Entrance Endeavour River, New South Wales, 1770

Australia
1 January 1770
19 November 2010
19 November 2010

Location

Australia

Collection of the National Library of Australia

A plan of the entrance of Endeavour River, New South Wales, 1770. Historical Records of New South Wales, Cook’s Charts. Map references reveal: A. Where we landed our stores, B. Repaired the ship, C. A small bank where we caught many fish. The map is also annotated with captions including location of mangroves, dry at low water, fresh water and depth soundings. Drawings included mangroves, trees and some shelters. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Harry and Paul, Scientific Expedition staff, Low Isles, 1928. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Collection of the National Library of Australia

Curious fish, 1930

On the bottom the diver was engaged on whatever task he had before him. ... Fish, usually so elusive, are caught, surprisingly, unaware.

1930
1 January 1930
19 November 2010
19 November 2010
Putnam
London

Scientists making collections at Undine Reef during the 1928-29 British Expedition to Low Isles. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Collection of the National Library of Australia

J.A. Stephenson with photographic equipment used to record corals during the 1928-29 British Expedition, Low Isles. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Collection of the National Library of Australia

Charles Yonge with 'Black Box', an underwater viewing observatory, Low Isles, 1928. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Collection of the National Library of Australia

Diving helmet in use during the British Expedition to Low Isles, 1928. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Cool logical explanations dissolved many curiosities about the natural world in the late twentieth century, but the Reef is something of an enduring mystery. The underwater world remains elusive to everyday human experiences. The earliest naturalists depended on simultaneous good fortunes in tides, weather and wind to glimpse living corals and fishes beneath the surface. This view was often unattainable. The liveliness of the coral reefs could not be contained, and many squirming creatures brought to the surface died in the name of scientific curiosity.

The desire to gain greater access to the underwater spurred scientific invention. Scientists improvised equipment and trialled new technologies in an effort to better access and observe living marine life. Simple equipment like the water telescope and black box evolved into glass-bottomed boats and underwater observatories. The most daring individuals experimented with eye goggles, diving helmets and scuba equipment. Photographers explored the possibilities of underwater cameras and colour emulsion. In this way the history of new technologies parallels the history of Great Barrier Reef science.  

Collection of the National Library of Australia

View of the 1928-29 Expedition's quarters from the lighthouse balcony, Low Isles, 1928. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Collection of the National Library of Australia

Scientific expedition members, Low Isles, 1928-29. Note the absence of Aboriginal assistants in this photograph. Collection of the National Library of Australia

Collection of the National Library of Australia

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