answersLogoWhite

0

Ludwig Leichhardt was on his third and final expedition when he disappeared. Leichhardt's final expedition began in March 1848. The last sighting of Leichhardt, six other men, fifty bullocks, twenty mules and seven horses was made as they departed Roma, Queensland, on 4 April 1848. Somewhere in Australia's vast outback, the entire party vanished.

Many theories have abounded as to what happened, and many claim to have found evidence of the remains of the expedition, but what really happened remains one of Australia's enduring mysteries. The strongest evidence, which has recently come to light and been thoroughly investigated, is that the party was killed by hostile natives one night as they slept around their campfire.

Several expeditions were mounted in an attempt to determine Leichhardt's fate. In 1852, Hovenden Hely and a party of seven white men set out north, then west from Leichhardt's starting point. Hely located trees that had been marked, as well as camp sites, and encountered natives who had seen Leichhardt. These aboriginal men told stories of white people being killed in the night, as reprisal for ill-treating some native women. Hely developed the theory that Leichhardt was killed in a massacre.

In 1871, JM Gilmour headed up an expedition to follow up on claims that Leichhardt's party was murdered. At Cooper Creek, they met an Aborigine who claimed a party of white men were killed at Wantata waterhole. When Gilmour found the location, he noted unburied skeletons, indicating high likelihood that they were the remains of white men. He also found other evidence of the party that confirmed the finding.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What were Ludwig Leichhardt's parent's names?

Ludwig Leichhardt's Father's name was Christian Hieronymus Matthias Leichhardt.


What is Ludwig Leichhardt's birthday?

Ludwig Leichhardt was born on October 23, 1813.


What language did Ludwig Leichhardt speak?

Ludwig Leichhardt spoke both English and German.


Did Ludwig Leichhardt have children?

Ludwig Leichhardt was not known to be married, or to have children.


Where was Ludwig Leichhardt born?

Explorer of Australia, Ludwig Leichhardt, was born in Trebatsch, Prussia, on 23 October 1813.


Did Ludwig Leichhardt have an assistant?

Ludwig Leichhardt did not have an official second-in-command, but he did have companions who travelled with him.Some of Ludwig Leichhardt's exploration party included:John GilbertJohn RoperJames CalvertJohn MurphyAborigines Harry Brown and Charley Fisher


What has the author Ludwig Leichhardt written?

Ludwig Leichhardt has written: 'Dr. Ludwig Leichhardt's letters from Australia, during the years March 23, 1842, to April 3, 1848' -- subject(s): Description and travel


Where did Ludwig leichhardt live growing up?

Ludwig Leichhardt is known for being a famous scientist and explorer. It is reported that Leichhardt was born and grew up in the area of East Germany.


Who was the first to disappear when trying to travel east to west in Australia?

This was Ludwig Leichhardt. He disappeared in 1848 after leaving the Darling Downs in Queensland in an attempt to cross to the west.


Was Ludwig Leichhardt married?

Prussian-born explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, who explored the Queensland interior up to Port Essington on the northern coast, was not married.


Who was in Ludwig Leichhardt's party?

Some of Ludwig Leichhardt's exploration party included:John GilbertJohn RoperJames CalvertJohn MurphyAborigines Harry Brown and Charley Fisher


Who did Ludwig Leichhardt take with him?

Some of Ludwig Leichhardt's exploration party included:John GilbertJohn RoperJames CalvertJohn MurphyAborigines Harry Brown and Charley Fisher