darwin

Monument, Darwin

1928, Photograph, B 8967

Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith's Obelisk, Pt. Darwin marking the spot where they landed on 10 December 1919 after a flight of 28 days from England to Darwin.

Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Obelisk, Pt. Darwin. Inscription on one side of the monument states: Captain Sir Ross Smith KBE, MC, OFC, AFC. Australian Flying Corps. AIF. Lieutenant Sir Keith Smith KBE. Sergeant JM Bennett APM, Australian Flying Corps, AIF, Sergeant WH Shiers AFM, Australian Flying Corps. AIF. The monument with this inscription stands at Fannie Bay and was unveiled in 1923. The reverse side of the monument has the following inscription " Erected by The Commonwealth of Australia to commemorate the landing at Port Darwin of the first aerial flight from England 10th December 1919.

Railway, Darwin

1889, Photograph, B 9067

Opening ceremony Darwin-Pine Creek Railway - 1 October 1889. A letter from JY Harvey, dated 1962, of the Australian Railway Historical Society which accompanies this photograph suggests that the event captured in the photograph is actually the christening of the locomotive which took place on 19th July 1887. A banquet was held in the Palmerston Town Hall. Mrs Paper, wife of the respected Judge was requested to perform the ceremony. The Millars Brothers First Locomotive cost the firm at least five hundred pounds and was christened "Port Darwin". By September 14th, 1889 the railway line was complete and handed over to the Government on October 4th, 1889 with lottle ceremony or fuss.

Jetty, Port Darwin

c. 1904, Photograph, B 9434

Jetty, Port Darwin. Length of approach is 418 feet, length of head is 558 feet, depth at low water is 23-28 feet, rise of the tide is 25 feet. The photograph shows a steam ship tied up at the Port Darwin Jetty. The" T" shaped jetty also has a smaller vessel moored on the land side.

Wing Chong Sing, 1911, Photograph, B 10135

Proclamation Ceremony of the transfer of the Northern Territory to the Commonwealth of Australia - 2nd January 1911, Mr Mitchell in black. According to a researcher, there is a copy of this photograph on the front verandah of Government House in Darwin. Notes from the back of the photograph say "At the Proclamation ceremony on January 2nd, 1911 at the Residency, Port Darwin. Mr Justice Mitchell read proclamation. Mrs Mitchell hoisted Commonwealth flag under the Union Jack to the accompaniment of "God Save the King". Mr Justice Mitchell gave a patriotic address after which refreshments were served to the public at the Residency. About 500 of whites, Aborigines and Asiatics attended and the function was a great success. The photo is taken during the address. Mrs Mitchell stands on the immediate right of the Judge. The two robed figures in audience are Messrs Kelly and RED Mallam. Mrs N Holtz stands at the right of Mrs Mitchell".

Darwin

c. 1887, Photograph, B 10138

Commercial Bank of Australia, left is Bennett Street, right is Smith Street. This bank building is now one of three banks on the corner of Bennett Street and Smith Street in Darwin. The facade of the CBA Bank was retained when the Paspaley Building was later built on this site.

Darwin

1890, Photograph, B 13250

Chinese houses in Cavanagh St., Darwin (Palmerston).

Darwin

1890, Photograph, B 13251

Chinese houses in Cavanagh St., Darwin (Palmerston).

Botanic Gardens, Darwin

c. 1909, Photograph, B 24193

Darwin & Palmerston Botanic Garden sisal hemp machinery. The Northern Territory Times and Gazette of 10 September 1909 reports the import of ths machinery by the Curator of the Botanic Gardens, for the purposes of starting up production of sisal hemp. Large areas of sisal had been planted in the Gardens, but the venture failed due to cheap imports, local labour costs and the temperamental imported machinery.

Botanic Gardens, Darwin

c. 1900, Photograph, B 24194

Darwin & Palmerston Botanic Garden sisal hemp machinery.

Cyclone, Darwin

1897, Photograph, B 24242/3

Views showing damage of cyclone to Hotel Metropole, Smith Street Palmerston.

Christ Church, Darwin

c. 1911, Photograph, B 25154

Interior view of Christ Church.

Cyclone damage, Darwin

1897, Photograph, B 29855

St. Marys Star of the Sea Catholic Church, (Darwin) Palmerston destroyed by the cyclone on January 1897 - note bell left standing. See B 11506 for a view of the original church. The Northern Territory Times and Gazette of Monday 25 January 1897 gives a detailed account of the event.