1888. Hill Cove and Shallow Bay. There are six houses at the Settlements, and three detached houses. Population 41; one birth no deaths two cases of measles, one imported from Stanley, the other caught from that. Diarrhoea very prevalent and severe (one child nearly died at Main Point), epidemic nasal catarrh constantly present.
Assistant Colonial Surgeon to the Colonial secretary. Report on the Blue Book 1888
Hill Cove was 7 hours ride for the Doctor from his base at Fox Bay East, in 1889 he made 11 visits
Taken from the old records at Fox Bay East Post Office. Men at Hill Cove 1897-1900
G. JOHNSON, A. KIDDLE, G. GOODWIN, G. RATLEY, A. McCLENNAN, W. JOHNSTON, G. HYNAM, C. JOHNSTON. C. BETTS, S. GOODWIN, J. McCULLUM, E. SOMERS, H. GRANT, G. STEWART. J. PITALUGA
Two marriages took place at Hill Cove on 21st February 1900; Charles Dixon married Mary A Greenfield and Edward R Johnson married Elizabeth White. (Falkland Islands Magazine Feb 1900)
The mystery and tragedy of missing Ned Casey Hill Cove.
Falkland Island Magazine October 1890
‘ Ned Casey, late of the Foam crossed from Saunders Island to the West Falklands at night for the doctor several weeks ago. He has never been seen since. The boat was found drawn up above high water mark. It is supposed that he must have fallen over the cliffs in the darkness.’
Falkland Island Magazine January 1914
On Nov 30th (1913) after 23 years, the remains of the late Ned (or Edward), Casey have been found near Hill Cove. Far away on the highest peak standing on the West Side of Darry Valley the mountains have at length given up their grim secret. It chanced that Mr E Johnson was out gathering sheep in this part, when he found the remains. Apparently, the ill-fated man, hungry and footsore, and thourghly tired out, had at last given up hope, and so lay down to sleep his last sleep in this out of the way place, miles away from any help or assistance. This theory seems to have been borne out from the position of the remains, which were found lying face downwards, the arms folded underneath. All that remained of the clothing was a piece of Cardigan jacket, and some of the trousers; the boots and the leggings were also there, but the elements had caused all the stitching to rot away. By his side lay a sheath knife, bearing the initials of Donald Mc Innes (late of Roy Cove).
The brief history of the tragedy is as follows: About the end of June 1890, Ned Casey was sent across the Reef Channel from Saunders Island in a dinghy to summon the doctor for a man who was taken ill on the Island. The Schooner Hornet was at the time lying wind-bound in the Channel and on his way across he boarded her, this was the last occasion on which he was seen alive. He landed at Shallow Bay late in the afternoon, and a dense fog came on. Even though the distance from the water to the house is only 20 minutes walk, yet he lost his way, and we can only imagine what his feelings must have been as he walked aimlessly mile after mile until he reached that lonely spot where his body was found. Some days late, another man was sent from Saunders to hurry the Doctor, and then it was discovered that Casey had not been seen or heard of.... Mr. Miller kindly lent horses and men, and together with a party from Saunders Island a thorough search was made in all directions for over a week, till at length all hope was abandoned of his ever being found. And so at length, after 23 long years the terrible tragedy has come to light.’
Ned Kelly was left on the mountain and never buried, occasionally visited by shepherds on their sheep gathers.
Hill Cove's telephone line linking it to the exchange at Goring House, Little Chartres was up by December 1917.
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Hill Cove looking west down Byron Sound- Robert Maddocks
