• Water wise: how rivers shaped a colony

    Author(s):
    Imogen Wegman (see profile)
    Date:
    2018
    Subject(s):
    History, Imperialism, Australia, Tasmania
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    Colonial history, Australian history
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/jdrk-aa13
    Abstract:
    (non-refereed) For the Europeans at Risdon Cove, 16 October 1803 looked like a normal day for their fledgling camp. Normal, of course, being a relative term here. The site was probably bustling, as the newcomers set about making their presence permanent on the edge of the River Derwent. Without fanfare, the 29-year-old Irishman James Meehan departed from the camp. His task was to survey the land around the River Derwent for ten to twelve miles (about 18 km) from the camp. He was looking for land with rich soils and river access, that could be farmed easily for useful timbers and other resources. He noted down lands that would not be productive, while measuring distances, and marking trees for future reference. His discoveries would guide the earliest European forays into farming along the River Derwent, as both free and convict settlers received their land grants.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Published as:
    Journal article     Show details
    Pub. Date:
    2018
    Journal:
    Papers and Proceedings: Tasmanian Historical Research Association
    Volume:
    65
    Issue:
    3
    Page Range:
    45 - 60
    ISSN:
    0039-9809
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    3 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved

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