Clipper Ship 'City of Adelaide'

In the 1800s, thousands of European migrants made the long and arduous voyage to Australia. They all came by sea, many to establish a new life. It was a trade involving hundreds of ships from convict transports to gold rush clippers. Despite its pivotal role in the development of the country, the only significant remaining heritage of this trade is the City of Adelaide.

The City of Adelaide was purpose built to serve the passenger trade and for nearly a quarter of a century from 1864 played an important role in the development of the colony of South Australia. She carried all classes of passengers from the rich to the poor, from people 'of substance', to government assisted emigrants. Her first class cabins were considered to be the finest of the sailing ship era. Today their descendents living in South Australia number in the hundreds of thousands.

On annual outward voyages she would bring migrants from places such as Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland and Germany as well as goods necessary for the generation of income needed for the colony’s development and survival.  On return voyages to London, she would carry to market the produce of South Australia - including copper and wool. She made more visits to the fledgling colony than any other vessel before or since.