Murray River Locks and Weirs Construction History | Author

Murray River Locks and Weirs Construction History

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25.01.2022 PS Marion at Murray Bridge with author/historian Helen Stagg 2010

23.01.2022 Not to do with the river, but this may lift your mood. My daughter is an opera singer based in Berlin. Singing Eva Cassidy here for us with a corona message in the middle.

22.01.2022 The Darling flowing at Pooncarie!! Wow.

22.01.2022 Thought you may like to read this article I wrote a few years back. https://www.tracesmagazine.com.au//harnessing-the-river-m/

22.01.2022 Sadly, due to the current pandemic, this talk has been postponed. I will let you know when it is rescheduled.

22.01.2022 1942: tragedy at Lock 6. Mr Albanus had been employed on lock construction, then been assistant lockmaster at Lock 5 before taking over at Lock 6 and his untimely death. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article109266164 Page identifier

21.01.2022 Before the river was locked....(Lock 1 was underway at Blanchetown)

21.01.2022 Found this little snip on Wikipedia about Blanchetown. I didn't realise that the development of Morgan and rail connections there were so important in Blanchetown's development. Blanchetown was originally surveyed in October 1855 as Blanche Town. It was named after Lady Blanche MacDonnell, the wife of the Governor of South Australia, Sir Richard MacDonnell. The Governor selected the site personally, to replace an earlier settlement of Murrundi (or Moorundee) - five kilometre...s downstream - which was subject to flooding. There had been a ferry crossing at Blanchetown since 1869 (private before 1879, then Government-run). In February 1876 Blanchetown was described as a "small but ambitious settlement, containing a dozen houses, and having a population of about 50 people". The buildings in the township were "substantially built of a stone quarried in the neighbourhood". The post and telegraph office, the hotel and store were described as "the main buildings". When land was first sold at Blanche Town it was on the "understanding that a railway should be made there, and some of the allotments consequently fetched as much as 1,200 per acre". By 1876, however, it was apparent that the railway would by-pass Blanchetown. It was reported that "the inhabitants regard the non-fulfillment of this promise as savouring of repudiation". The railway line connecting Adelaide with the town of Morgan, upstream of Blanchetown, was opened in 1878. This development adversely affected the progress of Blanchetown and resulted in a decline of steamer traffic to the town.

21.01.2022 These great photos from Veronica Antcliff on the Lost Mildura page show the flying fox tower, possibly at Lock 11 Mildura. Construction there was completed in 1927.

20.01.2022 This is a very interesting graphic from a very old booklet, published in 1969: Murray Valley Reference Handbook. Note measurements in miles and feet!!

19.01.2022 Some hazards associated with the construction, but indirectly, sometimes impacted on the workers in a big way as shown in the following article: 1926 08 11 The Register: Early in August 1926 in the bagtown area at Lock 2, two workmen, Phillip Denihan and George Stokes, lost their belongings when at 3.30 p.m. their hut went up in flames . It was first noticed by Police-Sgt Beerworth from Waikerie who was at the lock at the time. The hut was made of bagging on a wooden frame and was completely destroyed. The men also lost a sum of money that represented their savings for months past.

19.01.2022 June 21 1919: The Spanish Flu outbreak did impact on lock work at Blanchetown. William Rooney died from the illness as shown in attached document.

19.01.2022 An old photo of Lock 11, Mildura.

18.01.2022 Lest We Forget!

18.01.2022 The weir at Mildura.

17.01.2022 The PS Marion arriving at Blanchetown Lock, 5 June 1915 for the ceremony to lay the Foundation Stone. Prime MInister Andrew Fisher and Attorney General Billy Hughes were special guests on board. The Blanchetown school children lined up to welcome the dignitaries.

17.01.2022 At each lock construction camp, there was the main encampment of mainly iron two-roomed houses, supplied at a modest rental for the workers who formed the basis of the workforce, but others made their own living arrangements in a nearby area known as Bagtown. Here, people made their own houses from whatever material was on hand. I found this image I took years ago of an old sign at Merbein, Victoria of another Bagtown, this time at Merbein during the Great Depression. The information was compiled by Bernadette Wells of The Merbein Historical Society. I am pretty sure the signage has all been now renewed there, but the text on here provides insights into this type of housing.

