for the building. The Townsville Harbour Board took over the Naval Workshop buildings after they were vacated by the Navy. 

The Chief Engineer of the THB, Mr. H. G. Jenkinson, valued the building at £6,000 in about January/February 1946. Mr. H. G. Jenkinson reported in early February 1946 that the THB had communicated with the Naval Department in Melbourne about taking over the building but no acknowledgement had been received.

The site of the former Townsville Harbour Board building was located where the Magnetic Island Ferry Terminal is today. The Townsville Harbour Board building was knocked down in the late 1980s when Hayle's Ferry Terminal was relocated from Flinders Street East.

Naval Workshop after the war used by the Townsville Harbour Board.

The Naval Workshop was on the upstream side of the RAAF Marine Section buildings (6 TMO)

The Townsville Harbour Board building, ex Naval Workshop, can be seen at the left in the 1960s

The Naval Workshop and Depot are located at the bottom left of this photograph

The Defence of Townsville Harbour

"Z" Force Commandos Raid Townsville Harbour

REFERENCE

"The History of Townsville Harbour 1864 - 1979"
By H.J. Taylor

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"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 21 October 2000

This page last updated 25 June 2024