History | |
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Name | Governor Gawler |
Namesake | George Gawler |
Owner | Emanuel Underwood |
Builder | Emanuel Underwood |
Launched | 1840 |
Fate | Wrecked August 1847 |
General characteristics [1] | |
Tons burthen | 15 (bm) |
Length | 35.3 ft (10.8 m) |
Beam | 8.8 ft (2.7 m) |
Depth | 7.9 ft (2.4 m) |
Sail plan | Schooner |
Complement | 2[2] |
Notes | Two 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]
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.
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]