Somerset Guns Somerset, Queensland, Australia
By Shifter Brains on 07-Oct-14. Waypoint GA6917

A cache at Somerst Cape York

Somerset is a settlement originally designed as a port for ships passing through the Torres Strait. The township was officially established in 21 August 1864 ad was abandoned in 1942.

The person who was charged with overseeing the development was John Jardine, a magistrate from Rockhampton. The settlement originally consoited of hte resident magistrates house, hospital, barracks to house 20 marines, police quarters, armoury and customs house. Unfortunately there was only room for about three or four ships at a time to anchor in the Albany Passage, but also only about one vessel in 10 passed within sight of Somerset.

Ill health forced the first magistrate, Captain Simpson, to resign and John Jardine's eldest son, Frank, was offered the position. In 1877 Somerset's administrative responsibilites were transferred to Thursday Island. Frank died in 1919 and his Samoan wife, Sana died four years later. They are both buried at Somerset.

Descendants of Frank and Sana continued to live in Somerst til they were evacuated during World War II. Unfortunately the old residence was burnt down in the 1960s.

To log the cache simply take a photo of yoursef, and/or GPS with the cannons and flagpole at the site.