John Septimus Roe (May 8, 1797–28 May 1878) was the first Surveyor-General of Western Australia. He was a renowned explorer, and a Member of Western Australia's Legislative and Executive Councils for nearly 40 years. May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Surveyor General of Western Australia is the person nominally responsible for government surveying in Western Australia. ... Motto: Cygnis Insignis (Distinguished by its swans) Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Governor Premier Const. ... The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. ...

Early life

John Septimus Roe was born at Newbury, Berkshire on May 8, 1797. He was the seventh son of James Roe, the rector of Newbury. At ten, Roe was sent to Christ's Hospital School in London, to study for a career as a school teacher. There, he showed a great aptitude for mathematics, and was selected for training by the Mathematical School, which trained selected students for service in the Royal Navy. He was an outstanding student, and was apprenticed to the Navy at the age of 15. Newbury is the name of several places: Canada Newbury, Ontario (village) Newbury Station, Ontario (Southwest Middlesex Township, Middlesex County, Ontario) England Newbury, Berkshire United States of America Newbury, Massachusetts Newbury, New Hampshire Newbury, Ohio also: Newbury Park, California Newburyport, Massachusetts The place name was bestowed on Newbury in England late... Berkshire (IPA: or  ; sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a county in England and forms part of the South East England region. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The word rector (ruler, from the Latin regere) has a number of different meanings. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... American high school students in a school A school is most commonly a place designated for learning. ... A teachers room in a Japanese middle school, 2005. ... Mathematics is often defined as the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ...

Naval service

John Septimus Roe, 1824

John Septimus Roe entered the Naval service on June 11, 1813. His first appointment was as a midshipman on HMS Rippon, captained by Sir Christopher Cole. Over the next year, the Rippon was engaged in a blockade of the French coast. After the Napoleonic wars ended in 1814, the Rippon returned to England, and Roe was appointed as a midshipman to the HMS Horatio under Captain Dillon on August 17. Roe travelled with HMS Horatio' until January 1817. On February 4, 1817, the Admiralty appointed him to the surveying service in New South Wales, under the command of Captain Philip Parker King; Roe sailed for New South Wales on the HMS Dick, arriving on September 3, 1817. Image File history File links John_Septimus_Roe_1824. ... Image File history File links John_Septimus_Roe_1824. ... June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... For the fishes called midshipman, see Midshipman fish In the navies of English-speaking countries, a midshipman is a subordinate officer, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. ... The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... February 4 is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Surveyor at work with a leveling instrument. ... Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Governor Premier Const. ... Admiral Philip Parker King, F.R.S. (13 December 1793-1856) was an early explorer of the Australian coast. ... September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years). ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

New South Wales survey service

Roe's first survey journey as assistant to King was the King expedition of 1817, a rough survey of the northern and north-west coast of Australia. The party sailed from Sydney Harbour on board the Mermaid on December 21, 1817, sailing south then west along the south coast of Australia. While anchored at King George Sound in January 1818, Roe nearly drowned in the Kalgan River while trying to circumnavigate Oyster Harbour. Later, Roe was permitted to name a bay on the north west coast, which he named Nickol Bay in honour of a man who had been lost overboard. On the north coast, King named a point on the peninsula Mount Roe in Roe's honour. The Mermaid eventually returned down the west coast and back along the south coast to Sydney, arriving on July 29. Mermaid in Oyster Harbour in 1818 (courtesy LISWA) Philip Parker Kings first exploring and surveying expedition departed Sydney on 22 December 1817 on board the cutter HMS Mermaid. ... Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge located on Port Jackson Port Jackson is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia, also known as Sydney Harbour and is the largest natural harbour in the world. ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Albany is a city of approximately 30,000 people on the south coast of Western Australia, 261 miles southeast of Perth. ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and with a population of over four million people is the most populous city in Australia. ... July 29 is the 210th day (211th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 155 days remaining. ...

At the end of December 1818, the Mermaid sailed to Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) to survey the Derwent River and the eastern coast to Macquarie Harbour. It was a simple task, and they were back in Sydney by the middle of February 1819. 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... Van Diemens Land was the original name used by Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. ... Motto: Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Nickname: The Apple Isle Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Governor Premier Const. ... The Derwent is a river in Tasmania, Australia. ... Macquarie Harbour is a large, shallow, inlet on the west coast of Tasmania, Australia. ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

The next voyage, the King expedition of 1819, was expected to last eight or nine months. Their mission was to make a proper survey of the northern coast. After leaving Sydney on May 8, 1819, the Mermaid rounded Cape York and crossed the Gulf of Carpentaria. They then spent a substantial period exploring and surveying the coast and islands of Arnhem Land, before surveying Bathurst Island, then discovering and surveying Cambridge Gulf. They then continued their survey of the coast, past Cape Londonderry and westwards as far as the Bonaparte Archipelago. Again they crossed to Timor for provisions, then returned to Sydney. May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1819 common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Categories: Australia geography stubs | Peninsulas | Headlands ... The Gulf of Carpentaria viewed from orbit. ... Arnhem Land is an area of 97,000 sq. ... There is also Bathurst Island, Northern Territory off the coast of Australia Categories: Canada-place stubs | Islands of Canada ...

