Lieut. John Shortland R.N., Newcastle, NSW
S 32° 55.607 E 151° 46.972
56H E 386203 N 6356173
This 'plaque' commemorates the landing at "Coal River" in 1797 by Lieutenant John Shortland ([British] Royal Navy).
Waymark Code: WMV2K7
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 02/13/2017
Views: 0
This commemorative plaque is on the entrance to 131 Scott Street, Newcastle.
It reads:
"THE
VICINITY OF THE
LANDING PLACE OF
LIEUT. JOHN
SHORTLAND.
R.N.
SEPT. 9th 1797.
A.S.P. [Australasian Society of Patriots]
1926.
From Wikipedia: (
visit link)
John Shortland (1769 - 1810) a British Naval Officer, came to Australia with the 'First Fleet' in 1788, returning to England in 1792.
He returned in 1794 as a first lieutenant; and in 1797 he was sent sailing north of Sydney in pursuit of some runaway convicts.
When he went into and landed at "Coal River" (later called Newcastle) on 9 September, 1797, he collected some samples of coal from Nobbys Headland, and drew the first chart of the harbour where the Hunter River comes to the sea.
(In 1800 he was appointed to go to Egypt to transport British troops. While there he used ingenuity to fly a kite over "Pompey's Pillar", from which he ultimately rigged some ropes and ladder, enabling some officers to climb it, display the Union Jack and toast King George III; 3 days later fixing a weather vane atop. In 1809, as captain of "Junon" the ship was badly damaged by French ships, and Shortland was also seriously wounded, dying 21 January, 1810)
Visited: 0713, Sunday, 8 November, 2015