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Nestling below
the foothills between Blackwood and Clarendon, Coromandel Valley is named
after the barque Coromandel which arrived in South Australia
on 12th January 1837. It was the first migrant ship to
arrive after proclamation of the province in 1836.
The Coromandel achieved notoriety when, on February 14th 1837,
Captain Chesser reported to the Colonial Secretary, Robert Cougar, that
10 of his crew had deserted. Reports at the time suggest that the
deserters made their way to the locality now known as Coromandel Valley.
It is believed that they kept watch on their ship until its departure
from a hill above the valley.
It was reported at the time that despite a diligent search by the authorities,
the deserters evaded capture. After the Coromandel departed they
eventually surrendered to the Governor, were pardoned, became free
settlers, and made their homes in South Australia. None returned
to Coromandel Valley to live.
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