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THE HYDRAULIC HOISTS, REMAINS OF THE HYDRAULIC LIFT SYSTEM AND ELECTRIC LIFT SYSTEM IN BUILDING 89 GARDEN ISLAND DOCKYARD

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A REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & CONSTRUCTION

GODDEN & ASSOCIATES

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CONTENTS

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5.0 .1 .2 .3 .4

6.0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 .10

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THE HYDRAULIC HOISTS. REMAINS OF THE HYDRAULIC LIFT SYSTEM AND ELECIRIC LIFT

SYSTEM IN BUILDING 89. GARDEN ISLAND DOCKYARD

INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY

DRAFT

BRIEF

HISTORIC OVERVIEW Introduction Building 89 The Hydraulic Equipment Changes to the Building and Equipment

THE HYDRAULIC HOiiT SYSTEM IN 1985 Introduction Power Plant The Accumulator The Pump Motor The Gearbox The Hydraulic Pressure Pump The Reservoir Hydraulic Rams Mains Distribution Pipes Remains of original 3 Ton Lifts

THE ELECTRIC 2 TON SYSTEM IN 1985 General Description Lift Motors and Control Equipment

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Hydraulic Hoist System The Electric Lift System

RECOMMENDATIONS The Hydraulic Hoist System The Electric Lift System

PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD

RESEARCH Libraries Archives Companies and Firms Architects Garden Island Dockyard Department of Housing and Construction Department of Defence - Navy Office Others Documentary Evidence Plans and Drawings

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1.0 INTRQDUCJION

Scope This report concerns only the hydraulic hoist system, the remains of the hydraulic lift system and the electric lift system contained within building 89. It does not cover any of the cranes, loading aprons, or other external equipment associated with the hoist system. .

2.0 METHODOLOGY , The work was carried out in accordance with the guidelines set out in The Conservation Plan, by Jim Kerr, published by the National Trust of Australia CNSW) 1982.

3.0 DRAFT A draft of this report was submitted to the Department of Housing and Construction for comment on August 6, 1984.

Consultant Brief for investigation of historic background and contents of Building 89, HMA Naval Dockyard, Garden Island

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4.0 BRIEF

.1 To investfgate and report on the history and condition of al 1 equipment, artifacts and structures contained within Building 89 on Garden Island, Sydney in elaboration of report prepared by Gordon Forbes Smith (May 1985) •

• 2 To recommend what wou 1 d constitute a photographic record of all equipment, artifacts and structures contained within Building 89 and to take any necessary photographs as agreed with the Department •

• 3 To write a statement of significance of all such equipment and to propose a series of recommendations detailing how this equipment should be treated in any future re-use of the building. Where the projected re-use

·and the recommendations for treatment are at variance, then Godden and Associates will supply a range of options •

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5.0 HISTORIC OVERVIEW

.1 Introduction At the end of the nineteenth century, before electric motors were perfected, the principal sources of power for industry and commerce were steam and hydraulic pressur& A public system of high pressure hydraulic power was introduced to Sydney in 1891. Before that, however, several private systems were operating hoists and lifts.

The Sydney Hydraulic Power Supply Co commenced reticulation of high pressure water power from the Pier St Ultimo pumping station in January 1891. By June 1894 over two hundred machines, mainly whips (or hoists) and 1 ifts, were being supplied and this number grew steadily until after the first world war. In 1894 there were 18 km of mains. One main ran from Pier St down Sussex St to Millers Point, while others ran along Market St and then down George St and Pitt St.

There were direct acting passenger lifts in the Austra 1 i a Hotel, the Government Lands and Works Offices, the Mutual Life Association and the old Anthony Hardens and Sons building. Many smaller buildings had goods lifts or passenger lifts powered by hydraulic rams, many more had internal and exte rna 1 hoists, wh i 1 e many of the woo 1 dumps of Walsh Bay and Pyrmont were connected to the system.

With the gradual expansion of services two booster stations were added to the system, one at Cowper Wharf Road Wool loomooloo and one at Pyrmont. The hydraulic system was not as versatile, economic nor as convenient as electric power and the Company gradually 1 ost customers from the 1930s on. The Pier St pumping station was finally closed in 1975. Some of the buildings which were stil 1 connected to the service at that time chose to install individual electric hydraulic pumps to power their lifts and hoists rather than change to a completely new all electric system. However these systems now use oi 1 as the hydraulic fluid and do not have accumulators. In July 1985 there were only a few of these connected systems still in ope rat ion.

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T. Dickinson, Notes on Hydraulic Power Supply !.n_.S.xjj_n~x, 1oth May, 18 9 4, Proceedings 9, The Eng1neer1 Association of N.s.w., 1893-94.

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There are still several relics remaining ·from the hydraulic power company. The Pier

St pumping station building survives without any of its machinery. Pa rbu rys 01 d Bond Store in Windmill St, The Rocks, has three direct acting 1 ifts in situ, while Oswalds Bond in K~nt St has four external hydraulic goods lifts, of advanced design, and one external hydraulic hoist. Other buildings such as Moors Bond, at Walsh Bay, and the Metcalfe Bond at Circular Quay have the external hydraulic ram and hoist apparatus affixed to their facade, but rather as decoration.

There are still several operating hydraulic systems in Sydney but all have industrial rather than commercial or service uses • • Cockatoo Island has a high pressure Ruwalt triplex pump supplying an accumulator situated in the rna in workshop. ,The SRA has two accumulators which supply power to several machines in the carriage workshops and the locomotive workshops at Eveleigh workshops. At Walsh Bay, wharves 8 and 9, there is a large duplex pump driven by a 65 HP electric motor, a massive brick ballast accumulator which served two internal hoists and a passenger-goods lift. This system is inoperable and the accumulator is in a derelict condition.

Garden Island also has a hydraulic system which powers a flange press in the boiler shop.

There are no complete hydraulic systems operating external hoists in Sydney besides the one on Garden Island •

The advent of hydraulic power, which could be used safely and conveniently to raise and lower goods and people, meant that commercia 1 or stores bu il dings cou 1 d be increased in height from two to four or five storeys.

Hydraulic power was used on Garden Island from 1894 to operate lifts and hoists in the 4 storey Victualling stores, now known as building 89. These hoists have not been used since 1980. Another hydraulic system, comp 1 ete 1 y separate, is still being used to power the flange press in building 104 •

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Building 89 The contract for the foundations was let to P. O'Rourke and W. Roper on 11th August 1891. The bu i 1 ding was comp 1 eted by Howie Brothers in 1894.

The hydraulic equipment Tenders for the supply and installation of five 15 cwt (. 75t) hyd rau 1 i c hoists and two 60 cwt (3t) hydraulic 1 ifts, pump, accumulator and associated fittings were cal led in 1893. Those who submitted tenders were Atlas Engineering Ltd, Woolwich, R Waygood and Co, England, Parke and Lacy, Engineers and Machinery

Merchants, Sydney, H Vale and Sons, Engineers, Auburn N.S.W., Brown Bros and Co for J Aldridge and

Sinclair, Morts Dock and Engineering Co, Balmain.

The contract, which was let to Morts Dock and Engineering Co on 22nd August 1893, was for the hydraulic equipment only. The foundations and piping were to be completed by the Garden Island Staff.

• 3.2 Tender Modifications The building was wel 1 advanced when tenders for the hoists and lift were finally called. The drawings for the tender showed the hydraulic rams for the five hoists passing through the floor of level 4. This meant that the rams would have had to have triple sheaves at each end to enable the lift distance to be achieved. The tender by Morts Dock, which was accepted, used a twin sheave system and the 1 evel 3 floor had to be penetrated to accommodate the rams.

This meant that the doors on level 2 now had to be modified to avoid the ram cylinder. The sliding doors on level 3 and level 4 were made as single units to be opened by rolling them to the side opposite the ram. The doors on 1 evel 1 and 1 evel 2 were made in two halves and were opened by sliding the halves apart. When the rams penetrated the floor of 1 evel 3 the two halves of the doors were joined and the rolling rail was attached to the wall so these doors also operated by rolling to the side opposite the ram.

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t;l.S.W. Government Gazettes: in E.J, Mart -Garden Island Bufl ding Conservati Study- Thesis for M.B.Env,, UNSW, .

t;l.S.W. Government Gazettes: in E.J, Mart -Garden Island Bufl ding Conservati Study- Thesis for M.B.Env,, UNSW, 1980

Tender Documents held by Garden Isl Dockyard Drawing Office (Compactus Al Section 8 Top Shelf).

N.S.W. G~.v.ernment Gazettes, op.cit. Martin •

IendQr DocumQnts held by Garden Isla Dockyard Drawing Office (Compactus Al -Section 8 Top Shelf).

Comparison of Tender Documents and existi Building Fabric.

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.3.3 Location of the pump arid accumulator It would appear that the Naval Station wanted the pump and accumulator situated near the dynamo room and boiler house which abutted building 95. The pump would have almost certainly have been driven by steam and it is likely that it would have been placed close to the boilers. The accumulator needed room to operate and it is probable that it was located in or close to the same building. The hydraulic pipes would have been run underground to building 89.

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· Various tenderers proposed different positions for the accumulator and pump except Morts Dock and Engineering which did not appear to have specified a location •

• 3.4 The Goods Tramway Initially there was a fairly extensive tramway for moving goods and equipment around the Naval Station. A doubJe.tram track ran in front of building 89 •. The track closest to the building was equipped with turntables in front of doors 2 and 4 which linked with tracks that Jed directly to the 3 ton 1 i fts. The tracks within the building are stil 1 insitu.

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Plan: "Naval Station- Garden Island, Naval and Vfctuall fng Stores- Plan Shewing (sic) Position of Hoisting Machinery" (6,4,93) PWD Neg.No. 4461 (FA92B39l -held in G.I.D. Drawing Office.

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Plan: "Naval Station - Garden Island, Nava and Victualling Stores- Plan Shewin. (sicl Position of Hoisting Machinery (6,4.93) PWD Neg.No. 4461 <FA92B39) • held in G.I.D. Drawing Office.

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Figure 1. Level 2, bay 5. The hydraulic ram ls attached directly to the wall on this level. The twin control cable passes in front of the ram and then through two sma 11 holes in the floor. The door on this level was originally in two halves but these were later joined together to form a single door which opens to the right (opposite the ram). The roller ra 11, above the door, was moved one metre to the right to accommodate the new door •

This system a 11 owed goods to be raised directly from the trucks by use of th.e hoists, or alternatively the tru~ks could be wheeled into the building and the goods transferred to the 1 ifts. There was a 3 rd turntable, where the tracks converged at the eastern end of the bui 1 ding, which all owed switching from one track to another.

• 3.5 The three ton lifts

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The 3 ton 1 i fts had open cages 2.1 m <7') by 1.7 m(5'6") which ran on two guide rails. They were powered by twin sheave horizontal hydraulic rams which had 200 mm (8 11 )

diameter pistons.

The 1 i ft well was open except for a continuous post (several lengths scarfed together) at each corner, and fixed bal ustrading 3.1 m (3'6 11 ) high on two sides and hinged gates front and back to allow access to the cage.

