History
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On 19 December 1849, Mr Daniel Scott, the harbour-master and a merchant from Fremantle, departed in the schooner Pelsart for a 'trip of discovery' of the coast 'to pick up whatever might be thought profitable between this (Fremantle) and Sharks Bay'. He was accompanied by Mr T.F. Gilman, who having discovered guano of a superior quality in the Houtman Abrolhos, would undoubtedly have been able to recognize similar deposits elsewhere. Indeed, his report of 8 March 1850, indicated the presence of guano on Egg Island and a small rock - 'Guano Rock' near the eastern shore of Dirk Hartog Island, situated about '1 long mile' southward from the 'Quoin' (Quoin Bluff).
In September 1850 new deposits were mooted in Shark Bay and to protect his interests in the area, Scott offered the Government £1 per ton for all other guano discovered. His offer was contingent upon protection offered him against fraudulence on the part of others; a protective force of 15 military to be stationed on Dirk Hartog Island and despatched via the Pelsart; and, the guano offered for sale at £5 per ton.
The Governor rejected Scott's offer as he felt it was not expedient to encourage or allow any monopoly of the resource after the expiry of the lease (April 1851). For every ton taken after this time a charge per ton would be levied in order to secure the rights of the Colony and increase colonial revenue. The Secretary of State, Earl Grey, issued instructions to this effect to Governor Fitzgerald. He recommended that a moderate charge would give no strong motives to attempt evasion, and any opportunity of raising a large sum of money would assist with improving the harbour and accelerating other useful public works in the colony. He further suggested that a military detachment might be sent to the vicinity.
Partly to assist in an examination of the Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf regions, but also anxious to prevent the illegal removal of guano by foreign vessels, protect other economic resources (i.e. fish, pearl shell, sandalwood and other timber) and property interests in the area, the government stationed a protective military force on Dirk Hartog Island.
The Irwin Station was established at Quoin Bluff to protect the valuable guano supplies that had been discovered on the adjacent Egg Island and other smaller islands in 1850. Fifteen troops of the 99th Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant L.R. Elliot, were tasked with this duty. The soldiers arrived from Champion Bay (now Geraldton) in October 1850, and established their camp consisting of a wooden building and tents, and later constructed at least one building from locally available stone. They were armed with two cannon that were placed at the top of the bluff where there was a clear view of the bay.
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The soldiers worked in conjunction with the Colonial schooner Champion, under the command of Captain B.F. Helpman. Helpman was in overall command of the military force in Shark Bay, while Elliot was responsible for land activities. Helpman was frequently absent from the area as he was exploring Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf to the north.
Elliot's principle duty was the protection of the guano supplies. He was instructed not to allow any vessel whether British or foreign to load guano, shells, timber, or any other produce without specific authority first obtained from the Colonial Secretary's Office. He was also tasked with the exploration of the bay so as to determine what other resources might be exploited to provide valuable income for the Swan River Colony which at that time was desperately in need of money.
Elliot was also instructed to minimize the interaction of the local Aborigines with ships' crews. This was to prevent any disruption to 'peace and order' as the Europeans were seen as intruders in the region. Ships' crews were not permitted to go ashore on the mainland, but restricted to Dirk Hartog Island.
The mining of guano peaked in February 1851, but the supply would not last for much longer. Elliot was told to prepare to move his camp from Quoin Bluff closer to other guano bearing islands and Cape Herrisson was seen as a suitable location. The wooden building in use was to be removed to the new location and a second building was to be sent as quarters for his men. The strength of the garrison was now Elliot, one sergeant and eight rank and file.
In May the camp was moved, and on 10 July 1851, with the guano supplies at the point of being exhausted, the garrison was recalled to Fremantle. Elliot stayed on to complete his survey of the local pearl banks before returning to Fremantle in September.
