South Australian Government vessel 1865โ1873
HM Flinders was a sailing ship, built in 1863 at Brisbane Water as Jenny Cox,[1] purchased in Sydney in 1865 by the South Australian Colonial Government[2] and assigned to the Harbors Board, and completely refitted[3] She was used for
- survey work
- taking up heavy moorings such as those at Port MacDonnell and Port Elliot.
- checking and servicing lighthouses etc.
- transporting staff, supplies and horses to and from Port Darwin
- ceremonial duties
She sprang a leak and sank while moored at Port McDonnell on 29 June 1873 and soon broke up. Only the chronometer and the lives of all aboard were saved.[4]
- June 1865 Daniel Murdoch Graham (previously captain of Government tender Blanche)
- December 1865 John Melville (c. 1823 โ 14 March 1895) (previously Licensed Pilot, later harbormaster at Port Augusta)
- from early 1867 Colin McLachlan (1843 โ 15 February 1920) served as chief officer, appointed commander January 1869