Jervois Basin Ships' Graveyard

The Jervois Basin lies within the upper reaches of the Port Adelaide River. For more than a century this area was a busy commercial and industrial centre, as international and coastal vessels made their way to the wharves and industries along the riverfront. It was also Port Adelaide's major ship-breaking site, with countless vessels ending their days at the wharves or on the mud bank between the early 1900s and the late 1960s. The remains of four vessels broken up in the Basin are still evident at low tide in the ships' graveyard on the western bank, mostly within an area known as the Log Pool. The wooden ketch 'Alert' and four-masted schooner 'Fides', the composite paddle steamer 'Trafalgar' and a wooden pontoon, are all accessible from the shore. Other unidentified material has also been located. The graveyard is adjacent to a small park and viewing area, while a boardwalk through the nearby regenerated mangroves overlooks the site. Pelicans, ibis, cormorants and dolphins are frequent visitors to this part of the Port River. For more information pick up the Port Adelaide Ships' Graveyards brochure from the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre, 66 Commercial Road, Port Adelaide or visit the website.