Attention to Detail: Geophysical and Historical Investigations around Port Elliot, South Australia

Located on the southeastern coast of South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Port Elliot has a lengthy and interesting maritime history (Figure 55). The unusually high concentration of shipwrecks at Port Elliot is the result of its choice as the first sea port for the Murray River trade. This ill-considered choice led to the wrecking of seven vessels in eleven years before the port was abandoned in favour of the more sheltered Victor Harbor.
In an effort to locate the remains of vessels known to have come ashore in the area, reconnaissance geophysical surveys were conducted along sections of Horseshoe Bay and Middleton beaches. The results of two initial surveys provided anomalies that correspond to the historically recorded positions of two early vessels. Detailed geophysical investigation was used to resolve the spatial distribution and intensity of these targets in greater detail. This paper provides a brief overview of the region’s history, reviews previously conducted archaeological research and presents the results of the geophysical investigations.