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LOSS OF THE BRIGG "MARIA" RESCUED AT LAST

By:- Fitzroy

“THEY THAT SOW IN TEARS SHALL REAP IN JOY.”

After sixteen days, battling for life on sea and land suffering hunger, thirst and dreadful pain from savage attacks by blacks on an inhospitable shore, and with little hope of ever reaching civilisation again, how glad the cry “A boat, a boat has come for us. Thank God, saved at last.”

Early on the morning of February 26 the Maria crashed on to the Bramble beef; on February 29, early in the morning, after being tossed about in the sea like a piece of cork, the raft on which Ingham and seven other companions still remained, was driven ashore; and on March 12, that is, fifteen days and some hours after the wreck, word came to the almost dying castaways that rescue was at hand, a boat from the war vessel Basilick being seen approaching the shore.

It seems the strongest of the eight castaways during the days they were in the native village used to daily go to the shore to keen a lookout for any streamer that might be searching for them as they were certain strenuous efforts would be made by their friends to save them directly they knew of the wreck.

Early on the morning of the 12th the courageous and never tiring Forster with Phillips Haydon, and Siddell, were off to the shore on the lookout for a vessel. To their unspeakable joy they this time saw the Basilisk steaming slowly along a few miles from shore, evidently looking out for signals or evidences of whites being about.

At once these men set about lighting signal fires, which were promptly seen on the Basilisk. Captain Moresby at once had the Basilisk anchored and a boat lowered and manned, the Captain himself taking charge of the boat. All this could be plainly seen by the men on the shore, and Forster at once sent some blackfellows to the village to tell the others the joyful news.

About midday on Tuesday, March 12 a day never to be forgotten by those suffering but courageous castaways, a blackfellow came running into the camp shouting at the top of his voice, “White burra. White burra.” Ingham and Smith were too ill to take much notice of what the blackfellow was shouting, but presently along came Phillips, also in a great state of excitement, with the glad news that rescue was at hand.

“Hurrah lads,” Phillips exclaimed, “Hurrah, a boat has come ashore. Come along; we are saved at last,’

The glorious news put new life into the sufferers, and Ingham and Smith, who could not move a minute before got on their swollen legs ready to bobble off. Coyle, who was also in camp suffering terrible pain in his foot came hopping on one leg, and taking hold of Phillips, he cried in an imploring voice “Is it really true, Phillips; has a boat come for us?” “Yes it is quite true,” said Phillips, “Come along .”

The reaction caused by the good news was momentarily severe.

For sudden joys like grief’s, at first confound.

BRITISH STARS TO THE RESCUE

As quickly as possible the whole of the rescued men in the native village bobbled off to the shore, assisting each other as far as possible. They arrived at the beach just in time to see the blue jackets of dear Old England run their boat on the beach, and Captain Moresby promptly step on shore.

The poor fellows were dreadfully over come by the assurance that they were saved from a lingering and horrible death. They shook the genial captain’s hand again and again, and every man in the boat’s crew. Even the hardy sailors were quite overcome at the low condition of the shipwrecked men. The kindly blacks, too, were also deeply affected and undoubtedly were glad that the castaways were rescued by the man-of-war.

With much forethought Captain Moresby had brought a bottle of sherry on shore with him and each of the shipwrecked men was given a glass from the bottle. It tasted like nectar, and revived the men wonderfully.

As Captain Moresby desired to see the native village he was taken there by Forster, and the officer greatly admired the wonderfully clever manner in which the rain-proof huts had been constructed. The blacks that had been so kind to the shipwrecked men were all pointed out and subsequently presents were sent to them though these were not very appropriate.

Ingham, Smith, Coyle and Bardon were so bad that they had to be carried to the boat and the whole eight were cast ashore from the raft were taken to the man-of-war.

