HM Flinders was a sailing ship purchased in Sydney in 1865 by the South Australian Colonial Government and assigned to the Harbors Board, and completely refitted[1] She was used for

  • survey work
  • taking up heavy moorings such as those at Port MacDonnell and Port Elliot.
  • checking and servicing lighthouses etc.
  • transporting staff, supplies and horses to and from Port Darwin
  • ceremonial duties

She sprang a leak and sank while moored at Port McDonnell on 29 June 1873 and soon broke up. Only the chronometer and the lives of all aboard were saved.[2]

Commanders

  • June 1865 Daniel Murdoch Graham (previously captain of Government tender Blanche)
  • December 1865 John Melville (c. 1823 – 14 March 1895) (previously Licensed Pilot, later harbormaster at Port Augusta)
  • from early 1867 Colin McLachlan (1843 – 15 February 1920) served as chief officer, appointed commander January 1869

References

  1. ↑ "Shipping Intelligence". South Australian Register. Vol. XXIX, no. 5898. South Australia. 26 September 1865. p. 2. Retrieved 27 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "Wreck of the Government Schooner Flinders". South Australian Register. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 8309. South Australia. 4 July 1873. p. 5. Retrieved 27 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
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