Charles Grimes (surveyor)
| Charles Grimes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 February 1772 Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Died | 19 February 1858 (aged 85) Milton-next-Gravesend, Kent, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | surveyor |
| Title | Surveyor-general of New South Wales |
| Spouse(s) |
Elizabeth Matthews Cassandra Atkinson |
| Children | John, George, Charles Robert, Joseph John (+ 2 others) |
| Parent(s) | Joseph and Esther Grimes |
Elizabeth Matthews
Charles Grimes (24 February 1772 – 19 February 1858) was an English surveyor who did some valuable work in colonial Australia. He served as Surveyor General of New South Wales and discovered the Yarra River in what is now the state of Victoria. He is perhaps best known for being the surveyor who mapped the route of the Hobart Road, Tasmania's main north-south arterial route. Much of the modern Midland Highway still follows the route that he planned.
Grimes was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, son of Joseph Grimes, a laceman, and his wife Esther. Towards the end of 1790 Grimes was appointed deputy surveyor of roads in New South Wales and allocated work at Norfolk Island. Grimes did not arrive at Sydney until 21 September 1791 on the Gorgon. From there he went to Norfolk Island. Soon after his arrival on 4 November 1791, Governor King appointed him deputy surveyor-general of New South Wales.
At Norfolk Island he was employed correcting a previous survey which had been made without proper instruments, and he also undertook some of the administrative work. Grimes returned to Sydney in April 1794 and with the surveyor-general Augustus Alt being in bad health, he was required to take over most of Alt's work. In February 1795 (or 1796) he spent approximately one week at Port Stephens and reported unfavourably on the locality.
Grimes is responsible for fully surveying the Hunter River in November 1801 with Francis Barrallier. In late 1802 Grimes commenced a survey of King Island and Port Phillip with Charles Robbins in Cumberland. On 30 January 1803, whilst on his survey of Port Phillip he and his party landed at Frankston and met around thirty of the local inhabitants. On 2 February 1803 he discovered the mouth of the Yarra River. Next day Grimes ascended the river in a boat and explored what is now the Maribyrnong River for several miles. Returning to the Yarra it was explored for several miles but the boat was stopped by Dights Falls. The journal of another member of the party, James Flemming, has been preserved, and in it he several times refers to finding good soil. Although it was evidently a dry season Flemming, who was described by King as "very intelligent", thought from the appearance of the herbage that "there is not often so great a scarcity of water as at present". He suggested that the "most eligible place for a settlement I have seen is on the Freshwater (Yarra) River". A plaque at the site marks the event. Grimes returned to Sydney on 7 March 1803 and, in spite of Flemming's opinions, reported adversely against a settlement at Port Phillip.
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