The Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide: History and Tours for Maritime Lovers in Port Adelaide, South Australia

Do you love maritime history? Do you have ancestors who came to Adelaide after 1864? Chances are they came out on the Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide, and you can see how they travelled by taking a guided tour onboard her.

Hear the stories of how they lived on the 3-month voyage to the other side of the world, and imagine taking the journey back then.

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History of The Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide.

The Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide, is the oldest in the world, being older than her sister, the Cutty Sark, which is moored in London.

She was built in 1864 in Sunderland, UK, and was a fast Clipper Ship, taking three months to reach Adelaide, South Australia, from London.

Approximately 250,000 Australians can trace their ancestry back to the arrival of their ancestors in Adelaide on the City of Adelaide between 1864 and 1887. If you think your ancestors might have made the trip, you can search the passenger lists here.

The clipper ship, City of Adelaide, has had a varied life from an early age. From bringing emigrants out to South Australia to returning to the UK with a cargo of copper and wool from Port Augusta, it was just the start of her adventures.

After steamships came in, the City of Adelaide retired from carrying emigrants, but her life wasn’t over yet.

New Life

Sold in 1887, she was then used to transport coal between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Dover. Sold again in 1888, she then began her life transporting timber between Canada and Ireland.

In 1893, her life on the high seas was over after a few months of rest in Glasgow.

The City of Adelaide was then purchased and remodelled as a hospital ship off the coast of Southampton.

During outbreaks of smallpox, typhoid, scarlet fever and cholera in Europe, patients could be quarantined away from the population.

Before she came down from Glasgow, masts, sails, riggs, etc., were auctioned off to offset the purchase. It wasn’t as though she would need them anymore, but she would have to be towed everywhere from now on.

Only one mast remained, which was converted into a large table in the nurse’s duty room. If you’ve noticed the square windows on the sides of the ship, they were added at this time as well, to allow more light to enter.

During her time as a hospital isolation ship, she had 392 patients, 165 with smallpox, 178 with scarlet fever and one with the plague. No one had cholera.

Military Service

Military life, a new name, HMS Carrick, and back to Glasgow from 1923 to 1948. This time, she was a training ship for the Navy.

From 1948 to 1990, she was used as a floating clubhouse for officers, and after her decommissioning, she was known only as Carrick. This was her saving grace as she was scheduled to be broken up.

By the mid-1980s, the cost of keeping her running was becoming too much, and while looking for new owners, fate intervened. In 1989, a very low tide caused her deck to be caught under the wharf, and she was flooded. Although tragic, it would not be her last sinking, as another occurred in 1991.

Restoration Rescue

Although the Scottish Maritime Museum had planned restoration work, there weren’t enough funds to bring her back to her former glory.

On the positive side, South Australia wanted her ship back and raised the funds to return it to where it belonged.

As you walk around, displayed photos show the work involved in transporting the City of Adelaide back to Port Adelaide.

Prince Philip formally renamed the Carrick back to the City of Adelaide at a ceremony in London, alongside her younger sister, the Cutty Sark.

On the Guided Tour of the Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide

I had John as my guide, and I couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide. We had a tour that lasted a couple of hours, during which I learned a great deal about the ship, her adventures, the passengers on board, and how they lived.

The first part of the tour is around the outside of the ship. It’s a great view of the City of Adelaide up close, and you can see the workmanship that has gone into building her.

Inside Tour of the Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide

Up the stairs, and into what would have been the 2nd class area. This deck was divided into three types of accommodation. For single males, they were up front, families in the middle, and single women in the back of the ship.

The emigrants’ booklet, the Female area of the 2nd-class deck, and excerpts from diaries made on board.

Livestock was kept up the front of the ship above the 2nd class deck. First class was up the back of the ship on the deck above 2nd class. Today, you can see the first-class area being transformed back to its former glory.

One of the incredible stories was when the City of Adelaide lost a rudder. 80 miles due south of Kangaroo Island during heavy seas and a storm after leaving Port Augusta with copper cargo.

Under those circumstances, Captain Alston and the crew used heavy chains and trimmed sails as a way to steer the ship back over 200 miles to Adelaide slowly.

Seven days after the storm, the City of Adelaide made it to Semaphore. She was towed to the port, repaired with a replacement rudder, and then continued the journey to the UK.

Model Ships

Afterwards, make your way back to another container, where you can view the many model ships that were handcrafted by one person, Willie Pfeil. Entry is free and well worth the look to see the workmanship that has gone into them.

There is everything from Viking and Roman ships to more modern ships.

How To Get Here

The Clipper Ship, the City of Adelaide, is located at Dock 2 on Honey Street in Port Adelaide.

By car is the best way to get here, and there is plenty of parking available.

You can catch the train at the station in Port Adelaide. It’s then a 3 km or 40-minute walk to Dock 2. They may even give you a lift back to the train station after your tour.

Hours

The Clipper Ship is open daily, including public holidays, 10 am – 3 pm, weather permitting.

Last entry 2.30 pm.

If the temperature is forecasted to be 36 ° or higher, there will be no tours.

Please check their website or Facebook page for any changes.

Prices

• Adults $20
• Couple $30
• Under 16 years old is free.

Adults with young children are responsible for their supervision, ensuring their safety, and for the comfort of other visitors.

There is no charge for the Model Ship Gallery at the Info Centre.

Bookings are not required but can be made, especially for large groups.

Conclusion

Visiting the Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide, is a must-do when you’re in Adelaide. The history lesson alone was not only informative but also painted a picture of what life was like for those emigrating on these ships to lands unknown on the other side of the world.

Like many other British and European descendants, my ancestors would have travelled on ships like this. Earlier emigrant ships made an even more extended voyage. By visiting, you get a glimpse into the past and what conditions would have been like for them.

Finally, I highly recommend visiting the Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide. Thanks to Peter and John, and to all the other wonderful volunteers who keep the “City of Adelaide” alive.

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Disclaimer: I was a guest of The Clipper Ship, The City of Adelaide. I was not asked to write a positive review; these are my opinions based on my visit to this attraction. 

Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs about Australia, you can find them at the following links:  Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping, and Silo Art. Alternatively, if you’re interested in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Photography, you can click on their respective links.

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