15 Facts About Henry Waterhouse

Captain Henry Waterhouse was an English naval officer of the Royal Navy who became an early settler in the Colony of New South Wales, Australia.

Henry Waterhouse imported to Australia the continent's first Spanish merino sheep, whose wool became one of the colony's best exports.

Henry Waterhouse was named after the Prince, who was named as his godfather.

Henry Waterhouse sailed to Australia with the First Fleet and helped establish the settlement at Sydney Cove.

Henry Waterhouse was a member of the crew when Sirius was wrecked off Norfolk Island.

Henry Waterhouse was present at the whale feast with Indigenous people at Manly Cove; after Phillip was speared in the shoulder, Henry Waterhouse snapped off the shaft and helped the Governor return to the boats.

In 1791, Henry Waterhouse returned to England with the rest of the crew of the Sirius on the Waaksamheyd.

Henry Waterhouse sailed to the Cape Colony in 1796 to procure livestock for New South Wales and returned to Australia with the colony's first merino sheep.

Henry Waterhouse subsequently made several voyages to Norfolk Island and in 1800 was the first person to chart the Antipodes Islands.

In 1800, Henry Waterhouse returned to Britain and was promoted to Captain on 25 October that year.

Henry Waterhouse lived most of the rest of his life near Rochester, Kent.

Henry Waterhouse died at his father's home in Smith Street, Westminster, and was buried on 5 August 1812 at St John the Evangelist.

Henry Waterhouse is commemorated in the name of Waterhouse Island in north-eastern Tasmania.

Henry Waterhouse never married but had an illegitimate daughter Maria Henry Waterhouse, who was born in Sydney to convict Elizabeth Barnes.

Henry Waterhouse was taken to England by the Lieutenant Governor William Paterson and his wife.