Gem Pier

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Gem Pier is an historic pier on on Port Phillip Bay, in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. The pier is 145 metres in length and is currently home to the HMAS Castlemaine and Melbourne Seaplanes.

[edit] History

The first pier was built in 1839 near the present-day Gem Pier. Originally known as “The Jetty”, in 1853 it was renamed “Old Pier” following the construction of the “New Pier” (the Ann Street Pier). Throughout the 1860s and 1870s it was known as “Steamboat Pier”. In the 1870s it was renamed “Gem Pier” after the paddle steamer "Gem" that ran a ferry service from Williamstown to Port Melbourne from 1846 to 1886.

The pier was rebuilt in 1992.

[edit] External links

• Picture Victoria - A photo of the old Gem passenger ferry and Quaratine Launch Greswell at the pier.