Journal of the Calvert Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1896-7

Book Description

Secondhand. Very good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges. Sunning to pages and inside covers. Light foxing to foredges. Includes a detailed map at back.

Full Title: Journal of the Calvert Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1896-7: Equipped at the Request and Expense of Albert F. Calvert, Esq., FRGS, London for the Purpose of Exploring the Remaining Blanks of Australia

Facsimile edition of a 1902 government publication recording an 1896 expedition across Western Australia, equipped by Albert F Calvert and commanded by L A Wells of the South Australian Survey Department.

In 1896, Lawrence Wells, an explorer, was appointed by the South Australian branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia to lead the expedition. Albert Frederick Calvert financed the expedition.

The expedition left Mullewa in mid-June and reached Lake Carnegie in late July. After leaving Separation Well, the party separated into two. The main party, led by Lawrence Wells, reached Fitzroy River in November.

A search party was organised to find the second party. The bodies of Charles Wells and George Jones were discovered in 1897. They had perished of thirst and heat in the Great Sandy Desert.

The tragedy terminated the expedition. The South Australian press and public vilified Lawrence Wells. Two subsequent parliamentary select committees cleared him of blame.

(Source: The Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation and Australian Dictionary of Biography)