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 Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Trek Sailors’ Trek Spread the 1 2 3 4 5 A Fateful Voyage From Glory A Good Ship that Survivors ‘like Seals Exhausted they News Track to Tragedy met a Terrible End on a Half-Tide Rock’ push on A Tough Salt! THE NAVIGATOR ADMELLA CAPE BANKS LIGHTHOUSE ENTRANCE TO CANUNDA NENE VALLEY DOUGLAS POINT MACDONNELL MEMORIAL, Timpson Street / Canunda National Park, Lighthouse NATIONAL PARK CONSERVATION PARK and CONSERVATION PARK LIGHTHOUSE SITE Queens Wharf, Port Adelaide SA Road, near Carpenter Rocks, SA Corner of Lighthouse Road and No. 2 MEMORIAL WALL Cape Douglas, SA Cape Northumberland Heritage and SOUTH AUSTRALIAN (GPS 0445184 N5805299 - unsealed Rocks Road, near Carpenter Rocks, SA Nene Valley, SA (GPS 0463494 N5791163 and Nature Park, near Port MARITIME MUSEUM, road from Carpenter Rocks) – unsealed road) MacDonnell, SA 126 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, SA (GPS 0445345 N5805921 – unsealed (GPS0457863 N5795336 Free Entry. Phone 08 8735 1177 road from Carpenter Rocks) - unsealed road) Free Entry. Phone 08 8735 1177 (GPS 0470353 N5787565) Phone 08 8207 6255 www.history.sa.gov.au www.environment.sa.gov.au Free Entry. Phone 08 8735 1177 Free Entry. Phone 08 8735 1177 www.environment.sa.gov.au Free Entry. Phone 08 8738 2576 www.environment.sa.gov.au www.environment.sa.gov.au www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au The Admella left Port Adelaide Read a brief account of the Admella Read the story of the 2 sailors’ on 5 August 1859 on its regular disaster and view the memorial Access Canunda National Park via The Nene Valley Conservation struggle to convey the news of the The original Lighthouse, built voyage to Melbourne, reportedly cairn. Walk along the beach where the marked 4 wheel drive soft sand Park walking trail is an easy walk shipwreck. Walk to the top of the 1859, played a prominent laden with 113 people, survivors landed, and rescuers track. Travel along the edge of the of approximately 1.5km. Cape to view the rugged landscape part in the Admella rescue. sand dunes where Admella wreck 6 horses, general merchandise gathered. View the treacherous Walk along the trail and imagine which confronted Knapman and It was at this site that news victim’s bodies were found washed and 93 tons of copper. reef, now known as Admella Reef, how the sailors may have tackled Leach on their quest for help. of the Admella disaster was from the observation deck near the ashore and buried nearby. View The Navigator Sculpture this bush during their 20 mile trek fi rst heard. Today it is home to Lighthouse and on rough days try to which depicts the SS Admella for help. Learn of the survivors’ Little Penguins who return each picture the drama that unfolded. embedded in the seabed after existence on the shipwreck. evening around dusk. hitting Carpenters Reef. Acclaimed Walk up the path to the as one of the fi nest in the world, lighthouse remains and take in the maritime museum features a the panoramic view. number of Admella artefacts. Lisa Catalano Spread the Spread the Rescuers’ Path Rescuers’ Path Rescuers’ Path Rescuers’ Path 6 7 8 9 10 11 News Track News Track Local Knowledge Port Robe joins the Lifeboat Journey “We may never More Terrible Luck News paralyses the State Helps Throng of Volunteers! become aware of the Names of all the lost” BLACK’S STATION SITE MOUNT GAMBIER CURRATUM STATION ROBE CUSTOMS HOUSE PORTLAND FORESHORE Adelaide Observer 20/8/1859 Winterfi eld’s Creek, Duckshooters TELEGRAPH STATION SITE HOMESTEAD SITE Royal Circus, Robe, SA Lee Breakwater Road, Portland, Vic MOUNT GAMBIER Road, between Port MacDonnell Cave Garden, Watson Terrace, Corner Aslins Road and Old Rocks STATION SITE For opening times Phone 08 8768 2465 Learn of the lifeboat Portland’s and Nene Valley, SA Mount Gambier, SA Road, near Kongorong, SA www.robe.com.au journey from this site to assist with Tenison Woods College, White (GPS 0464893 N5795901 Free Entry. Phone 08 8724 9750 Avenue, Mount Gambier, SA - road partly unsealed) www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au Supplies, guides and men were This National Trust museum the rescue, and visualise the site as sent from Curratum Station to displays nautical items and local View the Admella memorial In 1859 this part of South Situated in the centre of the it would have been then. help with the rescue, and the memorabilia sculpture created by renowned Australia was remote and city this sinkhole was the artist Greg Johns. Learn about Admella’s master, Captain Hugh Read about Robe’s involvement in diffi cult to traverse, Robe the original source of water supply the fate of some of those who did McEwan, recuperated at the the Admella tragedy and visit the nearest port, Mount Gambier for the early settlers. The not survive their journey on the homestead after his rescue. Customs House Admella display. founded 6 years earlier, and Mount Gambier Telegraph Admella’s fi nal voyage.