Birth of the Port
Lieutenant John Shortland in 1797 was the first European to find coal on the shores of the Hunter River. Two years later, in 1799, Newcastle recorded its first export of coal when 50 tonnes was shipped to Bengal on 'The Hunter'. In 1801 the first coal mine was established under the present site of Fort Scratchley using convict labor.
Between 1801 and 1804 the area was settled twice. Abandoned the first time, it was then re-established as a penal settlement and coal was mined by digging holes into nearby cliffs.
Submarine Attack
Then and Now
The Coal Industry
BHP
Aluminium
