Survey parties to the Northern Territory 1864–1870
A number of survey parties to the Northern Territory were involved in attempts to found a settlement in the Northern Territory during the years 1864–1870. This article describes attempts by the South Australian Government to found a settlement in the Northern Territory, and the people who took part in those ventures. It includes lists of all known participants.
Background
In 1863, the part of New South Wales to the north of South Australia between the 129th and 138th parallels of longitude East was annexed to South Australia, by letters patent, as the "Northern Territory of South Australia", which was abbreviated to the Northern Territory. The South Australian Government, with the Wakefield plan for colonisation of South Australia as a basis, believed that European settlement of the Northern Territory could be achieved in much the same way: by selling "off the plan" parcels of land to investors, and a great deal of money would go into Government coffers, which would be used for infrastructure, thus attracting further investment.All that was required was another Col. William Light, another George Gawler and a location for the new capital, which from the start was to be named "Palmerston".
Finniss expedition to Adam Bay 1864
The first requirement for such a settlement was a safe harbour, and from previous explorers' experience, one stood out: Adam Bay, into which the Adelaide River flows, a river navigable for a considerable distance, where all kinds of wharfs and berths could be erected. There was little land at the mouth for buildings, but no doubt suitable areas would be found upstream.Boyle Travers Finniss, a career public servant with some surveying experience, was put in charge of a body of some 40 officers and men, and whose task it was to establish a camp at a site of his choosing and mark out some 1000 town sites and a similar number of rural sites.
Finniss was not obliged to settle at Adam Bay; he chose it in preference to Port Darwin or Port Patterson on account of its harbour and the Adelaide River, which is navigable for a great distance inland, ignoring the lack of building materials, the low-lying boggy nature of the country. He chose two settlement sites; Escape Cliffs on the east coast of the bay, and The Narrows, a short distance up the Adelaide River, where there was a good landing for boats, and planned a connecting road of.
No substantial building was ever erected, apart from the Government Resident's house, in front of which he daily drilled his Guard, to the delight of the natives, who mimicked their exercises.
No surveying could be done in first dry season due to insufficient manpower; much of the stores never made it under cover, and much manpower was wasted keeping a lookout for marauding Aborigines. The Protector of Aborigines, Dr. Goldsmith, was refused membership of a party sent to recover stolen property, which turned into a reprisal, then after some horses were speared, refused inclusion in an armed party led by Finniss's son, when many shots were fired and at least one Aborigine killed.
Morale was low from the start. Only the Government Resident and a few favourites refused to admit that the choice of site was a huge mistake. Jealousies developed between various sections of the workforce as to who was getting preferential treatment or having the more odious duties to perform, the Government Resident and Surgeon were seen going off on "jaunts" with "favorites". Jealousies erupted and operations stumbled from crisis to crisis. The number of staff was augmented somewhat to replace those whose year's contract had expired; Finniss was recalled to answer accusations levelled against him, and others at the same time as witnesses or to answer charges related to the murder of several Aborigines. Some resigned and found their own way back to Adelaide. Many, whose one-year contract was over, returned at the same time.
Manton, left in charge of the depleted party, reported that it was certain there was no land within a hundred miles worth surveying, and they could do nothing more than protect themselves and their stores from the natives. In October 1866 Government ordered a recall of Manton and his men, along with those remaining of McKinlay's party on the steamer Eagle, Captain Hill, which left 11 January 1867, transhipped to the Rangatira at Sydney, and arrived at Port Adelaide 2 February 1867.
Personnel
McKinlay expedition 1866
The Finniss expedition, which had left Adelaide with high expectations had, with each depressing report from the Territory, become a drag on Government, who decided what was needed was a small exploration party, unencumbered by such mundane tasks as erecting buildings and maintaining and protecting stores, to make a clear decision as to where the fertile land was, and where the capital should be. To that end they appointed John McKinlay to lead a party of twelve, to receive all support from the Finniss party, but to go where they might. Their ship also carried instructions to Finniss to return to Adelaide to answer criticisms of his administration.McKinlay did not receive the support he expected from Finniss's successor Manton, and did not commence exploration until 20 January, when rain interfered with his travels. They never reached Cape Hawkesbury, the Roper or the Victoria.
