Reshaped by human hands Snapper Island stands before you. A tiny jewel in Sydney Harbour’s vast expanse. Originally a mere rocky outcrop this small island boasts a fascinating history. Declared a public recreation reserve in 1879 it remained largely untouched for decades. A rarely visited lonely spot.
In 1913 Cockatoo Island became a Royal Australian Navy base. Snapper Island found itself within naval waters. It was leased to the Cockatoo Island Dockyard. Used for storing ship parts and discarded corrugated iron. A far cry from its future.
The transformation began in 1930. Len Forsythe leased the island. His ambitious plan a training depot for sea cadets. Imagine the scene. Over 50 young cadets arriving on this tiny rocky island.
Clearing vegetation was the first task. Then came the blasting. An estimated 1000 tonnes of rock were removed. Over eight grueling months the island’s shape was dramatically altered. Land reclamation expanded it sevenfold. The rocky outcrop was reborn.
The island was meticulously reshaped. It became a ship. The stern facing Drummoyne the bow towards Cockatoo Island. A signal station a wharf and other buildings soon followed. Modeling the layout of a naval vessel. Two cabbage-tree palms were planted. They remain the only vegetation to this day.
World War II brought a new chapter. The island served the Navy. Then US troops used it for training. British troops even used some facilities as a social club. A testament to its adaptability and importance.
In 1952 Forsythe established the Snapper Island Company. A museum opened showcasing Australia’s naval history. Thousands of artifacts and mementos. This provided funds for the island’s maintenance. A testament to Forsythe’s enduring vision.
Today Snapper Island is closed to the public. But its story endures. A captivating tale of transformation. A small island reshaped by human endeavor. A lasting tribute to the sea cadets and the many who served there. A story etched into the very rock itself.