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On 21 January 1788, Captain Phillip travelled north and examined Port Jackson, so named by Captain James Cook in 1770.
They spent three days exploring Port Jackson and Phillip, impressed by the "confidence and manly behaviour" of a group of aborigines in the northern reaches of the harbour, called the place "Manly Cove".
Captain John Hunter's 1788 sketch of North Arm placed Manly Cove at the western end of North Harbour, Collins Cove being the name originally given to what is Manly Cove today.
They spent three days exploring Port Jackson and Phillip, impressed by the "confidence and manly behaviour" of a group of aborigines in the northern reaches of the harbour, called the place "Manly Cove".
Captain John Hunter's 1788 sketch of North Arm placed Manly Cove at the western end of North Harbour, Collins Cove being the name originally given to what is Manly Cove today.
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An early map of about 1822 shows a plan of a proposed township of Manly. Certainly the quiet waters of North Harbour would have afforded greater protection for the small boats that were the only link with Sydney during that period.
Henry Gilbert Smith, an English businessman living in Sydney, saw that Manly - with an ocean beach on one side and fine sandy cove on the other - could provide a great "watering place" for the people of Sydney, as Brighton did for Londoners and he started acquiring land in the area in the 1850s.
In June 1855, Smith wrote to his brother in England "the amusement I derive in making my improvements in Manly is, no doubt, the cause of my greater enjoyment, in fact I never feel a dull day while there. I should long ere this have been with you if it had not been for this hobby of mine, in thinking I am doing good in forming a village or watering place for the inhabitant of Sydney".
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The Corso
Norfolk Island pines were planted along the harbour foreshore and in 1855 Smith had a pier constructed a little east of the Manly Wharf, the Pier Hotel was built and The Corso was cleared linking the harbour with the ocean beach.
Smith encouraged the growth of a ferry service to Manly. Excursion trips were available and by 1856 there was a daily ferry service. In 1859 Smith acquired the steamer "Phantom" specifically for the Manly to Sydney run.
Norfolk Island pines were planted along the harbour foreshore and in 1855 Smith had a pier constructed a little east of the Manly Wharf, the Pier Hotel was built and The Corso was cleared linking the harbour with the ocean beach.
Smith encouraged the growth of a ferry service to Manly. Excursion trips were available and by 1856 there was a daily ferry service. In 1859 Smith acquired the steamer "Phantom" specifically for the Manly to Sydney run.
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The Beach
During the early settlement days in Australia some of the British soldiers apparently found the weather and the white sandy beaches just too tempting, and often went swimming in the surf, in the nude! In 1833, to preserve decency in this newly found colony, the Governor of the day banned sea bathing completely during daylight hours.
Bathing was a complete cover up in those days, with some of the ladies' costumes containing up to ten metres of material! Also, bathing was segregated with separate hours or different parts of the beach for men and women. Once again civil disobedience won out and mixed bathing eventually became the norm.
During the early settlement days in Australia some of the British soldiers apparently found the weather and the white sandy beaches just too tempting, and often went swimming in the surf, in the nude! In 1833, to preserve decency in this newly found colony, the Governor of the day banned sea bathing completely during daylight hours.
Bathing was a complete cover up in those days, with some of the ladies' costumes containing up to ten metres of material! Also, bathing was segregated with separate hours or different parts of the beach for men and women. Once again civil disobedience won out and mixed bathing eventually became the norm.
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In 1902, William Gocher advertised that he would swim at Manly in Sydney in protest against the law. He was not arrested. Similar protests occurred at other beaches but police were reluctant to arrest the bathers as long as they were decently clothed.
Improved public transport made beaches more accessible while reduced working hours meant people had more leisure time. Anyone with the fare could spend the day at Bondi, or Manly.
Improved public transport made beaches more accessible while reduced working hours meant people had more leisure time. Anyone with the fare could spend the day at Bondi, or Manly.
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A day at the beach became a popular activity and Neck-to-knee suits made of cotton or wool became standard for both men and women who were brave enough to actually go into the water. Many just stood and watched.
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More Beaches:- South
Bondi Beach; Balmoral; Coogee; Double Bay; Cronulla; Darling Point
La Perouse; Maroubra; Potts Point & Elizabeth Bay; Rose Bay;
Rushcutters Bay; Tamarama; Vaucluse; Watsons Bay
Wooloomooloo
More beaches :- North
Clifton Gardens; Lavender Bay and Berry's Bay; Manly; Mosman; Neutral Bay
Bondi Beach; Balmoral; Coogee; Double Bay; Cronulla; Darling Point
La Perouse; Maroubra; Potts Point & Elizabeth Bay; Rose Bay;
Rushcutters Bay; Tamarama; Vaucluse; Watsons Bay
Wooloomooloo
More beaches :- North
Clifton Gardens; Lavender Bay and Berry's Bay; Manly; Mosman; Neutral Bay