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Governor Gawler (1840 ship)

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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

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]

Origins

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d Australian National Shipwreck Database: Governor Gawler.
  2. ^ a b 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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