Their lowest point came in June 1866 when McKinlay, Edmunds and party, having one by one slaughtered their horses for food, were trapped in boggy land by the East Alligator River. Weak and malnourished with no chance of making it back to camp alive, they killed their two remaining horses for jerky and built a raft of horses' hides around a structure of green branches, and on 29 June started paddling down to the sea, and arrived back at Escape Cliffs on 5 July 1866.
After recovering from their ordeal they made several coastal expeditions, visiting Anson Bay, the Daly River and Port Darwin.
He returned to Adelaide to a hero's welcome, despite having achieved nothing, though he did report having seen some good land near Anson Bay, and thought Port Darwin had many advantages, but lacked fresh water.
Personnel
;Legend;::Leaving SA
- Henry Ellis April 1864 Henry Ellis, ship, 412 tons; Capt. Phillips left Port Adelaide 23 April 1864, arrived Adam Bay 20 June 1864
- Government schooner Yatala, Humbert, left Port Adelaide 18 May 1864. Capt. Humbert was dismissed by Finniss October 1864.
- South Australian October 1864 steamer South Australian, 435 tons, J. Pain, left Port Adelaide 29 October 1864 arrived Adam Bay December 1864 with 47 passengers, including 40 Government appointees.
- Surveying schooner Beatrice 93 tons, Hutchinson R.N., left Port Adelaide 9 April 1864 for Northern Territory. Arrived Adam Bay. Returned from Koepang with supplies 1 October 1864, returned Port Adelaide 14 December 1864.
- Bengal March 1865 Bengal left Port Adelaide 3 March 1865 with 6 passengers arrived Adam Bay 21 April 1865.
- Ellen Lewis September 1865 336 tons, Stephen Hellon master. John McKinlay and party of 12 left Port Adelaide 25 September 1865, arrived Adam Bay 5 November 1865.
- Ellen Lewis May 1866 Ellen Lewis left Port Adelaide May 1866 for Adam Bay with stock and 11 passengers.
- Beatrice November 1864 Beatrice left Adam Bay 9 November 1864, arrived Port Adelaide 14 December 1864.
- Yatala November 1864 Yatala left Adam Bay 9 November 1864
- South Australian December 1864 South Australian left Adam Bay c. 10 December 1864 with Ward, King, five others
- Bengal May 1865 Swedish barque Bengal, Peterson master, left Adam Bay 6 May 1865 for Surabaya with 13 passengers; two transshipped to Singapore; the rest by Douglas to Melbourne, thence to Adelaide.
- Forlorn Hope May 1865 seven men left Adam Bay 6 May 1865 on an open sailing boat, dubbed Forlorn Hope, purchased from skipper of Bengal
- Schooner Beatrice left Adam Bay for Adelaide
- Ellen Lewis December 1865 Ellen Lewis left Adam Bay 1 December 1865, arrived Port Adelaide 13 February 1866 with Finniss, Litchfield and 30 others.
- Beatrice August 1866 Beatrice left Adam Bay 14 August 1866, arrived Port Adelaide via Koepang 26 September; McKinlay and three or four passengers only.
- Eagle January 1867 Steamer Eagle, Captain Hill, left Adam Bay 11 January 1867, transhipped to Rangatira'' at Sydney; arrived Adelaide February 1867.
Cadell expedition 1867
A. T. Saunders, South Australia's noted amateur historian and critic of Cadell the self-publicist and influence-peddler, had little to say on this page in his history.
One contemporary newspaper editor however, held nothing back in his satire on Cadell's pomposity.
