Sturt+in+1830,+1844

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Captain Charles Sturt was eager to find out what lay in the vast unknown land of Australia. He was sure that there must be an inland sea or a large harbour to make a good port for trading ships. He and his crew were the first white men to travel in a boat down the Murrumbidgee River, into the River Murray. He had learned from Aboriginal guides about this route. The boat went past the Darling River flowing into the Murray. They came to Lake Alexandrina. To their disappointment, the mouth of the River Murray was blocked by a sand bar. It would be useless as a port for big ships. He and his crew had to row back upstream the way they had come. Sturt became very ill from scurvy. Sturt thought that up north there must be an inland sea. In 1844 he mounted an expedition to Central Australia. He crossed Sturt’s StonyDesert. He was very ill when he returned.

Sturt was at least able to make responsible contact with the Aborigines. The Aborigines had been badly treated by sealers living on Kangaroo Island, where Kingscote had become home to deserting sailors and convicts who treated the Aboriginal women that they stole like slaves. Sturt treated Aboriginal people that he met with respect.

Captain Sturt's family home at Grange is open to the public.

'The Grange' is open for inspection from 1pm to 5pm. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays or by special arrangement on Ph: 8356 8185. All rooms are period furnished and include portraits, photographs, books, and memorabilia of the family.



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