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If you’ve been grumbling about the trams being out-of-action between South Terrace and Glenelg lately, spare a thought for the two unlucky trams from 1915. Their ‘service disruption’ was… well, permanent. 

On a sunny spring day in1915 (13 October to be exact), Adelaide Oval wasn’t hosting a cricket match or footy game, but a ‘spectacle.’ Thousands of spectators, and probably a few spooked horses, gathered to watch two old, exploded horse-drawn trams go head-to-head on angled tracks. They collided at speed and in a fiery display. 

Kaboom!  

“The huge crowd waited in suppressed excitement as the cars bolted towards each other at a speed of about 16 miles per hour. The effect of the collision was startling. Explosions of detonators placed on the rails added to the din. The cars burst into flames immediately the impact took place, this having previously been, arranged for.” ~ 'A TRAMWAY SMASH.', Barrier Miner  NLA: Trove 

At the Adelaide Oval setting up before the explosion, the old trams are being put on the tracks for the big bang moment. Adelaide Oval SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/439

At the Adelaide Oval setting up before the explosion, the old trams are being put on the tracks for the big bang moment. Adelaide Oval SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/439  

A mangled of metal, wood and flames. The tram collision is caught on camera, with a large crowd watching on. SLSA: PRG 280/1/3/10

A mangled of metal, wood and flames. The tram collision is caught on camera, with a large crowd watching on. SLSA: PRG 280/1/3/10 

A mangled of metal, wood and flames. The tram collision is caught on camera, with a large crowd watching on. SLSA: PRG 280/1/3/9

A view of the large crowd watching of the tram collision. SLSA: PRG 280/1/3/9 

One of the ill-fated trams on its way to take part is a specular display to raise funds for wounded world war one soldiers. SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/438

One of the ill-fated trams on its way to take part is a specular display to raise funds for wounded world war one soldiers. SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/438 

At the Adelaide Oval setting up before the explosion, the old trams are being put on the tracks for the big bang moment. Adelaide Oval SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/439
A mangled of metal, wood and flames. The tram collision is caught on camera, with a large crowd watching on. SLSA: PRG 280/1/3/10
A mangled of metal, wood and flames. The tram collision is caught on camera, with a large crowd watching on. SLSA: PRG 280/1/3/9
One of the ill-fated trams on its way to take part is a specular display to raise funds for wounded world war one soldiers. SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/438

But why? I hear you ask. 

This carefully planned fundraising stunt was for the war effort, just five months after the Gallipoli landing. The event was part of South Australia’s Eight Hour Day (Labour Day) holiday, renamed Anzac Day for fund-raising purposes. It sat alongside all sorts of colourful activities and amusements: a grand Anzac parade with floats and marching bands, air balloons, trade unions marches, and even pretend prehistoric creatures. All funds raised went towards the war effort and helping wounded soldiers.  

Reported as an ‘American novelty’ in local newspapers, the organiser's had the trams racing at an advertised speed of ‘16 miles’ per hour (that’s almost 26km for those who measure by the metric system) before the inevitable ‘big bang’. The crowds roared, coins and notes were collected, and an historic moment was created, not just the crash, but because South Australia ended up holding Australia’s first Anzac Day commemoration.  

So next time you’re waiting for a tram remember: at least these days they we don’t blow them up for entertainment. 

Snaps of ANZAC day, October 1915.

'Snaps of Anzac Day.', Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924), 20 October 1915, p. 13.  NLA: Trove 

Extract from full coverage article ANZAC DAY (1915, October 16). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 35. NLA: Trove

Extract from full coverage article : ANZAC DAY (1915, October 16). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 35. NLA: Trove 

'A TRAMWAY SMASH.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 15 October 1915, p. 4. NLA: Trove

'A TRAMWAY SMASH.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 15 October 1915, p. 4. NLA: Trove  

Snaps of ANZAC day, October 1915.
Extract from full coverage article ANZAC DAY (1915, October 16). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 35. NLA: Trove
'A TRAMWAY SMASH.', Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), 15 October 1915, p. 4. NLA: Trove