John Septimus Roe
Encyclopedia
John Septimus Roe 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.
on 8 May 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.
John Septimus Roe entered the Naval service on 11 June 1813. His first appointment was as a midshipman
on , 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 under Captain Dillon on 17 August. Roe travelled with HMS Horatio until January 1817. On 4 February 1817, the Admiralty appointed him to the surveying
service in New South Wales
, under the command of Captain Phillip Parker King; Roe sailed for New South Wales on the troopship Dick, arriving on 3 September 1817.
, a rough survey of the northern and north-west coast of Australia
. The party sailed from Port Jackson
(Sydney Harbour) on board the Mermaid on 21 December 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 29 July.
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.
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 8 May 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.
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. Mermaids 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.
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 m) 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.
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
.
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.
Roe 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.
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, he 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.
Having accepted the position, Roe had little time to set his affairs in order, as the official party would soon be leaving on the Parmelia
. He then set about the purchase of equipment for his own requirements and for the surveying office. The Roes embarked upon the Parmelia on 3 February 1829.
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:
In addition to the many expeditions undertaken by Roe, he inspired and directed others, including those of Robert Dale
, Augustus
and Francis Gregory
, Robert Austin
, Charles Hunt
and John Forrest
. For his broad influence on explorations, Roe has been described as the "father of Australian explorers".
With the death of Matilda in 1871, Roe sought permission to retire. At 73 years of age, he had served the colony for more than 40 years. Already blind in one eye, he became increasingly infirm over the next five years. He died on 28 May 1878 and was honoured a public burial in East Perth Cemetery.
. 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.
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 (1982) has argued that Roe can be regarded as the founder of both institutions.
During Roe's time in term in the Survey Office, he attempted to transcribe every journal of exploration in Western Australia. His Letterbook of Explorers' Journals
survives to this day, as a result of which 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.
In 1955 the State Library obtained on indefinite loan a large collection of log books, diaries and letters left by Roe. The collection constitutes one of the most important private collections ever to be lodged with the library.
John Septimus Roe was honored in numerous place names:
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. He was a renowned explorer, and a Member of Western Australia's Legislative
Western Australian Legislative Council
The Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the lower house, the Legislative Assembly. It sits in Parliament House in the state...
and Executive Councils for nearly 40 years.
Early life
John Septimus Roe was born at Newbury, BerkshireNewbury, Berkshire
Newbury is a civil parish and the principal town in the west of the county of Berkshire in England. It is situated on the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, and has a town centre containing many 17th century buildings. Newbury is best known for its racecourse and the adjoining former USAF...
on 8 May 1797. He was the seventh son of James Roe, the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Newbury. At ten, Roe was sent to Christ's Hospital School
Christ's Hospital
Christ's Hospital is an English coeducational independent day and boarding school with Royal Charter located in the Sussex countryside just south of Horsham in Horsham District, West Sussex, England...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, to study for a career as a school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. There, he showed a great aptitude for mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, and was selected for training by the Mathematical School, which trained selected students for service in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. He was an outstanding student, and was apprenticed to the Navy at the age of 15.
Naval service
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
on , captained by Sir Christopher Cole
Christopher Cole (Royal Navy officer)
Captain Sir Christopher Cole KCB was a prominent officer of the British Royal Navy who served in the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars...
. Over the next year, the Rippon was engaged in a blockade of the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
coast. After the Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
ended in 1814, the Rippon returned to England, and Roe was appointed as a midshipman to under Captain Dillon on 17 August. Roe travelled with HMS Horatio until January 1817. On 4 February 1817, the Admiralty appointed him to the surveying
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
service in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, under the command of Captain Phillip Parker King; Roe sailed for New South Wales on the troopship Dick, arriving on 3 September 1817.
New South Wales survey service
Roe's first survey journey as assistant to King was the King expedition of 1817King expedition of 1817
Phillip Parker King's first exploring and surveying expedition departed Sydney on 22 December 1817 on board the cutter HMS Mermaid. On board were King, his two master's mates Frederick Bedwell and John Septimus Roe, the botanist Allan Cunningham, 12 seamen, 2 boys and the native Boongaree...
