Citation for original report
Schouten Island: an historical survey. Peter MacFie, 1991 (Department of Parks Wildlife & Heritage, Tasmania.) (87 pp)
Citation for reformatted report
Schouten Island: an historical survey. Peter MacFie, 1991 (Department of Parks Wildlife & Heritage, Tasmania.) reformatted 2017 (54 pp)
Abstract
A survey of the history of Schouten Island. A report prepared for the Department of Parks Wildlife and Heritage in 1991. Re-formatted in 2017.
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Excerpt from Chapter 5 – Bay Whaling
Following the registration of whaling stations, newspaper reports list at least twelve visits by ships removing black oil casks from Schouten Island and Main between 1837 and 1841[1]. The Cornwall Chronicle in February 1840 for example reported Henty’s Lady Mary Pelham again ready for sail. She did not return until 26 October with a cargo of 1600 barrels (more than 200 tuns) of black oil (got from the right whale, 50 barrels of the more valuable sperm oil, and 7 tons of whale bone. The cargo was described as “from the Schoutens”, where most of the black oil was thought to be taken[2]. As noted, the Henty’s station was located on Schouten Island.
Elizabeth, schooner of Launceston, 51 tons, owner Campbell (of Port Fairy), skipper J. Brown. On a whaling and supply voyage, from Port Adelaide and on to St Vincents Gulf and Port Fairy. Had visited Schouten Island with casks (i.e. empty) for the Socrates, also Recherche Bay. The latter was a barque of 200 tons and worked in tandem with the smaller Elizabeth[3].
The Socrates return was noted in the Launceston newspaper without direct reference to Schouten Island; having been to “Recherche Bay, the whaling ground and fishery” for oil[4]. Many other general references probably included Schouten Island as part of a whaling voyage.
1838
During November both the Socrates and Mary – Mills 56 ton cutter – were at the island. The Socrates proceeded to Adelaide with additional cargo from Launceston. She was captained by William Dutton first whaler and settler at Port Fairy[5]. Her cargo from Schouten Island appears to have included tobacco. The Mary, acting as supply ship, had 33 whalers returning to Portland Bay.
In October, the British registered barque Thomas Laurie (304 tons) had loaded 109 tons of black oil from Schouten Island and Recherche Bay stopping at Launceston en-route to Portland Bay and then London[6].
1839-40
The Lady Mary Pelham (brig 186 tons) was bought by James and Charles Henty and registration changed from London to Launceston in August 1839. Skippered by John Mills of Port Fairy, it arrived with 20 whalers and gear from Portland Bay. The ship took oil and bone at Schouten Island in October, assisted by the Henty’s cutter Mary, before the latter headed for Portland Bay with whaling gear and a party of whalers[7]. Mills returned to Launceston with oil and whalebone[8].
Both ships returned to the island in August and October 1840. Leaving in March the ship did not return to Launceston until October. On board were 1,600 barrels of black oil and 7 tons of whale-bone “from the Schoutens”[9].
Earlier in June, a new schooner the Isabella (69 tons) and owned by Thomas Johnson and Captain Robert Gardiner voyaged to Schouten Island but was driven aground. She was later successfully salvaged. The partners also shared a lease in Wineglass Bay.
End of Excerpt
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Reference from Excerpt
[1] Nicholson, 1826-42 Index P. 187
[2] Carroll, P. 114
[3] Nicholson, 1826-42, P. 93 and P. 95
[4] Nicholson, op.cit. P. 96
[5] op.cit., P. 121
[6] op. cit., 25/10/1838
[7] Nicholson, Vol. 2, pp 147-8
[8] C.C. 2.11.39
[9] Carroll, P. 111