"New Settlement in Bass's Straits", in The Edinburgh Advertiser, August 24, 1827.
Edinburgh: 1827. Newspaper account of the British government's second attempt (1826) to establish a convict settlement at Western Port in Bass's Straits. In 1824 Hamilton Hume and William Hovell had explored the area they called "Western Port" and it was on the basis of their glowing reports and the competition with the French in the area, that lead to this expedition of December 1826.
Upon setting up camp and exploring the area, Hovell realized that what he knew to be "Western Port" was not where the camp had been set up. He had confused Port Philip with Western Port. The settlement was abandoned for lack of water and arable land. This was the last try at setting up a convict settlement in what would later become Victoria.
The article includes lengthy extracts from Captain Wright's Report (Dec. 26, 1826) and Captain Wetherall's Report (HMS Fly) dated Dec. 27, 1826. Capt. Wright describes the settlement as being established "two miles east of Kangaroo Point". In spite of the flattering accounts of local conditions in the captains' reports, the settlement proved to be unsustainable.
The article runs over 12 column inches. Newspaper 10 1/2 x 15", 8pp. Perforation surrounded by browning below the fold front page; four pence duty stamp, very good condition. Issue No. 6651. Very good - condition. Item #23251
Price: $225.00