In 1912, King Edward VII Sailors’ Rest was built on an innovative reinforced-concrete raft floor slab, which could effectively float on the unstable land of Geelong’s waterfront. (There were originally sheer cliffs at Brougham Street, which were evened out with poor quality fill and ballast from visiting ships.)

Sailors from all over the world made use of the Sailors’ Rest, enjoying the various entertainments on offer. One day a rhythmic swaying was noted by the manager. The architect was called to investigate.

Percy Everett climbed onto the roof, looked past the line of hansom cabs and the electric tram making its way up Moorabool Street, and noted the rhythmic exhaust of the gas engine at the ice works just across the road. He returned downstairs and reported his hypothesis: the machinery of the ice works, which was built on a concrete slab, was sending underground rhythms through the mud, rocking the Sailors’ Rest just like a gentle sea. He assured the manager: the sailors would not even notice.

Text: Maria Takolander.