Jonathon Piper 1813- 1879 Ship Builder

Jonathon Piper 

Jonathon Piper was born in Sydney on January 1, 1813, and in 1835, he entered into matrimony with Ann Bates in Pitt Town along the Hawkesbury River. A year earlier, his sister Sarah had wed Joseph Spears, the descendant of a Rum Corps member granted 60 acres of land on Brisbane Water in 1829.

 

This parcel, located at the headwaters of Cockle (Kincumber) Broadwater, was precisely identified at 50 chains and 50 links from the mouth of Kincumber Creek. Evidently, a strong family bond existed between the Spears and Piper clans, likely prompting Jonathan and Ann to relocate to Brisbane Water in 1829. Joseph Spears named his property Brisbania, while the Piper residence found its place at the southern end, marking the eastern boundary of the current Gosford suburb known as Yattalunga.

 

The Piper family left an indelible mark on the local landscape, waterways, and land use, distinguishing themselves as committed, full-time residents rather than absentee landlords—a rarity among landowners. Their influence extended to shipbuilding, with numerous vessels constructed over a span of 35 years. Jonathan Piper shared his shipbuilding expertise with numerous local youths, including the four Davis brothers.

 

On April 18, 1879, at the age of 69, Jonathan Piper passed away, and his final resting place is at St Paul's Church. Ann Piper, the mother of 14, breathed her last in Sydney in 1901 at the age of 83.

 

At the time of Jonathan Piper's demise, an unfinished ketch was on the stocks. In response, his son William Brisbane Piper, then involved in shipbuilding at Cape Hawke, New South Wales, returned to oversee its completion. The last vessel to be launched from this shipyard, the ketch Peacock, set sail in October 1879.

Jonathan is my 4th Great Uncle 

SHIPBUILDING HERITAGE Central Coast – New South Wales

Shipbuilding Legacy - Broadwater, Kincumber, NSW

 

Situated along the picturesque Broadwater in Kincumber, NSW, the Shipbuilders Memorial pays homage to the rich history of shipbuilding in the broader Brisbane Water region. This memorial holds a special significance, being located near the spot where Jonathan Piper, an esteemed shipbuilder, crafted numerous vessels, culminating with the completion of the last ship named after him – the Jonathan.

 

Jonathan Piper, a pioneering figure in New South Wales shipbuilding, tragically passed away in 1879 while constructing the ketch, Jonathan. Over the years, he had built an impressive fleet of twenty-two ships until his untimely demise. Piper's shipyard, situated on Lot 77, stood near the convergence of Kincumber Creek and Cockle Creek, forming what is now known as the Cockle Creek Broadwater. A mere 200 meters east of this historic site lies the Broadwater Shipbuilders Memorial Walk, featuring a plaque commemorating the collaborative efforts of Jonathan Piper and fellow shipbuilder William James Woodward.

 

Following Jonathan Piper's passing, his son William Brisbane Piper travelled from Forster to complete the vessel named Jonathan in honour of his father. William Piper went on to become the most prolific shipbuilder in the Great Lakes of NSW, constructing vessels at both Cape Hawke and Port Stephens.

 

The wooden ketch Jonathan was officially launched on October 4, 1879, and subsequently registered in Sydney on November 8, 1879, under the details ON 75047. Its specifications were recorded as follows: Length – 62.3 ft, Breadth – 17.8 ft, Depth – 6.8 ft, Tonnage – 42.73 tons.

 

Delving into the broader maritime history of the region, approximately 30 km north of Sydney Heads lies a significant bay named Broken Bay by Lt. James Cook in 1770 due to the broken land surrounding it. Originally called the 'North Arm,' it was later renamed after the then Governor of NSW, Thomas Brisbane. Brisbane Water, an extensive complex of Broadwater’s, bays, and large estuaries, spans around 11 km in length and 7 km in width, with the city of Gosford situated at its north end. Shipbuilding activities in the area commenced in the 1820s, with the first vessel likely constructed by Robert Henderson at Veteran Hall, Saratoga. Over the next 125 years, the region witnessed the construction of an incalculable number of vessels, exceeding 500 registered vessels alone. Notably, some vessels were not officially registered, having gone to Sydney for fitting out or directly to the Islands.

 

Honouring the profound contributions of notable shipbuilders, Jonathan Piper, James, and William Woodward, two monuments stand as testaments to their substantial impact on the shipbuilding industry in Brisbane Waters.

 

 

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Address:             Sea Breeze Avenue, Broadwater Park, Kincumber, 2251

State:    NSW

Area:     AUS

GPS Coordinates:            Lat: -33.470804

Long: 151.376579