Gregory

Hands up anyone who knows about the exploits of Charles Augustus Gregory. OK, I’m the only one with his hand up, but I get a free pass being a new Australian.

Chuck, as he would be called today, was a pretty clever fellow, he established an out-post in Northern Australia from which he was able to do his exploring. Unlike Leichardt who killed off most of his helpers Gregory set up a camp by a permanent river (water being handy if you are homo erectus by design) and shipped in supplies (by ship surprisingly enough) to stock his “northern safaris”.

Chuck is credited with, amongst other things, the invention of the packsaddle, which replaced the old English horse hardware used up to this time. Chuck experimented with dehydrated food to make it last longer and lighten the load for pack animals. He also built a compass, which could be used while riding a horse thus speeding up his surveying efforts, although using the compass while riding did lead to more tail end accidents, much like the mobile phone.

Impressed yet?

One of Chuck’s better-known exploits was the day his horse trod on a crocodile tail while crossing the Victoria River. This feat of bravado was captured by watercolour artist Thomas Baines. Young Tom was obviously quick with the brush, to get so much detail in such a short time, f1.4 at 1500 and ISO 200 probably. I would have to check with Lyndal on that one, being the most awarded relative, photographically at least.

Chuck’s biggest problem, apart from the crocs, was his botanist companion Dr. Mueller who, perhaps due to his size or riding ability, not only continually lagged behind but kept wearing out the riding stock. To compound Chuck’s distress the ship that transported supplies up the river fell apart on arrival and the horses on board (no doubt spares for the good doctor) drowned getting ashore. The drowning getting ashore I can testify is a real risk having attempted a “quick paddle” myself in the croc infested waters only to find myself knee deep in mud.

On the second of July eighteen fifty six Greg carved his name into a Boab tree and into history. The aborigines have a different story for the tree…..