16.01.2022 5 years ago today, on a beautiful Winters day like this, we marked 100 years since the Foundation Stone ceremony at Blanchetowns Lock 1. It was the day my book Harnessing the River Murray: Stories of the People who built Locks 1 to 9, 1915-1935, was officially launched. Here is a portion of my speech on that day. Note the Cover photo today depicts the PS Marion arriving at the ceremony 100 years ago, and the Profile Pic shows the original foundation stone.

16.01.2022 The marking of Anzac Day commenced in 1916 just one year after the landings at Gallipoli and one year on from commencement of work on the River Murray. It was not at that stage a public holiday but returned servicemen were given time off it seems as per the attached document.

16.01.2022 South Australia sent Engineers to the United States to investigate methods of construction prior to beginning construction of the Murray River locks and weirs. Delegations were sent between 1903-9 and again in 1926. https://flic.kr/s/aHsk3HTUHZ

16.01.2022 The original foundation stone at Lock 1. It is now in a difficult to find, and see, spot at Lock 1.

15.01.2022 Recently a follower of this page asked for images of weir removal. In October 2016 I took this short video of one of the trestles being removed from Mildura Weir.This weir is of the Dethridge type as distinct from the Boule Panel type used in the most of the weirs. It is named after John Stewart Dethridge, 1856-1926, the civil engineer who designed it and the one at Torumbarry. These were novel structures. Each consisted of a row of steel trestles mounted on wheels so that they could be rolled completely out of the river in time of flood.

14.01.2022 An interesting read from this day in 1922 re the Hume Dam progress. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16005088

13.01.2022 Our times are not quite unprecedented. This is interesting reading with borders closed: The Spanish flu epidemic reached Australia, and so serious was it that States closed their borders, and the bridge between Moama and Echuca was blocked. Hundreds of people developed the flu as the epidemic spread, and extraordinary measures were taken to isolate victims from those unaffected. There was a rush of people to be inoculated, and quarantine camps were opened. Race meetings were... cancelled, schools were closed, as were theatres and churches. Edicts were issued that people should not shake hands, nor sneeze when in proximity to others. The death toll rose week by week. In mid March passports were issued to those who had been passed as being without infection, allowing them to cross the Echuca-Moama bridge to districts within a ten mile radius of the border. Dozens of people assembled to witness the event, those who had been issued with a health certificate and others just to watch proceedings. (Source: p 646 AUSTRALIAS INLAND STEAMERS, A CHRONICLE VOLUME III, 19041928 WRITTEN AND COMPILED BY Y. M. JOHNSON) See more

13.01.2022 Here is a link to one of the videos mentioned in previous post in case you can't find it: https://aso.gov.au//documen/trip-along-river-murray/clip1/

12.01.2022 This photo from State Library SA shows the second cofferdam at Lock 7 c 1933. The date offered on the page is incorrect, shown by this report 30 June 1933. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+74610

11.01.2022 Facebook memories reminds me that 5 years ago today the first delivery of my book, Harnessing the River Murray: Stories of the People who built Locks 1 to 9, 1915-1935 arrived at my door. Since then, over a thousand copies have gone out to tell the story of these little-known communities involved in what was a very significant infrastructure project. I feel grateful that I have been able to share their story. If you would like to order a copy, please message me.

