Sea

[1907] KANGAROO ISLAND SHIPPING

KINGSCOTE (K.I.), May 30.—Shipping has been active during the week. Besides the usual traders—the Kooringa and Ceres with general cargoes (groceries, chaff, and live stock)—several sailing boats have called into Nepean Bay. Robert Burns, ketch, is again trading here, after having been repaired since the fire. The Hawthorne called and landed a large scrub roller for Messrs. Marshall Brothers. The schooner McIntyre, as well as the ketches John and May and Ina, are loading road metal for Port Adelaide. Ten fishing cutters are anchored in the harbour owing to rough weather outside.

[1907] KANGAROO ISLAND TRADE.

The Gulf Steamship Company's new steamer Karatta paid her first visit to Kangaroo Island on Thursday, and the occasion was one of much rejoicing on the part of the residents of that part of the State. By invitation of the directors several well-known Adelaide businessmen participated in the trip. the party, numbering about 30, and including Messrs. C. J. Penny (acting Chairman). G. Hart, and R. Woolnough (directors), and Messrs. Blacker and Ritchie (members for Alexandra), embarked at Port Adelaide on Wednesday night. 

The steamer left her berth shortly after 11 p.m. and Hog Bay, the first place of call, was reached early on Wednesday morning. Care had to be exercised in get ting alongside the. jetty, which is a short and frail structure, that threatened to over turn as soon as a strain was placed on the warping line. The Government propose to add a piece to the end of the structure twice the width of the present jetty. Whilst members of the party visited the works of the Kangaroo Island Clay Company the island residents were welcomed on board of the Karatta. They were taken for a two-hours' trip in the vessel, which came in for much favorable comment. Mr. E. S. Bates thanked the directors for having hospitably treated them, and wished every success to the new boat. The only thing.. he remarked, they felt in doubt about was whether she was not too big for present requirements. The trade, however, was growing rapidly and he had no fear, as to the future. Mr. E. Bainbridge also spoke. Mr. Penny acknowledged the compliment. 

Nearly the whole of the population at Kingscote and surrounding district turned out to view the Karatta, which got along side the jetty at 2 p.m. Bunting was freely displayed in the town. The jetty was found too short for the steamer, but the Government propose lengthening it another 100 ft. and to raise the height of the structure an other 3 ft. The material for the jetty and also the one at Tumby Bay arrived from England recently. 

The townspeople were taken for a trip to the mouth of American River and back. Like the residents of Hog Bay they, too, made complimentary references to the new vessel. 

In the evening the directors, secretary, and party were entertained at dinner. Mr. A. Daw, chairman of the district council, presided over a large attendance. The loyal toast having been honored, the chairman proposed the health of the directors and success to the Gulf Steamship Company. He said the Karatta's visit that day was one of the grandest events which had taken place on the island. No doubt the Karatta would eventually compensate the Gulf Steamship Company for its enterprise. For many years it had been felt amongst the residents that such a vessel was needed. He could remember the time when the island was virtually without communication with the mainland, only a sailing vessel calling once in from three to six weeks. Later they were favored two steamers a week. 

The amalgamation of the Yorke Peninsula and the Coast Steamship Companies had resulted beneficially to the residents, for being alive to its interests and the prospects of a good trade opening up, they had had built the Karatta and had placed her in the Kangaroo Island service. He trusted the Karatta would continue to run for many years, without accident, and that the company would be so rewarded as to find it necessary to place in the running an even larger steamer than the Karatta. 

Mr. J. Dewar supported. He was pleased the company had given them an up-to-date steamer. She would be thoroughly appreciated by the residents, as she was exceedingly well equipped for the trade. Messrs. V. H. S. Cook, R. L. Barrett, and F. C. Addison supported. They pointed out that the island had made wonderful progress. They hoped the company would never regret having put such a vessel as the Karatta in the service. 

Mr. A. Le Messurier, in responding, said the question of providing a vessel like the Karatta for the Kangaroo Island trade had had the attention of the directors for a long time. The peculiarities of the trade demanded a boat splendidly equipped and yet with a light draft of water. Although the Karatta would meet these requirements, the company had been given to understand that the jetties at Kangaroo Island and Hog Bay would be extended. Notwithstanding that it had taken a great length of time to build the Karatta, the jetties were still in an incomplete state and would hamper the company in running the Karatta. It was proposed from next Saturday to run the Karatta two trips a week, and from December 21 three or more trips a week, according to whether the traffic would give encouragement for them to do so. The Karatta appeared rather larger than necessary for the present trade, but the company hoped, with the co-operation of the shippers of cargo and the extension of the passenger traffic, to be able to make the running of her successful. The company intended to encourage the people of the mainland to visit Kingscote. (Cheers.) 

Mr. C. J. Penny proposed the health of Captain W. J. Spells, the master of the Karatta. Captain Spells appropriately acknowledged the compliment. Mr. Cook submitted the health of 'The members of the district.' He asked that they might give attention to a water supply for the district. Mr. Blacker, in reply, characterised Kangaroo Island as the 'Tasmania of South Australia,' and referred to the enterprise of the Gulf Steamship Company in providing, the Karatta. He was struck with the wonderful improvements in Kingscote since he was last there. Kangaroo Island grew the finest barley and the finest wheat in the constituency. For many years the place was kept in the background, but with the aid of manures and a better class of farming splendid crops were being reaped. Country previously regarded as worthless was now turning out remarkably well. Practically the whole of the island was likely in the near future to become fit for the growth of cereals. He agreed with the residents that both the Kingscote and Hog Bay jetties needed improvement. The trade of the island was growing by leaps and bounds. Whilst the Karatta appeared to be at present too big for requirements he had no doubt that in the near future she would be found not to be so. 

Mr. Ritchie also responded. He was of opinion that the island would become one of the principal sanatoria, if not the chief, in South Australia. The Gulf Steamship Company need have no fear that the Karatta would not be well patronised. He paid a tribute to the pioneers of the island, and praised the more recent arrivals for the energy displayed in building up its progress. The agitation for a water supply was reasonable, and the Government had promised to send an officer down to report as to the best scheme.

[1937] Kangaroo Island Shipping.

The s.s. 'Karatta' will discontinue the mid-week trip after Wednesday July 14th and thereafter will sail for Kingscote direct on Saturdays only, returning via Hog Bay on Mondays. It is anticipated that the m.v. 'Kooraka' will be leaving for Muston weekly to load salt, and arrangements will be made for American River cargo to be taken by this vessel leaving Port Adelaide on Fridays at 4 p.m.