nineteenth Century Settlement Essay, Research Paper

In the early 1800s a figure of Gallic adventurers visited the south west seashore of Australia. The British, who were at war with the Gallic at that clip, became concerned that a Gallic presence in the south West of the continent could jeopardize trade with the eastern settlements. In 1819 Phillip Parker King and his crew patrolled the southwest, although it was non until his 2nd ocean trip in 1822 that they made landfall on & # 8220 ; Rottenest? .

Colony of the Swan River Colony began in 1829, and involvement was shown about instantly in Rottnest as a unafraid topographic point with the potency for salt harvest home, farming and fishing. Rottnest was surveyed with proviso for a town in 1830, and in 1831 William Clarke and Robert Thomson took up town tonss and grazing land land. Thomson, for whom Thomson Bay is named, took up abode on the Island in 1837.

The impression to utilize Rottnest as a confinement topographic point for Aboriginal captives, was suggested by James Stirling. In August 1838 Constable Lawrence Welch, under the new rubric Superintendent of the Government Establishment, Rottnest, took six Aboriginal captives to Rottnest. They were to raise suited homes, fish and cod salt. Buoyeen had been sentenced for assault ; Mollydobbin, Tyoocan and Goordap for larceny ; Helia for slaying ; and Cogat for stealing butter.

However, shortly after their reaching, all six captives escaped to the mainland in Thomson & # 8217 ; s boat. Helia was drowned in the crossing, but the other five made is safely ashore. When he realised the captives were gone, Welch lit signal fires to pull the attending of people at Fremantle. The signals were seen, but because similar signals were used to denote that giants were on the seashore, no one took much notice.

Despite this experience Governor Hutt decreed by 1839 that Rottnest was to be regarded as a preparation constitution for Aboriginal captives, as an option to mainland captivity. Henry Vincent, the Gaoler at Fremantle, was put in charge of the Establishment. All private land was resumed by the Government. Many of the original constructions such as the Salt Store, Vincent & # 8217 ; s first bungalow and the Museum ( originally a hay shop ) were built at this clip. By 1844 there were about 20 captives on Rottnest.

Despite Vincent & # 8217 ; s expostulations to the presence of boats on the Island, a Pilot service was established under Captain Edward Back. Governor Fitzgerald expressed an involvement in shacking on Rottnest and Vincent began the building of a new abode for himself so that his ain Ho

usage could be used by the Governor.

In 1847 Francis Armstrong was appointed as Moral Agent for the Aboriginal captives, and Vincent besides burdened him with the undertakings of Store and Lighthouse keeper. The bungalow K1 & A ; K2 was built for him, but he returned to the mainland the undermentioned twelvemonth.

In July 1849 Governor Fitzgerald closed the Rottnest establishment and transferred some captives to Perth. Eight captives remained on the Island, working for James Dempster to whom the Island was leased. Many of the edifices were plastered for protection at this clip.

Rottnest was proclaimed a penal constitution one time more in 1855, with Vincent one time once more appointed Superintendent. A Chapel was built, and the boat shed and keeping cell constructed. In 1864 the Government House was constructed as a summer abode for the Governor. Besides in that twelvemonth the Quod ( slang for Prison ) was constructed. Ailments about Vincent & # 8217 ; s maltreatment of captives were raised, and Vincent retired in 1867, to be replaced by William Jackson.

In 1880-81 a Boys Reformatory was constructed. By 1883 the prison population was in the order of one hundred and 70 people, and 60 Aboriginal work forces died during an influenza epidemic. The bulk of Aboriginal deceases, chiefly from disease, occurred during this period. Jackson was succeeded as Overseer by William Timperley in 1883, Edward Angelo in 1890, and Frederick Pearse, the last Superintendent, in 1898.

Although the last captive did non go forth the Island until 1931, the Prison, Reformatory and Salt Works were officially closed in 1903, and the Pilot Station was transferred to Fremantle. The closing of the Prison rapidly lead to the usage of the Island for recreational intents. Physical development was non rapid and ab initio comprised the building of modest cottages and cantonments at Bickley Bay, together with a Shop and Recreation Hall. A gradual run of transitions in the Settlement commenced, to accommodate both the Reformatory and the Prison to hostel adjustment, and Government House to flats. It was in this period that the Island was made a Reserve.

The period 1855 & # 8211 ; 1903 was a clip of intensification and variegation of utilizations, and of important development on Rottnest Island. It was in this period that the staying edifices that form what is normally referred to as the & # 8220 ; historic nucleus & # 8221 ; were completed, and that efforts to works trees and fancify the Island began.

Mention: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.rottnest.wa.gov.au

Provided by the West Australian State authorities cyberspace resources.