Charlie Douglas
Encyclopedia
Charles Edward Douglas (1 July 1840 – 23 May 1916) came to be known as Mr. Explorer Douglas owing to his extensive explorations of the West Coast Region of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and his work for the New Zealand Survey Department. Charlie Douglas was awarded the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
Gill Memorial Prize in 1897.
Early life and education
Charles Edward Douglas was born on 1 July 1840, in Edinburgh, ScotlandEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the youngest of six children, to parents Martha Brook and James Douglas. His father was an accountant
Accountant
An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy or accounting , which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.The Big Four auditors are the largest...
with the Commercial Bank of Scotland
Commercial Bank of Scotland
The Commercial Bank of Scotland Ltd. was a Scottish commercial bank. It was founded in Edinburgh in 1810, and obtained a royal charter in 1831. It grew substantially through the 19th and early 20th centuries, until 1959, when it merged with the National Bank of Scotland to become the National...
. Charlie Douglas was educated at the Royal High School (Edinburgh)
Royal High School (Edinburgh)
The Royal High School of Edinburgh is a co-educational state school administered by the City of Edinburgh Council. The school was founded in 1128 and is one of the oldest schools in Scotland, and has, throughout its history, been high achieving, consistently attaining well above average exam results...
and worked at the accountant's office of the Commercial Bank of Scotland from 1857 to 1862. He emigrated
Emigration
Emigration is the act of leaving one's country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin. Human movement before the establishment of political boundaries or within one state is termed migration. There are many reasons why people...
to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, arriving in Port Chalmers
Port Chalmers
Port Chalmers is a suburb and the main port of the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, with a population of 3,000. Port Chalmers lies ten kilometres inside Otago Harbour, some 15 kilometres northeast from Dunedin's city centre....
in 1862.
For five years, Charlie Douglas worked at a variety of jobs, including working on a sheep run, and gold digging. He moved to Okarito, Westland in 1867.
Exploration
For 40 years Douglas explored and surveyed the West Coast Region of New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He was described as heavily bearded and with a slight frame, standing about 5 in 10 in (1.78 m) in height. He was accompanied throughout his years of exploration by a dog, first "Topsy", then "Betsey Jane" and others. During the colonial period of New Zealand, drowning in rivers was so commonplace before bridges had been built that it became known as the 'New Zealand death'. Douglas could not swim, and he once claimed that this fact "had saved his life many a time", implying that he would not enter rivers when it was risky.
When exploring Douglas carried little in the way of equipment beyond some basic provisions, including tobacco for his beloved pipe, and a swag. He camped beneath his two piece "batwing" tent of canvas
Canvas
Canvas is an extremely heavy-duty plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other items for which sturdiness is required. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame...
or calico or crude rock shelters. He supplemented his food stocks by hunting native birds and living off the land. Although Douglas lived simply he supported himself by occasional work, supplemented by some infrequent provisions sent by his family in Scotland, who also supplied him with some of the books that he read avidly. He worked for a part-time wage from the survey department for 20 years before becoming a full-time employee from 1889.
Douglas was a quiet, shy man, who was noted for his keen, accurate and entertaining observations relating to flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
, fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
(particularly birds) and geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
in his journals, sketches, watercolours and survey reports. Later in his life he grew increasingly intolerant of tourists who were unwilling or unable to endure the hardships he experienced. Douglas condemned the changes to the natural landscape he saw occurring in Westland and he became increasingly embittered as old age and illness began to curtail his later explorations. When he was not exploring he was known to be a heavy drinker.
1868–1888
During this 20 year period, both Gerhard Mueller and George John Roberts attempted to employ Douglas full-time at the survey department, but he instead sent in voluntary reports and maps of the rugged Westland valleys that he tramped and explored and earned a part-time wage while exploring for the department.In 1868, Douglas accompanied Julius von Haast
Julius von Haast
Sir Johann Franz "Julius" von Haast was a German geologist. He founded Canterbury Museum at Christchurch.-Biography:...
on a month long expedition travelling down the West Coast, making stops and exploring at: Okarito, Bruce Bay
Bruce Bay
Bruce Bay or Mahitahi is a bay in South Westland, New Zealand, New Zealand on the Tasman Sea. It is south of the mouth of the Mahitahi River, 80 km from Haast Junction and 224 km from Hokitika...
