Jack Kent describes C Shed in the 1991 report:
HISTORY
'C' Shed is the oldest existing goods shed on Victoria Quay being built in 1903-04. Originally designated as 'H' Shed (shed constructions and therefore lettering started originally from the east end of the quay) it was redesignated 'C' Shed in 1904-05 following the Commissioners' decision to reverse the lettering starting with 'A' at the west end of the quay. Between 1901 and 1906 nine goods sheds were constructed, all of which have since been replaced except 'C' Shed.
In 1912/13 it was extended 150 feet in a westerly direction giving a total length of 480 feet. This extension was made to accommodate the largest of the interstate liners and was made possible by the location of the Immigration Office and Information Bureau to the Railway Reserve at the Market Street bridge.
In 1926/27 the Harbour Trust Commissioners recommended that 'C' - 'F' Sheds be widened to allow for more cargo handling space. This was accepted by the Engineer-in-Chief and provided for in the financial year 1927/28.
The western end of 'C' Shed was reduced in length in 1985 and during the America's Cup (1986-87) the shed was used as a temporary passenger lounge.
CONSTRUCTION
'C' Shed is simple in form and construction consisting of three main longitudinal compartments curving gently with the line of the wharf. The timber roof trusses are supported on timber columns and clad in a variety of materials. Weatherboards are used on external walls at lower levels with corrugated asbestos or pressed metal above. The roof cover is corrugated asbestos sheeting.
The original timber joinery is largely intact and in a fair state of repair. A canopy runs the whole length of the building on the land side, which is supported by large, decorative iron brackets.
ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The simple form and construction of C Shed is complemented by an unusually high standard of detailing for wharf architecture. The building, in essence, is industrial in character but is also attractive in its own right. It forms part of a group of similar wharf sheds that are constructed along the quayside and as such, are visually significant, both in terms of their aesthetic value and in defining the north-western edge of the city centre and its interface with the Swan River.
Historically, the wharf goods sheds have been the most adaptable, and thereby successful, survivors of the many buildings built on Victoria Quay. This is particularly true of 'C' Shed which is the oldest of the existing sheds and rich in physical evidence of past and present wharf activities, and as such, remains a very significant building on Victoria Quay.
On 22 May 2022, the western end of the building is wrapped in plastic to decrease the dust caused by renovations, as that end of the building is just across from E Shed tourist trap and also near where ferries disembark passengers from Rottnest Island. Above is the eastern end of the shed, showing long it is since is was maintained.
C Shed in July 2022. Photo thanks to Roel Loopers.
Fremantle Ports:
C Shed was completed in 1904-05. The jarrah-framed shed was used throughout the 20th century to unload cargo from ships at C Berth but also witnessed the arrival and departure of thousands of passengers and migrants, before the passenger terminal opened in 1960. Even today, the heritage-listed Tourist and Information Bureau is opposite C Shed.
This year, Fremantle Ports has undertaken important works to bring C Shed back to its structural prime in readiness for a new future for the next 100 years. Those works, at a cost to Fremantle Ports of between $4.5m and $5m, will be completed by January 31 next year [2023] and include new steel sheet-piling under the shed, refurbishment of footings beneath storey posts that support the shed, screw-piling, new concrete and work on the roof structure. One of the last tasks will be replacement of the roof iron. There will also be a new east wall installed, consistent with the shed’s heritage status, that will incorporate a re-instated cargo door, window and personnel access.
Last week, principal contractor Advanteering and sub-contractors performed the delicate task of re-aligning the shed, which had developed a lean over decades of exposure to wind forces, that in one bay measured 240mm at roof-height. This straightening was achieved through a methodology of chains carefully pulling the shed straight, after which new bracing of jarrah and karri timber was added, where needed. Where possible, jarrah timber milled more than 100 years ago has been re-purposed to Fremantle Ports’ instructions.
A range of other works have also been done, such as underground drainage, removal of redundant electrical cabling, the demolition of a non-heritage brick amenities room inside the shed and repairs to timber cladding and cargo doors.
The port’s Manager Government and Public Relations Neil Stanbury said it was exciting to see works simultaneously occurring on Sheds C, B and E.
“The transit sheds are a jewel on Victoria Quay, making up one of the last remaining intact sets of turn-of-the-century port cargo sheds in the world. We’re proud of them and, in the case of C Shed, we look forward to it soon having a new future on the harbour’s edge, in a manner that enriches Fremantle.” (released through freoview.wordpress.com)
Fremantle Ports, 7 February 2023:
Great to see contractors this morning busy working on cladding the last bay of the new roof for C Shed, on Victoria Quay. While sheet-piling continues inside, we're nearly at the finish line for bringing this old dame back to its structural best.
C Shed, which is nearly 100 years old, has been straightened, had its structural timbers completely refurbished, with additional works to its foundations as well. The currently-open western end will be enclosed in matching heritage style.
When works finish in several months, C Shed won't yet have had a cosmetic make-over, but it will have all the structural elements taken care of, ready for a new use, yet to be determined by Fremantle Ports. Watch this space!
20 October 2023: Inside C Shed taken last week showing recent restoration works which are yet to be completed. The shed will be reactivated for usage once works have been completed. Photo and caption courtesy Alan Pearce, Fremantle Ports, from Facebook.
Hutchison, David 1999, 'Shedding light on sheds in transit', Fremantle Studies, 1: 66-76.
Hutchison, David, 'Walk 1: Victoria Quay', Fremantle Walks.
Hutchison, David, Jack Kent, Agnieshka Kiera, Russell Kingdom, Larraine Stevens, Tanya Suba, 1991, Victoria Quay and its Architecture its History and Assessment of Cultural Significance, City of Fremantle; Part II: Jack Kent: 'Architectural evaluation of existing buldings and assessment of their cultural significance', 54 pp. These are pp. 26-27.
Roel Loopers has photographed C Shed on many occasions 2021-23. Go to his blog and search on "C Shed".