South Brisbane Dry Dock
Dredging of the Brisbane River commenced in 1867 and from this point the benefits of a dry dock on the river were discussed.
Tenders were called and a contract let in January 1876 to construct a dry dock at a cost of £61,963/13/0 pounds.
The designer of the dock was William Nesbit, Chief Engineer for Harbours and Rivers. The dock was to be capable of accommodating ships up to 320 feet length and 50 feet beam. The dock entrance was to be closed by a movable caisson and a centrigugal pumping installion was provided to dewater the dock. The dock was completed on 10 September 1881 following difficulties in obtaining supplies of building stone and flooding of the Brisbane river.
Due to the increasing size of ships the dock was extended by a further 100 feet in 1886/87. The dock experienced peak demand during both World Wars for the repair of warships. The dock was also used by commercial shipping. The dock was retired on 22 September 1972 after the Queensland Government built a bridge downstream which prevented shipping reaching the dry dock. The dock had been used by 5,007 ships during its 91 years of active use. At about the time of its closure it was proposed and agreed that the dock would become part of the Queensland Maritime Museum.
The dock now contains the ex-RAN frigate HMAS Diamantina and the Light Ship Carpentaria. The caisson has been replaced by a permanent concrete structure. The site is heritage listed on the Queensland Government State Heritage Register.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage Marker (EHM) |
| Award Date | April 2019 |
| Heritage Significance | |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Not Available |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image | Not Available here |
