After returning from the Victorian Navy's first overseas campaign, in New Zealand, HMCS Victoria was ordered to the Gulf of Carpentaria to search for the overdue explorers, Burke and Wills. While at the top end of Australia in 1861/2, the Victorian Navy depots were located at Investigator Roads (between Sweers & Bentinck Islands) and on the Albert River. In actual fact the depots were on land, Sweers Island & on the bank of the Albert River. The anchorages were on the Albert River & in Investigator Roads.
Of interest on the map are Sweers Island where Gunner James Frost was buried after accidentally shooting himself, Norman River named after HMCS Victoria's Captain Norman, (who later went to Britain to supervise the fitting out of Cerberus) Burketown and Normanton established in the late 1860s. Alligator Point is so named as Salt Water Crocodiles were originally referred to as Alligators, whereas Fresh Water Crocodiles were referred to as Crocodiles.
On Sweers Island is the grave of Gunner James Frost, of HMCS Victoria, who died after an accidental shooting in 1861. The Victoria was searching for Burke and Wills.
|
Mr. James Frost. V.N. GUNNER of H.M.C.S. VICTORIA Who was killed near this Spot by the accidental dis- charge of a gun on the 31st day of December 1861. AGE 28 yr For ten years a faithful Ser- vant of his Queen and Cou- ntry. RESURCAM
|
