Great Lakes Manning River Shipping NSW
Harrington Maritime Pilot Station NSW (Circa 1900's)
William Nicholson pictured standing outside the boatmen’s cottages, west of the Pilot’s residence. Also visible to the right of the Pilot’s house is the signal building and the 40 ft high flagstaff.
Painted Rock
Prior to the construction of the breakwater walls, the shipping channel ran close to the base of what is now known as Flagstaff Hill.
The area of the Manning Pilot station was also referred to as the “Painted Rock”; it was claimed that vessels scrapped off paint on the boulders as they passed in too close - others say the discolouring of the rocks was formed by the droppings of sea birds.
History :
1856
June
After repeated representations by the farmers and cedar cutters to the Government, on the treacherous condition of the bar crossing into the Manning River, the Pilot Board of NSW called for applications for the appointment of a Maritime Pilot at Harrington.
August
Captain Richard Powell, who had worked for Alex Newton’s Shipyard was appointed and became the first Maritime pilot at Harrington .
September
Tenders were called for the construction of two pilot’s boats.
1857
An amount of ₤728 was set aside from the Government for the Manning River Pilot station.
Serving Pilots:
- Captain Richard Powell 1856 - 1863
- Captain Joseph Bradley 1863 - 1875
- Captain John Muir 1875 - 1892
- William Scott Murray 1892 - 1901
- Captain James Kerkin 1901 - 1921
- Captain Phillip Brady 1921 - 1936
- M.C. Black 1936 -
- S.W. Muir 1936 - 1937
- M. Cauvin 1937 -
- William Whitmore - 1961 (“Officer in Charge” as he was not a fully qualified Pilot. )
During the mid 40’s pilots by the name of Fitchett and Merrit served for short periods.
Buildings:
The first Pilot Station residence was on the same site that is now occupied by the current Post Office. Evidence of a stump from the original flagpole was uncovered in the 1920’s.
The four boatman’s cottages were situated close to the waters edge, but due to the constant moving of a build up of sand, it prohibited the opening of the front doors.
The first pilot house and boatman’s cottages were built of slab construction, with shingle roofs and wooden shutters instead of glass.
Close by was the boatshed housing the 16ft skiffs and rescue gear.
Eventually the pilot keeper’s residence was later built on Flagstaff Hill, along with the flag pole and signal flag house.
The four boatmen’s cottages were also relocated up the hill, and ran off to the west of the pilot’s residence. The original boatshed was replaced in 1897 on the same site.
"The pilot and his staff are erecting additions to boatman Nicholson's cottage, which will be more comfortable than previously" Manning River Times 20th November 1903
Pilot duties :
The pilot was in charge of the signal station, controlling all shipping movements in and out over the bar, keeping a daily log book, deploying the various flags, black balls, and signals as required.
Boatmen:
The pilot was assisted by a crew of boatmen, who were responsible for taking the daily bar soundings in the skiffs, guiding ships in and out, running tow lines for the tugs, and performing rescues of people, from vessels in distress.
First boatmen employed included:
- Messrs Horn
- Messrs Scott
- George Whitnall
- Augustus Lindaman.
In 1872 under Pilot Joseph Bradley:
- Thomas Cochrane
- Augustus Lindaman
- George Whitnall
Under Pilot James Kerkin:
- Messrs Muir
- Messrs Burless
- William Andrew Nicholson
- Neil McFadyen
- Messrs Scollay
- Harry Seamen
- David McKie
William Andrew Nicholson (Pictured)
Born: 17th February 1851 Aithness / Aithsting, Shetland Islands .
Occupation: Cod Smack Fisherman – Crofter.
Following a seafaring life, he migrated to Australia and settled in Harrington, NSW.
Appointed as a Seaman for the Harbours & Rivers Department in 1883.
Transferred to the Navigation Board in 1889, working as a Pilot’s boatman up until his retirement from the service in 1918.
William Nicholson died on the 7th October 1922 aged 72 years and is buried at Mitchell’s Island NSW.
1897
A lighthouse was established at Crowdy Head, approximately 4 miles to the north east of Harrington.
1961
The Pilot Station was deemed no longer necessary and was closed, the flagstaff dismantled and the boatmen’s cottages sold.
1969
The last pilot house was split into two dwellings and removed from Flagstaff Hill.
Image Source: Nicholson Family Collection
All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.
GREAT LAKES MANNING RIVER SHIPPING, NSW - Flick Group --> Alphabetical Boat Index --> Boat builders Index --> Tags List
Harrington Maritime Pilot Station NSW (Circa 1900's)
William Nicholson pictured standing outside the boatmen’s cottages, west of the Pilot’s residence. Also visible to the right of the Pilot’s house is the signal building and the 40 ft high flagstaff.
