8 days, 24 survivors from 113 souls: The South Australian Wreck of the SS Admella

SS Admella (named after her Adelaide, Melbourne, Launceston route) was built in 1857 by Lawrence Hill and Co. of Port Glasgow, Scotland.

The steamer was one of the fastest and most luxurious ships on the Australian intercolonial trade routes of the time. On the regular Adelaide to Melbourne route, her fastest voyage was once completed in 42 hours.

In 39 voyages between Adelaide and Melbourne, the Admella had never given cause for alarm, no lifeboats or life-rafts were required, and the ship's only captain, Hugh McEwan, was a cautious and capable master mariner.

But as dawn broke on 6 August 1859 and the ship approached the Cape Northumberland Light it struck a reef in heavy seas and began to break apart.

Join us as we explore the tragic and terrifying story of the wreck of the SS Admella at Carpenter Rocks off the coast of South Australia and the desperate efforts of a nearby lighthouse keeper to rescue the survivors, from the terrible pounding as the waves rolled in with all their might from the great Southern Ocean.

Our Speaker James Warrand

James has been a volunteer speaker for the Australian National Maritime Museum for five years and has developed several talks including The Battle of the Coral Sea, The Bombing of Darwin, The Grounding of HM Bark Endeavour and a personal talk on his father and HMS Hood, as well as presenting many other talks developed by other speakers within the museum's volunteer speaker group.

James has been a keen sailor since growing up on the Pittwater, sailing VJ's and owning a small yacht. His working life includes being a dairy farmer and building contractor, as well as being a life and general fire insurance agent, marketing insurance funding companies and a financial planner. He has been a volunteer guide at the Maritime Museum for twelve years. 

James was involved with the Cobbitty Rural Fire Brigade for over 35 years and has been involved with several organisations in the Camden area. James is also an active member of HMS Hood Association and administers the “Enquiry Desk” for the Association