Brisbane River charting by John Oxley in 1823

PLAN DE LA RIVIERE BRISBANE (Nouvelle Hollande)

Plan of the Brisbane River (New Holland). [Australia]

Découverte par M. OXLEY, Ingenieur Géographe au Port Jackson  ( Décembre 1823. )

Chart of the Brisbane River Discovered by John Oxley, Geographical Engineer at Port Jackson. (December 1823)

John Oxley's "Plan of the Brisbane River (New Holland)" was first published in a French world atlas by Louis Isidore Duperrey. Complete with depth soundings, Oxley's recording of the river was drawn by Hacq and engraved on a copperplate by Ambroise Tardieu, for inclusion in Duperrey’s narrative of his voyages that included charts of the areas surveyed around the world at that time. “Voyage autour du Monde.. Atlas Hydrographie” was published in Paris in 1824.

In 1823 John Oxley was sent north from Sydney in search of a suitable site for the extension of the settlement of Port Jackson. He was commissioned to explore Moreton Bay, Port Curtis and Port Bowen, which had been discovered in 1799 by Matthew Flinders. After visiting Port Curtis, Oxley returned to Moreton Bay where he was apparently directed to the Brisbane River by an ex-convict of the name of Pamphlett, who had been living with local aborigines. Oxley carried out expeditions along the Pine River and Brisbane River and the adjacent countrysides.

On his return to Sydney in December 1823, Oxley lodged his report. Soon after his return to Port Jackson, Oxley was made Surveyor-General of the Australian colony known as New South Wales. He recorded that “a fine river of major proportions has been discovered in northern New South Wales, New Holland.” and that “the river is navigable a full 40 miles upstream and looks certain to be opened up for development". The Moreton Bay penal colony was proposed for the following year. John Oxley named the river, and later the town, after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane.

Brisbane was still part of New South Wales until "separation" of the State of Queensland in 1859. The name Brisbane was in the balance at one stage, with several eminent people suggesting the town be called Edenglassie. For some reason, Governor Thomas Brisbane decided that 'Brisbane' was better..

Oxley's charting of the river, with depth soundings, is acknowledged as being extremely accurate in its detail and scope. Despite the periodic abuse by tides and river traffic, this chart is still of considerable relevance and interest – particularly to those who live nearby or use the river. Since its recent flooding, we are even more aware of our beautiful and usually clean river - important to anyone with an interest in the history of Brisbane.

Copperplate-engraved maps circa 1824 are rare.  Antique Print Club has published a fine Heritage Editions Limited Edition from an original copper engraving of John Oxley's in depth charting of the Brisbane River. These fine Limited Edition prints are available with outline of the Brisbane River highlighted by hand-colour (see framed). For a limited time, in recognition of the harrowing ordeal of many who were flooded (as we were), we offer a black and white Limited Edition for $20 (usually $55).  If colouring is required, special price $60 (usually $132). Drop in to the gallery if convenient, or order on line by email to sales@antiqueprintclub.com