Charles Tyers

Captain Charles James Tyers RN FRSV (13 September 1806–20 September 1870) was a 19th century surveyor and explorer, and the Commissioner for Crown Lands for Portland (1841) and Gippsland (1844). He was born in London, the son of John Tyers and his wife Elizabeth née Theobald.

There are many geographical features named after him, including Tyers, Tyers Junction, Western Tyers, Tyers River, Mount Tyers, and Lake Tyers. His many achievements include the surveying and naming of Port Essington (1839), the determination of the border between South Australia and Victoria, naming the Baw Baw plateau, and being the first European (in 1841) to climb Mount Emu and Mount Buninyong in the Western District of Victoria.

Early career

After an education at Christ's Hospital he entered the navy in 1828. He served under Admiral Lord Lyons on the Blonde and Captain Bremer on the Alligator. He made a study of marine surveying and computed longitudes in the Channel, Mediterranean, West Indies and South Africa becoming recognized as an expert and in 1837 he was commissioned to survey the Port Essington area of northern Australia. He reached the rank of Captain, but before he was given a command he left the navy in 1839 to join the colonial service.

Commissioner for Crown Lands for Portland

Following the establishment of the state of South Australia in 1836, the region between the coast and the Murray River was rapidly being settled by squatters selecting large runs for sheep...
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