Personnel
No information has been found on Hodges, Mason and Philcox, who have also been listed as Hodge, Massen and J Philcox and nothing on the 20-odd from Sydney and Brisbane.;Legend
Coorong February 1867 Left Port Adelaide 26 February 1867 on Coorong for Sydney, where he chartered steamer Eagle and light draught steamer firefly; picked up a surgeon and exploring party
He returned to Sydney by Eagle 21 January 1868, paid off his workers, disposed of stores, remained in Sydney while the Duke of Edinburgh was in town, then by the Aldinga to Adelaide on 13 February 1868. No mention was made of any associates, but the South Australian public was wearied of the continued waste of money on "frolics" in the Territory, and by Cadell in particular.
Goyder expedition 1869
After four years of hearing nothing but reports of lack of progress in surveying land they had paid for, land-order-holders in England and Australia began agitating for a refund of their money, with interest, and would not be mollified by explanations of the difficulties involved, and the expense to which the Colonial Government had been put.In March 1868 it was decided to offer a refund with interest to those who wanted out, and to those who were prepared to hang on for an extra year, a sweetener in the increase of the plot size from 160 to 240 acres.
Public tenders were called for the surveying of 420,000 acres, which The Advertiser cynically reckoned would result in no, or exceedingly inflated, bids and would therefore be undertaken by the Surveyor-General's department.
The outcome was a little of both: George Goyder offered to organise and lead the expedition, and survey receiving his usual salary plus a bonus of £3,000 for successful completion within a year at a cost of £25,000, not counting shipping costs. Parliament leapt at the proposal, such was Goyder's reputation for integrity, energy and vision. The fact that the South Australian Government was losing no time and grudging no expenditure on a successful outcome, and putting their best man in charge of the venture, restored much confidence in the investors in Northern Territory property.
Goyder's plan was to appoint six 1st Class Surveyors of his choosing; they would appoint their own 2nd Class Surveyors and Cadets, and where possible the "arms and legs": the chainmen, trenchers, cook and stock handlers, otherwise these appointments would be made by Goyder from men he knew. He agreed with the purchase of horses and cattle from Brisbane, but rejected suggestions that any men should be picked up there; he wanted men he knew and who respected him. They would land at Port Darwin and work their way towards the fertile lands of the Upper Adelaide and Victoria Rivers. He insisted on all provisions being supplied in Adelaide to his specifications. and personally inspected by him.
Goyder gave strict instructions to his men that for their own safety, interactions with the natives should be strictly limited: none to be allowed in the camp; strictly no touching Aboriginal women under any circumstances, the greatest source of animosity; never to go out alone, and not to leave the camp unarmed; to use firearms as a last resort and to aim at a person only when one's own life was in peril. To respect Aboriginal property, and not to engage in any form of retribution. Two men, Hardy and Greene, ignored this last injunction and smashed several of their canoes and pushed two others into the current, for no good reason, and received a dressing-down from the Surveyor-General.
The men worked hard and efficiently and the whole of the surveying job was completed by August 1869.
