Showcasing Victoria Dock to the world

Unsurprisingly, given that we are an island continent, media coverage of global naval activity by the RAN, USA, UK, China and others seems to have intensified recently.

While Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN) finds such global naval “cruising” fascinating, it is, as the saying goes, not “new news”.

Melbourne has long-standing, global significance as a strategic port in the far south and in this context 2025 marks an important anniversary year.

The 1925 visit of the United States Fleet to Victoria Harbour (July 23 to August 6) was the largest peacetime visit by a naval force in Australian history. The fleet included 57 US Navy warships, painted grey. This extraordinary event remains unmatched in scale and spectacle.

MMHN board member Michael O’Brien invites you to imagine the excitement 100 years ago when this naval spectacle unfolded in Victoria Dock. All 26 destroyers docked dramatically in Victoria Harbour, while four battleships berthed in the deeper water off Princes Pier (now demolished).

As the fleet approached the Heads, the people of Melbourne welcomed them with great enthusiasm. Thousands of spectators lined the shore, while others boarded excursion paddle steamers Weerona and Hygeia to greet the fleet as it entered Port Phillip Bay, enroute to Hobsons Bay and the city’s docks.

An estimated half a million people visited the ships during their stay. The YMCA encouraged Melbourne families to host US sailors for dinner and overnight stays. The entertainment in town and beyond brought delight to all. There were baseball matches at the MCG and Albert Park, receptions at Queen’s Hall and Government House for the officers, a Lord Mayor’s Ball for 3000 guests at the Exhibition Building, race meetings, theatre and cinema shows, day trips, a city parade and, of course, fireworks! Wow!

While this was clearly a “goodwill cruise” and a wildly popular public event, it also served a strategic purpose. Some interpreted the visit as a subtle signal to Japan and the UK regarding the growing capability of the US Navy after World War I. The US was preparing for potential conflict in the Pacific, and this voyage was a useful logistical test for operations across vast ocean distances. Choosing Australia as a destination, rather than the Philippines or East Asia, helped to avoid escalating tensions with Japan – though conflict eventually did occur.

Shipping Control Tower, Victoria Harbour – nearly excellent news

Heritage Victoria has recommended that the Shipping Control Tower be added to the Victorian Heritage Register as a “Registered Place”. While this is a major – and rare – win for maritime heritage in the Docklands precinct, the final decision to protect the tower rests with the Heritage Council.

MMHN welcomes this development but warns that the fight isn’t over. A close reading of the Heritage Victoria recommendations reveals “wriggle room” that could be exploited by those opposing heritage protection in Docklands.

What you can do:

Supporters of maritime heritage now have an opportunity to make a formal submission. Please consider submitting an online response addressing any concerns you may have and emphasising the long-term significance of preserving this unique port infrastructure asset.

You can read the full HV report, make a submission and see the historic images via the Victorian Heritage Council’s website.

And finally – a fun invitation

MMHN is delighted to invite you to a significant photographic exhibition.

Last Light on Victoria Dock

This unique collection of images from the 1990s captures the historic, economic, and social significance of Victoria Dock before its demolition and transformation into the urban renewal precinct that is the present-day Docklands. Award-winning photographer, Bill McAuley, will present his work, and MMHN will speak about the heritage and history of Victoria Dock.

When: September 4 at 6.30pm
Where: MAGNET Gallery, the District Shopping Centre, G19 Wharf St, Docklands. Take the Bourke St tram to Waterfront City (last stop). •