27 June 2011

Molonglo ferry remains

| fgzk
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canberra anchor

Lying abandoned in wastelands, next to the Molonglo river, behind Fyshwick, are some very interesting parts of Canberra’s history.

Maybe some of you could help fill in the blanks?

In the 1900s (?) before the Dairy Road bridge, to get over the Molonglo river you had to take a barge.

The barge is still there, as is the steam shovel used to cut the cove it rest in.

I believe the story goes the Anchor was to be used as a museum piece to early Canberra, but was only draged a short distance before going into the too heavy basket and left.

Does anyone know the full story?

abandoned barge

[ED, pretty sure below is the site in Google Maps]


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I would have thought that prior to the creation of lake burley griffin in the 60’s a barge/ferry wouldn’t have been necessary?

The Molonglo river at oaks estate is knee deep at best. maybe it widened and deepened naturally before the dam was built.

Gungahlin Al1:27 pm 27 Jun 11

BTW that is a very neat find, and definitely warrants a look at preservation potential. A youngish town like Canberra needs to preserve and value its history – it is part of what binds the community.

Well done fgzk – great contribution! 🙂

Gungahlin Al1:08 pm 27 Jun 11

Cool – need a new anchor for the tinnie.

Amazing find fzdk. Tnks for sharing it. Yes it should be saved and displayed. A bit of heritage that won’t burn.

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