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Burke and Wills expedition setting out from Royal Park, Melbourne, Australia, 20 August 1860
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Burke and Wills expedition setting out from Royal Park, Melbourne, Australia, 20 August 1860
Burke and Wills expedition setting out from Royal Park, Melbourne, Australia, 20 August 1860. Robert O Hara Burke and William John Wills were commissioned by the Government of Australia to make the first crossing of Australia, the interior of which was largely unknown. Although they and two companions, Charles Gray and John King, reached the Gulf of Carpentaria on the north coast, a combination of bad luck and Burkes poor leadership left them with insufficient food for the return journey. Gray died of dysentery and Burke and Wills perished from starvation. Only King survived, after being given food and shelter by a tribe of Aborigines. He was found by a search party on 18 September 1861
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Media ID 14849247
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Australia Australian Burke Camel Camels Departing Departure Expedition Exploration Explorer Journey Melbourne Royal Park Victoria William John Wills Ann Ronan Pictures Robert Ohara Burke William John Wills
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This print captures a significant moment in history - the departure of the Burke and Wills expedition from Royal Park, Melbourne, Australia on 20 August 1860. Led by Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills, this daring exploration aimed to traverse the unknown interior of Australia. In this image, we see a group of determined men preparing for their arduous journey into uncharted territory. The men are accompanied by horses and camels, essential companions for such an ambitious undertaking. Their faces reflect a mix of excitement and trepidation as they embark on this perilous adventure. Little did they know that their expedition would be plagued by misfortune. Despite successfully reaching the Gulf of Carpentaria on the north coast with two other companions, Charles Gray and John King, their return journey was marred by bad luck and poor leadership from Burke. Tragically, Gray succumbed to dysentery while both Burke and Wills perished from starvation. Only King managed to survive after receiving aid from a tribe of Aborigines before being rescued by a search party in September 1861. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of knowledge and discovery during the 19th century. It immortalizes these brave explorers who ventured into unexplored lands with hopes of unraveling Australia's mysteries but ultimately paid the ultimate price for their ambition.
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