The rams were mounted horizontally N-S on beams fixed to a simple RSJ frame which was mounted on four cast iron columns and attached to the north wa 11. These four columns were identical to those on the floor below, and as they have no floor to support there are only 8 of them on level 4.

The rams were twin sheaved, indicating a similar stroke 1 ength to the 15 cwt hoists and the doubling of the ram diameter gave four times the lifting power.

Changes to the building and equipment The initial function of building 89 was as victualling s\ores for the Navy. In 1913 with the REYY constructions and the provision of water access at Pyrmont it became a general naval store.

There appears to have been a major refit in the 1930s. The chimney for the boiler house which provided steam for the dynamos, steam engines and accumulator pump was dismantled. The doub 1 e tram tracks and the tu rntab 1 es were removed.

It wou 1 d appear that the pump, electric motor accumulator and reservoir were all instal led in building 89 at about this time. However as far back as 1913, possibly when electricity was brought from the mainland, an allocation of 500 was sought to provide an electrically driven hydraulic system. There is no evidence that this was ever installed.

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Plan: "Garden Island Naval Storehouse" (25.4.44), Comm. of Aust., Dept. of Interior, Works and Services Br Drawing No. N.S.W. DEF.38177, (FA45Tl5) - held in G.I.D. Drawing Office.

Plan: "Naval ·Station- Garden Island, and Victual ling Stores- Detail of Ga and Rail fngs to lift Well Openi (undated), Drawing No. 3.759J in G. Drawing Office.

Ibid, Tender Documents.

Linde, L., Garden Island Dockyard Public Relations Officer, Person Communication.

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Commonwealth of Aust, Dept of Defence - Navy Office File: "Garden Island -Alterations and Additions- 1910-191 in Aust. Archives, Acc.No. SP339, Bo 68, G.4.

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• It shouJd be noted that on the 1st level there is a concrete plinth about 2m x 1 m which is about 3 m to the south of the accumu 1 a tor. This cou 1 d have been the bed for an engine on a motor which drove the accumulator before the present pump and motor w·ere installed, but again no documentary evidence cou 1 d be found to support this hypothesis, nor was there sufficient evidence in the fabric.

In the 1940s the two hydraulic lifts were removed and two electric 1 ifts were

, installed by Hydraulic Power, Hydraulic and Electric Lifts Pty. Ltd. The replacement was probably necessary for efficiency as the hydraulic ones could not have carried personnel safely. The floor openings were greatly enlarged and the lift cages ran in an enclosed lift well.

In the early 1950s the timber shelving, pegs and desks were removed from most bays and replace·d with metal shelving.

Although the new electric lifts were easier and more convenient to operate than the old ones they did not replace the hoists. In the early 1970s the electric 1 i fts became increasingly unreliable and the hoists were used to do most of the 1 ifting. With plans to transfer the supply depot to Zetland and possible re-use of building 89 the electric 1 i fts were not refurbished and were taken out of service about 1980. The hydraulic hoists were then used exclusively for some months.

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Randa 11, Fred, Ma f ntenance EngIneer, G. I.D. 1959-1965 (Retired) Personal . . Communfcatfon, July 1985. •

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Randa 11, Fred, Ma f ntenance Eng 1 neer, G. I. D. 1959-1965 (Retired) Personal Communfcatfon, July 1985.

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6. 0 THE HYDRAULIC HOIST SYSTEM IN 1985

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In a hydraulic power system high pressure .water is supplied to a hydraulic ram which carries out work •. The system in building 89 consists of a power generating and storage unit coupled by pipes to a series of five hoists worked by hydraulic rams. The system is closed. Energy is removed from the high pressure water by the operation of the hoists and the exhaust water f 1 ows back at low pressure to a reservoir to be re-used.

The power generating and storage unit consists of an electric motor coupled to a triplex pump and an accumulator. Water is pumped into the cylinder of the accumulator where it is stored at high pressure through the action of a mass of cast iron attached to the piston. The accumu 1 ator a 11 ows instant use of high pressure water and evens out any fluctuation in pressure caused by the pump.

The power unit is housed in the pump and accumulator room which abuts the west wall of building 89. The five cranes are attached to the N facade and their respective hydraulic rams are mounted vertically and upright on the inside of the north wall.

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Figure 2. Northern Facade, bay 2. The wrought-iron crane jib bearing the hoist

:cable pivots on hinges bolted to the facade on level four. The cable comes through the wal 1 between the twin sheaves, passing over the large sheave on the end of the jib and terminating in the cast-iron ball and hook.

·The hinged timber flaps would be dropped to horizontal while loading was taking place.

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Ihe Power Elant The power plant consists of the.electric motor, pump, accumulator and reservoir. The accumulator and its guides extend through the first three 1 evel s. The pump, motor and reservoir are mou'nted on 1 evel 2 in what is known as the pump room.

The accumulator is mounted on level 1. The inlet pipe from the pump, outlet pipe to the rams, the main cut off valve and a small tool store are also on this level. There is also a large cupboard resting on a concrete plinth 2m x 1m x 200m high. This plinth, which has been modified, may have been an

.engine or pump bed. · .

The area is enclosed by timber framed, timber sheathed walls. The timber sheathing is second hand and the wa 11 s appear to be a recent addition. Access to this room is via the chain wire enclosed valve station for the sprinkler system •

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The motor, pump and reservoir are a 11 mounted on the second 1 evel. The equipment was originally surrounded on three sides by a 1 metre high timber rail on timber posts with diagonal wire mesh infill, measuring 2.6 metres by 9.1 metres, and there was probably a gate in t.he southern side. The area between the rail and the ceiling has recently been infill ed with horizontal" boarding in a manner similar to that used on level 1. Access to this room is via a steep steel 1 adder running from 1 evel 1.

The electric motor, gearbox and pump are in a line parallel to the front of the bui 1 ding. The pump is closest to the west wall.

• The Accumulator The accumulator is really a machine for producing an artificial head on the water in the system. Water in the vertical cylinder, is acted upon by a we.ighted plunger to produce pressures of about 750 psi or __ _ kPa. The water is pumped into the base of the cylinder by a pump powered in this case by an electric motor. ·

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The base of the accumulator is set level with the concrete floor. The piston has a diameter of 259 mm (10 inches) and a 3.1 m (10 ft.) stroke. The cast-iron ballast is comprised.of 3 inch (75mm) thick iron slabs formed in four triangular sections to make a square around the central piston, with the

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apex of each triangle cut to form a circle through which the piston is free to travel. The total weight is about 26 tonnes, and is. stacked on a square iron plate suspended from a platform at the plunger head by four very long shafts.

Piston travel is guided by two rails, one on either side of the ba 11 ast p 1 atform. The rails are bolted to R.S.J.s which are in turn held in place by massive cast-iron brackets bolted through hardwood bearers <l50mm thick on the 2nd and 3rd levels) to the western wall. These two RSJs extend from the ground f 1 oor to 1. 7 metres above the 3rd level floor, and the accumulator when activated penetrates the 3 rd 1 evel to this height.

• The floor opening for the accumulator on the second 1 evel measures 1.6 metres by 3.6 metres, and is surrounded by a heavy wire mesh screen which is inside the accumulator­pump room.

On 1 evel 3, the accumulator well has been enclosed with a timber clad, timber framed wall measuring 1.2 metres by 4.3 metres which extends to the ceiling.

There are no identifying marks on the accumulator.

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Figure 3. Level 2, bay 5. The accumul guide rails are bolted to vertical RS which are held off the western wall above level 1 by triangular cast-Iron bracke bolted through hardwood bearers to the wal

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Pump Motor The electric motor driving the hydraulic pump is of indeterminate age, but presumably was ins'tall ed with the pump in this 1 ocation in the 1930s. The manufacturers plate on, the motor bears the following details:

CROMPTON PARKINSON PTY LTD AUSTRALIA No. 183.4M.592 12.5 hp 1420 RPM 3 PHASE 50 cycles 400/440 VOLTS 17 AMPS MESH CONT. RATING

(Supplied by): '

NOYES BROS. (SYDNEY) LTD 115 CLARENCE STREET, SYDNEY

The mqtor control equipment, comprising a magnetic motor-starter, a push-button operating switch, a limiter and a capacitor, are all of Australian General Electric manufacture, except the capacitor which is manufactured by Ducon Con~ensor Ltd •. The motor-=-starter is an AD30 type magnetic switch, Catalogue Number 30462, and its data-plate bears the date November 1935. The stop/start switch is of Type IC 3721, Catalogue Number 3581G1. The capacitor is a Power Factor Corrector No. L891.

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Figure 4. Level 2, bay 5. The pump, motor and gearbox which supply high-pressure water to the accumulator. The Crompton Parklnsor motor in the left foreground drives, througl the Sonnerdale gearbox behind it, thE triplex pump on the right at 121.7 rpm. ThE three piston cranks on the crankshaft arc set 120° apart to provide a balance< delivery to the hydraulic system •

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.5 Ibe Gear Box The rotary motion of the motor is transmitted at a right-angle through a worm gear manufactured by Sonnerdale Pty Ltd. The manufacturers plate bears the following details:

MANUFACTURED BY UNIT NO. 5D6 SONNERDALE PTY LTD

JOB NO; L7527 SERIAL NO. 63989 RATIO: 11 2/3:1 H.P.: 12.5 INPUT RPM: 1420 OIL: B120

KEEP WELL LUBRICATED

A chain drive is led off the drive shaft to a small centrifugal oil pump. This pump circulates oi 1 from the main sump over the bearings and shaft of the main pump •

• 6 Hydraulic Pressure Pump The pump used in this system is a triplex piston pump, having three single-acting pistons operating from cranks 1200 apart on a sing 1 e crankshaft. The crankshaft is connected through a geared coupling to the 12.5 horsepower electric motor, and revolves at 121 2/3 revolutions per minute.

Water is drawn from the reservoir adjacent and pumped at 750 psi to the accumulator, forcing the plunger to rise until either water is drawn from the accumulator by the operation of one of the hydraulic hoists or the accumu 1 a tor reaches its operation a 1 height, where automatic cut-offs shut-off the pumps until actuated again by downward movement of the plunger.

The pump has no visible markings on its housing or parts. The housing measures 870mm x 1350mmm and is of steel which appears to have been fabricated using electric welding methods. This form of construction would suggest a 1930s manufacture, although the housing may have been reconstructed around an existing pump which is itself of an earlier period.

· Oiling is by immersion in a common oil sump, with the oi 1 1 evel at the 1 ower end of the crankshaft bearings. A sma 11 centri fuga 1 oi 1 pump circulates oi 1 over the upper parts of the crankshaft big end bearings and main bearings •

• 7 Reservoir The reservoir is a rivetted iron or steel tank, measuring 6 feet (1828 mm) long by 3

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feet 6 inches (1066 mm) wide by 3 feet (915 mm) deep giving a total volume of 370 gallons or 1775 litres. It is enclosed, with an inspection hatch on the top. A brass plaque, with timber backing, is· affixed to the northern end and bears the inscription:

MORTS DOCK & ENGINEERING LTD' MANUFACTURES OF HYDRAULIC MACHINERY

This reservoir appears to predate the motor and pump. The rivetted construction and standard of appearance both contrast with the surrounding installations. The pump draws water from a 2 inch (50 mm) pipe located low on the side of the tank.

