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John King / Explorer
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John King / Explorer
JOHN KING Explorer; part of the Burke and Wills expedition to Australia
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Media ID 620607
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10073786
1841 1872 Burke Explorer Wills
EDITORS COMMENTS
John King, a prominent figure in the history of Australian exploration, is depicted in this photograph taken in the late 1870s. King, born in England in 1816, embarked on a remarkable journey as a member of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, which aimed to be the first to cross Australia from south to north. The expedition, led by Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills, commenced in Melbourne on August 20, 1860. King, an experienced soldier and surveyor, was appointed as the third-in-command. The group set out with 19 men, 27 camels, and 26 horses, intending to cross the harsh and uncharted interior of the continent. Tragically, the expedition faced numerous challenges, including extreme weather conditions, limited supplies, and a lack of knowledge about the terrain. By the time they reached Coopers Creek in May 1861, they had lost several members and were in dire straits. King, Burke, and Wills decided to split the group, with King leading a smaller party to attempt to reach the coastal town of Port Essington, while Burke and Wills continued westward. Despite his best efforts, King was unable to reach Port Essington and eventually succumbed to exhaustion and starvation. He was found dead near the Cooper's Creek site in 1862. Burke and Wills, meanwhile, also faced numerous hardships and ultimately both perished in late 1861. This photograph of John King, taken over a decade after his death, serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these early Australian explorers in their quest to chart the vast and unforgiving landscape of the continent. The image captures the resilience and determination that defined King's life and his role in the Burke and Wills expedition, which remains a significant chapter in the history of Australian exploration.
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