Santiago (1856 ship) facts for kids
 
Wreck of the Santiago
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Santiago |
| Builder | Henry Balfour, Methil, Fife, Scotland |
| Launched | 1856 |
| History | |
 Germany |
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| Acquired | 1888 |
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 Norway |
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| Acquired | 1890 |
| History | |
 Australia |
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| Port of registry | Adelaide |
| Acquired | Appx. 1900 |
| Out of service | 1945 |
| Fate | Abandoned 1945 |
| Notes | Now in Garden Island Ships' Graveyard, near Port Adelaide, Australiahistoric shipwreck |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 455 tons |
| Length | 160 ft 7 in (48.95 m) |
| Beam | 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m) |
| Depth of hold | 17 ft 4 in (5.28 m) |
| Propulsion | sail |
| Sail plan | Barque |
The Santiago was a large sailing ship, called a barque, built in 1856. It weighed 455 tons. A company named Henry Balfour in Methil, Fife, Scotland, built it for Balfour Williamson, a shipping company from Liverpool. The Santiago mostly sailed between Liverpool and Chile. It also traveled to Australia.
For a long time, the remaining part of its hull in a ships' graveyard in South Australia was thought to be the oldest complete iron sailing ship hull in the world. However, a section of its middle part collapsed in January 2023.
Ship's Journey
After sailing for Balfour Williamson, the Santiago was sold in 1888 to a German company. Then, in 1890, it was sold again to some Norwegians.
In 1901, the Adelaide Steamtug Company bought the ship. They sailed it from Newcastle, New South Wales to Port Adelaide with a load of coal. After this, its masts were removed, and it was used as a lighter. A lighter is a type of barge used to move goods between ships and the shore.
On December 21, 1907, the Santiago helped recover another ship. This ship was the steamer Jessie Darling. The Jessie Darling had crashed and sunk on top of the hidden wreck of a barque named Norma. The Norma had sunk earlier that day after hitting another ship called Ardencraig. The Santiago was used for occasional rescue work and lightering until 1945.
Where it Rests Now
On August 19, 1945, the Santiago was towed to the eastern end of the Port River's North Arm. It became the last ship to be left in what is now known as the Garden Island Ships' Graveyard. This is a special place where old ships are left to rest.
In 1982, the Santiago was officially declared an historic shipwreck. This means it is protected under the South Australian Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981. You can find its exact location at 34°48′36″S 138°32′24″E / 34.81000°S 138.54000°E.
Many groups have studied the Santiago. These include the Society for Underwater Historical Research in 1978. The Department of Environment and Heritage has been studying it since 1981. More recently, Flinders University and the South Australian Maritime Museum have also studied it. In 1991, it was listed on the Register of the National Estate, which was a list of important places in Australia.
More to Explore
- List of shipwrecks of Australia
Find Out More
- Mary A. Reilly, Methil Heritage - Santiago retrieved 08/07/2012.
- 'Ships' Graveyards of SA – Santiago – Garden Island' brochure, retrieved 08/07/2012.