Personnel
Includes some information on those of Goyder's parties who remained or returned to the NT to participate in Charles Todd's Overland Telegraph Line construction.| Name | Job/position | Left Port Adelaide | Left Port Darwin | Left Adelaide for OT project | Notes |
| George Sydney Aldridge | Surveyor, Cadet, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | ||
| James Henry Aldridge | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | OT cadet under Knuckey & C. Giles | |
| C. Almers | carpenter | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT under Knuckey and C. Giles | |
| George A. Armstrong | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Job Austin | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT labourer under Harvey & Roberts |
| William Barlow | Assistant Photographer | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Robert W. Barrow | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| George Bayfield | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Govt Resident's staff as teamster, OT as teamster. Friend of Deane and engaged to his sister Ny. | ||
| Robert Beard | In Charge of Horses | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | had been on Finniss's 1864 expedition | |
| Tom Bee | Surveyor, Cadet, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | Born 4 July 1850 in Brompton, England, educated at AEI, worked on OT under McMinn & Musgrave, later postmaster several SA towns, died 21 November 1919 in Millicent, South Australia. |
| David Landel Beetson | Surveyor, Cadet, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | acted as land selection agent, prospected for gold, had first private house in Palmerston, insolvent, died in WA. | |
| Frederick John Bennett | Wellsinker | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| J. W. O. Bennett | Draftsman | Moonta December 1868 | Bennett and William Guy speared by Aborigines 24 or 25 May 1869. Bennett died 28 May, the day after Dr Peel removed, under chloroform, broken spear point which had passed into chest cavity. Buried on Fort Hill, Darwin. | ||
| Michael Bennett | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Edwin S. Berry | Draftsman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Henry John Boord | Police trooper | Govt Resident's staff; became publican, Windmill Hotel, Nailsworth, Commercial Hotel Grenfell Street, died 27 July 1885, aged 41 | |||
| Henry S. Bosworth | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Joseph Brans | Boatman/labourer | Gulnare February 1869 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Appointed to Govt Resident's staff | |
| J. S. Brooking | Surveyor, Cadet, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Deputy Surveyor-General of W.A., retired 1896, died November 1916. | |
| Joseph Brooks | Photographer and Draftsman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | perhaps poundkeeper near Balaklava | |
| Philip Henry Burden | Surveyor, Cadet, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | In 1875 draftsman with Surveyor-General's Dept. | |
| Martin Burke | Trencher | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| James Burton | Coxswain | Gulnare February 1869 | Omeo December 1871 | Govt. Resident's staff; later with OT under A. J. Mitchell | |
| R. C. Burton | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | overseer with OT. An American, he was later with W.A. Government | |
| Thomas Cherry | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | labourer on Govt. Resident's staff | ||
| Robert Collard | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | labourer on Govt. Resident's staff, then joined OT party | ||
| William Collett | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT laborer under Harvey & Roberts |
| William Cook | not known | Gulnare February 1869 | appointed Port Darwin's Pilot and Harbor Master June 1892 | ||
| W. H. Cornish | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | later had career with Survey Department | ||
| Walter Dalwood | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Moonta March 1869 | sent back to Adelaide as invalid, but he was also wanted for bigamy. died July 1894 | |
| Daniel Dominick Daly | Surveyor, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | nephew of Sir Dominick Daly | |
| George Price Deane | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Omeo December 1871 | stockman on Govt. Resident's staff, later with OT under A. J. Mitchell | |
| James Divine | Officers' cook | Kohinoor December 1869 | Joined by wife and three children; appointed to Govt Resident's staff | ||
| David Donley | Steward, Chief Cook and repairer of instruments | Moonta December 1868 | joined Gulnare as cook April 1869 | ||
| James Hereford Douglas | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | ||
| F. Drought | Police corporal | Govt Resident's staff | |||
| Henry Edwards | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Returned to NT with wife and children January 1870 per Kohinoor | |
| T. Edwards | labourer | labourer on Govt. Resident's staff | |||
| Joseph Atkinson Ewart | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT laborer under Harvey & Roberts, later resident of Roper River area, killed himself by pistol shot at Wandi, Northern Territory, on 17 May 1901. |
