Rosemary Island

Rosemary Island is an island in the Dampier Archipelago in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. With Enderby Island it forms Class A Nature Reserve 36915, part of a proposed national park.[2][3]

Rosemary Island
Location of Rosemary Island
Location of Rosemary Island
Rosemary Island
Geography
LocationIndian Ocean
Coordinates20°28′46″S 116°35′40″E
ArchipelagoDampier
Administration
Electoral DivisionDivision of Durack
State electoratePilbara
LGACity of Karratha
Demographics
Population0
Ethnic groupsYaburara, Ngarluma[1]
Additional information
Time zone

During World War II an airstrip was established at the north end of the island, where there is also a vehicle track and a well with a distinctive date palm. The well was constructed of concrete with a corrugated steel liner and is now filled with 20th century debris.[4]

In 1699 the English navigator William Dampier, in command of the 26-gun warship HMS Roebuck on a mission to explore the coast of New Holland, following the Dutch route to the Indies, passed between Dirk Hartog Island and the Western Australian mainland into what he called Shark's Bay. He then followed the coast northeast, on 21 August 1699 reaching the Dampier Archipelago, which he explored, naming Rosemary Island on 22 August. He continued to Lagrange Bay, just south of what is now Roebuck Bay, before sailing for Timor.[5]

In 2016, archaeologists from the University of Western Australia excavated ancient rock shelters on Rosemary Island, between 8000 and 9000 years old. They may be the earliest known domestic structures in Australia.[6]

In 2017, UWA archaeologists identified engravings left by crews of American whaling ships in the 1850s on Rosemary Island and West Lewis Island. In some cases the engravings were made over the top of ancient Aboriginal rock art.[1][4]

Volunteers have been monitoring the hawksbill sea turtle, a critically endangered species, on the island since 1986. In November 2020, a 60-year old turtle, first tagged in November 1990 and again in 2011, returned to the same location.[7]

References
  1. Parke, Erin (17 February 2019). "Rock art carvings made by American whalers discovered on north Australian coast". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  2. "Dampier Archipelago Island Reserves" (PDF). Department of Parks and Wildlife. Perth, WA: Department of Environment and Conservation. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  3. Morris, Keith (2000). "Dampier Archipelago Nature Reserves Management Plan" (PDF). Department of Parks and Wildlife. Perth, WA: Department of Conservation and Land Management. p. 4. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  4. Eureka Archaeological Research & Consulting (UWA) (September 2013). "Place No. 52 Rosemary Island". Local Government Heritage Inventory (PDF). Shire of Roebourne. p. 300. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  5. Burney, James (1816). "7. Voyage of Captain William Dampier, in the Roebuck, to New Holland". A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean. Vol. 4. London: G. & W. Nicol, G. & J. Robinson & T. Payne. pp. 400–406. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  6. "People inhabited Dampier Archipelago before last ice age" (Press release). University of Western Australia. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  7. Standen, Susan (22 November 2020). "Endangered hawksbill turtles return to nest on Pilbara coast raising hopes for conservation". ABC News. Retrieved 13 December 2020.


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