Exhaust water from the hydraulic rams returns through a 4 inch (101 mm) pipe to the reservoir, entering through the centre of the 'top plate •

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Figure 5. level 4, bay 1. The head of the hydraulic ram runs on twin-guide rails bolted to timber bearers against the wall. The control cab]~ loops over the sheave mounted on the roof and attaches to the counterweighted arm of the control valve which Is to the right of the ram. The ram is fully extended. ·

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.8 The Hydraulic Rams The hydraulic ram consists of a cast iron cylinder closed at one end and fitted with a stuffing box at the other through which a brightly finished solid steel plunger fits.

When high pressure water is admitted to the cylinder the plunger is forced out. Twin sheaves are mounted on the closed end of the cylinder and the end of the plunger. A cable, tied off near the base of the cylinder, passes through the sheaves and when the ram is activated there is a mu 1 tip 1 i er effect and the free end of the cab 1 e moves through a distance four times that of the plunger.

The cylinder is fixed to two hardwood bearers bolted to the north wall. Where the wall is thinner on the fourth 1 evel, pilasters are constructed in the location of each hydraulic ram to continue the vertical alignment of the wall for the secure mounting of the ram cylinder. The head of the plunger runs on two bar guides about 40 mm in.diameter which terminate in a top end bracket.

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Figure 6. Level 4, bay 2. The piston he of the hydraulic ram carries two hoist-cabl sheaves, the·bracket through which the gui rails pass and a narrow bracket through which the control cable runs. The brack•et acts as an emergency stop. If the r should be extended past its safe operating height the bracket catches a small iron ball which is clamped to the cable and the suppl of water is cut off.

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The ram cylinder penetrates the floor of level 3 only. The ram plunger when extended penetrates the floor of level 4. the valve cab 1 e passes through 1 evel s 1, 2, 3 and 4 • The holes to accommodate the ram and all cables on 1 evel s 3 and 4 are about 800 mm square. The holes for the cable in the floor of level 2 are about 30 mm diameter.

The ram and floor openings are protected on floors 3 and 4 by a rail about 1m high and a series of square balusters.

The hoists are al 1 control led by individual two-way valves operated by a (1.88 m) long lever-arm. The valve is contained in a rectangular casing secured by a steel bar frame hal ding it about 300 mm off the wall close :to the ram. The valves have recently been rep 1 aced.

The valve has three pipes attached to it, the top one is the high-pressure water in 1 et, ·the centre pipe connects to the ram cylinder and the lower pipe takes the exhaust water back to the reservoir. With in the valve, a simple sliding piston operated by the plunger, on which the level-arm acti, moves to link the openings of either the water inlet pipe or the water exhaust pipe with the pipe leading to the ram. A central position of the valve-piston closes the openings, and the ram remains stationary.

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Figure 7. level 4, bay 5. The control valve for the hydraulic rams has three 1 ines leading into it. The lower position of the control arm connects the centre pipe from the ram to the exhaust or return line, allowing water out of the ram, while in its upper position the ram line is connected to the high pressure inlet pipe, causing the ram to rise. A central position of the control arm closes of a 11 1 ines preventing any movement of the ram •

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The end of the lever-arm, which is counterweighted to ease the operating effort, is connected to a 15 mm continuous steel wire rope which is looped over a sheave mounted on the roof purl ins above the hydraulic ram and around a second sheave mounted on the floor of 1 evel 1 bel ow the ram. This arrangement enables the valve to be activated from any floor by pulling on the contro 1 cab 1 e. Cast-iron ba 11 shaped holds are clamped to the control cable at convenient heights on each floor for the operator to gain a secure purchase on the cable.

On level 1 a large heavy hand grip has been attached to the cable. This possibly indicates that the hoists were operated from here with directions being given from outside the building •

• 9 Mains Distribution Pipes Two mains pipes run from the pump and accumulator to the five hydraulic rams. From the accumulator and pump room, high­pressure 4 inch (10 mm) pipe and an exhaust water 4 inch pipe run along beneath the ceiling of level 1 to the central bay of the building, just inside the northern wall. From here, they both run vertically to the level 4 where T-junctions lead the pipes off in both directions to service the hydraulic rams.

Some of this piping appears to be original, while large sections of it have been renewed. No evidence remains of any piping leading to the earlier hydraulic lifts which were replaced by the' present electric 1 ifts in the mid-1940s •

• 10 Remains of the Original 3 ton Lifts Very 1 ittl e of the fabric of the 1894 hydraulic lifts remain. The cages and lift well structure were completely removed. The four cast iron columns which held the frame for the 3 ton hor i zonta 1 hyd rau 1 i c ram and three RSJs areal 1 that remain at each lift system. Two of the RSJ s run from the front columns to the north wall and one connects the two co 1 umns. The co 1 umns and RSJ s are not used in any way in the electric lift systems.

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· I Figure 8. level 4, bay 2. The cast-iron

The two loading doors on the fourth level in front of each of the present electric lifts vary from all others in the building in that they are not hung from above, but move on wheels attached to the bottom of the doors in a track provided in the f.loor. A simple guide rail controls the movement of the top of the door. It is presumed. that -this arrangement was due to the 3 ton hydraulic rams being located level with the top of the doors, and the overhead track cou 1 d not be used without interfering with the operation of the ram.

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column and large RSJ 1s that once supported the eastern of the two· horizontal hydraulic rams which were replaced by the electric 1 ifts. The stairway to the electric I ift motor room can be seen behind the column.

7. 0 11-IE ELECffiiC 2 ION SYSTEM IN 1985

.1 The two i.dentical electrical lifts in building 89 are located in bays 2 and 4. Each lift cage is housed in a lift well,· which, though somewhat larger, is in the same place as the original hydraulic 1 ift wells.

The 1 ift cages are of a standard goods design fitted with two expanding steel lattice doors, one front and one rear and equipped with automatic push button call boards. These doors are fitted with electric auto 1 ocks and must be closed before the 1 ift wi 11 operate.

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Figure 9. Level 1, bay 2. The 1 ift cage o , the eastern electric 1 i ft showing th

The 1 i ft wells, 4.37 metres 1 ong and 2.81 metres wide, are slightly deeper than the lift cages and about twice as wide with the doors, 2.13 metres 1 ong by 2.08 metres high, located 360mm to the west of centre in each case - the extra distance accommodati"ng the 1 i ft cage counterweights which travel down the eastern side of each lift well. The

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, expanding lattice inner-doors and the 'control panel in the lift cage. Th

vertical timber boarding over the doorw conceals the upper half of the metal outer door, while the lower half disappears i the floor. The external appearance of li well is the same on each level.

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wells are the s~me externally on each level and are supported vertically by RSJs continuous from ground level to the base of the motor room in each corner of each well. They are timber framed and sheathed externally all round, except for the doors, with vertical wooden slats to a height of 2 m (6'6 11 ). Above this the frame is covered to the ceiling with diagonal wire mesh. Above the door the slats continue to the ceiling but in this case are nailed to the inside rather than the outside of the frame •

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The lift wells are fitted with two vertically opening, balanced, centre sealed, manually operated fire proof doors on each floor. These are also fitted with electric auto Jocks that prevent them being opened when the lift is not stationery at that floor. The doors are a steel box frame covered with three mild steel sheet panels. The top·door has two recessed hand holds on its 1 ower face, each bearing on its flange the wo'rds "Sydney Ornament a 1 Stee 1 Co., Gardeners Road Mascot". A sma 11 window is located centrally in the top door to allow operators to ascertain if the lift is at that floor as the doors do not open automatically.

A single call button is located adjacent to each door mounted on a steel p 1 ate screwed to the timber boarding.

The motor rooms are really small timber framed hipped roof buildings which penetrate the roof of building 89. Each room measures 5.0 metres east-west by 2.35 metres north­south and is 2.55 metres from floor to roof tie-beam. They are wind-braced on all four sides by diagonal steel straps lOmm x 75mm in cross-section, and a 1 arge steel !-beam carrying a lifting clamp runs longitudinally across each room at roof-tie-beam level for installation and removal of equipment. Each is built on a platform, provided by RSJs,

. which rests on the frame of the 1 ift well. Both platforms extend ~eyond the frame of the 1 ift wel 1 by about lm •. This extension is to the east of the ea:stern 1 ift and to the west of the western 1 i ft and it a 11 ows access to the motor room from 1 evel 4 by a wooden staircase.

The frames of the motor rooms are clad externally above the roof line of building 89 with fibrous cement sheet. They are lined internally with vertical wooden slats to a height of about lm. There are four

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windows in each motor room, each measuring 660mm long by 1.0 metres high. They are located on either side of the north and south walls of each room. •

Lift Motors and Central Equipment The lifting apparatus in each motor room is virtually identical, and comprises one two­speed electric lift motor, a gearbox and cable drive with a magnetic brake unit and associated electrical control equipmen~

The motor in the Western Control Room is a Crompton Parkinson Tandem Lift Motor with the data plate bearing the inscription:

CROMPTON PARKINSON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD FIVE DOCK, N.S.W. TANDEM LIFT MOTOR MODEL NO. 128/108 3 PHASE 50 CYCLES MACHINE NO. 23 HIGH SPEED 17.5 HP 950 RPM 26 AMPS 25 ROTOR AMPS

400/415 VOLTS

LOW SPEED 43/8 HP 150 RPM 27.5 AMPS

The data-plate on the eastern lift motor

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Figure 10. Level 4, bay 4. The tw electric lifts are both powered by identica Crompton Parkinson Tandem Lift Motors, Machine No's 22 and 23, mounted in the 1 i motor rooms above the well. The diagona metal strapping used to wind brace the motor rooms was added after the motors and wiri were installed.

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bears the same information, with the Machine Number marked as No. 22 •

The motor is a standard·tandem lift motor with three externally mounted slip rings. Speed control is attained by the insertion of resistance in the circuit. No variation in control is provided and operation is at either of the two preset speeds.

The direct drive shaft passes through a brake mechanism before entering the gearbox. The brakedrum is mounted on the shaft, which is acted on by an electromagnetically activated brake shoe. The DC current which applies the brake is provided by a battery of selenium rectifiers.

The gearbox was manufactured by Johns Waygood, and is contemporary with the motor • Its outstanding feature is the large back gear with the teeth cut on the inner rather than the outer circumference of the gear wheel. ·

Call and direction signals from each floor and from within the lift cage activate a

.battery of relay switches. These relays, in turn, operate the lift motor through master switch gear solenoid connections.

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.Figure 11. level 4, bay4. The cable drum and gearbox in the western 1 ift motor room, showing the large iron mountings that support the cable drum. The cables lead down to the right to connect to the 1 ift counterweight which slides down the eastern

· side of the well.

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A safety speed governor is fitted to each lift, with a wire cable attached-to the 1 ift-cage passing over a sheave incorporating a centrifugal brake mounted in the control room. Excessive speed of the cage operates the brake mechanism which puts tension on this cable, causing spring-loaded clamps in the lift cage to lock onto the guide rails in the 1 ift well, bringing the cage to a ha 1 t. The eastern 1 i ft governor is marked

Waygood Otis Safety Governor Tested 16.5.33

Car Speed 100 f.p.m. Governor Trip 195 f.p.m.

