Flashback Friday | Water Police base takes part of Sans Souci tidal baths in 1973

Part of the baths, next to Captain Cook Bridge, was resumed for the new complex, which also included facilities for the Maritime Services Board and fisheries branch of the Chief Secretary’s Department.

Justice Minister John Maddison said at the official opening of the $265,000 project there was an increasing need to police Sydney’s waterways.

Two police launches were based there – the 32ft (10 metre) Fearless and the St George, an 18-footer (six metres), both of which were fitted for seagoing rescue work.

Water Police staffed the station 16 hours a day and were on call for the remaining time.

In 1978, the base was given a new 45ft (15 metre)  police launch, named the Brian K Doyle after the senior assistant commissioner and former renowned detective, who lived in St George.

It was powered by two 600 horsepower diesel motors, giving it a cruising speed of around 25 knots, and fitted with the latest safety equipment, including radar and  three radio sets.

According to the book, River, Road and Rail - a history of Kogarah Municipality, published in 1985, Kogarah Council accepted as early as 1891 the idea of a municipal baths at Sans Souci.

Council leased a site, and in 1897, a private contractor erected and began operating baths with council approval.

The first tidal baths at that location were opened by Kogarah Council in 1897.

By 1927, the baths were in poor condition and were unsuitable, because of their primitive dressing rooms, for mixed bathing.

In 1930, the council took over the site, demolished the old baths and in 1931 erected a new shark-proof enclosure and temporary dressing sheds.

The new baths, which included a high diving tower and three springboards, were about 110 metres by 75 metres.

Using unemployment relief funds, the council constructed the pavilion and dressing rooms, which were opened in 1933 and lie dilapidated 85 years later.

The future of the building is uncertain, with Georges River Council considering demolishing it after a damning engineering report.

Local historian Garry Darby, the author of several books about the area, wrote that, by 1958 the council was experiencing difficulty in leasing the tidal baths and some operators struggled to make ends meet.

“The ‘golden era’ was over,” he wrote 

“In 1962, the decision was taken to replace the tidal baths with an Olympic pool and this was opened on 18th September 1965...”

“In 1973, part of the baths area was resumed for the Sans Souci Water Police building.

“Despite pollution in the Georges River, the now reduced tidal baths were still used by some swimmers until the early 1980s.”

Every Friday we delve into the Leader archives to embark on some time travel.

We will bring you photographs of a news event from 57 years of Leader news coverage that you may or may not recall.

Flashback Friday submissions are also welcomed.

Feel free to share your recollections with us on our Facebook page @SutherlandShireStGeorgeNews or email leaderletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au