| William John Hillary Farrant | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT laborer under Woods & Jarvis |
| William Fisher | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT wireman under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| Michael Edward Fitch | boatman | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT laborer under McMinn & Musgrave | |
| Paul Foelsche | Inspector of Police | Kohinoor December 1869 | NT Government appointment | ||
| Michael Francis | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT cook under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| Donald Fraser | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| Charles Fry | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | Appointed to Govt Resident's staff; joined by wife and three children per Kohinoor January 1870. Died in Gothenburg disaster | ||
| Adam Gaire | Cook | Moonta December 1868 | |||
| R. Gallattly | Cook | Kohinoor December 1869 | Govt Resident's staff, temporary replacement for Paul Hoppa | ||
| William John Gepp | Veterinary surgeon, farrier and blacksmith | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Had own business 1893 | |
| John Gerald | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | John Gerrald was OT labourer under Woods & Jarvis |
| C. Giles, jun. | Surveyor, Cadet, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 Gulnare January 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT leader under Knuckey |
| G. W. Goyder | Surveyor-General | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Charles Newton Greene | Surveyor, Cadet, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | ||
| William Gunn | Trencher | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| William Guy | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | speared in buttock by Aborigines at Fred's Pass May 1869 in same attack that killed Bennett. Guy, treated by Dr Peel, recovered. | |
| Dennis Haire | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| William M. Hardy | Draftsman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | ||
| William Harvey | Surveyor, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT Inspector w/ Roberts |
| H. Hatch | more info needed | Kohinoor February 1870 | on Bengal August 1871 for OT | ||
| Robert Hayball | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | Appointed to Govt Resident's staff as a labourer. Joined by wife and children January 1870 per Kohinoor | ||
| William Brelsford Hayes | Gardener | Moonta December 1868 | Govt. Resident's staff. Died 18 June 1878 at Palmerston two months after being acquitted of attempting to shoot at a native. | ||
| Richard Hazard | Cook | Moonta December 1868 | Hazard, a "coloured" man aged 42, died at Fort Point 9 August, 1869, buried alongside Bennett | ||
| Patrick Healey | Trencher | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| Henry Hemming | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | worked with Goyder before, later prospector. | ||
| Alex. Hicks | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | |||
| Richard Hinton | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| W. W. Hoare | Doctor's Assistant | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Watercolour illustrations of Schultze's specimens. Returned to England | |
| William Hodge | labourer | Kohinoor December 1870 | Govt Resident's staff | ||
| William George Holland | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | |||
| Wilhelm Ludwig Homeyer | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | A friend of Richard Schomburgk, he advocated cultivation of wattles | |
| F. W. "Frank" Hood | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | Appointed NT Government Accountant, Postmaster, Storekeeper | ||
| R. A. Horn | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | station manager brother of T. S. Horn. | |
| T. S Horn | Trencher | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Matthew Houston | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| William Houston | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT labourer under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| W. Howe, sen. | more info needed | Gulnare September 1869 | |||
| George R. Hughes | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT labourer under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| Henry H. Irwin | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | ||
| David Johnston | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT laborer under McMinn & Musgrave |
| Renney Kappler | Police trooper | Govt Resident's staff | |||
| Michael Keeley | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| George Kelley | Cook | 'Kohinoor December 1869 | Govt Resident's staff? | ||
| J. G. Kelly | Ship's carpenter | Govt Resident's staff | |||
| Pat. Kelly | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT labourer under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| Alexander "Alick" Kennedy | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | Moonta March 1869 | Sacked by Goyder for deserting his post and disobeying orders | |
| George Kersley | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT cook under Woods & Jarvis |
| Stephen King, jun. | Surveyor, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| R. R. Knuckey | Surveyor, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT inspector w/ C. Giles |
