Subscribe      List an Event or Business      Invite a Writer      Write for WN      Writers      Other Locations
1 million Australian readers every month      list your event

Jervois Basin Ships' Graveyard

Home > South Australia > Beaches | Family | Free | Fun for Children | Fun Things To Do
by Dave Walsh (subscribe)
I enjoy writing about Adelaide and its many attractions. If you think Adelaide is boring, the problem is not with Adelaide. Please click the link to Like my articles, and subscribe to see more. adelaideunearthed.blogspot.com.au
Published August 23rd 2013
This one really is hidden
shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, park
The Pocket Park that Hides Jervois Basin Ships' Graveyard


A recent housing development in a corner of Port Adelaide is the home to one of Adelaide's true hidden secrets - a shipwreck graveyard.

The attractive landscaping of a compact but pretty pocket park is only enjoyed by local residents - it does not appear on any map, nor is it located on any main road. But the park hides several shipwrecks which played a memorable part in South Australia's history.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, interpretive sign
A Hidden Interpretive Sign Overlooking the Ships' Graveyard


There are no signs or obvious indicators of the role this area took in Port Adelaide's past, but if you take a walk through unassuming undergrowth along barely marked paths, you will find a couple of interpretive signs to spill some of the secrets of Jervois Basin. Not only will you uncover the Jervois Basin Ships' Graveyard, but also part of the Port Adelaide Kaurna Cultural Heritage Trail which is at risk of being hidden by vegetation.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, kaurna
Port Adelaide Kaurna Cultural Heritage Trail


The Jervois Basin Ships' Graveyard is home to five named shipwrecks, but when a shipwreck was disposed of here there was seldom an intention to remember it. This corner of Port Adelaide was effectively a rubbish tip for South Australia's shipping industry, and attempts were made to eradicate any shipwreck left here.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, trafalgar
The Shipwreck of the Paddle Steamer Trafalgar


PS Trafalgar
The most visible shipwreck is that of the Paddle Steamer Trafalgar - built in 1877 at Echuca, which spent most of it's life plying the River Murray carrying both passengers and goods. On one journey it carried 208 prize Merino rams and a racehorse worth 800 guineas - a huge sum at the time. The PS Trafalgar measured 32.2m long, 5.8m wide and 2.4m deep. It was originally 228 gross tons, but when converted to a dumb barge in 1933 it dropped to 116 gross tons.

The Fitzjames - A Floating Boys' Reformatory
From a darker period of South Australia's history, the shipwreck Fitzjames is also believed to have been disposed of at this place. Built in 1852 in Canada, it travelled to England before bringing migrants to Melbourne in 1854. In 1866 it was condemned as a hulk and in 1876 the South Australian Government bought it for use as a quarantine ship to be moored off Semaphore.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, houses
Houses Overlook Jervois Basin


By 1880 the Fitzjames was being used by the Destitute Board as a floating reformatory for "uncontrollable" boys, although due to constant leaks the ship was not seaworthy - the bedding below decks was frequently wet due to the leaks, and constant pumping was necessary to keep the ship afloat.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, port
Old Port Reach, Harts Mill and Hart Street Bridge are Nearby


Boys were given nautical training and schooling on the Fitzjames. They were under the control of a Superintendent, and made their own clothing and boots supervised by a tailor and a shoemaker. Only a small number of boys 'trained' on this floating reformatory actually went to sea. The majority were placed on farms after their release.

By 1891 the Magill Reformatory was built and the inmates of the Fitzjames moved. The Fitzjames was no longer required. It was towed up the Port River - beached and left to rot as a forgotten shipwreck.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, fish market
The Trafalgar, Fish Market Pontoon, and the Alert Are Sometimes Visible


Other Ships
Depending upon the tides and time of day you may also be able to see the shipwreck of the 1872 wooden ketch Alert and a Fish Market Pontoon. I was not able to see them when I visited, and walking in the shallows is inadvisable due to deep mud. It is likely that the growth of vegetation is also obscuring the remains of these two ships.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, visible
The Boardwalk & Interpretive Sign Are Barely Visible


The Boardwalk
It was only after roaming through the shrubbery on the banks of the Port River that I discovered a boardwalk, bench and viewing platform hidden in the bushes - presumably they were intended for viewing the shipwrecks.

