Number Nineteen Traditional Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A simple traditional cache.
This is a favourite launching place for trailer-boat owners wishing to explore the lower reaches of the River Murray or Coorong. The name of the cache is taken from one of the river navigation beacons, No.19. (Incidentally, the beacon has been renumbered to No.14, but name ‘The Nineteenth’ is so well established among the boating fraternity that it will probably continue to be associated with the ramp.) In 1850 the South Australian Government, aware of the importance of establishing a trade route to the upriver towns and settlements, offered a bonus to encourage this goal. A jetty was built at Goolwa and navigation markers were erected on the navigable channels in the lower river and lakes to Wellington. These beacons played an important part in establishing viable river trade. While contemplating the historic significance of these simple markers atop a wooden pile you may consider doing the three- to four-hour, twelve kilometres round trip to River’s End (GC2FCE) which starts and ends at the Nineteenth Beacon car park. You are looking for a black mint tin (magnetised). Please replace the cache as you found it. ------ A RIVERBOAT RACE Keen to claim the Government bonus William Randell had a paddle-steamer built at Gumeracha, transported in pieces overland and assembled at Mannum. Christened the Mary Anne it left Goolwa in March 1853 but, due to low water, it was forced to turn back near Lake Bonney. The Mary Anne returned to Mannum and set out again on 15th August 1853 for Swan Hill. Meanwhile Francis Cadell negotiated a separate deal with the Government that included a £500 bonus for bringing his boat through the dangerous waters of the Murray Mouth. He had the Lady Augusta built in Sydney, sailed it to Port Elliot and thence through the river mouth on 16th August 1953 to Goolwa where he too set out for Swan Hill. Three days out of Swan Hill the Mary Anne was overtaken by the Lady Augusta and, after passing and re-passing several times, both boats reached Swan Hill on 17th September 1853, some 1,410 km. from Goolwa. Randell received the £300 bonus offered by the Government while Cadell, as part of his special deal, received £500 for navigating the Murray Mouth and £1000 for building a steamer and barge to reach the Murray-Darling junction. BEWARE: A big, hairy spider has occasionally been reported guarding this cache!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Cvcv Pybfher