Crossing Mosman Bay to reach the track to Neutral Bay was difficult from the earliest times. At high tide boats could be used, but at low tide the slippery mud flats were hazardous. Before reclamation for Reid Park, the alternative was a long walk around the head of the bay, scrambling over rocks and around waterfalls.

From the days of whaling in the 1830s various solutions were attempted. Stones were piled across the bay to create a rough causeway, but were constantly displaced by the tides. The first bridge was constructed around 1880 by local resident Captain Blix. Photos show a rudimentary structure with split palings for planking, and railings made from saplings and bamboo from the nearby Rangers estate. Despite its fragile appearance it survived for almost 20 years.

In 1899 a decision was made by the New South Wales government to dredge the upper part of Mosman Bay, and use the silt, to be pumped behind a new retaining wall, to create what would become Reid Park. In order to allow access for the dredges however, it was ‘necessary to remove the old rustic bridge…between the eastern and western shores’. Following the dredging and filling, and simultaneously with associated storm water works in the park, a new passenger bridge was to be erected. By March 1901 the new bridge, much more substantial that its predecessor, was under construction. It was a low level pile bridge with a footway six feet wide, and a set of landing steps to water level to allow access to small craft. It featured a large central span, designed to allow its temporary removal to enable access for dredging, which would be necessary from time to time. Construction was delayed due to difficulties obtaining enough timber, but by 1902 the bridge was completed, allowing a safer approach from the far shore to the ferry wharf.

Over the years the bridge became a feature in photographs, post cards and paintings of Mosman Bay, but its maintenance was an ongoing burden for Mosman Council. In January 1940 Alderman Osborne complained to the Council that the Mosman Bay footbridge was in a deplorable condition. It was a picturesque addition to the landscape, ‘a very fine structure which we would be sorry to lose’, but was in urgent need of repair and painting. The Council Engineer reported that the landing steps were dangerous and had been closed for 12 months, and a girder and 75 per cent of the planking needed replacement. Various temporary repairs had been made just to keep it patched up, as it was understood the government planned to remove it altogether to facilitate dredging. This had not happened. The question of ownership then arose, and who had built it. It was concluded that though the footbridge had been built by the New South Wales Works Department for the benefit of Mosman residents, the municipality had always maintained it and was responsible for the repairs required. The use of Employment Relief Labour was suggested but rejected. Eventually the Council agreed to pay the 175 Pounds for the necessary work. Later photos show the bridge without the landing steps, so it was likely that they were removed rather than repaired at this time.

Around 1956 the Mosman Bay Marina was constructed adjacent to the footbridge, and by the 1960s the Marina owners were keen to expand. The bridge was in their way and its demolition was requested. In addition, the Maritime Services Board complained to Council that it interfered with dredging of the bay. By this time the bridge was over 60 years old, in disrepair and beginning to rot, and by early 1967 was closed due to its dangerous condition, In November that year it partially collapsed at the western end. Mosman Council claimed that the $10,000 required for repairs was too expensive, and in early 1968 the bridge was demolished. Residents protested about having a longer walk around the bay via Reid Park but, despite Council promises to the contrary, the bridge was never replaced.

Sources

Graeme Andrews, ‘The Mosman Bay Footbridge’, in Afloat, August 2008.

Evening News, 25 January 1899.

Mosman Daily, 19 January 1940, 20 February 1940, 8 November 1967, 1 June 1968, 9 March 1973.

Rob Sturrock, A Pictorial History of Mosman, vol 1, Griffin Press, Netley, 1982, p 62.

Sydney Morning Herald, 19 June 1900, 1 March 1901.

Old footbridge (1880-1899) at Mosman Bay (Mosman Library)

New bridge (1901-1968) at Mosman Bay in 1966 (Mosman Library)

Mosman Bay and Marina in 2016. The seat is placed in the spot where the eastern end of the footbridge joined the shore. (Phillipa Morris)

Phillipa Morris

Bangoola was built c1905 by Paul Schreiterer, a German wool broker. He had arrived in Sydney in 1893, married an Australian woman in 1895, and by the time he built his house had a growing family of six children. The imposing Federation style house was built on a sloping double block facing Parriwi Road, with expansive views to the Harbour and Heads. The land went right through to Spit Road, and even into the 1920s the address was given as Spit rather than Parriwi Road.

During World War 1 anti-German sentiment was high, and the Schreiterers became victim to an attack during the early hours of 6 February 1917. A large gelignite bomb exploded in their basement, resulting in extensive damage to the front of the house, especially the cellar, verandah, and front rooms on the ground and first floors. Nobody was injured but valuable contents were destroyed, the total damage exceeding 200 Pounds. Police investigations and the offer of a reward failed to find the offenders. Despite this, the Schreiterers remained at the house until Paul’s death in 1939.

Soon after, in April 1940, Bangoola was advertised for sale. It was described as a two storey residence built of face brick on stone foundations with shingle roof. It featured a wide return verandah and balcony in front. There were six bedrooms and a maid’s room upstairs, plus sewing and music rooms, a bathroom with coloured tiles and Roman bath, and a shower area. The ground floor comprised a hall, porch, and lounge, dining, breakfast and smoking rooms, kitchen and laundry. Gas, water, sewer and electric light were connected, with a coke operated hot water service. The double block had an 80 foot frontage and depth of 328 feet. This was offered in one line, but if the house only was sold then the two rear blocks would be sold separately.

The sale was unsuccessful and Mrs Schreiterer, though by then living in Pymble, was still the owner in 1944, the house by then however known as Bangoola Private Hospital. In 1950 it was sold to Hilda G.M. Norman for 8,750 Pounds, and again in 1952 to Geraldine Lamberton for 10,500 Pounds, still described in Mosman Valuation Lists as being a private hospital. By this time two rear blocks of land had been sold, and are now numbers 167 and 167A Spit Road.

By 1958 consent was given for alterations to be made to the building which had reverted to a dwelling, it having previously been ‘let in lodgings’ but this use discontinued. Building applications were made by several owners over the following years: a swimming pool in 1967, carport and alterations in 1969, more alterations and a garage in 1981, a billiard room by 1979. When advertised for sale in November 1977 changes to the internal arrangements are clear, with fewer (now five) bedrooms and more (now four) bathrooms, gourmet kitchen, pool and cabana etc. In December 1978 it was again advertised for sale, for $250,000, having been ‘totally lavishly refurbished’, then again in March 1979.

In 1986 the owner was Dimah Developments, and in August that year application was made for the erection of eight residential apartments. The grand old house Bangoola was demolished. By October 1988 apartments in the ‘Parriwi’ complex , stepped up the hill from Parriwi Road, were being advertised for sale, luxury designer units with the most modern features available and, of course, breathtaking panoramic harbour views.

Sources

Caroline Simpson Library, HHT, Record no. 32518.

Mosman Council building applications.

Mosman Council DCA 241/86.

Mosman Council valuation lists.

Sydney Morning Herald, 8 January 1917, 13 April 1940, 15 November 1977, 9 December 1978, 22 October 1988.

Bangoola in 1912 (Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales)

16 Parriwi Road in 2016 (Phillipa Morris)

Phillipa Morris