Attraction

Yorke Peninsula

Historic Clan Ranald Shipwreck Graves

Yorke Peninsula

Free
Step back in time and uncover one of South Australia's most poignant maritime stories – the wreck of the SS Clan Ranald. You can explore the full history at the Edithburgh Museum, then visit the graves of those who lost their lives, paying tribute to a tragedy that left a lasting mark on this small coastal community.

In January 1909, the turret deck steamship Clan Ranald, heavily laden with wheat and flour from Port Adelaide and bound for South Africa, was wrecked off Troubridge Hill. Shifting cargo and rough seas caused the ship to capsize, taking 40 lives.

Of these, 36 bodies were recovered – five officers and 31 'Lascar' sailors from India and the Philippines. Despite the challenges of the time, the people of Edithburgh showed great compassion, ensuring every sailor was given a respectful burial in the town cemetery.

Today, the Edithburgh Cemetery remains a place of reflection and remembrance. It is open at all hours, allowing visitors to quietly wander among the headstones, reading the names and imagining the lives behind them.

This is more than a shipwreck story – it's a reminder of bravery, loss, and the enduring kindness of a close-knit community.

Facilities

Carpark
Coach Parking
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Price

Free

The Yorke Peninsula is the traditional lands of the Narungga (Nharangga) people, who have lived on, and cared for, this country since the beginning of time. We work, live and travel on Nharannga Banggara [Country], and we take time away from those pursuits to acknowledge and pay our deep respects to the Nharangga Elders of the past and present. 

Today, it is essential that we continue to care for and protect our spectacular natural environment. Tread lightly and leave no trace. Learn more about responsible and respectful travel on Yorke Peninsula.