Washpool, Beaufort River

Statement of Significance

The pool is important for its association with the development of the pastoral industry in the region and with pioneering families.

Physical Description

One of a series of pools in the south branch of the Beaufort River within a short distance of its junction with the east branch, some two kilometres east of the Beaufort River Bridge on the Albany Highway.
The original pool has silted up, but appears to have been 10-15 metres in length, 5 metres wide and up to 2 metres in depth. Remnants of fencing (strainer posts) are on either side of the river about 100 metres from the crossing. The most significant remnant is the stone foundation of a yard/fence which is on the south east side of the pool. These foundations are between 30 and 40 metres in length and extend through the eastern river boundary fence.
The pool is bounded on the east by Location 2343, on the north by Location 3471 and on the west by Location 3858. A surveyed road which crosses the river on the south separates it from Wandibirrup Pool.

History

The first pastoralist to the Beaufort River was Edward Hamersley Hamersley later decided to concentrate his southern leases near the Williams River bridge and new prospects in the Champion Bay area finally saw him transfer the Martup lease to William Cornwall in 1866. Cornwall had previously taken up J.H. Monger's relinquished lease at Queerearrup and Martup
leases.
The practice of washing sheep prior to shearing was the usual practice prior to the turn of the C20th. The traditional demand by the English mills for white wool meant the dust accumulated in the fleece during the year had to be removed. Washing the sheep also removed some of the grease and vegetable matter such as leaves and twigs. It had an economic advantage also in that the weight of the shorn wool was reduced and therefore there was a reduction in transport costs to England. As shearing was done in spring, washing of sheep in the river and large creek pools was carried out at this time when the flow of water was greatly reduced. Holding yards were built either side of a suitable pool and sheep forced into the water. One man on a platform would dunk the sheep with a stick to ensure its head and back were thoroughly wet and two men in the water (one either side) would guide the sheep across the pool. Sometimes the process would be repeated and the sheep made to swim back to the original pen. For those in the water, it was extremely cold work, and often the shepherds would fortify themselves with rum. On occasions a worker would over imbibe and drown. Consequently, with the large sheep owners there was somewhat relief when the whole operation was performed without incident. Another prominent wash pool in the Shire was the Bintamilling Pool in the Boyerine Creek used by Tom Haddleton.

Uses

Creation Date

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Last Update

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