Cockatoo Island Dockyard: The Story of Australia's Defence Infrastructure

Cockatoo Island Dockyard was a major player in Australia's defence infrastructure, with a history dating back to the early 20th century.

The dockyard was established in 1913 on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour, with the primary goal of supporting the Royal Australian Navy.

From its early days, the dockyard was designed to accommodate large naval vessels, with a massive dry dock capable of handling ships up to 1,000 tons.

The dockyard's strategic location allowed for easy access to the open sea, making it an ideal spot for naval repair and maintenance.

During World War I, the dockyard played a crucial role in supporting the war effort, with repairs and maintenance carried out on numerous naval vessels.

The dockyard's capacity was expanded significantly during World War II, with new facilities and equipment added to meet the increased demand for naval repairs and maintenance.

By the mid-20th century, the dockyard had become a vital part of Australia's defence infrastructure, supporting the country's naval operations and contributing to the country's national security.

The Cockatoo Island Dockyard's facilities have a rich history of evolution and change. Over five decades, the dockyard underwent significant development in four or five periods.

Cockatoo Island Dockyard has a long history of adapting to the needs of its customers and advancing technology. This is evident in the various periods of development that have shaped the dockyard into what it is today.

While the dockyard's evolution is a complex process, it's clear that the facility has undergone substantial changes over the years.

The patent slipway was a crucial part of the dockyard's operations, with a 500-ton slipway constructed in 1909 and two smaller ones built in 1910.

These slipways were used for a variety of tasks, including launching and repairing small craft, with the large patent slip being used around 1,500 times after 1912.

The slipways were an essential part of the dockyard's facilities, allowing for the efficient handling of vessels and the execution of various tasks.

The Slave Dock was commissioned in 1975.

It was originally designed and built at Cockatoo Island to accommodate the Royal Australian Navy's Oberon-class submarines during refit.

The dock was usually berthed at the Bolt Shop Wharf, but was also known to be at the Sutherland Wharf when grit-blasting operations were being carried out.

In 1991, the dock was transferred to Garden Island for use by Australian Defence Industries for the last two Oberon-class submarine refits.

It was later sold after its use for the submarine refits.

At the Cockatoo Island Dockyard, a range of marine vessels were laid down for construction. The HMAS Adelaide, a Town-class cruiser, was built between 1917 and 1922.

The dockyard's capabilities were showcased by the construction of the HMAS Huon, the first steel warship built completely in Australia, between 1912 and 1916. Its construction was a significant milestone for the dockyard.

Several vessels were laid down in the 1930s, including the HMAS Kangaroo, a Bar-class boom defence vessel, built between 1938 and 1941. The HMAS Swan, a grimsby-class sloop, was built between 1934 and 1936.

The dockyard continued to operate during World War II, with vessels like the HMAS Arunta, a Tribal-class destroyer, built between 1938 and 1942, and the HMAS Barcoo, a River-class frigate, built between 1942 and 1946.

Here is a list of some of the notable vessels laid down at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard:

The NSW Government began to improve the facilities at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in 1904, and more work was done after 1908, with the machine and fitting shops being extended and two new shipbuilding slipways being constructed.

By 1910, this work was substantially completed. The Commonwealth then purchased the dockyard from the New South Wales Government in 1913 for £867,716.19, renaming it the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard, Cockatoo Island.

The workforce at the dockyard reached a peak of 4085 people in December 1919, and the dockyard built over 50 ships and repaired or converted more than 150 by the end of World War I.

The Commonwealth took over the Cockatoo Island Dockyard from the New South Wales Government in 1913, paying £867,716.19 for it. The dockyard was then renamed the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard, Cockatoo Island.

The Commonwealth's purchase marked a significant shift in the dockyard's operations, with a focus on building ships for both naval and civilian purposes. It built over 50 ships and repaired or converted more than 150 by the end of World War I.

The dockyard's workforce reached a peak of 4085 people in December 1919, a testament to the increased demand for its services during the war. The workforce was a crucial part of the dockyard's operations, and their numbers would fluctuate significantly in the years to come.

In 1915, the formal agreement for the Commonwealth's purchase of the dockyard was signed, solidifying the transfer of ownership. The Commonwealth's ownership of the dockyard would have a lasting impact on its operations and development.

Jack Payne was a respected and fair-minded boss who was highly esteemed by his workers at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

He held the position of engineering manager from 1912 until the dockyard passed into Commonwealth control in 1913, and then continued as general manager until his untimely death in 1932.

Payne supervised the installation of boilers and turbine engines in various warships, including the cruisers Brisbane and Adelaide, and the destroyers Huon, Torrens, and Swan.

He was responsible for winning contracts for the dockyard during the early years of the Great Depression, when work was scarce.

Payne was a key figure in the maritime sector, serving as chairman of the Commonwealth Shipping Board and a member of both the Institute of Marine Engineers and the Institute of Naval Architects.

He was also a strong supporter of the Navy League and the Sea Cadets.

Tragically, Payne's life was cut short when he collapsed suddenly in his office and died from heart failure in 1932.