Barker's knoll, sea outlet of the Murray, 1840; Spot where Captain Barker was murdered

Date1840s

Object number00008249

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin photographic print on paper.

DimensionsOverall: 216 x 68 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis photograph is of a sketch titled "Barkers Knoll, sea outlet of the Murray 1840". This coastal area is located in South Australia near Encounter Bay and became known primarily as a whaling area and the location where members of the Ngarrindjeri community allegedly killed Captain Collet Barker.HistoryCaptain Collet Barker was originally appointed commandant of the settlement at Fort Wellington on Raffles Bay Northern Territory after his arrival in Australia in July 1828. The fledging settlement faced a myriad of problems from the outset and despite many improvements bought by Barker; in particular the reconciliation with the local indigenous population, Fort Wellington was abandoned in 1829. After a brief position at King Georges Sound, Barker was ordered to return to Sydney in 1831 on board the ship ISABELLA. On his journey his instructions were to determine the coastal outlet of the River Murray in the area of Encounter Bay, South Australia. From accounts of people who were there, on April 30 the exploring party arrived at the Murray River outlet, most likely that depicted in the sketch, and Barker crossed it alone. The account tells that Baker "fastened his compass on his head for him, he plunged into the water, and with difficulty gained the opposite side; to effect which took him nine minutes and fifty-eight seconds. His anxious comrades saw him ascend the hillock and take several bearings; he then descended the farther side, and was never seen by them again. “(South Australian Register, 30 April 1885). It was later discovered through interpreters that Barker had been attacked and killed by three Ngarrindjeri in probable retaliation for the harsh treatment inflicted upon them by the whalers and sealers who had been frequenting the area since 1810. SignificanceThis sketch is significant in its recollection of a time in Australia’s history when coastal exploration and industry were still in its early days. Relations with the local indigenous populations were still tenuous and at times had been aggresive in this area between whalers, sealers and the Ngarrindjeri people of the Coorong.