Shipwright's Arms Hotel Explained

Shipwright's Arms Hotel should not be confused with Shipwrights Arms Inn.

Shipwright's Arms
Former Names:Dolphin Hotel
Status:Complete
Location:10 Darling Street,, New South Wales
Location Town:-->
Location Country:Australia
Destruction Date:-->
Unit Count:-->

The Shipwright's Arms is an historic de-licensed pub located in Balmain East, a suburb in the inner west region of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The former pub looks out across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and currently houses luxury apartments.

History

As one of the first licensed establishments in Balmain, it was built by shipwright John Bell in 1841. In 1844 it was named the Dolphin Hotel when it was leased to publican William Walker,[1] a former convict who had been transported from Birmingham, England at the age of 16 on 24 May 1827. It was claimed back in 1846 by John Bell and renamed The Shipwright's Arms.[2] [3] It was owned by Bell and his successors as owner of the adjacent Fenwick & Co Boat Store until sold to Miller's Brewery in 1950.[4]

Although numbered as 10 Darling Street, it is effectively the first building in Balmain's main thoroughfare, and one of only a few waterside establishments. A former favourite haunt of watermen and surreptitious after-hours drinkers, its license was transferred to Miller's Hotel in Manly Vale in 1965.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. . . XVII . 2150 . 5 April 1844 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. PUBLICANS' LICENSES. . . XXI . 2782 . 11 April 1846 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: Advertising . . XXI . 2874 . 5 August 1846 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  4. 01396. EF14/4854; EF13/9939; H99/18. 2 June 2018.
  5. Book: Davidson, Bonnie. Nicholls, Debby. Hamey, Kath. Called to the bar : 150 years of pubs in Balmain & Rozelle . 1991. 1991. Balmain Association. 978-0-9599502-6-7.