![Monument Australia](https://monumentaustralia.org.au/images/header.jpg)
"Fides"Print Page ![Print this page Print this page](https://monumentaustralia.org.au/images/print.jpg)
![18-March-2019 18-March-2019](https://monumentaustralia.org.au/content/directory/full/+quotFides+quot-82821-113864.jpg)
The plaque was erected in memory of the crew who lost their lives when the Finnish barque "Fides" was wrecked off Snug Cove in May 1860.
The Fides was a 387 ton three-masted, wooden sailing barque built in Kristinestad in 1857. In January 1860, it set sail from England loaded with a range of household and farming equipment - including beer, spirits, clothing, gunpowder, candles, taps, pickles and paint - which were the comforts and necessities of the white settlers of southern Australia. On the dark and stormy night of May 21, 1860 the Fides come within a few kilometres of Kangaroo Island.
Early next morning the vessel smashed onto the rocks near Snug Cove, its captain and nine crew drowning as it became a total wreck. Five surviving crew managed to scramble ashore, salvaging pickled herrings and a sheep from the scattered cargo for sustenance. They struggled through dense scrub for three days to reach the Cape Borda lighthouse. Cape Borda is the site of a small tribute to the Fides' crew, one of whom was buried nearby.
Location
Address: | Cape Borda Road, Cape Borda Lighthouse, Kangaroo Island, Cape Borda , 5223 |
---|---|
State: | SA |
Area: | AUS |
GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -35.752881 Long: 136.593405 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
Monument Type: | Plaque |
---|---|
Monument Theme: | Disaster |
Sub-Theme: | Maritime |
Actual Event Start Date: | 22-May-1860 |
Actual Event End Date: | 22-May-1860 |
Dedication
Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | 1998 |
---|
IN MEMORY OF
The Finnish Barque
FIDES
of
Kristinestad
WRECKED OFF SNUG COVE
ON 22nd MAY 1860 WHEN
THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF
HER CREW LOST THEIR LIVES
[ Names ]
R. I. P.
Board of Kristinestad
Finland, 1998