A Chart of Bligh’s Straits in the Clarence Archipelago discovered and explored by William Bligh of the Royal Navy, September 1792

Just a few months after the declaration of the new Queensland colony in 1859, the crew of the Sapphire were attacked by people from Kirriri in south-west Torres Strait, and their vessel subsequently wrecked near Raine Island. This event galvanized Governor Bowen and the Duke of Newcastle into action to establish a ‘safe settlement’ in and around Torres Strait. The initial settlement of Somerset at Cape York (1864-1877) was replaced by Thursday Island. Affectionately known as ‘TI’ it continues as the administrative centre and town of Torres Strait, and is often mistakenly seen by outsiders as the Torres Strait itself. A Chart of Bligh’s Straits in the Clarence Archipelago discovered and explored by William Bligh of the Royal Navy, September 1792. Courtesy National Library of Australia