Somerset Graves Site, Historic cemetery in Northern Peninsula Area Region, Australia
Somerset Graves Site is a historic burial ground in the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland containing seven marked graves of settlers and workers from different backgrounds. Timber fences protect the individual plots, and the Kennedy Memorial Monument stands as a notable feature among distinct burial sections.
The cemetery was established in 1864 when Somerset developed as a port of refuge and refueling station at this strategically located cape. Frank Jardine and other settlers buried here shaped the story of this early frontier community.
The burial ground reflects the mixed population of an early frontier settlement, with graves of European colonists, Japanese pearl divers, and people connected to Indigenous lands. This diversity tells the story of who lived and worked in this remote place.
The site is accessible and marked with timber fences that protect the graves and distinguish different burial sections. Visitors should plan time to walk around and view the markers and the monument in a respectful manner.
Frank Jardine, buried here, played a role in rescuing survivors of the RMS Quetta shipwreck in 1890 when the vessel wrecked offshore. This act reveals the practical generosity of settlers in this isolated region.
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