Frederick Clause facts for kids

Frederick Rushbrook Clause (born December 2, 1791 – died November 10, 1852) was a naval surgeon, an early explorer in Western Australia, and an artist. He played a small but important part in the early days of the Swan River Colony.

A Surgeon and Explorer

Frederick Clause became a surgeon in the Royal Navy on September 15, 1813. In February 1826, he joined James Stirling's ship, HMS Success. He served on this ship until August 1828.

In March 1827, Clause was on board the Success when it arrived at the Swan River. This was part of an exploration trip. The goal was to see if the area was a good place for a new British colony.

Exploring the Swan River

After looking at the coastal waters, Stirling chose 18 men, including Clause, to explore up the river. About a mile north of where The Causeway is today, they found a fresh water stream and a small lake. Stirling named them "Clause's Brook" and "Clause's Lagoon." Today, these are known as Claise Brook and Claisebrook Cove. The group camped at Clause's Lagoon on their first night.

The party continued up the Swan River until they reached where it joined Ellen Brook. Before turning back, Stirling split the group into three. Stirling and Clause explored to the west. There, they found another fresh water stream, which was likely Bennett Brook.

At the end of the trip, Clause wrote a letter. He wrote about how healthy the climate was. This letter supported Stirling's ideas about the land. It also agreed with Charles Frazer's comments on the soil.

Clause's Art

Some time later, Frederick Clause painted a picture in oil. It showed the group's camp at Clause's Brook. People believe this painting was based on a sketch by the expedition's artist, Frederick Garling.

The painting was later etched and lithographed by the marine artist William John Huggins. It was published with the name Setting Camp of the Naval Survey Expedition at Clause's Lagoon, Western Australia. Garling's own paintings were part of the official records and were not published. This made Clause's painting the only one of the Swan River area to be published before the Swan River Colony started in 1829.

Later Years

Not much is known about Clause's life after the expedition. In 1836, he married Mary Brooks in Hackney, Middlesex, England. He was still listed as a Navy officer in 1841. However, he was then listed as unable to do active duties. Frederick Rushbrook Clause died on November 10, 1852, in Milton-next-Gravesend, Kent. He was 60 years old.