Location of Stuart's tree

Creator: Harris, C. Hope (Charles Hope), 1846-1915

Object Source: Sketch showing relative positions of Stuart's marked tree and buried papers in flask [map]

Date of creation : 1898

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Format : Map, 295 x 210 mm

Shows approximate location, in longitude and latitude, of mangrove tree where John McDouall Stuart hoisted a flag and buried an airtight flask. Also marked tree further south. Shows natural features including position of Charles Creek. Compiled by C.H. Harris from Stuart's map and journal, PP 21/63, by direction of the Surveyor General, and approved by S. King and W.P. Auld

John McDouall Stuart reached the north coast of Australia 24 July 1862, the culmination of six journeys of exploration. The boggy nature of the mangrove swamp bordering the shore prevented him and his men from approaching the mouth of the Adelaide River. The following day, a little along the shore from their original arrival point, a mangrove tree was stripped of its branches and the British flag was raised. A tin was buried adjacent to the tree, with a note inside stating that the South Australian Great Northern Exploring Expedition had reached the coast after departing from Adelaide 26 October 1861. All of the party signed the note and the tree was marked 'Dig one foot S'. Some distance back from the coast and due south of the original arrival point another tree was blazed with Stuart's initials.

When the first surveyors and settlers arrived attempts were made to find Stuart's trees. Neither could be found after repeated searches. Doubts began to creep in--had Stuart falsified his account, and not reached the coast at all? But Stuart's work was admired by surveyors for its accuracy and they could not believe he would be wrong on this point. G. R. McMinn, Acting Government Resident in the Northern Territory and Senior Surveyor in the 1880s, persisted. He questioned the local Aboriginal people and eventually found an old man who said he had seen the tree upon which Stuart had hoisted the flag, but that it had now fallen down. He knew of another with marks on it. McMinn sent out a party of men to investigate and the blazed tree was found; it had become thickly surrounded by bush and other trees. The news was sent back down the telegraph line to Adelaide. Stuart had been vindicated and his integrity was intact.

McMinn was also told that the Aboriginals had tried to return the flag to Stuart, but had been unable to catch up with the explorers. The flag was cut up and distributed among the tribe.