Young Australian, steam ship, built 1853, wrecked 1872-
Description
The steam paddle tug Young Australian was purchased by Charles Todd in Adelaide to be used as a tug on the Roper River.
Todd had experienced considerable difficulties in construction of the Overland Telegraph line during the Top End Wet Season and the project had fallen seriously behind schedule.
Todd decided to establish the Telegraph Depot near Roper Bar 100 km up the Roper River from the sea.
This was successful and materials were transported from the Depot to the telegraph line.
After completion of the telegraph the Young Australia was grounded during a towing mishap on 30 December 1872 and could not be re-floated. The wreck remains in the roper River.
Division
Marker Type
- EHM: Engineering Heritage Marker (from 2009)