RMS Oruba berthing at the newly opened Outer Harbor wharf. After years of proposals and schemes finally on 16 January 1908 a new gateway to South Australia was declared open by Governor Le Hunte. The wharves at Outer Harbor would mean that the largest ships could moor in protected waters without having to navigate the passage to the Inner Harbor at Port Adelaide. The facilities at Outer Harbor also spelt the end to the embarrassment of disembarking at Semaphore where in rough weather passengers were transferred to launches using a bosun's chair of sling. The Orient Line's Oruba was the first vessel to use the new port. Built in 1889 and 5,852 tons, she was a single screw ship with triple expansion engine. She was capable of carrying 646 passengers in three classes. Originally built for Pacific Steam Navigation Company she was acquired by Orient Line in 1906. In 1914 she was acquired by the Admiralty and disguised as a battleship. She was eventually scuttled for use as a breakwater in the Aegean Sea.

Searcy's book on Outer Harbor recapitulates the background to the building of it and describes the difficulties experienced in disembarking prior to the opening of the new facilities.