| Heinrich or Henry Ralfs Krüss | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT labourer under McMinn & Musgrave |
| Peter Krüss | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | died in NT January 1874 while member of a prospecting party | ||
| J. M. Lambell | Accountant and Postmaster | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo December 1871 | OT under A. J. Mitchell |
| Charles Laycock | Cook | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT cook under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| Arthur Frederick Lines | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | A. H. Smith married his sister. daughter of Oscar J. Lines. | |
| Charles Lines | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | not clearly related to A. F. Lines | |
| John Loudon | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Thomas Loveday | Trencher | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| R. J. Loveday, jun | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Cornelius Lowther | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | boatman/labourer on Govt. Resident's staff | |
| John Lowther | Trencher | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | boatman/labourer on Govt. Resident's staff, OT under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| Hugh Campbell MacCallum bka H. C. McCallum | cadet Surveyor | more info needed | Acted as secretary to Goyder, who suffered rheumatism. Appointed to Govt. Resident's staff | ||
| J. Massey | Police trooper | Govt Resident's staff | |||
| Donald McAulay | Wellsinker | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| J. McIntyre | teamster/labourer | Govt Resident's staff | |||
| Terence McIntyre | Wellsinker | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | ||
| Alexander L. McKay | Surveyor, Cadet, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | Died in Gothenburg disaster | |
| Alexander McKenzie | Cook | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT under Beckwith & Wills |
| George Galbraith McLachlan | Surveyor, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Appointed to Govt Resident's staff. Died of lung disease 19 March 1873, at Port Darwin | ||
| Gilbert R. McMinn | Surveyor, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | OT inspector with C. Musgrave | |
| James McPherson | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| A. E. Millar | not known | Gulnare February 1869 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Charles A. Miller | not known | Gulnare February 1869 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| James A. Miller | boatman? | Gulnare February 1869 | boatman/labourer on Govt. Resident's staff | ||
| J. Stokes Millner | Surgeon, Protector of Aborigines | Kohinoor December 1869 | Appointed to Govt Resident's staff, whole family died in Gothenburg disaster | ||
| W. Whitfield Mills | Surveyor, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | on Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1891–1892, prospector in W.A. | |
| Alex James Mitchell | Surveyor, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo December 1871 | later with OT. Described by Edwin Smith as brilliant but erratic, he had four or five children by Annie Sloper Cornish, then in 1877 eloped bigamously to America. |
| E. Martin Moyse | Wellsinker | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| Patrick Molloy | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | OT teamster under Woods & Jarvis | |
| W. Charles Musgrave | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT sub-inspector under McMinn; died in Gothenburg disaster |
| Charles Edwin Neal | Stockman | Kohinoor December 1869 | Govt Resident's staff appointment? | ||
| Thomas Neate | Axeman/Mason | Moonta December 1868 | Omeo December 1871 | Govt Resident's staff, later with OT under A. J. Mitchell | |
| North Smith | more info needed | Kohinoor February 1870 | |||
| John G. Nottage | Store Assistant | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| James Oborn | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| H. D. Packard | Surveyor, Cadet, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Appointed surveyor on Govt Resident's staff. Mrs Packard and children arrived by Kohinoor January 1870. | ||
| John Harrison Packard | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | brother of H. D. Packard, became prominent surveyor | |
| Charles J. Palmer | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT teamster under Woods & Jarvis, died on the OT. |
| Dr. Robert Peel | Surgeon | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| John Penrose | blacksmith | Kohinoor December 1869 | Govt Resident's staff appointment | ||
| William "Billy" Plaisted | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | mason/labourer in Govt Resident's staff | |
| Robert Price | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | |||
| R. Rice | teamster/labourer | Govt. Resident's staff | |||
| George Richards | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Alexander "Paddy" Ringwood | Draftsman | Moonta December 1868 | Govt Resident's staff, worked on OT, later meteorologist under C. Todd | ||
| Edward Cecil Rix | Doctor's assistant | Kohinoor December 1869 | Govt Resident's staff; medical officer to OT | ||
