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Nautical chart of Marino Bay, South Australia, giving soundings, with beach, proposed breakwater and shaded areas for hills shown. Inset map shows coast north of Marino, including the Glenelg jetty.

As the sizes of ships increased it became more difficult for larger steamships to enter Port Adelaide or the Inner Harbor as it was becoming known. Possible solutions to this problem had been proposed for a number of years, even as early as 1856 when the Milunga and North Arm Company issued a prospectus for establishing a deep water harbour opposite the North Arm

In September 1879 at a meeting in Port Adelaide a number of proposals were put forward for deep water berths for the mail steamers. One of these proposals was for a large breakwater to be built at Marino south of Brighton. The Marino Outer Harbour Committee engaged HJ Stanley to make a survey and report on the suitability of the bay for a deep sea berth.

Stanley's report indicated that it could only be made safe with an extensive breakwater extending west for 3200 feet and then curving north by west 1900 feet and then north north-east for a further 800 feet. His estimated cost was 300,000 pounds.

The plan was abandoned because of the rocky coastline and seabed.

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