The western lift governor is missing its cover and identification plate.

A circuit diagram in the motor room is marked as being traced from a drawing made by Hydraulic Power, Hydraulic & Electric Lifts Pty Ltd and dated 1945.

There are no other dates on the equipment in the 1 i ft motor room. Nor are there any dates on the 1 ift cages themselves. A thorough search of documents held by Elevators Pty Ltd, DHC, Garden Island Dockyard and the Australian Archives has not produced any information on the removal of the hydraulic system or the installation of the present electrical system. However, advice from Elevators Pty Ltd and the date on the circuit diagram seem to indicate the mid 1940s as a probable period.

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Figure 12. Level 4, bay 2. The elect control panel in the eastern motor The nearer panel 1 argel y comprises soleroid relays which stop and start 1 ift at various floors, while the left comprises, from the top, the 1 ow-spe resistances, the call-relays and selerium rectifiers for the D.C. mag brake.

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8.0 SIATEHENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

.1 Ibe Hydraulic Hoist System

.1.1 This four storey stores building could only have been designed and erected because of the ad vent of hydrau 1 i ca 11 y powered 1 i fts and hoists. The hydraulic equipment must be regarded as an integra 1 part of .the building •

• 1.2 The hydraulic system is complete. It has a pump, pump motor, reservoir, accumulator, hydraulic rams and associated valves and cables •

• 1.3 It is the only operable system of its type in Sydney.

:1.4 It is_the oldest system of any condition extant in Sydney •

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• 1.5 It is the only surviving hydraulic system in Sydney linked to external cranes •

• 1.6 It is the only known surviving hydraulic machi~ery made by Morts Dock and Engineering Co •

• 1.7 The accumulator, five cranes, five hydraulic rams, reservoir and much of the piping is original •

• 1.8 The system has exceptional interpretative value •

• 2 The Electric Lift System

.2.1 There are several 2 ton goods lifts of this type and this vintage operating in Sydney.

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• 2.2 These lifts are not the oldest operating in Sydney.

.2.3 These lifts are not or electrically.

innovative mechanically • •

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• Elll son, P. and Wh lte, B., Ma lntenan

Engineers, Eleva tors Pty. Ltd,, Persor Communication, July, 1985.

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9.0 RECOMMENDATION

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• 1 The Hydraulic Hoist System

.1.1 The whole of the system should be regarded as an engineering artifact of great historic significance and should be conserved in situ •

• 1.2 Consideration should be given to inspecting the system and restoring it to operating condition •

• 1.3 Fire regulations may make it necessary to seal the floor openings through which the fire rams and the accumulator pass during operation. The design of the seals should allow them to be easily removed when necessary •

• 1.4The rams should be stored in the fully extended position so any deterioration of the shaft can be read i 1 y monitored. The sheave head of each plunger should be adequate] y held in the exte.nded position, possibly by a wire rope loop, to prevent it inadvertently falling into the empty cylinder •

• 1.5 The rails and balusters which surround the ram on levels three and four should be restored and any excess boarding removed •

• 1.6 The accumulator should be made visible on level 1. The accumulator, pump, pump motor and reservoir should be made visible on 1 eve 1 2. The accumu 1 ator rails and brackets should be made visible on level 3 •

• 1. 7 A 11 components in the system shou 1 d be conserved. Any treatment to prevent deterioration should be in accordance with established procedures •

• 1.8 The columns and RSJ on 1 eveJ. 4 which supported the horizontal hydraulic ram that powered the 1894 1 ift. system should be conserved •

• 2 The Electric Lift System

.2.1 The lift wells lift cages and lift motor rooms may be removed •

• 2.2 If possible, the equipment in the lift motor rooms should be offered to EPL for possible reuse.

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10. 0 PHOTOGRI\PHIC RECOfJ)

• 1 Before any intervention takes place on the hydraulic system or the electric lift system a complete photographic record should be made. ·

.2 Such a photographic record will constitute a series of oblique and orthogonal photographs in both colour and black and white of the entire· fabric of both lift and hoist systems. The black and white photographs are to be taken on a 1 arge or medium format camera with well marked photographic rubs of the appropriate size. The colour are to be taken using strobe lighting and Kodochrome 64 film or equivalent.

.3 For the hydraulic system the record is to include photographs of the motor, gearbox, pump, accumu 1 ator and reservoi_r, p 1 us a total inventory of all equipment, tools and materials within the power rooms at the western end of the building on Levels 1 and 2. The pipes are to be photographed for their entire length. All five hydraulic rams and associated cables are to be photographed on all four levels. Each crane and its associated cables and sheaves should be photographed •

.4 For the electric lift system the lift well should be photographed on each floor, the lift cage and associated switches should be covered and the motor room and its contents very carefu 11 y photographed. The 1 ift motor rooms should also be photographed externally •

. s It is imperative that once the photographs are taken that they be completely annotated. It is expected that not only are the photographs to be a historic record, the ones of the hydraulic system wil 1 be used in future times to assist conservation.

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• 6 Developing of the black and white negatives, of course, sha 11 be ·done using standard conservation techniques and storage will be in approved mylar envelopes.

.7 At least three exposures of each colour shot will be made. This will all ow for one arch iva 1 copy, one working copy and one exhibition copy. Experience has shown that it is much more economic and certainly produces better results if all copies required are taken first hand •

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11.0 RESEARCH

The following lists contain the names of the organisations or institutions which were consulted and where appropriate the names and occupations of the individual informants •

• 1 Libraries Public Library of N.S.W. Mitchell Library Menzies Library, U.N.S.W •

• 2 Archives Australian Archives Office Department of Housing and Construction -

Records Section

.3 Companies and Firms Lend Lease Corporation - Ms Kerry Fay Noyes Bros Pty Ltd

·Elevators Pty Ltd - Jeff Honey, Assistant Manager, Maintenance - Pat Ellison, Maintenance Engineer - Barry White, Maintenance Engineer

.4 Architects Philip Cox and Partners - Ian Powell, Sydney - Eric Martin, Canberra

.5 Garden Island Dock~ard

.5.1 Plant and Tools Mr. J. O'Connor, Plant Maintenance Mr. C. Beveridge, Testing Sub-Section Mr. B. Fearnley, Testing Sub-Section Mr. G. Chapman, Drafting Office Mr. B. Neilson, Plant Records

.5.2 Outstations Services Mr. P. Simmons, Outstations Engineer Mr. R. Evans Mr. W. Tarrant, Former Operator of Hydraulic

System

.5.3 Drawing Office Mr. M. Courias Mr. J. Holmes

.5.4 Public Relations Mr. L. Linde, Public Relations and Historian

.6 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION

.6.1 Works and Propert~ - GID Mr. R. Ives, Plant Engineer Mr. K. Dawson, General Works Branch

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• 6.2 Records Section Mr. H. Dare

• 7 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE- Navy Office • •

• 7.1 NavaJ Supply Division •

Mr. ~ Jones, Assistant Superintendent of Naval Supply

Mr. R. Brown, Acting Principal Stores Supervisor

Others Mr. F. Randall, Retired Maintenance

- G.I.D. Engineer

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.9 Documentary Evidence

.9.1 Written References: Lineham, Wilfrid J., A_I~XiQQQk_Qf Mechanical Engineering, 11th Edition, Chapman and Hall, London, 1914.

Baxter, William Jnr, Hydrau] ic Ele.v.ators: Their Design, Construction, Operation, Care and Management, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1910.

Merriman, Mansfield, Treatise on Hydraulics, lOth Edition, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1916.

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Archer, G.W., The Hydraulic Power System of .S.y.d.n~y_la.2.l..=.l.2.2i, . T h e s i s f o r B • S c <Indu.strial Arts) University of N.S.W., 1982. .

Barry, R., En~ of .an Era, in The Link, Journal of the Lend Lease Corporation, i975.

Dickinson, T., Notes on Hydraulic Power ~~ly in s~~ney, lQ1b Msy, 189!, in Proceedings 9, The Engineering Association of N.S.W., 1893-94.

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Martin, E.J., !aarden Isls.nd Buil.d.ing Conservation Study, Thesis for M.B.Env., University of N.s.w., 1980.

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Martin, E.J., iiarden I~land: .Hi~toriQ Buil.d.ings .Fin~_a Ne~ U~~ in Heritage Australia Magazine, Winter'Edition, 1983 •

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• 9.2 Australian Archives References:

NAVY OFFICE FILES Accession No. SP338

Box No. Period F1Je No.

24 1949 1005/3/3

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Subject CONFERENCE ON REALLOCATION OF NAVAL STOREHOUSES, SYDNEY.

Accession No, SP339 Box No. 59 Period 1920-23 File No.· PACK NO. 3a Subject NAVAL WORKS, GENERAL, 1920-23.

6a 1910-1916 G4

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Box. No. Period File No. Subject GARDEN ISLAND - ALTERATIONS AND

ADDITIONS.

76 1914-191a W-11( 13/745a)

Box No. Period File No. Subject WORKS - GARDEN ISLAND - 1914-191a.

.10 PLANS AND DRAWINGS

Garden Island Dockyard - Measured Drawings Building a9/90 No's 1-14 for Dept of Housing and Construction, Ph ill i p Cox and Partners Pty Ltd.

Naval Station - Garden Island, Naval and Victualling Stores, Elevations: Drawings No. 3 and 4 (1.3.92) GID Drawing Office No's BSG/14/6 and BSG/14/1, held by Department of Housing and Construction No's NAa0/2119 and NAa0/2120.

Naval Station - Garden Island, Naval and Yictualling Stores- Plan Shewing (sic) Position of Hydraulic Hoisting Machinery (6.4.93) P.W.D. Neg No. 4461 (FA92b39) held in G.I.D. Drawing Office.

Tender Drawings for the Supply of Hydraulic Hoisting Plant, Morts Dock and Engineering Company, Drawing No's 1,2 and 3, (signed and sealed a.9.93) held by G.I.D. Drawing Office No. 3771S (9/1a3B) Compactus Al-Section a, Top Shelf.

Naval Station - Garden Island, Naval and Victualling Stores, Detail of Gates and Railing2.tQ Lift Op§ning2 <undated) No. 3.7595, held by G.I.D. Drawing Office, Compactus A1, Section a, Top Shelf.

Naval Station- Garden Island, Hydraulic Hoists in Victualling Store- Stops for Horizonta] Rams (5.7.94) No. 3.7a3-J held by G.I.D. Drawing Office, Compactus Al, Section a, Top Shelf.

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Naval Station - Garden Island, Naval and Victualling Store, Hydraulic Hoisting Machinery - Pipe Trenches, Engine Foundations

. etc. in Pump and Accumulator House (16.11.93) . No. 15-1925-J bel d by G.I.D. Drawing Office:

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Compactus A1, Section a, Top Shelf.

Naval Station - Garden Island - Improvement of Hydraulic-Hoisting Machine- Shields for Rope Wheels on Five Vertical Rams (27.11.94) No.3-1962-J bel d by G.I.D. Drawing Office, Compactus A1, Section a, Top Shelf.