Roe's next voyage, the King expedition of 1820, was again intended to survey along the north coast, but they ran into violent weather almost as soon as they left Sydney. Mermaid's bowsprit was lost, and she was forced to return to Sydney with three feet of water in the hold. After taking repairs, she left without incident, rounded Cape York and again headed west along the coast of Arnhem Land. At Goulburn Island, Roe was ambushed by natives and narrowly escaped with his life. Continuing west, Mermaid developed such a bad leak that King decided to careen her at a bay that was in consequence named Careening Bay. On completion of repairs, the Mermaid was still found to be leaking, so the decision was taken to return to Sydney along the west and south coasts. In York Sound, two rivers were discovered and traced, one of them being named Roe River in honour of Roe's father. Bowsprit of the Falls of Clyde, showing the dolphin striker, the use of chain for the bobstays, and three furled jibs. ...

On return to Port Jackson, the Mermaid was found to be no longer seaworthy, and was replaced by the brig Bathurst. In May 1821, Roe sailed in the Bathurst on the King expedition of 1821. They sailed north up the coast, anchoring at Cairncross Island in bad weather on 30 June. When the sails were hauled in, the fore top-mast stay-sail halliards were accidentally let go, and Roe, who was at the masthead holding onto them, fell 50 feet (15 metres) onto the deck. He was knocked unconscious, but was not badly hurt; he recovered quickly, but in later years would attribute to this accident the loss of sight in his right eye. 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ... In sailing, a halyard is a line (rope) that is used to hoist (pull up) a sail or a yard to which a sail has been attached (bent on). ... A masthead refers to the top of a mast of a ship. ...

Despite the accident, the expedition proceeded to the west coast, which was surveyed as far as Roebuck Bay. At the end of August, they sailed for Mauritius. After three weeks there, they headed south to King George Sound. They then sailed north up the west coast, surveying as they went, before returning to Port Jackson. During this voyage, Roe was promoted to lieutenant. A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ...

Back in Sydney, Roe carried out a survey of Sydney Harbour. Despite the capsizing of his boat on 19 August 1822, with the loss of four lives, the survey was completed, to be published by the Admiralty in 1826. Shortly after completion of the survey, Roe returned to England on the Bathurst, arriving in June 1823. August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1826 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Roe's received his next commission on 2 February 1824. His instructions were to return to Australia on board the Tamar. The Tamar arrived in Sydney in July, and the following month was sent to help establish a settlement at Melville Island. The Melville Island settlement was officially established on 21 October, and shortly afterwards the Tamar sailed for Bombay, where she was refitted and reprovisioned. She then spent some time in surveying and naval duties between Ceylon, India and Rangoon. Britain was then at war with Burma, and Roe's services in the Burma War were later recognised when he was awarded the Burma Medal in 1827. After a number of other excursions, Tamar returned to England, arriving late in November. February 2 is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1824 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Melville Island can refer to: Melville Island, Canada shared between Northwest Territories and Nunavut Melville Island, Northern Territory in Australia This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... This article or section should be merged with Mumbai Mumbai (previously known as Bombay) is the worlds most populous conurbation, and is the sixth most populous agglomeration in the world. ... Yangôn, formerly Rangoon, population 4,504,000 (2001), is the capital of Myanmar. ... 1827 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Surveyor-General of Western Australia

John Septimus Roe, 1850s

Back in England, Roe spent some time recovering his health, which had been poor, and visiting his family. He also spent some time courting his future wife, Matilda Bennett. When the position of Surveyor-General of New South Wales became vacant, he expressed interest, but was informed it had already been filled. Shortly afterwards, however, we was offered the position of Surveyor-General of Western Australia, to be attached to an intended new settlement at the Swan River. Roe accepted on the condition that the position be a civilian appointment, as he was keen to leave the navy. Image File history File links John_Septimus_Roe_1850s. ... Image File history File links John_Septimus_Roe_1850s. ... The Surveyor General of Western Australia is the person nominally responsible for government surveying in Western Australia. ... View from Kings Park over Perth Water Location of the Swan River, with Canning River in light blue The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. ...

