Railway Water Supply

Physical Description

Dam: The dam is located at the foot of bare granite rock on Dempster Head. A silt trap is situated at the foot of the rock. Steel gates prevent the entry of large debris. A large overflow drain lead down the hill past Dempsters' Lime Kiln to the camping ground now Port Authority Park.

The catchment is contoured and constructed of slabs of granite cemented together and to the rock. A system of buttresses provided additional strength. The area was fenced to exclude wandering stock.

History

This railway dam, completed in 1922, was to service steam trains during the construction and operation of the Esperance Salmon Gums Railway. Members of such families as Doust. Dunn. Eggling. McCarthY, Stowe and Sinclair were employed on the project.

The dam was used by the railways until the late 1950s when diesel locos were introduced. Leakage was a continual problem. A tar like substance (Flintcote) was used to fill cracks but to no avail. When the pipeline to the railway station was pulled up. a major source of leakage was revealed - an illegal connection opposite what is now the service station comer of Andrew and Dempster Street. Some illegal swimming took place but the sea was more inviting.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: 90%

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.