Historic SA boat Sir Wallace Bruce sinks off Kangaroo Island at American River

The vessel, launched in 1937, began taking on water at American River on Tuesday.

A salvage operation is underway to save a historic boat that sunk off Kangaroo Island.

The Sir Wallace Bruce began taking on water on Tuesday afternoon at American River before slipping below the surface.

Named after the former chairman of the South Australian Harbour Board, the Sir Wallace Bruce was first launched in 1937.

“It went down fairly quick,” owner Des Grantham said.

A salvage operation is underway to save historic boat Sir Wallace Bruce which sunk off Kangaroo Island. Picture: 7 News

Mr Grantham said he would get help from a Kangaroo Island local to salvage the boat.

“I just hope we get it up all right and the weather’s kind to us,” Mr Grantham said.

EXCLUSIVE: A major salvage operation is being planned to try to refloat a historic boat that sank off Kangaroo Island. Details in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/8ftPfGh39Y#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/fiwgE3Bm2i

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) August 4, 2023

“I’ve salvaged a lot of vessels, bigger and smaller.”

Locals filmed the boat taking on water Tuesday afternoon.

Sir Wallace Bruce owner Des Grantham said he would salvage the boat. Picture: 7 News

“It’s on the bottom now,” one person can be heard saying in the video.

“It’s laying over, too.”

“Bye, Bye, Wally,” another said.

The boat is stuck near the entrance to American River.

Government officials had inspected the boat and were assisting with the salvage, 7 News reported.

Kangaroo Island local Peter Hannan said the Sir Wallace Bruce was “part of my life for 20 years”.

“It’s part of SA’s maritime history,” Mr Hannan told 7 News.

“You can’t let something like that just go.”