Fire at Cathedral Hotel, Swanston Street, Melbourne
The Age (Melbourne, Vic.: 1854- )3 Mar 1936
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Total copies: 1
Fire at the Cathedral Hotel!
Southward view
Firemen in their shiny brass Merryweather style helmets battle a fire in the roof of the Cathedral Hotel, Tuesday 3 March 1936. It was located on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane and so named for its proximity to St Paul’s Cathedral, just visible at top left.
The fire broke out in between the roof space and wooden ceiling of the hotel at around 4.30 pm, causing disruption to afternoon commuters – hence the banked-up trams along St Kilda Road. The hoses snaking across the roof have been dragged up through the hotel’s front door. The scene of devastation on the roof appears to be a result of both the fire and firefighting efforts.
The panoramic background is dominated by the dome of Flinders Street Station, the wide, treed boulevard of St Kilda Road, and a densely built-up industrial area south of the Yarra with its elevated signage and substantial buildings.
MCK090 Inkjet print by John Gollings on Canson Platine Fibre Rag
Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie.
Title:
Fire at Cathedral Hotel, Swanston Street, Melbourne
Collector:
Date of work:
3 Mar 1936
Reference number:
MCK097
Level of description:
Item from Collection: Heritage Collection (HC)
Type of materials:
Graphic materials
Part of:
Sub-sub-collection: McKenzie Collection of glass plate negatives (SC_MCKENZIE)
Access restrictions:
UnrestrictedOpen access
Use restrictions:
Refer to individual item records for Use Restrictions.Please contact City of Melbourne Libraries about obtaining permission to reproduce images. High resolution files may be available on request. Users must acknowledge City of Melbourne Libraries when reproducing images.
General notes:
.Photographer notations on slide: "Fire at Cathedral Hotel Swanston St 1936 B104".Description:This photo, taken from an adjacent building, shows 12 firemen fighting a fire on the roof of the Cathedral Hotel, Melbourne. There is evidence of considerable damage to the roof of the building as a result of the fire and fire fighting efforts. The photo gives a feeling of elevation, as the firemen are in focus, with an out of focus panoramic background, showing the dome of Flinders Street Station, and St Kilda Road down to the Shrine..Research by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie:The Age reported on 4 March 1936 that the fire broke out in rubbish between the roof space and wooden ceiling of the Cathedral Hotel at 4.30 pm. “The Eastern Hill fire brigade was notified by telephone, and an almost simultaneous call was also received at fire brigade headquarters from a street alarm.”.The firemen in their dark uniforms with brass buttons, gold epaulettes and shiny brass Merryweather helmets, stand out against the broken slate tiles and dislodged timber of the damaged roofing, all of which look blackened and in disarray. Two pale water hoses snake thickly across the roof. It is a scene of some devastation and chaos. Three chimney pots by contrast sit plump and strong against the damage..The Cathedral Hotel is located on the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, so named due to its proximity to St Pauls Cathedral (just visible at far left) on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets. This intersection is a hub and focus of Melbourne activity. The backgrounded Melbourne skyline, while not in clear focus, is of interest. On the right is the impressive dome of Flinders Street Station, with the clock at 4.50 pm. Its grand frontage, and some of the façade along Flinders Street, are visible. To the left is the wide and grand-scaled St Kilda Road, leading down to the Shrine of Remembrance. There are many trams on Princes Bridge (mostly heading northward), together with some trucks and pedestrians. The pedestrian walkway along Princes Bridge is wide, and the Bridge balustrade lined with flag poles..The middle background shows a large number of trees. This was the site of Wirths Brothers Circus, an impressive complex including an octagonal circus Hippodrome (5000 seat auditorium), Pleasure Park, roller skating rink, and Dance Hall. Today it is the site of the Melbourne Arts Centre. Adjacent to the station is a large covered area, still extant today as part of the Station precinct. Floating above the horizon is sign advertising 'DUNLOP', located in the formerly industrial area which is today’s Southbank. Port Phillip Bay is faintly visible in the distance. The city seems sprawling, but uncrowded, and well punctuated by trees..Two photos were included an Age pictorial, one showing the firefighters at work, the other a crowd scene at street level (see References). These images are not part of the McKenzie Collection...References:No title (1936, March 4). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205256255FIRE AT A CITY HOTEL. (1936, March 4). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205256231FIRE IN ROOF OF CITY HOTEL (1936, March 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11018696Hotel Roof Fire Draws Crowd (1936, March 4). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 8 (DAILY). Retrieved February 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52000751'Flinders Lane Melbourne 1966', Peter Andrew Barrett, Facebook, 12 June 2020, https://www.facebook.com/120943481324886/photos/a.512123662206864/3025002490918956/?type=3
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Images, maps and artefacts
Record number:
1534331
| Type | Reference No. | Extent | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy | MCK097.jpg | 1 JPG | Single Item (May not be issued, may not be reproduced) |