Precis 15

Early Days on Eyre Peninsula 15

STORY OF PRE-SETTLEMENT PERIOD

By J. D. Somerville

The previous articles on the early days of Eyre Peninsula dealt with the discovery of the Peninsula and the survey of its coastline. Before considering the next phase, the pre-settlement days, let us take a glance at the neighboring provinces. … (New South Wales, Port Phillip, Van Dieman's Land, King George's Sound (W.A.)) …

With the settlement of the adjacent provinces, and with their whale fisheries — in which whalers from Europe and America participated — as one of the important inducements for trading, it is natural to expect the whalers to voyage along the whole length of the southern coast, looking for whales and seals, and suitable sites for boiling-down works. Flinders' description of Kangaroo Island would also encourage adventurers of all classes to visit it and settle there, and it soon became known as a salt-producing island. Gradually Kangaroo Island became the stepping stone for exploiting Port Lincoln and its neighboring islands. …

About the earliest account of what must refer to Port Lincoln after its discovery by Flinders and its rediscovery by Baudin's expedition, was in 1810. We learn from the Sydney "Gazette," that a fine harbor, equal to that of Port Jackson, had been discovered by the people on board the Endeavour. This harbor was situated about 70 miles north-west of Kangaroo Island. Peron's book had been published two years before that date. Flinders was still engaged on his big work, so doubtless many of the people of New South Wales, were not aware of the discoveries by these two expeditions.

The newspaper account is interesting, more especially that relating to the natives. The following is a synopsis of the article : — The natives were said to be numerous and rather timid, none ever approaching the Europeans. Emus and kangaroos were also plentiful. The country was thickly wooded. The head of the harbor was constantly watered by a large river not less than 6ft. deep, which appeared to derive its source from a neighboring marsh.[sic]. The people of the Endeavour had been forced to quit their island home to procure water from the mainland. Unexpectedly they entered in between the headlands and found the inner harbor, up which they went about 15 miles. The Endeavour returned to Sydney with a cargo of salt. The description of the natives coincides with that expressed by Flinders, but a vastly different one … by the settlers some 30 years later. In studying the history of Eyre Peninsula, we must always bear in mind the views expressed by these early visitors. …

Five years later (December, 1815), Capt. Peter Dillon, … made a trip to Kangaroo Island in the brig Spring, remaining in the locality from December 23, 1815, to the middle of March, 1816. While in the vicinity he went to Thistle Island, anchoring north-west of the island, and remaining there for three days. He stated that the grass and undergrowth were abundant, and that he killed several wallabies. From Thistle Island, Capt. Dillon went to Port Lincoln, and landed at the head of the port. He found Flinders' wells, but did not find any water there in February. … He remained there for two days. The timber he saw was large and plentiful. The hills were covered with trees, and he considered the land to be very fertile and productive.

Twelve years elapsed before we get another account of Port Lincoln. Capt. Goold, former master of the H.M.S. Dryad, made a voyage in 1827 and 1828, first in the Snapper and then in the Jackass, from Sydney. The object of the voyages was to investigate the possibilities of the site as a seal fishery. He corroborates the opinions expressed by Peron and Freycinet, of the Baudin expedition, with regard to Boston Bay. Capt. Goold anchored in that bay, between the island and the mainland, and remained there for 22 days. He made a trip inland for about three miles, where he found himself among open forest country. The trees were large, and well grown. …

But the most important discovery was that made by the crew of his ship, when they found, just westward of Point Boston, a spring of fresh water, which proved sufficient for his requirements. The spring was below high water mark, and although the water was hard, it was very palatable. Goold arrived in Boston Bay on Christmas Day, 1827. He found plenty of grass, but it was dead.

In August 1828 a second trip was made to Boston Bay …. On this occasion he encountered a typhoon — as he called it — while at anchor, the gale blowing from the south and west, lasting for about four hours, but so good were the surroundings, the gale had no effect on his ship. Goold had considerable experience in Australia, and he considered the land at Boston Bay was superior to the land at Swan River, King George's Sound or Port Jackson and equal to that at Hunter River. As to Port Lincoln, he declared that " the harbor, soil, climate, position for commerce, and vicinity to excellent fishing grounds renders the formation of a colony there, in my opinion, highly desirable."

Read the full article at https://sites.google.com/view/early-days-of-eyre-peninsula/story-of-pre-settlement-period 

The next article focuses on the whalers and sealers in the Eyre Peninsula area.