This week’s story was suggested by an Advertiser reader, whose father, John Koenig, kept an original Daily Telegraph supplement showing a photograph of an accident at Hoskins steel plant, Port Kembla, in 1928.

Although that photograph cannot be located now, the  image on this page shows how Hoskins Works started out.

The decision to commence operations of Hoskins Iron and Steel  close to Port Kembla created much employment and was the start of a giant footprint for a colossal steel industry. 

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At the beginning this first steelmaking plant was constructed almost entirely by manual labour.

In December 1926, 35 men with six drays were employed to excavate a rail line from Five Islands Road to the site for the construction of a blast furnace. A jetty was needed, with three miles of rail line connecting to the blast furnace. The machinery used for the construction of the blast furnace was a steam shovel and 25-tonne jib crane. 

Work commenced on the blast furnace in January 1927 and it was blown-in on August 29, 1928. The lighting of the first furnace was performed by Mrs Emily Hoskins, the widow of Mr Charles Hoskins snr. 

The first furnace was known by the name Emily.

Only one week after the blast furnace was officially placed into service,  disaster struck at the plant. In early September 1928, a large quantity of molten metal ran down the works and when it came into contact with water, it caused an explosion. Several men were injured. James Derris jumped into a tank of hot water and was admitted to Wollongong Hospital. Ernest Speechley was also hospitalised with burns to his left arm and back of his head. Gordon Anderson was also hospitalised with burns to both ankles and the back of his head. In all, 25 men suffered burns. The explosion covered a large part of the rail line with molten steel and the furnace was plated in one foot of thick molten ore. 

Even though many newspapers carried the report of the accident and the injuries sustained by the men, Mr Burns, the secretary of Australian Iron and Steel, was quick to respond that in his view the reports were exaggerated.

  ‘‘The furnace had not been damaged in any way by the mishap which occurred after the molten metal had been released. The accident was caused by the derailment of the works locomotive. This prevented the placing in position of the metal ladle before the furnace was tapped,’’ he said in a statement. 

 He said two of the three men who had severe burns were back at work after a couple of days.

The steel industry expansion at Port Kembla did not  happen overnight. With the need for extra capital Hoskins formed a company in 1927. 

The major shareholders were Howard Smith Ltd, Dorman Long and Co Ltd and Baldwins Ltd, and it became known as Australian Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. 

The plant kept expanding and eventually during the 1960s and 1970s the industry was working at its peak.

Information courtesy of Carol Herben OAM.  Call 0409 832 854 or email  sycado6@bigpond.net.au

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