Site Details

Name

Wreck of the Young Australian

Status

Permanent Declaration

Type

Place

Description

Young Australian , listed in August 1860 on the Register of British Ships, Main Register subsequent to the Merchant Shipping Act 1854, Port Adelaide (NAA: A7509). The official registration number of the vessel was 40537.

It is listed as being built at Blackwall in 1853 was ninety-four feet in length and seventeen feet in breadth and its framework was wood. The vessel was propelled by paddles and driven with a 40 horsepower, steam engine with a deduction for space required for propelling power (as measured) of 34.25 tons. Its engine room length was thirty-four feet. It had one deck, no galley, two masts (schooner fore & aft).

Statement Of
Heritage Value

The remains of the Young Australian are significant as a tangible reminder of one of the greatest events and achievements in Australian history. It is also a tangible link to the association and the specific role Roper River and the Northern Territory played in the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line and its subsequent connection with the submarine cable at Palmerston (Darwin).

The Young Australian is the oldest known shipwreck in the Roper River and one of the earliest examples of nineteenth century marine technology and is the only known paddle steamer wreck in the Northern Territory.

The surviving fabric is also a reminder of the dangers and hardships faced and the achievements of the construction workers, their supervisors, ship's captains and crews and the haulage contractors, who worked, lived and died in harsh conditions in virtually unexplored Territory.

Nominated

15/06/2001

Nomination Refused

Nomination Accepted

15/06/2001

Provisional Declaration

Assessment Report
Considered

09/04/2002

Report Action

Comment sought

Report Comments

Recommended

Not Recommended

Refused By Minister

Referred Back

Signed By Minister

24/11/2002

Publish notice of
declaration

18/10/2003

Gazetted

18/12/2002

Revoked

Destroyed

File No

HAC2001/325

Value

Historic

Conservation Policy

LGA

Comments

The wreck is located near the northern bank of the Roper River. Topographic map reference: 1:100 000 - Map 5868. AGD 1966, AMG Ref: 465641E - 8369037N.

Photo

	Name	Description	Date Added
View	Plate 14.jpg	Wreck of the Young Australian 2004	20/SEP/07
View	PRG280_1_25_152[1].jpg	Wreck of Young Australian	18/MAY/11

1 - 2

Scan

no data found

Further Information

	Name	Description	Date Added
View	Instrument and Gazettal.pdf	Instrument and Gazettal	04/FEB/09
View	Young Australian wreck.pdf	Background Historical Information	31/MAY/11

1 - 2

Approximate Location

LAIS Key	Street Number	Street Name	Suburb	Location Code	Lot Number	LTO Plan	Part	Tenure
000 04352	17450	ROPER	LIMMEN	000	4352	-	-	V

1 - 1

Status Explanations

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object