Jun 1798: King Archibald III grants funding to Captain George Harrington on behalf of the Kingdom of Wellington for an expedition to explore the great Southern Ocean in search of new land to establish a colony. A shortage of natural resources, particularly hardwood timber, had stifled the Kingdom's economy due to extensive and uncontrolled deforestation over hundreds of years.

 

Sep 1798: A crew of 150 joined Captain Harrington aboard the Windsor and set sail from the port city of Victoria.

 

Mar 1800: After sailing for a long 18 months across the vast Southern Ocean, the crew aboard the Windsor sight landfall.

 

Apr 1800: The Windsor sails into a large bay from the North and surveyors begin to map the coastline. Sailing up and down the coastline, several smaller bays, inlets and islands are discovered, and two large rivers are identified as possible ideal locations for settlement.

 

May 1800: After a few weeks spent mapping the coastline, a small expedition party embarks from the Windsor to explore the first of the two rivers. After 2 days, the expedition party returns to the Windsor with a crude map outlining the river. The expedition was not able to travel far up river as shallow waters just a few kilometres into the journey did not allow further passage. Captain Harrington requested the expedition party explore the second river further South for a suitable settlement location.

 

Jun 1800: The second expedition sets off from the Windsor to map the larger river. This time, the party returned after 6 days, as they had been able to map much further inland along the river. A small river island was identified as an ideal location for the initial settlement near to the mouth of the river.

 

Jul 1800: The Windsor sails up the river and anchors just off the small river island. Captain George Harrington disembarks and proclaims the establishment of the new Colony of Windsor, named after the mighty ship, and claims the land on behalf of King Archibald III. Captain Harrington declares himself Governor Harrington, and names the island Governor's Island. The entire river island is declared Crown property for the sole use of the Governor, and a foundation stone is set for the new Governor's House.

 

Governor Harrington names the Windsor River and the first settlement of Windsor is established on the South bank of the river. The 150 settlers aboard the Windsor sign onto the Charter of Windsor, which establishes the founding rules for the new Colony, including provision of land to each settling family for farming. The farming lots were moderate in size, as clearing the land proved quite difficult with the limited tools available. All other land was claimed by the Governor for the Crown. 

 

Oct 1800: A small port is constructed of local hardwood timber on the South bank of the Windsor River to allow the Windsor to dock. Several small warehouses are constructed near the port to stock the remaining tools and supplies brought along with the expedition.