Part 1 is here
Telegraph (Brisbane), Saturday
24 September 1927, p. 14
THURSDAY ISLAND'S
JUBILEE
2. Reminiscences of Pioneers
The Old Hands and
early Wrecks
In this article is continued the stories of pioneers of Thursday Island
who have much to say of interest concerning the early history of the Island,
the jubilee of which was celebrated there on Saturday last, the day on which
the first article of this series appeared in "The Telegraph."
In the article referred to, it will be remembered, Mr. P. P. Outridge,
of Redland had commenced his reminiscences, which he now concludes. The
narrative, however, is taken up by Mr. C. D. Savage, an ex-inspector of the
Queensland Police Force, and will be continued by others. Mr. Outridge
confesses that he has a soft spot in his heart for "The Telegraph."
which, many years ago, took up the case of the island when a bill regulating
the size of pearl-shell was in danger of being numbered among the
"slaughtered Innocents" at the tail-end of a Parliamentary session,
and by its advocacy succeeded In spurring on the Government of the day to pass the
measure at once.
Mr. Outridges Story
Mr. Outridge further writes; "Besides being the centre of the
pearling industry in Torres Straits, Thursday Island in the 80's also was interested
in the beche-de-mer fishery as well as to a smaller degree in the collection of
black-lip pearl-shell and tortoise-shell. Trochus shell was not fished in the
early days; it is a comparatively recent development. Beche-de-mer was found,
in prolific quantities on all the reefs from Cape York southward, but the most
famous ground was the Warrior Reef, which extended for a considerable distance
towards New Guinea.
Beche-de-mer’s
Influence
Beche-de-mer was locally called fish, and these engaged in the industry
fishermen, rather a misnomer. There were several varieties of fish the most
valuable was teat fish; others were red, black, sandfish, and prickly red. The
last named had been the most popular on the China market, but one largo
shipment which was forwarded to Hong Kong and sold there had boon improperly
cured. Results were disastrous to the Chinese epicures. Prickly red fish
immediately fell into disfavour, and values dropped to a merely nominal price
of £20 per ton, against £120 for other kinds. The beche-de-mcr was shipped at
Thursday Island or Cooktown, and those engaged in the industry generally made a
good living. Beche-de-mer is responsible for changing the character of the
inhabitants of the northern coast of Australia. For Centuries Malay proas from
the Dutch Indies have visited the coast as far east as the Gulf of Carpentaria,
and as far west as King Sound on the north-west coast. Their object was to
obtain beche-de-mer or, as it also is called, trepang. Several months of each
year were spent on the- Australian coast, the proas came over with the
north-west monsoon, and returned home towards the end of the southeast monsoon.
The principal part in the Indies for fitting out these expeditions was
Macassar, in Celebes Island.
The visits of Malays had a distinct effect on the aboriginal natives.
Right along the Northern Territory coast the natives understand the Malay
language, and have adopted some of the visitors' customs. I do not think the praows
visited Torres Straits to fish, hut I remember seeing one Malay vessel at
Thursday Island, which had been blown out of its course by the strong
north-west winds which prevailed at the time.
Some Old Hands
Most of the beche-de-mer fishermen had stations on the various Islands
in Torres Straits, where they cured the fish, generally proceeding once a month
to Thursday Island to procure stores and sell the fish, or despatch it to Hong
Kong. Those engaged in the Industry led a hard and somewhat adventurous life. I
might mention some of the old hands, such as Edward Mosby, generally known as
Yankee Ned of Yorke Island; Jack Walker, of Dalrymple Island; Tom Randolf, of
Stephens Island; Douglas Pitt, of Halfway Island; Andrew Johnson, of Stephens
Island; Paddy Wilson, of Warrior Island; John Williams, of Daru Island; Billy
Wilson, of the Sisters (Daru); Charlie Mogg, of Yam Island; Captain W. Walton,
of the brig Lady Denison; Captain Colin Thompson, of the schooner Coral Sea;
Captain Soren Christensen, of the schooner Terrigal Packet. These fishermen
were not the only ones engaged in the Industry, but they used Thursday Island
as their home port. Many more sailed out of Cooktown principally to the Great Barrier
Reef off that harbour.
Old Time Wrecks
Thursday Island, in the early years, was a port of refuge for the crews
of many vessels wrecked on the Barrier or on the numerous reefs in the straits proper.
