The memorial above is located at the eastern base of Ormond Point,Elwood. It marks a rather tragic
event.
In December 1829 a barque called the Glen Huntley departed from Argyllshire
in Scotland with 157 government emigrants bound for Australia. She arrived at Willam’s Town on 17 April 1840
with not only the passengers but fever (typhus) aboard. The ship was ordered to
sail across the bay to Red Bluff (now Ormond Point). A quarantine station of tents was
established. Of the 157 passengers
aboard ten had died at sea.
Three unfortunate passengers succumbed whilst in the quarantine station
and were buried on Red Bluff in graves enclosed by a picket fence. The sea
gradually washed the earth away. At 7 am,
on 27 August 1898 with officials, onlookers & family of passengers of the
Glen Huntley present the graves were re-opened and the remains reinterred in
St. Kilda Cemetery.
The plaque above was erected in 1985. It lies in all but surrounded in bushes in an
imaginary line between Glen Huntly Road, Point Ormond and the sea.
Source
and Credit. Contributed to Taphophile Tragics.
A heavy story of rugged early days! I did not know a quarantine station here pre-empted Point Nepean's Quarantine Station - by about 12 years! Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteSea travel was such a gamble then. How terrifying it must have been setting of in 1829 and not knowing if ou would ever make your destination. Great picture.
ReplyDeleteHerding Cats
Interesting memorial. Classic condition for typhus, humans in close contact for a prolonged period of time with lice around. Makes me itch just to think about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd these people possibly came on board with such hope, only to end in fear of death. A perilous journey indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting piece of history and a sad end to a very long voyage.
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteSo that's how Glen Huntley Road was named. I wonder, though, what a 'government emigrant' is? Is it PC for convict or were they part of the Bounty Migration Scheme?
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that only another 3 died, Joe. But not surprised that, even then, our shoreline was being eroded.
The main quarantine station in Sydney was out at North Head, and there are a couple of small cemeteries out there. With all the buffeting from the elements, I still suspect it will be some time before those graves are in danger of being exposed through land slippage.