Sirius Anchor

The anchor was transported from Norfolk Island to Sydney in 1905. It was placed on a white marble pedestal in front of Customs House in memory of the ceremony in which the British flag was first hoisted and eastern Australia was taken possession of in the name of King George III. Later research disclosed that Captain Arthur Phillip had taken possession of the territory near the site of Macquarie Place Reserve while the Sirius was lying close by in Sydney Cove. It was decided to move the anchor to Macquarie Reserve, which was considered to be better identified with the claiming of the colony and the early life of NSW.

On 8 January 1907, at the request of the Premier of NSW, the City of Sydney agreed to excise an area in Macquarie Place Reserve for the Sirius anchor and cannon. This plan was never realised but the anchor and cannon were still installed in the reserve that year.

The anchor is mounted on a stone base which reads:

On 26 February 1917, Council approved £4 to make and fix a new timber shaft for the anchor and timber wheels for the Sirius cannon.

In 1934, the City of Sydney assumed control over the items. In 1989, ownership of the artefacts was questioned. The National Maritime Museum wished to have the originals placed in the museum and to have bronze replicas cast to replace them in situ. In 1987, a memorial replica of the Sirius anchor was given to Nagoya, Sydney’s sister city in Japan.

Investigators revealed that the Royal Navy and the state government owned the anchor and the cannon. Following a meeting between authorities, it was agreed that the most appropriate location for the artefacts was in Macquarie Place. It was also agreed that the National Maritime Museum would carry out all necessary conservation measures.