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Gumbrell Island
HISTORY
Gumbrell Island
Gumbrell Island was named in 1866 by Commander G. S. Nares, RN, in
HMS Salamander after Edward James Gumbrill, 2nd captain of the
forecastle, later captain of the forecastle on Salamander (Naval
Historical Library, London).
Nares' survey chart shows the name as 'Gumbrell' but his sailing directions showed it as 'Gumbrill or Cannon Island', Cannon being the assistant surgeon on board. However, presumably because Cannon was honoured by having Cannon Valley named after him, the name of the island was finalised as 'Gumbrell' with the 'e' instead of 'i' and that name has persisted into modern times.
The Port Denison Times of 18 July 1874 in an article about a visit to the Whitsundays by a party from Bowen mentions Gumbrell Island, saying it was known locally as 'War Island' because there had been a skirmish there with Aborigines some time in thepast though no details of this incident can be found.
The island was declared a national park in 1938.
The Information on the Whitsunday Islands is reproduced by kind permission of Mr. Ray Blackwood from his book: " The Whitsunday Islands An Historical Dictionary ".
Please visit his site here. It is well worth the time!