Grantham Island
{{Short description|Island in South Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Grantham Island
| map = South Australia
| map_caption =
| location = Spencer Gulf
| country = Australia
}}
Grantham Island is an uninhabited island occupying 51 hectares of Proper Bay, Spencer Gulf, South Australia.[http://www.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&p=274413&cmd=sp&lstt=1 Map of Grantham Island, SA] Bonzle. Accessed 2014-01-20. The nearest geographical feature on the mainland is Murray Point, which is also undeveloped. The island was named by explorer Matthew Flinders on 25 February 1802, after the municipal and parliamentary borough of Grantham, Lincolnshire, England.[http://wikimapia.org/13287290/Grantham-Island Grantham Island] Wikimapia. Accessed 2014-01-20. It lies 3 kilometres south of the Port Lincoln marina and is well vegetated.
History
In 1874, yachtsmen described Grantham Island as hosting "an abundance of rabbits... of all shades of colour." At the time, the island was covered with mallee and other scrub. The yachtsmen had gone ashore to shoot rabbits and "other sport". One man came across a "native pheasant" which "soared majestically away" after being shot at. The party also amused themselves by lassoing penguins and setting them in the water racing.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93304443 "Sporting News. Cruise of the Zephyr to Port Lincoln."] South Australian Chronicle & Weekly Mail, South Australia (1874-01-24)
In the 1880s, Arthur Searcy had an encounter with a wallaby on the island, which he speculated had swum over from the mainland.{{Cite news|date=1925-09-02|title=ISLANDS OF THE WEST COAST.|pages=5|work=Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64247741|access-date=2020-07-09}}
In 1885, the South Australian Yacht Club stopped there to collect firewood.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93321967 "Aquatics. S.A. Yacht Club"] South Australian Weekly Chronicle, South Australia (1885-05-16). Retrieved 2014-01-24.
In December 1909, the Flinders Brass Band arranged a picnic to Grantham Island. About 100 people attended and arrived by motor and sailing boats.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88293272 "Port Lincoln."] Chronicle, South Australia (1909-01-09). Retrieved 2014-01-24.
In February 1910, a fire was started on Grantham Island and became unmanageable. It spread over the whole island and after the fire, 'not a bush' remained. No stock were on the island at the time.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88391673 "Port Lincoln."] Chronicle, South Australia (1910-03-05). Retrieved 2014-01-24.
File:Iron Monarch pre-1937.jpg
In 1937, the 28 ft cutter Sylvia was wrecked in Port Lincoln harbour on returning from a picnic on Grantham Island. The steamer Iron Monarch was going astern from the jetty when the cutter passed behind it to inspect the vessel. Sylvia was sucked into Iron Monarch's propeller and sank immediately. Two men clung to the rudder of Iron Monarch
In 1939 The Lands Department advised that Grantham Island would shortly be gazetted for lease. In the meantime, monthly occupation was granted to A. S. Crawford.[http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96737835 "Lincoln District Council - Meeting Held July 7"] Port Lincoln Times, South Australia (1939-07-13). Retrieved 2014-01-24.
References
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{{Islands of South Australia |state=collapsed}}
{{Eyre Peninsula |state=autocollapse}}