The Erwin Reserve is named after Alexander Ewen, he was a ship's carpenter born in Midmar, Aberdeenshire Scotland in 1827.
He arrived in Encounter Bay in about 1848. Alexander was employed at The Bluff whaling station.
On the 26th May 1855 he married Mary Parsons, they set up home in a 'pug' house near The Bluff where 6 six children were born and one died. In 1867, Alexander built a house from bricks formerly used as ballast onboard on of the many ships that called into the bay, at 'Alex's Corner' now known as Ewen Reserve. Another eight children were born here.
From 1871, Alexander was headsman at the whale fishery after the industry nearly died out in 1860's He was still the headsman when the final whale was caught.
One night Alexander tried to intervene in a fight, was clubbed and wandered off dazed. He was missing for 3 days. Afterwards he suffered from piercing headaches and his death, early in 1893 aged just 67, contributed to this blow. Mary died in 1921 at the age of 83.
This cache is part of a series 'Who were they? _______(name of the reserve)
As you will there are a lot of reserves in the Victor Harbor area these are named from people who shaped Victor Harbor.
An easy find amongst the trees, parking can be on George Main Road or Armstrong Road just be mindful the traffic as the near by roundabout can be very busy, stealth is required. BYO pen