ADMELLA Discovery Trail

The Wreck of the Commemorating a Tragedy Further Information SS Admella Celebrating Volunteerism

The wreck of the SS Admella in the early hours of 6 August 1859 was “The Lady Nelson” Visitor & Discovery Centre, Mount Gambier only the beginning of a horrific week for survivors who remained on Phone 1800 087 187 board, in sight of land, while volunteers struggled to rescue them from the stricken steamer. Portland Visitor Information Centre Phone 1800 035 567

The loss of 89 lives makes the wreck www.admella.org.au one of the worst maritime disasters www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au in Australia’s history. Acknowledgements The Admella was sailing from Adelaide to Melbourne when it struck Carpenters Reef. Within 15 minutes the ship broke up leaving Information compiled by Linda Hay, Veronica Jenkin, Susanne Somerville and Brendon Jarrett on behalf of the Admella Commemoration Advisory Committee in association passengers and crew clinging to the wreckage a mile from shore. with the Port MacDonnell and District Maritime Museum Association. Several early attempts to reach land were fruitless. Eventually 2 sailors Wreck of the Admella, 1966, Ian Mudie, The family of the late Ian Mudie. struggled to shore and made a 20 mile trek to MacDonnell Lighthouse Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Admella, Intercolonial steamer on to raise the alarm. It was not until the third day after the wreck that the Southern Coast of Australia, 1859, Samuel Mossman. people heard of the disaster. Report of Commission appointed by the Governor-In-Chief to inquire Over the next few days, rescue attempts into the Loss of the ‘Admella’, 1859 Information and photos provided to the Admella Commemoration Advisory Committee were made, but mountainous seas and severe from descendants of those involved in the wreck of the Admella. A self drive touring route storms continually drove the rescuers back. Cover artwork ‘Admella Wreck’, Julian Bruere integrating cultural, Survivors lashed themselves to rigging, their strength sapped by lack Admella Discovery Trail information to be used as a guide only; the suppliers assume no responsibility and disclaim all liability for any inaccuracies, error or omission. heritage and nature based of water, food and shelter; some were driven mad by drinking sea This project has been assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Distributed water, others slipped quietly into the boiling surf to their watery graves. National Collection Program, the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the experiences within a 130 km radius Arts and by the Australian National Maritime Museum. On day eight a lifeboat of Mount Gambier, South Australia. managed to crash through the surf and 21 maritime themed interpretive trail reach the wreck; three Mount Gambier West markers emotively recount the tale of the people were taken and take you on ashore safely. Shortly wreck of the Admella after, the lifeboat ‘Portland’ rescued a journey that you will never forget. the remaining nineteen survivors. District Council of Grant PO Box 724, Mount Gambier, SA, 5290

James Shaw (1815-1881), Th e Admella 1858, oil on canvas, from Graphic Design: Brochure and Interpretive signage - Relish Design. the collection at Art Gallery SA. Purchased via SA Govt Grant 1977 Printing: Brochures - Hansen Print. Interpretive signage - Hylandfox Signs. www.admella.org.au www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au Interpretive Marker Locations Sitestes are numbered in chronological order Mount Gambier Robe 9 Jubilee Highway West Adelaide 16

Commercial St West Wehl Street North Sutton Ave Penola Road Vansittart Park Melbourne

White Avenue 21 Commercial St

Penola Shepherdson Road Commercial St East 11

7 Tenison Wehl Street South Bay Road DISTANCES FROM Beachport 17 Woods College Cave Garden MOUNT GAMBIER TO:

y Carpenter Rocks 38km ay PortlandPld W Port MacDonnell 28km 18 Millicent

Victoria Dutton Way Millicent 50km 15 Portland North Penola 51km Cashmore Rd Cemetery South Australia South Beachport 85km Portland Nelson Rd Portland 104km Tantanoola Henty Hwy Robe 130km New St Wreck of the Admella X

Cape Banks Mount Gambier Lighthouse

Kongorong Henty Hwy Carpenter Rocks Bentinck St Portland Maritime BlackfellowsBlackffellllol Caves Discovery Otway St Centre Lake Mount Gambier Nene Valley Bridgewater Rd Bonney Benara Rd White Ave Cape Douglas Kongorong Rd 14 Portland Foreshore Cape Northumberland Nelson Mac’s Bentinck St