Garden Island - Existing Naval Storehouse. (25.4.44) Comm. of Australia, Dept. of the Interior, Works and Services Branch, Drawing No. N.S.W.DEF.3a177 (fa4St15) bel d by Dept. of Housing and Construction, Records Section •

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THE HYDRAULIC HOISTS, REMAINS OF THE. HYDRAULIC LIFT SYSTEM AND ELECTRIC LIFT SYSTEM IN BUILDING 89 GARDEN ISLAND DOCKYARD

A REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & CONSTRUCTION

GODDEN & ASSOCIATES

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1.0 INTRODUCTION •

Scope This report concerns only the hydraulic hoist system, the remains of the hydraulic lift system and the electric lift system contained within building 89. It does not cover any of the cranes, loading aprons, or other external equipment associated with the hoist system.

2.0 METHODOLOGY The work was carried out in accordance with the guidelines set o.ut in The Conservation Plan, by Jim Kerr, published by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) 1982.

3.0 DRAFT

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A draft of this report was submitted to the Department of Housing and Construction for comment on August 6, 1984.

Consultant Brief for investigation of historic background and contents of Building · 89, HMA Naval Dockyard, Garden Island

4.0 BRIEF

.1 To investigate and report on the history and condition of all equipment, artifacts and structures contained within Building 89 on Garden Island, Sydney in elaboration of report prepared by Gordon Forbes Smith (May 1985). .

.2 To recommend what would constitute a photographic record of all equipment, artifacts and structures contained within Building 89 and to take any necessary photographs as agreed with the Department •

• 3 To write a statement of significance of all such equipment and to propose a series of recommendations detailing how this equipment should be treated in any future re-use of the building. Where the projected re-use and the recommendations for treatment are at variance, then Godden and Associates will supply a range of options •

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5. 0 HISTORIC OVERVIEW

.1 Introduction At the end of the nineteenth century, before electric motors were perfected, the principal sources of power for industry and commerce were steam and hydraulic pressur~ A public system of high pressure hydraulic power was introduced to Sydney in 1891. Before that, however, several private systems were operating hoists and lifts.

The Sydney Hydraulic Power Supply Co commenced reticulation of high pressure water power from the Pier St Ultimo pumping station in January 1891. By June 1894 over two hundred machines, mainly whips (or hoists) and 1 ifts, were being supplied and this number grew steadily until after the first.world war. In 1894 there were 18 km of mains. One main ran from Pier St down Sussex St to Millers Point, while others ran along Market St and then down George St and Pitt St.

There were direct acting passenger lifts in the Australia Hotel, the Government Lands and Works Offices, the Mutua 1 Life

.Association and the old Anthony Hordens and Sons building. Many sma 11 er bu i1 dings had goods lifts or passenger lifts powered by hydrau 1 i c rams, many more had i nterna 1 and external hoists, while many of the wool dumps of Walsh Bay and Pyrmont were connected to the system.

With the gradual expansion of services two booster stations were added to the system, one at Cowper Wharf Road Wool loomooloo and one at Pyrmont. The hydraulic system was not as versatile, economic nor as convenient as electric power and the Company gradually lost customers from the 1930s on. The Pier St pumping station was finally closed in 1975. Some of the buildings which were still connected to the service at that time chose to install individual electric hydraulic pumps to power their lifts and hoists rather than change to a completely new all electric system. However these systems now u s e o i 1 as the h y d r au 1 i c f 1 u i d and do not have accumulators. In July 1985 there were only a few of these connected systems still in operation.

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T. Dfckfnson, Notes on Hydraul fc Power Supply ill-~X~ll.ltX' 1 0 t h M a y, l 8 9 4 , f n Proceedings 9, The Engfneerfng Assocfatfon of N.s.w,, 1893-94.

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There are still several relics remaining from the hydraulic power company. The Pier St pumping station building survives without any of its machinery. Parburys Old Bond Store in Windmill St, The Rocks, has three direct acting lifts in situ, while Oswalds Bond in Kent St has four external hydraulic goods lifts, of advanced design, and one extern a 1 hydrau 1 ic hoist. Other buildings such as Moors Bond, at Walsh Bay, and the Metcalfe Bond at Circular Quay have the external hydraulic ram and hoist apparatus affixed to their facade, but rather as decoration.

There are still several operating hydraulic systems in Sydney but all have industrial rather than commercial or service uses •

• Cockatoo Island has a high pressure Ruwalt triplex pump supplying an accumulator situated in the main workshop. The SRA has two accumulators which supply power to several machines in the carriage workshops and the locomotive workshops at Eveleigh workshops. At Walsh Bay, wharves 8 and 9, there is a large duplex pump driven by a 65 HP electric motor, a massive brick ballast accumulator which served two internal hoists and a passenger-goods lift. This system is inoperable and the accumulator is in a derelict condition •

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Garden Island also has a hydraulic system which powers a flange press in the boiler shop.

There are no complete hydraulic systems operating external hoists in Sydney besides the one on Garden Island •

The advent of hydraulic power, which could be used safely and conveniently to raise and lower goods and people, meant that commercia 1 or stores buildings cou 1 d be increased in height from two to four or five storeys.

Hydraulic power was used on Garden Island from 1894 to operate lifts and hoists in the 4 storey Victualling stores, now known as building 89. These hoists have not been used s i nee 1980. Another hydrau 1 i c system, completely separate, is still being used to power the flange press in bujlding 104 •

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Building 89 The contract for the foundations was let to P. O'Rourke and W. Roper on 11th August 1891. The building was comp 1 eted by Howie B rot hers in 1894.

The hydraulic eQuipment Tenders for the supply and installation of five 15 cwt (.75t) hydraulic hoists and two 60 cwt (3t) hydraulic 1 ifts, pump, accumulator and associated fittings were cal led in 1893. Those who submitted tenders were Atlas Engineering Ltd, Woolwich, R Waygood and Co, England, Parke and Lacy, Engineers and Machinery

Merchants, Sydney, H Vale and Sons, Engineers, Auburn N.S.W., Brown Bros and Co for J Aldridge and

Sinclair, . Morts Dock and Engineering Co, Balmain.

The contract, which was let to Morts Dock and Engineering Co on 22nd August 1893, was for the hydraulic equipment only. The foundations and piping were to be completed by the Garden Island Staff.

• 3.2 Tender Modifications The building was wel 1 advanced when tenders for the hoists and lift were finally called. The drawings for the tender showed the hydraulic rams for the five hoists passing through the floor of 1 evel 4. This meant that the rams would have had to have triple sheaves at each end to enab 1 e the 1 i ft distance to be achieved. The tender by Morts Dock, which was accepted, used a twin sheave system and the 1 evel 3 floor had to be penetrated to accommodate the rams.

This meant that the doors on level 2 now had to be modified to avoid the ram cylinder. The sliding doors on level 3 and level 4 were made as single units to be opened by rolling them to the side opposite the ram. The doors on 1 evel 1 and 1 evel 2 were made in two halves and were opened by sliding the ha 1 ves apart. When the rams penetrated the floor of level 3 the two halves of the doors were joined and the rolling rail was attached to the wall so these doors also operated by rolling to the side opposite the ram.

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N.S.W. Government Gazettes: in E.J. Martin -Garden Island Bu11 ding Conservation Study- Thesis for M.B.Env., UNSW, 1980, .

N.S.W. Government Gazettes: in E.J. Martin - Garden Island Bu11 ding Conservation Study- Thesis for M.B.Env., UNSW, 1980.

Tender Docum§nts held by Garden Island Dockyard Drawing Office (Compactus A1 -Section 8 Top Shelf),

' N.S.I!'. G.Qy§rnment Gauttes, o p.c 1t. E. Martin •

Tender Documents held by Garden Island Dockyard Drawing Office !Compactus Al -Section 8 Top Shelf),

Comparison of Tender Documents and existing Building Fabric.

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Location of the pump and· accumulstor It waul d appear that the Naval Station wanted the pump and accumulator situated near the dynamo room and boiler house which abutted building 95. The pump wou 1 d have almost certainly have been driven by steam and it is likely that it would have been placed close to the boilers. The accumulator needed room to operate and it is probable that it was located in or close to the same building. The hydraulic pipes would have been run underground to building 89.

. Various tenderers proposed different positions for the accumulator and pump except Morts Dock and Engineering which did not appear to have specified a location •

• 3.4 The Goods IrsmWsY

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Initially there was a fairly extensive tramway for moving goods and equipment around the Naval Station. A double-tram track ran in front of bu i 1 ding 89. The track closest to the building was equipped with turntables in front of doors 2 and 4 which linked with tracks that led directly to the 3 ton 1 ifts. The tracks within the building are stil 1 insitu •

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Plan; "Naval Station- Garden Island, Naval and Vfctuall fng Stores- Plan Shewing (sfcl Posltfon of Hoisting Machinery" (6,4.93) PWD Neg.No. 4461 (fA92B39l -held In G,I.D. Drawing Office.

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Plan: "Naval Station- Garden Island, Naval and Victualling Stores- Plan Shewing (sfcl Position of Hoisting Machinery" (6,4.93) PWO Neg.No. 4461 (fA92B39l -held in G.I.D. Drawing Office.

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ffgure 1. Level 2, bay 5. The hydraul fc ram 1s attached directly to the wall on this 1 evel. The twin control cable passes fn front of the ram and then through two sma 11 holes In the floor. The door on this level was originally in two halves but these were later joined together to form a single door which opens to the right (opposite the raml. The ro 11 er ra 11, above the door, was moved one metre to the right to accommodate the new door,

This system a 11 owed goods to be raised directly from the trucks by use of the hoists, or alternatively the trucks could be wheeled into the building and the goods transferr-ed to the 1 i fts. There was a 3 rd turntable, where the tracks converged at the eastern end of the building, which allowed switching from one track to another •

• 3.5 Ihe three ton lifts

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The 3 ton 1 i fts had open cages 2.1 m (7') by ·1.7 m(5'6") which ran on two guide rails. They were powered by twin sheave horizontal hydraulic rams which had 200 mm (8") diameter pistons.

The 1 i ft well was open except for a continuous post (several 1 engths scarfed together) at each corner, and fixed balustrading 3.1 m (3'6") high on two sides and hinged gates front and back to allow access to the cage.

The rams were mounted horizontal 1 y N-S on beams fixed to a simple RSJ frame which was mounted on four cast iron columns and attached to the north wall. These four columns were identical to those on the floor below, and as they have no floor to support there are only 8 of them on level 4.

The rams were twin sheaved, indicating a similar stroke 1 ength to the 15 cwt hoists and the doubling of the ram diameter gave four times the lifting power.

Changes to the building and eQuipment The initial function of building 89 was as victualling s'tores for the Navy. In 1913 with the REVY constructions and the provision of water access at Pyrmont it became a general naval store.

There appears to have been a major refit in the 1930s. The chimney for the boiler house which provided steam for the dynamos, steam engines and accumulator pump was dismantled. The doub 1 e tram tracks and the tu rntab 1 es were removed.

It would appear that the pump, electric motor accumulator and reservoir were all instal led in building 89 at about this time. However as far back as 1913, possibly when electricity was brought from the rna inland, an allocation of 500 was sought to provide an electrically driven hydraulic system. There is no evidence that this was ever instal led.

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Plan: "Garden Island 'Naval Storehouse" (25.4.44), Comm. of Aust,, Dept. of the Interior, Works and Serv lees Branch, Drawing No, N.S.W. DEF.38177, (FA45Tl5) -held in G.I.D. Drawing Office.

Plan: "Naval ·Station- Garden Island, Naval and Victual ling Stores- Detail of Gates and Railings to lift Well Openings" (undated), Drawing No. 3. 759J in G. I.D. Drawing Office.

Ibid. Tender Documents.

Linde, L., Garden Island Dockyard Public Relations Officer, Personal Communication.

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Commonwealth of Aust, Dept of Defence - Navy Office File: "Garden Island -Alterations and Additions- 1910-1916" In Aust. Archives, Acc.No. SP339, Box 68, G.4.

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• It should be noted that on the 1st level there is a concrete plinth about 2m x 1m which is about 3 m to the south of the accumulator. This could have been the bed for an engine on a motor which drove the accumulator before the present pump and motor were installed, but again no documentary evidence cou 1 d be found to support this hypothesis, nor was there sufficient evidence in the fabric •

In the 1940s the two hydraulic lifts were removed and two electric 1 i fts were instal led by Hydraulic Power, Hydraulic and Electric Lifts Pty. Ltd. The replacement was probably necessary for efficiency as the hydraulic ones could not have carried. personnel safely. The floor openings were greatly enlarged and the 1 ift cages ran in an enclosed lift well.

In the early 1950s the timber shelving, pegs and desks were removed from most bays and replaced with metal shelving.

Although the new electric 1 ifts were eas.ier and more convenient to operate than the old ones they did not replace the hoists. In the early 1970s the electric 1 ifts became increasingly unreliable and the hoists were used to do most of the 1 ifting. With plans to transfer the supply depot to Zetland and possible re-use of building 89 the electric 1 ifts were not refurbished and were taken out of service about 1980. The hydraulic

. hoists were then used excl usi vel y for some months.

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Randa 11, fred, MaIntenance EngIneer, G. I.O. 1959-1965 (Retired) Personal Communication, July 1985,

• Randa 11, Fred, MaIntenance Eng 1 neer, G. I.D.

1959-1965 (Retired) Personal Communication, July 1985,

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6.0 IHE HYDRAULIC HOIST SYSTEM IN 1985

.1 Introduction In a hydraulic power system high pressure water is supplied to a hydraulic ram which carries out work. The system in bu il di.ng 89 consists of a power generating and storage unit coupled by pipes to a series of five hoists worked by hydraulic rams. The system is closed. Energy is removed from the high pressure water by the operation of the hoists and the exhaust water f 1 ows back at low pressure to a reservoir to be re-used.

The power generating and· storage unit consists of an electric motor coupled to a triplex pump and an accumulator. Water is pumped into the cylinder of the accumulator where it is stored at high pressure through the action of a mass of cast iron attached to the piston. The accumulator allows instant use of high pressure water and evens out any fluctuation in pressure caused by the pump.

The power unit is housed in the pump and accumulator room which abuts the west wall of building 89. The five cranes are attached to the N facade and their respective hydraulic rams are mounted vertically and upright on the inside of the north wall.

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Figure 2. Northern Facade, bay 2. The wrought-iron crane jib bearing the hoist cable pivots on hinges bolted to the facade on level four. The cable comes through the wall between the twin sheaves, passing over the large sheave on the end of the jib and terminating in the cast-iron ball and hook. The hinged timber flaps would be dropped to horizontal while loading was taking place.

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.2 Jbe Power Plant The power plant consists of the electric motor, pump, accumulator and reservoir. The accumulator and its guides extend through the first three 1 evel s. The pump, motor and reservoir are mounted on level 2 in what is known as the pump room.

The accumulator is mounted on level 1 •. The inlet pipe from the pump, outlet pipe to the rams, the main cut off valve and a small tool store are also on this level. There is a 1 so a 1 arge cupboard resting on a concrete plinth 2m x 1m x200 m high. This plinth, which has been modified, may have been an engine or pump bed. .

The area is enclosed by timber framed, timber sheathed walls. The timber sheathing is second hand and the wa 11 s appear to be a recent addition. Access to this room is via the chain wire enclosed valve station for the sprinkler system.

The motor, pump and reservoir are all mounted on the second 1 eve 1. The equipment was originally surrounded on three sides by

·a 1 metre high timber rail on timber posts ·with diagonal wire mesh infill, measuring 2.6 metres by 9.1 metres, and there was probably a gate in the southern side. The area between the rail and the ceiling has recently been infill ed with horizontal boarding in a manner similar to that used on level 1. Access to this room is via a steep steel ladder running from level 1.

The electric motor, gearbox and pump are in a line parallel to the front of the building. The pump is closest to the west wall •

• • 3 The Accumulator

The accumulator is really a machine for producing an artificial head on the water in the system. Water in the vertical cylinder, is acted upon by a weighted plunger to produce pressures of about 750 psi or __ kPa. The water is pumped into the base of· the cylinder by a pump powered in this case by an electric motor. ·

The base of the accumulator is set level with the concrete floor. The piston has a diameter of 259 mm (10 inches) and a 3.1 m (lO f-:1:.) stroke. The cast-iron ballast is comprised of 3 inch (75mm) thick iron slabs formed in four triangular sections to make a square around the central piston, with the

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apex of each triangle cut to form a circle through which the piston is free to travel. The tot a 1 weight is about 26 tonnes, and is stacked on a square iron plate suspended from a platform at the plunger head by four very long shafts.

Piston travel is guided by two rails, one on either side of the ba 11 ast p 1 atform. The rails are bolted to R.S.J.s which are in turn held in place by massive cast-iron brackets bolted through hardwood bearers <lSOmm thick on the 2nd and 3rd 1 evel s) to the western wal 1. These two RSJs extend from the ground f 1 oor to 1. 7 metres above the 3rd level floor, and the accumulator when activated penetrates the 3rd level to this height.

The floor opening for the accumulator on the second 1 evel measures 1.6 metres by 3.6 metres, and is surrounded by a heavy wire mesh screen which is inside the accumulator­pump room.

On 1 eve 1 3, the accumu 1 a tor we 11 has been enclosed with a timber clad, timber framed wall measuring 1.2 metres by 4.3 metres which extends to the ceiling.

There are no identifying marks on the accumulator.

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Figure 3. Leve 1 2, bay 5. The accumu 1 a tor guide rails are bolted to vertical RSJs which are held off the western wall above level l by triangular cast-iron brackets bolted through hardwood bearers to the wall.

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.4 I?ump MQtor The electric motor driving the hydraulic pump is of indeterminate age, but presumably was instal led with the pump in this location in the 1930s. The manufacturers plate on the motor bears the following details:

CROMPTON PARKINSON PTY LTD AUSTRALIA No. 183.4M.592 12.5 hp 1420 RPM 3 PHASE 50 cycles 400/440 VOLTS 17 AMPS MESH CONT. RATING

(Supplied by): NOYES BROS. (SYDNEY) LTD 115 CLARENCE STREET, SYDNEY

The motor control equipment, comprising a .magnetic motor-starter, a push-button operating switch, a limiter and a capacitor, are all of Australian General Electric manufacture, except the capacitor which is manufactured by Ducon Condensor Ltd. The motor-starter is an AD30 type magnetic switch, Catalogue Number 30462, and its data-plate bears the date November 1935. The stop/start switch is of Type IC 3721, Catalogue Number 3581G1. The capacitor is a Power Factor Corrector No. L891.

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Figure 4. Level 2, bay 5. The pump, motor and gearbox which supply high-pressure water to the accumulator. The Crompton Parkinson motor in the left foreground drives, through the Sonnerdale gearbox behind ft, the triplex pump on the rfght at 121.7 rpm. The three· piston cranks on the crankshaft are set 120° apart to provide a balanced delivery to the hydraulic system •

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.5 Ihe Gear Box The rotary motion of the motor is transmitted at a right-angle through a worm gear manufactured by Sonnerdale Pty Ltd. The manufacturers plate bears the following details:

MANUFACTURED BY SONNERDALE PTY LTD

UNIT NO. 5D6

JOB NO; L7527 SERIAL NO. 63989 RATIO: 11 2/3:1 H.P.: 12.5 INPUT RPM: 1420 OIL: B120

KEEP WELL LUBRICATED

A chain drive is led off the drive shaft to a small centrifugal oil pump. This pump circulates oi 1 from the rna in sump over the bearings and shaft of the main pump •

• 6 Hydraulic Pressure Pump The pump used in this system is a triplex piston pump, having three single-acting pistons operating from cranks 1200 apart on a single crankshaft. The crankshaft is connected through a geared coupling to the 12.5 horsepower electric motor, and revolves at 121 2/3 revolutions per minute.

Water is drawn from the reservoir adjacent and pumped at 750 psi to the accumulator, forcing the plunger to rise until either water is drawn from the accumulator by the operation of one of the hydraulic hoists or the accumulator reaches its operational height, where automatic cut-offs shut-off the pumps until actuated again by downward movement of the plunge~

The pump has no visible markings on its housing or parts. The housing measures 870mm x 1350mmm and is of steel which appears to have been fabricated using electric welding methods. This form of construction would suggest a 1930s

. manufacture, although the housing may have been reconstructed around an existing pump which is itself of an earlier period.

Oiling is by immersion in a common oil sump, with the oi 1 1 evel at the 1 ower end of the crankshaft bearings. A sma 11 centri fuga 1 oi 1 pump circulates oi 1 over the upper parts of the crankshaft big end bearings and main bearings •

• 7 Reseryoi r The reservoir is a rivetted iron or steel tank, measuring 6 feet <1828 mm) 1 ong by 3

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feet 6 inches (1066 mm) wide by 3 feet (915 mm> deep giving a total volume of 370 ga 11 ons or 1775 1 it res. It is enclosed, with an inspection hatch on the top. A brass plaque, with timber backing, is affixed to the northern end and bears the inscription:

MORTS DOCK & ENGINEERING .LTD MANUFACTURES OF HYDRAULIC MACHINERY

This reservoir appears to predate the motor and pump. The rivetted construction and standard of appearance both contrast with the surrounding installations. The pump draws water from a 2 inch (50 mm) pipe located low on the side of the tank.

Exhaust water from the hydraulic rams returns through a 4 inch (101 mm) pipe to the reservoir, entering through the centre of the top plate.

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Figure 5. Level 4, bay 1. The head of the hydraulic ram runs on twin-guide rails bolted to timber bearers against the wall. The control cable loops over the sheave mounted on the roof and attaches to the counterweighted arm of the control valve which Is to the right of the ram. The ram Is fully extended •

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.8 Ibe Hydraulic Rams The hydraulic ram consists of a cast iron cylinder closed at one end and fitted with a stuffing box at the other through which a brightly finished solid steel plunger fits.

When high pressure water is admitted to the cylinder the plunger is forced out. Twin sheaves are mounted on the closed end of the cylinder and the end of the plunger. A cable, tied off near the base of the cylinder, passes through the sheaves and when the ram is activated there is a mu 1 tip 1 i er effect and the free end of the cable moves through a distance four times that of the plunger.

The cylinder is fixed to two hardwood bearers bolted to the north wal 1. Where the wall is thinner on the fourth level, pilasters are constructed in the location of each hydraulic ram to continue the vertical alignment of the wall for the secure mounting of the ram cylinder. The head of the plunger runs on two bar guides about 40 mm in .diameter which terminate in a top end bracket.

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Figure 6. Level 4, bay 2. The piston head of the hydraulic ram carries two hoist-cable sheaves, the·bracket through which the guide rails pass and a narrow bracket through which the contro 1 cab 1 e runs. The bracket acts as an emergency stop. If the ram should be extended past its safe operating height the bracket catches a small iron ball which is clamped to the cable and the supply of water is cut off.

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The ram cylinder penetrates the floor of 1 evel 3 only. The ram plunger when extended penetrates the floor of level 4. the valve cab 1 e passes through 1 eve1 s 1, 2, 3 and 4. The holes to accommodate the ram and all cables on levels 3 and 4 are about 800 mm square. The holes for the cable in the floor of level 2 are about 30 mm diameter.

The ram and floor openings are protected on floors 3 and 4 by a rail about 1m high and a series of square balusters.

The hoists are all control led by individual two-way valves operated by a (1.88 m) long lever-arm. The valve is contained in a rectangular casing secured by a steel bar frame holding it about 300 mm off the wal 1 close to the ram. The valves have recently been rep 1 aced.

The valve has three pipes attached to it, the top one is the high-pressure water inlet, the centre pipe connects to the ram cylinder and the lower pipe takes the exhaust water back to the reservoir. Within the valve, a simple sliding piston operated by the plunge~ on which the level-arm acts,

·moves to link the openings of either the ·water inlet pipe or the water exhaust pipe with the pipe leading to the ram. A central position of the valve-piston closes the openings, and the ram remains stationary.

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Figure 7. Level 4, bay 5. The control valve for the hydraulic rams has three 1 ines leading into it. The lower position of the control arm connects ·the centre pipe from 1;he ram to the exhaust or return 1 ine, allowing water out of the ram, while in its upper position the ram line is connected to the high pressure inlet pipe, causing the ram to rise. A central position of the control ann closes of a 11 1 fnes preventing any movement of the ram •

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The end of the 1 ever-arm, which is counterweighted to ease the operating effort, is connected to a 15 mm continuous steel wire rope which is looped over a sheave mounted on the roof purl ins above the hydraulic ram and around a second sheave mounted on the f 1 oor of 1 eve 1 1 be 1 ow the ram. ·This arrangement enables the valve to be activated from any floor by pulling on the contro 1 cab 1 e. Cast-iron ba 11 shaped holds are clamped to the control cable at convenient heights on each floor for the operator to gain a secure purchase on the cable.

On level 1 a large heavy hand grip has been attached to the cable. This possibly indicates that the hoists were operated from here with directions being given from outside the building •

• 9 Mains Distribution Pipes Two mains pipes run from the pump and accumulator to the five hydraulic rams. From the accumulator and pump room, high­pressure 4 inch (10 mm) pipe and an exhaust water 4 inch pipe run along beneath the ceiling of level 1 to the central bay of the building, just inside the northern wall. From here, they both run vert i ca 11 y to the level 4 where T-junctions lead the pipes off in both directions to service the hydraulic rams.

Some of this piping appears to be original, while large sections of it have been renewed. No evidence remains of any piping leading to the earlier hydraulic lifts which were rep 1 aced by the· present electric lifts in the mid-1940s •

• 10 Remains of the Original 3 ton Lifts Very 1 ittl e of the fabric of the 1894 hydraulic lifts remain. The cages and lift well structure were completely removed. The four cast iron columns which held the frame for the 3 ton hor i zonta 1 hyd rau 1 i c ram and three RSJs areal 1 that remain at each lift system. Two of the RSJ s run from the front columns to the north wall and one connects the two co 1 umns. The co 1 umns and RSJ s are not used in any way in the electric 1 ift

.systems.

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The two loading doors on the fourth level in front of each of the present electric lifts vary from all others in the building in that they are not hung from above, but move on wheels attached to the bottom of the doors in a track provided in the floor. A simple guide rail controls the movement of the top of the door. It is presumed . that this arrangement was due to the 3 ton hydrau·l ic rams being located level with the top of the doors, and the overhead track cou 1 d not be used without interfering with the operation of the ram.

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Figure 8. Level 4, bay 2. The cast-iron co 1 umn and 1 a rge RSJ 1s that once supported the eastern of the two horizontal hydraulic rams which were replaced by the electric lifts. The stairway to the electric 1 ift motor room can be seen behind the column.

7. 0 THE ELECTRIC 2 TON SYSTEM IN 1985

.1 The two identical electrical lifts in building 89 are located in bays 2 and 4 • . Each lift cage is housed in a lift well, which, though somewhat larger, is in the same place as the origina·l hydraulic 1 ift wells.

The 1 ift cages are of a standard goods design fitted with two expanding steel lattice doors, one front and one rear and equipped with automatic push button call boards. These doors are fitted with electric auto locks and must be closed before the 1 ift wi 11 operate.

The 1 ift wells, 4.37 metres 1 ong and 2.81 metres wide, are slightly deeper than the lift cages and about twice as wide with the doors, 2.13 metres 1 ong by 2.08 metres high, located 360mm to the west of centre in each case - the extra distance accommodating the 1 ift cage counterweights which travel down the eastern side of each lift well. The

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Figure 9. Level 1, bay 2. The 1 ift cage of the eastern electric 1 i ft showing the expanding lattice inner-doors and the control panel in the 11ft cage. The vertical timber boarding over the doorway conceals the upper half of the metal outer door, while the lower half disappears into the floor. The external appearance of lift well is the same on each level.

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wells are the same externally on each level and are supported vertically by RSJs continuous from ground level to the base of the motor room in each corner of each well. They are timber framed and sheathed externally all round, except for the doors, with vertical wooden slats to a height of 2 m (6'6"). Above this the frame is covered to the ceiling with diagonal wire mesh. Above the door the slats continue to the

·ceiling but in this case are nailed to the inside rather than the outside of the frame •

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' The lift wells are fitted with two vertically opening, balanced, centre sealed, manually operated fire proof doors on each floor. These are also fitted with electric auto locks that prevent them being opened when the lift is not stationery at that floor. The do~rs are a steel box frame covered with three mild steel sheet panels. The top door has two recessed hand holds on its 1 ower face, each bearing on its flange the words "Sydney Ornamental Steel Co., Gardeners Road Mascot". A sma 11 window is located centrally in the top door to allow operators to ascertain if the lift is at that floor as the doors do not open automatically •

A single call button is located adjacent to each door mounted on a steel plate screwed to the timber boarding.

.. The motor rooms are really small timber framed hipped roof buildings which penetrate the roof of building 89. Each room measures 5.0 metres east-west by 2.35 metres north­south and is 2.55 metres from f 1 oor to roof tie-beam. They are wind-braced on all four sides by diagonal steel straps lOmm x 75mm in cross-section, and a 1 arge steel !-beam carrying a 1 ifting clamp runs 1 ongitudinall y· across each room at roof-tie-beam level for installation and removal of equipment. Each is built on a platform, provided by RSJs, which rests on the frame of the 1 i ft we 11. Both platforms extend beyond the frame of the 1 ift we 11 by about lm. This ext en si on is to the east of the ea·stern 1 ift and to the west of the western 1 ift and it a 11 ows access to the motor room from 1 evel 4 by a wooden staircase.

The frames of the motor rooms are clad externally above the roof line of building 89 with fibrous cement sheet. They are· lined internally with vertical wooden slats to a height of about lm. There are four

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windows in each motor room, each measuring 660mm 1 ong by 1.0 metres high. They are located on either side of the north and south walls of each room.

Lift Motors and Central Equipment The lifting apparatus in each motor room is virtually identical, and comprises one two­speed electric lift motor, a gearbox and cable drive with a magnetic brake unit and associated electrical control equipment.

The motor in the Western Control Room is a Crompton Parkinson Tandem Lift Motor with the data plate bearing the inscription:

CROMPTON PARKINSON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD FIVE DOCK, N.S.W. TANDEM LIFT MOTOR MODEL NO. 128/108 3 PHASE 50 CYCLES MACHINE NO. 23 HIGH SPEED 17.5 HP 950 RPM 26 AMPS 25 ROTOR AMPS

400/415 VOLTS

LOW SPEED 43/8 HP 150 RPM 27.5 AMPS

The data-plate on the eastern lift motor

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Figure 10. Level 4, bay 4. The two electric lifts are both powered by identical Crompton Parkinson Tandem Lift Motors, Machine No's 22 and 23, mounted in the 1 fft motor rooms above the we 11. The d 1 agona 1 metal strapping used to wind brace the motor rooms was added after the motors and wiring were Installed.

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bears the same information, with the Machine Number marked as No. 22.

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·The motor is a standard tandem 1 i ft motor with three externally mounted slip rings. Speed control is attained by·the insertion of resistance in the "circuit. No variation in control is provided and operation is at either of the two preset speeds.

The direct drive shaft passes through a brake mechanism before entering the gearbox. The brakedrum is mounted on the shaft, which

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is acted on by an el ectromagnetical 1 y .-.;.

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activated brake shoe. The DC current which applies the brake is provided by a battery of selenium rectifiers.

• The gearbox was manufactured by Johns Waygood, and is contemporary with the moto~ Its outstanding feature is the large back gear with the teeth cut on the inner rather than the outer circumference of the gear wheel.

Call and direction signals from each floor and from within the lift cage activate a battery of relay switches. These relays, in turn, operate the lift motor through master switch gear solenoid connections •

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ffgure 11. Level 4, bay 4. ·The cable drum • and gearbox fn the western 1 fft motor room, ·showing the large Iron mountings that

support the cable drum. The cables lead down to the rfght to connect to the lfft counterweight which slides down the eastern sfde of the well.

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A safety speed governor is fitted to each 1 ift, with a wire cable attached to the 1 ift-cage passing over a sheave incorporating a centrifugal brake mounted in the control room. Excessive speed of the cage operates the brake mechanism which puts tension on this cable, causing spring-loaded clamps in the lift cage to lock onto the guide rails in the 1 ift well, bringing the cage to a ha 1 t. The eastern 1 i ft governor is marked

Waygood Otis Safety Governor Tested 16.5.33

Car Speed 100 f.p.m. Governor Trip 195 f.p.m.

The western lift governor is missing its cover and identification plate.

A circuit diagram in the motor room is marked as being traced from a drawing made by Hydraulic Power, Hydraulic & Electric Lifts Pty Ltd and dated 1945.

There are no other dates on the equipment in the 1 i ft motor room. Nor are there any dates on the 1 ift cages themselves. A thorough search of documents held by Elevators Pty Ltd, DHC, Garden Island

·Dockyard and the Australian Archives has not produced any information on the removal of the hydraulic system or the installation of the present electrical system. However, advice from Elevators Pty Ltd and the date on the circuit diagram seem to indicate the mid 1940s as a probable period.

