About the book
Narrative of the overland expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York, Northern Queensland
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
About the Author
Frank Jardine, 1841-1919 and Alexander Jardine, 1843-1920
Francis Lascelles (Frank) Jardine, together with his younger brother, Alexander William Jardine, in 1864 travelled 1200 miles from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia to Somerset, Queensland, at the time his father John's station. They started with 42 horses and 250 head of cattle. The trip took 10 months, during which time the party was constantly harassed by the area's inhabitants as they forced their way through scrub and swamps and crossed at least six large rivers, including the Jardine river, the largest, which was named after him. They reached Somerset on 2 March 1865 with 12 horses and 50 cattle. Jardine claimed to have personally killed 47 people and the total death toll was over 200. Both brothers were elected fellows of the Royal Geographical Society and received the Murchison Award.
In 1866 Frank settled on a station near Somerset and was appointed police magistrate in 1868. He died in 1919 of leprosy and is buried at Somerset with his Samoan Princess bride Sana Solia
