Commander John Thomas GowllandPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates Commander Gowlland who drowned at Dobroyd whilst carrying out a survey of Middle Harbour.
Born of a Kent naval family, an admired graduate of the Royal Naval College Greenwich and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Gowlland distinguished himself in the Crimean War. He also took part in a trail-blazing survey of the Pacific coasts of North and South America and eventually commanded a naval survey of the coastline of Her Majesty’s colonies in Australia. In 1874, while surveying near Dobroyd Head on Sydney’s Northern Beaches Peninsula, an unexpected wave across a submerged reef - or ‘bomborra’ - hit Gowlland’s small boat amidships, capsizing it. While several crew on board swam to safety, Gowlland and another sailor, Henry Petersen, drowned.
In 1963, Manly Council installed a cairn and plaque at Arabanoo Lookout - overlooking the scene of the tragedy - commemorating Gowlland’s brilliant career and untimely death. Unfortunately vandals destroyed the original cairn. A new plaque was unveiled as part of a Centenary Federations Program.
Location
| Address: | Dobroyd Scenic Drive, Arabanoo Lookout, Balgowlah Heights, 2093 |
|---|---|
| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.807856 Long: 151.269016 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Tragedy |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 14-August-1874 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 14-August-1874 |
| Link: | http://adb.anu.edu.au/ |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | August-1963 |
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Dedicated to the memory of staff commander John Thomas E. Gowlland. R.N. who was accidentally drowned at Dobroyd whilst carrying out the survey of Middle Harbour 14th August 1874.
Aged 38 years.
"Hail Gowlland, man of Kent, our Navy`s pride.
To famous mariners, by birth allied.
Thou, who deep versed in geometric art,
Provid`st the seaman with his priceless chart.
Wherein are seen inscribed in black and white.
The rocks and soundings of each bay and bight"
Erected by the Manly Warringah and Pittwater Historical Society
August 1963
Capt. C. W. T. Henderson President.
Chas. E. McDonald J.P. Hon Secretary.
