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Geology of country bordering Lake Alexandrina
Title : Geology of country bordering Lake Alexandrina Geology of country bordering Lake Alexandrina
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Creator : Gawler, George, 1795-1869
Source : South Australian Register, 4 January 1840, p. 4, col. b-d
Place Of Creation : Adelaide, S. Aust.
Publisher : Robert Thomas and Co.
Date of creation : 1839
Format : Newspaper
Catalogue record
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Description :

Governor George Gawler summarises his assessment of the geology of Lake Alexandrina and River Murray, describing also the vegetation and its suitability for sheep or cattle pasture, and the prospects for plantings of citrus and vine. He writes of the extensive fossil formations along the river, and considers the sandstone appropriate as building material. He also considers the River admirably suitable for steam navigation, but not for sailing vessels because of the fluctuating winds. Beyond the river and north of the North West Bend, the vegetation changes but he considers that if tanks were built to hold water, the country would support sheep or cattle. He also writes that the River Murray is a beautiful feature of the province.

In November 1839 he had led an expedition north up the River Murray, examining its geology en route. From the North West Bend, he and some of the expedition explored across land to the north, going as far as Mount Bryan before being turned back for want of water. Henry Bryan became lost in the scrub and perished without trace despite extensive searches being made for him.
Subjects
Related names :

Gawler, George, 1795-1869

Sturt, Charles, 1795-1869

Coverage year : 1839
Region : Riverland and Murraylands
Further reading :
Sturt, Charles, The Mount Bryan expedition 1839 Adelaide: Sullivan's Cove, 1982
Parkin, L. W Handbook of South Australian geology ..., [Adelaide] Geological Survey of South Australia, 1969

The Murray edited by Norman Mackay and David Eastburn Canberra: Murray-Darling Basin Commission, 1990

Borrow, K. T. Lieutenant-Colonel George Gawler, K.H. Governor and Commander-in-Chief of South Australia 1838-1841 Adelaide: Pioneers' Association of South Australia, 1955

Internet links :
Exhibitions and events :

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-


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