Fletchers Slip Fletcher’s Slip was an important asset to the people of South Australia. It was the site of the first slipway, enabling full repairs and maintenance of the local ships and ships visiting the colony. As a British outpost that was completely reliant on sea transport for communication, trade and travel, a functioning slipway was very important for the colony’s development. 
Previously shipping at the port requiring repair had to go to one of the other colonies, or ships needing to be cleaned were pulled-up and leant over on the shore - an activity termed careening. We wish to bring the 'City of Adelaide' back to Port Adelaide and establish her as part of an outdoor Seaport Museum alongside other Adelaide maritime treasures such as the ketches 'Falie' and 'Nelcebee'. The heritage Fletchers Slip is a suggested potential site for such a museum. Fletcher’s Slip sits between the proposed Newport Quays retail area and the proposed Fletcher’s Haven residential area. As well as the heritage slipway, the site retains a courtyard surrounded by original heritage buildings built from ships’ ballast. The heritage ballast-stone buildings forming a courtyard around the head of the slip would make an ideal satellite site to the South Australian Maritime Museum. Small vessels such as the 'Archie Badenoch' could be used to run a water taxi service between the two sites. Fletcher's Slip, with the 'City of Adelaide' and the ketches as star attractions, would make an excellent outdoor, and indoor, exhibit and maritime educational and activity centre, much like the Mystic Seaport - "The Museum of America and the Sea" in Connecticut, USA. | 
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Today, with the multi-billion dollar redevelopment of Port Adelaide, and the new $243 million Techport Australia shipbuilding precinct being built just north of Port Adelaide, the iconic Fletcher's Slip and the iconic 'City of Adelaide' could once again become important assets to the people of South Australia. To learn more about the history of Fletcher's Slip click here. Key BenefitsHeritage ships at Fletcher Slip would be a friendly neighbour to the nearby development and retail areas. It offers residents: - Ambiance and charm.
- A nautical and historic feel.
- Potential for Art Galleries, antique shops, and nautical trinket shops.
- Adult education and the Douglas Mawson Institute nearby.
- A volunteering opportunity at their doorstep – particularly for retired persons.
- Links to other museums and galleries.
- Boat cruises, Tall Ships and everything nautical...
Fletcher’s Slip has most of the infrastructure already established to support the large weights of ships such as the City of Adelaide, Nelcebee and Falie. The alternative, a 'greenfield' site would require much greater investment in infrastructure. ‘Falie’ needs a home and removing her from the water is a good method to lower the maintenance costs and remove the hreat of her sinking while unattended. Fletchers Slip offers the ideal remedy for ‘Falie’ and other local maritime treasures, as well as the ready solution for the City of Adelaide, with minimal investment. Fletchers Slip is heritage-listed making the site difficult to develop in a respectful or complimentary fashion. Utilising Fletcher’s Slip’s heritage status for a heritage purpose will enhance the overall precinct’s appeal and publicity. Converting the site from its present use to heritage use, would realistically be the lowest investment cost foreseeable, while offering political and economic benefits and remedying existing community problems.
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