Having accepted the position, Roe had very little time to set his affairs in order, as the official party would soon be leaving on the Parmelia. Wasting no time, Roe proposed to Matilda Bennett, and they were wed shortly afterwards. He then for the purchase of equipment for his own requirements and for the surveying office. The Roes embarked upon the Parmelia on February 3, 1829. The Parmelia was a barque that was used to transport the first civilian officials and settlers of the Swan River Colony to Western Australia in 1829. ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Establishing the Swan River Colony

The Parmelia arrived at the Swan River on 1 June 1829. Roe immediately set about making preliminary surveys of the harbour, river and surrounding land. The sites of Perth and Fremantle were chosen on his recommendation, and he was responsible for laying out the towns. During this period, Roe had only a single assistant to help him. Because of the immediate need to survey the harbour and lay out the towns, no rural blocks were surveyed until September. The unexpected arrival of three shiploads of settlers in August, all of whom expected to take up land immediately, put Roe's department under extreme pressure. By April the following year 36 ships had brought settlers to the colony, and Roe's department had a massive backlog of blocks to survey. Roe later said of this period: June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Perth is the state capital and most populous city of Western Australia. ... Location of Fremantle, Western Australia Fremantle (32°03′15″S, 115°44′53″E) is a city located within the Perth metropolitan area on Australias western coast, at the mouth of the Swan River, 19 kilometres southwest of Perths Central Business District. ...

"I went there with the very first ship, with the first Governor, Captain Stirling. I had on my staff only one assistant surveyor, and what could be done with one assistant, with the whole of the townships to be fixed upon and surveyed, the country to be examined, the settlers located, the harbours to be surveyed, &c. &c.? It was perfectly impossible to do more than we did. Everything that could be done was done, but it was insufficient to place the people on their lands in time to prevent their sustaining very great losses."¹

Exploring Western Australia

John Septimus Roe conducted numerous exploring expeditions between 1829 and 1849: 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

• In June 1829, he explored the Swan and Canning River;
• In January 1830, he explored the country around Leschenault, the Collie, Ferguson and Preston River, Western Australia Rivers, Cape Naturaliste and Geographe Bay;
• In November 1831, he explored the area around Albany, Doubtful Island Bay, Torbay, Wilsons Inlet, the Kalgan River and Kojonup;
• In 1832 he explored around the Hotham and Williams Rivers;
• In 1834, he explored to Pinjarra on the Murray River, then Bunbury, Kojonup, Albany and back to Perth; the Battle of Pinjarra occurred during this expedition;
• In 1835, he explored the area around Moorilup on the Kalgan River, then explored the Hay and Sleeman Rivers.
• In October and November [1835]], he was part of the Great Southern Expedition, which explored the country between Perth and Albany by two different routes, with a view to deciding on a route for a road between the two towns;
• In October and November the following year, he explored the land 180 miles east and 100 mile north from Perth;
• In December 1837 he discovered and surveyed Peel Harbour and Warnbro Sound.
• In January 1838 he explored the coast between the Swan River and Cape Naturaliste;
• In June 1838 he explored from the Swan River to Bunbury via the Murray, Harvey, Collie and Preston Rivers, then returned along the base of the Roe and Darling Ranges;
• In May 1839 he passed through unexplored country on an expedition to rescue from starvation three men who had been part of George Grey's disastrous expedition to Shark Bay;
• In December the same year, he travelled overland with Governor Hutt to Albany and back, using new routes;
• In June 1847, he explored the country around and north of Champion Bay.
• From September 1848, he conducted a five month long expedition "from Avon River to Stirling Range, and thence eastward to Russell Range and Cape Pasley on the south coast, and 60 to 100 miles inland, returning by different routes on this occasion discovered coal on the Rivers Fitzgerald and Phillips."² Roe was seriously injured on this expedition, and undertook no further expeditions.

In addition to the many expeditions undertaken by Roe himself, he also inspired and directed many others, including those of Robert Dale, Augustus and Francis Gregory, Robert Austin, Charles Hunt and John Forrest. For the explorations he inspired as much as those he undertook himself, Roe has been described as the "father of Australian explorers". 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... View from Kings Park over Perth Water Location of the Swan River, with Canning River in light blue The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. ... The Canning River (32°00′S 115°51′E) is a river in Western Australia. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1831 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Location of Albany, Western Australia Albany is a city of approximately 30,000 people on the south coast of Western Australia, 408 kilometres southeast of Perth. ... Torbay is a small town in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. ... Kojonup is a town located 260 km south-east of Perth, Western Australia on the Albany Highway. ... 1832 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The townsite of Pinjarra is located in the south west agricultural region, 87 km south of Perth and 21 km south east of Mandurah. ... Location of Bunbury, Western Australia The port of Bunbury is the fifth-largest city in Western Australia and is situated 175 kilometres south of Perth, the state capital. ... 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Jöns Jakob Berzelius, discoverer of protein 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Jöns Jakob Berzelius, discoverer of protein 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1839 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... There have been two famous people by the name of George Grey. ... Shark Bay Shark Bay is a locality in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. ... John Hutt was the Governor of Western Australia from 1839 to 1846. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Sir Augustus Charles Gregory (1 August 1819–25 June 1905) was an Australian explorer. ... Portrait of Francis H. Gregory during the Civil War Francis Hoyt Gregory (October 9, 1780 – October 4, 1866) was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 through to the Civil War. ... More than one John Forrest exists. ...

