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Moses Creek tree
Title : Moses Creek tree Moses Creek tree
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Creator : Elliott, Frederick, fl. 1855-1897
Source : B 499/47
Date of creation : ca. 1891
Additional Creator : Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition (1891-1892)
Format : Photograph
Catalogue record
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Description :

Trunk of tree at Moses Creek showing the blaze "DL XXVII 21.7.91" created by David Lindsay of the Elder Expedition on 21 July 1891. The tree also bears the blaze "WWM46" created by William Whitfield Mills in 1883, "GOS 13" for William Christie Gosse expedition of 1873, and "F76" for John Forrest in 1876.

Lindsay describes in the account of the Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition finding the tree which was about a mile from his camp. He returned the following day to add the expedition's blaze and recorded that 'the doctor photographed it' i.e Dr FJ Elliott. The expedition had been given very precise instructions on blazing trees along their route.

This is a rare example of a tree blazed by multiple expeditions, and indicates also that expeditions crossed each others tracks on numerous occasions. The finding of a blazed tree of an earlier explorer enabled the later expedition to check their position against that given for the blazed tree in the account of the earlier expedition. They could then more accurately compare descriptions of the surrounding country, obtaining a view of it at a different time, and in this case nearly 20 years later than the earliest blaze.
Subjects
Related names :

Elliott, Frederick, fl. 1855-1897

Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1891-1892

Coverage year : 1891
Place : Moses Creek (W.A.)
Further reading :

Facsimile edition of the handbook of instructions for the Elder Scientific Exploration Expedition, together with A study of incompatibles by K. Peake-Jones Adelaide: Royal Geographic Society of Australasia, South Australian Branch, 1991

Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition, (1891-1892) Journal of the Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1891-2 under command of D. Lindsay North Adelaide: Corkwood Press, 1999

Internet links :
Exhibitions and events :

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


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