10.01.2022 Heaps of survey work preceeded the construction, and involved the American Engineer Johnson: page 5 of my book, Harnessing the River Murray: stories of the people who built Locks 1 to 9, 1915-1935 says: "Chapter Two: South Australia leads the way Having passed the Murray Works Act (South Australia) in 1910, the South Australian Engineer-in-Chief (1909-1918), Graham Stewart, went to England and America early in 1911 in search of an eminent engineer to conduct surveys and draw ...plans for his states locks and weirs. The American expert, Major Edward Neele Johnston, assistant to the Chief Engineer of the United States, with his extensive experience in lock and dam construction, especially on the Ohio River, was engaged. In October 1913 Johnstons report was tabled in South Australias parliament. South Australias Legislative Council then decided to proceed independently with the locking of the Murray as far as Wentworth, which would allow permanent navigation for 1,065 miles along the river with a minimum navigable depth of almost 6.5 feet. Johnston had examined the various sites, sunk trial holes in the river to test suitable foundations, and made detailed drawings of the first lock. All that remained was to call for tenders. Johnston recommended appointing Robert C Cutting, a civil engineer with practical experience in lock building in America, as resident engineer for the first lock. Cutting arrived in 1914 and undertook the planning and start of the project, including the submission of large scale orders for heavy machinery and equipment from overseas and local sources. " See more

10.01.2022 Just checking in: hoping all of you are safe and well. Also, a reminder that the Murray Bridge talk scheduled for tomorrow night, March 26, has been postponed due to the Corona virus.

10.01.2022 1914 drought. Wentworth.

10.01.2022 More Darling footage.

09.01.2022 In 2014, about 10 months before the publication of "Harnessing the River Murray: stories of the people who built Locks 1 to 9, 1915-1935" I was invited to be interviewed on ABC Radio National Bush Telegraph Program. I had the privilege to have the late Charlie Adams with me in the studio for the interview. You can listen here: https://abcmedia.akamaized.net//2/08/bth_20140815_1150.mp3 Sadly Charlie passed away the day after the book was launched, but he had received his copy a month or two earlier. RIP Charlie.

08.01.2022 Lock 11 Mildura

08.01.2022 Here is the link to the pictures and text referred to in the audio file from ABC Bush Telegraph which you can listen to in the post below. https://www.abc.net.au//archived/bush/lock-history/5670936

08.01.2022 LEST WE FORGET! Many returned service-men sought work on the River Murray Locking scheme, initially at Lock 1 and then further along as works progressed. One such man was John Scougall, recommended in 1921 for the position of Leading storekeeper at Lock 1. "Scougall has been employed on these works since 13 9 1919. He has acted as storekeeper, timekeeper, and since 27 April 1920 has carried out these duties in very satisfactory manner. He is returned soldier with 4 1/4 years... service and was awarded the military medal." His war service notes are: John Scougall Regimental number 1181 Religion Presbyterian, Occupation Carpenter, Address Strathalbyn, South Australia Marital status Single, Age at embarkation 20 Next of kin Father, Robert Sinclair Scougall, Strathalbyn, South Australia, Enlistment date 2 September 1914 Rank on enlistment Private, Unit name 10th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement, AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/27/2 Embarkation details: Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT Themistocles on 7 December 1914 Regimental number from Nominal Roll 26 Rank from Nominal Roll Corporal Unit from Nominal Roll 51st Battalion Fate Returned to Australia 13/08/2018 Military Medal During active operations near DERNANCOURT South West of ALBERT on 5th April, 1918, Lance Corporal SCOUGALL, often at great personal risk and under heavy shellfire, continually repaired the telephone wires. It was mainly due to his good work and gallant conduct that communication was maintained with Brigade Headquarters, adjoining units, and all Companies. His devotion to duty and coolness under heavy fire were an example to all. Other details: War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front See more

08.01.2022 I am very intrigued by these shared on another page. They appear to be some sort of worker identification, but I had not encountered them before. Have any of you seen these before? Max Beaumont, have you found any of these?

