Hygeia - Goddess of Health

The Board had something of a fascination with Hygeia ...

I have the honour to report that between 1912 and 1916 the Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board built Cabbage Tree Creek Dam, which was later renamed Lake Manchester after EJT Manchester, President of the Board. Onto that pretty lake they placed the lovely lake-boat Hygeia (1917), a 25 foot motor vessel named after the Greek goddess of health (sometimes spelt Hygieia).

MWS&SB family members on Hygiea c.1920, courtesy of the Dann Family Collection. Colourised by MCHS.

It seems the Board had something of a fascination with Hygeia, even putting her image on a medal struck for the opening of the Luggage Point Sewerage Treatment Plant in 1923 (notably 100 years ago this year). At the esteemed plant's opening ceremony, EJT Manchester handed the gold medal to Mr Forgan-Smith (Minister for Works), while saying "This is about the happiest day we have had since the commencement of the scheme - all the rest have been days of difficulty and disappointment". I don't hear honesty like that too often these days.

Hygeia being used to show Board members the extent of Lake Manchester c.1920, courtesy of the Dann Family Collection.

In the early years of the century, the good boat Hygeia could regularly be seen gliding across the lake's blue waters with Board members and their families on board.

Hygeia was certainly a thing up to the late 1950s, after which it is thought she was pulled ashore and burned at some undisclosed location (but, of that, even Joe cannot be certain).

I remain your ob. servant and chief engineer (sometimes Greek theologist),

Joe Stewart.