Sea Captains MemorialPrint Page

The memorial commemorates sea captains, officers and men of sailing ships that visited Port Adelaide (in the second half of the 19th century) and in particular recalls the captains who lived in Semaphore – their names are recorded on the memorial plaque. The memorial was originally unveiled in 1952. 

The European history of South Australia owes much to mariners who transported people and property here over the years right through from the first settlers in the 1830s. The early settlers of South Australia came here of their own violation and most of them landed in this Port Adelaide/Semaphore area or at Glenelg.

Against a background of white-topped waves and flags flying in a stiff south-west wind, the sounding of "six bells" and sea shanties signalled the unveiling of a sea captains' memorial at Semaphore yesterday. Descendants and relatives of captains honored by the memorial assembled on Semaphore foreshore to watch the unveiling by the Mayor ol Port Adelaide (Mr. A. J. Moore). The Minister of Marine (Mr. Mclntosh) who represented the SA Government, said there were no men more worthy of a memorial than the sea captains who had helped in making the history of the State. All speakers paid tribute to the work of Mr. Vernon Smith, Port Adelaide authority on the history of ships, for his work in promoting and sustaining the idea of the memorial. The brick memorial, topped by an anchor believed to have been taken from the wreck of the Star of Greece, bears a plaque inscribed with the names of sea captains who lived at Semaphore.
The Advertiser (Adelaide), 30 April 1952.

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Dedication