5032 x 3354 px | 42,6 x 28,4 cm | 16,8 x 11,2 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
27 marzo 2008
Ubicazione:
Kirribilli. NSW, Australia
Altre informazioni:
The original house, a single story residence without the colonnaded verandahs, was built in 1845-1846 by Lt. Colonel J.G.N. Gibbes, the Colonial Collector of Customs. Gibbes sold the house and it passed through a number of hands, acquiring the name. “Wotonga” in the process. In 1885 a new era dawned. In recognition of its growing importance, the Royal Navy’s Australian Squadron was raised to the status of an Admiral’s command and the colonial government bought “Wotonga” as a residence for the Admiral of the day. Under its new name of “Admiralty House” and, with a new second storey, a colonnaded verandah and other additions, as well as a covered Admiral’s Walk leading down to the berth for the Admiral’s barge below, the old house began its new role. The story of its more than a quarter of a century as the naval commander-in-chief’s residence is highlighted through the various coats of arms of the British Admirals who lived here. In accordance with the 1909 agreement and on instruction from the Admiralty, the last of the Imperial Naval Commanders-in-Chief, Admiral Sir George King-Hail, intimated that on hauling down his flag in October, 1913, he would hand over Admiralty House to the Commonwealth Government. In 1913, despite the objections of the New South Wales Government, Admiralty House was taken up by the Commonwealth Government as a residence for the Governor General when in Sydney.
