The University Library is delighted to have acquired a rare map and report showing the “extent to which the low lands of the River Hunter, and its tributaries between Oakhampton and Hexham were submerged by the Great Flood of August 1857.” The map was drawn by J. Francis Adams, Licensed Surveyor, and ordered to be printed by the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales.
Naturally, we have scanned the map and uploaded two versions to Living Histories @ UON – one copy is smaller for quicker loading, and the other is the full sized version for those who want to see it in all its glory.
- Small version (10,000 px wide)
- Full sized version (20,000 px wide)
- Report
The map is interesting for several reasons. Obviously, the extent of the flooding is important information, but so are the course of the rivers, the place names, railway lines and other geographical features of this part of the Hunter Valley over 160 years ago.
You may download the map and/or report by following these instructions.
If you would care to comment or give us more information, please contact us or add a Recollection. You may also geotag any interesting features.