ON SHIP BOARD

Dr. Goodman, the Surgeon of the Basilisk, had been watching through a telescope what was being done on shore, and made preparation to receive the starving men on the ship. By the time they arrived at the vessel basins of beef-tea were ready for them, they swallowed the beef-tea with promptitude and then looked round to sea what was coming next. This hungry look caused the stewards to bring in roast beef and other viands. The sufferers promptly got ready for an onslaught on the good things, when Dr. Goodman luckily returned in time to stop them. “Good heavens,” explained the doctor, “You will kill the men if you feed them like this.” The dishes were all removed to the intense disgust of the ravenous men.

Each man had a warm bath, and then the doctor examined all the wounds. Ingham was in a dreadful state, and mortification had set in to the wound near the hip. The spears were not poisoned, but the impoverished state of the blood had caused all the wounds to fester badly. Coyle’s foot was also very had, and mortification had also set in so that Dr. Goodman was rightly named and under his care and skill the wounded men soon began to mend. In a day or two the more vigorous of the castaways were practically all right and the wounds of the others began to steadily improve.

Captain Moresby told the rescued men that he had received instructions from the Admiralty to follow the brig Maria to New Guinea and keeps a sharp lookout on her and those on board. The Basilisk had also encountered the monsoon and accompanying gale that had been so disastrous to the Maria and the war vessel had had a very trying time in weathering the storm.

The captain of the Basilisk had come to the conclusion that if the Maria had encountered the same storm which was almost certain she would very probably be lost. He accordingly kept a sharp lookout for wreckage or any evidence of the whereabouts of the brig and the adventurers on board of her. As the Basilisk was making her way south the little schooner Coquette from Cardwell was met and her skipper questioned, and then Captain Moreshy heard the dreadful news that the Maria had really been wrecked on Bramble Reef and a lot of men had gone off on rafts.

Captain Moresby then worked out as closely as possible the direction the current would carry the rafts and so ascertain where they were likely to strike the Queensland coast. He then started to look for the shipwrecked men in the locality he imagined they would be in. The accuracy of Captain Moresby’s calculations were proved by the fact that he found the castaways almost exactly where he expected they would be floated ashore. To Captain Moresby’s skill was therefore due the fact that the eight from the big raft were rescued alive. Indeed it was quite evident that some of them could not have lived more than a few days longer without medical aid and food.

Prior to the Basilisk cruising along the coast to the north after hearing of the wreck of the Maria. Captain Moresby had dispatched Lieutenant Mourilyan and a boat’s crew to search the coast to the north of Cardwell and south of the Johnstone River. This was the very locality the search was needed and fortunately the officer found those who reached the shore in the small boats, among those thus saved being Mr. Thomas Tate. The steamer Tinonee also engaged in the search and steamed to the wreck but those left on the yard had disappeared.

SMALLER RAFT AND BOATS

Soon after the eight men were safely installed on board the war vessel Lieutenant Mourilyan returned to the Basilisk with the shipwrecked men he had found. Lieutenant Mourilyan also announced the discovery of Mourilyan Harbour, which was named after him. He had found two dead bodies, with all the clothes stolen except the boots. He brought one of the bodies on board, and it proved to be the leader of the mining party. The bodies of most of the others on the small craft were found by Sub-Inspector Johnstone and his Native Troopers.

AMONG THE CANNIBALS

Search was also made at Tam O’Shanter Point, further to the south, for Captain Stratman and his boat’s crew. The unfortunate fellows undoubtedly fell among about the worst tribe of aborigines on the coast, for Captain Stratman whose skull, was found and recognised by his artificial teeth had certainly been killed and eaten, and presumable those with him

Most of the saved men had no doubt but the captain had deserted the Maria and her helpless passengers, and if so it was a dreadful fate to so soon overtake them. It is quite possible he really had gone for help, but if that was his intention he should have sent one of the mates and stood by the shipwrecked men to help them by his advice and assistance.

Sub-inspector Johnstone was soon on the scene of these murders, and in the dilly-bags in a native hut he found pieces of partly roasted human flesh.

