In this document, Sutherland describes the climate during the summer, autumn and winter of his stay on Kangaroo Island in 1819. He considers the harbours safe during the south westerlies that prevail at this time, but notes that the southern coast is still not well charted and vessels would be advised to be cautious in approaching this shore in windy weather. He also refers to the escaped convicts from Tasmania and New South Wales who live like savages on the island.

Captain George Sutherland was employed in 1819 by Mary Reiby, a Sydney trader, to collect sealskins and salt from Kangaroo Island. He stayed on the island for eight months from January to August and 12 years later provided a detailed report on the island. Sutherland was an experienced captain having made the voyage from England to Sydney a number of times. His report was made to the Committee formed in London for the purpose of establishing a colony in South Australia. This report was subsequently published in several publications which promoted a settlement in South Australia.

Sutherland's report was detailed and he was, in addition cross-examined by the committee in 1831. The South Australian Company officials subsequently considered that Sutherland's reports were inaccurate, but it should be taken into consideration that the Australian climate was still poorly understood, and Sutherland may have been on the island in an unusually good year.

Kangaroo Island (S. Aust.)

Sutherland, George, Captain

South Australian Association

Plan of a company to be established for the purpose of founding a colony in Southern Australia: purchasing land therein, and preparing the land so purchased for the reception of immigrants London: Ridgway and Sons, 1831

Nunn, Jean, This southern land: a social history of Kangaroo Island 1800-1890 Hawthorndene, S. Aust.: Investigator Press, 1989

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island Wikipedia

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-