, a rough survey of the northern and north-west coast of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The party sailed from Port Jackson
Port Jackson
Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
(Sydney Harbour) on board the Mermaid on 21 December 1817, sailing south then west along the south coast of Australia. While anchored at King George Sound
King George Sound
King George Sound is the name of a sound on the south coast of Western Australia. Located at , it is the site of the city of Albany.The sound covers an area of and varies in depth from to ....
in January 1818, Roe nearly drowned in the Kalgan River
Kalgan River
The Kalgan River is a river in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.The mouth of the river is found at coordinates 34°57'3.13"S 117°58'41.41"E.- Geography :The river is long and, along with the King River, drains into Oyster Harbour...
while trying to circumnavigate Oyster Harbour
Oyster Harbour, Western Australia
Oyster Harbour is a permanently open estuary, which covers an area of 15.6 square kilometres near Albany, Western Australia. The Harbour is used to shelter a fishing fleet carrying out commercial fishing and the farming of oysters and mussels. A significant number of waterbirds use the Harbour for...
. 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
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, arriving on 29 July.
At the end of December 1818, the Mermaid sailed to Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
(now Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
) to survey the Derwent River and the eastern coast to Macquarie Harbour
Macquarie Harbour
Macquarie Harbour is a large, shallow, but navigable by shallow draft vessels inlet on the West Coast of Tasmania, Australia.-History:James Kelly wrote in his narrative "First Discovery of Port Davey and Macquarie Harbour" how he sailed from Hobart in a small open five-oared whaleboat to discover...
. It was a simple task, and they were back in Sydney by the middle of February 1819.
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 8 May 1819, the Mermaid rounded Cape York
Cape York Peninsula
Cape York Peninsula is a large remote peninsula located in Far North Queensland at the tip of the state of Queensland, Australia, the largest unspoilt wilderness in northern Australia and one of the last remaining wilderness areas on Earth...
and crossed the Gulf of Carpentaria
Gulf of Carpentaria
The Gulf of Carpentaria is a large, shallow sea enclosed on three sides by northern Australia and bounded on the north by the Arafura Sea...
. They then spent a substantial period exploring and surveying the coast and islands of Arnhem Land
Arnhem Land
The Arnhem Land Region is one of the five regions of the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located in the north-eastern corner of the territory and is around 500 km from the territory capital Darwin. The region has an area of 97,000 km² which also covers the area of Kakadu National...
, before surveying Bathurst Island, then discovering and surveying Cambridge Gulf
Cambridge Gulf
Cambridge Gulf is a gulf on the north coast of Western Australia.Many rivers flow into the gulf including the Ord River, Pentecost River, Durack River, King River and the Forrest River.The gulf experiences two large tidal flows each day between to...
. 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.
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. Mermaids bowsprit
Bowsprit
The bowsprit of a sailing vessel is a pole extending forward from the vessel's prow. It provides an anchor point for the forestay, allowing the fore-mast to be stepped farther forward on the hull.-Origin:...
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
Roe River (Western Australia)
The Roe River is a river in the Kimberley of Western Australia.The headwaters of the river rise in the Prince Regent Nature Reserve below Bushfire Hill then flow in a north westerly direction. The river discharges into Prince Frederick Harbour to York Sound and out onto the Indian Ocean...
in honour of Roe's father.
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
Masthead
-Media:* the masthead , a list, usually found on the editorial page of a newspaper or other periodical, listing the publisher, editorial board, advertising rates, etc....
holding onto them, fell 50 feet (15 m) 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.
Despite the accident, the expedition proceeded to the west coast, which was surveyed as far as Roebuck Bay
Roebuck Bay
Roebuck Bay is a bay on the coast of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Its entrance is bounded in the north by the town of Broome, and in the south by Bush Point and Sandy Point. It is named after HMS Roebuck, the ship captained by William Dampier when he explored the coast of...
. At the end of August, they sailed for Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. 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
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
.
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
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on the Bathurst, arriving in June 1823.
Roe 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
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
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.
Surveyor-General of Western Australia
Swan River (Western Australia)
The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. Its lower reaches are relatively wide and deep, with few constrictions, while the upper reaches are usually quite narrow and shallow....
. Roe accepted on the condition that the position be a civilian appointment, as he was keen to leave the navy.
Having accepted the position, Roe had little time to set his affairs in order, as the official party would soon be leaving on the Parmelia
Parmelia (barque)
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....
. He then set about the purchase of equipment for his own requirements and for the surveying office. The Roes embarked upon the Parmelia on 3 February 1829.
