The Savages Wharf site has been a long-standing marine icon in Nelson Place, Williamstown for over 70 years. Originally occupied by family icon John Joseph Savage in 1935, the wharf site has been a manufacturing location for wooden, aluminium and fibreglass boats, all bearing the Savage name.
Established in 1898, the Savage name in boating began with John Joseph Savage who started a successful wooden boat business in Middle Park. As his reputation grew, so did the seemingly endless need for larger premises. There were boating building premises on the Yarra river in Hawthorn and South Yarra before the company eventually settled at Williamstown in 1935.
The Williamstown site eventually featured 2 slipways, a boat building factory, servicing area and it became the home for Savage boat building for the next 70 years. Additional Savage manufacturing plants were situated in nearby North Williamstown.
During the early 1960’s a timber marina was developed to help move stock from the factory in readiness of larger cruisers for shipment around Australia. This jetty structure serviced the factory needs and accommodated a few private boats. And customers boats returned to this site for periodic service and maintenance. But the site never developed beyond this basic need.
Ultimately the Savage aluminium and fibreglass boat building assets company were purchased by the Brunswick Corporation, freeing up John Savage to pursue his pet project of building a quality marina facility
at Williamstown.
