Bart Bear's Blog

In this photo you can see two things that have guarded Newcastle harbour almost since it began. On the top of the hill is Fort Scratchley. Construction of this fort started with the first guns being installed in 1878, before the walls were built. The only time the guns were used in anger was when a Japanese midget submarine shelled the BHP works on June 8, 1942. The army finally left the fort in 1972. In 1978 it became part of the National Estate and lots of reconstruction has happened since. It is well worth a visit if you are ever in Newcastle.
At the bottom of the hill is the Pilot Station. The yellow boats are the pilot boats which go out to meet ships coming into harbour and transfer a pilot to them. The pilot knows all the tricks of getting into harbour safely. I think I would make a great pilot.

Labels: boats, New South Wales, Newcastle