Overview:
William Landsborough’s 1862 journal documents his expedition from the Gulf of Carpentaria, where he intended to search for the missing explorers Burke and Wills. Landsborough’s journey was fraught with challenges, including the wreck of his transport ship, the Firefly, and a difficult time navigating the dry and often waterless plains. He encountered numerous native tribes, some of whom were initially friendly but became increasingly hostile towards the expedition. Despite these obstacles, Landsborough managed to find a practicable route across the continent, uncovering valuable pastoral land along the way. His expedition revealed the beauty and potential of the country near the Gulf of Carpentaria and its suitability for sheep runs.
Despite reaching the Darling River, Landsborough was disappointed to learn of Burke and Wills’ tragic fate. He concluded that the route he took was the most probable one for finding Burke’s party and that it was impossible for Burke and Wills to have reached the sea. The journal provides a fascinating insight into the hardships of exploration in Australia in the 19th century, as well as the incredible resourcefulness and resilience of the explorers.
Key Findings:
- Landsborough’s expedition successfully mapped a new route across the continent, revealing significant pastoral potential, particularly around the Gulf of Carpentaria and along the Flinders River.
- Landsborough’s journey demonstrated the challenges and dangers of exploring the Australian interior, including harsh weather conditions, limited supplies, and hostile native tribes.
- Landsborough’s encounter with the native tribes highlighted their complex relationship with the explorers, showcasing both their helpfulness and hostility.
- Landsborough concluded that Burke and Wills could not have reached the sea due to the nature of the coastline and the surrounding saltwater creeks.
Learning:
- Exploring Australia’s Interior: Landsborough’s journal provides valuable insights into the challenges and dangers of exploring Australia’s interior. He describes the harsh weather conditions, the lack of water, and the constant threat of hostile native tribes.
- Pastoral Potential of the Gulf of Carpentaria: Landsborough’s expedition revealed the incredible pastoral potential of the land near the Gulf of Carpentaria, highlighting the richness of the soil and the availability of suitable grasses and herbs for sheep and cattle.
- Native Tribes and Exploration: Landsborough’s encounters with the native tribes illuminate the complex relationship between explorers and indigenous communities. The journal showcases their helpfulness as guides and their hostility when threatened or provoked.
- The Importance of Navigation and Observation: Landsborough’s reliance on dead reckoning and observations of the sun and stars for navigation emphasizes the importance of these skills for successful exploration. The journal shows how essential precise astronomical observations were for charting new territories.
Historical Context:
- Landsborough’s expedition was part of a larger effort to find the missing explorers Burke and Wills, who had set out from Melbourne in 1860 to cross the continent.
- The search for Burke and Wills sparked widespread public interest and generated a wave of subsidiary expeditions from other colonies.
- The expedition took place against the backdrop of increasing European settlement in Australia, which was rapidly expanding into new territories.
Facts:
- Landsborough’s expedition was the second to cross the continent of Australia from Carpentaria.
- The Firefly, Landsborough’s transport ship, was wrecked on Hardy’s Island, but was later salvaged by Captain Norman.
- Landsborough found extensive pastoral land near the Gulf of Carpentaria, including the Plains of Promise and land along the Gregory River.
- The expedition encountered numerous native tribes, some of whom were hostile, leading to a confrontation on the Barcoo River.
- Landsborough’s observations of the coastline near Carpentaria led him to conclude that Burke and Wills could not have reached the sea.
- Landsborough found evidence of a large river to the south-west of Carpentaria, indicating potential for further exploration.
- Landsborough’s party had to contend with scarce rations and difficult terrain during their journey.
- The expedition encountered numerous animals, including emus, kangaroos, wallabies, ducks, possums, and snakes.
- Landsborough’s journey revealed the existence of the Thomson River, a major tributary of the Cooper River.
- Landsborough observed a striking vine producing pods of silky cotton, highlighting the diversity of flora in the region.
- The expedition encountered a variety of trees, including box, bloodwood, ironbark, myall, western-wood acacia, and Port Curtis sandalwood.
- Landsborough’s party had to overcome numerous challenges, including lost horses, injured horses, and severe frost.
- Landsborough’s expedition encountered a disfigured gin, highlighting the impact of disease and violence on native populations.
- Landsborough’s journey revealed the existence of springs as a source for rivers in the region.
- The expedition encountered a group of blacks who claimed to have seen explorers with horses but not camels, emphasizing the limited contact between natives and explorers.
- Landsborough’s journey proved the viability of taking sheep across the continent, highlighting the potential for pastoral expansion.
