The United States Exploring Expedition
under the command of Captain Charles Wilkes, arrived in Port Jackson on
29th November 1839. The Officers and crew soon disembarked to explore
the streets of Sydney. The expedition was made welcome and although
Captain Wilkes was too busy to undertake any expeditions other than to
Parramatta at the invitation of Governor Gipps, other members did manage
to investigate further afield. Two young men, Alfred Agate and Horatio
Hale made their way to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie where they met with
Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld.
Alfred Agate was born in New
York in 1812. He was a brilliant artist, capable of drawing
landscapes, portraits and scientific illustrations. He created
many works of art during his time with the United States
Exploring Expedition and was the designated portrait and
botanical artist of the expedition. On his visit to Lake
Macquarie in 1839 he produced the well known portrait of
Biraban. He died aged 34 of consumption in 1846. He was 27
years old on his visit to Lake Macquarie