, Paringa
Paringa River
The Paringa River is a river of the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows generally northwest from its origins in the southern Alps southwest of Mount Hooker, reaching the Tasman Sea 10 kilometres southwest of Bruce Bay.-References:...
and Arnott's Point before returning to Okarito. It is probable that Douglas learned something of geology from Haast at this time because he used Haast's terminology in his later geological notes.
During 1874, Douglas met George Roberts and formed a friendship that was to lead to his growing involvement with the New Zealand Survey Department. Also in 1874, Douglas formed a partnership with Bob Ward and the two men bought 700 acres (283.3 ha) of land on the Paringa River
Paringa River
The Paringa River is a river of the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows generally northwest from its origins in the southern Alps southwest of Mount Hooker, reaching the Tasman Sea 10 kilometres southwest of Bruce Bay.-References:...
and began cattle farming. The pair also operated a ferry service across the Paringa. Douglas gave up cattle farming after his partner, Ward, drowned in 1881. After his time as a cattle farmer, Douglas abandoned a settled life and began to tramp and explore Westland, picking up odd-jobs as he needed them.
From a base in Jackson Bay
Jackson Bay
Jackson Bay is a gently curving bay 24 kilometers wide, located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It faces the Tasman Sea to the north, and is backed by the Southern Alps...
starting in the 1870s Douglas continued to explore the: Paringa River
Paringa River
The Paringa River is a river of the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows generally northwest from its origins in the southern Alps southwest of Mount Hooker, reaching the Tasman Sea 10 kilometres southwest of Bruce Bay.-References:...
(1874–1877), Haast River
Haast River
The Haast River has its terminus on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.The Haast River drains the western watershed of the Haast Pass. It is 100 kilometres in length, and enters the Tasman Sea near Haast township. The river's main tributary is the Landsborough River.The grassy flats...
(1880) and Landsborough River
Landsborough River
The Landsborough River is located in New Zealand's South Island. A major tributary of the Haast River, it flows southwest, parallel with the Southern Alps, for 50 kilometres from its source five kilometres north of Mount Hopkins to meet the Haast 12 kilometres below the Haast Pass.In April 2005 the...
, Blue River
Blue River, New Zealand
The Blue River is in the South Island of New Zealand.The headwaters are in the Mount Aspiring National Park and flows into the Makarora River....
(1881), Turnbull River
Turnbull River
The Turnbull River is a short river on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It flows northwest from the Southern Alps for 22 kilometres, entering the Tasman Sea at the northern end of Jackson Bay, 10 kilometres south of Haast. The Turnbull shares its mouth with the Okuru River....
(1882), Okuru River
Okuru River
The Okuru River is located on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It flows northwest for 45 kilometres from its headwaters in the Southern Alps to the west of the Haast Pass to the Tasman Sea at the northern end of Jackson Bay, 12 kilometres south of Haast.The river shares its mouth...
(1882) and associated passes the Actor and Maori (1883), Cascade River with Mueller (1883) and Arawhata River
Arawhata River
The Arawhata River is in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand....
(1883), travelling with Mueller and Roberts on the "Reconnaissance Survey" from Jacksons Bay to Martin's Bay (1884).
In 1885, Douglas accompanied the chief surveyor, Gerhard Mueller, exploring the Arawhata River
Arawhata River
The Arawhata River is in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand....
valley. Together, they traced one tributary of the Arawhata, the Williamson river
Williamson River, New Zealand
The Williamson River is a minor river in the South Island of New Zealand.It lies within the borders of the Mount Aspiring National Park and feeds into the Arawhata River....
to the Andy Glacier. The other branch, the Waipara River
Waipara River
The Waipara River is a river the South Island of New Zealand.The river passes through the small town of Waipara on its 45 kilometre southeastward journey to the Pacific Ocean at the Northern end of Pegasus Bay....
they traced to the Bonar glacier on the west slope of Mount Aspiring. During this journey they accomplished the summiting of 7390 feet (2,252.5 m) Mount Ionia.
In 1886, Douglas and G. T. Murray made a survey trip to the Northern Olivines.