Later life

John Septimus Roe, 1870

Roe retired in 1871. At 73 years of age, he had served the colony for over 57 years. Already blind in one eye, he became increasingly infirm over the next five years, finally dying on May 28, 1878. Image File history File links John_Septimus_Roe_1870. ... Image File history File links John_Septimus_Roe_1870. ... 1871 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Legacy

Arguably the most significant legacy left by Roe was the setting aside of Kings Park. As early as December 1830, Roe responded to a request to cut timber below Mount Eliza with: "Mr. Mews to be informed that the neighbourhood of Mt. Eliza is reserved for public purposes". Although it is widely accepted that Roe's successors Malcolm Fraser and John Forrest were most instrumental in the establishment of Kings Park, Roe was clearly responsible for the initial setting aside of the park. Lemon-scented gums along Fraser Avenue, Kings Park Kings Park is a natural bushland park located in Perth, Western Australia. ... Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Mount Eliza is a hill which overlooks the city of Perth, Western Australia and forms part of Kings Park. ... Sir Malcolm Fraser (1834–17 August 1900) CMG, KCMG was an important public servant in colonial Western Australia in the 1870s and 1880s. ... More than one John Forrest exists. ...

Roe was the founding president of the Swan River Mechanics' Institute, holding the position until his death. Both the Western Australian Museum and the State Library of Western Australia emerged from the Institute, Roe's large scientific collection forming the basis for the museum's collection. Jackson (1989) has therefore argued that Roe can be regarded as the founder of both institutions. The Western Australian Museum, Perth. ... The State Library of Western Australia consists of: The Alexander State Reference Library The Battye State Herritage Library 67 metropolitan libraries, located in suburbs of Perth 160 country libraries in country areas of Western Australia 19 non-local authority libraries including prison libraries 1 braille library External links State Library...

During Roe's time in term in the Survey Office, he attempted to transcribe every journal of exploration in Western Australia. As a result of his efforts, Western Australia has an exceptionally good record of its early explorations, nearly every significant journal being extant from 1827 until Roe's retirement in 1870. 1827 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

In 1955 the State Library obtained on indefinite loan a large collection of log books, diaries and letters left by Roe, the collection constituting one of the most important private collections ever to be lodged with the library. 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

John Septimus Roe's name has been attached to a number of things:

• Mount Roe was named for him by Philip Parker King;
• the Roe River was also named after him by King;
• the Roe Range is assumed to be named in his honour, although it is no longer clear how the name came to be applied;
• the Roe Highway, a major highway in Perth, is named after him;
• a poison weed found near Muntadgin, Western Australia was named Roe poison by Government Botanist Charles Gardner because Roe had earlier found it near York;
• Primary and high schools in the northern suburbs of Perth are named "John Septimus Roe";
• Roe Street, Perth.

Admiral Philip Parker King, F.R.S. (13 December 1793-1856) was an early explorer of the Australian coast. ... Roe Highway is allocated Route 3 Roe Highway is a dual carriageway spanning from the intersection of Great Northern Highway and Middle Swan Road in the north to South Street in Canning Vale. ... York is a small town in Western Australia, situated in the Avon Valley near Northam. ... Perth is the state capital and most populous city of Western Australia. ...

Notes

1. Quote from Roe's evidence before the House of Commons Select Committee on Transportation, 22 March 1861.
2. Quote from Roe's personal list of explorations.

References

Wikisource has original works written by or about:

John Septimus Roe

• Jackson, Janice Lynne Burton (1982). Not an Idle Man: A Biography of John Septimus Roe, Western Australia's First Surveyor-General (1797-1878), Fremantle, Western Australia: Fremantle Arts Centre Press. ISBN 0959297502.
• King, Phillip Parker (1827). Narrative of a Survey of the Inter-tropical and Western Coasts of Australia: Volume One, London: John Murray.
• King, Phillip Parker (1827). Narrative of a Survey of the Inter-tropical and Western Coasts of Australia: Volume Two, London: John Murray.
• Mercer, F. R. (1962). Amazing Career: The Life and Work of John Septimus Roe, First Surveyor-General of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia: Paterson Brokensha.
• Shoobert, Joanne (ed) (2005). Western Australian Exploration: Volume One, December 1826–December 1825, Victoria Park, Western Australia: Hesperian Press. ISBN 0859053512.