Narrative of an expedition of exploration in north-western Australia / by Herbert Basedown.

  • Herbert Basedow
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Narrative of an expedition of exploration in north-western Australia / by Herbert Basedown. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    imported trees and flowering shrubs which adorn the streets and private gardens. The difference between high and low water mark at Broome is 28 ft. At ebb the water disappears entirely from the harbour, and leaves the vessels standing on the muddy bottom. Thus a natural “dry dock’’ is afforded, and our Captain made use of the opportunity to scrape and paint the sides of the “N2” during the delay. In the meantime we called upon the Resident Magistrate (Major Woods) and Bishop Trower. We arrived at Derby on Thursday afternoon, March 23rd, and those of the residents who could leave their business or domestic ties (and there were not many who could not) ran down in the old horse tram to see the boat come in. It was a hot and thirsty day, which I was told was not the exception to the rule. The elite were garbed in white, with sun hats and canvas shoes; the ladies carried silk umbrellas. The picture bore sem¬ blance to a tropic port, but one thing was wanting—the bustle of the coloured man. From the upper deck I cast my eves across the space. So this was Derby! Below me were the gurgling muddy waters of King Sound, fringed by tall mangroves; behind the latter a vast ex¬ panse of low saltmarsh. across which a seeming never- ending pier with heavy rails on either side verged to some distant white-washed sheds or domiciles sur¬ rounded by big trees. The heated air which rose above the glistening plain hid the farther skyline in a dancing maze. This was our starting point which lay just 3,000 miles from home. Among the numerous visitors I met on board v as the Resident Medical Magistrate, Dr. F. J. Elliot, who in 1891 accompanied the Elder Scientific Exploring Expe¬ dition to Central Australia. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in super¬ vising the landing of our equipment, and we were in¬ debted to Mr. Wharfinger Moore and staff for expediting matters as they did. In the evening Captain Saunders tendered us a farewell dinnner, and late that night we sought onr beds in the Port Hotel at Derby. During the next few days followed the task of un¬ packing, arranging, and repacking our stores and im¬ pedimenta. The iron sheds in which they were stored were like drying ovens, and the smelly atmosphere enough to stifle the hordes of rats that overran the place.