A THANKS GIVING SERVICE.

The Basilisk took all the rescued men to Cardwell still a little south of Tam O’Shanter Point and then the news of the finding of some of the shipwrecked people was wired to all parts of Australia.

The Queensland Government agreed to allow the S.S, Governor Black all to take the rescued men to Sydney, if the expenses were paid, and this being gladly agreed to the rescued men were in due course dispatched to the southern capital.

Before leaving Cardwell a most impressive Thanksgiving Service was held at which a large number from the war vessel, many residents of Cardwell, and the rescued men attended.

Captain Moresby attended the gathering and delivered a suitable and feeling address, while the castaways specially offered up sincere and grateful thanks to the Almighty for their deliverance from a horrible fate. Captain Moresby had a trained choir on the Basilisk, and those comprising the choir were present and joined in the service. Among the sacred numbers rendered was “Pilgrims of the Night,” which was so thrilling and harmonious that not only those who had been spared from shipwreck and death were greatly moved, but all of the large attendance.

The kindness shown to the shipwrecked eight by the friendly natives so pleased Captain Moresby that he sent presents of professions and other things on shore there, but not a native could be found and the gifts were left in the huts. It is surmised that Sub-inspector Johnstone and his troopers had been in the neighbourhood, and their appearance was sufficient to cause the blacks to at once hasten away.

Among the gifts were tins of preserved meat, biscuits (ships) and blankets. It was afterwards reported that the blacks trundled the biscuits along the beach as playthings. The tins with the meat were taken away but the contents thrown on the beach. The blankets if the right aborigines got them, would be recognised as a reward for their kindness to the helpless whites.

PUNISHING THE GUILTY

It was impossible for Sub-inspector Johnstone to recognise the cannibals and unfriendly natives from the kindly one, and possibly some of the last named suffered for the offences of the guilty. Any black found with any of the clothing from the whites was regarded as guilty and punished accordingly.

The big blackfellow who had tried to kill Tom Ingham and had wounded him several times with his spear, was caught. He fought desperately but was eventually killed. He had decorated his head with Inghams’s coloured elastic on cricketer’s belt and this marked him as one of those who had attacked the white. The belt was returned to Ingham, who cherished it all his life as a moments of the terrible fortnight he spent among the black savages of North Queensland.

BACK IN SYDNEY

The men were rescued on March 12, but it was not till March 28, that the poor fellows arrived in Sydney. They had been away only about two months, but it seemed a lifetime. During the voyage down the coast most of the men improved greatly in health and strength. Poor Bardon, who was an old man, was an exception, and on arrival in Sydney he had to be taken to the Infirmary where he died within a week thoroughly worn out by the privations he had endured.

Directly Mr. Ingham arrived in Sydney he called a cab and drove straight to Carpenter’s pie-stall. Mrs. Carpenter was there, and Ingham said: “Mrs. Carpenter, when cast away in North Queensland, I promised that if ever I got back to dear old Sydney again I would go straight to your pie-stall and get a dozen pies. I said that at a time I never expected to be here again, but I am here once more, and I want a dozen pies. I have not a cent to pay for them but if ever I get the money you shall be paid.” Mrs. Carpenter, who of course, knew all about the shipwreck and the dreadful fate of some of the adventurer, said most heartily; “You are quite welcome to a dozen pies without payment,” and she gave them to him. Ingham told the writer: “I believe I ate ten of them”.

A Thanksgiving Service was held in St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney at which most of the rescued men attended. Ingham was so weak that he fainted away during the service.

It appears that many of the shipwreck men developed malarial fever after arrival in Sydney. Ingham was among those who contracted the complaint, and had it very severely. When he recovered, strange to say, his hair which had originally been a fiery red, turned to a light brown, which it remained ever after. He was always subject to light attacks of the malarial fever.

