Cossack
Cossack, known as Bajinhurrba in the Ngarluma language, is a ghost town at the mouth of the Harding River in the Pilbara of Western Australia. Founded in 1863 as the first port in the North West, it was the birthplace of the colony's pearling industry, which relied heavily on Aboriginal and Asian labour. The town emptied in the 20th century, leaving stone buildings from the 1880s and 1890s.
Dated events and their evidence
- 1863 CE mainstream
Walter Padbury lands stock at the mouth of the Harding River; the landing becomes the town of Tien Tsin source - 1866 CE mainstream
Pearling begins in the area, using Aboriginal divers, including women and children source - 1871 CE disputed
Town renamed after HMS Cossack, which brought Governor Weld; the State Heritage record gives 1871, other accounts 1872 (official in 1873) source - 1887 CE mainstream
Horse-drawn tramway to Roebourne completed and the municipality of Cossack declared source - 1910 CE mainstream
The port moves to Point Samson and the municipality is dissolved source - 2021 CE mainstream
The Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi Foundation takes over management of the townsite source
Where
20.6785° S, 117.1880° E
Sources
- https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/Details/2dede8a5-aaf1-4a00-9d25-c571da4e1487
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cossack,_Western_Australia
Each event carries Aion's own evidence grade (mainstream, disputed or speculative). This page repeats what the globe shows for this place.