Edward Orpen Moriarty

Moriarty was born in County Kerry, Ireland, the second son of Commander Merion Moriarty, R.N. Staying behind to complete his education when his parents migrated to Australia, he completed a Bachelor of Arts and then Master of Arts at Trinity College, Dublin, was engaged as a cadet on the construction of the Isle of Portland breakwater and became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. In 1848, he migrated to New South Wales, initially being employed as assistant in the Surveyor-General's Department undertaking survey work in Queensland under Sir Thomas Mitchell. In 1852, he commenced private engineering practice in Sydney. Moriarty married Leila Helen Geary in Brisbane on 18 May 1853. ==Engineering career==

Between 1853 and 1855 he held the position of engineer and surveyor for the Steam Navigation Board and from 1855 to 1858 was engineer on the Hunter River improvements. He was then appointed Engineer-in-Chief for Harbours and River Navigation with the NSW Department of Works from 1858 to 1859. While in the military, in the 1850s (and with approval), he undertook external commissions for the Penrith Nepean Bridge Co. and the first Pyrmont Bridge in 1866. In 1862 Moriarty was made commissioner for roads and engineer-in-chief. He was a Sydney Water Supply Commissioner in 1868, president of the Hunter River Floods Commission in 1869–70, and also responsible for water supply schemes for Albury, Bathurst, Hunter Valley towns, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong. Part of the remaining north training wall is still called “Moriarty’s Wall” in recognition of his role. ==Personal interests==

Moriarty also had a military career as lieutenant in the Volunteer Artillery, and as a captain from 1869. He was also involved in the board for inspecting and maintaining supply of colonial warlike stores, the commission on defence from foreign aggression and was a Captain of the Engineers Corps Volunteer Rifles in 1871–73. Outside of professional activities Moriarty was also a Philosophical Society councillor, member of the New South Wales Linnean Society and a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. He retired from engineering positions on 31 December 1888 and returned to England, where he died at Southsea, Hampshire, on 18 September 1896, leaving an estate worth £5800. ==Engineering works==

• Lake Parramatta Dam 1855 • Clarence River entrance 1862 • Richmond River entrance • Morts Dock Balmain • Sutherland Dock, Cockatoo Island Dockyard • first Pyrmont Bridge • Upper Nepean Water Supply Scheme • Newcastle Harbour • Prospect scheme of water supply for Sydney • Kiama Light 1887 • Warden Head Light Ulladulla 1873 • Wollongong Breakwater Lighthouse 1871 • Trial Bay breakwater 1877–1903 • Grey River entrance, New Zealand 1874 • Moyne River Training Walls. Port Fairy, 1869–74 • Tathra Wharf • Western Springs water supply to Auckland, New Zealand ==Publications==