Site NameCape Grim (1)
Aboriginal Place Name
Language GroupNorth West
Present State/TerritoryTAS
Colony/State/Territory at the timeVDL
Police DistrictCircular Head
Latitude-40.709
Longitude144.688
DateBetween 1 Jan 1828 and 31 Jan 1828
Attack TimeDay
VictimsAboriginal People
Victim Descriptions
Victims Killed12
Victims Killed NotesKilled: M F 1 or more; Probable: M F; Possible: M F; Wounded: M more than 7 unspecified, F
AttackersColonists
Attacker DescriptionsShepherd(s), Sailor(s)
Attackers Killed0
Attackers Killed NotesKilled: M F; Wounded: M F
TransportFoot
MotiveReprisal
Weapons UsedFirearm(s), Musket(s), Bayonet(s), Blade(s)
NarrativeRichard Frederick, master of the VDL Co sloop, Fanny, told Mrs Rosalie Hare, wife of the captain of the Caroline, that he and four shepherds had surprised a party of Aborigines at Cape Grim, killing 12 of them before retreating to their ship. Mrs Hare recorded the incident in her diary on 19 January 1828 (Lee, 1927, p 41). Edward Curr, the manager of the VDL Company, acknowledged the attack in a report to his superiors in London on 14 January 1828 but claimed there were no casualties because “the guns mis-fired.” (TAHO VDL 5/1 No.2) According to historian Ian McFarlane, the massacre was carried out in reprisal for Aboriginal people killing sheep (McFarlane, 2003, pp 277-298).
SourcesTAHO VDL 5/1 No. 2; Lee, 1927, p 41; McFarlane, 2003, pp 277-298. (Sources PDF)
Corroboration Rating**