September/ October
:Henry Daniel Sinclair investigates the North Queensland coastin the nine-ton ketch Santa Barbara
Henry Daniel Sinclair in the nine-ton ketch Santa Barbara on an investigation of the North Queensland coast. There was — reputedly — a reward for finding a suitable location to serve as a port for the new Kennedy Pastoral District.
Sinclair, with two partners — James Gordon and Benjamin Poole — and a seaman, William Thomas, sailed out of Rockhampton on 1 September 1859, and cruised as far north as Upstart Bay. On the return journey they anchored on 16 October in a previously undiscovered harbour, screened by islands — scenically fine enough to evoke comparisons with the Bay of Naples — on 16 Octoberand. They named their find Port Denison, in honour of the New South Wales Governor, then hastened south to claim a reward which never materialised.
