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CAPTAIN JOHN CLEMENTS WICKHAM, R.N.
The Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 - 1864) Saturday 19 March 1864, page 3
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2012-01-03 21:01:51.0user:public:collywollyIn the Home News received by the mail,
In the "Home News" received by the mail,
2010-08-09 20:45:09.0anonymousJanuary 6, at Biarritz, France, Captain John
January 6, at Biarrits, France, Captain John
2010-08-02 21:24:06.0anonymousCAPTAIN JOHN CLEMENTS WICKHHAM, R.N.
CAPTAIN JOHN CLEMENTS WICKHAM, R.N.
2010-01-20 13:45:10.0user:public:Charlie22to him couched in highly complimentary lnn
guago. As a magistrate, ho waa inflexibly
just and honorable; as a public officer, ho
mid always industrious. Wo bad hoped to
seo his kindly face amongst us onco again,
and that ho would havo boen spared to com-
pare the Brisbane of 1SG1 with tho "settle
mont" of 1843, but inexorable Death has laid
him low upon a foreign soil, and ho sleeps tho
to him couched in highly complimentary lan-
guage. As a magistrate, he was inflexibly
just and honorable; as a public officer, he
and always industrious. We had hoped to
see his kindly face amongst us once again,
and that he would have been spared to com-
pare the Brisbane of 1864 with the "settle-
ment" of 1843, but inexorable Death has laid
him low upon a foreign soil, and he sleeps the
2010-01-20 13:43:35.0user:public:Charlie22a worthy and ostimable gontloman,?keeping
himsulf vory much to himsolf,?and charged
consider moan, but to which ho was doubtless
unpolled by his anxiety to provide for a rising
family. On tho wholo, howovor, ho wns held
in tho highest respect by "tho inhabitants,
and when bc left Brisbano for Enropo in tho
onrly' part of I860, nn addross was presented
a worthy and estimable gentleman,—keeping
himself very much to himself,—and charged
consider mean, but to which he was doubtless
impelled by his anxiety to provide for a rising
family. On the whole, however, he was held
in the highest respect by the inhabitants,
and when he left Brisbane for Europe in the
early part of 1860, an address was presented
2010-01-20 13:41:12.0user:public:Charlie22in tho most frigid stylo of official rigidity,
and wo can remember moro than oiio instnnco
injwhich ho bewailed to us tho apathy of tho
govornmont, and lamented tho limited range
of his own authority. In private lifo lio was
oftentimes with acts which peoplo chose to
in the most frigid style of official rigidity,
and we can remember more than one instance
in which he bewailed to us the apathy of the
government, and lamented the limited range
of his own authority. In private life he was
often times with acts which people chose to
2010-01-20 13:39:55.0user:public:Charlie22As a public officer, tho deceased has boon
blamed for maintaining a morely iiogativo
position, but tho chnrgo is hardly just. It
must be 1'ccollcctod that, whilo his oflioe was
ono of honor and responsibility, ho acted
merely as tho servant of tho Now South
Wales govornmont. Thongh-nominally rated
ns roprosentativo of her Majosty's vicogoreut
in thoso districts, his powers woro limited
to tho moro carrying ont of tho instructions
bo received from head quarters. In fact, he
was ofton placed in' a rather painful position,
fur, whilo bo invariably manifested a dosiro
to further tho wishes aud interests of tho in-
habitants, his representations'woro reeoived
As a public officer, the deceased has been
blamed for maintaining a merely negative
position, but the charge is hardly just. It
must be reccollected that, whieo his office was
one of honor and responsibility, he acted
merely as the servant of the New South
Wales government. Though nominally rated
as representative of her Majesty's vicegerent
in these districts, his powers were limited
to the more carrying out of the instructions
he received from head quarters. In fact, he
was often placed in a rather painful position,
for, while he invariably manifested a desire
to further the wishes and interests of the in-
habitants, his representations were received
2010-01-20 13:36:52.0user:public:Charlie22ut It was conaidorod objectionable?and
rightly, wo think?to commonco a system of
pensions. From that timo wo havo heard
?nothing of Capt. Wiokham?saving occasional
reports as to his stato of health?until wo
yesterday received tho melancholy intelli-
gence of his death, which occurred on tho Otb
January, at Biarritz, in Franco, whither, wo
presumo, bo bad gone to recruit himsolf. Tho
disease of which tho gallant captain died wns
apoplexy?a complaint be always dreaded,
from tho fact of his father having been taken
off by it; and his death was suddon in tbo
extreme. He was.sixty-two yours of age,
and loaves a rather numerous family to
mourn thoir loss. His second wifo, to whom
he was married in Brisbane in 1857. was a
but it was considered objectionable—and
rightly, we think—to commence a system of
pensions. From that time ww have heard
nothing of Capt. Wickham—saving occasional
reports as to his state of health—until we
yesterday received the melancholy intelli-
gence of his death, which occurred on the 6th
January, at Biarritz, in France, whither, we
presume, he had gone to recruit himself. The
disease of which the gallant captain died was
