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The plan shows the extent of the dredging and land reclamation that is underway at the Outer Harbor, the proposed new harbor which was intended to accommodate the largest passenger and cargo vessels. A number of photographs show the equipment being used and views of the work in progress.

The caption beneath the plan refers to Sir John Coode. Coode was a British engineer and examined the river and the coast south to Marino in 1886. He considered the area between the mouth of the river and Wonga Shoal the most appropriate site for a harbor and prepared a report to that effect.

There had been a number of proposals for an alternative harbor to Port Adelaide. The large mail and passenger steamers and many cargo vessels were becoming too large to use the inner harbor. One of the proposals had been for an extensive breakwater to be built at Marino. This was abandoned because of the rocky seabed and adjacent cliffs.

Finally in 1901 an Act of Parliament (number 765 of 1901) allowed a tender to be let for the construction of a harbour. Extensive dredging and reclaiming of land would be needed, wharves to be built and a separate contract was let for a railway line.

The contractors Rowden, Baxter and Company experienced difficulties in carrying out the work and eventually it was taken over by the Public Works Department.

Finally in January 1908 the new Outer Harbor was opened to shipping. Work has continued on improving the harbour with the latest extensions being completed in March 2007.

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing exhibitions. Wooden Walls and Iron Sides August 2004-