Description
Rare map of Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island, with an inset of Rapid Bay at lower right and a coastal view of Bay of Shoals at top, by Colonel William Light dated 26th January, 1838.
This is earliest map solely focused on Nepean Bay which had been one of the sites considered for the site for the capital. Light had arrived off Kangaroo Island on 17 August 1836 and found the settlement established in July 1836 by the South Australian Company. The settlers had found the area to have poor soil quality which made it unsuitable for farming. Light as Surveyor-General of South Australia, was instructed to scout and survey various sites in preparation for the capital. The surveyed sites of; Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island, Encounter Bay and Port Lincoln, were rejected due to a lack of fresh water supply and poor soil quality, Light found Rapid Bay to be plausible but decided against it after surveying the Adelaide plains. He announced that the site of the new capital would be Adelaide on 29 December 1836 and drew up a plan for the town. The choice was controversial, particularly with the then Governor of the colony, Sir John Hindmarsh, who wanted the town to be placed on the coast.
