the ship

graveyard

The Ship Graveyard is the home to many shipwrecks

from all around the world. Some are as old as 195 years.
There are many different ships, large and small sailing,
steam and motor vessels, barges, pontoons, and
dredges. You can see many ships and if you are lucky
you might even get the chance to catch a glimpse of
dolphins.
The Port Adelaide Graveyards are made up of five
abandonment sites, the Garden Island, Jervois Basin,
Muttun Cove, Broad Creek, and the Angas Inlet. The
Garden Island graveyard is the largest site, with 25
known vessels to have been abandoned between 1909
and 1945.

The Sunbeam arrived at the

graveyard at 1920 Photo by
Louis

The Sunbeam
The ripped away Sunbeam was built in Kircaldy, Scotland in 1857 by John Brown and Company,
and traded internationally before being converted into coal hulk in Melbourne in 1886. It was
the first three iron vessel left in the Graveyard, abandoned in 1910 on mudflats. It was a used
during the great depression as a cargo ship. Ships, like the Sunbeam, that brought supplies
over to Australia struggled to get cargo to return. The Sunbeam also has a very interesting
and relevant to Australian history, the Japanese cut off some of the ships steel as they needed
it for weapons and machines which were ironically used against Australia in WW1. The
Sunbeam is easily recognisable with its bow facing the water and a boiler of unknown origin
lying on the starboard side.

The Santiago arrived at the

graveyard in 1920 Photo by Louis

The Santiago
The three masted sailing brigantine, Santiago, was built
in Methil, Scotland in 1856 by Henry Balfour and
Company. Passengers are found in the middle of the
vessel, crew upfront, and cargo in the rear. The
Sunbeam was originally built for the British, South
American trade, but operated mainly between northern
Europe ports as well as to destinations in the southern
hemisphere. In its cargo would be things that we
couldnt produce in Australia. Like Sunbeam, Santiago,
never returned home because it could not find cargo.
Before it got to Port Adelaide it was used as a storage
place. It has been here for 75 years. It was a working
model for 120 years.

The Shipwrecks tour is a fun, exciting and educational activity for all ages. You can learn about
our Australian history and unique past. Not only can you see many remarkable shipwrecks but
also so many other fascinating and affordable places await, like the Maritime Museum or the
Railway Museum. There is so much to do and so much to learn so ship off to the shipwrecks now!
For more information visit
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/ourplaces/Heritage/Visiting_heritage_places/Ships_graveyards/Locations/
Port_Adelaide