| J. F. Roberts | Surveyor, Cadet, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT sub-inspector under Harvey |
| Jas. Robinson | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT labourer under McMinn & Musgrave |
| William Rowe, jun. | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT saddler under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| William Rowe, sen. | In Charge of Horses | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| Edward J. Ryan | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | labourer on Govt. Resident's staff | ||
| Jeremiah "Jerry" Ryan | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | stockman on Govt. Resident's staff | |
| Michael C. Ryan | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| Walter L. Samson | Staff | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | ||
| T. Sayers | Blacksmith | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| Alfred Schultze | Assistant Botanist | Moonta December 1868 | son of Frederick | ||
| Frederick Schultze | Botanist | Moonta December 1868 | Stayed on by request of Government Resident. | ||
| Andrew Smith | not known | Gulnare February 1869 | |||
| Arthur Henry Smith | Surveyor, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | brother-in-law of Goyder; made bathetic suicide attempt in 1868, died 24 September 1909 in Perth, WA. | |
| Edwin Mitchell Smith | Surveyor, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | ||
| H. Q. Smith | Police trooper | Govt Resident's staff | |||
| John W. Smith | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT laborer under Harvey & Roberts |
| Charles Spencely | Cook | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Appointed Govt Resident's staff but returned with wife and children per Kohinoor 1870 | |
| N.? Wm? Spooner | Goyder's boatman | Gulnare February 1869 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| C. W. L. Sprigg | Surveyor, Cadet, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare January 1870 | with public service when he died 1875 | |
| William Stanborough | Chainman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT labourer under Woods & Jarvis |
| Thomas Stevens | Steward, Cook | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| Robert Rowland Stevenson | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| William George Stretton | Police trooper | Govt Resident's staff, career public servant | |||
| Joseph Middlemore Thomas | Surveyor, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | with Lands Titles Office until retirement 1904 | |
| Edward "Ned" Tuckwell | Mechanic | Moonta December 1868 | Appointed to Govt Resident's staff. Joined by wife and four children per Kohinoor January 1870 | ||
| Grosvenor Walters | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo December 1871 | OT under A. J. Mitchell |
| Alfred Warren | Trencher | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | Omeo August 1870 | OT head teamster under Knuckey & C. Giles |
| Benjamin Wells | assistant carpenter | Govt Resident's staff | |||
| Charles Frederick Wells | Surveyor, Cadet, 2nd Class | Moonta December 1868 | Omeo December 1871 | Govt Resident's staff, later with OT under A. J. Mitchell | |
| R. Wells | Carpenter | Moonta December 1868 | |||
| David Wilson | Teamster | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| Frederick M. Wilson | Axeman | Moonta December 1868 | Kohinoor February 1870 | ||
| A. T. Woods | Surveyor, 1st Class | Moonta December 1868 | Gulnare September 1869 | Omeo August 1870 | OT inspector w/ Jarvis |
;Legend
;::Leaving SA
- Moonta December 1868 Ship Moonta, 627 tons, T. Barneson, departed Port Adelaide 23 December 1868, but was held up three days at North Arm before getting underway, arrived Port Darwin 5 February 1869.
- Schooner Sea Ripple 126 tons, T. Bicknell, intended as a link between Darwin and Koepang, and for exploration purposes, should have left Adelaide with building materials in January 1869 but was condemned as unsuited to the region. Gulnare was purchased in her place. Of course Goyder and party had no knowledge of these delays and feared the worst.
- Gulnare February 1869 Schooner Gulnare, 150 tons, Capt. Samuel W. Sweet, left Adelaide 12 February 1869 arrived Port Darwin 27 March 1869.
- Gulnare left Adelaide 23 June 1869 for Koepang and Port Darwin, arrived 23 August 1869. No passengers, though with the sudden revival of interest in the Territory, many put their names forward.
- Kohinoor December 1869 Barque Kohinoor, 280 tons, Capt. Bicknell, left Adelaide 16 December 1869 with settlers, arrived Port Darwin 21 January 1870
- Omeo August 1870 Steamer Omeo chartered by Darwent & Dalwood officers S. King, W. McMinn, Burton, E M Bagot had contract for distributing provisions from depot at Mount Margaret, Harvey Bacon had a store 200 miles to north.. 5 gangs Harvey, A T Woods, Beckwith, McMinn, Knuckey; each 120 miles of line.
- Omeo December 1871 Steamer Omeo chartered by Charles Todd.
- Moonta March 1869 Moonta left Port Darwin 4 March, arrived Port Wallaroo 23 April with curios and botanical samples, poss. passengers: Dalwood, Kennedy.
- Gulnare left 30 April 1869 for Koepang and Adelaide, arriving 7 June 1869.
- Gulnare September 1869 Gulnare left Port Darwin 28 September 1869 arrived Adelaide 15 November 1869. Donley part of crew, may have left ship at Port Adelaide.