Painted Rock
Prior to the construction of the breakwater walls, the shipping channel ran close to the base of what is now known as Flagstaff Hill.
The area of the Manning Pilot station was also referred to as the “Painted Rock”; it was claimed that vessels scrapped off paint on the boulders as they passed in too close - others say the discolouring of the rocks was formed by the droppings of sea birds.
History :
1856
June
After repeated representations by the farmers and cedar cutters to the Government, on the treacherous condition of the bar crossing into the Manning River, the Pilot Board of NSW called for applications for the appointment of a Maritime Pilot at Harrington.
August
Captain Richard Powell, who had worked for Alex Newton’s Shipyard was appointed and became the first Maritime pilot at Harrington .
September
Tenders were called for the construction of two pilot’s boats.
1857
An amount of ₤728 was set aside from the Government for the Manning River Pilot station.
Serving Pilots:
- Captain Richard Powell 1856 - 1863
- Captain Joseph Bradley 1863 - 1875
- Captain John Muir 1875 - 1892
- William Scott Murray 1892 - 1901
- Captain James Kerkin 1901 - 1921
- Captain Phillip Brady 1921 - 1936
- M.C. Black 1936 -
- S.W. Muir 1936 - 1937
- M. Cauvin 1937 -
- William Whitmore - 1961 (“Officer in Charge” as he was not a fully qualified Pilot. )
During the mid 40’s pilots by the name of Fitchett and Merrit served for short periods.
Buildings:
The first Pilot Station residence was on the same site that is now occupied by the current Post Office. Evidence of a stump from the original flagpole was uncovered in the 1920’s.
The four boatman’s cottages were situated close to the waters edge, but due to the constant moving of a build up of sand, it prohibited the opening of the front doors.
The first pilot house and boatman’s cottages were built of slab construction, with shingle roofs and wooden shutters instead of glass.
Close by was the boatshed housing the 16ft skiffs and rescue gear.
Eventually the pilot keeper’s residence was later built on Flagstaff Hill, along with the flag pole and signal flag house.
The four boatmen’s cottages were also relocated up the hill, and ran off to the west of the pilot’s residence. The original boatshed was replaced in 1897 on the same site.
"The pilot and his staff are erecting additions to boatman Nicholson's cottage, which will be more comfortable than previously" Manning River Times 20th November 1903
Pilot duties :
The pilot was in charge of the signal station, controlling all shipping movements in and out over the bar, keeping a daily log book, deploying the various flags, black balls, and signals as required.
Boatmen:
The pilot was assisted by a crew of boatmen, who were responsible for taking the daily bar soundings in the skiffs, guiding ships in and out, running tow lines for the tugs, and performing rescues of people, from vessels in distress.
First boatmen employed included:
- Messrs Horn
- Messrs Scott
- George Whitnall
- Augustus Lindaman.
In 1872 under Pilot Joseph Bradley:
- Thomas Cochrane
- Augustus Lindaman
- George Whitnall
Under Pilot James Kerkin:
- Messrs Muir
- Messrs Burless
- William Andrew Nicholson
- Neil McFadyen
- Messrs Scollay
- Harry Seamen
- David McKie
William Andrew Nicholson (Pictured)
Born: 17th February 1851 Aithness / Aithsting, Shetland Islands .
Occupation: Cod Smack Fisherman – Crofter.
Following a seafaring life, he migrated to Australia and settled in Harrington, NSW.
Appointed as a Seaman for the Harbours & Rivers Department in 1883.
Transferred to the Navigation Board in 1889, working as a Pilot’s boatman up until his retirement from the service in 1918.
William Nicholson died on the 7th October 1922 aged 72 years and is buried at Mitchell’s Island NSW.
1897
A lighthouse was established at Crowdy Head, approximately 4 miles to the north east of Harrington.
1961
The Pilot Station was deemed no longer necessary and was closed, the flagstaff dismantled and the boatmen’s cottages sold.
1969
The last pilot house was split into two dwellings and removed from Flagstaff Hill.
Image Source: Nicholson Family Collection
All Images in this photostream are Copyright - Great Lakes Manning River Shipping and/or their individual owners as may be stated above and may not be downloaded, reproduced, or used in any way without prior written approval.
GREAT LAKES MANNING RIVER SHIPPING, NSW - Flick Group --> Alphabetical Boat Index --> Boat builders Index --> Tags List