Naturels de la Baie Raffles

Artist Ernest Goupil (French, 1814 - 1840)

Date1839

Object number00003619

NameLithograph

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 486 mm, 0.35 kg

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPlate 117 titled 'Naturels dela Baie Raffles' from the Atlas Pittoresque, Voyage au pole sud et dans l'Oceanie by J. Dumont d'Urville, Vol. 2. Dessine par Goupil. Lithograph par Bayot. Gide editeur, Lith Thierry freres, Paris.HistoryRaffles Bay on the Coburg penninsula is the traditional country of the Oitbi (also refered to as Bidjenelumbo, Heutbi, Oitbo or Bijnalumbo) and is now recognised as the lands of the Iwidja. Named by Phillip Parker King in 1818 during his survey on the MERMAID, the Bay of Raffles had already long been established as a trading locale for Macassan sailors who arrived annually in December to collect trepang (or sea cucumbers) for trade with China. Local Indigenous Australians were familiar with the Macassan and exchanged other goods such as bees wax, pearl shell and ironwood over the three to four months the sailors were based on the coast. The British had long wanted a settlement on the northern coast both as a strategic claim to territory and as a potential port to capitalise on future trading options. Other European powers were seen as potential threats and in 1824; the first of four attempts was made on Melville Island for a northern British Colony. This first small colony would last just four years before being abandoned and in 1827 Fort Wellington was established at the Bay of Raffles. Like its predecessor Fort Dundas, Fort Wellington was quickly proven a failure and lasted two years before a third attempt at Port Essington was made. While the British departed the Bay of Raffles, Macassan sailors continued to trade in the region until around 1906 - 1907. SignificanceLocated at the eastern end of the Cobourg Peninsula, Raffles Bay was the site of the second abortive attempt at settlement on the northern coastline of Australia. It was named by Phillip Parker King in 1818 after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore.