A group from the Sutherland Shire Historical Society recently went on an excursion to Garden Island.
Garden Island is so-called because it was the colony's first food source when gardens were established on the island to feed the colony on January 27, 1788.
Garden Island was originally an island in Sydney Harbour, but extension of the base and the construction of a dry dock in the channel between the island and the mainland have resulted in its connection to the mainland shore at Potts Point from the 1940s. The wharves of the naval base now stretch the length of the eastern side of Woolloomooloo Bay, from the suburb of Woolloomooloo to the end of the original island.
There is a tunnel system under the Garden Island that was once used by the Royal Australian Navy.[7] Within this tunnel system was a power station, offices and air raid shelters. This tunnel complex also had a command centre. Other tunnels also exist which headed further in towards Kings Cross.
The tunnels were used to move guns from one side of the island to the other. There are also older tunnels that were used to transport ammunition. The tunnels are now used for electrical wiring and communications.
The island also has a pit that was built in the 1800s and was used as a storage facility in case the island was ever attacked. The entrance to this pit has now been sealed.
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Garden Island, New South Wales circa 1910-1928 (before it was connected to the mainland at Potts Point). |
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