...The object of the proprietors...is to promulgate just accounts of the capabilities of the only safe and commodious harbour yet known within the territories of South Australia. (10 April 1839, p. 1)

With this statement the publishers of the Port Lincoln Herald announced their venture to produce South Australia's first country newspaper. The first issue of the Port Lincoln Herald was printed and published in Adelaide. The second issue, seven months later, was printed in a hut at Port Lincoln. The newspaper was owned by Robert Thomas, of the South Australian gazette and colonial register, and printed by George Dehane, a co-owner in the country venture, but by the third member ownership had transferred to Charles Smith. The editor was auctioneer John Bentham Neales. Port Lincoln at the time consisted of a tiny but bustling community, hopeful that the new town would soon prosper - with the help of promotion within this newspaper. The newspaper owners, along with a small number of other settlers, hoped Port Lincoln would be named the capital of South Australia. However, these hopes were not fulfilled, Robert Thomas and then Charles Smith withdrew from the venture, and Dehane attempted to continue the newspaper on his own under the title Adelaidegeneral advertizer and Port Lincoln Herald. The Herald contained articles promoting the advantages of Port Lincoln, advertisements for its earliest businesses, and general news which included a report of the coming marriage of Queen Victoria. Only three issues are held by the State Library of South Australia, although at least six are known to have been published.