A Graphic Tale of Shipwreck – Rediscovering South Australian

illustration of the bow of a tall ship in a storm, with a chain coming out towards the viewer.

Dive into the 1837 wreck of the whaling ship South Australian.

Maritime archaeologists have partnered with virtual design experts in Germany to re-create the shipwreck as a stunning graphic novel and an immersive diving experience. These powerful depictions, plus actual artefacts from the shipwreck site, allow visitors to explore South Australian and reveal the historical and archaeological detective work that uncovered its story.

Have a sneak peek at the artwork by Professor Holger Deuter (University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserlautern, Germany) that brings to life the terrifying tale of South Australian’s loss.

An artwork showing underwater with a chain breaking, the hull of a ship and the silhouette of a shark.

Professor Holger Deuter

Artwork showing 2 sailors with waves in the background

Professor Holger Deuter

Artwork showing sailors loading an anchor off a ship into a small boat in a storm

Professor Holger Deuter

Artwork showing a small rowing boat on a story sea with large waves.

Professor Holger Deuter

artwork showing a low angle of the bow of a ship, with a chain our the front going into the waves and a grey sky.

Professor Holger Deuter

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3D photogrammetry

Get a closer look at objects from the South Australian wreck with interactive 3D models created by the museum and Rampe Realistic Imaging.

Where the artefacts were found

Siteplan line drawing with colour coded dots showing the locations where artefacts were found

James Hunter

Discover the story of the ship and the research that led to the development of the graphic novel

The archaeological investigation

Hear more from the museum team about the archaeological investigation of South Australian.

Read about it in our Signals Magazine

Bound for South Australian Catching up on lost time

Bound for South Australian: South Australia's oldest known shipwreck. Signals Magazine Issue 130, March 1, 2020.
Catching up on lost time: Further fieldwork on the barque South Australian. Signals Magazine Issue 142, March 1, 2023.