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How Bowen was discovered : the cruise of the Santa Barbara, 9 tons, in search of a northern port in the year 1859 / by James Gordon

Creator
Gordon, James
Call Number
JAFp BIBLIO F10004
Created/Published
Brisbane : [s.n., 1859?]
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6
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£{ow Jtfowen Was discovered.  

>o<-.  

The Cruise of the Santa Barbara, tons, in search of  

Northern Port in the year 1859.  

By JAMES GORDON.  

Having been tempted in the year 1859  

to go to Rockhampton by the reports ot  

the goldfield in that neighbourhood—which,  

as is well known, turned out complete  

failure —<l became acquainted with Henry  

Daniel Sinclair, captain and owner of tno  

Santa Barbara, nine tons, who. In conse-  

quence of the papers having stated that  

Sir Charles Cowper, Premier of New South  

Wales, had offered reward for the <lis-  

covery of now port north of Rockbamp-  

lon, said he wished to try for this reward  

if he could make proper arrangements tor  

this purpose. He then asked my friend,  

Benjamin Poole, and myself, to join him  

in the venture, which we agreed to do on  

certain conditions. These were Gut we  

should all assist to the best of our ability  

lu money and work In fitting out the ves-  

sel with stores, &c., fOr three months’  

cruise, and that we should all share  

equally in profits which might arise from  

the trip, either by finding suitable har-  

bour or in any other way my Idea being  

that If we discovered -i good harbour in  

the North there would be good oppor-  

tunity to take up country for cattle or  

sheep runs, as It was understood that all  

country North of Rockhampton could no  

selected for these purposes at that timn.  

Accordingly agreements were made to this  

effect, and we set sail and proceeded down  

the Fltzfoy River on the Ist September.  

1859, H. D. Sinclair being In command of  

the vessel, and Thomas seaman, Ben.  

Poole, and myself being considered either  

passengers or sailors, according to taste.  

Following is my the voyage  

September 1. —Sailed from Rockhampton  

at a.m had fine run down the Fitzroy,  

and anchored for the night hear entrance of  

river. Weather gloomy, wind north-east.  

September 2.—Went to Curtis’ Island  

Pilot Station, where we commenced repair-  

ing the boat, which was Very old and likely  

lo give trouble.  

September 3.—Wind northerly. Busily  

engaged repairing sails and cleaning fire'-  

arms.  

Septetabef 4.—Wind N.E., still fine.  

September s.—Sailed for the north, hav-  

ing got two Datives to go with us.’ To-  

wards the afternoon wind came strong  

again from the north, and obliged us to  

come back to cur old anchorage again  

about 10 at night. Natives Very sick, and  

begged to got ashore to sleep in the b’usn.  

oeptember 6.—Got the darkies aboard,  

and made an early start again, wind light,  

and anchored at Cape Keppel. There the  

darkies again went ashore and bolted.  

September 7—Very light winds, and after  

deal of backing and filling reached one  

of the Keppel Islands, where we anchored  

in three fathoms nice sandy beach, and  

water in native well. Saw more natives,  

who bolted on our approaching them.  

September 8. —Calm. Getting more wood  

and water. After deepening well, busy  

cooking.  

September 9.—Wind still (northerly.  

’.plain making new sails, and Ben and  

ent all over the island. There is plenty  

of water, also some good soil, and feed  

sufficient to keep two flocks of sheep. Saw  

several natives’ camps, but the darkles  

kept out of our sight, though no doubt we  

were watched.  

September 9.—There was report in  

Rockhampton of European woman living  

on the island, but we saw nothing to lead  

us to suppose such was the case.  

September 10. —An idle day with us, but  

th£ captain very busy bending new sails.  

September 11. —Weather fine and steady  

breeze so got under weigh, and reached  

Keppel Island, north-east, in the evening.  

There the natives were assembled on  

small hill close to our anchorage, where  

they flourished their spears, and danced  

and yelled—in fact, gave us an excellent  

specimen of the savage war dance, which  

amused us all very much. We then put  

Cite

Citation options:
Work identifier

http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52756136

APA citation

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

MLA citation

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>

Harvard/Australian citation

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

Wikipedia citation

{{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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Created/Published Date is Before 1955

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1859
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1859
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