- Gulnare January 1870 Gulnare, Capt. Sweet, left Port Darwin 21 January 1870 arrived Port Adelaide 27 March 1870 with 12 officers and 7 men.
- Kohinoor February 1870' Kohinoor, Thomas Bicknell, left Port Darwin 6 February 1870 arrived Port Adelaide 10 April 1870.
1868 article about Daly's administration
SETTLEMENT
From the close of Stuart's first overland journey in 1859 little doubt seems to have been entertained by his fellow-colonists as to his ultimate success. So enthusiastic was our then Governor, Sir Richard MacDonnell, about the capabilities of the newly-discovered country that he applied to the Colonial Office for its immediate annexation to South Australia. The Duke of Newcastle replied that it was too soon to speak of that until the practicability of the overland route had been demonstrated. During the next few years additional evidence was discovered, not only by Stuart himself, but by Burke and Wills, McKinlay, Landsborough, and other contemporary explorers. The Duke of Newcastle was applied to a second time, not in the interests of South Australia, however, but of Queensland. Ignoring altogether the large share of credit due to South Australian explorers, and the prior claim of the South Australian Government, he offered the whole of the north coast to Queensland, the then pet colony of Downing-street. She had the modesty to confess that one-half of the white elephant would be enough for her, and so a line was drawn at the west side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. South Australia repeated her request for Arnheim's Land, unfortunately with success. The Waterhouse Ministry, before they retired from office in July, 1863, had the satisfaction of hearing from the Duke of Newcastle that their resolutions passed in Executive Council on the undesirability of annexing the whole of Northern Australia to Queensland had carried conviction to his mind. All that portion between the 129th and 138th degrees of east longitude was to be handed over to the "temporary guardianship" of South Australia. So ended the prologue to our Northern Territory melodrama. The first act must needs open with a Ministerial crisis, and in the transformation scene those who had opposed annexation became its executive, while some of its official originators enrolled themselves in the opposition. Among the founders of the Adam Bay settlement were a Chief Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Commissioner of Crown Lands, who on the shady side of the House had spoken against annexation as a very equivocal benefit. They had deprecated the ambition of the Waterhouse Government in proposing to send stock overland, and within twelve months they shipped from Port Adelaide a full-blown colony, with Government Resident, Secretary, guard of honour and valet-de-chambre for His Excellency, Police and Police Inspectors, Surveyors and Surveyor Generals, labourers and gentlemen farmers — altogether a perfect specimen of a ready-made municipality. But hothouse colonization did not suit the climate of Adelaide River. Disgusted with two years' experience of it, we tried a little exploring again, and Mr. McKinlay spent a pleasant winter on the East Alligator River at the expense of the Northern Territory Fund. To complete the programme of dilettante colonization our only further requirement was a marine survey à la Marco Polo, which Captain Cadell has given us. Now we can turn round and conscientiously say to the land-order-holders — the would-be cotton-planters and paddy-cultivators of Adam Bay — that we have done our best for them in that particular direction. Had the Duke of Newcastle been alive, with what gusto might the land-order-holders have poured their grievances into his sympathetic ear ; what invidious comparisons might they not have drawn between the Queensland style of settlement and our own ! There on one side of the boundary is Escape Cliffs, with its abandoned stores hid away under tarpaulins, and "the old Chief Mira" as special constable keeping guard over them. On the other side is Burke Town, a flourishing depot for the squatting stations on the Plains of Promise. From Queensland stock has been allowed to eat its way gradually down the Flinders, the Cloncurry, and the Albert Rivers. It has not only cost nothing to the Brisbane Government, but has been a large source of profit to the country. From South Australia not a single head of cattle has entered Arnheim's Land, unless by sea, and after eating its head off half a dozen times over on the voyage, seventy thousand pounds spent on a four years' infatuation, and the net result is— two hundred pounds worth of marine stores left on Escape Cliffs as a souvenir of the Finniss regime ! If history could be expunged as easily as Parliamentary votes, the words "Northern Territory" would never more be seen in our annals.