Massacre at Calico Creek

Date: 1 Jul 1872 – 2 Jul 1872
Place: Calico Creek
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
An exploration party comprising Dillon Cox, Wentworth Darcy Uhr, James Barry, William Harvey, James Broderick, Jimmy Soo and Ah Choo were at a place they named Calico Creek (there is nothing by that name now) at the Cox River en route from Burketown to Port Darwin. The number of deceased is unclear but was described by Roberts (2005, p 18): 'Shortly after the party had resumed their journey, through the scrub beyond the river, the leading cattle turned and rushed back as they approached a creek. The men galloped to the front to investigate and were "saluted with a shower of spears"'. The Brisbane Courier (27 Oct 1874, p. 3) quoted Barry: 'Quickly unslinging their rifles, they retaliated with a brisk fire, the Westley Richards telling with deadly effect even at 350 and 400 yards. Still the blacks showed a bold front, and were not driven back without an obstinate resistance. When they had at length been fairly driven off the field, the victors ran the creek upwards and downwards till the camp was discovered deserted, and there found numerous bundles of spears, nulla-nullas and boomerangs, which were quickly broken up and burnt'.
Notes:
CorroborationRating: ***
LanguageGroup: Yanyuwa, Garrwa
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 15

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Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Calico Creek
    1 Jul 1872 – 2 Jul 1872 — Calico Creek — massacre
    An exploration party comprising Dillon Cox, Wentworth Darcy Uhr, James Barry, William Harvey, James Broderick, Jimmy Soo and Ah Choo were at a place they named Calico Creek (there is nothing by that name now) at the Cox River en route from Burketown to Port Darwin. The number of deceased is unclear but was described by Roberts (2005, p 18): 'Shortly after the party had resumed their journey, through the scrub beyond the river, the leading cattle turned and rushed back as they approached a creek. The men galloped to the front to investigate and were "saluted with a shower of spears"'. The Brisbane Courier (27 Oct 1874, p. 3) quoted Barry: 'Quickly unslinging their rifles, they retaliated with a brisk fire, the Westley Richards telling with deadly effect even at 350 and 400 yards. Still the blacks showed a bold front, and were not driven back without an obstinate resistance. When they had at length been fairly driven off the field, the victors ran the creek upwards and downwards till the camp was discovered deserted, and there found numerous bundles of spears, nulla-nullas and boomerangs, which were quickly broken up and burnt'.
    Source: 'Burketown to Port Darwin ��� II' Brisbane Courier, October 27, 1874, p 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1390427; Dymock 1991; Roberts, 2005; Roberts, November 2009, np https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2009/november/1330478364/tony-roberts/brutal-truth; The Queenslander, October 24, 1874, p 7 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18333142; Morrison https://www.australianfrontierconflicts.com.au