ProvenanceUsed to water mules carrying ore from Burra Burra to Port Wakefield. Given to the Art Galler of South Australia by the SA Mines Department. Transferred to the History Trust of South Australia as part of the Historical Relics Collection.
Initially the copper ore mined at Burra was carted to Port Adelaide by bullock teams. In 1853 the English and Australian Copper sent an agent to South America, on the chartered ship Malacea, to purchase mules and to engage muleteers to drive them. The first load of mules was shipped from Montevideo (Uruguay), and arrived at Port Wakefield in July. Later, two voyages were made to Chile to purchase more mules and employ more muleteers. In all, over three journeys, a total of 480 mules were successfully imported into South Australia.
From 1853 until 1857, Chilean muleteers were employed by the English and Australian Copper Company to transport copper ore and coal between Burra and Port Wakefield. Many of muleteers brought their wives and children with them to South Australia. Groups of up to 50 Chileans made the five-day journey on the Gulf Road, camping at towns such as Mintaro on the way. Most of the muleteers and their families returned to Latin America when the Gawler Railway opened in October 1857. Only a few families remained in South Australia, where they were eventually absorbed into the general population.SignificanceA rare representation of early Chilean migration to South Australia and the role of muleteers in copper mining history. Part of the Historical Relics Collection.DescriptionBucket made of leather. Black in colour. Actual bucket is one piece of leather rolled with a leather base held in place with metal bolts. There is a leather strap rolled at top. The bottom is unpainted. A metal rim is bolted to the outside of the lip. The handle and the loops which hold the rings for the handle are very perished. Looks as though it was painted at some stage.Creator (person)Creator (organisation)AcknowledgementDate of Creation1850sDate of Usage1850sMaterialAnimal material, collagenous material - tendons and sinew
|Metal - unspecified DimensionType: total
Height: 288
Width: 315
Depth: 270
Unit (Lengths): mm Accession NumberHT 1986.0930
