Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01334:front:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L01334
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of information.
Early European history
On 13 May, 1770, Captain James Cook aboard the Endeavour passed a cape in the coastline. Cook described in his journal "a point or headland, on which we saw fires that produced a great quantity of smoke, which occasioned my giving it the name Smoky Cape"[x].
The region was left unimpeded by European interaction until 1816 when the Trial, a ship hijacked by escaped convicts from Port Jackson, NSW, was wrecked at Trial Bay (located approximately 13 km north of Smoky Cape). Indigenous inhabitants of the region reported the wrecking to nearby European settlers. A year later in 1817, an expedition party headed by explorer John Oxley visited the area.
European settlement of Trial Bay and surrounding regions accelerated in 1836 which saw the dispossession of Indigenous inhabitants from their lands[xi].
  3.5  Planning a lighthouse
Why Smoky Cape?
Early into European occupation of the region, Trial Bay was recognised for its favourable position as a haven for passing ships owing to the protection it offered from southerly gales, and due to its midway position between Sydney and Brisbane. Throughout the course of the 19th century, the various colonies of New South Wales were heavily dependent on the safe passage of goods and trade via shipping routes along the coastline. However, shipwrecks were both frequent and disastrous in the region. In 1864, the ketch Woolloomooloo was wrecked in Trial Bay and three men were killed. In 1875, the brig Annie Ogle was wrecked and a total of nine people were killed.
    By telegram we learn that a portion of the above- named vessel had been picked up at Smoky Cape; among the debris was the sterns of two boats, painted similar to those onboard the ill-fated brig, and with the ship's and former masters names painted on one. Also, a portion of a cabin door to the handle of which was attached Captain McDonald's certificate, thus leaving not a shadow of a doubt as to the fate of the crew. The Annie Ogle was a fine brig of 210 tons, built and owned by Messers. Rountree and Co. of this city, and was on her second voyage. She sailed from Sydney on the 23rd February, in ballast, bound to Grafton, there to load a cargo of hardwood for Lyttelton. Since then nothing has been heard of her….
    …she has therefore probably headed to the southward, and in the thick weather that prevailed gone to the Solitarys, which would account for portions of the wreck getting on the beach at Smoky Cape[xii].
Various other ships were wrecked in the Trial Bay area and along the accompanying headland which affected the credibility of coastal trade and shipping in