The Well

The Well

Fresh water was scarce and expensive.

The setttlers were expected to buy their water from the Company. If they fell into arrears, their debt was deducted from their wages.

Most houses collected rain water from their rooves. The first wells dug were too deep and quickly became salty.

A spring at Point Marsden across the Bay of Shoals supplied the colony. Water was carried across in a rowboat - a particularly unpopular roster during the summer.

Present day remains date back to 1889. District Council minutes relate specifications for the well to be 8ft by 4ft and built of good dry stone work.

Source: M.C. Truscott 1983.

"Mr Stephens being anxious for water, I set my labourers at work in the centre of 3 slopes in order to make tanks for the gathering of rainwater..."

Menge Jan 1837

"... when the Company had relinquished their whaling operations, when the place was abandoned by all but 2 or 3 families, a fine spring of water was found a few yards from the beach."

Mrs Watts 1890