BACK TO THE NORTH AGAIN

At the end of the following year (1873) the Palmer goldfield was opened and the attention of all Australia was once more drawn to North Queensland. Special steamers were laid on to Cooktown, which was opened as a port nearest to the diggings, and a big rush set in. Tom Ingham once more got the gold fever, and started for the north but this time he was wise enough to stick to his profession, and he opened a chemist’s shop at Oakey Creek. He did very well, for sickness was rampant, and food scarce and poor.

Towards the end of 1875 Ingham was tired of the Palmer and wished to get back to Sydney once more. One day Dr. Jack Hamilton was in his shop probably for drugs, as Hamilton was practising at the time. Ingham told Dr. Hamilton he wanted to clear out if he could sell his business. Hamilton said, “I will give you a pound weight of gold for the whole concern” Done said, Ingham, “It is yours,” and the chemist’s business changed hands at once.

A STRANGE DREAM

Ingham started off without delay, and on arrival in Cooktown he booked a passage by the steamer Western for Sydney. However he had a mate who was also returning to Sydney but while in Cooktown this mate had a dream that the vessel was wrecked, and he declined to sail in the same steamer with Ingham.

“What nonsense said Ingham and catching hold of his friend’s arm, he started to drag him off to the steamer half in fun, and half in earnest. Ingham’s friend called the police and told them Ingham was trying to kidnap him. Consequently Ingham had to leave his mate behind.

Strangely enough the Western had a very rough passage south, and was so damaged in Whitesunday Passage that she anchored for shelter under No. 1 Island in the Pery Group. Finally the damaged Western put into Rockhampton and meeting old friends (Mr. W. K. Higson), Ingham to induced to became a resident. As many people know, he had a chemist shop in William Street for a long period, finally selling to Mr. E. N. Symons, who still owns the business.

Before settling down in Rockhampton, Mr. Ingham went down to Sydney and married his sweetheart, and then returned to Rockhampton.

There is little doubt but the hardships endured on the north post among blacks really impaired a fine vigorous constitution, for Ingham died in Brisbane about seven years ago, and now lies in Lutwyche cemetery. Since then his widow died in Sydney, but he is survived by four children, while his eldest son, Thomas, was lost in the steamer Llewellyn, Captain Holloway.

MR.EDWARD SIDDELL

Mr. Edward Siddell, who was one of the eight rescued by Captain Moresby came to Rockhampton after he had thoroughly recovered. He had been in this district prior to the Maria expedition and was employed for a time on Cullin-In-Ringo Station, by Mr. Wills. After the wreck he married and settled in Rockhampton, but died some years ago. Leaving a widow and family, the eldest of whom is Mrs. James Ryan.

It is probable that when Siddell and his mate were away with the blacks they had little hope of escape. He had a silver watch, and this he broke up on the beach and scratched on the inside of the case. “March Edward Siddell, John Bardon, wrecked Maria,” Mr Tate states that he found the wheels and other parts of the watch on the ground in the camp and afterwards picked up the other half of the case with inscription. Tate gave this to Mrs. Ryan, in memory of her father when in dreadful straits.

Mrs. Siddell still remains in Rockhampton with her family, but no doubt is glad to forget the horrors her husband suffered whilst among the blacks.

MR.THOMAS TATE

Mr. Thomas Tate, of Peterson street West Rockhampton is probably the only one alive of the ill fated Maria expedition. He is now eighty two years of age and enjoys fairly good health. Mr. Tate was one of the organisers and officers of the New Guinea Prospecting Expedition and was one of those who escaped from the wreck of the Maria in one of the boats. He has published his experiences of that dreadful period on one or two occasions, but luckily he missed some of the horrors experienced by those from the big raft, and the terrible fate of those on the smaller one.

