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Explorers dig for water
Title : Explorers dig for water Explorers dig for water
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Creator : Lindsay, David, 1856-1922
Source : Explorations in the Northern Territory of South Australia, p. 8
Place Of Creation : Adelaide
Publisher : H.F. Leader, Government Printer
Date of creation : 1888
Format : Pamphlet
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Description :

David Lindsay leads his expedition through an unnamed creek in central Australia; the land looked like good pastoral country with gum trees and palm trees abounding. The party then moved into an area of rough, broken ground. Lindsay noted the different types of rock, always hopeful of a good mineral find. Reaching Plenty Wells where they had hoped to find water, they were disappointed. The country appeared drought stricken. The camels had been some time without water, so Lindsay camped most of the men and stores and then moved on to search for a supply of water. Fortunately he found a rockhole from which they had to dig out some 10 tons of sand before recovering enough water for the camels. He then continued east along the Marshall River with good pastoral land again.

Lindsay's findings in this region were mixed: good pastoral land interspersed with dry, ephemeral rivers and rough rocky country. Others would find the gold fields at Arltunga, east of Alice Springs. In 1891 Lindsay would be appointed to lead the Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition which would examine western South Australia and into Western Australia, the last blanks on the map of Australia. His party would include a geologist, and it was the hope that the expedition would find either good pastoral lands or mineral resources. Later, when gold was discovered at Coolgardie, Lindsay would work there as a mining surveyor.
Subjects
Related names :

Lindsay, David, 1856-1922

Coverage year : 1887
Place : Plenty Bore (NT)
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State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-


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