Marriage and family
Roe proposed to Matilda Bennett and they married before leaving for Australia in February 1829. Matilda Roe's fondness for gardening is claimed to be the reason for the kink between St Georges Terrace and Adelaide Terrace, the main streets through Perth's central business district.Establishing the Swan River Colony
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
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:
- "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:- In June 1829, he explored the SwanSwan River (Western Australia)The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. Its lower reaches are relatively wide and deep, with few constrictions, while the upper reaches are usually quite narrow and shallow....
and Canning RiverCanning River (Western Australia)The Canning River is a major tributary of the Swan River in south western Western Australia.-Source and route:With headwaters on the Darling Scarp, the Canning meanders through suburbs of Perth on the Swan Coastal Plain, including Cannington, Thornlie, Riverton, Shelley, Rossmoyne and Mount...
; - In January 1830, he explored the country around LeschenaultLeschenault, Western AustraliaLeschenault is an outer suburb of Bunbury, Western Australia, and is located 16 km to the north-east. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Harvey.-History:...
, the Collie, FergusonFerguson River (Western Australia)Ferguson River is a river in the South West region of Western Australia.The river has a total length of and rises in the Darling Range below Wellington Mill then flows in a north westerly direction until discharging into the Preston River at Picton near Bunbury. The only tributary of the river is...
and Preston Rivers, Cape NaturalisteCape NaturalisteCape Naturaliste is a headland in the south western region of Western Australia at the western edge of the Geographe Bay. It is the northernmost point of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge which was named after the cape...
and Geographe BayGeographe BayGeographe Bay is located in the South West of Western Australia around 220 km southwest of Perth.The bay was named in May 1801 by French explorer Nicolas Baudin; Baudin named the bay after his ship, Géographe. The bay is a wide curve of coastline extending from Cape Naturaliste past the towns...
; - In November 1831, he explored the area around AlbanyAlbany, Western AustraliaAlbany is a port city in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, some 418 km SE of Perth, the state capital. As of 2009, Albany's population was estimated at 33,600, making it the 6th-largest city in the state....
, Doubtful Island Bay, TorbayTorbay, Western AustraliaTorbay is a small township in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, 25 kilometres west of Albany. There is a crater on Mars named after it....
, Wilsons Inlet, the Kalgan RiverKalgan RiverThe Kalgan River is a river in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.The mouth of the river is found at coordinates 34°57'3.13"S 117°58'41.41"E.- Geography :The river is long and, along with the King River, drains into Oyster Harbour...
and KojonupKojonup, Western AustraliaKojonup is a town located 256 km south-east of Perth, Western Australia along Albany Highway.The name Kojonup is believed to refer to the "Kodja" or stone axe made by Indigenous Australians from the local stone....
; - In 1832 he explored around the Hotham and WilliamsWilliams River (Western Australia)The Williams River is one of the two major tributaries of the Murray River in Western Australia, the other being the Hotham River.It starts between Williams and Narrogin and flows in a general westerly direction before it joins the Hotham River to become the Murray River near Mount Saddleback.The...
Rivers; - In 1834, he explored to PinjarraPinjarra, Western AustraliaPinjarra is a town in the Peel region of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, from the state capital, Perth and south-east of the coastal city of Mandurah. Its local government area is the Shire of Murray. At the 2006 census, Pinjarra had a population of 3,279.Pinjarra is an area...
on the Murray RiverMurray River (Western Australia)The Murray River is a river in the southwest of Western Australia which played a significant part in the expansion of Aboriginal settlement in the area south of Perth after the arrival of British settlers at the Swan River Colony in 1829....
, then BunburyBunbury, Western AustraliaThe port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
, Kojonup, Albany and back to Perth; the Battle of PinjarraBattle of PinjarraThe Battle of Pinjarra or Pinjarra Massacre was a conflict that occurred in Pinjarra, Western Australia between a group of 60 to 80 Australian Aborigines and a detachment of 25 soldiers and policemen led by Governor James Stirling in 1834...
occurred during this expedition; - In 1835, he explored the area around Moorilup on the Kalgan River, then explored the HayHay River (Western Australia)The Hay River is a river in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.The river is part of the Denmark catchment along with the Denmark River and the Sleeman-Cuppup River...
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 miles 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 DarlingDarling ScarpThe Darling Scarp, also referred to as the Darling Range or Darling Ranges, is a low escarpment running north-south to the east of the Swan Coastal Plain and Perth, Western Australia...
