Precis 10

Early Days on Eyre Peninsula (10)

MEMORY COVE TRAGEDY BIG BLOW TO FLINDERS

by J. D Somerville

On February 19, 1802 the high hill behind Memory Cove was seen by Flinders. This hill plays an important part in the history of Port Lincoln.

Flinders had a high regard for his crew (and they him) and we can sympathise with Flinders in the tragic loss and the suffering he endured during the next few days. He had no idea that eight of his shipmates were about to drown.

Heading northward “infused new life and vigor into every man on the ship.” Perhaps this will be the much-looked-for strait through the continent?

Thistle Island was named, and 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.

Compass bearings again were at fault, requiring 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.

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.

On the mainland many native huts were seen, but there was no sign of the natives themselves.

On February 23, Taylor Isles was named, in memory of the young man who was with Mr. Thistle. 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…’

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 - this was the first view of the finest harbor in the world.

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.'

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The next installment covers the exploration around Port Lincoln and then north, up to the head of Spencers Gulf.