Of course, there was no wireless In those days, and for a considerable time no
telegraphic communication, until the overland line was stretched along Capo
York Peninsula to Cooktown. Vessels getting ashore could not communicate nor
could the master get into telegraphic communication with his owners. The master
had to act on his own responsibilities. An instance of this type was the case
of a large sailing ship laden with coal, which got ashore on the Sisters, she
was abandoned, by the crew, who arrived safely at Thursday Island on another
vessel. The ship and her cargo were eventually sold for the very small sum of
£5, Steps were immediately taken to salvage the vessel, and the salvers being
favoured With fine weather she was refloated and sailed Into harbour, having
sustained little damage. The master was subjected to some criticism for
abandoning his ship, but the sailing directions of the time were obsolete and
therefore misleading. Mariners were warned against the natives, who were
described as treacherous. They may have been in the very early days, but on
many of the Islands white missionaries or native teachers were located and the
natives were quite trustworthy. Most of them, in fact, were employed in the
pearling or beche-de-mer- fishing Industries.
Many, many wrecks have occurred In Torres Straits, and their crews have
found Thursday Island a port of refuge. One large wooden ship, named the John
da Cor-, flying the American flag, became a total wreck on Torres Reef about 10
miles from Thursday Island: She was laden with horses, shipped St Melbourne for
Calcutta. Shortly after the ship got on the reef, a syndicate at Thursday
Island brought the vessel and cargo, successfully landing 117 of the horses,
besides large quantities of fodder. The ship, however, soon -broke up, as she
was in an exposed position.
A few miles away from the scene of the wreck another vessel got ashore.
This was the brig Jemima, bound south from Thursday Island, in ballast. Missing
stays, she drifted broadside on to Hammond Rock, and hung there till the tide
turned. She then floated off, but had a big hole in her side. Making water
fast, she was in danger of sinking. The captain decided to beach her, and ran
her on to the sand at Hammond Island in a nice sheltered position, where she
settled down, the water flowing in and out of her with the tides. The vessel was
purchased at auction by Mr. James Clark, who very soon had her temporarily
repaired, and sailed her to his shelling station at Friday Island, where
permanent repairs were effected. Eventually she sailed south again in ballast for
Brisbane, a cargo of limestone being picked lip at Marble Island. The Jemima
afterwards was moored in the Brisbane River as the houseboat of one of the
rowing clubs. Her bones lie at low water just below Victoria Bridge, on the
North Brisbane side. Another vessel just about this time got ashore on a reef
in Endeavour Straits. She was the wooden barque Joseph, loaded with kerosene
shale, bound to the East. Sho was abandoned by the crew, who look to the boats
and reached Thursday Island n safety. A party headed by Captain K. L. Brown, got
out, and very soon had the vessel afloat, but when bringing her into the
harbour she got on a reef just at the entrance and became a total wreck. This
happened but a few miles away from Thursday Island.
Treasure Trove
Pearl shell and beche-de-mere were not the only exports from Thursday
Island. Treasure trove at times was Included. Ono of the earliest wrecks was a
foreign ship, evidently a Spanish vessel bound from South America, probably to the
Philippine Islands. A beche-de-mer fisherman came across the wreck on the
Barrier Reef near Murray Island, and found a large number of silver dollars,
principally Spanish. The latest date was 1820.
Other Disasters
Another vessel got ashore on Orman Reef, about halfway between Thursday
Island and New Guinea. Her cargo consisted of Ingots of copper. These were
apparently thrown overboard as the vessel was driven over the reef. The natives
of Marbiac Island, diving for pearlshell in the vicinity, found the ingots,
which were taken to Thursday Island, and sold profitably. No one seemed to know
anything about the vessel, and the natives, an intelligent class generally,
could give no information. Evidently it was a ship passing through Torres
Straits, in the early days of last century.
On March 5, 1899, a frightful hurricane swept the vicinity or Cape Melville,
bringing disaster to 73 vessels and 302 men, Including seven Europeans. Amongst
these were Harold Arthur Outridge, a son of mine, and Alfred St. John Outridge,
a son of my brother (A. HI. Outridge), who was head teacher at New Farm State
School some time ago. The other white men who perished in that disaster were
Captain Robert Brown Murray, master of the Sagitta, Captain Edward Jefferson,
master of the Silvery Wave, also Robert Cameron, and John Henry Nicholas.
