A History of Victoria Barracks - Sydney
Victoria Barracks, January 1871
(Mitchell Library N.S.W.)
Victoria Barracks Sydney has always held a position of historical prominence since first occupied by Military Forces in 1848.
“From the days of the British Redcoats, through the difficulties of raising Colonial Forces, their amalgamation at Federation, two World Wars, and to the present day, the barracks has been the physically elegant and functional headquarters in New South Wales.” Lieutenant Colonel L.B. Swift
Origins
The land selected to construct the military barracks was on the sandy scrubland covered slopes of what was to become the suburb of Paddington. The land at that time formed a small part of an area of around 1000 acres, which was reserved by Governor Macquarie in 1811 for a ‘Sydney Common’.
The main planning considerations for its construction largely revolved around the fact of its remoteness from the town centre and its unsuitability for agricultural purposes, as the terrain presented high ground, stunted trees, sand and scattered outcrops of stone. Additional advantages included its proximity to good drinking water and the availability of sandstone, which would be used in the construction of the barracks. The Commanding Royal Engineer, Lieutenant Colonel George Barney, was familiar with the water supply from the Lachlan Swamps in what is now known as Centennial Park, and the line of Busby’s Bore to Hyde Park. As Colonial Engineer, he had carried out extensive investigation of the bore prior to its completion as a water supply to Sydney Town in 1837.
Approval for the construction of the new barracks was granted on 3rd August 1840. The initial design of the barracks was accredited to LTCOL George Barney, Royal Engineers. Barney's initial plan and cost estimates for the new barracks, were based on using locally produced bricks. The availability of sandstone readily on site for the new barracks, gave him the opportunity to save on the cost of manufacturing or buying bricks. All the stone used for the barrack buildings was quarried in the vicinity.
Materials
The plethora of materials used for construction included iron columns, girders and railings and these may have been imported from England. Although no record has been found of the source of the timbers used, LTCOL Barney may have imported cedar in preference to using local timber for interior fittings.
When the proposal to build the new barracks was first presented in 1836, convicts were to be the main labour force. Transportation of convicts to New South Wales ceased in the early1840s, and therefore the availability of unpaid labour was greatly reduced.
Building work was to be performed by two distinct groups of people, convicts who quarried the stone and prepared the ground and contract masons, paviours, and carpenters who carried out all the above ground work.
The work of the convicts and the free men on the site was completely segregated.
Construction
Work on the Victoria Barracks commenced on 8th February 1841. The site preparation was time consuming, since it took upwards of 300 convicts several months to clear ground for the foundations and also quarry stone. It was not until October 1841 that tenders were called for the masons work.
To assist in the project construction management, LTCOL Barney engaged Mr Owen McHugh, as clerk of works, whose task it was to direct work to all concerned. However, the Royal Engineers supervised the work and completed the necessary surveys.
When work began on the new barrack buildings, the proposed limits of the barracks and the extent of the boundaries had not been surveyed. The whole question of the barrack boundary, its defensive capabilities and the problem of other buildings around the barracks had not been fully considered by January 1841, but was only decided upon as building proceeded.
Upon a survey to determine the boundary grant, LTCOL Barney then delivered a submission to the Colonial Secretary in December 1842. This was a plan of the ground for new military barracks at Sydney Common required for Ordnance purposes.
Finance
Funding for the construction of the new barracks was a contentious issue for some time. Governor Gipps agreement stated that the Colony would only pay £60,000 for the new barracks, on the understanding that they would be on an equivalent scale of accommodation and have the same function as the old George Street Barracks. The only exception being the provision of quarters for an additional six subalterns. However, prior to building commencing LTCOL Barney added the provision for a hospital and a store to the plan; although there was no hospital in the old barracks.
As construction would be performed entirely as an Ordnance service under the control of the Commanding Royal Engineer, the Governor had no control over the plan or progress of building works other than the provision of finance for the project. LTCOL Barney stated, that in prior discussion with the Ordnance Committee, it was his understanding that a hospital would be included in the new barracks.
The issue of funding continued over many years and this possibly contributed in part to the delay of construction and the ultimate termination of the contract with the original tenders Brodie and Craig. Following termination of the contract, masons and labourers were hired and paid by the week. The Sydney Morning Herald of 16th August 1845 records those employed in construction work as being 150 convicts and about 50 stonemasons, builders and five carpenters were employed on the site. The carpenters work was reported as unsatisfactory and following their termination the work then carried out by hired mechanics.
Agreement on the question of finance was reached in January 1845 between the Governor and the Master General and Board of Ordnance; although, some points were still in contention up until the final solution in April 1848. Where originally estimated to take 2½ years to build, construction dragged on for seven years because of these various delays and unforseen problems.
References
Archives Office of NSW
Army Museum Society (Victoria Barracks NSW) Inc.
Army Museum Foundation Sydney
Busby’s Bore Sydney’s Second Water Supply, 1830–1858. Sydney Water Board 1952.
