ABSTRACT
When the Advance Brigade of the expedition arrived in Annesley Bay, in the latter part of October, 1867, they brought with them enough rails and sleepers to lay a mile of tramway, and a dozen light trucks to work it. It was originally intended to place the grand depôts some distance inland, and it was considered that a light line between them and the piers would be necessary. Rails were at once laid from about 100 yards above high water mark down the shelving sandy beach, as far as it was practicable to continue the line. A great saving in labour was made by landing stores at all stages of the tide direct from the Arab boats into the waggons, which were run out into the water alongside the former. Small branch lines at other points were constructed for conveying sand to raise a portion of the fore-shore. Rails were laid upon the stone pier as it progressed, which were of utility for landing purposes, and assisted greatly in its construction.
