Swan River Settlement
James Stirling
Main Exploration
The main exploration started on 8 March 1827. The party consisted of eighteen men, including Stirling. They went in two small ship's boats, and life soon fell into a definite pattern. They started at five every morning, and travelled till eleven. Then they rested, starting again at three. At six they stopped, and made camp for the night.
Early in the trip they met a group of about thirty Aborigines. The Aborigines followed them along the banks, full of curiosity. They were startled when the bugler sounded his instrument. This seemed to anger them, and they shook their spears furiously. They calmed down later and accepted the gift of a swan which the explorers had shot. Soon, Aborigines and sailors were busy exchanging presents.
As the explorers sailed on, Stirling noted many animals and birds. The party saw kangaroos, emus. swans, ducks. pigeons and quail.
Stirling wrote in his diary that the land was rich. No-one would starve there.