WA Explorers - John Septimus Roe Traditional Cache
WA Explorers - John Septimus Roe
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This cache is part of the WA series celebrating our early explorers and pioneers. This is one of 12 caches spread throughout the south of WA. There is a clue placed inside this cache in the form of a letter and a number that you will need as it will be used to find the two bonus caches for this series.
In the footsteps of John Septimus Roe. A walk along the eastern shore of Oyster Harbour.
John Septimus Roe was the first surveyor-general in Western Australia. He was born in Berkshire England, on May 8th 1797. He died in Perth 28th May 1878 and is buried in the old East Perth Cemetery.
On 21st December 1817 the Mermaid commanded by Lieutenant King sailed from Sydney. The crew consisted of twelve men and two boys. Boongareeen was to act as a contact with other Aborigines encountered on their westward voyage. Roe and Bedwell were to assist Lieutenant King. By 20th January the Mermaid was anchored in King George Sound. King took the Mermaid through the narrow neck of water into Oyster Harbour and anchored about 25 yards from the eastern shore. Water and firewood were collected by the crew.
Between the 21st and 31st January 1818, Roe went ashore to walk to a projecting head (now Bayonet Head) on the western side to sketch. However, he continued to walk further wading the Western River (now the King River) in the north west corner of the harbour. It was 4 feet deep. Instead of returning by the way in which he had come he continued to circuit the harbour. After proceeding further he unexpectedly met yet another river 200 yards wide. This was the Riviere de Francais (French River) (now the Kalgan River) in the north east corner of the harbour. Roe, fully clothed, nearly drowned whilst swimming across the river. Roe noted “weirs” or fish traps across the mouths of all creeks and rivers. Eleven were counted along the flats between the above two mentioned rivers. See GC1MZ03 Fish Traps: Kaatboornup for more information about the Fish Traps.
Roe recovered and continued around the shores of Oyster Harbour back to the Mermaid (now Emu Point).
This cache will take you along the eastern shore of Oyster Harbour. For a short picturesque walk to the shores of Oyster Harbour park at S 34:57.320 E117:58.808. A rough driving track does go beyond the closed gate, however, in winter this gets very wet and boggy. Walk the rough track until you reach the edge of Oyster Harbour, then follow the coordinates to the cache. Enjoy the views across Oyster Harbour towards Bayonet Head, Lower King and Albany. I enjoy this walk most on a winter’s day as the setting sun breaks through the clouds of a steel grey sky.
BEWARE OF TIDES. Low tide will make an enjoyable walk on the narrow “beaches”. High tide will have you wading most of the way … which is OK in summer but not so good in winter. Geopooches will have a ball summer and winter.
For those who like to continue walking due south you can continue to walk the waters edge to Emu Point. The SE corner is soft and muddy underfoot. If you proceed south of S34:58. 362 E 117:58.688 BEWARE OF 1080 POISONING used in the reserve. Keep goepooches on a leash.
Another, though less picturesque entrance to the cache, is via a fire break between fallen down fence lines and Gull Rock National Park. BEWARE OF 1080 POISONING used in the reserve. Keep goepooches on a leash if taking this track to the cache. If choosing to use this track park at S34:58.357 E 117:59.783 again, near a locked gate beside the Gull Rock National Park sign.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jvguva n ybt.
Treasures
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