Black-War

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

or Black-Line


a military operation planned in 1830 by Governor Arthur for the captureof the Tasmanian aborigines. A levy en masse of thecolonists was ordered. About 5000 men formed the «black line,» which advanced across the island from north to south-east, withthe object of driving the tribes into Tasman's Peninsula. Theoperation proved a complete failure, two blacks only beingcaptured at a cost to the Government of L 30,000.

1835. H. Melville, `History of Van Diemen's Land,' p. 103:

«The parties forming the `black line,' composed, as they were,of a curious melange of masters and servants, took theirrespective stations at the appointed time. As the severalparties advanced, the individuals along the line came closerand closer together – – the plan was to keep on advancing slowlytowards a certain peninsula, and thus frighten the Aboriginesbefore them, and hem them in.»

1852. J. West, `History of Tasmania,' vol, ii. p. 54:

«Thus closed the Black War. This campaign of a month suppliedmany adventures and many an amusing tale, and, notwithstandingthe gravity of his Excellency, much fun and folly . . . . Fivethousand men had taken the field. Nearly L 30,000 had beenexpended, and probably not much less in time and outlay by thesettlers, and two persons only were captured.»

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