Dear Marg, Holden's Crossing probably referred to the area where the Sydney-Newcastle railway line joins the land at Point Clare near Gosford. Anyone interested in reading a very interesting article about the beginnings of the railway line construction through Gosford will find one in "The Maitland Mercury" issue of Thursday, 27 September 1883. Gosford City Library has the MM on microfilm. To quote the relevant piece from the article: "It is confidently reported that the intended railway bridge, across from HOLDEN'S POINT to the southern end of Flat Rock Hill (at the NW corner of the broadwater of Gosford) [President's Hill now] has been deliberately planned to be only two feet above high water mark - and that circumstance - especially as it is said that this stoppage to the navigation is to be made at once - has struck terror into the hearts of all those in or near Gosford who are more or less interested in our timber trade ..........." By the way, the bridge was built a bit higher above high water mark in the end, but it spelt finis to the passage of timber ketches using Narara Creek. Captain Christopher Columbus Fry in his little "Venus" is believed to have been the last ketch owner to go under the railway bridge - with hinged masts. He had a store on Narara Creek and used to berth at what was dubbed the Venus Wharf near the present juncture of Showground and Maliwa Roads, Narara. Gwen

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gwen Dundon" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: 19 January 2001 09:29 Subject: Holden's Crossing Gwen your are a mine of information as usual . Thank you > Holden's Crossing probably referred to the area where the Sydney-Newcastle > railway line joins the land at Point Clare near Gosford. Anyone interested > in reading a very interesting article about the beginnings of the railway > line construction through Gosford will find one in "The Maitland Mercury" > issue of Thursday, 27 September 1883. Gosford City Library has the MM on > microfilm. > > By the way, the bridge was built a bit higher above high water mark in the > end, but it spelt finis to the passage of timber ketches We were fishing near that bridge this evening !. Only small chopper Tailor about thank you ........ Bye Marg Morters Central Coast Family History Society GOSFORD NSW Australia