Ranges; - In May 1839 he passed through unexplored country on an expedition to rescue from starvation three men who had been part of George GreyGeorge GreyGeorge Grey may refer to:*Sir George Grey, 2nd Baronet , British politician*George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent *Sir George Grey , Governor of Cape Colony, South Australia and New Zealand...
's disastrous expedition to Shark BayShark BayShark Bay is a World Heritage listed bay in Western Australia. The term may also refer to:* the locality of Shark Bay, now known as Denham* Shark Bay Marine Park* Shark Bay , a shark exhibit at Sea World, Gold Coast, Australia* Shire of Shark Bay...
; - In December the same year, he travelled overland with Governor HuttJohn HuttJohn Hutt was Governor of Western Australia from 1839 to 1846.Born in London on 24 July 1795, John Hutt was the fourth of 13 children of Richard Hutt of Appley Towers, Ryde, Isle of Wight. He was educated at Christ's Hospital, and in 1815 inherited Appley Towers...
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 FitzgeraldFitzgerald River (Western Australia)The Fitzgerald River is a river in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.Surveyor General John Septimus Roe discovered and named the river during expeditions in the area in 1848 after the governor of Western Australia of the day, Charles Fitzgerald....
and Phillips."2 Roe was seriously injured on this expedition, and undertook no additional ones.
In addition to the many expeditions undertaken by Roe, he inspired and directed others, including those of Robert Dale
Robert Dale
Lieutenant Robert Dale was the first European explorer to cross the Darling Range in Western Australia.Robert Dale was born in England in October 1812...
, Augustus
Augustus Gregory
Sir Augustus Charles Gregory KCMG. was an English-born Australian explorer. Between 1846 and 1858 he undertook four major expeditions.-Early years:...
and Francis Gregory
Francis Gregory
Francis Hoyt Gregory was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 through to the Civil War, serving then as a Rear Admiral.-Early life; service during the War of 1812:...
, Robert Austin
Robert Austin
Robert Austin led the Austin expedition of 1854, one of the first European inland explanations of Western Australia with Kenneth Brown. They explored Geraldton, Mount Magnet, and the Murchison River area.-References:...
, Charles Hunt
Charles Cooke Hunt
Charles Cooke Hunt was an explorer who led four expeditions into the interior of Western Australia between 1864 and 1866. He died in Geraldton....
and John Forrest
John Forrest
Sir John Forrest GCMG was an Australian explorer, the first Premier of Western Australia and a cabinet minister in Australia's first federal parliament....
. For his broad influence on explorations, Roe has been described as the "father of Australian explorers".
Later life
Legacy
Arguably the most significant legacy left by Roe was the setting aside of Kings ParkKings Park, Western Australia
Kings Park is a park located on the western edge of Perth, Western Australia central business district. The park is a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland. With panoramic views of the Swan...
. As early as December 1830, Roe responded to a request to cut timber below Mount Eliza
Mount Eliza, Western Australia
Mount Eliza is a hill which overlooks the city of Perth, Western Australia and forms part of Kings Park. It is known as Kaarta gar-up and Mooro Katta in the local Noongar dialect....
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
Malcolm Fraser (surveyor)
Sir Malcolm Fraser KCMG was a powerful public servant in colonial Western Australia in the 1870s and 1880s.Malcolm Fraser was born in Gloucestershire, England in 1834. Nothing is known of his early life, except that he must have qualified as a surveyor at some stage, and that he emigrated to New...
and John Forrest
John Forrest
Sir John Forrest GCMG was an Australian explorer, the first Premier of Western Australia and a cabinet minister in Australia's first federal parliament....
were most instrumental in the establishment of Kings Park, Roe was clearly responsible for the initial setting aside of the park.
Roe was the founding president of the Swan River Mechanics' Institute
Swan River Mechanics' Institute
Established in 1851, the Swan River Mechanics' Institute was the Swan River Colony's first cultural centre and housed an extensive and well-used subscription library and a natural history collection including botanical, zoological and mineral specimens. In 1909 it was renamed Perth Literary...
, holding the position until his death. Both the Western Australian Museum
Western Australian Museum
The Western Australian Museum is the state museum for Western Australia.The Western Australian Museum has seven main sites: two in Perth within the Perth Cultural Centre, two in Fremantle , and one each in Albany, Geraldton, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder...
and the State Library of Western Australia
State Library of Western Australia
The State Library of Western Australia is located within the building known as the Alexander Library Building, in the Cultural Centre of Perth, Western Australia....
emerged from the Institute, Roe's large scientific collection forming the basis for the museum's collection. Jackson (1982) has argued that Roe can be regarded as the founder of both institutions.
