Citation
The Evolution of Some Historic Sites: Recherche Bay, Tasmania 1792- 2006 associated with the D’Entrecasteaux Expedition 1792 & 1793: Peter MacFie, Tasmanian Heritage Council,110 pp, 2008. (Reprint without maps 65pp, 2017).
Outline
The Recherche Bay d’Entrecasteaux visit in 1792 and 1793, and ongoing land use in the area up to recent times. Includes the search for the ‘French gardens’.
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The Evolution of Some Historic Sites:Recherche Bay, Tasmania.pdf
Map in newsletter article
Excerpt
The Bennett’s /Observatory Point site is overlaid with over 300 years of European historical usage and occupation, from the 1792 French astronomical observatory, to ship-building on Bennett’s Point in 1863, to the operation of the Crescent Sawmill nearby from 1898 to 1910. The mill tramway[1], documented by Kostoglou 1993 would appear to have run very close to the supposed French Garden site. Later Bennett’s Point was owned by Dalco, then the Ryan family with their neighbours, former policeman Thomas Driscoll at Sullivan’s Point- itself a former whaling and then a police station site.
Known Structures. Situated on and adjacent to Bennett’s Point are several known and a few un-explained features. The two unexplained man-made features are two embankments or walls of stones, one at the BP, and another on the small Maid of Erin Reef point. (see over) Several ruins relating to the Crescent Sawmill c 1900 exist, and have been documented by Kostoglou as recently as this year (2006.) (see below). Other structures may also be documented in title and survey documents The author uncovered at least 7 huts known as ‘Crescent City’ which existed next to the saw mill- see over. Nearby, the Ryan family lived in a two storeyed house on their block near Bennett’s Point.
Nomenclature.
Observatory Point /Bennett’s/Ryan’s Point. Confusion exists over the naming of Bennett’s Point, with locals remembering the name as Ryan’s Point.[2] However, a title for 1863 indicates the occupier at the point as ‘W. Bennett,’ and the locations was formally gazetted ‘Bennett’s Point ‘ in 1877.[3] However, the land at the point was purchased at auction by Joseph Dalco. (see below) A fourth name, perhaps a surveyor’s error, annotated on a title, refers to the point as ‘McIntyre’s Point.’ [4]
Strategic Advantages. Protected by the Maid of Erin reef and Sullivan’s Point, Observatory Point offered the French expedition several advantages:
- Ideal Location for Observatory
- Safe Anchorage
- Ready Access to Forge and Workshops
Rendezvous Point
- Location. On 26 April 1792, only four days after making landfall in Recherche Bay – the location was described by a member of the French expedition as ‘Observatory Point.’ Siting of the observatory on what is today known as Bennett’s Point was a fortuitous juxtaposition. Jutting into Recherche Bay, Bennett’s Point was an uninterrupted space for the magnetic trials. Denis de Trobriand recorded:
The position of Observatory Point has been determined with great precision. The large number of astronomical observations of meridian elevations of the suns and stars taken with the astronomical circle of Mr Borda have given 43°.32’32” south latitude…[5]
- 2. Safe Anchorage. In addition, sheltered by nearby Sullivan’s Point, a protective anchorage was provided inside Observatory Point. The safety of the location is made clear in several references by expeditioners, typified by those of Huon de Kermandec on Recherche Bay.
The best anchorage for ships which need to carry out a lot of repair work is that which we took, about a cable length and a half back from the point which forms the entrance to the bay. In this position a ship finds itself closed in ion all sides and seems anchored in a lake of quiet water in the midst of a forest, so that whenever wanted, the smallest boats can always be sent to this low entrance point without any danger.
2 Ready Access to Forge & Workshops. To coordinate repairs and lessen travel, workshops were established at or near Observatory Point.
We have named it Observatory Point because it was on this spot we erected the tents of the astronomers of the two ships, so they could work together in making observations, and as well we assembled here the various workshops needed by the two ships. We set up a repair shop, our[small] boats being in a very bad state and also needing to be made higher. [6]
Rendezvous Point. Observatory Point was also used as a departure point for land based parties, both the ship repairers and those returning from scientific exploration. For example, the point gave access to the nearby forges, while, after exploring the D’Entrecasteaux River area collecting specimens, Labillardière’s party found return to the ship blocked by coastal marshes, which ‘forced them to take an alternative inland course back to Bennett’s Point where the observatory was located.[7]
Known Structures 1792. Beautemps- Beaupre’s map of 1800 indicates the survey mast was erected at the tip of Observatory Point. Piron’s drawing of the 1793 observatory in Rocky Bay shows three tents erected to house the scientists- probably typical of the small establishment of the previous year. [8]
Descriptions below are by expeditioners, drawn from Plomley and Piard-Bernier (1993) indicate the operation of the first scientific trial on Australian soil.
Recherche 23 April 1792
Mr Rossell and the officers attached to the observatory went ashore with the instruments so as to profit from the favourable conditions which offered today…
Mr Trobriand and Mr D’Auribeau went to fix the most suitable place for putting up tents and after examining several we decided to place them all together on the southern point of the entrance. (ie Bennett’s Pt) The shore there is easily approached and at the same time the frigates are close enough to protect the working people and the astronomers, being no more than two cable lengths away.[9]
Recherche 24/4/1792
In the afternoon the astronomers went ashore with their instruments and the observatory tent was erected.
Esperance
We sent everyone ashore on the point to starboard of the entrance to prepare a suitable place for our observatory tent. [10]
Esperance 26/4/1792
The astronomical instruments were taken to the observatory, as well as the necessary supplies. A few paces away from this establishment we set up two forges by the seashore, and a repair yard for our boats, which were in a bad state.[11]
Recherche 8/5/1792
The astronomers have profited by this fine night to observe satellites and star distances.[12]
The D’Entrecasteaux expedition visited Western Australia in between the 1792 visit to Recherche Bay, and their return in 1793. There they also established a similar scientific station on Observatory Island. Any reports on this location may be useful in reference to the expedition’s sites at Recherche Bay. [13]
…..
End of Excerpt
To read more of the report, download a copy of the pdf.
References from the Excerpt
[1] Kostoglou 1993.
[2] Poulson, Bruce Recherche Bay, A Short History, Melbourne, 2004.p. 66.
[3] Pretyman Nomenclature index, AOT.
[4] Diagram of Actual Survey, County of Kent, Parish of Purves, 27/26, 28/4/1902. (This title however labels Bennett’s Point as ‘McIntyre’s Point’- presumably an error?)
[5] Plomley, Brian & Piard-Bernier, Josiane The Visits of the Expedition led by Bruny D’Entrecasteaux to Tasmanian Waters in 1792 and 1793, Launceston, 1993, p. 80.
[6] Plomley & Piard-Bernier, p.114-117.
[7] Duyker, Citizen Labillardière A Naturalist’s Life in Revolution and Exploration 1755-1834, Melbourne University Press, 2004, p. 100.
[8] Plomley & Piard Bernier, p. 29. Rocky Bay January 1793. View of the Esperance (right) and the tents of the observatory (left). A sharper reproduction is available in Marchant p. 94. (see below)
[9] Plomley & Piard Bernier, p.60.
[10] ibid., p. 63-4.
[11] ibid., p. 65.
[12] ibid., p. 73.
[13] Marchant Lesle France Australe, the French search for the Southland and subsequent explorations and plans to found a penal colony and strategic base in south western Australia 1503-1826 with colour illustrations and explanatory maps, Perth, 1996, p. 94.
Copyright Peter MacFie © 2017