On this day in Australian history (Sep 29) September 29, 1791. : George Vancouver formally claims southwestern Australia for Great Britain. The area of Western Australia where Albany now stands was first discovered by George Vancouver in 1791. After being sent to explore the southern coastline of Australia, Vancouver first made landfall at Cape Leeuwin, then travelled southeast. On 28 September 1791, he discovered an excellent harbour which he named King George the Thirds Sound, later shortened to King Georges Sound or, as it is now, King George Sound. Standing at Possession Point, Vancouver formally claimed this land as British territory on 29 September 1791. British occupation of King Georges Sound, the first settlement in Western Australia, did not begin until 1826. At that time, the western third of Australia was unclaimed by any country, and there were fears that France would stake its claim. To prevent this, Governor Darling of New South Wales sent Major Edmund Lockyer, with troops and 23 convicts, to establish a settlement at King George Sound. They arrived in the brig Amity on Christmas Day in 1826. Lockyer initially named the site Frederickstown after His Royal Highness, Duke of York & Albany, Frederick Augustus – second son of King George III.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 05:49:09 +0000
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