- Landsborough’s expedition revealed the importance of native trackers and their knowledge of the land.
- The expedition faced hardship with limited rations, often having only a pint of flour and half a pound of meat per day.
- Landsborough’s party encountered a group of blacks who ambushed the expedition at night, highlighting the threat of native hostility.
- Landsborough’s journey revealed the existence of a route from Mount Rankine to Cooper’s Creek, potentially connecting the Darling River to the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Statistics:
- Landsborough’s expedition to the south-west from the Albert River depot lasted for 210 miles.
- The expedition covered a total of 1,279 pounds of provisions when they left the Albert River depot.
- The expedition traveled for a total of 103 days from Carpentaria to the Warrego River.
- Landsborough traveled approximately 1,000 miles on his journey across the continent.
- The expedition lost two horses, one was drowned and the other died of unknown causes.
- Landsborough’s party had only a few days’ rations when they reached the Warrego River, highlighting the scarcity of food during their journey.
- The expedition’s ration was a pint of flour and half a pound of meat per day, revealing the harsh realities of their situation.
- Landsborough sold 19 pounds 13 shillings and 6 pence worth of expedition supplies at a station on the Warrego River.
- The distance from the boundary line of New South Wales to Wooroorooka, on the Warrego River, is 5 and 3/4 miles.
Terms:
- Ana-branch: A branch of a river that flows away from the main channel, eventually rejoining it.
- Cairn: A pile of stones erected as a landmark or a memorial.
- Cockatoo: A type of white parrot found in Australia.
- Coolamons: A type of wooden dish used by Australian Aboriginal people for carrying food and water.
- Cypress pine: A type of pine tree found in Australia, known for its durable wood.
- Emu: A large flightless bird native to Australia.
- Gutta-percha: A natural rubber obtained from certain trees, used for insulation and other purposes.
- Ironbark: A type of eucalyptus tree, known for its hard and durable wood.
- Myall: A type of acacia tree, known for its drooping branches and fragrant wood.
- Polygonum: A genus of plants with various uses, including as a source of food and medicine.
- Triodia: A type of grass, known for its prickly leaves and harsh habitat.
- Western-wood acacia: A type of acacia tree, known for its hard and durable wood.
- White-wood: A type of tree, used for various purposes, including building and furniture.
Examples:
- The Wreck of the Firefly: Landsborough’s journal describes the dramatic wreck of the Firefly, highlighting the challenges of maritime travel and the importance of teamwork and resilience in overcoming adversity.
- The Encounter on the Barcoo River: Landsborough recounts a hostile encounter with a group of native tribesmen, showcasing the dangers of exploring unfamiliar territory and the complexities of intertribal relations.
- The Loss of the Mare: Landsborough details the unexpected death of one of his best expedition horses, highlighting the importance of animal health and the emotional toll of loss in the harsh environment.
- The Aboriginal Guides: Landsborough’s interactions with the native tribes, both as helpful guides and as potential threats, showcase the importance of indigenous knowledge and the difficulties of communication and trust.
- The Scarcity of Rations: Landsborough’s descriptions of the limited provisions and the hunger experienced by the expedition underscore the hardships of exploration and the need for careful planning and resource management.
- The Search for Water: Landsborough’s constant quest for water, particularly during the dry season, emphasizes the fundamental importance of this resource for survival and the ability of explorers to adapt and overcome hardship.
- The Discovery of New Territories: Landsborough’s journal reveals the discovery of new and promising pastoral lands, showcasing the expansion of European settlement and the potential for economic development in Australia.
- The Loss of Jemmy’s Carbine: Landsborough’s details of a lost carbine, a crucial tool for hunting and protection, highlight the logistical challenges and the importance of meticulousness in expeditions.
- The Native Woman with a Bone Through Her Nose: Landsborough describes a young gin with a bone piercing through her nose, offering a glimpse into the customs and traditions of the indigenous tribes.
- The Celebration of Queen Victoria’s Birthday: Landsborough’s celebration of the Queen’s birthday, even amidst the harsh conditions of the expedition, highlights the enduring power of tradition and cultural connection in the face of adversity.
Conclusion:
Landsborough’s journal provides a compelling firsthand account of exploring the Australian interior during the 19th century. It reveals the vastness and beauty of the landscape, the resilience of the explorers, and the complex relationship between Europeans and indigenous peoples. Despite the hardships, Landsborough’s expedition made significant contributions to mapping new territory, uncovering the pastoral potential of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and furthering the understanding of the Australian interior. His journey also highlights the importance of teamwork, resourcefulness, and respect for the land and its inhabitants in the face of adversity.