CHIEF Minister Adam Giles has launched celebrations for the 175th Anniversary of the Port of Darwin.
“It was fantastic to stand with the Darwin Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim and Port CEO Terry O’Connor to celebrate the Port’s rich heritage and acknowledge 175 years of achievements as a vital trading hub for Northern Australia,” Mr Giles said.
“The discovery of Darwin Harbour by HMS Beagle in 1839 was a momentous event in the history of Northern Australia, laying the foundations for the great trading centre the city has since become.
The Port is now a centre of international trade, undergoing continual transformation in the past 175 years.
The East Arm Wharf oversees the movement of 2800 commercial vessels, around 400,000 head of cattle and 4.3 million tonnes of cargo every year.
“Celebrations for the 175th anniversary present an ideal opportunity to reflect on the history and achievements of the Port of Darwin.
Mr Giles said as part of the 175th Anniversary activities, the Territory Government is investigating the possibility of a new expedition to retrieve the two Beagle anchors which are currently in the mouth of the Victoria River.
“The last attempt to retrieve the anchors was 20 years ago and locating them would be an historical expedition of national and international significance.
Over the coming months the Territory Government will also announce a series of commemorative activities including an educational website on the Port of Darwin and a special display at the NT Library presenting historic journals, shipping lists, chronologies, maps and photographs.
“Darwin has a rich maritime history and the 175th Anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate how far it has come.
“The Port is critical to the Government’s plans for the development of Northern Australia and I look forward to exploring opportunities for expansion into the future.”
