CHAPTER VII - EXPEDITION FOR THE EXPLORATION OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA IN 1855–6, UNDER THE COMMAND OF MR. A. C. GREGORY

Summary

The necessity for a more thorough exploration of the northern regions of Australia, after the various enterprises of the kind in its eastern, western, and southern portions, became eventually so strong, that Mr. W. S. Lindsay, M.P., offered to contribute towards this great object. Mr. Uzzielli also offered £10,000; and these noble acts seem to have shamed the Imperial Government into fitting action. The sacrifice on the part of Mr. Uzzielli was rendered unnecessary by the Government undertaking it. The experienced explorer, A. C. Gregory, was invited to take the command of the expedition, which was fitted out at Sydney, except so far as the horses and sheep were concerned, which were shipped at Moreton Bay. The objects of the expedition were clearly set forth in the instructions to the leader. The scene of exploration was to be the northern and north-western regions of Australia. The outfit was to be completed at Moreton Bay, and the men and material were to be conveyed to the Victoria river in a vessel, accompanied by a smaller one as a tender carrying stores. This smaller vessel was to remain, and bring them back. They were to ascend the Victoria, and to proceed in the first place southward, so as to reach that elevation whence the streams arose that ran into the interior, to lose themselves in desert sands, or to join an inland sea.