The State Library will display this panorama, a series of 8 watercolours of Port Adelaide in 1855 from the Birkenhead side of the river.in the Treasures Wall during History Month, May 2026.
It is a view of Port Adelaide, looking approximately south with the Port River in the foreground and the buildings of North Parade behind. The scene includes figures in boats and along the shore, and several horse-drawn carts. Many of the buildings depicted in the panorama were destroyed in a large fire in November 1857.
The panorama is in eight sections. It is believed that a ninth section originally existed at the far left, but is now lost. A note on the second section reads 'from memory'.
A number of wharves, buildings and ships are identifiable, including
- McLarens Wharf,
- the 'Burra Burra' steamer,
- Queen's Wharf,
- the clipper 'Kangaroo',
- Custom House,
- Port Admiral Hotel,
- Government Bond Store,
- Blackler's Port Hotel,
- Crocker & Hamilton, James
- Menpes' Dover House,
- Union Bank of Australia,
- premises of Charles G. Germain,
- premises of William Smith,
- Tom King's Eating House,
- Ship Inn,
- premises of J.G. Malin and James Grosse,
- Harris's Auction Rooms,
- W.J. Turner's Medical Hall,
- William Mart's British Hotel,
- premises of E.H. Butler & Co,
- the paddle-steamer 'Leichardt',
- Albert House,
- premises of Nathan & Bastard's,
- Prince's Wharf,
- Prince's Hotel,
- Port Adelaide Steam Mills.
[additional research: Jane Lennon, 'Spirit of Place', Advance Australiana, a Catalogue from Ancanthe, 2018].
The State Library's link to the Panorama is here.