Rocks Rd Hotel Cape Banks 8 Dixons Rd Port MacDonnell 1 2 Neechy Flat Rd Henty Hwy Lighthouse Carpenter Kongorong 13 10 Old Rocks Road School Rd Aslins Rd Bay Road Carpenter 12 Blackfellows Rocks Caves Rd Mount Salt Rd Meyers Rd Mount Schank Blackfellows Caves Nene Valley Rd 3 416 Rd

Nene Valley Old Boundary Rd Bay Road 6 Duckshooters Rd Yatemans Rd Allendale Cape Douglas Rd East 4 Portland Cape Douglas 19 Smiths Rd Dingley Dell Rd 5 20 Cape Bridgewater Port MacDonnell

rescue.

was claimed memorial disaster was Adelaide ObserverAdelaide 20/8/1859 Admella Spread the the Spread News Track News nal voyage. A Tough Salt! Salt! A Tough “We may never may never “We ﬁ Rescuers’ Path Rescuers’ Admella Phone 08 8738 2576 Phone

Did you know... Admella Admella become aware of the of the become aware to be one of the safest ships ever built. Names of all the lost” Names 5 11 rst heard. Today it is home to rst heard. Today MACDONNELL MACDONNELL LIGHTHOUSE SITE Heritage Northumberland Cape near Port Park, and Nature MacDonnell, SA (GPS 0470353 N5787565) Entry. Free www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au The original Lighthouse, built 1859, played a prominent part in the It was at this site that news of the ﬁ who return each Little Penguins evening around dusk. up the path to Walk lighthouse remains and take in the panoramic view. MOUNT GAMBIER SITE STATION College, White Woods Tenison SA Gambier, Mount Avenue, the View sculpture created by renowned artist Greg Johns. Learn about the fate of some those who did not survive their journey on the Admella’s

Portland’s

push on

was named named was Melbourne, Melbourne, Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Exhausted they they Exhausted

Phone 08 8735 1177 Phone

Rescuers’ Path Path Rescuers’ Lifeboat Journey Lifeboat Launceston.

Adelaide, Adelaide,

MEL

after trading ports: ports: trading after

Admella Did you know... you Did 4 10 DOUGLAS POINT DOUGLAS POINT PARK CONSERVATION Cape Douglas, SA (GPS 0463494 N5791163 – unsealed road) Entry. Free www.environment.sa.gov.au the storyRead of the 2 sailors’ struggle to convey the news of to the top of shipwreck. Walk Cape to view the rugged landscape which confronted Knapman and Leach on their quest for help. PORTLAND FORESHORE Vic Portland, Road, Lee Breakwater Learn of the lifeboat journey from this site to assist with the rescue, and visualise the site as it would have been then. display. display. 1.5km.

Admella tragedy and visit the was built in Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Rescuers’ Path Rescuers’ Phone 08 8735 1177 Phone Port Robe joins the joins the Robe Port Survivors ‘like Seals ‘like Seals Survivors on a Half-Tide Rock’ on a Half-Tide Throng of Volunteers! of Throng Admella 3 9 Did you know... Admella Port Glasgow in 1857. Customs House NENE VALLEY NENE VALLEY and PARK CONSERVATION MEMORIAL WALL SA Valley, Nene (GPS0457863 N5795336 - unsealed road) Entry. Free www.environment.sa.gov.au Conservation The Nene Valley walking trail is an easy walk Park of approximately along the trail and imagine Walk how the sailors may have tackled this bush during their 20 mile trek for help. Learn of the survivors’ existence on the shipwreck. HOUSE CUSTOMS ROBE SA Robe, Circus, Royal 08 8768 2465 opening times Phone For www.robe.com.au museum This National Trust displays nautical items and local memorabilia involvement in about Robe’s Read the wreck Admella Helps master, Captain Hugh master, Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Rescuers’ Path Rescuers’ Phone 08 8735 1177 Phone Local Knowledge Local Knowledge A Good Ship that that Ship A Good met a Terrible End Terrible met a 2 8 ENTRANCE TO ENTRANCE TO CANUNDA PARK NATIONAL 2 and No. Road Corner of Lighthouse SA Rocks, near Carpenter Road, Rocks (GPS 0445345 N5805921 – unsealed Rocks) Carpenter from road Entry. Free www.environment.sa.gov.au via Access Canunda National Park the marked 4 wheel drive soft sand along the edge of track. Travel sand dunes where Catalano Lisa STATION CURRATUM HOMESTEAD SITE Rocks Corner Aslinsand Old Road Road, near Kongorong, SA Supplies, guides and men were sent from Curratum Station to help with the rescue, and Admella’s recuperated at the McEwan, homestead after his rescue. Learn more about the fourth day of the tragedy and imagine rough tracks and distance that rescuers had to travel from here, the closest homestead to the wreck. victim’s bodies were found washed ashore and buried nearby.

