Bailey's Island gold area, Nannine Goldfield, Meekatharra Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Bailey's Island gold area	Area
Nannine Goldfield	Ore Field
Meekatharra Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

The island is named after Arthur Bailey, who found gold at the location in the early 1890's, shortly after gold was discovered on the mainland at Nannine. Arthur and his mate Taylor picked up 200 oz of alluvial gold in two hours. Bailey carried on and is credited with later discovering the major Coolgardie goldfield.

Bailey's Island is surrounded by the Lake Annean salt-pan, which is only rarely full of water. It can be accessed by continuing south-east along the track from the former Nannine townsite. The stone causeway across the lake is rough, although relatively short.

There are three modern abandoned open pits on the island named Bailey's Island North, Central and South. Initially in the early 1890's the area was the preserve of alluvial dryblowers. The patches had various names like Marrs Patch, but were exhausted within a couple of years. Some sluicing then took place. Syndicates and small companies moved in to locate the reefs. Iron King, Iron King North, Kaiser, Bailey's Deep Lead, Island Monarch, and Esmerelda were mine names found, however their exact location on the island, the writer is uncertain.

Mining largely wound up at the locations by 1900. Some sources state this was from a lack of capital and bad management, whilst others state the batteries at the time could not cope with the fine gold. Some prospector activity took place in the 1930's gold boom, and Jack Boyle is noted for making a rich find in 1935.

The existing pits contain significant selenite deposits. These occur either as a half metre band above the water line around the pit, or encrusting tumbleweeds which blow into the pit. It has been the experience of the writer when mentioning species at a location, that someone goes there and denudes the site. The selenite crumbles and falls apart when touched so it is pointless collecting it. It is however a remarkable sight to view, and is another small wonder of Western Australia.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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