Fix this text
£{ow Jtfowen Was discovered.
Fix this text>o<-.
Fix this textThe Cruise of the Santa Barbara, 9 tons, in search of a
Fix this textNorthern Port in the year 1859.
Fix this textBy JAMES GORDON.
Fix this textHaving been tempted in the year 1859
Fix this textto go to Rockhampton by the reports ot
Fix this textthe goldfield in that neighbourhood—which,
Fix this textas is well known, turned out a complete
Fix this textfailure —<l became acquainted with Henry
Fix this textDaniel Sinclair, captain and owner of tno
Fix this textSanta Barbara, nine tons, who. In conse-
Fix this textquence of the papers having stated that
Fix this textSir Charles Cowper, Premier of New South
Fix this textWales, had offered a reward for the <lis-
Fix this textcovery of a now port north of Rockbamp-
Fix this textlon, said he wished to try for this reward
Fix this textif he could make proper arrangements tor
Fix this textthis purpose. He then asked my friend,
Fix this textBenjamin Poole, and myself, to join him
Fix this textin the venture, which we agreed to do on
Fix this textcertain conditions. These were Gut we
Fix this textshould all assist to the best of our ability
Fix this textlu money and work In fitting out the ves-
Fix this textsel with stores, &c., fOr a three months’
Fix this textcruise, and that we should all share
Fix this textequally in profits which might arise from
Fix this textthe trip, either by finding a suitable har-
Fix this textbour or in any other way ; my Idea being
Fix this textthat If we discovered -i good harbour in
Fix this textthe North there would be a good oppor-
Fix this texttunity to take up country for cattle or
Fix this textsheep runs, as It was understood that all
Fix this textcountry North of Rockhampton could no
Fix this textselected for these purposes at that timn.
Fix this textAccordingly agreements were made to this
Fix this texteffect, and we set sail and proceeded down
Fix this textthe Fltzfoy River on the Ist September.
Fix this text1859, H. D. Sinclair being In command of
Fix this textthe vessel, and Thomas seaman, Ben.
Fix this textPoole, and myself being considered either
Fix this textpassengers or sailors, according to taste.
Fix this textFollowing is my the voyage
Fix this textSeptember 1. —Sailed from Rockhampton
Fix this textat 3 a.m . had a fine run down the Fitzroy,
Fix this textand anchored for the night hear entrance of
Fix this textriver. Weather gloomy, wind north-east.
Fix this textSeptember 2.—Went to Curtis’ Island
Fix this textPilot Station, where we commenced repair-
Fix this texting the boat, which was Very old and likely
Fix this textlo give trouble.
Fix this textSeptember 3.—Wind northerly. Busily
Fix this textengaged repairing sails and cleaning fire'-
Fix this textarms.
Fix this textSeptetabef 4.—Wind N.E., still fine.
Fix this textSeptember s.—Sailed for the north, hav-
Fix this texting got two Datives to go with us.’ To-
Fix this textwards the afternoon wind came strong
Fix this textagain from the north, and obliged us to
Fix this textcome back to cur old anchorage again
Fix this textabout 10 at night. Natives Very sick, and
Fix this textbegged to got ashore to sleep in the b’usn.
Fix this textoeptember 6.—Got the darkies aboard,
Fix this textand made an early start again, wind light,
Fix this textand anchored at Cape Keppel. There the
Fix this textdarkies again went ashore and bolted.
Fix this textSeptember 7—Very light winds, and after
Fix this texto deal of backing and filling reached one
Fix this textof the Keppel Islands, where we anchored
Fix this textin three fathoms ; nice sandy beach, and
Fix this textwater in a native well. Saw more natives,
Fix this textwho bolted on our approaching them.
Fix this textSeptember 8. —Calm. Getting more wood
Fix this textand water. After deepening well, busy
Fix this textcooking.
Fix this textSeptember 9.—Wind still (northerly.
Fix this textC ’.plain making new sails, and Ben and 1
Fix this textv ent all over the island. There is plenty
Fix this textof water, also some good soil, and feed
Fix this textsufficient to keep two flocks of sheep. Saw
Fix this textseveral natives’ camps, . but the darkles
Fix this textkept out of our sight, though no doubt we
Fix this textwere watched.
Fix this textSeptember 9.—There was a report in
Fix this textRockhampton of European woman living
Fix this texton the island, but we saw nothing to lead
Fix this textus to suppose such was the case.
Fix this textSeptember 10. —An idle day with us, but
Fix this textth£ captain very busy bending new sails.
Fix this textSeptember 11. —Weather fine and steady
Fix this textbreeze ; so got under weigh, and reached
Fix this textKeppel Island, north-east, in the evening.
Fix this textThere the natives were assembled on a
Fix this textsmall hill close to our anchorage, where
Fix this textthey flourished their spears, and danced
Fix this textand yelled—in fact, gave us an excellent
Fix this textspecimen of the savage war dance, which
Fix this textamused us all very much. We then put
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
With your Trove account you can:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52756136
Gordon, James. (1859). How Bowen was discovered : the cruise of the Santa Barbara, 9 tons, in search of a northern port in the year 1859 Retrieved March 26, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52756136
Gordon, James. How Bowen was discovered : the cruise of the Santa Barbara, 9 tons, in search of a northern port in the year 1859 Brisbane: , 1859. Web. 26 March 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52756136>
Gordon, James. 1859, How Bowen was discovered : the cruise of the Santa Barbara, 9 tons, in search of a northern port in the year 1859 , Brisbane viewed 26 March 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52756136
{{Citation
| author1=Gordon, James.
| title=How Bowen was discovered : the cruise of the Santa Barbara, 9 tons, in search of a northern port in the year 1859
| year=1859
| section=8 pages ; 23 cm
| location=Brisbane
| publisher=
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52756136
| id=nla.obj-52756136
| access-date=26 March 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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