Phillip Parker King (13 December 1791 – 26 February 1856) was a British explorer, naval officer, and hydrographer. He is best known for his expeditions to survey the coasts of Australia and Patagonia, and for his significant contributions to the charting of these regions. Later in life, he became a prominent figure in Australian colonial politics and farming.
Early Life and Naval Career
Born on Norfolk Island, Phillip Parker King was the son of Philip Gidley King, who would later become the third Governor of New South Wales, and Anna Josepha Coombe. He was sent to England for his education in 1796 and joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman in 1807. He served aboard HMS Diana in the North Sea and English Channel, gaining valuable experience in navigation and surveying. By 1814, he had been promoted to lieutenant.
Australian Coastal Surveys (1817–1822)
In 1817, King was appointed to command the schooner HMS Mermaid with orders to complete the survey of the Australian coastline, an undertaking initiated by Matthew Flinders. His expeditions aimed to precisely chart the unmapped sections of the northern, western, and north-western coasts of Australia, identify navigable rivers, and assess the potential for settlements and trade.
Over four voyages between 1817 and 1822, King meticulously surveyed vast stretches of the Australian coast:
- 1817–1818: Explored the north-western coast from Exmouth Gulf to Port Essington, charting numerous rivers and inlets.
- 1819–1820: Focused on the northern coast, including the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Arnhem Land coast. During this period, the Mermaid was replaced by the brig HMS Bathurst.
- 1821: Conducted surveys of the western and southern coasts, completing the gaps left by Flinders and previous Dutch navigators.
- 1822: Undertook a final expedition to the north-east coast.
King's surveys resulted in the production of highly accurate charts that significantly improved the geographical understanding of Australia. His work complemented Flinders' earlier efforts and was crucial for subsequent navigation and colonial expansion. He documented the Indigenous peoples encountered and collected numerous botanical and zoological specimens.
South American Expedition (1826–1830)
After his Australian work, King was promoted to commander and, in 1826, given command of HMS Adventure for a survey of the coasts of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in South America. The expedition also included HMS Beagle, initially commanded by Pringle Stokes and later by Robert FitzRoy. The primary goal was to conduct hydrographic surveys of the complex and dangerous waterways of the region, which were important for maritime trade routes, especially around Cape Horn.
King's expedition produced detailed charts that were invaluable for navigation. The scientific work undertaken contributed significantly to hydrography, geology, and natural history. The Beagle under FitzRoy would later embark on its famous second voyage (1831–1836) with Charles Darwin, building upon the initial surveys of King's expedition. King's own journals from this expedition were published as Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1830... (1839).
Later Life and Contributions in Australia
Returning to Australia in 1830, King retired from active naval service in 1832. He settled in New South Wales and became a prominent figure in colonial life. He was appointed to the Legislative Council of New South Wales and served as a director and later the superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company, a large pastoral enterprise.
Throughout his later years, King continued his scientific interests, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1824 and serving on various scientific committees. He was promoted to post-captain in 1830 and eventually reached the rank of Rear Admiral in 1855, shortly before his death.
Legacy
Phillip Parker King's legacy is primarily defined by his meticulous and accurate hydrographic surveys, which were instrumental in mapping the coastlines of Australia and South America. His charts were used by navigators for decades and laid the foundation for further exploration and settlement. Numerous geographical features in Australia and South America are named after him, his ships, or members of his expeditions. He is remembered as one of the most important marine surveyors in British naval history.
References
- Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 2, 1967.
- King, P. P. (1827). Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia Performed Between the Years 1818 and 1822. John Murray.
- King, P. P. (1839). Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1830, describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagle's circumnavigation of the globe. Vol. I. Henry Colburn.