Monthly Archives: June 2012

Old Balmain: Paddocks and Shipyards.

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Paddocks

The two biggest paddocks in Balmain, were Pilchers (Grafton Street) and Ory’s (cnr of Elliot and Glassop Streets) Ory’s was thickly covered with bushes and trees and a good playground for the children who loved to climb. housing commission homes are built there today.

Shipyards:  Many shipyards were seen around the shores of Balmain and some played a very significant role during World War II. they were Mort’s Dock and Engineering, Foole and Steel, Howard Smith, White and Co S.G White, Adelaide Steamship, Chapmans Dock, Jubilee Storey and Keers, Morrison and Sinclair and Sydney Ferries.

Balmain’s Maritime History includes the history of boat yards, shipyards and ship repair yards which once inhabited Balmain and provided employment for Painters and Dockers.

  • 1. Poole and Steel, Stephen Street
  • 2. Irma and Dick White, Shipwriting, Grafton Street
  • 3. Maritime Services Board Depot, Cameron’s Cove (now proposed Water Police)
  • 4. Nichol Bros. Pty Ltd and Penquin Heavy Lifting Pty Ltd  10-20 Weston Street Balmain East.
  • 5. S.G. White & Co. (the “Bull Ring”) Lookes Avenue
  • 6. Maritime Services Board, Goat Island
  • 7. Adelaide S.S. Co., Nicholson Street
  • 8. Chapman’s Slipway, Hart Street
  • 9. Mort’s Dock & Eng. Co., Mort Bay
  • 10. Stannard’s Launches, Lemm Street
  • 11. Jubilee Eng. Co., Yeroulbin Street
  • 12. Morrison & Sinclair, Long Nose (now Yeroulbin) Point
  • 13. Storey & Keers, Louisa Road
  • 14. Howard Smith S.S. Co. (old coal mine site), Water Street, moved from Adolphus
  • 15. Cockatoo Island
  • 16. S.G. White (“Bull Ring”), Fitzroy Avenue, moved from Lookes Avenue

 

Nicol Bros Pty Ltd and Penguin Heavy Lifting Pty Ltd, 10-20 Weston Street.

 

Old Balmain: Soap Manufacturers

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Lever Brothers

Two major soap Manufacturers were in Balmain for many years, Lever Bros and Colgate Palmolive, Lever Brothers was surrounded by seven streets and started in the early 1900’s. The company had it’s own sawmill for making their wooden cases for packing of their products. The company had a big hall in Roseberry place, called Sunlight Hall and this was used as a dining room and at times a company dance hall. Two of the old time soaps produced by Levers were Lifebuoy, carbollice toilet soap for bathing and monkey soap for cleaning pots and pans.

Colgate started operating in 1924 and built on the old meat works sight in Colgate Avenue (then known as Broadstairs Street) after the meat works closed down after WW1. A wide range of products were being manufactured at the Balmain factory, not only soap and toothpaste, but shampoo, shaving cream, brilliantine, powder, rouge, and lipstick. The workers at Colgate Palmolive developed skills, speed and pride in their work. Stamping, finishing, wrapping and packing were all done largely by hand.

Colgate Palmolive Products

Old Balmain  week 1