For over 70 years Railway Pier had witnessed the comings and goings of hundreds and thousands of people — the hopeful, the ambitious, the disappointed. It was time for an overhaul. In the early 20th century the Melbourne Harbor Trust transformed the shipping facilities at Port Melbourne, constructing two modern piers that were longer, wider and more efficient.
Prince’s Pier, originally known as New Railway Pier, opened in 1916, 400 metres to the west of Railway Pier. This allowed work to begin, in 1923, on transforming Railway Pier into the new modern Station Pier. The makeover took seven years, during which time ships, their passengers and cargo were diverted to Prince’s Pier or the river docks.
By 1930, Station Pier was ready for business.
The two upper concourses of Station Pier and the entrance administrative building were outlined in festoons of lights, and the tall jibs of wharf cranes were also outlined in lights, to form a giant arch visible many miles down Port Phillip by night.Description of festive decorations during Melbourne Olympic Games, Harbour Trust Annual Report, 1956
Young British migrants arriving at Station Pier aboard the TSS Jervis Bay, 1939.
Source: Arthur Welfare
Spectators crowd Station Pier during a visit by the Empress of Britain and the German liner Reliance in 1938.
Source: Public Records Office Victoria
The departure of the HMAT Medic, carrying soldiers to the First World War, Port Melbourne, 1915.
Source: Museum Victoria
SS Orford departing Station Pier for England,1933.
Image: Ellen Vanstan
Source: Museum Victoria
RMS Strathaird is pulled by tug into Port Melbourne, possibly Station Pier, 1930s.
Source: Museum Victoria
Visiting British battleship at Station Pier, circa 1925.
Image: Mrs Ryan
Source: Museum Victoria
Crowds waiting to board the USS Oklahoma and the USS Nevada at Station Pier during a visit to Melbourne by the American fleet, 1925.
Source: Museum Victoria
Japanese naval ship, Port Melbourne, circa 1925.
Source: Museum Victoria
Visiting British warships at Station Pier, circa 1925.
Source: Museum Victoria
Crowd of people waving on the docks to ship of soldiers during World War One.
Source: Museum Victoria
British migrants on the SS Beltana, Fremantle, Western Australia, circa 1925. The ship was on its last voyage and was held up in Fremantle for eight days because of a coal strike.
Source: Museum Victoria