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The following article was transcribed from The Australian Town and Country Journal, 10th November 1877 :
“A Trip from Shoalhaven to
Jervis Bay.
(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)
“SOME time since, with two companions in a spring cart and with one riding horse, I started fro Jervis Bay, being desirous of making some sketches of the scenery at the lighthouse.
“At Parnell’s Inn, at Tomerong, we turned to the left, and by mistake found ourselves in the afternoon among the ruined houses of South Huskisson [Vincentia]. A person who lived in these ruins showed us the way to the lighthouse, through the bush, for we had gone quite astray. We proceed on till sunset, and having then lost our way again amongst the numerous swamps and cart tracks, we put up our tent to encamp for the night, and got our supper. Suddenly I missed my companions, who it seems had started off to find the lighthouse. I shall never forget the dismal howling of the native dogs on all sides of the camp. After some time my comrades returned. They had found the road to the lighthouse, about a hundred yards from our encampment, and followed it for about four miles, when they got sight of the object of their search and returned. We passed the night comfortably enough, and after an early breakfast proceeded towards our destination. Our cart horse not being very strong, we were obliged to unload the vehicle at the bottom of a sandhill and leave our flour and several other things behind. These we afterwards sent for. With much trouble we reached the lighthouse, and encamped in its vicinity. One of my companions then returned to Shoalhaven with the horses, as there was no feed for them on the coast; and I immediately commenced the drawings I came to make. My companion amused himself in fishing whilst we remained.
“The place was so much exposed to the weather that we found tent life anything but agreeable, having sometimes to get up in the night to fasten the cords, in the rain and wind, to prevent our covering from being blown away. The rain occasionally stopped our cooking operations; but the inhabitants of the light-house kindly made some bread for us, so that we managed tolerably well. We found the quarters for the light-house keeper and establishment very insufficient. A fortnight passed away very quickly, and a couple of strong horses having been brought for us, we returned to Shoalhaven, carrying a load of native currants with us, there being great quantities at this place in the season.
“Some vessels visited the bay whilst we were here, and the masters came to the light-house.
In September, 1877, I paid another visit to the bay, this time with a good strong horse, and a more comfortable vehicle, Mr. Gibson having kindly offered me accommodation in the cottage lately erected for him during the time I proposed to remain. We travelled along the road formerly in use until we were stopped by a cockatoo fence, which some free selector had put up. We, therefore, had to turn back, and tried to cross a swamp to reach the road, which lay the other side of it, and nearly got bogged; but a good horse got us out of the difficulty. We then headed the swamp, and crossed a ditch (by which our vehicle was partly smashed) cut on Government land, apparently by the aforesaid free selector, and succeed in reaching the road we sought. About 3 p.m. the lighthouse came in sight, and Mr. Gibson made us welcome. My companion returned to Shoalhaven with the horse, &c, the next day. I made some drawings of the headlands with the lighthouse on it, from the north and south, the subject seeming to me the finest I have seen anywhere along the coast of New South Wales. I also got a sketch of ‘The Hole in the Wall,’ on Mr. Murray’s free selection; and one of Bowen’s Island, and the beautiful bay, which will some day, no doubt, be the harbour for numerous steamers and coasters, should the contemplated railway from the Cambewarra Mountains ever be made. The land from which I took this sketch belongs to Mr. Murray, of Shoalhaven, and will eventually be worth many thousands, and is well adapted for a township. Indeed the Government ought to have reserved it for such a purpose years ago. However, as they were short-sighted enough to alienate it, it is hoped that the fortunate proprietor (a very industrious, hardworking person by all accounts) will lay it out as a town, and sell it in allotments, there being no other place so suitable for the purpose. He will thus become a public benefactor. By running a breakwater from the mainland to Bowen’s Island, and another from Murray’s Point towards the east, this portion of the bay would be sheltered from every wind. The terminus of the proposed railway will probably be on Mr. Murray’s land, for the Government reserve does not seem so well situated for the purpose. A road is very much needed to the bay and lighthouse from Shoalhaven, and the shortest route would be via Dent’s establishment and South Huskisson, although it might cost more than the one via Tomerong, which is a long, tedious, and roundabout way, to say nothing of the ten panels of very heavy rails which the traveller even at present has to take down and put up again. When more free selectors settle in the district these ten panels will no doubt increase to fifty or sixty, or more, rendering this route through private property nearly impassable. It is to be hoped Government will mark out a short road by the south head of the bay without delay, and that a sum will be placed on the estimates for clearing it so as to render this really valuable district eligible for settlement.
“If coal could be delivered at the bay, hundreds of colliers, which now go to a port hundreds of miles to the north, would, no doubt, load at this safe harbour, saving much thereby. It is supposed that a lighthouse will eventually placed on Crocodile Head on the north side of the bay, as the present one does not seem well situated.
“The weather was so wet that I was unable to finish all my drawings, and as time of my visit had expired (a visit which was made most agreeable by the kindness and attention of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson and establishment), I was obliged to depart with the hope of paying the lighthouse another visit at a future time.
“On the way back I got a sketch of St. George’s Basin, which is very pretty from the hills, a few miles from the north-east. Some of these drawings will appear at the next Agricultural Society’s exhibition at Shoalhaven, as they help to show the value of various places in the district.
“Artists from Sydney will do well to visit Jervis Bay, as the coast scenery is, in my opinion, of the finest description. If on horseback, hobbles are necessary, and a supply of corn, for there is no grass of any consequence. My own horse was so disgusted with the want of grass, and my not giving him a feed of corn the moment I arose, that he leaped the fence and took a gallop of six miles to find something to eat. This gave us great trouble, but we were fortunate enough to catch him in time to make the journey to Shoalhaven by dusk. However, if the swamps were drained, there would be plenty of grass, and the land is rich and well suited for fruit tress and vegetables. At Tomorong [Tomerong] the road passes over the tops of high hills instead of going at their feet; and I hope some day this will be altered.”
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