Eureka Site

Eureka Site Plan, 1870

The Stockade

There was a good deal of misunderstanding about the nature and object of the Stockade. it was never intended as a means of defense. It was the flimsiest construction ever seen. It was composed of slabs 4 feet 4 inches long, placed at a distance apart in the ground, and leaning together at the top, forming a Ʌ on a sectional view. It offered no resisting power whatever, and when rushed it collapsed like the shutting up of a book. The chief object of the Stockade was to keep undesirable people from interfering with the work of drilling, and to form a rallying place for the men who had taken the oath. there is not doubt the men expected to have to defend themselves here, and were determined to do so if necessary, but there seems have been no definite plan of action beyond that of passive resistance, and waiting fro a movement to be made from the camp. That this movement would be made , and that it would necessitate a fight, was beyond doubt, and was equally doubt that the revolutionary element was determined to bring the conflict about.

Stockade Lines of Vision

Alfred W. Crowe was on of the moral force party, and a strong supporter of J.B. Humffray. He wrote in his diary:

This morning (December 3rd) at daybreak I was awakened by a heavy roll of musketry. Half-dressed, I ran to the top of Specimen Hill. A heavy cloud of smoke rested over the Stockade, through which could be seen the constant flashing of firearms, and the whirr of volley from the troops could be heard. My first impression was that it was an attack by the Stockaders on the troops expected from Melbourne. As daylight increased the redcoats became visible at the back of the Stockade. Troopers were riding and dashing in every direction at headlong speed, and occasionally shots showed that the work of slaughter had not yet ceased. I walked to the site of the notorious Eureka Hotel, where I could distinctly see the proceeding. The troopers still continued chasing the unfortunate wretches who showed themselves, and mercy was not much though of if they attempted to save themselves by flight. A crowd of prisoners were huddled together, surrounded by the military, and several drays were there for carrying away the wounded. The troopers slowly march back to the camp, taking the wounded and Prisoners with them. Every point that commanded a view of the proceedings were taken advantage of by a large number of spectators. Hundreds lined the sides of Black Hill. It would have been an interesting sight were it not for the awful sacrifice of life, which had taken place on that lovely Sabbath morn.

Witness Statements

Trooper Henry Goodenough gave evidence against James Beattie, stating he arrested him at the London Hotel, about one hundred yards from the stockade.

Also See

Eureka Treason trial Map - [1]