Committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. James Simpson, J. F. Palmer, William Hull, A. M'Lachlan, J. D. Pinnock, George Annand, H. Miller, O. Browne, J. W. Cowell, J. M'Intyre, and T. H. Power; W. Highett, Treasurer, and George Hull, Secretary; but beyond a little preliminary flourish nothing was done.
The Port and River Navigation.
From an early period the question of facilitating the intercommunication of Melbourne and Hobson's Bay engrossed the attention of the trading portion of the community. There were three plans considered, viz.:- Railway communication, a canal from Melbourne to the beach, and the deepening of the river channel. Each scheme had its ardent advocates, but the canal, or "cut," was the greatest favourite with the majority; and no public question ever had more ventilation, though it was one upon which only high professional ability was qualified to give judgment. The Superintendent (Mr. Latrobe) took a deep interest in it, and two Engineers (Messrs. Garrard and Manton) were employed to make a survey of the river, and the following schemes were presented:—
Mr. Amman's Scheme.
On the 5th September, 1851, a public meeting was held at the Mechanics' Institute, on a requisition to the Mayor (Nicholson) "to take into consideration the propriety of constructing a jetty and a railway between Melbourne and the Beach (Sandridge) for the landing and the better transit of goods and passengers from the shipping, and to form a company for carrying out the same." The attendance was an influential one, and from a newspaper report of the time the following details are gleaned:—
Mr. Amman, a civil engineer, considered it would be a grave mistake either to undertake the removal of the sand bars in the river or to cut a canal. He had made a careful examination of the river, but would recommend the construction of a railway. The jetty he proposed to erect would extend 900 feet into Hobson's Bay, where five fathoms of water would be found. The line would pass on the left side of the lagoon, and he estimated the expense at £16,000. He also suggested the connection of Williamstown and the North Beach by means of a suspension bridge; this would render Hobson's Bay one of the first harbours in the world, and make communication between Williamstown, the Bay, and the City so easy as to supersede the desire to bring up vessels of heavy tonnage to the Melbourne Wharf. The jetty was to consist of five arches of 30 feet span each, and 1800 piles of various dimensions for the work. He would have two rooms of 18 feet each as a station at the Beach, and also an engine-house. The station at Melbourne to be 160 yards long by 60 yards wide. The viaduct was to cross the river at the dam ("Falls") and to pass over towards Emerald Hill—a distance of 800 feet. For the £16,000 he would undertake to furnish one first-class carriage, two second ditto, and one engine of 16 horse-power. The length of the railway would be one mile three-quarters and three chains, with a width of 21 feet, and the weight of iron to be employed would be 270 tons. Only 180 yards of earth would be required to be removed near Emerald Hill to carry out the work; and by means of portable trams he would guarantee to bring the goods to the very doors of the merchants in any part of Melbourne. This absurd proposition was actually not only discussed with seriousness, but a Committee of shrewd, hard-headed business men was appointed to report upon its feasibility. The names so nominated were Messrs. A. H. Knight, W. F. Rucker, G. Annand, J. Hodgson, W. Mortimer, J. O'Shanassy, H. Miller, J. S. Johnston, D. Young, J. Hood, R. Kerr, Thompson, and J. Duerdin. Whether this Committee investigated the matter does not clearly appear, but on the 15th September a prospectus was issued for the establishment of "The Melbourne Railway and Jetty Company," with a capital of £16,000 in 3200 shares of £5 each, first instalment payable £1 5s. per share. The Provisional Directors were: Messrs. William Clarke, J. G. Foxton, R. S. Gregory, J. Hood, W . Hoffman, G. Nicholson, J. Orr, and A, Thorpe. Bankers: Bank of New South Wales' Engineer: W. M. Amman; Solicitor: John Cunnington; Secretary: H. Patteson. It was intended to apply for a giant of land, and also for an Act of Incorporation—intentions that were not fulfilled.