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, mangroves
Inside the Mangroves


All that can now be seen are mangrove bushes. It seems that neither Port Adelaide Enfield Council nor Renewal SA have bothered to check the condition of this place for a long time since development.

Lip service was paid to the Kaurna people in naming of the roads nearby, but the cultural insights given by the Kaurna Cultural Heritage Trail weren't considered important enough to maintain. Perhaps they were funded by a Federal government program and the money is no longer available?

shipwreck, shipwrecks, history, adelaide, south australia, port adelaide, boardwalk, river murray, development, trafalgar
Passengers and Crew on the PS Trafalgar - River Murray 1908 (Image Courtesy of State Library of SA PRG280/1/4/438)


Anyway, it's well worth the time to take a look at the Jervois Basin Ships' Graveyard. Don't wear your best shoes though if you plan to stray off the path as it can be quite muddy!

If you found this article about the Ships' Graveyard interesting, you may with to read about a train graveyard, or a human graveyard at West Terrace.
Help us improve  Click here if you liked this article  218
Share: email  facebook  twitter
Why? Graveyards are spooky to see
When: Anytime
Where: Rennie Road, Ethelton, South Australia
Cost: Free!
Your Comment
How fascinating Dave. First time I have ever heard of these shipwrecks.
by Yin-Yin Ow (score: 3|1596) 3583 days ago
My great-great grandfather Duncan Morrison was a Captain on the "Alert" when she use to sail between Port Adelaide and Victor Harbour. Apparently a substantial part of her keel and centre-board casing is still visible....so when I am next in my home town of Adelaide (I now live in Kingaroy Queensland) I will definitely go visit this "hidden" spot. Thank you so much for your information and for the wonderful photos....
by debi_ (score: 0|8) 3381 days ago
Nice little piece of sunken history you've dug up here Dave.
by Annie Waddington-Feather (score: 2|186) 3580 days ago
It is ironic you have posted this. Yesterday I went to a talk ay the Adelaide Northern Districts Family history Group, by Robyn Ashworth on "The Garden Island Ships Graveyard". I had not heard of these before as I am not familiar with Port Adelaide. It was one of the most fascinating talks I have listened to for a very long time. She went into detail on the history of some of the ships journeys and life before being wrecked. We encouraged her to do some historic walks or kayaking tours for History Month next year. Robyn initiated and worked for the Government Department who recognised the historic nature of these areas in the Port.
by sooty (score: 1|18) 3581 days ago
I really enjoyed this article Dave. Some fascinating history & interesting to read about the Trafalgar. I'm heading for Echuca soon the Cobb Highway & expect to see more shipwrecks (The Providence near Menindee I think) & old paddlesteamers. Love your insights & writings. Thanks for sharing.
by jellybean (score: 1|50) 3581 days ago
I say....where did my piccy go!
by koj77 (score: 2|152) 3583 days ago
Brings back a few memories for an ole sea dog!
by koj77 (score: 2|152) 3583 days ago
For a fascinating insight into life aboard the Ftizjames reformatory ship, see this article by Richards and May in the Flinders University Archaeology Journal:http://bit.ly/179s3kt
by Dave Walsh (score: 4|11309) 3582 days ago
What an interesting use for an old ship. Boys would probably have found it more engaging than a boarding school, and might have made them pay more attention.
by Bastion Harrison (score: 4|12643) 3583 days ago
torrens island has a ships graveyard as well
by kevin (score: 0|2) 1025 days ago
Articles from other cities
Popular Articles