Colonial South Australian History

Australian Exploration

South Australian Exploration

08 Apr 1802 - The two explorers French Nicolas Baudin and the British Matthew having both conducted exploratory voyages around the central southern coastline, (an area previously ignored by Captain Cook and others), met at what is now Encounter Bay in South Australia.

1802 - Sealers commence from Kangaroo Island.

1803 - Sealers from the American brig Union built the schooner Independence, at American River, Kangaroo Island.

1806 - Sealer gang establish beach camp at Harvey's Return, Kangaroo Island (north-west corner).

Planning

1829 - Letter from Sydney: Outline of a system of colonisation by Edward Gibbon Wakefield, was a fictional letter as though he were in Sydney (he was in fact in prison); proposing that slow colonial growth was due to poor land planning. He proposed smaller land parcels, and the land proceeds from them, reinvested into targeted assisted migration. Effect of this letter was generating interest among economists.

Feb 1830 - Charles Sturt navigates Murray River and discovers Lake Alexandrina and Murray Mouth. Effect was increased interest in SA, in the knowledge of where west-flowing rivers from NSW went. The discovery also interested Wakefield, and supported momentum for a colony in South Australia.

1830 - National Colonisation Society formed by Wakefield and Gouger. However, investment was unsuccessful. Wakefield then published a "Plan of a company to be established for the purpose of founding a colony in South Australia, purchasing land therein and preparing the land so purchased for the reception of Immigrants."

1831 - South Australian Land Company formed. Concept was for settlement on Kangaroo Island or Port Lincoln, based on reports of Matthew Flinders. Self-government and proposal to select own Governor, was too Republican and settlement was not approved.

Nov 1833 - South Australian Association formed, and lobbied the government for the establishment of a new colony, with a crown appointed Governor.

30 Jun 1834 - Public Meeting convened by the South Australian Association at Exeter Hall, London. Effect was to generate interest in emigration.

15 Aug 1834 - South Australia Act 1834 Enacted

"An Act to empower His Majesty to erect South Australia into a British Province or Provinces and to provide for the Colonization and Government thereof."

Effect was the plan for a Governor to represent the Crown and for the SA Colonisation Commission to be established as the Executive body.

22 Aug 1834 - South Australian Lodge of Friendship, No 613 E.C. was warranted and later met in London. A brother of Wakefield, who was member of this lodge, drafted the legislation for the South Australia Act of 1834.

09 Oct 1835 - South Australia Company formed in London, and was the investment body.

19 Feb 1836 - "Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom erecting and establishing the Province of South Australia and fixing the boundaries thereof"

Effect was to proclaim boundaries and define Aboriginal Native land rights, and protection under British Law as subjects, and to correct terms in the South Australia Act 1834 that described the land as unoccupied.

Settlement

27 Jul 1836 Duke of York arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

27 July 1836 Reeve's Point was the first colonial settlement, which has since matured to become Kingscote.

30 Jul 1836 Lady Mary Pelham arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

16 Aug 1836 John Pirie arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

17 Aug 1836 Rapid (Col William Light) arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

11 Sep 1836 Cygnet arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

23 Sep 1836 Light commenced site exploration aboard Rapid: Rapid Bay > Pt Adelaide > Rapid Bay > Boston Bay (Pt Lincoln)

05 Oct 1836 Emma arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

02 Nov 1836 Africaine arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

05 Nov 1836 Cygnet (previously Nepean Bay) arrived at Holdfast Bay, Glenelg

08 Nov 1836 Africaine (previously Nepean Bay) arrived at Holdfast Bay, Glenelg

20 Nov 1836 Tam O'Shanter arrived at Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island.

17 Dec 1836 Tam O'Shanter (previously Nepean Bay) arrived at Holdfast Bay, Glenelg

18 Dec 1836 Light finalised choice for Adelaide

19 Dec 1836 Tam O'Shanter ran aground, Pt River (previously Holdfast Bay).

24 Dec 1836 HMS Buffalo arrived at Port Lincoln (met with Cygnet, directing Buffalo to Holdfast Bay).

28 Dec 1836 HMS Buffalo arrived at Holdfast Bay, Glenelg (Ceremonial Proclamation, actual proclamation was by Act of 1834)

14 Jun 1837 HMS Buffalo departed for Sydney, then NZ.

Administration

30 Jul 1842 - South Australia Act 1842 Enacted

"An Act to provide for the better Government of South Australia."

Effect was adoption of a British Parliamentary Enquiry recommendation of a more orthodox form of colonial administration to replace the Colonisation Commissioners. This was required due to financial failures of the colonisiation commission.