Eureka Stockade Timeline

Eureka Stockade Timeline

By Lucia, Maddy and Niamh

14th December, 1854

The Gold Fields Commission sits for the first time. The first Ballarat sitting of the

Gold Fields Commission is held at Bath’s Hotel on the 18th December, 1854.

28th November, 1854

A detachment of the 12th Regiment arrives in Ballarat as reinforcements. As they

pass the Irish section of the Eureka Lead there is some digger agitation. A

drummer boy, several of the military and civilian transport drivers are wounded.

1st July, 1851

The Port Phillip District separates from New South Wales and becomes the Colony

of Victoria. It is still subject to British control.

10th October, 1854

The disabled servant of Fr Smyth (Parish Priest) is beaten and arrested for not holding a Licence. He is later charged with assaulting the arresting policeman. Peter Lalor leads a

deputation to Commissioner Rede seeking to have the Scobie case reopened. Rede agrees.

December 31st, 1855

Governor Hotham dies in Melbourne.

2nd December, 1854

Father Smyth tries to persuade Catholics to lay down their arms and attend mass

the next day.

19th & 20th September, 1851

F.C.Doveton (Ballarat’s first Gold Commissioner arrives in Ballarat)

29th November,1854

A monster meeting is held on Bakery Hill attended by more than 10.000 diggers.

The deputation of diggers report on the outcome of their meeting with Governor

Hotham. The Flag of the Southern Cross is flown for the first time. A number of

diggers burn their Licences.

16th November, 1854

Governor Hotham instructs a Commission to enquire into conditions on the goldfields.

8th January, 1855

The members of the Gold Fields Commission meet with Governor Hotham and

recommend that the Gold Licence be abolished.

24th September, 1853

The Licence fee is reduced to 2 pounds for 3 months. The reduction is well

received on the goldfields and reduces some of the tension between the diggers

and the authorities.

3rd December, 1854

In the early hours of Sunday morning led by Captain Thomas, a well armed

contingent of more than 296 soldiers and police proceed to the Eureka Lead to

attack the Eureka Stockade.

At dawn the Stockade is attacked and a brief battle follows. Twenty two diggers and

seven military are officially listed as being killed. Many others are wounded.

Approximately 120 diggers are arrested and marched to the Government Camp.

30th October, 1854

Governor Hotham establishes a Board of Enquiry into the death of James Scobie.

(The Enquiry sits in Ballarat on the 2nd and the 10th November)

23rd January, 1855

Henry Seekamp is tried and found guilty of seditious libel. On the 26th March, 1855

he was sent to prison for a term of 6 months

16th August, 1854

Governor and Lady Hotham tour the Victorian Goldfields. They are warmly

welcomed in Ballarat.

15th October, 1855

A monster meeting is held on Bakery Hill (mainly attended by Catholics) to protest

against the beating and arrest of Fr Smyth’s servant.

February-March, 1855

The 13 Stockaders excluding Thomas Dignum are tried and found not guilty of

treason. The charge against Dignum is withdrawn.

6th December, 1854

A group of 13 prisoners is charged with treason.

A meeting of approximately 6000 Melbourne residents congregate around St.Paul’s

Cathedral to condemn the actions taken by the Government and the administrators

in Ballarat.

July – October, 1853

Bendigo’s Red Ribbon Movement is active on the Goldfields. Miner’s wear a red

ribbon to demonstrate their opposition to and non payment of the Licence fee.

7th October, 1854

James Scobie is murdered outside the Eureka Hotel. An inquest finds that the

wounds were inflicted by an unknown person.

27th November 1854

A deputation from the Ballarat reform League including Humffray, Black and Kennedy, meet with Governor Hotham, Attorney General Stawell and Colonial Secretary Foster to demand the release of the three prisoners. (Westerby, Fletcher and McIntyre). Hotham does not believe the diggers have the right to “demand anything”

Father Smyth informs Commissioner Rede in secret that the Camp is in danger of attack.

1st December, 1854

The Stockade is strengthened with the arrival from Creswick’s Creek of 300-400

volunteers. The arrival of this group who require to be armed, fed and housed

places great strain on the resources of those at the Stockade.

Major General Sir Robert Nickle leaves Melbourne for Ballarat with 800 men.

Raffaello Carboni, George Black and Father Smyth meet with Commissioner Rede

to present a peace proposal. Rede rejects the deputations request.

17th October, 1853

A meeting of up to 10,000 diggers is held near the

Eureka Hotel to protest against Bentley’s acquittal. The meeting results in the burning of the Hotel. The police and military cannot settle the crowd and Commissioner Rede is pelted with eggs.

5th December, 1854

Major General Nickle arrives in Ballarat.

A public meeting is held in Melbourne in support of the Government’s action at

Ballarat. The crowd however condemn the Government’s action against the diggers

and the meeting is quickly closed.

March 1854

The Bill to Extend the Elective Franchise, is drawn up by the Legislative Council and

sent to London for the assent of the British Parliament.

20th November, 1854

James Bentley, Thomas Farrell and William Hence are convicted of the manslaughter of James Scobie. The miners Westerby, Fletcher and McIntyre are convicted and sentenced to gaol terms for the burning of the Eureka Hotel.

4th December, 1854

Martial Law is proclaimed in Ballarat.

Henry Seekamp, the editor of the Ballarat Times is arrested in his office and

charged with seditious libel.

That is the end of our Eureka Stockade Timeline

June 1854

Robert Rede becomes Ballarat’s resident Gold Commissioner.

10th January, 1855

Members of the Gold Fields Commission recommend to Governor Hotham that a

general amnesty for all those connected with the Stockade uprising be declared.

He refuses their request.

November 10th, 1855.

Peter Lalor and John Basson Hummfray are elected to the Legislative Council.

March 27th, 1855

The final report of the Gold Fields Commission is presented to Governor Hotham.

The report advocates that: the Gold Licence be replaced by an export duty on gold,

the introduction of a miners right which would give the franchise to the holder and

the abolition of the Gold Commission. These recommendations were subsequently

implemented.