The triumph and tragedy of CY O'Connor

Although almost unknown outside Western Australia and New Zealand, Charles Yelverton O’Connor was one of the great civil engineers of the late Victorian Era. O'Connor, born in Castletown, Ireland, learned civil engineering the old-fashioned way - on the job. At the age of 21 he emigrated to New Zealand where he specialised in the construction of railways and harbours. He developed such a reputation that in 1891, in the wake of the discovery of gold at Coolgardie, he took over the role of Engineer-in-Chief of Western Australia.

His first project was the construction of Fremantle’s inner harbour, which he proposed building in the mouth of the Swan River. He faced strident opposition, but he had the confidence of the Premier, John Forrest, and on 4 May 1897 the harbour was officially opened.

O'Connor is best known for the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. The proposal to build a pipeline 560 km long, from the Darling Range to Kalgoorlie, was unprecedented. O'Connor was subjected to prolonged criticism by the press and many members of the WA Parliament, including John Forrest’s successor, George Leake. Such were the slurs against O’Connor that the government conducted an inquiry into his business dealings but found no evidence of corruption.  However, the damage had been done and O'Connor shot himself on 10 March 1902 while riding his horse into the sea south of Fremantle. Less than a year later John Forrest officially commissioned the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme.

Laying pipes across the Darling Ranges, c.1902.
Credit: State Library of Western Australia, 001284D

Water entering Mt Charlotte Reservoir at the opening of the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, 24 January 1903.
Credit: State Library of Western Australia, J.J. Dwyer collection 5816B/211