Memory Cove Tragedy Big Blow to Flinders
By J. D. Somerville
Port Lincoln Times (SA : 1927 - 1954), Friday 11 January 1935, page 2
On February 18 Capt. Matthew Flinders saw and named Liguanea Island. The easterly bend in the mainland was seen but not named, permitting, over 100 years afterwards, the name of Cape Carnot to be applied to it, as a compliment to the French. Cape Wiles was named and then Sleaford Bay.
On the same day (February 19) the high hill behind Memory Cove was seen. This hill plays an important part in the history of Port Lincoln. On February 20 Isle Williams was seen and named, and a course was set between the island and the mainland. Three miles further on the land took 'the uncommon direction of north 15 degrees west ; but to the eastward there was a large piece of land, whether island or mainland we could not tell.'
We now come to some of the most important of Flinders' discoveries, and to one of the tragedies. Into the 28 years of his life much had been done in the way of exploration. Flinders had shown that the fatherly care which he bestowed on the men under him was very beneficial to their health. He felt that their lives was his life. By his personal care, his crew was free from scurvy until toward the end of his voyage around Terra Australis.
What a different life to that which the men under Baudin lived. Shortage of water, shortage of food, scurvy and discontent were their lot. But with Flinders and his crew, there was no mention of any of these until toward the end of the journey, and even then discontent did not occur. Extra provisions were ever welcomed, petrels, seals, kangaroos, and such were ever a welcome addition to their menu.
The kind regard that Flinders had for his men and his work, may be illustrated here. It is thought that the doctor in attendance on Flinders at his death, noted down almost the final words uttered by Flinders : ' But it grows late, boys, let us dismiss' and 'my papers.' The 'boys,' his boys, must be kept at work — hard work — but that work must not be overdone. So we can sympathise with Flinders in the tragic loss and the suffering he endured during the next few days.
A DAY OF SUSPENSE
On February 20, the northward trend of the coast was followed, among the islands, through the rippling of the tide, a tide which ran on the ebb of more than a mile, even up to two miles per hour. It was a tide that had not been experienced before, an ebb-tide that came from the north. What did it portend ? Was this the much-looked-for strait through the continent ? Were they bound for the Gulf of Carpentaria ? Whatever was in front of them 'infused new life and vigor into every man on the ship.'
Early next morning a visit was made to the eastern land, which soon revealed itself as a large island. Seals on the beach, ' kanguroos ' on the land and signs of an ancient fire were evident, but there were no signs of man anywhere. To this notable piece of land the name Thistle Island was applied.
On that day (February 21) from the northern end of the island, the opening of Port Lincoln Harbor was first seen although it was not then known what the opening meant. Flinders records, ' I traced the main coast to a cape bearing north 18 degrees west, where it was lost, but reappeared at a further distance.' The cape seen was afterwards named Cape Donington. A number of islands were seen, and some named Sibsey, Stickney, Spilsby, Neptune Isles and a few others were not then named. The islands the rippling tide and the strong current caused the name Thorny Passage to be given.
Compass bearings again were at fault, necessitating a stay overnight to rectify the variation. Water was running short, and none could be found on the island, so Mr. Thistle with a boat's crew was sent to the mainland, to search for water and an anchorage. At dusk the cutter was seen returning to the ship and then it disappeared from view. Lieut. Fowler was sent in a boat to investigate. Two hours passed before he returned alone.
NO DOUBT OF FATE
There was no doubt what had happened, for Fowler very nearly suffered the same fate, the rippling of the tide nearly upsetting his boat. Only two out of the eight could swim. The darkness and the tide militated against any chance of recovering any of the crew either alive or dead. Next day, the Investigator was taken over to the cove. Search parties were sent out and the coast traced in both directions. The remains of the boat were recovered. One oar was afterwards found, also a small keg belonging to Mr. Thistle. To the northward some broken pieces of the boat were found and Flinders said, ' these were all that could be discovered.'
But it was not, for when exploring Sleaford Bay from Proper Bay camp, a boat's sail and yard were seen floating which ' no doubt belonged to our unfortunate cutter,' said Flinders.
On the mainland many native huts were seen, but there was no sign of the natives themselves.
On February 23, Taylor Isles, in memory of the young man who was with Mr. Thistle, was named. On the same day, Flinders, exploring the coast to the north of the cove, again saw the opening into Port Lincoln, but again did not know what a splendid harbor lay behind that break in the coastline. While Flinders was exploring the coast ' some of the gentlemen ' had been to the top of a hill at the back of the cove, and from there ' had seen an inlet going in westward, a little beyond where my excursion had terminated.'
"FINEST HARBOR IN WORLD"
This was the first view of the finest harbor in the world. Flinders, not being satisfied that the search had been carried on for a sufficient length of time, remained another day and took advantage to climb the hill, and then obtained his first view of the inner harbor. Shortage of water necessitated a departure northward, but before doing so, he "caused an inscription to be engraved upon a sheet of copper and set it upon a stout post at the head of the cove which I named Memory Cove ; and further to commemorate our loss I gave to each of the six islands nearest Cape Catastrophe the name of one of the seamen ; Thistle and Taylor Islands have been already mentioned." The wording of the inscription was : —
Memory Cove H.M.S. Investigator, M. Flinders Comd. Anchored here, February 22, 1802. Mr. John Thistle, the master, Mr. William Taylor, midn. and six of the crew were most unfortunately drowned near this place from being upset in a boat. The wreck of the boat was found, but their bodies were not recovered. Nautici, cavete !
Flinders wrote, regarding Mr. Thistle, ' His loss was severely felt by me ; and he was lamented by all on board, more especially by his messmates.' Midshipman William Taylor 'promised fair to become an ornament to the service, as he was to society by the amiability of his manners and temper ' and of the seamen ' all volunteered for the voyage. They were active and useful men.'
This series of articles will end next week, when the exploration by Flinders of Port Lincoln will be dealt with. The next series from Mr. Somerville's pen will deal with the coming of the Frenchman, Nicolas Baudin.