5-557: Beehive Casemate is a historical fortification located on the banks of Obelisk Bay , in Sydney Harbour , New South Wales , Australia . It is part of the Sydney Harbour National Park . Construction of the casement began in 1871 and was completed in 1874. The fort was constructed under the supervision of colonial architect James Barnet . The underground casemate was one of the first to be locally designed and built after
10-484: Is part of Sydney Harbour National Park . Coordinates : 33°49′47″S 151°15′39″E / 33.82972°S 151.26083°E / -33.82972; 151.26083 Prior to European settlement in 1788, the area was inhabited by Indigenous Australians speaking the Guringai language. Aboriginal sites are found in the bushland all around Georges Head. The arrival of smallpox with European colonists meant that by 1795,
15-752: The Aboriginal population on the northern side of Sydney Harbour had declined by as much as 90%. In 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie dubbed Bungaree "Chief of the Broken Bay Tribe" and presented him with 15 acres (61,000 m ) of land on Georges Head. He was also known by the titles "King of Port Jackson" and "King of the Blacks". Bungaree spent the rest of his life ceremonially welcoming visitors to Australia, educating people about Aboriginal culture (especially boomerang throwing), and soliciting tribute, especially from ships visiting Sydney. Bungaree and his family kept
20-449: The passages around Sow and Pigs Reef , within the entrance to Sydney Harbour. 33°49′39″S 151°16′5″E / 33.82750°S 151.26806°E / -33.82750; 151.26806 Obelisk Bay Obelisk Beach (part of Obelisk Bay ) is a nude beach in Mosman , New South Wales , Australia . The beach is on the southern side of Middle Head in Sydney Harbour and
25-576: The withdrawal of British troops in 1870 and the Cardwell Reforms . The fortification contains three domed chambers that were used as gun emplacements. Each chamber had a small opening or window for the gun to fire through with each window looking out towards the Sydney Heads . The underground chambers were made of brick and mortar and were built into the excavated cavities in the sandstone bedrock. They were intended to fire on enemy ships as they navigated
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