apoplexy—a complaint he always dreaded,
from the fact of his father having been taken
off by it; and his death was sudden in the
extreme. He was sixty-two years of age,
and leaves a rather numerous family to
mourn their loss. His second wife, to whom
he was married in Brisbane in 1857, was a
2010-01-20 13:33:02.0user:public:Charlie22certainty, and the expenso would not have
exceoded £S, at the roost. On tho 21st June,
38G1, Mr. R. Cribb moved a resolution in the
Houso of Assembly which bad for its object
tho bestowal of a pension of £300a-yonr upon
of office. Mr. Mnckonzo (who was thon
Traksuror) movod an amendment for giving
worS;' ultimately negatived by tho casting
vote of tho Speaker, tho division list showing
ll to ll. During tbo debate, full credit was
fivon to tba gallant captain for his services,
certainty, and the expense would not have
exceeded £5, at the most. On the 21st June,
1861, Mr. R. Cribb moved a resolution in the
House of Assembly which had for its object
the bestowal of a pension of £300 a-year upon
of office. Mr. Mackenzie (who was then
Treasurer) moved an amendment for giving
were ultimately negatived by the casting
vote of the Speaker, the division list showing
11 to 11. During the debate, full credit was
given to the gallant captain for his services,
2010-01-20 13:30:47.0user:public:Charlie22At tho dato of separation, tho loth Do
comber, 1859, Captain Wickham's rulo ceased,
tho arrival of tho first Governor of the now
colony being tho signal for his retirement.
Tho _ well-known and comfortable-looking
"sociablo" ceased its daily trips from
Newstead (tho captain's residence)-to tho
presont Colonial Secretary's oflico, and aftor
of official life, tho deceased gentleman found
take tho office of Colonial Treasurer. The
publio bad anticipated that the late Govern-
ment Resident would bo one of the first
¦ministry, but Captain Wickham declined tho
oflico. The reasons urged for bis thus declin-
ing Hie proffered honor wero not known until
by him to tho Secrotary of Stato for tho (
Colonies was laid before tho local parliament,
ant! a claim for a ponsion founded thereupon.
In that latter Captain Wickham stated that
ho declined the Treasurership because " tho
expanses of a contested olection wera beyond
his meanB, more especially ns a chango of
out of employment." Tho friends of the
gallant officer regretted this statcmont, bc
causoniis election as ono of tho members for
At the date of separation, the 10th De-
cember, 1859, Captain Wickham's rule ceased,
the arrival of teo first Governor of the new
colony being the signal for his retirement.
The well-known and comfortable-looking
"sociable" ceased its daily trips from
Newstead (the captain's residence) to the
present Colonial Secretary's office, and after
of official life, the deceased gentleman found
take the office of Colonial Treasurer. The
public had anticipated that the late Govern-
ment Resident would be one of the first
ministry, but Captain Wickham declined the
office. The reasons urged for his thus declin-
ing the proffered honor were not known until
by him to the Secretary of State for the
Colonies was laid before the local parliament,
and a claim for a pension founded thereupon.
In that letter Captain Wickham stated that
he declined the Treasurership because " the
expenses of a contested election were beyond
his means, more especially as a change of
out of employment." The friends of the
gallant officer regretted this statement, be-
cause his election as one of the members for
2010-01-20 13:26:44.0user:public:Charlie22captain was roliovcd from tho performance of
tho duties pertaining to tho oflico of Polico
Magistrato, and was succoeded by tho lato
sevoral'yea'rs i acted in tho capacity of Clerk
captain was relieved from the performance of
the duties pertaining to the office of Police
Magistrate, and was succeeded by the late
several years acted in the capacity of Clerk
2010-01-20 13:25:42.0user:public:Charlie22consented, nnd spent several weeks iu tho
performance of this task?which was quite
beyond his legitimate sphoro of duty, anti the
expenso of which wns defrayed hy a body
then in oxistonco, callod tho " Moreton Bay
Soon aftor becoming Government Rosident
in 1853, or nbout that limo, Capt. Wickham
bad to suffer tho loss of his partner in life,
who had boon removed to Sydnoy for change
of air and medical treatment. Tho unfortu-
nate lady died just about tho timo that lier
he arrived'too lato to witnoss ber departure
from this world, tho vessel bo sailed in having
bcou detained by sovoro weather on thc
coast Previous to separation, thu worthy
consented, and spent several weeks in the
performance of this task—which was quite
beyond his legitimate sphere of duty, and the
expense of which was defrayed by a body
then in existence, called the " Moreton Bay
Soon aftor becoming Government Resident
in 1853, or about that time, Capt. Wickham
had to suffer the loss of his partner in life,
who had been removed to Sydney for change
of air and medical treatment. The unfortu-
nate lady died just about the time that her
he arrived too late to witness her departure
from this world, the vessel he sailed in having
been detained by severe weather on the
coast. Previous to separation, the worthy
2010-01-20 13:22:37.0user:public:Charlie22the day gavo no assistanco whatever.