During Roe's time in term in the Survey Office, he attempted to transcribe every journal of exploration in Western Australia. His Letterbook of Explorers' Journals
Letterbook of Explorers' Journals
The Letterbook of Explorers' Journals is a collection of transcriptions of journals and reports of exploration in Western Australia between 1827 and 1870...
survives to this day, as a result of which 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.
In 1955 the State Library obtained on indefinite loan a large collection of log books, diaries and letters left by Roe. The collection constitutes one of the most important private collections ever to be lodged with the library.
John Septimus Roe was honored in numerous place names:
- The town of Roebourne, Western AustraliaRoebourne, Western AustraliaRoebourne is an old gold rush town in Western Australia's Pilbara region. It is 202 km from Port Hedland and 1,563 km from Perth, the state's capital. It prospered during its gold boom of the late 19th century and was once the biggest settlement between Darwin and Perth...
; - Mount RoeMount RoeMount Roe is a flattish, largely ice-covered mountain overlooking the west side of Liv Glacier. It stands 1 nautical mile northeast of Mount Wells at the southeast end of Prince Olav Mountains. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Lieutenant Donald W. Roe, Jr., of U.S...
http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=-34697590&x=116791534&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2; - RoelandsRoelands, Western AustraliaRoelands is a town located in the South West region of Western Australia along the South Western Highway, between Brunswick Junction and Bunbury...
, a town near Bunbury; - The Roe RiverRoe River (Western Australia)The Roe River is a river in the Kimberley of Western Australia.The headwaters of the river rise in the Prince Regent Nature Reserve below Bushfire Hill then flow in a north westerly direction. The river discharges into Prince Frederick Harbour to York Sound and out onto the Indian Ocean...
; - The Roe Range;
- The Roe HighwayRoe HighwayRoe Highway is a limited access dual carriageway in Western Australia. It links Great Northern Highway and Middle Swan Road with Kwinana Freeway. It is one of the key heavy vehicle routes in the Perth metropolitan area. Aside from intersections, the speed limit is 100 km/h for most of its length...
, a major highway in Perth; - A poison weed found near Muntadgin, Western AustraliaMuntadgin, Western AustraliaMuntadgin is a townsite off the Great Eastern Highway on Brissenden Road, situated between the towns of Bruce Rock and Southern Cross in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. At the 2006 census, Muntadgin had a population of 113....
was named Roe poison because Roe had found it near YorkYork, Western AustraliaYork is the oldest inland town in Western Australia, situated 97 km east of Perth in the Avon Valley near Northam, and is the seat of the Shire of York...
; - Roe Street, PerthPerth, Western AustraliaPerth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
; - The electoral district of RoeElectoral district of RoeRoe was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Western Australia from 1950 to 1983 and again from 1989 to 2008.The district was based in the rural south of Western Australia...
in the Legislative Assembly of Western AustraliaWestern Australian Legislative AssemblyThe Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of parliament in the Australian state of Western Australia. It sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Perth....
; - John Septimus Roe Anglican Community SchoolJohn Septimus Roe Anglican Community SchoolJohn Septimus Roe Anglican Community School is a dual campus private school in Perth, Western Australia named after the notable West Australian and first Surveyor-General of Western Australia, John Septimus Roe.-History:...
in MirrabookaMirrabooka, Western AustraliaMirrabooka is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Stirling.Mirrabooka is the Aboriginal name for the constellation most commonly known as the Southern Cross....
; - Caladenia roei, a species of Orchid published in BenthamGeorge BenthamGeorge Bentham CMG FRS was an English botanist, characterized by Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century".- Formative years :...
's Flora AustraliensisFlora AustraliensisFlora Australiensis: a description of the plants of the Australian Territory, more commonly referred to as Flora Australiensis, and also known by its standard abbreviation Fl. Austral., is a seven-volume flora of Australia published between 1863 and 1878 by George Bentham, with the assistance of...
; and - Haliotis roeiHaliotis roeiHaliotis roei is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Haliotidae, the abalones....
, a species of AbaloneAbaloneAbalone , from aulón, are small to very large-sized edible sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis...
shell from Western Australia and South Australia