The Governor's Bathing House - Royal Botanical Gardens - Sydney - New South Wales 

The Governor's Bathing House, also known as the Government Bathing House, is a historic structure located in the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia. It played a significant role in the city's history and the leisure activities of early governors. Here's an overview of its history:

Construction and Purpose:

• The Governor's Bathing House was constructed in the early 1830s during the tenure of Governor Sir Richard Bourke.
• The purpose of the structure was to provide a private and convenient place for the colonial governors and their families to bathe in Sydney Harbour.

Location:

• The Bathing House is situated along the waterfront of the Royal Botanic Garden, offering direct access to the harbor.

Design and Features:

• The Bathing House was a simple yet elegant structure, designed in the Georgian architectural style.
• It had two floors, with the upper level serving as a changing room and a space for relaxation.

Governor's Domain:

• The Bathing House was part of the larger area known as the Governor's Domain, which encompassed the government house, gardens, and other facilities used by the colonial governors.

Private Retreat:

• The Bathing House provided a secluded and private retreat for the governors and their families, away from the public eye.
• The governors could enjoy leisurely baths in the harbor waters and then relax in the upper-level room.

Usage and Changes:

• Over the years, the Bathing House saw changes in ownership and usage. It ceased to be exclusively reserved for governors and their families.
• In the mid-20th century, it was briefly used as a storage space for garden equipment.

Restoration and Preservation:

• In the 1980s, the Bathing House underwent a restoration project to preserve its historical significance and architectural features.
• It now stands as a heritage-listed structure within the Royal Botanic Garden.

Historical Significance:

• The Governor's Bathing House is a testament to the lifestyle and leisure activities of early colonial governors and their connection to the waterfront.
• It provides a glimpse into the social history of Sydney during the 19th century.

Today, the Governor's Bathing House stands as a reminder of Sydney's colonial past and the recreational pursuits of its early governors. It offers visitors a glimpse into the city's history and the significance of the Royal Botanic Garden as a hub of both natural beauty and cultural heritage.

150th Anniversary Of Settlement I’m Australia - Sydney Morning Herald -

 

 150th Anniversary Liftout From The Sydney Morning Herald 

Proclamation - Sir Richard Bourke - King William IV Death - Queen Victoria As Soverign 27th October 1837

 

Proclamation - Sir Richard Bourke - King Willian IV Death - Queen Victoria As Sovereign
27th October 1837

PROCLAMATION

"Where it has pleased Almighty God to call to his mercy our Late Soverign Lord King William The Fourth; of Blessed & Glorious memory; By whose decease the Imperial Crown Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain & Ireland, & all other dominions; is solely & rightfully come to the High & Mighty Princess Alexandrina Victoria; saving the rights of any issue of His Late Majesty King William IV, which may be born of his Late Majesty's Consort:

"We, the Captain-General & Governor-in-Chief Of The Territory of New South Wales & it's Dependancies, The Chief Justice, The Members Of The Executive Council, The Puisne Judges Of The Supreme Court, the Members of The Legislative Council, The Clergy, Magistrates, Civil Officers of The Government, & The Naval & Military Officers of Her Majesty's Service, with numbers of other principal Inhabitants of The Colony,

"Do now hereby, with one full voice & consent of tongue & heart, Publish & Proclaim that The High & Mighty Princess Alexandrina Victoria, is now, by The Death of our late Soverign; of happy & Glorious memory, become our only lawful & rightful Liege Lady Victoria, by the Grace Of God, Queen of The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland, Defender of the Faith, saving as aforesaid, Supreme Lady Of The Territory of New South Wales & its Dependancies, To Whom, saving as aforesaid, We Do Acknowledge all Faith & Constant Obedience, with all hearty & humble affection, beseeching God, by Whom Kings & Queens do Reign, to bless the Royal Princess Victoria with long and happy years Reign over us 

Given At Government House, Sydney, this twenty seventh day Of October 1837
God Save The Queen
(Signed) Richard Bourke 

Governor In Chief 

Pinchgut Island - Fort Dension - Sydney Cove

Reverend John Dunmore Lang Remembered As He Said - 

"An Island Called Pinchgut, Consisting Of One SolitAry

Governor Phillip Island at farm Cove, a conical peak on a perfect stunted bush have one function – as a dump until he had time to build a jail for convicts who committed crimes after reaching the colony. Maroon convicts who is Russian of bread and water was Road to them once a week changed its name from rock island to pinch gap.

Sometimes the hangman went out on the third boat for years the remnants of a man’s bones hung in chains on a giblet on the island Francis Morgan convicted with others of the murder of a man on the North Shore, with strung up as a warning. There’s a legend I asked if he wished to make any last remark he looked about him and said well you have yeah indeed a beautiful harbour

Early 1940 after two American warships had sneaked into the harbour at night without a pilot Governor gipps decided to rets how many gipps decided to arrange a battery on the island

He said gangs of convicts to level the rock and almost had the job done when he ran out of funds. The ruining of what had once been a lovely if sinister spot sent Dr Dunmore Lang into a rage and he denounce the official golf or Hun.

Military minds however could not resist the law of the island. When there was a Russian invasion scared during the Crimean war I thought was built on it – a Martello tower without buildings for power to magazines and quarters for a small permanent garrison foundations were quarry deep into the island rock. Stone for the 12 foot thick walls was brought from Carrabba point. The fort completed in 1957 was named after the governor so William Denison. The island is now used to the tide gauge in light and fog signal station. It’s 1 o’clock gun was discontinued in 1942

Military minds however could not resist the law of the island. When there was a Russian invasion scared during the Crimean war I thought was built on it – a Martello tower without buildings for power to magazines and quarters for a small permanent garrison foundations were quarry deep into the island rock. Stone for the 12 foot thick walls was brought from Carrabba point. The fort completed in 1957 was named after the governor so William Denison. The island is now used to the tide gauge in light and fog signal station. It’s 1 o’clock gun was discontinued in 1942

  

*+****** FRANCIS MORGAN. Was Strung Up on A Gibbet 

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