Records comprising 91 volumes of photographs of ships, organised under type of ship, or ownership, and with basic caption information. The volumes were compiled by shipping enthusiast Arthur Edwardes, using original prints if available, but most commonly copy prints.

A view of Port Augusta showing the port in 1889. In the foreground is Bignell and Young's bonded store, and in the background the tall chimney of the Dunn flour mill. John Dunn built this iron and stone mill in 1878, and at that time it was the largest in the colony. Designed to be fire-proof, it was destroyed by fire in 1926. Dunn was by 1893 the largest local employer and wheat and flour exports from the port peaked, but the drought which followed decimated the wheat farms and the industry.

Bignell and Young demolished the Old Dover Castle Hotel and erected their stone bond store in 1881. In the same year they erected a two storey shop, wool store and residence at Port Augusta West. Bignell retired part way through this year and and Young went into partnership with Robert Gordon. Young & Gordon continued as one of the main stores in Port Augusta and even as the railway line moved further north, demand on their services increased.

Vessels visiting the port at this time included the big wool clippers trading out of London, but also the coastal ships which supplied the town with provisions and mail, travelling between Port Adelaide, Port Augusta and elsewhere in the gulfs and peninsulas.

Port Augusta (S. Aust)

Anderson, R. J. Solid town: the history of Port Augusta [Port Augusta, S. Aust.]: R.J. Anderson, 1988

Parsons, Ronald. Southern passages: a maritime history of South Australia Netley, S. Aust.: Wakefield Press, 1986

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