William Dickson (Falklands)

William Dickson, born Dublin, Ireland[1] (died 26 August 1833) was an Irish-born settler in Port Louis in the Falkland Islands during a pivotal time in its history, following the removal of the Argentine military presence and leading up to the Port Louis Murders,[2] also known as the Gaucho Murders, during which he was killed in 1833.

William Dickson
Born1805
Dublin
Died26 August 1833
Port Louis, Falkland Islands
Cause of deathMurdered
Resting placePort Louis
NationalityIrish
OccupationStorekeeper, Gaucho
Known forearly Falklands History, entrusted to fly British flag, role in the Gaucho murders

Custody of British Flag

On 2 January 1833, Captain Onslow, of the brig-sloop HMS Clio, arrived at Louis Vernet's settlement at Port Louis to request that the flag of the United Provinces of the River Plate be replaced with the British one, and for the administration to leave the islands. While Major José María Pinedo, commander of the schooner Sarandí, wanted to resist,[3] his numerical disadvantage was obvious (See here for a comparison of the forces), particularly as a large number of his crew were British mercenaries who were unwilling to fight their own countrymen.[3] Such a situation was not unusual in the newly independent states in Latin America, where land forces were strong, but navies were frequently quite undermanned. As such he protested verbally, but departed without a fight on 5 January.[3]

Initial British plans for the Islands were based upon the continuation of Vernet's settlement at Port Louis. William Dickson was requested to fly the British flag on Sundays and whenever ships were in harbour.[4]

Gaucho Murders

On 26 August 1833, armed with weapons provided by American sealers, a gang of creole and Indian gauchos led by Antonio Rivero ran amok in Port Louis. The gang killed five settlers including William Dickson.[5] The survivors (13 men, 3 women and 2 children) took refuge on Turf Island in Berkley Sound until they were rescued by the British sealer Hopeful in October 1833.

See also

References
  1. The Irish in Falkland/Malvinas Islands Society for Irish Latin American Studies, 2005-11-01.
  2. http://www.history.horizon.co.fk/articles/murders.html
  3. Destéfani, 1982, pp. 90
  4. Mary Cawkell (2001). The History of the Falkland Islands. Anthony Nelson. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-904614-55-8.
  5. http://www.falklands.info/history/history3.html

Bibliography
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