The Wreck of the Governor Gawler

 According to “South Australian Shipwrecks – A Data Base 1802-1989”, the 15 (or 16) ton wooden ketch Governor Gawler was wrecked (at Smith’s Rocks) in the Sir Joseph Banks Group on 1^st August 1847. It says that the 35-foot-long ketch was “assembled Port Adelaide” in 1840. The crew and two passengers are said to have made it ashore on Reevesby Island.

According to Trove (Port Adelaide News and Lefevre's Peninsula Advertiser, Fri 11 Feb 1887), “Captain Underwood's ketch, Governor Gawler built at Port Adelaide, was the first specimen of South Australian marine architecture, special interest will be taken in her history.” Further, “of 16 tons, without deck (later decked).”

And “She was bound to Port Lincoln and had rounded Cape Spencer. The crew, comprising Thomas Cheeseman, then a lad, were below, when she was caught in a trap at one of the Sir Joseph Banks's group of inlands. To wear or to weather was impossible ; straight on the rocks the captain had to steer her. The vessel's bottom crashed in; those on board took to the boat, and hung on till daylight. Then with difficulty they landed, but next day hailed the Petrel, passing for Port Lincoln. They went off in the boat."

According to the Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database, “The Governor Gawler was the first sailing vessel ‘built’ in South Australia, also the first to be wrecked (first SA-built to be wrecked?). Captain Emanuel Underwood arrived in Port Adelaide in 1840. He brought with him the Governor Gawler’s framework, sails, spars, ropes and tackle as part of the ships’ cargo. He then reconstructed the 35.3ft by 8.8ft by 7.9ft, two-masted vessel on the mudflats of the Port River. From 1841-1847 the Governor Gawler traded between Port Lincoln and Port Adelaide, but also carried cargo and passengers to Melbourne and Hobart Town.”

“Date wrecked: 01/08/1847. How vessel was wrecked: The Governor Gawler was making for Port Lincoln when driven northward by the storm, onto a reef near Reevesby Island, in the Sir Joseph Banks Group. The skipper, Captain Underwood, his crew and passengers had to survive the lifeboat overturning.”