Figure 12. Level 4, bay 2. The electrical control panel tn the eastern motor room. The nearer panel 1 argel y comprises the soleroid relays which stop and start the 1 fft at various f1 oors, whfl e the 1 eft panel comprises, from the top, the 1 ow-speed resistances, the call-relays and the selerium rectifiers for the D.C. magnetic brake.

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8.0 STATEMENT Of SIGNIFICANCE >

• 1 Ihe Hydraulic Hoist System .1.1 This four storey stores building could only

have been designed and erected because of the advent of hydraulically powered lifts

.. and hoists. The hydraulic equipment must be r7garded as an integral part of .the building •

• 1.2 The hydraulic system is complete. It has a pump, pump motor, reservoir, accumu 1 ator, hydraulic rams and associated valves and cables.

.1.3 It is the only operable system of its type in Sydney.

:1.4 It is the oldest system of any condition extant in Sydney •

• 1.5 It is the only surviving hydraulic system in Sydney linked to external cranes •

• 1.6 It is the only known surviving hydraulic machinery made by Morts Dock and Engineering Co •

• 1.7 The accum~lator, five cranes, five hydraulic rams, reservoir and much of the piping is original •

• 1.8 The system has exceptional interpretative value •

• 2 The Electric Lift System

.2.1 There are several 2 ton goods lifts of this type and this vintage operating in Sydney.

.2.2 These 1 ifts Sydney.

are not the oldest operating in •

• 2.3 These lifts are not innovative mechanically or electrically •

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Ell fson, P. and Whfte, B., Maintenance Engineers, Eleva tors Pty. Ltd., Personal Communication, July, 1985 •

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9.0 BECOMHENPAIION

.1 The Hydraulic Hoist System

.1.1 The whole of the system should be regarded as an engineering artifact of great historic significance and should be conserved in situ •

• 1.2 Consideration should be given to inspecting the system and restoring it to operating condition •

• 1.3 Fire regulations may make it necessary to sea 1 the f 1 oor openings through which the fire rams and the accumulator pass during operation. The design of the seals should all ow them to be easi 1 y removed when necessary •

• 1.4 The rams shou 1 d be stored in the fu 11 y extended position so any deterioration of the shaft can be readily monitored. The sheave head of each plunger should be adequately held in the extended position, possibly by a wire rope loop, to prevent it inadvertently falling into the empty cylinder •

• 1.5 The rails and ba 1 usters which surround the ram on 1 eve 1 s three and four shou 1 d be restored and any excess boarding removed •

• 1.6 The accumulator should be made visible on level 1. The accumulator, pump, pump motor and reservoir should be made visible on 1 eve 1 2. The accumu 1 a tor ra i 1 s and brackets should be made visible on level 3 •

• 1. 7 A 11 components in the system shou 1 d be conserved. Any treatment to prevent deterioration should be in accordance with established procedures •

• 1.8 The columns and RSJ on 1 evel 4 which supported the horizontal hydraulic ram that powered the 1894 1 i ft system shou 1 d be conserved •

• 2 Ibe Electric Lift System

.2.1 The lift wells lift cages and lift motor rooms may be removed.

·.2.2 If possible, the equipment in the lift motor rooms should be offered to EPL for possible reuse.

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10.0 PHOTOGRAPHIC RECOfJ)

• 1 Before any intervention takes place on the hydraulic system or the electric lift system a complete photographic record should be made •

• 2 Such a photographic record will constitute a series of oblique and orthogonal photographs in both colour and black and white of the entire fabric of both lift·and hoist systems. The black and white photographs are to be taken on a 1 arge or medium format camera with well marked photographic rubs of the appropriate size. The colour are to be taken using strobe 1 ighting and Kodochrome 64 film or equivalent •

• 3 For the hydraulic system the record is to include photographs of the motor, gearbox, pump, accumulator and reservoir, plus a total inventory of all equipment, tools and materials within the power rooms at the western end of the building on Levels 1 and 2. The pipes are to be photograP,hed for their entire length. All five hidraulic rams and associated cables are to be photographed on all four levels. Each crane and its.associated cables and sheaves should be photographed •

.4 For the electric lift system the lift well should be photographed on each floor, the lift cage and associated switches should be covered and the motor room and its contents very carefully photographed. The lift motor rooms should also be photographed externally.

.5 It is imperative that once the photographs are taken that they be completely annotated. It is expected that not only are the photographs to be a historic record, the ones of the hydraulic system will be used in future times to assist conservation.

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Developing of the black and white negatives, of course, sha 11 be done using standard conservation techniques and storage will be in approved mylar envelopes •

• 7 At 1 east three exposures of each co 1 our shot will be made. This will all ow for one arch iva 1 copy, one working copy and one . exhibition copy. Experience has shown that it is much more economic and certainly produces better results if all copies required are taken first hand.

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11.0 RESEARCH

The following lists contain the names of the. organisations or institutions which were consulted and where appropriate the names and occupations of the individual informants •

• 1 Libraries Public Library of N.S.W. Mitchell Library Menzies Library, U.N.s.w •

• 2 Archives Australian Archives Office Department of Housing and Construction -

Records Section

.3 Companies and Firms Lend Lease Corporation - Ms Kerry Fay Noyes Bros Pty Ltd Elevators Pty Ltd - Jeff Honey, Assistant Manager, Maintenance -Pat Ellison, Maintenance Engineer - Barry White, Maintenance Engineer

.4 Architects Philip Cox and Partners - Ian Powell, Sydney - Eric Martin, Canberra

.5 Garden Island Dockyard

.5.1 Plant and Tools Mr. J. O'Connor, Plant Maintenance Mr. C. Beveridge, Testing Sub-Section Mr. B. Fearnley, Testing Sub-Section Mr. G. Chapman, Drafting Office Mr. B. Neilson, Plant Records

.5.2 Outstations Services Mr. P. Simmons, Outstations Engineer Mr. R. Evans Mr. W. Tarrant, Former Operator of Hydraulic

System

.5.3 Drawing Office Mr. M. Courias Mr. J. Holmes

.5.4 Public Relations Mr. L. Linde, Public Relations and Historian

.6 DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION

.6.1 Works and Property - GID Mr. R. Ives, Plant Engineer Mr. K. Dawson, General Works Branch

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.6.2 Records Section Mr. H. Dare

.7 DEEARTMENT OF DEFENCE- Nayy Office ' •

• 7.1 Naval Supply Division Mr. ~ Jones, Assistant Superintendent of

Naval Supply Mr. R. Brown, Acting Principal Stores

Supervisor

.8 other~ Mr. F. Randall, Retired Maintenance Engineer

- G.I.D •

• 9 Documentary Evidence

.9.1 Written References: Lineham, Wilfrid J., h_I~~~QQQk_Qf Mechanical Engineering, 11th Edition, Chapman and Hall, London, 1914.

Baxter, William Jnr, Hydrau] jc El e't.ators: Their Design, Construction, Operation, Care and Management, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1910.

Merriman, Mansfield, Treatise on Hydrau]ics, lOth Edition, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1916.

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Archer, G.W., The Hydrau] 1c Eower System of .S.y.d.njiy_l.6.2.l::.l2.25.., I h e s i s f o r B. s c <Industrial Arts) University of N.s.w., 1982.

Barry, R., En~Lof an_Eri!, in The Link, Journal of the Lend Lease Corporation, 1975.

Dickinson, I., Notes on Hydraulic Eower Su~~lY 1n Sydn~y, lQth M~y, l82!, in Proceedings 9, The Engineering Association of N.S.W., 1893-94.

Martin, E.J., !aarden lsl~nd Bujlding Conseryat1on Study,· Thesis for M.B.Env., University of N.s.w., 1980.

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M a r t i n , E. J • , .G i! rd. !2 n I ~1 a n d i H Ls.tQ r 1 ~ 12u1ld1ngs E1nd i!.N~w U.s.~ in Heritage Australia Magazine, Winter Edition, 1983 •

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• 9.2 Australian Archives References: • NAVY OfEICE EILES

AcQess1on No. SP338

Box No. Period File No.

24 1949 1005/3/3

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Subject CONFERENCE ON REALLOCATION OF NAVAL STOREHOUSES, SYDNEY.

Accession No. SP339 Box No. 59 Period 1920-23 File No. PACK NO. 38 Subject NAVAL WORKS,

68 1910-1916 G4

GENERAL, 1920-23.

Box. No. Period File No. Subject GARDEN ISLAND - ALTERATIONS AND

ADDITIONS.

76 1914-1918 W-11 (13/7458)

Box No. Period File No. Subject WORKS - GARDEN ISLAND - 1914-1918 •

• 10 PLANS AND DRAWINGS

Garden Island Dockyard - Measured Drawings Building 89/90 No's 1-14 for Dept of Housing and Construction, Phillip Cox and Partners Pty Ltd.

Naval Station - Garden Island, Naval and Victualling Stores, Elevations: Drawings No. 3 .• 9nd 4 (1.3.92) GID Drawing Office No's BSG/14/6 and BSG/14/1, held by Department of Housing and Construction No's NA80/2119 and NA80/2120.

N9val Station - Garden Island, Naval and Victualling Stores- Plan Shewing (sic) Position of Hydr9ulic Hoisting Machinery (6.4.93} P.W.D. Neg No. 4461 CFA92b39} held in G.I.D. Drawing Office.

Tender Drawings for the Supply of Hydraulic Hoisting Plant, Morts Pock and Engineering Company, Drawing No's 1, 2 and 3, <signed and sealed 8.9.93} held by G.I.D. Drawing Office No. 3771S (9/183B) Compactus A1-Section 8, Top Shelf.

Nav9l St9tion - G9rden Isl9nd, Nav9l 9nd Victu9lling Stores, Detail of G9tes and Btllings ... tQ lift. OJ2.ening,~ (undated) No. 3. 7 59 5, he 1 d by G. I. D. Draw i n g 0 f f ice, Compactus A1, Section 8, Top Shelf.

Naval St.9tiqn- Garden Island, Hydr9ulic Hqists in Victualling Stqre- Stqps for Hqrizqnt91 Ram~ (5.7.94) No. 3.783-J held by G.I.D. Drawing Office, Compactus A1, Section 8, Top Shelf.

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Naval Station - G~rden Island, Naval and Victualling Store, Hydraulic Hoisting Machinery - Pipe Trenches, Engine Foundations etc. in Pump and Accumulator House (16.11.93) No. 15-1925-J held by G.I.D. Drawing Office: Compactus A1, Section a, Top Shelf.

Naval Station - Garden Island - Improvement of Hydraulic Hoisting Machine- Shields for Rope Wheels on f1 ve Vertical Rams (27 .11.94) No.3-1962-J h.el d by G.I.D. Drawing Office, Compactus A1, Section a, Top Shelf.

Garden Island - Existing Naval Storehouse (25.4.44) Comm. of Australia, Dept. of the Interior, Works and Services Branch, Drawing No. N.S.W.DEF.3a177 (fa45t15) held by Dept. of Housing and Construction, Records Section •

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