Evans Deakin Shipyard in Brisbane became one of Australia’s largest wartime shipbuilding sites, producing vital vessels for the Royal Australian Navy during WWII.
One of the Largest Shipbuilding Sites During the War
Brisbane’s Evans Deakin Shipyard quietly powered Australia’s wartime strength, becoming one of the nation’s largest shipbuilding sites during World War II.
Located on the banks of the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point, the shipyard helped fuel the Allied war effort by producing dozens of naval and merchant vessels at a time when the country needed them most.
Built for War
Founded in 1910 as an engineering supplier, Evans Deakin shifted to shipbuilding during World War II. In 1940, it acquired Moar’s Slip in Brisbane and developed it into a modern dockyard to meet rising naval demands.
Government departments, including Harbours and Marine, helped purchase and upgrade the site. By 1942, Evans Deakin was building ships to transport troops, fuel, and equipment across the Pacific.
A Homefront Contribution
Evans Deakin Shipyard partnered with the Commonwealth Marine Engine Works (CMEW) in Rocklea, which produced steam engines for the Kangaroo Point ships. Together, they formed a coordinated wartime effort to build vessels locally and reduce reliance on imports.
At its peak, the shipyard was one of Australia’s largest. Its first major build was the Rocklea, a 1,200-ton fuel lighter for the Navy. It later produced “River Class” cargo ships for war efforts and the Robert Miller, the Brisbane River’s largest ship, which broke free in the 1974 flood. The last vessel built at Kangaroo Point was the Southern Cross oil rig in 1976.
After the War
After World War II, Evans Deakin continued operating at Kangaroo Point into the 1970s, building commercial ships and locomotives, supporting Brisbane’s post-war industrial economy.
In 1980, Evans Deakin acquired Walkers Limited and later Clyde Engineering. In 2001, it merged with Downer & Company to form Downer EDI. While the original shipyard is now residential and marina space, remnants of the dry dock and infrastructure still reflect Brisbane’s wartime past.
A Place in History
In 2019, Evans Deakin was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame for its wartime contributions and engineering excellence, recognizing its key role in strengthening Australia’s industrial capabilities.
A monument in Captain Burke Park at Kangaroo Point honours Evans Deakin & Company, standing as a tribute to the company’s vital contributions to Australia’s maritime history.
Published 7-April-2025