Governor Gawler (1840 ship)

Governor Gawler was built in 1840. This made her the first sailing vessel built in South Australia.[1] She traded between Port Lincoln and Port Adelaide, but also carried cargo and passengers to Melbourne and Hobart Town, including soldiers, police, criminals, an executioner, as well as numerous civilians.[2] When she wrecked in 1847, she was the first South Australian ship to be wrecked.[1]

History
United Kingdom
NameGovernor Gawler
NamesakeGeorge Gawler
OwnerEmanuel Underwood
BuilderEmanuel Underwood
Launched1840
FateWrecked August 1847
General characteristics [1]
Tons burthen15 (bm)
Length35.3 ft (10.8 m)
Beam8.8 ft (2.7 m)
Depth7.9 ft (2.4 m)
Sail planSchooner
Complement2[2]
NotesTwo masts

Origins

Captain Emanuel Underwood arrived in Port Adelaide in 1840 aboard Baboo. He brought with him the frame of a small vessel of 15 tons (register), together with sails, spars, ropes, and tackle.[3] He then assembled her on the mudflats of Port River and named her for George Gawler, the governor of the colony.

Fate

Governor Gawler, Underwood, master, was making for Port Lincoln when a storm drove her northward and onto a reef near Reevesby Island, in the Sir Joseph Banks Group on 1 August 1847.[1] Her two crew and two passengers survived.[4] Petrel rescued the survivors some two days later.[5]

Citations
  1. Australian National Shipwreck Database: Governor Gawler.
  2. The Advertiser (2 April 1954), P.4, "Out Among the People:More about the Little S.A. Ships".
  3. Loyau (1885), p. 272.
  4. "Ship News". The Times. No. 19745. London. 29 December 1847. col C-D, p. 7.
  5. South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (10 August 1878), p.20: "Recollections of a Pioneer".

References
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