ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
OF TIMBER FEATURE
FREMANTLE PRISON NO. 12 THE TERRACEforPhilip Griffiths Architects andDepartment of Housing and WorksFebruary 2009

Kelly Fleming – Sarah Burkeeureka archaeological research and consulting

Eureka Archaeological Research and Consulting UWA
DirectorKate Morse PhD

Consultants
Sarah Burke BA (MA)Annie Carson BA (Hons)
Viviene Brown BA (Hons)
Sean Winter BA (Hons)
Kelly Fleming BSc (Hons)
Illya Sparkes Santos BSc(Hons)

Copyright
This report and the information it contains is subject to copyright and may not be
copied in whole or part without written consent of Philip Griffiths Architects and Eureka
Archaeological Research and Consulting UWA.

Geographic Co-ordinate Information
Geographic co-ordinates in this report were obtained using a Leica Total Station(TCR307) device. The manufacturer states that these devices are accurate to within<1cm .Geographic co-ordinates in this report are based on the GDA94 coordinatesystem.

Disclaimer
Eureka Archaeological Research and Consulting is not responsible for omissions andinconsistencies that may result from information that was not available at the time thisreport was prepared.

Archaeological Assessment Timber Feature: Fremantle Prison No. 12 the Terrace 2009ieureka archaeological research and consulting

TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................ 3SURVEY .......................................................................................................................................... 3RESULTS........................................................................................................................................ 6
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................ 8
MANAGEMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL.......................................................... 8
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 8

TABLE OF FIGURESFigure 1. Location of drainage trench No. 12 The Terrace Fremantle Prison ................................................... 3Figure 2. Timber feature No. 12 The Terrace Fremantle Prison prior to full exposure..................................... 4Figure 3. Timber joists in west wall underlying concrete veranda No. 12 The Terrace, looking south .......... 5Figure 4. Timber joists in west wall underlying concrete veranda No. 12 The Terrace from above............... 5Figure 5. Plan showing location of timber features No. 12 The Terrace veranda ............................................. 6Figure 6. Millard brick c. 1900 ................................................................................................................................... 7Figure 7. H.S.B.S. brick c. 1900? ............................................................................................................................. 7

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INTRODUCTION
During ongoing archaeological work at the Fremantle Prison, Eureka Archaeological Research andConsulting UWA (Eureka) was asked to assess a timber feature exposed by construction workers (CPDGroup) during excavation of a drainage trench along the veranda of No.12 The Terrace. No. 12 is situatedalong the Terrace, north of the main entrance of Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Western Australia. This
report contains the results of that assessment and the recording of the feature.

SURVEYOn the 25th June 2008 Don Smith (CPD Group) asked archaeologist Kelly Fleming (Eureka) to examine atimber feature exposed during the excavation of a drainage trench along the western wall of No.12 TheTerrace (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Location of drainage trench No. 12 The Terrace Fremantle Prison

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The timber was observed lining the bottom of the drainage trench in an approximate north south direction(Figure 2). Along the western wall, sections of timber were also visible suggesting that at some time in thepast wooden joists had extended outwards from the main building, most likely as part of a wooden
veranda. This has now been covered over by the existing concrete veranda.

Figure 2. Timber feature No. 12 The Terrace Fremantle Prison prior to full exposure

As the exposed timber was potentially part of the former timber veranda [c. 1900]{Bavin, 1990 [February]#366} work on the trench was stopped and the timber fully exposed by Eureka for further assessment andrecording.
Consultation between Historical Archaeologist Dr Alistair Paterson (UWA) and Don Smith (CPD group),
determined that the timber lining the bottom of the trench was a sacrificial plank and was not part of theactual structure of the veranda. However, the timbers exposed in the western face of the trench (Figures 3& 4) were determined to be in situ joists of the former timber veranda.

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Figure 3. Timber joists in west wall underlying concrete veranda No. 12 The Terrace, looking south

Figure 4. Timber joists in west wall underlying concrete veranda No. 12 The Terrace from above

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It was recommended that the timber at the bottom of the trench (the sacrificial plank) could be recorded
and removed as it was in an extremely fragile state. It was further recommended that the timber joists
along the western face should also be recorded and left in situ, as they were protected by the existing
concrete veranda. If any further development or removal of the veranda takes places the feature should bereassessed.

RESULTSA brief site survey and full photographic record were taken. The positions of all timbers and the adjacentstructures were plotted with a total station. All timber features were fully photographed as was the site toprovide context. The resulting survey was mapped and overlaid on a 1919 plan showing the historicalveranda (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Plan showing location of timber features No. 12 The Terrace veranda

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Eight joists were visible underlying the northern portion of the veranda and appeared to be relatively intact
however the timber is soft and deteriorated. The joists differ in dimensions with two larger joists ofapproximately 15 x 6 cm and six small approximately 8 x 4 cm. The joists are spaced between 20 cm and100 cm from one another (Figure 5).

The sacrificial plank was only visible at the southern end of the trench, however a number of fragments oftimber were removed from the northern end of the trench prior to Eureka being called, suggesting theplank may have originally existed along the majority of the trench. The surviving portion was in two pieces,the northernmost measuring 3.4 m in length and 10 cm (width) x 4 cm (depth). The second portion
measured 1.7m x 10 cm x 4 cm. A hand forged bolt was embedded in the southern end however this was
not attached to any other timbers. No joists were visible in the northern wall at the southern end of theveranda adjacent to the sacrificial plate.

The drainage trench had already been excavated around the entire frontage of No. 10 and No.12 The
Terrace prior to Eureka being called. No further veranda features were visible however miscellaneous
building rubble, including bricks believed to date to c.1900 and limestone rubble was removed from thetrench (Figures 6 & 7).

Figure 6. Millard brick c. 1900

Figure 7. H.S.B.S. brick c. 1900?

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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The above report outlines a brief assessment and survey, undertaken at No.12 The Terrace, Fremantle
Prison, of an exposed timber feature believed to be remnants of the earlier timber veranda underlying thepresent concrete one. It was determined on site that the timber in the bottom of the trench was a sacrificial
plank, whilst that exposed in the western wall of the trench was likely to be in situ joists. It wasrecommended that:•The timber joist features should be fully recorded and left in situ prior to the trench being filled in;and•The sacrificial timber plank could be removed after recording.

These recommendations have now been implemented.

It is further recommended that an archaeological assessment takes place prior to any further development
planned at No.12 The Terrace, or along other veranda’s at the Fremantle Prison site. It is highly possiblethat other buildings along the front of the prison may also contain potential archaeological features.

MANAGEMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL
The timber veranda joists underlying the existing concrete veranda are currently protected by this surface.
However, the portions exposed were found to be in a fragile and deteriorated state. If any furtherdevelopment works are planned (i.e. the removal of the present concrete veranda) appropriate methods
should be used to protect the timber features and professional conservation advice sought.

REFERENCES
Bavin, L. J. (1990a). Fremantle Prison Conservation and Future Use: Archaeological Zoning Plan of thePrison Compound. Report Prepared for Building Management Authority.

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