The Landing

The Landing

On July 27, 1836, the Duke of York arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island, carrying the first colonists of the South Australian Company.

"When we sighted land the passengers they each wanted to be first to set foot on shore so as to talk about it afterwards.which was natural but the captain he spoke to me in the foretop and told me to get out the boat and crew and that the baby be first to set foot ashore. Of course we sailors liked the idea... and Israel Mazey was midship oar."

2nd Mate Robert Russell.

Two year old Elizabeth Beare, carried ashore by Robert Russell, was probably the colonist to set foot upon land. Tragically, Elizabeth died in a fire in 1846.

The Duke of York departed Nepean Bay for Hobart Town on 20 September 1836 On a whaling expedition in August 1837, the ship struck a reef near Curtis Island, about 300 miles north of present day Brisbane. Captain Morgan and his crew survived the wreck, and made their way back down the coast to Sydney Town.

[As there were significant errors and omissions in the original sign and had deteriorated badly, it was revised and reinstalled in July 2016, after extensive consultation with Advance Kingscote Association and History SA. Thanks for input from by Dorothy Heinrich who is the author of the "The Man Who Hunted Whales" which tells the fascinating story of the Duke of York. ]