Fremantle Port Authority, also known by its registered business name Fremantle Ports, is the responsible authority created under the

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

n Port Authorities Act 1999.

Harbour administration

In August 1829 the Fremantle Harbour Master position was created and the first incumbent was Captain

Mark John Currie Captain Mark John Currie RN (later Vice-Admiral) played a significant role in the exploration of Australia and the foundation of the Swan River Colony, later named Western Australia. He explored areas in New South Wales, after which he returned ...

, serving for three years before leaving the colony in 1832. He was succeeded by Daniel Scott, who served for eighteen years as harbourmaster until he resigned in 1850. Captain James Harding was appointed acting harbourmaster of Fremantle, upon the resignation of Scott and the position was confirmed in 1852. Harding drowned in June 1867 attempting to assist a sinking vessel, Strathmore, near Garden Island. Following Harding's death Captain George J. Butcher was acting harbourmaster. The position was filled in 1868 by Lieutenant James Nias Croke, who served until 1874. He was replaced by Captain George Forsyth. In January 1880 as a result of the formation of the Harbour and Light Department, the position of Chief Harbour Master of the

Colony of Western Australia In modern parlance, a colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule. Though dominated by the foreign colonizers, colonies remain separate from the administration of the original country of the colonizers, the '' metropolitan state'' ...

was created, with Forsyth, the serving Fremantle harbor master taking on the position, until he was dismissed in 1886. Charles Russell was then appointed as Chief Harbour Master, serving until 1902.

Fremantle Harbour Trust

In 1903 Fremantle Harbour Trust was created with five commissioners, three commissioners to be appointed by the

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

with the remaining two positions appointed by the

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce The Fremantle Chamber of Commerce is a business and commerce advocacy association in Fremantle, Western Australia. History In 1853 the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce was founded. In 1873 the Chamber of Commerce requested and was grant ...

and the

Perth Chamber of Commerce The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCIWA), founded in 1890,Poprzeczny, Joe. (1998) ''Roles for community. Obituary of former president of Perth Chamber of Commerce, the WA Employers Federation and the Confederation of WA ...

respectively, chairman of the Trust was then appointed by the Governor. The first formal meeting of the Fremantle Harbour Trust commissioners occurred on 5 January 1903 in the

Dalgety Building Wilhemsen House, also known as the Elders Building, Elder Building, Barwil House and the Dalgety & Co. Building, is a heritage building located at 11 Cliff Street on the corner of Phillimore Street in the port city of Fremantle, Western Au ...

, the original board of commissioners were R. Laurie (chairman), C. Hudson,

William Sandover William Sandover (21 September 1822 – 5 March 1909) was a British hotelier and politician in South Australia, the father of Alfred Sandover MBE and great grandfather of Raymond Sandover DSO, ED. History He was born in Cornwood, Devon, Engla ...

, A. Leeds, and T. Coombe. At that time resident Engineer of Harbour works was W. Leslie and

harbour master A harbourmaster (or harbormaster, see spelling differences) is an official responsible for enforcing the regulations of a particular harbour or port, in order to ensure the safety of navigation, the security of the harbour and the correct operat ...

was Captain Charles James Irvine, both of whom were present for the meeting.

Fremantle Port Authority

The Fremantle Harbour Trust ceased in November 1964, and was replaced by the Fremantle Port Authority.

Events

Fremantle Ports in collaboration with the Fremantle City Council and other bodies holds an annual Fremantle maritime day.

Harbourmasters

References

{{reflist, 30em Fremantle Harbour Port authorities in Australia Statutory agencies of Western Australia