Gem Pier and Nelson Place (Williamstown)

The eastern end of Commonwealth Reserve was the first landing place for John Batman and it was here that construction of Gem Pier commenced in 1839. Today Gem Pier stands as one of the most highly utilised piers in Port Phillip Bay, with scenic views of the Bay and surrounding cityscape.

Things to see and do

Gem Pier is the perfect starting point for exploring early Victoria's maritime history or many of Williamstown's and Port Phillip Bays contemporary attractions.

The HMAS Castlemaine is permanently docked at Gem Pier. This minesweeper was launched in 1941 and saw active service in New Guinea and Northern Australia during WWII. Classed as a Heritage Honour Ship, the "Castlemaine" is now a floating museum and visitors can inspect a fascinating collection of nautical exhibits and memorabilia.

Williamstown is now known for its bustling cafes, art galleries and fine restaurants, so why not finish a perfect meal with a walk along Gem Pier to take in the spectacular cityscape that is Melbourne by night.

Daytime visitors may wish to visit Williamstown's craft market held in the Commonwealth Reserve adjacent to Gem Pier on the third Sunday of each month.

For a broader view of Port Phillip Bay visitors may like to board a ferry at Gem Pier and cruise in style to St.Kilda or Southgate

History

Williamstown is the oldest continuous settlement on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. It was named in honour of King William IV, in 1837. Settlers first arrived in Williamstown by sailing ship in 1835, with 500 sheep and 500 cattle, from Launceston.

Despite a steady increase in traffic to Williamstown, there were enormous problems in getting cargo from ships to the city of Melbourne. The foreshore at Williamstown was just mud, and the Yarra was more of a shallow creek than a river, only very small vessels could navigate it. Early attempts at jetties at Sandridge (Port Melbourne), were hampered by it's exposed position.

It was not until 1839 that the first pier and lighthouse were built, closeby present day Gem Pier. The original humble pile of stone that was Gem Pier was known as "The Jetty" until 1853 when it was renamed "Old Pier" following the construction of the "New Pier" (the Ann Street Pier). In the 1860's and 1870's it was renamed "Steamboat Pier" and shortly after was finally renamed "Gem Pier" after the paddle steamer ferry GEM that ran a ferry service from Williamstown to Port Melbourne from 1846 to 1886.

Rebuilding Gem Pier - As well as having a number of name changes, Gem Pier has also experienced a number of renovations. In 1886 the pier was demolished and rebuilt thirty metres longer. This pier was condemned in 1927 and rebuilt with a shelter shed on the outer end of the pier being added in 1930. Unfortunately due to vandalism this shelter shed was demolished in 1984.

On May 4 1992 the demolition and rebuilding of Gem Pier commenced yet again. This time the pier was rebuilt 145 metres long and 7.3 metres wide at a cost of 1.3 million dollars. In February 2003 a floating landing with increased disabled access was constructed and the pier was extended by 22 meters and the deck was reconstructed.

Williamstown Morgue - The Williamstown morgue was the first morgue building in Victoria, and previous to its construction the dead were being stored in the local hotels. This morgue stood near Gem Pier until 1873, when it was re-erected on the present site at Nelson Place Williamstown. Usage discontinued in 1925, as the odour and sight of dead bodies was no longer acceptable to the community.

Tide Gauge House - Constructed in 1856, the Tide Gauge House was originally constructed on Breakwater Pier by prison labour using bluestone quarried on Point Gellibrand. Tide measurements were important for ships leaving the port and needing optimum depth of channels. It was used to record tides up to 1943 and was dismantled and removed to the present site in 1955.

Gem Pier and Customs House - Gem Pier was the first landing place in Williamstown and it was here that people arrived at or left Williamstown. A jetty was first built in 1839 and known from then until 1855 as simply Williamstown Jetty. The Jetty was the first substantial wharf created within Port Phillip and convicts were sent from New South Wales to build it.

The jetty was extended in 1854, 1858 and 1862 before being completely rebuilt in 1887. When the Ann Street Pier was completed in 1855, the jetty was referred to as the Old Jetty, and later, undoubtedly because of the steam ferries using it, as The Steamboat Pier.

In the early 1890s it was named Gem Pier. The name stems from the double ended ferry boat "Gem" built in 1868 which crossed from Williamstown to Port Melbourne for 40 years. Gem Pier was rebuilt again in 1927 and most recently in 1992.

The pier has long been an important place in the social fabric of Williamstown. Local youths have always been drawn to the pier and it was a popular meeting place. Generations of locals, young and old, have fished and 'illegally' swum from the pier.

