Preserving Our History
The First Field Book 1857
 | | Goyder's first field book. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.00 |
In 1857 Goyder was made First Assistant Surveyor-General under Freeling. It was to be an important year for him. In April, he set out on an expedition to carry out the triangulation of the country north of Mount Serle in the Northern Flinders Ranges. Besides the surveying, he was instructed to locate useful water sources in the region of Lake Torrens. When he got there, he was surprised by what he saw: - 'The scene, so unexpected and forcing so great a contrast to the arid plain and sandy soil over which we had so lately passed - the placid appearance of the water disturbed only by the quiet enjoyment of the water fowl swimming about the surface - the rich luxuriant foliage of the stately grass afforded a feeling of pleasure that can only be realised by persons similarly situated as ourselves.'
Seeing the creeks flowing with fresh water, he made the mistake of reporting the water permanent. Sure of his judgement, he persuaded Surveyor-General Freeling to verify the discovery himself and urged him to take a boat with him to examine the waters of Lake Torrens which Goyder estimated would take six months to explore. A disgruntled Freeling returned and reported he found nothing but mud. The criticism that followed made Goyder more sceptical of first impressions, and determined to discover as much as he could about the true nature of the colony's climate and geography.
 | | Saturday 23 May 1857. Setting out the baseline in the Mount Serle region. SRSA GRG 35/256/ Volume 1 p.54 |
 | | Saturday 23 May 1857. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.55 |
 | | Saturday 23 May 1857. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.56 |
 | | Saturday 23 May 1857. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.57 |
 | | Saturday 30 May 1857. Goyder reaches the area he describes as holding permanent water. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.66 |
 | | Monday 1 June 1857. The party reaches the northern end of Blanchewater, near St Mary's Pool. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.71 |
 | | SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.72 |
 | | Wednesday 3 June 1857. Arriving at Lake Torrens, he finds no evidence of flood water tide marks. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.78 |
 | | SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.79 |
 | | SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.80 |
 | | Friday 5 June 1857. Goyder turns homeward, retracing his steps via St Mary's pool. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.83 |
 | | St Mary's Pool. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.85 |
 | | St Mary's Pool. SRSA GRG 35/256/Volume 1 p.85a |
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