Captain Thunderbolt's Death Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Captain Thunderbolt's Death Site |
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Wood engraving of the death of Captain Thunderbolt, 1870.
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| Location | Kentucky District, Uralla Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Official name: The Captain Thunderbolt Sites - Thunderbolt's Death Site | |
| Type | State heritage (landscape) |
| Designated | 20 July 2012 |
| Reference no. | 1889 |
| Type | Wetland or river |
| Category | Landscape - Natural |
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Captain Thunderbolt's Death Site is a special paddock in the Kentucky area of New South Wales, Australia. It is a place listed on the heritage list because of its history. This site is part of a group of places called The Captain Thunderbolt Sites.
These sites are important because they are linked to a famous bushranger named Captain Thunderbolt. Other sites include Captain Thunderbolt's Rock, Blanch's Royal Oak Inn, and Captain Thunderbolt's Grave. All these places were added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 July 2012.
Contents
The Story of Thunderbolt's Capture
On 25 May 1870, a hawker named Giovanni Cappisotti told the police in Uralla about a robbery at Blanch's Inn. Senior Constable John Mulhall and Constable Alexander Walker quickly rode south. Mulhall had a faster horse and reached the inn first.
Walker was about half a mile away when he heard gunshots. He met Mulhall, who told him they had exchanged shots. Mulhall's horse was bolting, so he could not continue the chase. Walker rode to the top of the hill. He saw two men on grey horses. The younger man seemed to guide the older one away from the road. They rode west along Blanch's fence.
Walker chased Thunderbolt towards Kentucky Creek. Shots were fired as they rode. When Thunderbolt reached the creek, he got off his horse and walked across the water. Walker caught up to Thunderbolt's horse and shot it. This stopped Thunderbolt from using the horse to escape.
Walker then crossed the creek. He had to go about 90 metres to where Thunderbolt was. Thunderbolt was now back on the other side of the creek. Walker rode closer until they were about 14 metres apart.
"Surrender!" Walker ordered. "Never! What is your name?" Thunderbolt replied. "Walker," the Constable said. "Are you a trooper, Walker?" "Yes." "A married man?" "Yes." "Remember you are a married man, Walker," Thunderbolt said, shaking his pistol. "Will you surrender?" Walker asked again. "I will die first!" Thunderbolt shouted back. He likely did not want to go back to prison. "Then it's you or I for it," Walker said. He rushed forward, and his horse stumbled in the water.
Ward, also known as Thunderbolt, rushed at the Constable. He went into the water with his revolver raised. Walker fired his gun. A doctor later said the bullet went into Thunderbolt's chest. Thunderbolt rose up one more time. Walker then hit him on the head with his pistol. Thunderbolt fell, and Walker pulled him out of the water.
Walker thought the other man with Thunderbolt was his helper. He returned to the inn. They soon found out the other man was a victim of Thunderbolt's robbery. So, they went back to find Thunderbolt's body. They could not find it that night. The next morning, Walker, Mulhall, a man named Dwyer, and Senior Constable Scott found the body. They took it to Blanch's Royal Oak Inn for an investigation. Later, it was moved to Uralla.
Constable Walker was promoted for his bravery. He also received half of the A£400 reward for capturing Thunderbolt. The other half went to Giovanni Cappisotti. Walker had a very successful police career. He became a Superintendent in 1896. He worked in areas like Deniliquin, Albury, and Goulburn. In 1907, he was even the acting Inspector-General of Police for three months. Walker passed away in his home in Cremorne on 30 April 1929. He was 81 years old.
It is said that in 1879, after Ned Kelly's raid on Jerilderie, the Victorian Police asked for Senior Sergeant Walker's help to catch Kelly. However, Kelly disappeared before Walker could arrive. So, Walker did not take part in that search. On 24 May 1970, a memorial for Constable Walker was put up in Uralla. This was to celebrate 100 years since Thunderbolt's death. The plaque reads:
THUNDERBOLT CENTENARY 1870 - 1970
ALEXANDER BINNING WALKER
This plaque commemorating the bravery of Const. A. B. Walker was unveiled by T. W. Allan, Police Commissioner on 24 May 1970.
About the Site
The place where Thunderbolt died is near where Kentucky Creek changes direction. The creek flows from north to south, then turns to flow east to west. The area around the creek is mostly pasture land.
Condition of the Site
As of 2012, the site is still mostly as it was. It is not likely to have old buried items.
Changes to the Site
The exact spot where Thunderbolt died is now underwater. This happened because the Kentucky Creek dam was built downstream in the 1960s.
More Information
The general location of Captain Thunderbolt's Death Site is known from Constable Alexander Binning Walker's police report. However, different historical records disagree on the exact spot. Some say it was in the north-south part of the creek. Others say it was in the east-west part. There is not enough information to know for sure.
The owner of the land next to the site used to let visitors see Thunderbolt's Death Site. But this stopped because too much rubbish was being left in the paddocks. It is important to always respect historical sites and keep them clean.
