Photograph of 'The Mann Family, Cockatoo Island, Sydney, N.W.S. [N.S.W.]', [ca. 1858-1870]

SPG/210

fonds

[ca. 1858-1870]

Graphic Materials, Photographs

9611521

1 photograph - albumen - 6 x 9 cm.

Gother Kerr Mann came to Australia in 1836. In 1838, he married Mary Hely and settled in Sydney as an engineer in private practice. He then found employment with the colonial government as a draughtsman in Captain George Barney 's Department of Royal Engineers. From 1847, as directing engineer at Cockatoo Island, Mann was responsible for all penal and civil building design work on the island, including the free overseers’ quarters of 1850 and the second storey on the east range of the prisoners’ barracks.

In 1852 he moved into Greenwich House on the point across from Cockatoo, commuting to the island until he moved into Biloela, the superintendent’s residence on the island, in 1858. In 1859 he became superintendent at Cockatoo. His major achievement was the design and construction of Cockatoo’s Fitzroy Dock (1847-57), the first dry dock 'South of the Line’. After Mann retired in 1870, he moved back to Greenwich House with his family. He and his wife had twelve children.

Source: Library correspondence file.

A group portrait of the Mann family, probably outside 'Biloela', the superintendent’s residence on Cockatoo Island.

An albumen print photograph in the carte-de-visite style stuck on yellow card.

It is accompanied with a paper scrap torn from a photo album with script 'The Mann family & others, Cockatoo Island, Sydney'. On the verso is written 'Gother Kerr Mann, Superintendent of Cockatoo Island'.

Out of copyright: Created before 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Titled on verso of photograph. Unknown photographer.

No date. Date based on time Mann moved into Biolela house on Cockatoo Island and his retirement in 1870.