Pontville Bridge

Bridge at Pontville 

A little known bridge spanned the Yarra from Templestowe to Eltham at Pontville. It was built before the first World War as a training exercise by army enginers. Later Sam McCauley, who owned Pontville, chopped it down because rabbits were coming across from the bush on the Eltham side.

Source: 1992 06 DTHS Newsletter



Pontville bridge


A little known bridge spanned the Yarra from Templestowe to Eltham at Pontville.  It was built before the First World War by Army Engineers for training purposes.  Later Sam McCauley chopped it down because rabbits were coming across the bridge from the bush on the Eltham side.


Source: 1971 08 DTHS Newsletter


Camp at Templestowe (1906)

No. 2 Field Company of Australian Engineers, a fine body of 63 men, went into camp at Pontville, near Templestowe, fifteen tents being pitched at a beautiful spot in the vicinity of the Yarra. Two wagons and two tool carts belonging to the company were pulled down on Saturday afternoon by special car dray horses driven by drivers from the Royal Australian Artillery; When everything had been fixed up in regular camp style, the officer in command. Major Ralston, invited discussion as to the engineering possibilities in connection with a proposed suspension bridge, the erection of which was to be commenced early the next morning. "Bustle time" came at about 5.30 a.m., and after breakfast a special "timber" gang scoured the. vicinity, axe in hand, making short work of several fine gum growths. Sergeant-Majors Tootell and Hunt then selected two gangs of about 25 men each, who worked on opposite sides of the river. The men toiled in the broiling sun all day, the whole of which was occupied in constructing two timber frame works. Two strong cables will be stretched from one to the other, and the cross pieces are to be tied in fours. It is expected that the bridge will be completed to-day, in time for tents to be struck at about 3 p.m. The company prides itself on its work of construction and destruction, and views with some amount of satisfaction the fact that the English Royal Engineers generally allow 60 men six days in which to construct a suspension bridge similar to the one now awaiting erection. The other officers in camp, besides the officer in command, are Captain Hedges and Lieutenant Morton. As usual, the company is working together in a harmonious spirit.

Source: 1906 'CAMP AT TEMPLESTOWE.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 29 January, p. 6. , viewed 04 Jun 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196322582


Field Engineers at Templestowe (1907)

In a secluded and shady glen situated beyond Templestowe, and bidden from the gaze of passers-by on the highway by intervening uplands. Nos. 2 and 4 companies of the Field Engineers, comprising in all 68 men, with wagons and horses, have pitched their tents on a picturesque bend of the Yarra, where it ripples past on its sinuous, course towards Heidelberg, eight miles distant. The camp is on the Pontville Estate, which is made available each year for the use of the engineers by the proprietor, Mr.- O. Webster. The men ar rived in camp on Saturday afternoon, and lost no time in making themselves comfort able for the night, under the guidance of the commanding officer, Major Ralston, and an energetic staff of non-commissioned officers. The precipitous and thickly wooded nature of the country has in the past afforded the engineers ample opportunities of displaying their resourcefulness and celerity in spanning the Yarra and the ad joining creeks with bridges in a manner as if the invasion of Australia, described in "The Age" some lime ago, had become an accomplished fact, and a numerous enemy were on the heels of the belated engineers. With the short time at his disposal between Saturday night and this afternoon, when camp will be struck, Major Ralston will engage the men in what is officially termed as "demolitions." That is to say, lectures will be given on the various explosives, and and the uses for which, they are peculiarly adapted in time of war. The more practical side of the instruction consists in the erection of a stout blockade wall composed of earth and bark, packed highly between palisades, and, by means of gun cotton, the ultimate destruction thereof, together with an imaginary enemy hiding behind. Trenches have also to he dug, and huge trees blown up by the roots, as if the bugles of the foreigner were already resounding from the heights of Heidelberg. The suspension bridge which was thrown across the Yarra close to the encampment by the engineers last year is still in existence, and it is probable that repairs to this and to a local bridge will be effected before a return is made to the metropolis to-night. A feature of the camp is the admirable cooking appliances in use. In lieu of the ordinary dug out fireplace, the engineers have brought their practical knowledge to bear in the construction of an up to date iron camp oven, while a caucus of skilled knowledge resulted in the— at this sequestered spot at any rate— wholesome waters of the Yarra being pumped up a steep in cline to the cook house door. The non-com missioned officers associated with Major Ralston in the conduct of the encampment are Quartermaster Pomeroy, Sergeaut-Major Hunt and Sergeant-Major Tootell, of the permanent forces. Colonel Parnell, director of the Common wealth engineering forces; and Captain Wilkinson, S.O.E.S. for Victoria, will probably visit the Templestowe camp to-day.

Source: 1907 'FIELD ENGINEERS AT TEMPLE.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 28 January, p. 6. , viewed 04 Jun 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196153877


Work at Templestowe (1907)

No. 2 Field Company Australian Engineers returned to the depot last evening by route march from its three days' camp on the Pontville Estate, three miles beyond Templestowe. A highly instructive train- ing, comprising the construction of a trestle bridge across the Yarra, construction of stockades and demolitions, was carried out. Captain P. T. Hedges, assisted by Lieutenant R. Morton, was in command. Over 90 per cent. of the total strength of the company was under canvas. Major G. F. Wilkinson, staff officer of Engineer services, attended the camp on behalf of the commandant, Colonel Stanley. The direct- tor of Engineer services and acting chief of ordnance, Colonel Parnell, visited the camp, and expressed himself as highly pleased with the practical nature of the work. Ac- companying him was Hon. Lieutenant and Quartermaster W. C. Morton, who, after an absence of some years, was accorded a hearty welcome by the members of the corps. Since Lieutenant Morton's retire- ment he has compiled a history of the company, which will be of much interest, especially to those associated with the early volunteer days. It is Lieutenant Morton's intention to present the result of his work to Colonel Parnell, whose father was at one time commanding officer of the Volunteer Field Company.

Source: 1907 'WORK AT TEMPLESTOWE.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 12 November, p. 8. , viewed 04 Jun 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10155150

No comments: