Opening of Stansbury Jetty, October 1905

This is the second jetty built at Stansbury. The first built in 1877, was 800 metres to the south but the depth of water at its end was sufficient for only small boats. The supply and service steamships moored offshore and materials and passengers were ferried out to it. As the size and frequency of ships visiting the port with cargo and passengers increased the need grew for a jetty which provided greater depth of water at low tide.

The new jetty was only 3 metres longer at 308 metres, and the last 45 metres widened out to 4.5 metres from the 2.7 metres of the bulk of the length. It gave a depth of just over 2 metres at low water enabling larger vessels to moor at the jetty. This new jetty was opened 13 July 1905. A chute was built down from the cliff above the jetty to bring the bagged grain down from the stacks located on the clifftop.

The first jetty remained in use for some years as a recreational jetty until finally it was removed after being used for target practice by the military during World War II. The jetty ceased to be used for commercial trade during the 1960s, as bulk handling facilities became operational at Port Giles to the south.

Collins, Neville C The jetties of South Australia: past and present Woodside, S.A.: Neville Collins, 2005

Historic walk of Stansbury [Stansbury, S. Aust.]: Stansbury Progress Committee, 2005

Stansbury 1873-1973, 1986 [Stansbury, S. Aust.]: Stansbury Centenary Committee, 1986