Schooner Rebecca
Encyclopedia
The 30-ton sloop
Rebecca was launched in 1834, built by Captain George Plummer at his boatyard on the banks of the Tamar River at Rosevears, Van Diemen's Land
(Tasmania
).
In 1835, owned by Robert Scott and chartered by John Batman
on behalf of the Port Phillip Association
for his first voyage to Port Phillip
. Sailing from Launceston
, Tasmania on 10th May 1835
, under the charge of Captain A. B. Harwood, he landed in Port Phillip Bay on 29th May 1835, where, later on 6th June 1835, he entered into a treaty with the aboriginal people for use of their land and chose the site of the future city of Melbourne
, known as the Batman Treaty
After leaving a small party at Indented Head, Batman returned to Launceston
, Tasmania on the Rebecca and announced his treaty to the colony at large. John Helder Wedge
, who was also a member of the Port Phillip Association
, then sailed to Port Phillip on the Rebecca to explore the country, landing at Indented Head and then sailing up the Yarra River
, which he named.
The fate of Rebecca has not been recorded.
According to research by Horton and Morris authors of "The Andersons of Westernport" it is their opinion that Samuel Anderson pioneer of Westernport did in fact purchase "Rebecca" for the use of the partnership of Anderson and Massie who operated from Bass in Victoria after Samuel Anderson established the third permanent settlement in Victoria in 1835.
A memorial to the Rebecca was unveiled in 1954 still existing today, near the site of George Plummer’s boatyard at Rosevears, on the Tamar River, Tasmania, recording it’s role in the founding of Melbourne.
Sloop
A sloop is a sail boat with a fore-and-aft rig and a single mast farther forward than the mast of a cutter....
Rebecca was launched in 1834, built by Captain George Plummer at his boatyard on the banks of the Tamar River at Rosevears, Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land
Van Diemen's Land was the original name used by most Europeans for the island of Tasmania, now part of Australia. The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first European to land on the shores of Tasmania...
(Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
).
In 1835, owned by Robert Scott and chartered by John Batman
John Batman
John Batman was an Australian grazier, businessman and explorer who is best known for his role in the founding of a settlement which became Melbourne and the colony of Victoria.-Life:...
on behalf of the Port Phillip Association
Port Phillip Association
The Port Phillip Association was formally formed in June 1835 to settle land in what would become Melbourne, which the association believed had been acquired by John Batman for the association from Wurundjeri elders after he had obtained their marks to a document, which came to be known as...
for his first voyage to Port Phillip
Port Phillip
Port Phillip Port Phillip Port Phillip (also commonly referred to as Port Phillip Bay or (locally) just The Bay, is a large bay in southern Victoria, Australia; it is the location of Melbourne. Geographically, the bay covers and the shore stretches roughly . Although it is extremely shallow for...
. Sailing from Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
, Tasmania on 10th May 1835
, under the charge of Captain A. B. Harwood, he landed in Port Phillip Bay on 29th May 1835, where, later on 6th June 1835, he entered into a treaty with the aboriginal people for use of their land and chose the site of the future city of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, known as the Batman Treaty
After leaving a small party at Indented Head, Batman returned to Launceston
Launceston, Tasmania
Launceston is a city in the north of the state of Tasmania, Australia at the junction of the North Esk and South Esk rivers where they become the Tamar River. Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania after the state capital Hobart...
, Tasmania on the Rebecca and announced his treaty to the colony at large. John Helder Wedge
John Helder Wedge
John Helder Wedge was a surveyor, explorer and politician in Van Diemen's Land .Wedge was the second son of Charles Wedge of Shudy Camps, Cambridge, England. John Wedge learned the basics of surveying from his father...
, who was also a member of the Port Phillip Association
Port Phillip Association
The Port Phillip Association was formally formed in June 1835 to settle land in what would become Melbourne, which the association believed had been acquired by John Batman for the association from Wurundjeri elders after he had obtained their marks to a document, which came to be known as...
, then sailed to Port Phillip on the Rebecca to explore the country, landing at Indented Head and then sailing up the Yarra River
Yarra River
The Yarra River, originally Birrarung, is a river in east-central Victoria, Australia. The lower stretches of the river is where the city of Melbourne was established in 1835 and today Greater Melbourne dominates and influences the landscape of its lower reaches...
, which he named.
The fate of Rebecca has not been recorded.
According to research by Horton and Morris authors of "The Andersons of Westernport" it is their opinion that Samuel Anderson pioneer of Westernport did in fact purchase "Rebecca" for the use of the partnership of Anderson and Massie who operated from Bass in Victoria after Samuel Anderson established the third permanent settlement in Victoria in 1835.
A memorial to the Rebecca was unveiled in 1954 still existing today, near the site of George Plummer’s boatyard at Rosevears, on the Tamar River, Tasmania, recording it’s role in the founding of Melbourne.