Why was the Swan River selected as a settlement site?

Answer 1

There was considerable fear in England that the French were going to establish a penal colony in the western part of Australia (possibly at Shark Bay). As a result, the Colonial Office finally assented to Captain James Stirling's request (made several months prior) that a "free" (as opposed to convict) colony be established in the Swan River area with himself as its governor.

Stirling's argument was based on the fact that, following his exploration of the Swan River area in 1828, he returned with glowing reports about the agricultural potential of the region. He wrote: "I represent it as the Land which, of all tht I have seen in various quarters of the World, possesses the greatest natural attractions... the Soil is admirably calculated for every Species of Cultivation; ... the territory is abundantly supplied with fresh Water."

Stirling went on to extol the virtues of a climate in which one could "labour throughout the day and in every Season of the Year". He also stated that the Swan River provided "safe anchorage" and could be made into "one of the finest harbours in the World."

Apart from the fact that the British did seek to offset any possibility of French settlement, the area was seen to have all the requirements to establish a colony which could become self-sufficient within a relatively short space of time.

Answer 2

The Swan River Colony, which later became Western Australia, was settled to establish the British claim to the western half of the Australian continent. Great Britain was at war with France, and both countries were seeking to expand their empires. France had shown some interest in Australia, so Great Britain moved to ensure it staked its claim first.

Answer 3

The French had already been exploring around Australia's southern coastline prior to the settlement of the Swan River colony. There was considerable fear in England that the French were going to establish a penal colony in the western part of Australia (possibly at Shark Bay). As a result, the Colonial Office finally assented to Captain James Stirling's request (made several months prior) that a "free" (as opposed to convict) colony be established in the Swan River area with himself as its governor.

Stirling's argument was based on the fact that, following his exploration of the Swan River area in 1828, he returned with glowing reports about the agricultural potential of the region. He wrote: "I represent it as the Land which, of all tht I have seen in various quarters of the World, possesses the greatest natural attractions... the Soil is admirably calculated for every Species of Cultivation; ... the territory is abundantly supplied with fresh Water."

Stirling went on to extol the virtues of a climate in which one could "labour throughout the day and in every Season of the Year". He also stated that the Swan River provided "safe anchorage" and could be made into "one of the finest harbours in the World."

Apart from the fact that the British did seek to offset any possibility of French settlement, the area was seen to have all the requirements to establish a colony which could become self-sufficient within a relatively short space of time.