St Valentines's Peak

 mountain, place with historical importance

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Extract from the book "Sketch of the History of Van Diemen's Land", by James Bischoff Esq.
REPORT OF MR HENRY HELLYER, dated Circular Head 13th March, 1827.
"On the 14th [of February 1827], the day was very unfavourable, being wet and gloomy; but we could not wait for the weather, and about two o'clock we had reached the top of the north pyramid of rock; the highest part being yet far above us, and in the clouds. Seeing the weather thicker to windward, and fearing the scene around me would soon be eclipsed, I hastened to take a sketch of it; but the clouds descended, and it poured with rain, so that we could not see each other. There was such a thick mist, and it rushed past us so furiously, we were obliged to take shelter in a nook of the rocks, and wrap ourselves up in blankets, it was so perishing cold. I wanted to wait to see if it would blow over. We waited till five o'clock, all finding there was no chance of its clearing, we descended; and I determined on going up again the next day. I had just sufficient time to look round me, and see there was a fine open country to the north-east and southwest. We found it very difficult to get down, being obliged to hold on to jutting perpendicular rocks, and the small twigs which grew between them; and finding water just before dark, we stood against some trees before a large fire. The rain continued a great part of the night."

"The Peak is composed of pudding stone like several other of the principal mountains which I have examined, and is in shape, when viewed on the east or west side, like a three masted ship in full sail; and, when observed from the north or south, it is as sharp as any peak can well be imagined, the sides being nearly perpendicular. Its base extends six miles in length and about three miles in width. There is a companion hill on the north-west side, which is of considerable size and very lofty, but woody to the top.

"The morning of the 15th was fortunately very clear and serene: there was not a cloud to be seen. We again toiled up the mountain with our loads, not knowing which way it would be most desirable to go on. After getting to the top, we were several hours struggling through thick scrub and wireweed, and wet from the heavy rain which had fallen the night. We at length arrived upon the very highest point: 3000 foot above the level of the sea . I found the stump of a withered box tree and cut upon it ''St. Valentine's Peak' , the date of my ascent, &c., which I drove into the cleft of the rocks at the top, with its roots in the air The men rolled off some huge blocks rock, which in the their fall appeared to smoke, from the splinters which flew off, as they struck and rebounded from one massive projection down to another. I had now to consider which way we should proceed on my return, to see as much as possible of the good country I had discovered from the Peak; and as that portion lying to the north-east might be more easily examined from the coast, I descended at the south end, after collecting specimens of the rock, in doing which I broke off several lumps sparkling with crystals, and brought them away, although I had a long distance to carry them in my knapsack."

Location based on aligning with Burnie (=Emu Bay) and Stanley (=Circular Head) on original 1828 map by Henry Hellyer, (National Library of Australia nla.gov.au/nla.map-f218 and panoramic sketch at nla.gov.au/nla.map-f214 ) who climbed "Peak like a volcano, about 3000 ft" on 14-15 February 1827 and re-named it. Peak to north west is called "companion hill" on 1828 map, with river on its n-w sides; and wikimapia map shows "Companion Reservoir" in this location, which supports identification of these features as St Valentine's Peak and Companion Hill.