Hull trees have roots in Australian history

HISTORY HAS comes full circle as the last of 20 young oak trees – whose roots can be traced back to early settlers to Australia – was planted out this week in Hull.

The acorns were originally carried to Western Australia in the early 19th century, aboard a brig packed with 14 crew, 39 settlers and their animals from East Yorkshire.

On the way the tiny vessel - just 87ft long- was hit by a meteorite, which killed a sheep, broke a dog’s leg and rendered the mate insensible.

After their perilous journey, the Tranby docked at Gages Road on the mouth of the Swan River in 1830, where the settlers unloaded their worldly belongings, among them the acorns.

They grew into two massive oak trees at what is now one of the oldest houses in the region, Tranby House.

A local couple heard about the story, recounted by maritime historian Robb Robinson in a collection called Far Horizons, From Hull to the Ends of the Earth.

Dr Robinson, who is Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Hull, suggested they go and take a look in the grounds of the house, now owned by the National Trust for Western Australia.

He said: “Three weeks later, a box of acorns arrived through the letterbox.”

With some expert help from Victor Swetez, University horticulturalist, 20 of the acorns germinated. Some were planted in the villages where the settlers came from, including Holme on Spalding Moor and Ulceby.

But half a dozen were kept for the University. Dr Robinson said: “These trees are a real piece of living history. When you think an oak tree lives for 600 to 900 years the chance is the story will be recounted for years to come.”