INDEX

• Introduction
• Maps
• Significant Places in Australia's Maritime History
• Naming Australia
• Naming Australia's Coastal Features

WHO DID DISCOVER AUSTRALIA?

• The Phoenecians & Egyptians
• The Greeks & Romans
• The Chinese
• The Muslims
• The Portuguese
• The Dutch
• The British
• The French

COLONIAL EXPLORATION

• Index
• The French
• The British
• Other
• Inland explorers

Colonial Exploration: George Elphinstone Dalrymple (1826-1876)

Explorer, public servant and politician. In 1859, George Elphinstone Dalrymple had planned an exploration of the lands north of the Fitzroy River in Queensland and including many of the tributaries of the Burdekin River. He returned, praising the country and many investors, young stockmen and graziers were keen to take up land in the newly named Kennedy District.

Governor Bowen and Premier Herbert appointed Dalrymple officer-in-charge and Commissioner for Crown Lands at the new settlement at Port Denison. Captain Sinclair was appointed Harbour Master and Government Pilot, James Gordon was collector of Customs at the new settlement while Thomas was a clerk in the Lands Office. Poole soon returned to England.

 By the time Dalrymple's party was ready to leave Rockhampton for the ride north, there were twenty young squatters who had selected runs of several square miles each, plus troopers, Native Mounted Police and many horses. Their supplies and stores as well as settlers and their belongings were loaded aboard the "Santa Barbara" and the "Jeanie Dove". Captain McDermott was given strict instructions by Dalrymple not to take the new settlers onto the mainland of Port Denison but land them on Stone Island, which he did.

 On 11 April 1861, the tiny settlement of Bowen was proclaimed. Clarendon Stuart set about surveying a plan of the town. During the year, dwellings changed from tents to timber and local bricks. People set out vegetable gardens and water was taken from the native wells, situated on the western side of the Herbert St. and Dalrymple St. corner.

 Dalrymple's Land office tent and the Customs House were set up on the high ridge opposite the wells. Soon a store was opened, as well as a hotel, baker and butchers. As Dalrymple had to see any land claimed by a squatter before it was recorded, he was frequently out of Bowen and not able to attend to government business.

 By 1862, Bowen was growing and properties were being taken up in the hinterland. Supplies arriving by boat were loaded into open boats to be landed on the shore. The welcome sight of drays arriving cheered the settlers waiting for supplies and mail. In turn the wagons then began the long trail out to the stations along what was to be the Bowen Downs Road. Land was set aside for a National School. In August the explorer McKinley and his team members, after looking for the lost Burke and Wills came into Bowen and were entertained grandly at the original Denison Hotel.

In 1863, shipwrecked sailor James Morrill was rescued from his life with the aborigines and came to live in Bowen. His knowledge of aboriginal languages was appreciated by Dalrymple and others. He married, established a house and a son was born, but unfortunately did not live long after this episode.