James Stirling

Sir James Stirling was born in 1791 in Scotland, to a family connected to Drumpellier, Lanarkshire, the Baronet of Faskine and Stirling castle. His Grandfather was an Admiral and James Stirling entered the Navy at the early age of 12. 

Stirling campaigned for the establishment of the Swan River settlement, having been impressed with the land around the river when he had visited on the Success in 1826. He became the first Governor of Western Australia, administering the Swan River Colony for nearly ten years, first as lieutenant-governor and then governor in 1831. He visited England in 1832 and stayed until 1834, during which time he was knighted. During his absence in 1832-33 Captain Frederick Chidley Irwin acted as Lieutenant Governor. James Stirling resumed his role as Governor and Commander in Chief from August 1834 to January 1839. In the early days, the colony had difficulty obtaining food, and Stirling purchased supplies from Van Diemen’s Land and the Cape. Stirling advocated for tolerance when dealing with conflicts between the settlers and Aboriginal people.

Tensions became high between settlers and Aboriginal people, with loss of land due to colonial grants. There was increasing pressure on traditional hunting and fishing grounds due to the growing population.  Flour became a commodity and a dependable ration store, supplementing bush foods. An incident at the Old Mill in South Perth in 1834, where Pindjarup men led by Calyute took flour from Shenton's storeroom, contributed to the tragedy. Calyute was captured and taken to Fremantle Prison where he received 60 lashes. Upon release Calyute raided Thomas Peel's property near Mandurah killing a young servant in apparent tribal payback. Under pressure from settlers, Stirling led his soldiers in a reprisal, with John Septimus Roe and Thomas Peel, in what became known as the Pinjarra Massacre, where at least fourteen Aboriginal people and one police officer died. Calyute escaped and lived a long life around Lake Clifton.

After his term as Governor in the Swan River Colony, he had a long career in the Navy, commanded ships in the Mediterranean and was knighted by the King of Greece. He became an Admiral in 1862. He died in 1865 in Surrey, England, where he had been living in his retirement.

The capital city of Western Australia is named Perth, after its connection to Perth, Scotland. The City of Stirling is named for the Swan River Colony founder, Admiral Sir James Stirling.

Captain James Stirling - Government House Western Australia

There are sculptures in bronze of James Stirling in Hay Street, Perth and on Garden Island.

Captain James Stirling | Monument Australia