Notes Prepared by John Hogan
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H. A. Hunt (1866–1946) — First Commonwealth Meteorologist
Inigo Jones (1872–1954)
Griffith Taylor, D.SC, B.E., B.A. (1880–1963)
Edward Kidson, O.B.E., D.Sc., F. Inst. P. (1882–1939)
My Recollections of Captain Edward Kidson (R.E) O.B.E, D.Sc., F. Inst. P. (1882–1939)
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Subsequent examination of our March cyclone showed that it moved west through the Coral Sea on an unusually northern course, about 11° or 12° south latitude. It crossed Cape York Peninsula, the Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land; then it skirted the Western Australian Coast, moving southwest, south and then southeast across the southwestern part of Western Australia and it disappeared into the region of no observations south of the Australian Bight. Thus for 20 days it maintained its identity on the Australian daily weather charts, which in those days were limited to little beyond the land masses.
As this cyclone passed over the Gulf of Carpentaria, the steamer 'Douglas Mawson' was in its track. The steamer was not heard of again and it was presumed it had foundered with the loss of all passengers and crew.
Some time later, wreckage from the ship was found on the western shore of the Gulf. Some considerable time later again, it was reported that two white women who were passengers on the lost ship and who, in some way had reached the safety of land, were living with the natives on the eastern shore areas of Arnhem Land.
These rumours persisted and grew to such an extent, that the authorities in Darwin decided to search for them. The search party, in a small boat, sailed from Darwin into the Gulf, where they conducted a search along the Gulf's west coastal regions.
Natives were questioned and their camp sites examined, but the party returned to Darwin with the report that no evidence of the existence of white women with the natives could be found. Rumours ceased and the subject was not raised again.
September 1969
J. Hogan
People in Bright Sparcs - Hogan, John
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