Mr. Tate presumably was one of the few men shipwrecked from the Maria who got back to Sydney without undergoing a good deal of suffering. Soon after, according to particulars published by the late Mr. W. A Traill, Mr. Tate joined the William Hann expedition which explored the country about the head waters of the Mitchell River and its tributaries, which include the Palmer River. This expedition consisted of Mr. William Hann, the leader; Mr Taylor, geologist; Dr. T. Tate, botanist; Mr. F. Warner, surveyor and draftsman; two white men and a blackboy.

River and Customs House Rockhampton 1900

The expedition started from Fosslbrook Station, about sixty or seventy miles south-west of Herberton, on the Lynd River, so named by Leichardt, and striking north, crossed and named successively the Tate, the Walsh, and the Palmer, all of which are tributaries of the Mitchell. Thence the expedition proceeded to Princess Charlotte Bay then up the Normanby River till the Endeavour River was reached. Still pushing on south the Bloomfield River was reached, which neighbourhood abounded in dense tropical scrubs, with noble cedar trees. They were compelled to avoid the scrub to turn to the west towards the Palmer River, and then back to Fosslbrook Station. A little gold was found, but Mr Hann reported very cautiously about such discoveries. The expedition was out five months during which the members suffered great hardships of various descriptions, including a desperate fight with a strong array of blacks. The following year Mr. J. V. Mulligan and three mates discovered rich gold in the vicinity of Harris exploration and so opened the celebrated Palmer goldfield.

After the Harris expedition Mr. Tate joined the services of the Department of Public Instruction, and after thirty nine years in the educational profession he retired in 1913. Some time later he took up his residence in Rockhampton, where he enjoys a well earned rest after a strenuous and useful life. Thus three of the thirty five saved from the wreck of the Maria made Rockhampton their home.

OTHER MEN RESCUED

On his return to Sydney in March 1872. W.T. Forster was admitted to the legal profession as a solicitor and afterwards practised this profession in Perth, Western Australia. About twenty years ago, when Tom Ingham’s story was first published he got a copy and wrote to Ingham assuring him he was still alive and also gave him some particulars of others who then survived. Whether Forster is alive or dead is not known definitely by the writer.

Lawrence Coyle went to South America and is believed to have died in that country.

Peter Haydon who also got a bad attack of malarial fever, and a somewhat similar experience to Ingham in that his hair turned white.

S.G. Pegus, was afterwards a gold warden on the Palmer Goldfield and was stationed at Maytown, where he died many years ago.

About twenty years ago Messer Lawrence Hargrave, Barclay (who was in one of the boats) and Howerft (also in one of the boats) were living in Sydney.

Mr. Forster reported that he had seen Mr. Higham one of the saved, in Western Australia.

CAPTAIN MORESBY

Having placed the rescued men from the malaria on the Governor Blackall steamer, Captain Moresby proceeded to New Guinea where he discovered Port Moresby. He also hoisted the Union Jack and officially claimed all of New Guinea not claimed by the Dutch. The British Government however said they wanted no more huge colonies and subsequently Germany annexed all of New Guinea except Papua and western portion claimed by the Dutch. German New Guinea is now owned by the Commonwealth under the mandate arranged after the Great War.

Captain Moresby was afterwards promoted to the rank of Admiral.

FINAL REMARKS

The story of the wreck of the brig Maria, with her sturdy hand of adventurers on board, has been briefly written and told on several occasions during the fifty-two years since it occurred, and one may be certain so wonderful narrative will not be forgotten away. It abounds in thrilling incidence and tough tragedy permeates from begging to the end there are at least gleams of comedy showing on occasion.

When Tom Ingham visited England via Chicago at the time of the World Exhibition he gave a lecture on the “Wreck of the Maria” in his hometown. The audience was spellbound as from the platform he poured out his graphic and absorbing story. In Brisbane shortly before his death he was induced to lecture on the subject for a charitable institution, but the memory of that dreadful period, brought to mind so vividly, proved too much for him and he was quite overcome. He never fully recovered his usual vivacity and bonhomie, dying somewhat suddenly a short time afterwards.

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