Henty Family Inspects Port Lincoln

Edward Henty, of Portland fame, made an Inspection of portion of Eyre Peninsula between 1832 and 1834. Thomas Henty, the father, must have been an adventuresome old soul. He left England — when he was about 60 or 70 years of age — in October 1831, with some of his sons — others had preceded him — to form a new home in far-off Australia. He died in October, 1838. 

The Henty family had taken up land in Western Australia, but becoming dissatisfied, they tried Tasmania, where again conditions were not to their liking, principally on account of their inability to get a large area of land. The report of good land on the southern coast of Australia held out prospects for a better home, better conditions and the best hope of all, they would be able to procure a large holding. 

Edward Henty left Launceston in the Caernarvon in 1832, landed at Memory Cove and afterwards went to Port Lincoln. There he had to await the boat Thistle (Capt. Liddle/ owner, T. Henty) coming from Swan River, Western Australia and he took the opportunity to search for a suitable site for a holding. 

On his way back to Tasmania in the Thistle (Capt. Liddle) Edward Henty called in at Portland (Victoria) in June 1833, and he returned there in the Elizabeth (Capt. Hart) to make a closer inspection. On comparing the various places he had inspected, Portland was given preference. 

To wind up their affairs in Western Australia another trip was made along the southern coast in the Thistle, calling at Kangaroo Island and Spencer Gulf on the way. 

As a result of these investigations, James Henty forwarded a letter enclosing a memorial from Thomas Henty to Secretary Hay in 1834, through Governor Arthur, claiming land for settlement. In a subsequent letter (February, 1835) he stated that they (some members of the family) had visited "Kangaroo Island, Spencer's Gulf, Encounter Bay, Port Lincoln, Althorpe, 'Wedges,' Flinders Thistle, Snake, Middle and Goose Islands, and many of these places were explored interiorly." Another argument was also used, namely, the experience the sons had gained in the management and treatment of the aborigines, acquired at Swan River and King George's Sound. 

The Colonial Secretary for Tasmania in a memorandum dated December 31, 31, 1853, said that Henty's application was refused on the grounds that "arrangements had been made with an English company, with the concurrence of Parliament, for the colonisation of that Territory." Parliament however, never sanctioned a scheme for colonisation by a company ; it was proposed to the Governor, who rejected it. The schemes for colonisation fell through, and another scheme was introduced, which will be discussed in a future article. 

But in the meantime it might be mentioned that some Victorian and Tasmanian writers doubtless have accepted the Colonial Secretary's statement as correct and final and confusing the proposed chartered company with the South Australian Company, assert that South Australia was settled by a company. 

ADVENTUROUS SPIRITS 

Capt. Hart was another of those adventurous spirits, fond of exploring and of the open spaces of the seas. He has left behind him a wealth of information of the early days. In a letter to Governor La Trobe, of Victoria, he says, "There was another class of men also, who probably had escaped from Van Diemen's Land. These lived generally on islands apart from others, some on Thistle Island, near Port Lincoln, and other islands in Spencer's Gulf. There was one man who had been unvisited for three years who I saw on this trip (probably in 1831 in the Elizabeth). This man lay under suspicion of having murdered his original companion. He had two wives whose curly heads clearly shewed them of Van Dieman's Land origin. ... A convenient stone house, good garden, small wheat and barley paddocks, with pigs, goats and poultry, made him independent of visitors except for tea and sugar."  This man had collected seven thousand wallaby skins of a kind peculiar to this island. This seems to suggest his residence was on Thistle Island. 

Hart returned to Launceston from this trip in February, 1832. In November, 1833, Hart fitted out for his third sealing voyage, which was extended to Cape Leeuwin. On this voyage he anchored in the harbor of Middle Island, and discovered, close to the beach, a lagoon containing salt. 

He returned to Launceston in March 1834. In the following year (December, 1835) Hart sailed to London and while there gave sailing directions for the use of Col. Light. He also imparted to Col. Torrens some particulars regarding a peculiar custom of the Port Lincoln natives, from which it is gathered that he was well acquainted with the aborigines. 

Reference has been made in a former article to ruins on Thistle Island, with the suggestion that they may have been connected with the ill-fated La Perouse. Possibly readers may be able to accept the buildings as the work of some of the islanders mentioned in these articles. 

WHAT HOLIDAY PARTY FOUND 

These further particulars are exceedingly interesting. About 30 years ago, a holiday party visited Port Lincoln and surrounding districts. No doubt they had a jolly time on the 'Derwent,' piloted by Thomas Tapley, who was assisted in his boat duties by his son Clarence. In the course of their voyaging they visited Thistle Island, and made an investigation of these ruins. The narrative of the voyage was published in the ' Register,' and the writer said, "when the first whaler (presumably in settlement days) arrived at Thistle Island they noticed the ruins of some cottages with signs of regular order in arrangement and a cleared promenade between them, all loose limestone for a distance of about 100 yards having been thrown on each side of a broad path. Possibly this orderly arrangement may have suggested a military or naval mind controlling the layout, and thus connecting the ruins with La Perouse. It can safely be said that La Perouse had no hand in erecting the buildings. His two ships were wrecked in the Santa Cruz group of islands and the small boat built from the wreckage was wrecked on the Queensland coast." 

Mr. Tapley had previously made a thorough search of the ruins, but had not been able to find any trace of wood or ironwork. The holiday party, as a result of further search, found a 'curiously shaped old nail.' It was suggested by them that if the ground was carefully sifted, other relics might be brought to light and some clue to the puzzle secured. Possibly the weather was hot and the search party was thirsty and no water available, so in sympathy their thoughts turned to those old settlers and they propounded another puzzle. Where did those ancient dwellers get fresh water, for none could be found except a long way off. 

(To be concluded next week.)