Lincoln National Park & Memory Cove

(A$160.00 per person, 8 hour tour, Price Valid until 1/04/10)
Includes: morning tea, lunch and entry fees
Venture through the vast Sleaford sand dunes to the magnificent wilderness area of Memory Cove, a beautiful sheltered inlet and the perfect lunch stop. Learn about the rich history of the area, and the tragedy that befell the crew of the Investigator as Matthew Flinders charted the region in 1802. Visit the Memory Cove Wilderness Area, and hear about the reintroduction of Brush Tailed Bettongs (Woylie) and Mallee Fowl and other projects.

Departs: 9.00 am. Pickup: from accommodation within Port Lincoln. Return: 5.00 pm Departs for 2 Persons

(As we could be collecting other customers it is advisable to be ready at least 15 minutes before the departure time)

The place of observation was about 11/2' to the eastward of the ship. Sent the master in a cutter over to the main to search for fresh water. At 7, the boat was seen returning but suddenly missed; upon which I sent Lt. Fowler in the other cutter to look after them. At 91/2h, fired a gun as a signal for the last cutter to return, which she did about an hour afterwards not having gained any intelligence; but was nearly swamped from getting into a rippling of tide where the water broke sometimes suddenly.
The tide continued to run an hour and half to windward (S.S.E.) after the boat was seen. Our apprehensions lead us to suppose, that that the boat has been swamped, and that she has capsized over them and drifted with the tide to seaward. Only two of the men in the boat were at all expert in swimming......

At 5, the cutter returned with some trifling remnants of the boat, found between the isle No. 4 and the main, but nothing was seen of the people......

As we had now made every search for our unfortunate shipmates, that we could think had any prospect of being attended with success, I thought it could avail nothing to remain longer on their account, for there was only a small chance of obtaining their bodies on their rising to the surface, from the number of sharks which have been seen. Even the small chance would have induced me, had not the want of water been so pressing to hurry us forward. I caused a stout post to be set up in the cove, and upon and to it was nailed a peice of sheet copper upon which was engraved the following inscription,
                     Memory Cove
  H.M.S.Investigator, M.Flinders Comr.
  Anchored here Feb. 22. 1802
  Mr. John Thistle, the master,) Mr. William Taylor Midn. and]
  six of the crew were most unfortunately drowned near this
  place from being upset) in a boat. The wreck of the boat was
  found

[1802 Feb. Thursday - 25th. extra remarks - in Memory Cove]
on the south coast of New Holland

                       Memory Cove

       H.M.S.Investigator, M. Flinders Comr.
            Anchored here Feb.22. 1802

             Mr. John Thistle, the master.
             Mr. William Taylor, Midn. and
     six of the crew were most unfortunately
    drowned near this place from being upset
    in a boat. The wreck of the boat was found,
      but their bodies were not recovered.

                      Nautici, cavete!

I must take occasion to observe in this place, that Mr. Thistle was truly a valuable man, both as a seaman, an officer, and a good member of society. I have known him, and we have been mostly together, since 1794. He constantly was one in the several excursions that were made for the further discovery of the coasts near Port Jackson, and for his superior merit and prudent conduct was advanced to be a master in the service, from being before the mast. In a voyage like the present, his loss cannot be otherwise than felt most severely, and he is equally lamented by his shipmates and friends, in which latter class, may be reckoned every individual on board.........