South Australian Wreck

Field Value
Wreck Category non-dangerous wreck
Status historic
South australian Wreck Location
Marine Coordinates (DMM) 		51 12.808 N,4 36.158 W
Latitude, Longitude
Decimal Degrees
  • Latitude: 51.213467
  • Longitude: -4.602633
Wreck Depth 35.19 m
Water Depth 39 m
Water Level Effect always under water/submerged
Vertical Datum Approximate Lowest Astronomical Tide
Name SOUTH AUSTRALIAN
Type sailing vessel
Flag GB
Length 61.3 m
Width 11 m
Draught 6.1
Sonar Length 50.6
Sonar Width 36
Shadow Height 4.6
Orientation 51
Tonnage 1078
Tonnage Type displacement
Cargo railway: stock and construction materials
Conspic Visual not visually conspicuous
Conspic Radar not radar conspicuous
Bottom Texture Pebbles
Scour Dimensions 0120.0,,001.5,250
Original Detection Year 1992
Last Detection Year 2019
Original Source survey vessel
Surveying Details HH100/351/05 22.4.92 WK, KNOWN AS STANLEY BANK WK, DIVED ON IN 511259.5N, 043618W [OGB]. POSN FROM DECCA. LIES ON A SAND BANK AND CAN BE BURIED AT TIMES. (J T HEWITT, 20.3.92). NCA. HH100/351/14 4.8.99 DIVED IN 5112.825N, 0436.127W [WGD]. CONSISTS OF RAILWAY LINES AND OTHER METAL. MOST PROBABLY OF A SAILING SHIP. DEPTH TO TOP OF WK IS 37MTRS AT LW SPRINGS. (A PLATT, LTR DTD 2.8.99). INS AS WK 35MTRS. BR STD. HH090/798/01 19.10.99 EXAM'D 25.9.99 IN 5112.808N, 0436.152W [WGD] USING DGPS. SWEPT CLEAR 35.6, FOUL 36.2MTRS. LEAST E/S DEPTH 35.3 IN GEN DEPTH 39MTRS. SCOUR 1.5MTRS EXTENDS 120MTRS TOWARDS 250 DEGS. LENGTH 35MTRS, WIDTH 18MTRS. DCS3 HT 5MTRS. INTACT. SWELL OF 1.5MTRS DURING SWEEPING. (NP 1016, HI 798B). AMEND TO SW 35MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. HH100/351/22 8.9.04 DIVED IN 5112.786N, 0436.150W [WGD]. CONSIDERED TO BE 'SOUTH AUSTRALIAN'. (K DENBY, EMAIL DTD 5.9.04). NCA. HH091/158/01 16.7.08 LOCATED 3.6.07 IN 5112.808N, 0436.158W [WGD] USING DGPS. LEAST M/B DEPTH 35.27 IN GEN DEPTH 39.9MTRS. NO SCOUR. LENGTH 50.6MTRS, WIDTH 36.0MTRS, HT 4.6MTRS. LIES 051/231 DEGS. STRONG MAGNETIC ANOMALY. (FUGRO OSAE, HI 1158). INTACT. RETAIN SW 35MTRS IN REVISED POSN. BR STD. 1.7.15 WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY CONDUCTED A GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY UNDERTAKEN IN JULY 2015 BY DR STEPHANIE ARNOTT AND LAURA ANDREWS. ILLFRACOMBE SAC DIVE BOAT
Last Amended Date Jan 1, 1980

Circumstances of loss

BUILT IN 1868 BY W PILE & CO, SUNDERLAND WITH A WOODEN HULL ON IRON FRAMES. OWNED AT TIME OF LOSS BY DEVITT & MOORE. South Australian was the sister-ship of the City of Adelaide, one of only two clipper ships that survive today, the other being the Cutty Sark. For most of her working life the South Australian traded between the UK and Australia carrying cargo and passengers and was heavily involved in the emigrant trade. In February 1889 she set sail from Cardiff, laden with rails and fish plates for railway customers, but foundered in severe weather in the Bristol Channel.

General Comments

NEPTUNE

WRECK MAP LOADING ... 51 12.808 N,4 36.158 W
South Australian on Wreck Map South Australian Wreck on Google Map

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FAQ

Where is the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN wreck located?

The SOUTH AUSTRALIAN wreck is located at coordinates 51 12.808 N,4 36.158 W.

How deep is the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN and where exactly is it located?

The SOUTH AUSTRALIAN lies at a depth of about 35.19 meters and is located at coordinates 51 12.808 N,4 36.158 W.

How deep is the seabed around the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN?

The seabed around the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN lies at approximately 39 meters deep.

When was the wreck of the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN discovered?

The wreck of the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN was discovered in 1992.

What country did the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN belong to?

The SOUTH AUSTRALIAN belonged to GB.

What cargo was the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN carrying?

The SOUTH AUSTRALIAN was carrying railway: stock and construction materials.

What was the tonnage of the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN?

The SOUTH AUSTRALIAN had a tonnage of 1078 tons.

What type of wreck is the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN?

The SOUTH AUSTRALIAN is classified as a sailing vessel.

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