The Lake Mac Heritage Series was placed to pay homage to the people, places and events that contributed to building and pioneering the Lake Macquarie region. The pick and shovel were chosen in this geoart series to symbolise the hard work the people of Lake Macquarie put forth into the region.
Joseph Marshall
Mr Joseph Marshall of Paddington Brewery purchased foreshore land in the early 1860s, in the location now known as Mirrabooka and Brightwaters. In 1864 he established Marshall's Fishery and Curing Factory there. He began producing tinned fish in hermetically sealed cans for the Sydney market. Fish species canned were: whiting, snapper, bream, mullet, guard fish, and salmon - all from Lake Macquarie and just outside the heads. The location of the factory by the lake was ideal as it allowed for easy water transportation of the product. Fishery Point derives it's name from the canning operations carried out there. photo: map showing sugar bay mirrabooka Ten men were employed initially - fishermen, boatmen, tinmen and others - with even the tins being made on site. They produced about ½ ton per day of 11 pound and 2 pound tins. The fish were cooked in a large steam boiler on the site. Newspaper reports and advertisements of the day declared the tined fish to be 'equal in taste to those imported, and were considerably cheaper at 9 shillings per dozen for 2 pound tins.'
Within three years Marshall had branched out into sugar production, probably to help meet the needs of his brewery in Sydney. A sugar plantation was planted, and a mill was built capable of crushing from three to six tons of cane per day. The juice then passed into vessels of 200 gallons each, after which it was clarified in a large pan where it was heated and passed through a filter made of animal charcoal and sand. It was afterwards evaporated into sugar crystals by steam and hot air, and then passed into a cooler. After crystallisation a centrifugal machine prepared it for market.
Joseph Marshall built a house at the Sugar Bay site which he called Arundinetum. The name is Latin meaning 'a thick growth of reeds or rushes'. It was described as a very comfortable home with fine appointments, which was built as a place for him to stay during his visits. Marshall had a schooner, so apparently came by water from Sydney to oversee the operations. James Norris had been appointed manager of the sugar mill, and as he lived permanently on site, a cottage had also been erected for his use. Joseph Marshall senior died in 1888, and his son Joseph Marshall junior died in 1891, aged 45.
The puzzle
All historical and heritage information courtesy of Lake Mac Libraries
Any questions regarding this puzzle cache or the LMHS geoart series will be answered by clicking HERE
*** The LMHS geoart was placed in conjunction with the OzGeoMuster 2018 mega event. The Oz GeoMuster 2018 committee would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this series. ahomburg, day1976, sedgwickDave, The Morris, bobbiesgirl, and the_garbageman.***
Enjoy!
Marcus Vitruvius