Exploring the early European settlement of South Australia from 1836 to 1846 and answering questions on the lives of people in South Australia's colonial past, what significant events happened during this time
Image reference: A temporary view of the country and the temporary erections near the site for the proposed town of Adelaide. Light, William (1837). State Library of SA B 10079.
Pioneers SA celebrates our shared heritage and honour the achievements of south Australian pioneers. The blog provides links and resources to tell us the story of the early years of European settlement and colonisation in South Australia.
1836 The first migrant ships arrive, first landing at Kangaroo Island, then at Holdfast Bay (off Glenelg).
1837 Port Adelaide (“Port Misery”) was proclaimed a port.
1839 Dredging began at the new site of Port Adelaide.
Watercolour on paper sketch depicting pioneers being carried on the backs of sailors through the shallow waters of Port Adelaide (Port Misery) as they land for the first time in South Australia. John Michael Skipper 1839 [State Library SA B 1212]
1840 McLaren wharf, Port Adelaide, opened.
1848 The first ferry operated across the River Murray at Wellington.
Timber sawing, with bullock power at Langhorne’s Creek on the Potts property. Frank Potts arrived from England on the Buffalo with Governor Hindmarsh in 1836 and was thus one of the original settlers. In 1849 he built a ferry to cross the Murray at Wellington. He bought land and established the ‘Traveller’s Rest’ to aid travellers enroute to the gold diggings. He built a bullock powered sawmill and cleared land for a vineyard. He named his property Bleasdale. Later he returned to boat building. He had previously built more than fifteen vessels. [State Library of South Australia B 7202]
1853 William Randell was the first man to use a steam powered a paddleboat, the ‘Mary Ann’, on the Murray River. This started the use of the River Murray to transport goods to markets.
River Steamers on the Murray. River steamers the ‘Bourke’ and ‘Jane Eliza’ unloading at the wharf. “Burke” was built at Milang in 1876 and “Jane Eliza” in 1870. The boats are moored in front of the Wool Store and are loaded with bales of wool. “Burke” was converted from an excursion steamer to a barge c. 1898. There was an earlier barge of the same name. [State Records of South Australia B 9958}
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