Australia's Historical Sites
By Alan Hassell ? ( Copyright 10/04/98
Although Australia's history of European settlement started when Capt. James Cook on his voyage of discovery landed at Botany Bay, it was not until 1788 that the first settlement was established at Sydney Cove.
The first fleet left England's shores on 13th May 1787, consisting of eleven ships, the Alexander, Scarborough, Prince of Wales, Lady Penryhn, Charlotte, Friendship, Fishburn, Barrowdale, Golden Grove and two supply ships, H.M.S. Sirius and Supply.
Not including the ships crews, 1044 undertook the voyage which lasted eight months. Thirty people died on the hazardous voyage. Finding Botany Bay unsuitable for settlement, Governor Phillip examined the Port Jackson area and established the first settlement at Sydney Cove, named after the Home Secretary, Lord Sydney.
Using convict labour, the settlement slowly took shape, although food was the greatest problem. We are fortunate that a plan or map of the first settlement was made. From this we can learn where buildings stood, marine and convict quarters were established and so on.
It must be remembered the convicts would have had few if any possessions. However members of the garrison were paid, and the coinage at the time would have varied from George the first who reigned from 1714-1727, George II, 1727-1760 and George III, 1760-1820. Although unlikely, it could have been possible for coins in use during Queen Anne's reign, 1702-1714, to come ashore.
Rum was the first known method used for barter, as coinage was in short supply? The first American schooner that sold rum to the settlement took what coinage was available for payment away from Australian shores. A consignment of Spanish silver dollars imported in 1792 soon filtered through to the hands of the traders to the trading ship captains. It was found that coinage could not be kept in circulation.
Promissory notes were used with some success, but were subject to abuse and forgery. Feeling the need for a form of currency that could be used at the settlements Maquarie imported 40,000 Spanish dollars from India in 1813.
In order to keep them in the Colony, holes were punched into the centre and they were given the value of five shillings (50c).
The coin became known as the holy dollar, and the centre was named the dump, having a value of fifteen pence. Today these coins are very rare and eagerly sought after by collectors. More Spanish coins were put into circulation in 1822, and it was several years before sterling was introduced.
By 1780, soldiers and convicts having served their time were granted land rights and many took up the offer. Whaling had started at Woolloomooloo Bay, and other settlements were established on Norfolk Island, Manly Cove and Parramatta, which was known as Rose Hill at the time.
Another called Green Hills on the Hawksbury River later became known as Windsor, and was the major grain producer of the Colony. During the early days of settlement, the French were showing an interest in Australia. To deprive the French, settlements were set up at Port Phillip Bay, French Island and Hobart. On 4th March 1804 an uprising of Irish prisoners took place at Castle Hill.
Having overpowered the guards at the settlement and secured arms from the guards, a house was set on fire to signal other convicts. The official flogger was dragged from his house and given a taste of his own medicine. The convicts then set out for Hawksbury where they hoped to increase their numbers to 1,000, collecting arms on the way.
Unfortunately for the rebels, news of the revolt had leaked. During a brief confrontation at a place called Vinegar Hill, Toongabbee, 15 rebels were killed and six wounded.
The ringleaders were hung after capture, and floggings given to several others. Should the site of the confrontation ever be located, it's on the cards that weapons will be found.
It is reported that the convicts threw down their weapons and fled on foot during the encounter. Fifty convicts known to have taken part in the affair were sent to Coal River settlement.
This later became known as Newcastle, and coal mined by the convicts was exported to India. There were numerous convict settlements scattered around the country, with a little research some interesting historical artefacts could come to light.
During these early turbulent years, the population comprised mainly of males, although female convicts did arrive with the first fleet. Emigration was introduced not only to increase the population but also with a view of increasing the food output by experienced farming.
So desperate was the need for women in the Colonies that at one stage they were offered free transportation? Needless to say some took this opportunity in the hope of a new life. During 1852, new arrivals found their way to a place known as 'Canvas Town'. It was situated south of Melbourne, and 8,000 people lived here for a token land rent of five shillings per week. Traders moved in to meet the demands of those living on the site.
Most of the individuals living in Canvas Town used it as a temporary staging post before moving off onto the goldfields. It eventually deteriorated to become a refuge for the down-and-out and criminal element, and for this reason it was finally closed down. The exact location of Canvas Town must be on record somewhere.
Mr David Snelling of the Victorian Seekers Club believes it was situated near Alexander Gardens. David also believes it was quite close to the River Yarra, for the residents are believed to have drawn water from the river for domestic purposes. Such a site could reveal many old coins.
There are many sites of historical interest awaiting the individual prepared to put time and research into a project. A great many caches or hoards have been recovered in the UK because the finder took the time to research the site thoroughly.
A new breed of detector user has entered the scene, they are the treasure hunter's, Are you one? If you like history, you'll love treasure. Who knows, you might be the lucky one to unearth the Queenscliff treasure or find Lassiter's lost reef, these are but two treasure mysteries waiting to be solved. Happy hunting. ?
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