Watsons Bay was named after Robert Watson (1756-1819), formerly the quartermaster of the first fleet vessel, the HMAS Sirius. He was still serving in that capacity when the ship was wrecked at Norfolk Island in 1790. The following year he obtained and cultivated a grant of sixty acres (24 ha) on the island. He sold the farm in 1793 to bocame mate of the schooner Francis, retaining that post until 1805 when the ship was wrecked off Newcastle. Meanwhile in 1801 Governor Philip Gidley King had granted him land at South Head, Sydney, and there he settled, later becoming boatswain of the dockyard. Watson was appointed harbour pilot and harbourmaster of the port of Sydney in 1811 and the first superintendent of Macquarie Lighthouse in 1816.
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Also located in Watsons Bay is the Steel Point fortifications in Nielsen Park. Built in 1871, it originally accommodated three 80 pounder rifled muzzle-loaders (RMLs) that were replaced sometime during the 1890s with 5 inch breech-loading guns that were removed in 1910. In the 1950’s the RAN degaussing station was constructed over part of the Steel Point fortification. The degaussing station was a countermeasure against magnetic mines. Shark Island was used for this purpose during WWII, naval ships would pass over cables laid under the harbour and were effectively demagnetized. During WWII the Nielsen Park area was used as an anti-aircraft base with interim wooden barracks that included searchlights and anti-aircraft guns.
In In 1942 during the Second World War the Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net was constructed on Georges Head and was designed to prevent enemy submarines from entering into Sydney Harbour. The boom net spanned the entire width of Port Jackson and a boom net winch house was located on Liangs Point, Watsons Bay. On the night of 31 May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines attempted to enter Sydney Harbour in what became known as the Attack on Sydney Harbour. One of the Japanese midget submarines became entangled in the boom net and after unsuccessful attempts by the crew to free the submarine they detonated charges within the sub, killing themselves and destroying their sub in the process.
In In 1942 during the Second World War the Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net was constructed on Georges Head and was designed to prevent enemy submarines from entering into Sydney Harbour. The boom net spanned the entire width of Port Jackson and a boom net winch house was located on Liangs Point, Watsons Bay. On the night of 31 May 1942, three Japanese midget submarines attempted to enter Sydney Harbour in what became known as the Attack on Sydney Harbour. One of the Japanese midget submarines became entangled in the boom net and after unsuccessful attempts by the crew to free the submarine they detonated charges within the sub, killing themselves and destroying their sub in the process.
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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