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Fremantle's Arthur Head is a popular area for tourists to reconnect with the Australian convict past and the rich heritage value of Fremantle. Arthur Head received its name from Captain James Stirling, who named the promontory in 1827 for George Arthur, Governor of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). The eastern upriver and largely swampy area was separated by a rugged limestone cliff, which can be seen today, trimmed to a smooth wall, rising above the railway line. Present-day Cliff Street derives its name from the outcrop.
On May 2, 1829 Captain Fremantle landed on Arthur Head to ascertain the best way over the river bar. He took formal possession of the west coast of New Holland for Great Britain, and proceeded to establish a small colony. Quarrying in 1873 to supply stone to complete the approaches to the new long jetty, severely undermined parts of the headland. The long jetty ran in a southwesterly direction from Arthur Head and extensions in 1881 and 1883 brought it to a total length of 1168m. In fine weather, at its deepest point, vessels drawing 3.66m of water could berth, but in bad weather they were compelled to haul off. Larger vessels had to lie off in Gage Roads to be loaded and unloaded by lighters. The jetty was unsafe by 1913 and was finally demolished in 1921.
In 1892 work began under the engineer-in-charge, C.Y. O'Connor, to construct an inner harbour within the confines of the Swan River. The limestone bar which had prevented entry to the river for all but the smallest boats - at high tide it was covered by only 1.5m of water - was removed by drilling and blasting and moles were constructed to act as breakwaters. The material needed for construction of the South Mole, which extended seaward from Arthur Head, was obtained by levelling the head itself. The harbour works completed in 1897, were a major step forward for Western Australia, but with the progress came a corresponding loss - the original, distinctive geography of Arthur Head.
In December 1982 Arthur Head and its buildings, including the Round House were vested in the City of Fremantle. The state government has announced support for the city's request to make the area into an A-Class Reserve, and for the Arthur Head Project as a capital development within the Commonwealth/State Bicentennial Commemorative Program.Photos
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