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