08.01.2022 Spanish Flu at Lock 1, 1919: 1919 06 12 letter from Dr Nichol to Res Engineer Mr Cutting at lock 1. In reference to the cases of influenza at Blanchetown I beg to report as follows; my first intimation of there being any illness there, was on 4 June on my regular trip when I saw nine patients who were or had been suffering apparently from influenza. Two men had left lock without complaining of illness and it is to them that the outbreak at Truro is attributable. All the pat...ients seen by me on that date had been ill for three or four days and of the nine, four only were in my opinion still infectious. All cases were of a very mild type and none showed any signs of pulmonary pneumonic complications. As there was no means of isolating them at the time in hospital, I advised that equipment should be asked for and I was to be advised if fresh cases arose. On the nights I paid a special visit to Blanchetown and found five fresh cases, four of which were in the houses separate from the camp and were isolated in their own houses. Of the original nine cases, all but one were recovered and there was only one fresh one in the men's quarters. The equipment promised had not yet arrived. On June 11 I again visited Blanchetown and found all the patients doing well and only one fresh case, who was not resident in the men's camp who was isolated in his own home. There are now only four cases to my knowledge in infectious condition, of these three are in private homes and the fourth is being looked after by his roommate who has had the disease and is recovered. On the 11th, equipment for hospital use had still not arrived and I'm in great hope that it will not be required. See more

07.01.2022 Another wipe-out in the camp, this time at Lock 5: 1923 11 29 the Advertiser: On November 27, a willy-willy about 3:30 pm did considerable damage to buildings at lock 5 works. A house of two rooms was completely wrecked and the roofs of two others were deposited some distance away, one into a tree and the other into the river. No one was injured.

07.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com//a.5760230824901/1909229529169529 Wages trouble at Mannum Quarry 1918.

07.01.2022 1919 Quarantine camp at Adelaides Jubilee Oval during the 1919 Spanish Flu outbreak which also impacted the lockworks at Blanchetown.

06.01.2022 The PS Marion, gorgeous old lady of the river, responsible for bringing the then PM Andrew Fisher and Attorney General Billy Hughes and other dignitaries to the Foundation Stone ceremony for Lock 1 at Blanchetown on June 5 1915.

06.01.2022 Goolwa barrage construction site, early days. PS Industry and several bin barges as well as a largish barge. This is actually two of Bill Drages photos, married together, to get the full width of the job.

05.01.2022 These photos taken of young people at Lock 7 during construction.

03.01.2022 Chaos and alarm was rife in Australia during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1919 in Australia. The lock works at Blanchetown were impacted. I found this interesting complaint from Truro in June 1919.1919 06 11 Register: TRURO, June 10. "This town, which had been clean from influenza, has now become infected through two men who came into the town carrying the disease from the Lock works at Blanchetown where influenza is rife. Indignation is felt here that nothing has been done at Blanchetown to isolate sufferers there. There is no medical man here, and at Blanchetown there is a visiting one once a week."

03.01.2022 Abutment at Lock 4, June 2015. Photo: Helen Stagg, historybyhelen

02.01.2022 There are two short videos of early life on the River Murray available on this link at the National Film and Sound Archive. In my research, I actually found the letter from the Irrigation Commission in 1925 to the Engineer in Chief alerting him to the planned filming, which does include the building of the locks. You may see the video link to the right of the page. https://aso.gov.au//docu/trip-along-river-murray/comments/

02.01.2022 Fast facts Mildura Weir The weir was built in 1927 It is the last of the Dethridge type weirs remaining along the river. The weir comprises 24 15t trestles with each trestle mounted on 10 steel wheels to allow removal for maintenance, as well as high river levels or flood.... The trestles also have four horizontal wheels located on the downstream side at the base to help keep the trestles aligned. The wheels run on steel sections a trestle-way - that runs the full width of the river. Fast facts Lock 11 Lock 11 is located in an excavated channel on the Victorian side of the river and consists of a pair of mass concrete side walls, a pair of swing gates on the upstream and downstream ends of the structure and a system of tunnels and valves for controlling the water entering and leaving the lock. The lock was built around 1927 as part of the Mildura Weir construction. The lockage section is 61.5m long, 17.1m wide and 7.6m deep. The main mechanical items are the four lock gates (each 9.4m wide by 7.6m high and weighing 18t) and the eight filling and emptying valves (each 0.8m wide by 1.8m high). The lock is the River Murrays busiest, with an average of 2400 boats going through it each year.