Take a look back at these vintage photos of Freo’s maritime history

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle J McCabe 40lb tuna 1950
By
Published
Home >Forgotten Perth >Take a look back at these vintage photos of Freo’s maritime history
Share

It was just last month that we were looking back at Freo’s sun-drenched ’80s and ’90s heyday… But really, we’ve barely scratched the surface of the Port City’s vibrant history.

Yet again, we’ve delved into the wonderful, fantastic, very excellent State Library of Western Australia Facebook page and emerged with a stunning collection of photos of Freo’s maritime history for all you salty sea dogs out there!

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Port Authority 1965
Fremantle Port Authority, 1965.

Lets start not quite at the beginning, but way back in 1870(ish) with this photo of Bathers Beach and its original jetty – before even the Old Kerosene Store (now the Kidogo Arthouse) was built in 1884.

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Jetty Bathers Beach Customs Shed ca 1870

As a working port, Freo’s been home to all manner of vessels – from humble dinghies to sleek sailboats, warships and grand ocean liners to heaving cargo ships, loaded with grain or, as seen below, behemoth loads of sandalwood.

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle sailors on a ship deck, Fremantle Wharf April 1943
Sailors on a ship deck, Fremantle Wharf, 1943.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Victoria Quay sandalwood 1907
Sandalwood ready to be loaded onto ships at Victoria Quay, 1907.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Jetty Loading Grain Port ca1890
Loading grain onto ships at Fremantle Port, ca.1890.

Other loads were more humble – but also much more delicious. Freo is known for its seafood, after all!

Subscribe to our free newsletter!
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle J McCabe 40lb tuna 1950
Mr. J McCabe of Subiaco shows off his 40lb tuna caught between Fremantle and Rottnest, 1950.

(For the record, we wouldn’t mind a cheeky 40lb of tuna crudo, mercury poisoning be damned…)

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour ca1905
Landing fish on the jetty at Fremantle Harbour, ca. 1905.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Fishing Boat catch ca1923
Fishermen show off their catch, ca.1923.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Garden Island Boat Amici Madonna Dei Martiri 1952
Fishing crew of the Amici Madonna Dei Martiri, 1952.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour 1960
Boats moored in the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, 1960.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour ca1905
Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour ca.1905.

As our previous dive into the America’s Cup-infused heyday of Freo would attest, it ain’t all fishing and cargo, though! Sailing races have been taking place off Fremantle for generations – including this 1902 race which also featured tugboat Gannet.

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Paddle Steamer Tugboat 1902
Paddle steamer tugboat Gannet and a yacht, during the Fremantle Sailing Club races off Fremantle, 12 April 1902.

We’re also rather enchanted by the glamorous appeal of ocean liners – just imagine cruising from Sicily to Fremantle in the ’60s, arriving at that parquet-floored terminal.

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal Galileo Galilei 1960
Ocean liner Galileo Galilei pulling into the Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal, ca.1960s.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal 1960
Modern two berth Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal, ca.1960s.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal 1960
Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal interior, 1960.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal 1960
Fremantle Port Passenger Terminal interior, 1960.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Passenger ship Izzy Orloff ca1924
Passengers disembarking a ship in Fremantle, ca. 1924.

Of course, Fremantle’s maritime history is inextricably intertwined with the local Italian community – perhaps most vibrantly seen on display at the annual Blessing of the Fleet procession which takes place every October, beginning in 1948 and echoing the traditions of Adriatic fishing communities Molfetta and Capo d’Orlando.

Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet 1961
The Blessing of the Fleet, 1961.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet 1961
The Blessing of the Fleet, 1961.
Forgotten Perth Vintage Fremantle Italian fishing boats ca 1930-1935
Italian fishing boats in the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, ca.1930-1935.

Some photos are available to purchase via the State Library of WA. All photos, unless stated, via the State Library of WA.

Tags: