The Grecian Cup race held each February usually starts directly above the wreck of the barque Grecian. The following is the story of the wreck.
The Wreck of the Grecian
The 580 ton, 3 masted timber barque Grecian was built in 1841 at Sunderland, England. On June 15th 1850 the Grecian sailed from The Downs in the souther North Sea North Sea near Kent arriving at the mouth of the Port Creek, (then known as Port Misery), on the afternoon of Sunday 13 October.
The ship then anchored off the entrance of the Port Creek, near the lighthouse. With 2 heavy anchors Captain George Hyde believed his ship was safe, even though there was a strong breeze blowing from the south-west. Unfortunately the breeze turned into a gale and the ship began to drag both her anchors despite more chain being added, and finally grounded, broad side on, near the outer bar. Gradually she healed over and in the early hours of the next morning, after the rudder, stern post and part of the poop and aft cabin had been broken off and carried away the captain decided to abandon ship. In heavy seas and with considerable difficulty almost everybody on board clambered into the longboat. Although 24 crew and passengers were saved one male passenger was unable to make it to the boats and was presumed drowned.
With all hope for the ship gone, the captain left in the jolly boat, and found the longboat onshore at the point. He then took charge of the longboat and landed the ladies on Torrens Island, where they were without food or shelter until late in the afternoon. With much difficulty the captain used the ship Digby, and returned with provisions for the passengers. The steam tug soon arrived, and most of the passengers were conveyed to the Port. The remainder landed on the beach, some at Port Gawler, and reached Port Adelaide later. The next day, Grecian was found to be on her beam ends and broken up, beyond repair. The Grecian and her cargo were estimated to be worth at least £80,000 (around AUD 50 million today).
Three days later an effort was made to locate the mail and two pets of the captain (A small dog and cat) were found alive. In due course the wreck was abandoned and almost forgotten. In 1872 the remains of the Grecian started drifting into the fairway and it was suggested by the Harbour Master that it be removed. A South Australian salvage company was formed and a deep-sea diver named Putwain was employed to remove the wreck. Cables were laid under the hull and lashed to a barge and some of the remains were put ashore near Levi-s wharf, Port Adelaide (somewhere near number one dock). Two cannons were reported found around 1916 at the outer bar of the entrance of the Port River and are believed to have been from the Grecian.
The wreck now lies in about 5 m of water on a sandy sea floor, just south of the end of the southern breakwater at Outer Harbour.
