20230527 SA Sutherland to Morgan

We passed the Sutherland Hotel and arrived in the historic town of Morgan situated on the Murray River, also know as the ‘North West Bend’, Great Bend or Great Elbow. The town is mainly know for its historic wharf and the importance of the river’s transportation in the days. Today it’s more know as a holiday destination for anyone wanting to cruise the Murray in a Houseboat, but it’s also a nice place to lunch.

The Morgan ferry or punt as it was called in the 1850’s when passengers would wind themselves across the river. It was in 1906 when the first ferry was built in Morgan , still man operated and charged one pence per passenger, two pence per great cattle, one quarter pence per sheep, one pence per pig, two pence per bicycle and six pence per vehicle. The largest animal to be ferried across the river was a circus elephant.

The Canally is a side wheel paddle steamer that was launched in 1907 it has a wooden hull and a flat bottom and is just over 28 metres long. 

Did you know that our mighty Murray River is Australia's longest river, 2508 klm long, spanning N.S.W, Vic and S.A, almost 2000 km is navigable, making it the third longest navigable river on the planet, with only the Amazon and Nile rivers ahead of it, wow, I knew it was long as we keep on passing it but I didn’t realise just how long.

An unusual position for a Morgue but a fitting place to rest a body, the Morgue was erected in 1886 were victims of accidents along the river were taken there by steamer prior to burial.

It is believed that the first person to be buried there was a Royal Navy Surveyor by the mame of Harvey, who had speculated whilst assisting in the preparation of the ground, as to who would be the first to be interred. Tragic and ironic • he died of drowning the next day.

The Station Platform and ticket Office, six trains a day were once in operation making the Morgan Line the busiest in the state but is now Morgan's waterfront museum.

I found this photo of the the Morgan Wharf that was built in 1878, It’s is a reminder of the amount of activity which drove the town’s economy in the 19th century.

At 168 metres in length the Morgan Wharf was once the largest wharf of the Murray River after being built in three stages from 1877, but unfortunately the two earlier sections were demolished in 1994.

The Morgan Museum was once the Landseers Wharehouse built in 1878 and was once the largest merchant and shipping yard in Morgan.

The Terminus is a historic pub established in 1879 and situated on the river at Morgan.

We walked into the pub and the swearing was flying about with a warning sign about visitors with no sense of humour, this would be a great Pub to work and party.

The Warning sign.

Check out the Rabbits on this cart which I’m assuming was in the 1800s.


DONE
Location: Morgan SA 5320, Australia

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