Coughlan, P.L., Victoria Barracks Sydney – A History of Development, 1996
Kreckler, J.F., 'The Story of Victoria Barracks’,1993
Mitchell Library of NSW
State Library of New South Wales
“From the days of the British Redcoats, through the difficulties of raising Colonial Forces, their amalgamation at Federation, two World Wars, and to the present day, the barracks has been the physically elegant and functional headquarters in New South Wales.” Lieutenant Colonel L.B. Swift
Origins
The land selected to construct the military barracks was on the sandy scrubland covered slopes of what was to become the suburb of Paddington. The land at that time formed a small part of an area of around 1000 acres, which was reserved by Governor Macquarie in 1811 for a ‘Sydney Common’.
The main planning considerations for its construction largely revolved around the fact of its remoteness from the town centre and its unsuitability for agricultural purposes, as the terrain presented high ground, stunted trees, sand and scattered outcrops of stone. Additional advantages included its proximity to good drinking water and the availability of sandstone, which would be used in the construction of the barracks. The Commanding Royal Engineer, Lieutenant Colonel George Barney, was familiar with the water supply from the Lachlan Swamps in what is now known as Centennial Park, and the line of Busby’s Bore to Hyde Park. As Colonial Engineer, he had carried out extensive investigation of the bore prior to its completion as a water supply to Sydney Town in 1837.
Approval for the construction of the new barracks was granted on 3rd August 1840. The initial design of the barracks was accredited to LTCOL George Barney, Royal Engineers. Barney's initial plan and cost estimates for the new barracks, were based on using locally produced bricks. The availability of sandstone readily on site for the new barracks, gave him the opportunity to save on the cost of manufacturing or buying bricks. All the stone used for the barrack buildings was quarried in the vicinity.
Materials
The plethora of materials used for construction included iron columns, girders and railings and these may have been imported from England. Although no record has been found of the source of the timbers used, LTCOL Barney may have imported cedar in preference to using local timber for interior fittings.
When the proposal to build the new barracks was first presented in 1836, convicts were to be the main labour force. Transportation of convicts to New South Wales ceased in the early1840s, and therefore the availability of unpaid labour was greatly reduced.
Building work was to be performed by two distinct groups of people, convicts who quarried the stone and prepared the ground and contract masons, paviours, and carpenters who carried out all the above ground work.
The work of the convicts and the free men on the site was completely segregated.
Construction
Work on the Victoria Barracks commenced on 8th February 1841. The site preparation was time consuming, since it took upwards of 300 convicts several months to clear ground for the foundations and also quarry stone. It was not until October 1841 that tenders were called for the masons work.
To assist in the project construction management, LTCOL Barney engaged Mr Owen McHugh, as clerk of works, whose task it was to direct work to all concerned. However, the Royal Engineers supervised the work and completed the necessary surveys.
When work began on the new barrack buildings, the proposed limits of the barracks and the extent of the boundaries had not been surveyed. The whole question of the barrack boundary, its defensive capabilities and the problem of other buildings around the barracks had not been fully considered by January 1841, but was only decided upon as building proceeded.
Upon a survey to determine the boundary grant, LTCOL Barney then delivered a submission to the Colonial Secretary in December 1842. This was a plan of the ground for new military barracks at Sydney Common required for Ordnance purposes.
Finance
Funding for the construction of the new barracks was a contentious issue for some time. Governor Gipps agreement stated that the Colony would only pay £60,000 for the new barracks, on the understanding that they would be on an equivalent scale of accommodation and have the same function as the old George Street Barracks. The only exception being the provision of quarters for an additional six subalterns. However, prior to building commencing LTCOL Barney added the provision for a hospital and a store to the plan; although there was no hospital in the old barracks.
As construction would be performed entirely as an Ordnance service under the control of the Commanding Royal Engineer, the Governor had no control over the plan or progress of building works other than the provision of finance for the project. LTCOL Barney stated, that in prior discussion with the Ordnance Committee, it was his understanding that a hospital would be included in the new barracks.
The issue of funding continued over many years and this possibly contributed in part to the delay of construction and the ultimate termination of the contract with the original tenders Brodie and Craig. Following termination of the contract, masons and labourers were hired and paid by the week. The Sydney Morning Herald of 16th August 1845 records those employed in construction work as being 150 convicts and about 50 stonemasons, builders and five carpenters were employed on the site. The carpenters work was reported as unsatisfactory and following their termination the work then carried out by hired mechanics.
Agreement on the question of finance was reached in January 1845 between the Governor and the Master General and Board of Ordnance; although, some points were still in contention up until the final solution in April 1848. Where originally estimated to take 2½ years to build, construction dragged on for seven years because of these various delays and unforseen problems.
References
Archives Office of NSW
Army Museum Society (Victoria Barracks NSW) Inc.
Army Museum Foundation Sydney
Busby’s Bore Sydney’s Second Water Supply, 1830–1858. Sydney Water Board 1952.
Coughlan, P.L., Victoria Barracks Sydney – A History of Development, 1996
Kreckler, J.F., 'The Story of Victoria Barracks’,1993
Mitchell Library of NSW
State Library of New South Wales
