The history of the Southern Vales begins at sea. Most of the district's founding families arrived in the 1837–1850 window of early colonial settlement, after voyages of three to five months from British and Irish ports. Some vessels made the passage uneventfully; others did not. This index traces the ships that appear across the posts on this site — the vessels that carried the Tapleys, the Kenihans, Thomas Hardy, and dozens of other families to the coast of South Australia, and the wrecks whose remains still lie in the shallows off Port Willunga and Moana.
Navarino
The Navarino sailed from Gravesend in August 1837 carrying Hugh Kenihan, his wife Isabella, and 151 other adult passengers to Port Adelaide. Kenihan settled at Happy Valley and worked his land there for decades; Kenihans Road still carries the family name.
Coromandel
The Coromandel arrived at Port Adelaide on 20 January 1837, among the first ships to bring settlers to the new colony. Edward Burgess, an Essex Methodist, was among those who disembarked, settling in the valley south of Adelaide that he would name Happy Valley within two years of landing.
Rajasthan
The Rajasthan brought the Tapley family to South Australia in November 1838 — Thomas Tapley Senior among them. Within months of landing, Tapley had settled at the summit of the hill on the main road south that still carries the family name.
Sir Charles Forbes
The Sir Charles Forbes arrived at Port Adelaide in June 1839, carrying Reverend Ralph Drummond and his family. Drummond became a founding figure of the Presbyterian Church in South Australia, walking on foot to minister to scattered settlers at Morphett Vale, Strathalbyn, and Mount Barker.
Duchess of Northumberland
The Duchess of Northumberland was chartered by William Colton and Charles Thomas Hewett for their voyage to South Australia in August 1839, arriving in December. The two men were among the first European settlers to reach the district that became McLaren Vale, taking up land at Daringa and Oxenberry respectively.
British Empire
The barque British Empire brought Thomas Hardy to South Australia in August 1850. Hardy disembarked at Port Adelaide, made his way to Reynella, and presented himself at John Reynell's gate seeking work at seven shillings a week — the beginning of what became Thomas Hardy and Sons, one of the dominant forces in the South Australian wine industry.
Nashwauk
The American barque Nashwauk ran aground near Moana on the night of 22 July 1855 during a voyage from Newcastle to Adelaide with a cargo of coal. All hands and passengers survived but the vessel was a total loss; her anchor chain was salvaged and used to secure the Noarlunga jetty.
Star of Greece
The iron sailing ship Star of Greece wrecked at Port Willunga on 7 July 1888 during a voyage from Liverpool to Port Adelaide with a general cargo. Most of the crew perished in the surf despite the efforts of local rescuers. A cannon recovered from the wreck reportedly ended up on the lawn of Tsong Gyiaou at McLaren Vale.