There was a boat ramp next to Gem Pier by 1892, created for the use of Water Police who brought 'bay found' bodies ashore there to the nearby morgue for inquest.

The Old Morgue, convict built in bluestone, was originally erected in 1859 dose to Gem Pier and is the oldest remaining Morgue in Victoria. The Morgue has since been moved to Ann Street (400 metres to the south) and can still be seen.

The Customs House on the corner of Syme Street and Nelson Place was erected in 1874 and used jointly by Customs officials and the Sea Pilot Service. This imposing building would have been one of the most important buildings within Williamstown at the time.

The Customs House, Gem Pier and the -Nelson Place shops formed the bustling heart of Williamstown. The area remains the most important and significant gateway by water to and from Williamstown.

Horse Trough - For the relief of horses: a gift from Annis and George Bills.

'I empower my said Trustees... to construct and erect and pay for Horse-Troughs wherever they may be of opinion that such horse troughs are necessary or desirable for the relief of horses or other dumb animals either in Australasia in the British Islands or in any other part of the World" from George Bills' will, 1925

Annis and George Bills shared a sympathetic attitude towards animal welfare and were supporters of Australia's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (later the RSPCA).

After George retired in 1908, the couple embarked on a series of overseas holidays to Britain and Europe. Sadly, Annis died during a visit to England in 1910. When George died in 1927, through his will he directed that a significant portion of his estate be put towards alleviating the suffering of animals. He asked that his trustees arrange for the provision of inscribed watering troughs for horses, and that funds be allocated to a number of animal welfare groups.

Over 500 horse troughs were constructed in Australia and overseas. The concrete troughs cost 13 pounds each and were precast by Rocla Concrete Pipes Ltd.

Municipalities were able to apply to the family trust for a trough and within a few short years, Bills' troughs could be seen at intersections, markets and urban and rural centres across the country. Production ended with the advent of the Second World War when materials were scarce and motor cars began to vie for the horse's position on Australia's roads.

In Williamstown two Bills' horse troughs remain - the one located here and the other is Located in front of the Morning Star Hotel, Electra Street. This trough was restored in 2017-18 and relocated from opposite Holy Trinity Church, Nelson Place.

Commonwealth Reserve - In the early days of Williamstown, Commonwealth Reserve was a narrow strip of and parallel with Nelson Place, subject to inundation from high tides and frequented by local Aborigines. Row boats pulled up on the mud flats near what is now the tennis courts and occasional high tides and winds were known to cause the lapping of waves onto Nelson Place.

Reclamation in the 1880s enabled the reserve to be created. Fill was used from dredging operations by the Melbourne Harbour Trust. Silt was brought ashore from barges along a slippery plank in wheelbarrows, with many a barrowman floundering in the mud alongside.

Elms were planted along Nelson Place and into the reserve in the late 1880s and further elms in 1898. By the turn of the century, the reserve featured a fine timber band rotunda, thriving elms and a large eucalypt next to the Wilkinson memorial fountain, and the cross pattern of paths.

Originally named Nelson Place Reserve, the reserve was renamed Commonwealth Reserve in 1901 to mark the foundation of the Commonwealth of Australia.

This area has been at the very heart of Williamstown from its beginning. At its north eastern end, or just beyond, had been the first landing place and here Gem Pier was commenced in 1839.

Nelson Place grew to be the commercial centre of Williamstown with shops, hotels and mercantile stores. The townsfolk shopped on the 'front' in the midst of the bustle of the port with its specialist shops and outfitters, tradesmen, hotels and eating houses. The Commonwealth Reserve is of particular significance as waterfront public gardens developed from the 1880s to the 1930s and which remain largely true to a design and character which developed during that era.

Within Nelson Place, the Commonwealth Reserve and nineteenth century buildings opposite create an urban environment strongly evocative of nineteenth century and early twentieth century localities.

Review:

There is quite a lot to explore at Nelson Place. Gem Pier has the HMAS Castlemaine and during the winter months there are tours of the Sea Shepherd ships that have returned from Antarctica. At Nelson Place there is a grassy area to kick the ball around, playground, huge anchor and swivel from the H.M V.S. Nelson to climb over, views across the bay, lots of yachts and boats to look at and a tourist information centre. The surrounding street has plenty of cafes and restaurants including fish & chips and homemade ice-cream.

For more information download the "Victorian Navy Relics" app from the app store.

The Williamstown Historical Museum at 5 Electra Street, Williamstown (400 metres to the south west along Parker Street) is open Sundays 2.00pm-5.00pm or by Appointment Ph: 9397 1534.

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