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The last day Giles saw Gibson
Title : The last day Giles saw Gibson The last day Giles saw Gibson
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Creator : Giles, Ernest, 1835-1897
Source : Geographic travels in Central Australia from 1872 to 1874, p. 189
Place Of Creation : Melbourne
Publisher : Printed for the author by M'Carron
Date of creation : 1875
Format : Book
Contributor : State Library catalogue
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Ernest Giles and Alfred Gibson had been exploring ahead of the main party, and were now 90 miles from known water behind them. With one pint only remaining of their water, they advanced another eight miles and then Gibson's horse broke down from thirst. Giles considered the land ahead might possibly have better prospects of water, but with them reduced to one horse between two men and with no water supplies in the immediate vicinity, he determined they must return to their known cache of water.

Gibson had swapped his horse the previous day, before two were released to find their own way back to water. He had considered that the horse he had selected was in better condition, but very soon regretted his decision as the cob rapidly deteriorated. In fact all the horses were in poor condition after days without adequate water, and with no or only poor feed on the ground. Giles wished that he had camels, which would have coped better with the trying conditions.
Subjects
Related names :

Giles, Ernest, 1835-1897

Gibson, Alfred, d. 1874

Coverage year : 1874
Place : Gibson Desert (WA)
Further reading :

Ernest Giles's explorations, 1872-76: South Australian parliamentary papers 1872-76 Adelaide: Friends of the State Library of South Australia, 2000

Giles, Ernest, Geographic travels in Central Australia from 1872 to 1874 Melbourne: Printed for the author by M'Carron, Bird, 1875

Ericksen, Ray, Ernest Giles, explorer and traveller, 1835-1897 Melbourne: Heinemann Australia, 1978

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