During 1887, Douglas and Mueller made a "Reconnaissance Survey" of the Clarke River
Clarke River (Westland District)
The Clarke River in Westland District is the southernmost of three rivers thus-named in the South Island of New Zealand.It is a major tributary of the Haast River, flowing southwest from its source on the slopes of Mount Hooker before joining with the Landsborough River three kilometres before the...
and the Landsborough River
Landsborough River
The Landsborough River is located in New Zealand's South Island. A major tributary of the Haast River, it flows southwest, parallel with the Southern Alps, for 50 kilometres from its source five kilometres north of Mount Hopkins to meet the Haast 12 kilometres below the Haast Pass.In April 2005 the...
.
In 1887 and later in 1888, Charlie Douglas visited the Balfour Glacier near Mount Tasman
Mount Tasman
Mount Tasman is New Zealand's second highest mountain, rising to a height of 3497 metres. It is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island, four kilometres to the north of its larger neighbour, Aoraki/Mount Cook...
and the Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier
The Fox Glacier is a long glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island...
.
Two immense raptors
Douglas claims in his monograph on the birds of South Westland (c. 1899) that he shot and ate two raptorsBird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
of immense size on the Haast River
Haast River
The Haast River has its terminus on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.The Haast River drains the western watershed of the Haast Pass. It is 100 kilometres in length, and enters the Tasman Sea near Haast township. The river's main tributary is the Landsborough River.The grassy flats...
valley or Landsborough River
Landsborough River
The Landsborough River is located in New Zealand's South Island. A major tributary of the Haast River, it flows southwest, parallel with the Southern Alps, for 50 kilometres from its source five kilometres north of Mount Hopkins to meet the Haast 12 kilometres below the Haast Pass.In April 2005 the...
(possibly during the late 1870s or 1880s):
In light of Douglas' generally trustworthy, detailed observations and measurements as a surveyor, it has been hypothesis
The expanse of wing of this bird will scarcely be believed. I shot two on the Haast, one was 8 in 4 in (2.54 m) from tip to tip, the other was 6 in 9 in (2.06 m), but with all their expanse of wing they have very little lifting power, as a large hawk can only lift a duck for a few feet, so no one need get up any of those legends about birds carrying babies out of cradles, as the eagle is of doing.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, ὑποτιθέναι – hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". For a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it...
ed by paleozoologist
Paleozoology
Paleozoology, also spelled as palaeozoology , is the branch of paleontology or paleobiology dealing with the recovery and identification of multicellular animal remains from geological contexts, and the use of these fossils in the reconstruction of prehistoric environments and ancient...
, Trevor H. Worthy
Trevor H. Worthy
Trevor H. Worthy is a paleozoologist from New Zealand known for his research work on the moa.In the late 1980s Worthy discovered the fossil remains of three frog species from the Leiopelmatidae family, the Aurora frog , the Markham's frog , and the Waitomo frog...
, that the dead birds may have represented a biological relict
Relict
A relict is a surviving remnant of a natural phenomenon.* In biology a relict is an organism that at an earlier time was abundant in a large area but now occurs at only one or a few small areas....
or remnant of the otherwise extinct Haast's Eagle
Haast's Eagle
Haast's Eagle was a species of massive eagles that once lived on the South Island of New Zealand. The species was the largest eagle known to have existed. Its prey consisted mainly of gigantic flightless birds that were unable to defend themselves from the striking force and speed of these eagles,...
.
1889–1903
From 1889 Douglas agreed to work for the survey department full-time for a wage of eight shillings a day. He was provided with: a prismatic compass, a survey chainGunter's chain
Gunter's chain is a measuring device used for land survey. It was designed and introduced in 1620 by English clergyman and mathematician Edmund Gunter long before the development of the theodolite and other more sophisticated equipment, enabling plots of land to be accurately surveyed and plotted,...
and drawing tools.
For five months, in 1891 Douglas travelled up the Waiatoto River
Waiatoto River
The Waiatoto River is a river of the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Formed from several small rivers which are fed by glaciers surrounding Mount Aspiring, it flows north along a valley flanked in the west by the Haast Range before turning northwest to reach the Tasman Sea 20 kilometres...
. He climbed Mount Ragan and reached the Therma Glacier at the head of the Waiatoto.
During 1892 Douglas made an important expedition up the Copland River
Copland River
The Copland River is a river on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It flows for 20 kilometres from its headwaters in the Southern Alps to its confluence with the Karangarua River....
. It was during the Copland trip that he experienced the first real illness of his 52 years. Later in the year he explored the Whitcombe River
Whitcombe River
The Whitcombe River is a river of the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows north to reach the Hokitika River 30 kilometres south of Hokitika.-References:...
