Stuart John McDouall
| Type of person | Individual |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1815 |
| Date of arrival | 1839 |
| Principal occupation | Explorer |
| Date of death | 1866 |
| Place of death | London |
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[1]John McDouall Stuart was a Scottish-born explorer best known for leading the first successful expedition to cross Australia from south to north in 1861. After arriving in South Australia in 1839, he worked as a surveyor and participated in Charles Sturt's 1844 expedition. His 1861-1862 journey was the culmination of several attempts, and his route was crucial for the later construction of the Overland Telegraph Line.
Early Life and Arrival in Australia:
Stuart was born in Scotland in 1815 and educated at the Scottish Naval and Military Academy. He arrived in South Australia in 1839 and began working as a surveyor. Early Expeditions: He joined Charles Sturt's 1844 expedition into the center of the continent, which gave him experience in inland exploration.
South-to-North Crossing[2]: Between 1858 and 1862,
Stuart led six expeditions, with the final one being the successful crossing of the continent from Adelaide to Van Diemen Gulf. A 20 year old Stephen King Jnr of Kingsford, Gawler joined John McDoull Stuart’s transcontinental expedition party (The 6th exploration mission) which was launched from James Chambers homeNorth of Adelaide and made its way to Gawler, South Australia in 1861. The expedition would open up the Northern Territory and be credited as the first to explore Australia from south to north.
They reached the north coast on July 24, 1862, and returned to Adelaide on December 17, 1862 after stopping at Gawler where the town was virtually closed and gathered to welcome the returning expedition, all meeting at the Railway station for Stuart and Auld who had travelled ahead of the main party and were greeted by local Explorer legend John McKinlay and Mayor James Martin His successful crossing was a major achievement, and his route became the basis for the Overland Telegraph Line that connected Australia to the rest of the world.
Stuart became ill with scurvy during the return journey and suffered from its effects afterward. He died in London in 1866, four years after his triumphant return.
Please click here to read 'Re-enact of Service' by The John McDouall Stuart Society
Please click here to read 'John McDouall Stuart Explorer' produced by the National Trust of SA Gawler Branch.
Please click here to read 'Stuarts Third Attempt'.
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