Middle Island

Author

Shire of Esperance

Place Number

05051

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Location

Recherche Archipelago Nature Reserve Esperance

Location Details

9 k S of Cape Arid, 130 k E from Esperance 35 deg 06' S 123 deg 11' E

Other Name(s)

Isle De Milieu

Local Government

Esperance

Region

Goldfields

Construction Date

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	23 Jul 1996
Local Heritage Survey	Adopted	27 Apr 2021	Some/Moderate significance	Some/Moderate significance Contributes to the heritage of the locality. Has some altered or modified elements, not necessarily detracting from the overall significance of the item. Desired Management Outcome: Include in Heritage List. Conservation of the place is desirable. Any alterations or extensions should reinforce the significance of the place, and original fabric should be retained wherever feasible.

Statement of Significance

The well and fireplaces are examples of 1830s drystone work and arc all that remains of Anderson's sealing camp.

Physical Description

Middle Island is a large (1080 ha) picturesque island nine kilometres soulh of Cape Arid and 130 kilometres east from Esperance. It is a CALM nature reserve (Class A). From 1937 to 1958 a pastoral lease was held over the island by Alexander Chisholm of Kalgoorlie.
The south coast has high cliffs while there is a long beach on the north coast. At the western end is Flinders Peak (174 metres). a large granite hill. Behind the beach is a pink saline lake approximately one kilometre across.

History

The notorious seal hunter (dubbed WA's only Pirate). John (Black Jack) Anderson and his crew worked from this island base. hunting seals in 1835 and 1836.

Survivors from the shipwreck "Mountaineer" (1835) took refuge with the sealers for several months. The "Penguin". a Government steamer. was wrecked in 1920. The remains are close to the beach and easily accessible from Belinda Beach. which is named after the wreck of the sealer. "Belinda" (eI820).

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Well- all. Fireplaces- only part
Modifications: Sheets of corrugated iron on top to protect.

Condition

Well- fair; Fireplaces- poor; Wreck - very poor.

References

Ref ID No	Ref Name	Ref Source	Ref Date
	"Court Declaration".	Albany Court

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id	Title	Medium	Year Of Publication
11794	Beneath the colonial gaze: Modelling maritime society and cross-cultural contact on Australia's Southern Ocean frontier - the Archipelago of the Recherche, Western Australia	Heritage Study {Other}	2016

Place Type

Historic Site

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Original Use	FARMING\PASTORAL	Other
Present Use	FARMING\PASTORAL	Other
Other Use	INDUSTRIAL\MANUFACTURING	Whalers or Sealers Oven

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Other	METAL	Corrugated Iron

Historic Themes

General	Specific
OCCUPATIONS	Fishing & other maritime industry

Creation Date

19 Nov 1996

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

14 Jun 2021

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.