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Collet Barker (1784-1831)
Barker entered the army as an ensign in the 39th regiment of
foot on 23 January 1806, became a lieutenant in May 1809, and
captain in June 1825.
He was at Sydney in 1828 and was sent to Raffles Bay in northern
Australia, where he arrived on 13 September and took command. He
established friendly relations with the aborigines, and showed
great courage in trusting himself with them alone. In September
1829 the settlement was abandoned and Barker sailed for the Swan
River where he arrived about a month later. After a stay of some
days he went on to King George's Sound and took charge of the
settlement there from 3 December 1829.
When Stuer returned after his exploration of the Murray in 1830
he recommended that the coast at the head of St Vincent's Gulf
should be examined to ascertain whether another channel from the
Murray entered the sea there and suggested that Barker would be a
suitable man for this work. Governor Darling agreed, and on 13
April 1831 Barker, with a small party, arrived at Cape Jervis on
the ship Isabella.
He examined the coast on the eastern side of the gulf for over
60 miles and found that there was no channel. With four companions
he made his way to the ranges, ascended Mount Lofty, and definitely
fixed its geographical position. He rejoined the remainder of his
companions on 21 April, and six days later with a small party left
the ship at a point about 12 miles north of Cape Jervis, and went
overland to trace the connexion between Lake Alexandrina and
Encounter Bay. On 30 April an outlet to the sea was reached, which
was comparatively narrow, and Barker swam across, went over a
sandhill, and was never seen again. His companions watched from
their side of the water until next day and then went back to their
ship. A few days later it was learned through friendly aborigines
that Barker had been speared and his body thrown into the sea,
Sturt considered that he had suffered for the sins of white sealers
against the blacks.
Barker was held in the highest regard by Sturt and his fellow
officers. He had courage and great understanding of aboriginal
races. Had he lived he would probably have done valuable work as a
pioneer and explorer. There is a monument in his honour at Mount
Barker, South Australia, and a tablet to his memory is in St
James's church, Sydney.