The dry dock, along with the pump house, is two of the oldest and most significant maritime related structures in New Zealand. Its construction, which included the excavation of 61,000 cubic metres of soil, was one of the largest and most difficult engineering works undertaken in New Zealand during the nineteenth century.
On 13 May 1881 after a two year vigorous debate over Devonport versus Kauri Point or Birkenhead the Auckland Harbour Board voted in favour of Devonport. Five days later instructions were issued to the officers of the board to purchase Calliope Point and commence surveying.[1] Four acres were purchased for the sum of £800.[2] It was agreed by the Board that the dock would be constructed to take the largest vessels up to 10,000 tons and it would be for the use of the Royal Navy as a repair and maintenance facility for the Fleet that protected the Empire. Calliope dry dock would replace the Sturdee Street dry-dock which was built in 1878.[3]
In 1885 work commenced on construction of dock at Calliope Point under the architect William Errington. The work was carried out by the contractor Pierce Lanigan.[4] The land of the point was excavated and the cliff cut further away. The 118,000 cubic metres of spoil was used to reclaim land on both sides of dock.[5] The 1.5 bricks used were made locally. Rock was supplied from the Auckland Harbour Board quarry on Rangitoto Island.[6] The original dock blocks were pohutukawa.[7]
The original dimensions:
- Length: 162m
- Breadth: 23m
- Width at dock level: 20m
On 16 February 1888, the official opening was conducted by the Governor[8] and a public holiday for Auckland declared. The Royal Navy’s Australia Squadron under Admiral Fairfax was present consisting of HM Ships Nelson (Flag), Calliope, Diamond, Opal and Swinger. As arranged Calliope and Diamond docked down, Calliope breaking a ribbon stretched across the dock. Unfortunately, the six casks of beer provided for refreshment of ships crews and guard led to a brawl ending proceedings.
In May 1899 an agreement was signed between Admiralty and Auckland Harbour Board for use of the dock. [9] The Admiralty would have priority use of the dock for 30 years and the AHB would affect repairs to the dock and upkeep workshops and machinery, which would be available for use by the Navy. In 1903 a new agreement had to be negotiated as the repairs cost more than the AHB had realised in 1899. The annual fee paid by the Admiralty would increase and the AHB Harbour Board to reconstruct and equip the dock, jetty, deep water berth and building. That year the lower altar of the dock was cut back to allow docking of the largest ships serving New Zealand – Corinthic, Ionic and Athenic [10] In 1906 SS Mamari fell over when docking down killing 3 men and injuring 30.[11]
In 1909 the lower altars, i.e. all of No.2 and half of No.3 were cut back to allow docking of modern broad beam vessels.[12] In 1911 the Admiralty received £68.16.1 as profit share of facilities. This was the first and only time such a payment was made.[13]
By 1913, the Calliope Dock was considered to be out of date and incapable of taking modern vessels.[14] Two years later, RMS Niagara had to make an emergency docking.[15] Minor modifications were required to the head of dock to accommodate overhang of bow and the ship’s rudder had to be hard over to allow the cassion to close.
In 1920s the New Zealand took over the Admiralty payments. [16] By 1927, the Navy considered that the dock and workshop equipment to be out of date and require modernising, which disputed by the Harbour Board. The dual control arrangements considered to be unsatisfactory for both parties.[17] This debate continued into the 1930s and reached a low point when the replacement of the D-class cruisers by the Leander-class needed new machinery. BY 1936, the recess at head of dock had been lengthened and widened [18] and the dock was lengthened to take the Leander class cruisers. [19]
During the Second World War, a cassion was fitted in 1942 and in 1943, with funding from the United States Navy; the Dock was lengthened to accommodate their Indianapolis-class cruisers.[20]
The dimensions at this time were:
- length: 185m
- breadth: 24mt[21]
In the 1960s discussions in respect of the Crown acquiring the dock were held but nothing was done until 1986 when the Dock was sold to the Ministry of Defence[22], being officially handed over on 13 February 1987.[23] In 1994 on1 August the dockyard, including the dry dock was leased to Babcock-Skellerup. In 1996 with the arrival of the new ANZAC-class frigates further medications were required. New pumping arrangements were made and a new cassion fitted. The dock itself also required modifications to the bottom, rudder pits, and sonar pits to fit the new vessels hull configuration. In 2004 the lease was given to VT-Fitzroy.
- [1] North Shore Times, 6 December 1986.
- [2] North Otago Times, 18 May 1881.
- [3] New Zealand Herald, 22 July 1986
- [4] ibid.
- [5] R. Clough, D. Prince, Calliope Graving Dock: Archaeological Assessment and Monitoring of Modifications, unpublished Report, Auckland: Clough & Associates, 1997.
- [6] J. Feeney, The Development of HMNZ Dockyard, Devonport, New Zealand 1888 – 1945, Unpublished War History Narrative, Wellington: Navy Office, 1947.
- [7] ibid.
- [8] ibid.
- [9] ibid.
- [10] ibid.
- [11] ibid. See also New Zealand Herald 22 Jul 1986
- [12] J. Feeney, The Development of HMNZ Dockyard, Devonport, New Zealand 1888 – 1945, Unpublished War History Narrative, Wellington: Navy Office, 1947.
- [13] ibid.
- [14] ibid.
- [15] The Auckland Star 1 Aug 1936
- [16] J. Feeney, The Development of HMNZ Dockyard, Devonport, New Zealand 1888 – 1945, Unpublished War History Narrative, Wellington: Navy Office, 1947.
- [17] ibid.
- [18] ibid.
- [19] ibid.
- [20] ibid.
- [21] ibid.
- [22] North Shore Times Advertiser 6 November 1986
- [23] NB 7361/1/2 dated 12 February 87