Spinifex and Sand

In 1896-1897, the Hon. David Wynford Carnegie, born in 1871, youngest son of the Earl of Southesk, led one of the last great expeditions in the exploration of Australia. His route from Lake Darlôt to Halls Creek and return, took thirteen months and covered over three thousand miles. Carnegie financed his expedition from the results of a successful gold strike at Lake Darlôt.

David Carnegie returned to England in 1898, was awarded a medal by the Royal Geographic Society and in 1899 was appointed Assistant Resident and Magistrate in Northern Nigeria. On November 27, 1900 while on an expedition to capture a brigand he was shot in the thigh with a poisoned arrow and died minutes later. He is buried at Lokaja, Nigeria and a memorial to his memory is in St. George's Cathedral, Perth.

SPINIFEX AND SAND

A Narrative of Five Years' Pioneering and Exploration in Western Ausralia

By The

HON. DAVID W CARNEGIE (1871-1900)

Illustration 1: David W. Carnegie.

To MY MOTHER

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PART I - EARLY DAYS IN COOLGARDIE

1. Early Days In The Colony
2. “Hard Up”
3. A Miner On Bayley's

PART II - FIRST PROSPECTING EXPEDITION

1. The Rush To Kurnalpi—We Reach Queen Victoria Spring
2. In Unknown Country
3. From Mount Shenton To Mount Margaret

PART III - SECOND PROSPECTING EXPEDITION

1. The Joys Of Portable Condensers
2. Granite Rocks, “Namma Holes,” And “Soaks”
3. A Fresh Start
4. A Camel Fight
5. Gold At Lake Darlôt
6. Alone In The Bush
7. Sale Of Mine

PART IV - MINING

1. Quartz Reefing And Dry-Blowing

PART V - THE OUTWARD JOURNEY

1. Previous Explorers In The Interior Of Western Australia
2. Members And Equipment Of Expedition
3. The Journey Begins
4. We Enter The Desert
5. Water At Last
6. Woodhouse Lagoon
7. The Great Undulating Desert Of Gravel
8. A Desert Tribe
9. Dr. Leichardt's Lost Expedition
10. The Desert Of Parallel Sand-Ridges
11. From Family Well To Helena Spring
12. Helena Spring
13. From Helena Spring To The Southesk Tablelands
14. Death Of Stansmore
15. Wells Exploring Expedition
16. Kimberley
17. Aboriginals At Hall's Creek
18. Preparations For The Return Journey