Location Spencer Gulf | ||
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Grantham Island is an uninhabited island occupying 51 ha of Proper Bay, Spencer Gulf, South Australia. The nearest geographical feature on the mainland is Murray Point, which is also undeveloped. The island was named by explorer Matthew Flinders on February 25, 1802 after the municipal and parliamentary borough of Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. It lies 3 km south of the Port Lincoln marina and is well vegetated.
Contents
Map of Grantham Island, South Australia 5606, Australia
History
In 1874, yachtsmen described Grantham Island as hosting 'an abundance of rabbits... of all shades of colour.' At the time, the island was covered with mallee and other scrub. The yachtsmen had gone ashore to shoot rabbits and 'other sport'. One man came across a 'native pheasant' which 'soared majestically away' after being shot at. The party also amused themselves by lassoing penguins and setting them in the water racing.
In 1885, the South Australian Yacht Club stopped there to collect firewood.
In December 1909, the Flinders Brass Band arranged a picnic to Grantham Island. About 100 people attended and arrived by motor and sailing boats.
In February 1910, a fire was started on Grantham Island and became unmanageable. It spread over the whole island and after the fire, 'not a bush' remained. No stock were on the island at the time.
In 1937, the 28 ft cutter Sylvia was wrecked in Port Lincoln harbour on returning from a picnic on Grantham Island. The steamer Iron Monarch was going astern from the jetty when the cutter passed behind it to inspect the vessel. Sylvia was sucked into Iron Monarch's propeller and sank immediately. Two men clung to the rudder of Iron Monarch's propeller while is turned, while the other four aboard climbed into a dinghy which had been towed behind the cutter. The six occupants of the cutter all survived.
In 1939 The Lands Department advised that Grantham Island would shortly be gazetted for lease. In the mean time, monthly occupation was granted to A. S. Crawford.