The South Brisbane Drydock - Its Heritage And Its People

The Queensland Maritime Museum has received funding support from the Australian Government’s Your Community Heritage Program to document the story of the South Brisbane Dry Dock and its contribution to Australia’s unique heritage.

The Queensland Maritime Museum is located at the South Brisbane Dry Dock and has been caretaker of the site since 1973. In order to assist us with our research we are requesting assistance with the following topics.

• The people’s story of the dock including workers, apprentices, ships’ crews, neighbours, businesses, shops, hotels, residences etc • Stories from the period of the dock’s operation from 1881 to 1972 • Access to images or memorabilia relating to the dock • Information relating to the docking of merchant vessels, warships, government vessels and dredges • The dock also served as a swimming pool • The dock was a vital strategic asset during WW2 especially for the repair of submarines and warships • The construction of the concrete bomb shelter over the pump house during WW2. • The operation of the ship repair depot adjacent to the dock. • Information relating to the dock’s construction and its place in the South Brisbane community

The dock is the oldest substantially intact major industrial site in Brisbane and it played an important role in supporting the growth of the maritime industry in Queensland.

People with information are requested to contact the Museum as follows: •library@maritimemuseum.com.au •Ph (07) 38445361, fax (07)38461945 •Queensland Maritime Museum, PO Box 3098 South Brisbane Qld 4101