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Wreck of the Songvaar
Title : Wreck of the Songvaar Wreck of the Songvaar
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Source : Edwardes Collection, volume 13, number 6
Date of creation : 1912
Format : Photograph
Contributor : State Library of South Australia
Catalogue record
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Description :

Norwegian iron ship Songvaar 2,128 tons sat on her anchor at her moorings off Wardang Island. She was holed and sank. Songvaar had been loaded with 3,500 tons (40,700 bags) of wheat by the usual method at Port Victoria--lightering by ketch and small schooner while moored in the open roadstead. Prior to final departure the ship was moved to another mooring between the northern end of Wardang Island and Point Pearce on the mainland.

Captain Isaken went ashore to arrange final clearance and in his absence the chief officer let go the second bower anchor as the weather was deteriorating.

As the tide ebbed the ship settled on her anchor and one of the flukes had pierced the hull. Songvaar settled upright in the water. Attempts to refloat the vessel were abandoned.

Songvaar remained in this position for eight years until finally breaking up during a storm in 1920. Demolition was completed with explosives as the wreck was considered hazardous to other shipping in the area.

Subjects
Coverage year : 1912
Period : 1884-1913
Place : Wardang Island
Region : Yorke Peninsula
Further reading :

Wardang Island: maritime heritage trail Adelaide: State Heritage Branch, Dept. of Environment and Planning, 1991

Cormack, Neil W. Sagas of steam and sail [Largs North, S. Aust.]: N.W. Cormack, 2002 (Yorketown, S. Aust.: Pioneer Printing Office) pp. 47-8

Loney, J. K. Wrecks on the South Australian coast: including Kangaroo Island Yarram, Vic.: Lonestone Press, 1993

Internet links :
Exhibitions and events :

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


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