Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053:schedule:5:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018L00053
Segment Type: schedule
Provision Reference: sch 5 (pt 16/42)
Character Range: 529169–531949

of the prison and dockyard split. The land above the escarpment remained in institutional use under the newly appointed NSW Department of Prisons and the foreshores became dedicated to dockyard use under the Public Works Department.
Disturbing reports concerning the harsh treatment of prisoners had caused considerable public concern for years and in 1869 the penal settlement was disbanded and prisoners were transferred to Darlinghurst. The name was changed to 'Biloela' (Aboriginal for cockatoo) in order to try to present a new image.
From 1871 to 1888 the prison barracks became an industrial school for girls and a separate reformatory for girls under 16 convicted of a crime (Kerr: 1984:9). In 1871 the wooden sailing ship, the NSS Vernon moored at Cockatoo Island for the training of delinquent, homeless or orphaned boys in seamanship. An initiative of Henry Parkes, the ship was administered by the Department of Education and housed up to 500 students (Kerr: 1984:9). The boys were given an area on the island for recreation with swimming bathes and a vegetable garden to tend (Parker: 1977:8). The dilapidated Vernon was replaced in 1891 by the NSS Sobraon which remained until 1911. Although kept separate from the dock, later the more trustworthy students were given trade training in some of the dockyard workshops on ship building and repairs (Parker:1977: 8). The girls reformatory was relocated to Watson's Bay in 1879 and the industrial school for girls closed in early 1888.
By the time the last extension of the Fitzroy Dock was completed in 1880, the NSW Parliament, keen to see Australia capable of serving bigger vessels in the Royal Navy, decided to build a new dock (GML CMP:2006:2). Construction of the Sutherland Dock commenced in 1882 and was completed in 1890. It was built by free labour under the guidance of a young engineer, Louis Samuel, who died in 1887 at the age of 26. The work was completed under the supervision of his younger brother Edward. The new dock was a spectacular sight. It was a significant engineering achievement designed to be one of the most advanced docking facilities in the southern hemisphere and is reported to have been able to accommodate the largest ships then in service in the world (Jeremy:2006:1). In an official NSW Government publication in 1886, the Sutherland Dock is referred to: 'The dock is the largest single graving dock yet constructed, and will be capable of receiving the largest vessel afloat' (Docks, Slips and Engineering Establishments of Port Jackson:p5).
With closure of the prison, departure of the school ship and increased international shipping, the shipbuilding, ship repair and engineering activities expanded rapidly and dockyard facilities spread over the whole island. The dockyard at