State Library of South Australia logo Wooden walls and iron sides
SA Memory. South Australia past and present, for the future




Jetty, Port Germein
Title : Jetty, Port Germein Jetty, Port Germein
Add To My SA Memory
Source : B 48502, Port Germein Collection
Date of creation : 1891
Format : Photograph
Catalogue record
The State Library of South Australia is keen to find out more about SA Memory items. We encourage you to contact the Library if you have additional information about any of these items.
Copyright : Reproduction rights are owned by State Library of South Australia. This image may be printed or saved for research or study. Use for any other purpose requires permission from the State Library of South Australia. To request approval, complete the Permission to publish form.
Description :

Shipping and cargo at Port Germein jetty


Shipping and cargo at Port Germein jetty photographed in 1891. Before this jetty was built in 1881, wheat had been shipped by lightering the cargoes to and from large ships anchored offshore and using a small landing stage.

The jetty was lengthened in 1883 to 5459 feet (1664 metres): this extension carried the jetty out to deeper water. It was at that time and for many decades to come the longest in South Australia. Port Germein was officially declared a port in 1884. Bagged wheat was the main export through Port Germein.

A lighthouse was positioned at the end of the jetty in 1894. Despite the closeness of Port Pirie on the southern side of Germein Bay, and Wallaroo, further south, Port Germein remained an active port for many years. In 1888 it loaded 19 sailing ships with the season's wheat, and the last very large ship used the port in 1939. For the next two decades smaller vessels used the jetty but the construction of bulk handling facilities at both Wallaroo and Port Pirie saw the demise of Port Germein. It was officially closed as a port in 1959.
Subjects
Coverage year : 1891
Place : Port Germein
Further reading :
Collins, Neville C The jetties of South Australia: past and present Woodside, S.A.: Neville Collins, 2005
Please sir, let's do history : original text by the teacher and students of Port Germein Primary School edited and presented for publication by Rita Purvis; cartoons by Jack Medlin Jamestown, S.A.: Nadjuri Australia, 1978
Flannery, Nancy, Reluctant harbour: the romance of Pirie Jamestown, S.A.: Nadjuri Australia, 1976
Internet links :
Exhibitions and events :

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-


Navigation

Home

About SA Memory

Explore SA Memory

SA Memory Themes

Search

My SA Memory

Learning

What's on

Contributors