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Packed up, and steering in an east direction over generally very grassy country with occasional mallee thickets, for about twenty-two miles, we came to a splendidly-grassed rise, and found a fine rock water-hole on it, containing about 100 gallons, which our horses soon finished being fearfully in want, the day being very warm. We are now only thirty miles from Eucla.
After travelling five miles further we camped close to the cliffs, at a small water-hole, Wilson's Bluff bearing North 85 degrees East magnetic, and the Delissier sand-hills North 90 degrees East magnetic. We might have reached Eucla this evening, but I preferred doing so to-morrow, when we could have the day before us to choose camp.
After leaving Eucla, the explorers had a distressing stage to the head of the Great Bight, where they obtained water by digging in the sand, the horses having been three days without a drink, suffering much more than on any previous stage. From here they soon entered the settled districts of South Australia, and the exploring came to an end.
It was evident that Port Eucla, which Captain Douglas carefully surveyed by taking soundings and observing bearings, was the key to the exploration of this vast portion of the continent.
John Forrest, leader of the Eucla expedition, the expression of my appreciation of the zeal, judgment, and perseverance which he has displayed in the successful conduct of the enterprise committed to his charge. Great credit is also due to the second in command, and to every member of the party. All have done their duty well, and to them also I desire to render my thanks.
Settlement formed at Somerset, Cape York, by the Queensland Government Expedition of the Brothers Jardine Start from Carpentaria Downs Station Disaster by fire Reduced resources Arrive at the coast of the Gulf Hostility of the blacks Continual attacks Horses mad through drinking salt water Poison country An unfortunate camp Still followed by the natives Rain and bog Dense scrub Efforts of the two brothers to reach Somerset Final Success Lull in exploration Private parties Settlement at Escape Cliffs by South Australia J. M'Kinlay sent up Narrow escape from floods Removal of the settlement to Port Darwin M'Intyre's expedition in search of Leichhardt His death Hunt in Western Australia False reports about traces of Leichhardt Forrest's first expedition Sent to investigate the report of the murder of white men in the interior Convinced of its want of truth Unpromising country Second expedition to Eucla The cliffs of the Great Bight Excursion to the north Safe arrival at Eucla.
It seems likely that a most undesirable class of colonists will forestall the "back blockers" from the west, for to the northward of Eucla rabbits have been seen slowly advancing to the westward. The Government fortunately realises the importance of checking the incursion.
Leaving longitude 126 degrees 24 minutes East on 24th June, we reached Eucla on the 2nd July, depending again solely on rock water-holes, our horses often being in great want of water. At Eucla we again met the coaster with supplies, etc.
They are very steep and rough, and water may generally be found in rock holes in the gorges. Camped for the night near the Hampton Range, about five miles from Eucla Harbour, and on the 2nd July, on nearing the anchorage, discovered the schooner Adur lying safely at anchor, which proved by no means the least pleasing feature to our little band of weary travellers.
I had fixed the 30th as the time for our fresh start, and we had enough to do in packing bags, and making general repairs and improvements in our outfit. Eucla Bay, the only other point at which we should be able to communicate with the coaster, was 350 miles to the east of Israelite Bay.
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