Sirius Anchor

Related to City Art

Installed 1905

City centre

Large ships anchor on stone plinth with canon in front.

An 18th century anchor belonging to the Sirius, flagship of the First Fleet.

Macquarie Place Park

36 Bridge Street

Sydney 2000

Directions and transport

Artefact description

This wrought iron anchor belonged to the HMS Sirius, flagship of the First Fleet which arrived at Port Jackson in 1788. It stands at 3.2m high and is set on a 1.2m unpolished granite and marble base.

More information

The anchor was recovered off Norfolk Island in 1905, where it lay since the wreck of the Sirius on 19 March 1790. Along with the HMS Supply, the Sirius left Sydney Cove in early March 1790 laden with supplies to Norfolk Island, where it was wrecked on Norfolk Reef.

A plaque on the base beneath the anchor credits its discovery to the efforts of Sir F Suttor.

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:

This anchor belonged to H.M.S. Sirius, which conveyed the First Fleet, sailed from the Isle of Wight 13th May, 1787, arrived in Botany Bay 20th January, 1788, anchored in Sydney Cove, Saturd’y 26th January, 1788, and was wrecked 19th March 1790, at Point Ross, Norfolk Island, whence the anchor was recovered through efforts of Sir F. Suttor.

Erected 1907.
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.

Get arts and culture updates from City of Sydney News.

closeup detail of golden cherub statue and water trickling out and urn. Bus sign, street and row houses in the background.

Fountains & water features

People walking on top of the Stream artwork, embedded in the paving, the artwork is made up of pink, yellow and blue intersecting, asymmetric diamonds that light up at night.

Installations

A stone monument at night. The monument has an ornate structure topped with a dome, with several busts and sculptures adorning its sides. It is lit from within.

Monuments & memorials

Building painted in fluorescent pink, black and blue geometric diamonds, with the words ‘Always was, always will be‘ is incorporated across the frontage

Murals & street art

A fish hook shaped sculpture on the grass with the harbour bridge in the background.

Sculptures

Sirius Anchor

Artefact description

More information

Commission

Inscription

Conservation

Get arts and culture updates from City of Sydney News.