The CITY OF ADELAIDE ,(far left), anchored at Port Augusta, Australia in 1883. This vessel brought a mixture of immigrants from Germany and the British Isles and returned back to England loaded with copper ore and bales of wool. Now a forlorn derelict in Scotland, and perhaps due for demolution, efforts are being started to restore this second composit clipper ship in existance, besides the CUTTY SARK. Scottish, English and Australian groups have been organized to collect funds for the restoration of this historic vessel. It is the hope that enough funds can be accumulated to save this clipper ship.
The CITY OF ADELAIDE, (fourth tall ship from the right) anchored at Port Augusta, Australia in 1884. Upon arrival at Adelaide, the CITY OF ADELAIDE would discharge her cargo of immigrants during the months of August and September, then move to Port Augusta and load her cargo of copper ore and bales of wool for the trip back to England. Due to the rough terrain of the Flinders Range, teams of donkies pulled stout wagons of copper ore that would arrive at the ship for loading.
The CITY OF ADELAIDE grounded at Kirkaldy Beach in 1877. The vessel floated off at the next high tide and taken to Fletcher's Slip for repairs. Fortunately damage was minor to the hull bottom. She was back in operation in a week.
Fletcher's Slip where the CITY OF ADELAIDE had the bottom of her hull repaired after she was driven ashore by a strong westerly wind.
The main salon of the CITY OF ADELAIDE decorated with the finest velvet wallpaper and furniture of the best quality. Only the hightest paying passanger could afford such luxury.
One passanger who probably could not affort to lounge in the main salon of the CITY OF ADELAIDE, was Joseph Nancarow, age 38 with his three daughters, Jane age 13, Edie age 6 and Myrtle age 4. After his wife passed away and he lost his employment as a Cornish miner, Joseph booked passage with his daughters on April 11, 1873, to start a new life in South Australia. His descendants and others like them, are now one in five South Australians who's ancestors arrived on the CITY OF ADELAIDE. It is estimated that a quarter of a million Australians owe their existance to forebarers who arrived on the CITY OF ADELAIDE.
This ship must be saved as a monument to Joseph and his kin and others like them, who refused to be defeated by adversity and instead sought a new land to begin their lives over again. The CITY OF ADELAIDE is Australia's version of Ellis Island in New York Harbor. I disagree with Billyboy. Yes, there is an economic recession on both sides of the pond, but a few coins here and a few coins there from thousands of people can make a differance to preserver this historic composit clipper ship. It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who's poem, "Old Iron Sides" in 1830 aroused public indignation to prevent the U.S.S. CONSTITUTION from demolution in the breaker's yard. The same can be applied for the CITY OF ADELAIDE.
Montani semper liberi ! Happy modeling to all and every one of you.
Crackers 