Admella to Tragedy From Glory Glory From Spread the the Spread News Track News Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Phone 08 8735 1177 Phone Phone 08 8724 9750 Phone News paralyses the State News 1 7 CAPE BANKS LIGHTHOUSE CAPE (GPS 0445184 N5805299 - unsealed Rocks) Carpenter from road Entry. Free www.environment.sa.gov.au a brief account of the Read disaster and view the memorial along the beach where cairn. Walk survivors landed, and rescuers the treacherousgathered. View now known as Admella Reef, reef, from the observation deck near the Lighthouse and on rough days try to picture the drama that unfolded. MOUNT GAMBIER TELEGRAPH STATION SITE Terrace, Watson Garden, Cave SA Gambier, Mount Entry. Free www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au Situated in the centre of city this sinkhole was the original source of water supply for the early settlers. The Mount Gambier Telegraph Station was located on the main corner in 1859. out onto the suspended Venture viewing platforms for a spectacular in the view into the sinkhole. Picnic Cave Garden and learn about the early history of this area and how important it was as the distribution point of news the wreck. Canunda National Park, Lighthouse Lighthouse Park, National Canunda SA Rocks, near Carpenter Road,

, ADMELLA ADMELLA artefacts. Sculpture SS Admella SS Timpson Street / Street Timpson , nest in the world, left Port Adelaide left Port Spread the the Spread News Track News Admella Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ eld’s Creek, Duckshooters Creek, eld’s A Fateful Voyage A Fateful More Terrible Luck Terrible More The Navigator Admella SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN cult to traverse, Robe the cult to traverse, Robe 6 Queens Queens Wharf, Port Adelaide SA MEMORIAL and MARITIME MUSEUM on 5 August 1859 its regular voyage to Melbourne, reportedly laden with 113 people, 6 horses, general merchandise and 93 tons of copper. THE NAVIGATOR SA Adelaide, Port Street, 126 Lipson 08 8207 6255 www.history.sa.gov.au Phone The View SITE STATION BLACK’S Winterfi (GPS 0464893 N5795901 partly- road unsealed) In 1859 this part of South Australia was remote and difﬁ Learn of events that delayed news the wreck reaching Mount Gambier. Looking towards the windmill near this site try to spot the current lighthouse, situated quite near the original lighthouse site. nearest port, Mount Gambier and founded 6 years earlier, MacDonnell Lighthouse opened only months before the wreck. Road, between Port MacDonnell MacDonnell Port between Road, and SA Nene Valley, which depicts the embedded in the seabed after Acclaimed hitting Carpenters Reef. as one of the ﬁ the maritime museum features a number of Rescuers’ Path Survivors Journey Artefacts Drive Artefacts Drive Artefacts Drive Artefacts Drive 12 Commemorating 13 To Kindness 14 Portland’s Heroes 15 Heroes Resting Place 16 Mischance, Delays, 17 Heroism not a Tragedy and Recovery Blunders and Negligence Overlooked