Stoamors and coastors trading to tho port
wore compelled to mako usc of tho southern
entranoo,?tho dangerous character of which
manner in tho succeeding yoar by tho loss of
tho steamar Sovoroign ; and tho inhabitants
thomsolvcs moved in tho matter, and
dertake tho survey. Tho gallant officer
the day gave no assistance whatever.
Steamers and coaseors trading to the port
were compelled to make use of the southern
entrance,—the dangerous character of which
manner in the succeeding year by the loss of
the steamer Sovereign ; and the inhabitants
themsolves moved in the matter, and
dertake the survey. The gallant officer
2010-01-20 13:20:08.0user:public:Charlie22patrick) and a small posse comitalus arrived
with the captain, and tho vigilanco of tho
now regime soon mado Brisbano too bot to
hold many of tho looso characters by whom
it had boon infestod-' A markod change soon
wero brought into successful operation by tho
Police Magistrato, and the thon embryo city
became a model of good ordor, and tho abode
froo settlers. Captain Wickham also under-
took, in thc year 184(1, tho survey of Moreton
Bay,?a work in which tho govornmont of
patrick) and a small posse comitatus arrived
with the captain, and the vigilance of the
now regime soon made Brisbane too hot to
hold many of the loose characters by whom
it had been infestod. A marked change soon
were brought into successful operation by the
Police Magistrate, and the then embryo city
became a model of good order, and the abode
free settlers. Captain Wickham also under-
took, in the year 1846, tho survey of Moreton
Bay,—a work in which the government of
2010-01-20 13:18:27.0user:public:Charlie22vices." Boforo lils arrival as Polico Magis-
tral ii itmust ba recollected that tho few fica
rcs ants in Brisbano woro left to tho tootler
me lies of '" tickot-of-Ieavo " constables?
timo in tho thon ponai settlement, wera
considered by tho military authorities quite
capablo of maintaining '?her Majesty's
poaco." A chief constable (tho lato Mr. Fitz-
vices." Before his arrival as Police Magis-
traate it must be recollected that the few free
residents in Brisbane were left to the tender
mercies of " ticket-of-leave " constables—
time in the then penal settlement, were
considered by the military authorities quite
capable of maintaining "her Majesty's
peace." A chief constable (the late Mr. Fitz-
2010-01-20 10:47:49.0user:public:Charlie22tho subject of tho present memoir. Tho
worthy captain was thus placed at tho head
of affairs in this district at a timo when much
tact and judgment woro required. Tho "con-
vict ora " was at an ond, and tho influx of a
radical chango in the position and circum-
stances of the district. Tho official designa-
tion of Captain Wickham's office was ns fol-
lows :?" Polico Magistrato of tho district of
Moreton Bay, charged with tho gonor.il
interests of government within it, and thc Re-
presentative of tho Governor within ita
limits." Tho salary attached to this oilico of
high-sounding titlo was not moro than £300
a year, at whioh status it remained up to tho
1st of January, 1853, when tho desig-
nation of tho worthy captain's oilico
Previous to this dato, howevor, Captain
Wickham bad porformed somo important ser-
the subject of the present memoir. The
worthy captain was thus placed at the head
of affairs in this district at a time when much
tact and judgment were required. The "con-
vict era " was at an end, and the influx of a
radical change in the position and circum-
stances of the district. The official designa-
tion of Captain Wickham's office was as fol-
lows :—" Police Magistrate of the district of
Moreton Bay, charged with the general
interests of government within it, and the Re-
presentative of the Governor within its
limits." The salary attached to this office of
high-sounding title was not more than £300
a year, at which status it remained up to the
1st of January, 1853, when the desig-
nation of the worthy captain's office
Previous to this date, however, Captain
Wickham had perfermed some important ser-
2010-01-20 10:45:04.0user:public:Charlie22the coast which wore carefully and
was while engaged in tbo survey of the
year 1842 that ho became identified moro
particularly with this district. In tho month
of January, in that year, tho pioneer steamer
of tho A.S.N. Company paid a visit to this
port, mid brought the intolligonco that Mora
tho govornmont having determined to throw
it open to freo immigrants. Two months
afterwards. Lieutenant Gorman, tho last of
tho old regime of commandants, handed ovor
thu control of affairs to Dr. Simpson, who was
appointed acting Polico Magistrate for tho
district; and on the 14th of Novoinbor in tho
same year, that gentloman was succoeded by
the coast which were carefully and
was while engaged in the survey of the
year 1842 that he became identified more
particularly with this district. In the month
of January, in that year, the pioneer steamer
of the A.S.N. Company paid a visit to this
port, and brought the intelligence that More-
the government having determined to throw
it open to free immigrants. Two months
afterwards, Lieutenant Gorman, the last of
the old regime of commandants, handed over
the control of affairs to Dr. Simpson, who was
appointed acting Police Magistrate for the
district; and on the 14th of November in the
same year, that gentleman was succeeded by
2010-01-20 10:43:01.0user:public:Charlie22In tho year 1839, Captain Wicklmm was
engaged as commander 'of II.M.S. Beuglo, in
making a survey of tho north-western and
other portions of tho Australian coast, tho
particulars of which survey wero published
some years sinco by Lioutonant Stokes, (Cap-
said by somo to hnvo claimod tho crodit which
was justly duo to bis superior. Itwns during
this trip that tho gallant captain discovered
tho Adolaido and Victoria Rivers, and fur-
nished several other particulars of tho coast
of Arnhem Land and thereabouts, to tho hy-
drographers of tho Admiralty. Tho estuary
now known to bo tho embouchure of tho Bur-
dekin, in Upstart Bay, was named after bim,
and there aro many points along
tho coast which woro carefully and
In the year 1839, Captain Wickham was
engaged as commander of H.M.S. Beagle, in
making a survey of the north-western and
other portions of the Australian coast, the
particulars of which survey were published
some years since by Lieutenant Stokes, (Cap-
said by some to have claimed the credit which
was justly due to his superior. It was during
this trip that the gallant captain discovered
the Adelaide and Victoria Rivers, and fur-
nished several other particulars of the coast
of Arnhem Land and thereabouts, to the hy-
drographers of the Admiralty. The estuary
now known to be the embouchure of the Bur-
dekin, in Upstart Bay, was named after him,
and there are many points along
the coast which wore carefully and
2010-01-18 12:17:21.0user:public:Charlie22only cognizant of it by ropute; but there are
not a few among tho older residents whoso
f momorios will recall circumstances in con
* nection with it which non belong to tho hiSr
tory of tbo past. In endeavoring to recite a
few particulars relativo to tho career of tho
departod^wo shall have to rely principally
upon memory, and if thero should bo any
roadors must excuse them on that ground.
only cognizant of it by repute; but there are
not a few among the older residents whose
memories will recall circumstances in con-
nection with it which now belong to the his-
tory of the past. In endeavoring to recite a
few particulars relative to the career of the
departed we shall have to rely principally
upon memory, and if there should be any
readers must excuse them on that ground.
2010-01-18 12:10:52.0user:public:Charlie22we find' he following brief record in the
' clements Wickham, Royal Navy, formerly Go
verrfment Resident at Brisbane, New South
¦ Tho' death of a gentleman so intimately
connected with tho early history of this
colony, calls for something moro than a mere
f nassing record of tho ovont. There aro
?^ thousands of our readers who will not know
tho name, and there aro many moro who aro
we find the following brief record in the
Clements Wickham, Royal Navy, formerly Go-
vernment Resident at Brisbane, New South Wales.
The death of a gentleman so intimately
connected with the early history of this
colony, calls for something more than a mere
passing record of the event. There are
thousands of our readers who will not know
the name, and there are many more who are
2009-12-10 18:38:33.0user:public:Charlie22CAPTAIN JOHN CLEMENTS WIOK
Is tbe Home News received hy the mail,
:wo find'the following brief record in tho
obituary:?
CAPTAIN JOHN CLEMENTS WICKHHAM, R.N.
In the Home News received by the mail,
we find' he following brief record in the
obituary:—

National Library of Australia