Harry the Camel was a Camelus dromedarius from the stunning Canary Islands, recognized as part of the native Canarian camel breed. He holds a unique place in history as the first camel to ever set foot in Australia.
How This Story Began
The origins of Harry’s journey trace back to 1840, when the Phillips brothers—Phillips, Henry Weston Phillips, George, and G.M.—acquired nine camels in Tenerife.
From this group, four or five camels boarded the SS Apolline, a vessel contracted by Henry from London and captained by William Deane. On October 12, 1840, the ship docked in an Australian port.
Only one camel survived the voyage—a male named Harry—who thus became the first camel to set foot on Australian soil.
Harry’s Bad Temper
Six years after his arrival, an explorer from Penwortham, South Australia, chose Harry to join an expedition around Lake Torrens and the head of the Spencer Gulf.
The expedition included:
- 6 men
- 2 carts
- 6 horses
- 12 goats
- 1 camel (Harry)
It began on July 29, 1846, heading north towards Mount Remarkable and the Flinders Ranges.
However, explorer John Ainsworth Horrocks soon discovered that Harry had a terrible temper and a habit of biting men and goats.
Still, Harry proved to be a remarkable carrier, able to haul loads of up to 160 kg and travel for two days without water.
The End of the Expedition
By late August, Horrocks and two companions set out on foot to explore the plains near Lake Dutton, with Harry carrying the supplies.
One day, as one of the explorers prepared to shoot a bird for the expedition’s collection, Harry suddenly moved. The abrupt motion caused the rifle to fire, striking Horrocks and causing severe injuries—he lost a finger and all his teeth on the left side of his mouth.
The expedition was immediately abandoned, and the group returned to Penwortham to seek help. Sadly, Horrocks died 23 days later from his injuries.
Harry’s Fate
Before his death, Horrocks expressed one final wish: that Harry be put down to prevent further harm to others. His request was granted, and Harry’s life ended with a single shot—though not before he had bitten one last victim.
Why This Story Matters
Harry’s tale is not just a quirky historical anecdote—it marks the beginning of the camel’s role in Australia. Today, descendants of these early imports roam freely in the Australian Outback, where camels became vital for exploration and transport in the 19th century.
