The Quarry

The Quarry

"We are preparing a jetty at the Quarry from whence partiesmay procure their own stone, by payment of say, 1/- per ton." - Giles, Jan 1841

Quarry

The Kingscote Quarry was the only successful Company venture.

Basalt rock was first used as ballast for the ships that brought bricks to the Island. The rock was ideal for the road buit across the swamps from Port Adelaide to the new capital. Frm this unintended industry 76 shiploads - over 3088 tons of stone, worth 4,500 pounds - was sold. Quarrying was labour intensive and dangerous. Small ledges were cut up to 100 feet above ground level, holes were drilled using the hammer and drill method. One man held and rotated a steel rod which was struck alternately by two men wielding sledge hammers. The holes were loaded with gun powder and fired, bringing rock to the quarry floor where it was broken with hand tools.