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Exploration Expedition - 1861-2
Exploration Expedition - 1861-2

Exploration Expedition - 1861-2

Author
Printer
Date1862
Object number00018990
NameBook
MediumInk on paper, board
DimensionsOverall: 323 x 210 x 15 mm, 600 g
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionTwo parlimentary papers, numbers 108 and 109, bound into a book titled 'Exploration Expedition - 1861-2. Letters from Commander Norman Reporting the Return of the VICTORIA from the Gulf of Carpentaria; together with Reports and Correspondence. Presented to Both Houses of Parliment by his Excellency's Command.' Under William Henry Norman's command HMCS VICTORIA was sent from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria to search for evidence of the missing Burke and Wills expedition.HistoryThe VICTORIA was built for the Victorian colony in England under the supervision of Commander Norman in 1855 and served with the Colonial Navy until 1867. Norman was Commander from 1856. In 1860 Robert O'Hara Burke was chosen to lead the Great Northern Exploration Expedition across Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. The expedition was expensively equipped by private and public subscriptions, but, largely as a result of Burke's impatience and lack of bush craft knowledge, it ended disastrously. The fringe of the Gulf was reached early in February 1861 but on the return journey Burke and his second in command, William John Wills died of malnutrition and exhaustion at Cooper Creek towards the end of June. No fewer than four Relief Expeditions were sent out - Howitt, Landsborough, McKinlay and Walker. Norman commanded HMCS VICTORIA as part of the Landsborough Relief Party who were on the Firefly. When the latter was wrecked, VICTORIA rescued them and continued as their main support vessel. In searching for the Burke and Wills party, the relief expeditions themselves opened up much of northern Queensland. VICTORIA’s role as support vessel included the supply of equipment and food, landing parties, and surveying work. It is all recorded in this book. The Norman River which runs from north-west Queensland to the Gulf of Carpentaria was named by Frederick Walker after Captain Norman.SignificanceThe VICTORIA was the first British-built ship to be given to a colony of the British Empire and became the first Australian warship to be deployed overseas when it transported troops from the 40th Regiment of Foot to New Zealand in 1860 during the First Taranaki War and patrolling and taking part in actions there. In 1861 - 1862 VICTORIA transported searchers looking for the missing explorers Burke and Wills. Whilst there valuable exploration work in the Gulf of Carpentaria was carried out. The captain's name, William Norman is remembered by the Norman River and by the town of Normanton, North Queensland.