PORT

See also:

• PHILLIP, JOHN (1817-1867)

PHILLIP  , the harbour of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia . An almost circular, landlocked sheet of water, it is 31 M. long, 20 M. at its widest, with an area of Boo sq. m . A narrow channel flanked by bold cliffs forms its entrance, and when the tide recedes through it a strong current is encountered outside . The broken and somewhat dangerous sea thus caused is called " the Rip . " Within the port on the eastern side are suburbs of Melbourne, such as Sorrento, Mornington, Frankston, Carrum, Mordialloc, Redcliff, Brighton and St Kilda . The wharves of Port Melbourne and Williamstown stand at the head of the port on an arm known as Hobson's Bay . On the western side the port of Geelong and the port and watering-place of Queens-cliff are the only towns of importance . Port Phillip is well fortified with strong batteries at its entrance . The harbour was discovered in 1802 by Lieut . Murray, who named it in honour of Captain Phillip, first governor of New South Wales . The colony of Victoria was originally called the district of Port Phillip .