Back to search results »

Back to search page »

WASHINGTON WINCH

Location NUNNIONG ROAD NUNNIONG, EAST GIPPSLAND SHIRE File Number 502154 Level Registered

[1/3] WASHINGTON WINCH SOHE 2008 [2/3] WASHINGTON WINCH SOHE 2008 [3/3] 1 washington winch nugong

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The Washington Winch at Nugong is the only high lead/skyline logging system in Victoria which still retains a winch engine and the associated spars and cables. The massive logging engine and winch drums were manufactured by the Washington Iron Works in Seattle, USA, and imported to Australia in the 1920s. Ezard Enterprises purchased the engine in 1959 from the Forests Commission of Victoria, and employed it at the head of the Little River catchment for the 1960/61 logging season. Logs were hauled up from a gully using the winch engine in a high lead system, while the skyline system adjacent to the road was used for loading log trucks. The site consists of a twin cylinder, triple drum winch engine, boiler and water tank, all mounted on a large log frame. In addition, two bare tree trunks opposite the engine acted as head and tail spars, each still supporting an array of steel cables for log hauling and spar bracing. A skyline cable suspended between the spars supports the carriage and fall block. Large trees stumps are used as anchor points for both the skyline cable and the bracing cables.

How is it significant?
The Washington Winch, Nugong, is of historical and scientific significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?
The Washington Winch, Nugong, is historically and scientifically significant as the only intact high lead/skyline logging system within Victoria. The site includes a rare Washington Iron Works Yarding Engine, the only one known to exist in the State, and possibly Australia. The integrity of the winch engine, spar trees, cables and anchor points demonstrate well how the system operated, which facilitated logging in difficult terrain.