If anyone knows anything about the people in this diary I should be delighted to hear from them.
Clive Owen, Southend-on-Sea, England
OVERLAND DIARY 17th to 28th DECEMBER 1883
Diary taken from a journey overland from South Australia to Victoria by Mr. Coglan and Mr. W.H. White.
Left Adelaide, South Australia Monday December 17th 1883. At half past seven arrive at crafferÕs. 1Ú2 past twelve fed horses and had dinner and left at 1Ú2 past two for Mount Barker, all went well until just before entering the township when a favourite dog belonging to Mr. R. Coglan got under one of the wheels of the dray which nearly severed one of his legs. Doctor him up and proceeded. Arrive Mount Barker 5 oÕclock where we put up for the night. Distance travel for the day 21 miles.
Tuesday the 18th left Mount Barker 10 oÕclock put up at two at the River Onparingo left again at 3 and arrive at laghorneÕs creek at 6 oÕclock. Distance 18 miles having been stuck up three times today.
Wednesday 19th left laghorneÕs creek and arrive at Mulgundawa at 11. Left again at twelve and arrive at Wellinton 10 minutes to two. Cross over the River Murray in punt distance across about one mile went on and arrive at MacfarlandÕs sheep station 1Ú2 past six put up for the night. Distance for the day 26 miles.
Thursday 20th left sheep station at 8 oÕclock, very bad travelling and arrive at Knights Farm, CookÕs Plains at 12 oÕclock had dinner and left at two arrive at the mouth of the desert, pbutt in and arrive at the lime stone wells at 4 oÕclock. Water horses and proceeded on hoping to arrive at HawkÕs nest about 7 oÕclock but when we got about half way the road are rather track became fearful bad and the shafter drop down and refuse duty so we turn to and throw half of the cargo over board. Manage to get the horse up and got on about half a mile when we had to lighten ship by throwing a big box out and then we manage to make about 2 miles more when we found we could get not further so we agree to throw away everything there was on board but it was to no avail so we drop anchor for the night. Both us and the horses were thoroughly worn out and to make things better we had no water. Distance for the day 15 miles.
Friday 21st got up at four and went 4 miles ahead on foot in search of water but with no success, seen any amount of kangaroos. Return to the dray weigh anchor put the ship about and return to where we came from for water, namely the limestone wells. The water was very brackish but still it went down high are rather low I should say. Had our breakfast and then the skipper went out shooting. He shot a few parrots which we roasted for the dog but he was bad and could not eat them. Got under weigh again about one for Hawk nest and got about half way pick up a few things such as clothes etc. but it was a fearful bad track and we found we should not be able to go much further so we gave them a spell and went on ahead on foot in search of water (I say on foot I mean without the horses as we walk the whole distance through the desert). Walk abut 5 miles and found water at the bottom of a well 150 feet deep and it was as much as the two of us could do to get up a bucketful, the windlbutt work very bad. Had a drink and took back a billyful with us and when we did get back we found the leader had turn and snap the shaft off close up to the dray. Took them both out and camp for the night, the poor wretches having to go without water for another night. Distance about 5 miles.
Saturday 22nd got up at four, took a piece of the tailboard and mended the shaft put the horse in and came on to HawkÕs nest and arrive there at 1Ú2 past ten the horses being nearly done up for the want of water being 24 hours without it (which under a South Australian summer sun and travelling on nothing but sand is no joke) and so we thought we had better stop for the day. In the evening we had a visitor a German chap on the wallaba so we made some pancakes and invited him to tea and as it was a rough night we let lodgings to him in the caravan. The room was very limited but it was raining very heavy outside.
Sunday 23rd rose at 5 and had breakfast and got under weigh at 1Ú2 past six and arrive at Benny Lookout at one oÕclock. Had dinner got plenty of water here and left at 1Ú2 past two and arrive at Scots station 5 oÕclock, Camp outside had tea and then went inside and had a yarn with the men till about ten and then turn in. Distance for the day 18 miles.
Monday 24th left in company with our friend the German and a piece of cold mutton that they gave us at the station at seven oÕclock and arrive at tin-tinaro 1Ú2 past three. Had dinner water horses etc. and proceeded for Mount Coura got about one mile distance when the shaft broke. Again repair damage by six oÕclock and proceeded but the night set in very ... and so we could not discern the track so we were force to camp again for the night without water and this was Christmas Eve not a very pleasant one I can butture you. Distance about 18 miles.
Tuesday 25th December Christmas Day rose at three in the morning and proceeded for Mount Coura arrive at water hold about 6, halted had breakfast, dine off Burgo etc., started again about 7 and got a mile or two when we pick up a mail bag which prove to be the Minlingda bag with letters for Border town. Arrive at Mount Coura at 1Ú2 past two where everybody in the neighbourhood were out which consisted of one man and a few dogs. Help ourselves and horses to water out of a cool tank which was fine had dinner and left at four for Monster. Missed the track and travel on by moonlight till nine pm horses done up and camp again without water for the horses. Distance for the day about 20 miles.
Wednesday 26th rose at four and started and found water about a stoneÕs throw in front of us water horses etc. and travel on and arrive at Mount Monster at 8 oÕclock, deliver up the mail bag, had breakfast and then thoroughly repair the shaft, finish by 10 oÕclock and then left for Brumbago in company with another man on the wallaby. Arrive at Brumbago 5 oÕclock had tea and put up for the night. Distance for the day 18 miles and good oneÕs it was.
rest around 1910deb Hi Deb, Why don't you have a look, if you haven't already done so, at any relevant Probates-Wills - his parents, particularly, or...
Thursday 27th rose at half past fine had breakfast and proceed for Canna Wigger arrive at eleven. Water etc. and left for Border town arrive at Border town 1Ú2 past two left our new chum and proceeded with the old one for the Border arrive at 1Ú2 past six camp for the night. Distance for the day 27 miles.
Friday 28th rose at 1Ú2 past five and left at eight for Lilumer arrive at 11 am called into a BakerÕs shop and got a 2lb loaf and was charge one shilling for it left disgusted and partook of dinner at a dam about 1 mile distance, left at one and arrive at Kaniva, Victoria 1Ú2 past two, sent a telegram to Mrs. Coghlan and then proceed to a friends. Distance for the day 12 miles and half.
List of things thrown overboard on the voyage.
1 Wheelbarrow, 2 Bedsteads, 1 Table large, 3 Boxes, 1 Shovel, 1 Pickaxe, 2 Crowbars, 1Ú2 dozen ropes, 1 Ladder, Plasterers Box and kit of tools, 1 New horseÕs collar, 1 Pitchfork, Water cask, 1 sack of Bran, 1 bag of Chaff, 1 Looking Glbutt and frame, 1 Bag of screws and bolts, all books and papers, an old carpet and a lot of sundries too numerous to mention!
Distances in miles
Mount Barker 21, Laghornes creek 20, Mulgundawa 10, Wellinton 10, Macfarland's station 8, Knight's Farm 6, Lime stone wells 3, Hawknest 12, Benny Lookout 12, Scot's station 10, Tininmaro 21, Mount Coura 21, Monster 17, Mount Monster 4, Brumbago 18, Canna Wigger 7, Bordertown 8, Kaniva - Victoria 2. Total 210.
