Benjamin Babbage had been in and around the Pernatty Creek region since March 1858, and this drawing was done on 25 May. Pernatty Creek was discovered and named by Charles Swinden on 3 August 1857, using the Aboriginal name for the creek. Swinden described it as an excellent water source only 75 miles from Port Augusta.

It was while in the vicinity of Beda Creek in March 1858, that Babbage met William Scott and Henry Brooks who were in the last extremities of exhaustion. They had separated from their companion William Coulthard near Pernatty Creek, in a search for water. Babbage promptly went to Pernatty to search for the missing man. Despite determined searching Coulthard was not found until 15 June and was buried nearby.

Benjamin Babbage was the leader of a South Australian government expedition which was exploring the northern reaches of the colony and searching for a passage through the apparent barrier of salt lakes that blocked progress to the north. He was equipped for 18 months but was recalled by the government for being too slow. Babbage was replaced by Peter Egerton Warburton just as he found a way through the lakes to the north.

Babbage, Benjamin Herschel, 1815-1878

Swinden, Charles

Babbage, BH 'Northern exploration', South Australian Parliamentary Papers, no. 25, 1858

Threadgill, Bessie South Australian land exploration, 1856 to 1880 Adelaide: Board of Governors of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia, 1922

Gill, Dawn Iron tracks and dusty trails: the life of Benjamin Herschel Babbage Henley Beach, S. Aust.: Seaview Press, c2002

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-