Founding of the Swan River Colony in Western Australia (1829)

The Swan River Colony was established in 1829 on the Swan River, securing the western third of Australia for Britain. Captain James Stirling explored the area in 1827, leading to Colonial Office approval in October 1828. Captain Charles Fremantle claimed the territory on 2 May 1829, and the first settlement was Sulphur Town on Garden Island; the settlement place soon named Perth became the capital.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Captain James Stirling explored the Swan River area in 1827, promoting its agricultural potential in England in 1828. The Colonial Office assented to the proposal in October 1828, partly due to rumors of French annexation. A despatch in December 1828 reserved land for the Crown, clergy, and education, specifying water frontage rationing.

Claiming the Territory. Captain Charles Fremantle anchored off Garden Island on 25 April 1829 and then in Cockburn Sound on 27 April. On 2 May 1829 he claimed for Britain "all that part of New Holland which is not included within the territory of New South Wales." The first settlement, named Sulphur Town, comprised about 250 military personnel and free colonists from Parmelia and Sulphur, situated on Garden Island near Cliff Point.

Naming and Proclamation. The initial settlement place on the Swan River was soon named Perth, becoming the capital of Western Australia. The name was chosen according to the wishes of Sir George Murray. Stirling's proclamation of the colony was read in Fremantle on 18 June 1829; its text concluded with the formula "Given under my hand and Seal at Perth this 18th Day of June 1829," though the document's place line does not establish where the reading occurred.

People involved

Sources

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