State Dockyard, Newcastle
This series documents the activities of the State Dockyard Newcastle between 1953 and 1983 through photographs, negatives, slides and microfilm. There are 8,500+ photos in this series
The images capture shipbuilding and repair work, including ships under construction, launches, and testing in Newcastle Harbour. They also show the dockyard’s facilities—such as workshops, machinery, slipways and floating docks—as well as aerial views of the site.
Some photographs feature people connected to the dockyard, including workers, visitors and notable guests such as Queen Elizabeth II.
The collection also includes images of a wide range of vessels, from commercial ships like the MS Princess of Tasmania to military ships from the Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy. There are also ship plans and designs, along with views of major ports such as Sydney Harbour.
Photographs appear in both black and white and colour, and many were originally created for promotional use.
Some images remain unidentified or undated. Most of the collection has been digitised, with only a small portion still available in physical format.
A selection from the collection
Watch the webinar
Ships, more ships, and still more ships
Featuring files, plans, and digitised content (NRS-21054), this webinar recording explores the records of the State Dockyard, Newcastle, held in the State Archives Collection
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