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[KENNEDY] WINGATE, Thomas W.
In Memory of Unfortunate Individuals.
Albany Island Qld. circa, 1854.
Watercolour on paper, 252 x 352 mm.; a couple of spots, but in very good condition, framed.
A sensitive original watercolour depicting the memorial erected by Owen Stanley, Captain of the Rattlesnake, to two members of Kennedy's ill-fated overland expedition to Cape York.
After Kennedy's death, Jackey-Jackey carried on to keep the expedition's rendezvous with the supply ship Ariel. He then directed the rescue search which saved the lives of Carron and Goddard. After returning as a hero to Sydney with the survivors, Jackey made another trip north in the Freak, under Captain Simpson, to continue the search for survivors and Kennedy's journal and papers. The bodies of Wall and Niblett were discovered at Weymouth Bay. A funeral service for the men was held at Albany Island where they were buried. In 1849 Simpson reported to Stanley, 'I buried the remains of Wall and Niblett on the higher part of the south end of Albany Island… the spot would be an excellent place to erect a monument in memory of the unfortunate individuals who perished on the ill-fated expedition' (Lubbock, Owen Stanley R.N. Captain of the Rattlesnake, p. 241). Stanley later erected 'a strong wooden tablet with an inscription to mark the spot', and planted young coconut trees on either side of the grave.
The tragic loss of Kennedy and his men shocked the colony. Jackey had recovered Kennedy's papers but not a trace of his body could be found. Thus the grave of Wall and Niblett became a focal point of remembrance. George French Angas, among other artists, painted the grave scene on Albany Island. A version of it appeared in the Illustrated Sydney News of 24 January 1854, and the original was also exhibited at the Australian Museum in that year.
This watercolour by the Sydney-based artist Thomas Wingate is a reconstruction of the scene in 1849, when the memorial was erected. Wingate faithfully depicts the coconut trees planted by Stanley and also includes a depiction of the Rattlesnake at anchor off the island. Wingate's watercolour differs from Angas's work, but is evidently based on it.
After retiring from service with the British army in India, Thomas Wingate (1807-1869) moved to Sydney where in 1854 he took up residence in Percy Lodge at 22 Wylde Street, Potts Point. He married Eleanor Terry, third daughter of Richard Rouse and the widow of John Terry. Wingate had been a keen artist throughout his service career and he continued his painting, sketching and photography in the colony.
This rendering of Albany Island is an excellent example of his skill as a watercolourist.
Provenance: by descent through the Terry family (initials "T.W." in pencil lower right, were added later by a family member).
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