Then, of course, there was the Quetta disaster. This vessel was wrecked
In the vicinity of Thursday Island, on February 28, 1890. One hundred and thirty-eight
of her passengers mid crew wore lost and 150 were saved. But the history of
that tragic affair is well known. Numerous other wrecks occurred, but as the
sailing ships passing through the straits lessoned because of the spread of
steam, so the wrecks became fewer In number. Vessels even now get ashore
occasionally, but Thursday Island, having a powerful wireless installation, can
always receive SOS signals and arrange for assistance.
Mr Savages’s Recollections
Mr. Savage, now living in well-earned, peaceful retirement at his homo
at Eliza Street, Clayfield, was one of a party of officials which was sent to
Thursday Island along with the late Hon. John Douglas, who was appointed
Government Resident of the Island In 1885. "There were very few whiles on the
island then," said the ex-police veteran, talking with a representative of
the Telegraph. There were two stores, Burns Philp and Bennett's, and a shop run
by a Frenchman. Apart from officials (there were not many Europeans, but there
was a considerable coloured population on and around the Island. I was a sergeant
at the time of my appointment to the place, and was sent there to look after
police matters, which up till then had been under the control of the water
police, who also assisted the Customs. I afterwards was appointed sub-Inspector.
I asked the department to send two men to assist me, and they sent two really fine
fellows— Constables Conroy and Bain.
A Constable Murdered
Poor Conroy was killed by a coloured man after I left there when in the
execution of hid duty. He had a great influence amongst the coloured people,
and as I said, was a really good fellow. Bain left the force and started a
store, but took seriously ill some time afterwards, and coming to Brisbane for
treatment he died here. Speaking generally we had no trouble with the aliens.
Gambling, however, was very prevalent amongst them, though, and took some
watching.
Some Early Residents
Dr. A. E. Salter, a Sydney man, was the health officer when I was on the
island, and a very good man too. In fact, we were very fortunate in the officials
and others we found ourselves among at the old island. Mr. Douglas, of course,
was a statesman and a very fine gentleman. Mr. F. G. Symes, the first Sub-collector
of Customs, was in charge of that department there. Associated with him,
amongst others, were Messrs. McMah and Cullen. The latter was a son of Mr.
Cullen, the then Under Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. F. W. Raymentt, the first
to hold the position was in charge of the little school. In charge of the
garrison was Colonel Byron, who afterwards went to South Africa. He was a good
disciplinarian, and although somewhat reserved a really fine man. The late Mr.
George Cryle, afterwards well-known in Brisbane, was inspector of works for the
fortifications. In addition to the officials, some of whoso names I cannot now
recall, were some excellent business men, such as Mr. V. R. Bowden, the then manager
of Burns Philp's store. Mr. H Bowden, his brother, who was a sort of general agent,
Mr. P. J. Doyle, a commission agent, Mr. George Gummo, undertaker, now a big
lumber merchant in Cairns, and Mr. and Mrs,. T. McNulty of the Grand Hotel, also
Captain Allan Wilkie, senior pilot and harbour-master, Pilots Fawkes, Thompson,
and Reid, who afterwards was in charge of the Government steamer 'Albatross.'
Then, of course, we had the pearl-shellers. The outstanding man amongst these
was Mr. James Clark, who has made good in other pursuits as well of late years,
and. who is so well and favourably known in Brisbane.
The Quetta Wreck
"Yes, I was there when the Quetta was wrecked," said Mr.
Savage, in answer to a question. "I did not go out in the rescuing boat,
the Albatross, but I went out in her afterwards, and passed over the submerged
pinnacle on which the vessel struck, Captain Reid succeeded in locating the
wreck at the first cast of the lead, which showed some of the red paint from the
vessel's bottom, but we cruised around for half-an-hour, casting the lead from
time to time before we again got into touch with the hapless vessel. There was
a great depth of water all-around that isolated pinnacle, which, as you know,
was uncharted at the time the Quetta struck it.
Beauty of the Tropics
Although it is over 30 years since Mr. Savage left Thursday Island, he
is not forgetful of the scenic charms of the Island and its surroundings.
"I have been all over these islands," he said, as a parting word of
the questioning Pressmen. "When Mr. Douglas was unable to go, I made an
inspection of them on his behalf, and I saw their beauty. I wonder that they
were not become the resort of tourists long before this. The people of
Queensland apparently have not realised yet what wonderful attractions there
are in the islands of Torres Straits."
(To be continued on Saturday next).
