TimelineThe Port of Newcastle has changed significantly in 210 years of operation. The early years saw convicts digging coal from surrounding cliffs to what is now a thriving gateway taking Hunter Region products to the world. Sailing ships and shovels have given way to modern technology with cargo vessels now measuring nearly 300 metres entering the port to load a variety of commodities while luxury cruise ships are regular visitors to the port. Timeline1770 Captain Cook sailing 4-5 km off shore recorded "...a small clump of an island lying close to shore." (Coal Island, later Nobbys). 1780 The area now called the Hunter Region inhabited by the Awabakal, Worimi, Waranua, Geawegal, Birbai and Darkinung Aboriginal tribes. 1797 Lt John Shortland is the first European to discover the waterway he named Hunter River (often later called Coal River) and reported coal outcrops. 1799 First coal exported from the Hunter Region for Bengal (then in India; now Bangladesh)aboard the barque The Hunter. 1801 Penal colony established, but abandoned within 12 months after convict mutiny. First cedar cut for export from the Hunter. 1804 The name 'Newcastle' first proclaimed officially by Governor King, but the town commonly called 'Kings Town' until about 1830. 1818 Governor Macquarie ordered start of breakwater to join Nobbys Island to the shore to create the port. 1822 Surveyor, Henry Dangar, commissioned to draw up plans for a township. 1823 Newcastle declared a free town. 1824 Australian Agricultural (A.A.) Company set up by charter in London and granted land at Port Stephens to breed sheep. 1826 A.A. Company took over coal mining from the Government. 1831 Original William the Fourth paddle setamer launched at Clarence Town. 1839 Hunter River Steam Navigation Company formed to be Australia's first steamship company. 1845 First dredging of the Hunter River estuary. 1846 Nobbys Breakwater completed. Ferry service between Stockton and Newcastle begun 1850 Obelisk, replacing a windmill, erected on 'The Hill' as a landmark for shipping. 1858 First dredging of Newcastle Harbour. 1865 Harbour Navigational Tower built on 'The Hill' (in use until 1918). 1866 SS Cawarra shipwrecked off Stockton beach - 60 lives lost. 1886 Fort Scratchley completed. 1904 The Adolphe wrecked on the Oyster Bank, near Stockton. 1914 Walsh Island Dockyard commenced operations (closed 1933). 1915 BHP Steelworks began production in Newcastle. 1939 World War II caused huge development of heavy industry in Newcastle. 1942 Construction of the State Dockyard at the Dyke End. 1951 Hunter River Islands Reclamation Scheme began (the joining of Dempsey, Walsh and Moscheto Islands) to become Kooragang Island. 1962 Contracts let for harbour dredging. 1966 First pile driven for the Kooragang bulk berth. 1967 The Maritime Services Board commenced operation of the Basin Coal Loader. 1970 New grain terminal opened. 1976 Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) commenced operation at the Steelworks Channel Coal Loader. 1977 Dredging contract let to Westham for channel dredging. 1978 Floating dock 'Muloobinba' (now Forgacs Floating Dock) arrived from Japan. 1980 12m depth announced for main channel. 1982 Third coal ship loader commissioned for PWCS. 1983 Dredging complete to a depth of 15.2m in main channel. 1984 Kooragang Coal Loader Ltd (KCL) commenced operation of a new
loader on Kooragang Island.
1989 The MSB Hunter Port Authority was created with an independent
Board of Directors to manage the affairs of the Port of Newcastle.
1991 Initial planning commenced on the Eastern Basin re-development,
one of the largest port development projects in Australia for the
decade.
1993 Port of Newcastle breaks 50 million tonne trade throughput.
1994 NSW Government announces intention to corporatise the State’s
ports.
1995 MSB abolished. Newcastle Port Corporation established to manage
Port of Newcastle.
1996 Second coal loading head commissioned at the Kooragang Coal
Terminal.
1997 Corporation undertakes port community projects valued at over
$4million as part of the Newcastle Bicenentary Gifts program.
1998 Total throughput for port in 1997/1998 Financial Year is a record 77.06
million tonnes, making Newcastle the largest tonnage port in Australia.
1999 Newcastle retains position as Australia’s largest tonnage port with
new record figure for 1999 Financial Year of 78.04 million tonnes.
2000 In a first for New South Wales ports, Newcastle Port Corporation
commenced helicopter transfers of Marine Pilots to complement existing
cutter vessel transfer services.
2001 Vessel Traffic Information Centre opened. PWCS installs third coal shiploader and support systems at Kooragang
to increase port coal capacity to 89mtpa.
2002 P&O/GrainCorp opens Agriterminal on Kooragang Island.
2003 New import records for alumina, cement and iron & steel.
2004 New trade record of 82.7 million tonnes.
2005 Super luxury yacht manufacturing, refit and repair comes to Newcastle with a facility opened in the port.
2006 Coal exports exceed 80 million tonnes for the first time. Trade throughout valued at more than $8 billion.
2007 The 77,000 tonne Mercury measuring 263 metres becomes the largest cruise ship to visit Newcastle.
It carried 2,000 passengers and 850 crew.
The 91,000 tonne Millennium measuring 294 metres took the record from Mercury in January 2009.
It carried 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew.
2008 Construction starts on a new $25 million wharf facility at the former BHP steelworks. To be known as Mayfield No.4
Berth, the facility includes a 265-metre berth with 3,630m2 of wharf apron and 8,745m2 of hardstand for cargo
handling, storage or an assembly area.
2009 Trade throughput reaches 95.84 million tonnes valued at $17.01 billion for the 2008-09 financial year. More than
500 hectares of portside land is transferred from government agencies to control of Newcastle Port Corporation to
improve efficiencies in the port.
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