CARPENTER ROCKS HALL MACS HOTEL PORTLAND PORTLAND MARITIME PORTLAND NORTH OLD GAOL RUINS BEACHPORT VISITOR Carpenter Rocks Road, Carpenter Bentinck Street, Portland, Vic DISCOVERY CENTRE and CEMETERY Obelisk Road, Robe, SA INFORMATION CENTRE VISITOR INFORMATION Rocks, SA Phone 03 5523 2671 Henty Hwy, Portland, Vic Free Entry. Phone 08 8768 2465 Millicent Road, Beachport, SA www.glenelg.vic.gov.au CENTRE www.robe.com.au Visit the Sheoak Memorial for the Free Entry. Phone 03 5523 2671 Open Daily. Phone 08 8735 8029 Lee Breakwater Road, Portland, Vic www.glenelg.vic.gov.au Email [email protected] 89 souls lost on the wreck of the Walk Portland’s Historic Walking Walk through the remains of the Phone 03 5523 2671 Locate the graves of Captain James Admella; planted in 2009 for the Trail, view the Hotel where some www.glenelg.vic.gov.au Gaol and locate the Admella’s Displays at the Old Wool and Admella 150 Festival. Read about survivors recuperated and ﬁ nd sites Fawthrop, master of the lifeboat boiler plates. Read about the chain Grain Store Museum in Railway Discover mysteries of the sea, the heroic rescue of those who of other buildings involved in the Portland, William Rosevear, the of misfortune that affected the Terrace include 1900’s living stories and legends of shipwrecks survived. rescue. lifeboat’s coxswain and crewmen Admella rescue. quarters, 1920’s school room, and rescues, and step inside a Israel Abbot Carey, Hugh McDonald whaling and ﬁ shing, farm sperm whale skeleton. and James Kean. implements and a smithy shop. View the lifeboat Portland used View one of the Admella medals to rescue 19 of the 24 Admella Did you know... received by Henry Smith, of survivors. Learn about Portland’s Germein’s crew, and artefacts heroes. Reportedly 29 crew, 84 passengers including salvaged from the wreck. Read 19 women and 15 about the heroism of Admella rescuers. children were on board.

‘Admella Beach’ Julian Bruere

Artefacts Drive Artefacts Drive Artefacts Drive Artefacts Drive 18 Relief and 19 What a Ride it was! 20 An Inquiry into 21 Salvage from the Deep Reward Fund the Wreck SS Admella Quick Facts... SS Admella was a screw steamer fi MILLICENT LIVING DINGLEY DELL PORT MACDONNELL VANSITTART PARK tted with 3 masts and sails. Measuring 395 tons (gross) 209 tons (net) and 55.6m HISTORY MUSUEM & CONSERVATION PARK & DISTRICT MARITIME 172 Commercial Street West, VISITOR INFORMATION AND COTTAGE MUSEUM Mount Gambier, SA (next to the in length CENTRE Dingley Dell Road, Near corner of Charles and Meylin Mount Gambier Bowls Club) SS Admella was the fastest and most luxurious ship 1 Mount Gambier Road, Millicent, SA Port MacDonnell, SA Streets, Port MacDonnell, SA Free Entry. Phone 08 8724 9750 Open Daily. Phone 08 8733 0904 Open Daily. Phone 08 8738 2221 For group bookings and opening times www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au to travel between Adelaide and Melbourne at the time. Email [email protected] www.dingleydell.net phone 08 8738 7259 or 8738 2576 www.wattlerange.sa.gov.au www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au Beautiful public gardens, bowling Th e lifeboats on board were the latest design. Adam Lindsay Gordon’s poem green and sports arena, large The Museum houses an The museum houses a large South Australian Parliament halted during the week ‘Ride from the Wreck’ was playground with picnic area outstanding collection of themed Admella collection and tells the of the rescue. inspired by the Admella tragedy. and shelter. The site opposite exhibits including Millicent, stories of thirty shipwrecks from Inaction by the Victorian Government contributed Gordon’s cottage has been was leased as a brewery by one Victoriana, Aboriginal, Natural this coastline. The early history to its downfall at the next election. restored to provide visitors with a of those who proﬁ ted from the History and Shipwrecks, which of Port MacDonnell as a trading glimpse of life in the 1860’s and salvage rights of the wreck. Rescue eff orts staged from Adelaide, Melbourne, features Admella artefacts. includes an Admella display. port and the ‘Southern Rock Robe and Portland Wander through the ‘Garden for the Read about the Admella’s Relief and Lobster Capital of Australia’ are Enjoy a picnic or pleasant stroll on Blind’. Read about Admella’s salvage Victorian Colonists reward medals were the fi Reward fund and view the largest also explored. walking trails meandering through and Whittaker’s gold! rst collection of fully restored horse- View a superb model of the Admella struck in the new colony the bushland. Learn about the drawn vehicles in South Australia. and Admella’ artefacts including Admella’s horses. her canon and bell at the Museum. Read about recommendations of the Inquiry into the wreck.