The Garden Island Ships' Graveyard, in the North Arm of the Port Adelaide River, offers paddlers a chance to experience part of South Australia's early maritime history.
The 26 wrecks at Garden Island are part of one of the world's largest and most diverse ships' graveyards. Boasting the remains of sailing ships, steamers, motor vessels, ferries, barges, dredgers and pontoons, the site provides a unique glimpse into our past.
The mudflats the wrecks lay on are bounded by mangroves – one of the few remaining systems in metropolitan Adelaide. This eco-system provides a habitat for dolphins, other marine creatures and bird species, enhancing a recreational paddler's experience.
The Garden Island Ships' Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail is marked by three on-water signs near the main group of wrecks, as well as two on-land signs at the Garden Island boat ramp.
For more information visit "shipsgraveyards"
The Garthneill
The large wreck that extends into the mangroves towards where the cache is hidden is the Garthneill. Originally named the Inverneill, it was a steel windjammer that carried cargo between Canada and Europe before before arriving in Australia. It was sold and renamed Garthneill and on 6 July 1919 sailed in ballast from Melbourne for Bunbury, Western Australia. In July 1926 the Garthneill was one of the last British square-rigged sailing vessels to be decomissioned. It was sold, sailed to Port Adelaide and converted into an electric barley-grading mill and storeship, the only floating grain mill in Australia.
In 1935 the hulk was towed down the Port River to the North Arm, bow plates cut away and the vessel holed with explosive charges.
**Please note The cache is not on any part of the wreckage.**
Shipwreck legislation encourages responsible use of South Australia's historic wrecks. It benefits diving, fishing and tourism interests by ensuring that wreck sites and their associated marine life are protected for the future.
Under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 and the South Australian Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981 any interference with historic wrecks is prohibited. Wreck material must not be damaged, moved on site or taken from a wreck. Penalties for breaches of the Acts include confiscation of boats and equipment, fines and gaol terms.
Boat operators should remember that it is illegal to anchor into an Historic Shipwreck as this will inevitably cause damage. As most wrecks do not have permanent mooring facilities, recreational divers and anglers should anchor off the wreck and allow the vessel to drift back to the required position.