William Russel Pty. Ltd.

217 St Vincent St,
Port Adelaide

Read about this building

The large, three-storey historic stone building at 221-223 St. Vincent Street in Port Adelaide is one of the last vestiges of a business once integral to South Australia’s maritime commerce. Its founder, William Russell, was a prominent figure in the nineteenth century Port and one of the community’s best-known sail-makers and ships’ chandlers. Born in Great Britain, he immigrated to South Australia with his family while still a child and later learned sail-making from Captain Edward French. Russell subsequently worked in the sail-making industry and entered into a business partnership before starting his own sail-making shop and chandlery in 1870. The business continued to operate after his death and passed on sail-making traditions to subsequent generations through apprenticeship. One of these individuals, Don Lucas, Jr., was the last owner of William Russell’s business and is Australia’s only surviving traditional sail-maker. His work is internationally recognised, and he has manufactured sails for some of the world’s most significant historic watercraft.

Find about more about this location.

BEFORE
AFTER
Enlarge historic photo

Modern photo:

William Russell Ship Chandlers, 2015

Photographer: Adam Paterson, South Australian Maritime Museum

Historic photo:

Don Lucas Sr and Jnr with staff at William Russell c.1960

South Australian Maritime Museum collection, HT 1986.1871

 

William Russel Pty. Ltd.

Visit