Image Not Available

Coaling - Darling Harbour, Sydney, 1930

Artist Robert Emerson Curtis (1898 - 1986)

Date1930

Object number00016967

NameDrawing

MediumPaper, charcoal

DimensionsMount: 332 x 395 mm
Overall: 255 x 204 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA pencil drawing by Robert Emerson Curtis titled 'Coaling Darling Harbour - Sydney'. The scene depicts a wharf in Darling Harbour, Sydney, where cranes and work horses are involved in unloading coal from a large vessel in the background. A warehouse dominates the centre of the picture and the image conveys the industrial scale of Darling Harbour at the time.HistoryThe area known as Darling Harbour today was originally known by the traditional owners of the land as 'Tumbalong'. The Gadigal people recognised the significance of the region as being abundant in fish and shell fish and 'Cockle Bay' was an early name given to the region by Europeans on their arrival. From early European settlement, Darling Harbour was the working port for Sydney. Its harbour access, decent size and closeness to the growing city, saw a number of wharves, shipyards, factories and warehouses grow up on the shores. Once and the first railway opened in Sydney in 1855 it included a single line to Darling Harbour. The railway yard was situated at the Ultimo/Pyrmont end of the Harbour. By 1874 the railway goods yard was extended on reclaimed land and by 1891 all outwards goods traffic was being dispatched from Darling Harbour. It was a bustling port supporting thousands of workers. It boasted an iron wharf, electric swing bridge and all types of goods were traded and shipped from there. Often overlooked in the majestic shadows of the ships they unloaded, 'wharfies' ensured the huge operation kept running. However, The Great Depression of the 1930s had a detrimental effect on the region, especially wharf labourers. The streets where they queued for the chance of a few hours of backbreaking work became known as the Hungry Mile. SignificanceThis image is significant in recording the unglamorous yet significant side of Australian dock life in the 1930s. Cargo handling is not often depicted by artists of the time yet dockside workers were the working heart of a nation still relying on shipping for trade.