Locating the Graveyards

Overview

Current research has identified 19 ships' graveyards in South Australia, with the largest concentration of sites near metropolitan Adelaide - on the mudflats of Port Adelaide or in the shallow coastal waters of Gulf St Vincent.

Many sites have just 1 or 2 craft while others contain a number of vessels abandoned over successive years. The largest site (at Garden Island) has 25 known vessels abandoned between 1909 and 1945. Five individual sites are located in the Port Adelaide area, containing a total of at least 40 vessels. Considered as a whole (rather than five individual locations), the Port Adelaide Ships' Graveyard (1.5Mb PDF) is one of the largest ships' graveyards in the world and is especially unique as a large shipwreck site accessible to non-divers.

Remains of the barque Hougomont, Stenhouse Bay

The earliest verified South Australian abandonment is the Seminole (50Kb PDF) (at Garden Island) in 1909, although the possible location of the wooden ship Kadina (50Kb PDF), in Angas Inlet, may date to 1879. The most recent scuttling was the ex-HMAS Hobart (50Kb PDF) in Yankalilla Bay on 5 November 2002.

Many vessels were significantly broken up prior to abandonment, while others have been scuttled with only minimal salvage. Some were purposely sunk to become artificial reefs and fishing or dive sites, others were simply abandoned as the most practical means of disposal. Two vessels (the Pam (50Kb PDF) and the Quorna (50Kb PDF)) were used as target practice while the Hougomont (50Kb PDF) became a breakwater at Stenhouse Bay.

Besides the identified sites and vessels described below, historical references and documentary evidence suggests that there are more ships' graveyard vessels located in South Australian waters (including the River Murray). As additional information is uncovered and verified, it will be added to the data below.

Location Map

Known Vessels In South Australia's Ships' Graveyards

River Boats at Morgan, 1915 Photo: Courtesy State Library of SA: B 26156

Other Possible Graveyard Sites

The data about South Australia's ships' graveyards is not complete. Initial research, survey and public consultation suggests that additional graveyard sites may be located in coastal waters and along the River Murray.

River Murray

Of the many paddle steamers, barges and other craft which travelled the river, a number were abandoned along its banks. Preliminary survey suggests that areas in Goolwa, Morgan and other locations may have been official dumping sites, but this information has yet to be verified.

Adonis - Barker Inlet

The 70-ton ketch Adonis capsized near Outer Harbor in 1953. Attempted salvage was unsuccessful and the vessel was later towed to a position behind Torrens Island (Port Adelaide) and beached.

At this stage the remains of the Adonis have not been included as a graveyard site although, like the Eleni K (PDF) at Goat Island, the deliberate relocation of the wreck suggests that it could be considered in this way.

Vessels Broken Up

Marine & Harbors and salvage company records often show that vessels were broken up at various sites about South Australia, but do not indicate whether salvage was complete or whether some material remained on site or was relocated.

Such entries include, for example, the Elizabeth (register closed 1928) which was 'presumed broken up' or the Venus which was 'scrapped' in 1959.

Vessels Towed Out To Sea

Similar records also indicate that some obsolete vessels were towed out to sea and sunk at specific (possibly unrecorded) locations.

Examples include a hulk Excelsior (which foundered in a gale, but was raised, towed to an unknown site in Gulf St Vincent and sunk with explosives in 1910) or the fishing boats Alpha (which was towed to sea and sunk in the early 1940s) or Champ (which was stripped and scuttled 5 miles NE of Cowell in 1988).

Any information which verifies, negates or adds to the list of ships' graveyard sites would be appreciated - please contact the Maritime Unit, Heritage Branch.