.
Between 1893 and 1895, Douglas was teamed with Arthur Paul Harper and the two first explored the Wanganui River
Wanganui River
The Wanganui River is located in the western South Island of New Zealand. It flows northwest for 55 kilometres from its headwaters in the Southern Alps, entering the Tasman Sea near Lake Ianthe, 40 kilometres southwest of Hokitika....
in a dug-out canoe. They then explored the Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef is a long glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island...
, Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier
The Fox Glacier is a long glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island...
and in 1894 the area of the Cook River
Cook River
The Cook River / Weheka is in the South Island of New Zealand. The headwaters are from the La Perouse Glacier on the western flanks of the Southern Alps, and it flows west, then northeast, then northwest and into the Tasman Sea. Its tributaries include the Balfour River, fed by the Balfour...
. It was in 1894 that rheumatism
Rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
first began to force Douglas to curtail some of his exploration.
In 1896, Douglas returned to the Whitcombe River valley and crossed the Whitcombe Pass to the upper Rakaia.
In 1897, Douglas continued track work in the Whitcombe River. It was also in this year that he was awarded the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
Gill Memorial Prize. He spent the prize money on a camera that he ended up giving away.
From 1898 through to 1899, Douglas worked on hut making and track cutting around the glaciers and along the Whitcombe River valley.
In 1900, Douglas made his last major expedition along the Wanganui River that included a trip to the Lord Range.
In 1901, Douglas explored the Otira River
Otira River
The Otira River is located in the central South Island of New Zealand. It rises on the slopes of Mount Rolleston in the Southern Alps, and flows north for 20 km, passing through the town of Otira before joining the Taramakau River...
and from 1903 he explored the Okarito district. He increasingly suffered from from ill health.
Later Life: 1904–1916
From 1904 to 1906, Douglas continued to explore and survey for the department but was increasingly restricted by illness and old age. In 1906, while on holiday in Wataroa, Douglas met and was photographed with Richard SeddonRichard Seddon
Richard John Seddon , sometimes known as King Dick, is to date the longest serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is regarded by some, including historian Keith Sinclair, as one of New Zealand's greatest political leaders....
, shortly before Seddon's death. Later in 1906 Douglas suffered his first stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. He continued to explore for the department in 1907 and 1908 but his second stroke forced him to retire from the New Zealand Survey Department after 40 years of almost continual exploration of the West Coast Region.
Douglas spent much of his time from 1906 until 1916 being looked after by friends and the widow of his cattle ranching partner, Mrs. Ward. He was also in and out of hospital in 1911, 1914 and 1916. Douglas died, two months short of his 76th birthday, of a cerebral hemorrhage in the Westland Hospital on 23 May 1916.
Known works
The following works by Charlie Douglas were published, exhibited or are held and collected:- Contributed to the Appendix to the Journal of the House of Representatives
- Exhibited an oil painting at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition (1889)New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition (1889)The New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition was a world's fair held in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1889 which celebrated that country and the South Seas...
- Journals and sketchbook are held at the Alexander Turnbull Library
- Watercolours and washes are held at the Hocken LibraryHocken LibraryThe Hocken Library is a research library, historical archive and art gallery based in the New Zealand city of Dunedin...
- Sketches are held at the Westland Museum, Hokitika.
Awards
Charlie Douglas was awarded the 1897 Royal Geographical SocietyRoyal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
Gill Memorial Prize for "persistent explorations during twenty-one years of the difficult region of forests and gorges on the western slopes of the New Zealand Alps".
Landmarks
The following New Zealand landmarks are named after Charlie Douglas:- Mount Douglas at the head of Fox GlacierFox GlacierThe Fox Glacier is a long glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island...
- Douglas pass through the Hooker range
- Douglas RiverDouglas RiverThe Douglas River is a river of the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Its source is high in the Southern Alps, five kilometres south of Mount Sefton, and its upper reaches are fed by water from the Douglas Glacier, New Zealand. It flows west for 18 kilometres, joined by runoff from the...
- Douglas NévéNévéNévé is a young, granular type of snow which has been partially melted, refrozen and compacted, yet precedes the form of ice. This type of snow is associated with glacier formation through the process of nivation. Névé that survives a full season of ablation is referred to as firn, which is both...
and GlacierGlacierA glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
west of Mount Sefton.