The Giles Exploring Expedition.

Scarce engraved portraits of the members of the third and fourth Giles exploring expedition.

1. W.H. Tietkens, Second in Command. 2. Saleh, Afghan Camel-Driver. 3. Ernest Giles, Leader. 4. Alex Ross. 5. Tommy, Native. 6. Jesse Young, Observer and Naturalist. 7. Peter Nicholls.

Early in 1875 Giles prepared his diaries for publication under the title Geographic Travels in Central Australia, and on 13 March 1875, with the generous help of Sir Thomas Elder, he began his third expedition. Proceeding far northwards from Fowler’s Bay, the country was found to be very dry. Retracing his steps Giles turned east, and eventually going round the north side of Lake Torrens, reached Elder’s station at Beltana. At Beltana the preparations for his fourth journey were made, and with Tietkens again his lieutenant, and with a caravan of camels, a start was made on 6 May. Afghan cameleer Mahomet Saleh, who had accompanied explorer Peter Warburton to Western Australia two years previously, drove and managed the camels. They reached Port Augusta on 23 May and, after taking a northerly course to clear the lakes, followed a generally westerly course. Some water was carried, and the party was saved the continual excursions in search of water for horses that had caused so much difficulty during previous expeditions. Towards the end of September, over 323 miles had been covered in 17 days without finding water, when on 25 September an Aboriginal man known as Tommy found an abundant supply in a small hollow between sand dunes at Queen Victoria Spring, and the party was saved. After a rest of nine days the journey was resumed on 6 October, still heading west. Ten days later the expedition was attacked by a large number of Aborigines and Giles fired on them. On 4 November they met a white stockman at Tootra out-camp, east of Bindi Bindi, Western Australia. Their course was west to Walebing Station, then south-west and on 11 November they arrived at New Norcia where they were welcomed by Bishop Salvado. On 17 November 1875 the party arrived at Guildford, and at Perth the next day, where they received an enthusiastic reception. Giles stayed for two months at Perth. Tietkens and Jess Young, another member of the expedition, went back to Adelaide by sea, and on 13 January 1876 Giles began the return journey (fifth expedition) taking a course generally about 400 miles north of the last journey. They arrived at Adelaide in September 1876, after a good journey during which the camels were found to be invaluable

From the original edition of the Australasian Sketcher.