Outer Harbor opened

This book recapitulates the background to the building of Outer Harbor, and describes the difficulties experienced by passengers in disembarking prior to the opening of the new facilities. Port Adelaide had long outgrown the requirements of the large mail steamships of the late 19th century. These moored off Semaphore Jetty and passengers were then transferred to launches to be taken to the jetty. In instances of rough weather this could be a hazardous situation, and many passengers declined the option and chose to remain on board. A number of schemes for an alternative harbor were proposed over the years, and many were as quickly dropped as unachievable. In 1901 a plan was submitted by Lindon Bates which with modifications was finally accepted and the Act of the South Australian Parliament no. 765 of 1901 was passed. Tenders were called for and Waring and Rowden's offer was accepted.

This company merged with Baxter and Boyne to form Rowden, Baxter and Company but they found the job difficult to carry out. Their contract was finally taken over by the Public Works Department in December 1905. The entrance to Light's Passage, or the Port River was widened and deepened, pilings and wharves constructed. A railway line was extended from Port Adelaide to the new facility and in January 1908 Outer Harbor was opened to shipping. Passengers could now disembark directly to the wharf. There would be no more hazardous landings via slings or bosun chair.

The facilities at Outer Harbor continue to be improved with channel widening and deepening allowing larger ships than ever before to tie up there. The 53,600 tonne ANL Warringa container ship was the first of the new category of ship to use the facility on 2 March 2007.

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