This eBook was produced by Sue Asscher

MCKINLAY'S

JOURNAL OF EXPLORATION

IN THE

INTERIOR OF AUSTRALIA.

(BURKE RELIEF EXPEDITION.)

WITH THREE MAPS.

MELBOURNE:F.F. BAILLIERE,PUBLISHER IN ORDINARY TO THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT,AND IMPORTER OF MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC WORKS.LONDON. NEW YORK. PARIS. MADRID.

COLONIAL AGENTS:SYDNEY, A. CUBITT; ADELAIDE, W.C. RIGBY; TASMANIA, WALCH AND SONS.

* * *

MCKINLAY'S EXPLORATIONS.

DIARY OF MR. J. MCKINLAY,

LEADER OF THE BURKE RELIEF EXPEDITION:

BEING JOURNAL OF EXPLORATIONS IN THE INTERIOR OF AUSTRALIA,TOGETHER WITH CHART.

TO THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS.

Depot Camp, Cudye-cudyena, or Buchanan Lake,

October 26, 1861.

Sir,

The following is a brief resume of the proceedings of the Burke Relief
Expedition since the date of my departure from Adelaide.

Started from Adelaide with the camels, etc., on 16th August, 1861, andovertook the remnant of the party, horses, cart, etc. etc., nothing ofany particular note occurring on the journey to Blanchewater (Mr. Baker'sstation) more than ordinary on such journeys, save the worthlessness ofthe cart and consequent detention thereon. A few days before arriving atsaid station, I was informed that the natives had brought in a report ofsome white men and camels being seen at some inland water by them, orrather others of Pando or Lake Hope tribe, but did not give the reportmuch credit knowing how easy a person may be misled from the statement hehears from natives, and the probability of putting a wrong constructionupon what he hears, more particularly from a tribe of people who reallydo not understand what you say to them, having hardly any English, butintend making every inquiry and, if at all satisfactory on the point,will make a push for their relief.

BLANCHEWATER.

Got all the stores forwarded ex Lubra, and dray repacked, and started onTuesday, September 24; went about eleven miles, camels and cart camped atsmall creek, the horses camped further on, having mistaken theirinstructions; poor country.

Wednesday, September 25.

Tooncutchan, Mr. Baker's outstation—sixteen miles; met Mr. Elder and Mr.
Giles there, and Mr. Stuckey arrived in the afternoon; poor country.

Thursday, September 26.

Manawaukaninna, Messrs. Stuckey's outstation, unoccupied; thirteen and ahalf miles. Mr. Stuckey and I went to Lake Torrens about three milesdistant to look out for a good crossing-place for the cart, which we did,and returned to hut. Three of the horses had a narrow escape fromdrowning before starting this morning. The country was a little bettertoday; filled all our water vessels and bags for the dry country betweenthis and Pando or Lake Hope.

Friday, September 27.

Started early; got all safe across the Lake Torrens, no water being atour crossing nor in view. Horses and camels went on to camp abouttwenty-five miles distant and leave what water was to spare for the drayand my horse, and proceed on the next day to Lake Pando, which I foundafterwards they did, then bearing from 2 degrees 30 minutes to 3 degrees;cart and sheep came twelve and a half miles on same course; at thre

...