THE SHIP “EUTOPIA”
by Fitzroy 1920
In 1862 Rockhampton was honoured by having a ship specially sent to Keppel Bay, the Eutopia, 949 tons, Captain George Stewart. This vessel was not so large as most of the emigrant vessels, but she made a fairly good voyage. Her last port of call was Plymouth, which she left on July 23, 1862, and arrived at the anchorage off Seaview Hill, Keppel Bay, on November 6, of the same year. Most of the immigrants were English or Scotch, and the vessels were being declared free of disease by Dr.W. Callaghan, the health officer of Rockhampton, were brought to the town by the old Boomerang steamer, arriving at the wharf on November 11.
The new arrivals were taken from the steamer to a temporary depot and as there was a good demand for all kinds of labour the bulk of them were quickly absorbed, this being especially the case with single girls and single men, parents with young children being more difficult to place satisfactorily.
Some of the immigrants had been specially hired at home for station owners, and at less than the current rate of-wages. This fact was very annoying, and naturally there was some grumbling. It was afterwards decided by the law courts that an agreement made in Britain was not binding unless it was ratified on arrival in Queensland. This was a very popular decision, and placed new arrivals all on an equality and prevented discontent.
Though it is nearly sixty-three years since the arrival of the Eutopia, there are a few of its passengers still alive that the writer knows of, and no doubt others of whom he has no cognisance. Quite a large number prospered in Queensland and many of them attained to considerable distinction.
Among those believed to be still living at Mr. Comachan, of Kahie, who came out with his wife, and settling at Kabra, made a great success as a carrier as well as a farmer. Among his family are Messer. J.P. and John Conachan, the well-know dentist.
Mr. Duncan Macmillan, who came out with his parents and their family and served his apprenticeship in the “Morning Bulletin” office, and was subsequently an employee of the Government Printing Office. He retired some years ago on account of the age limit, and now lives at Cooparoo, Brisbane, One or two of his sisters are believed to be still living, but his parents died many years ago.
Mr. William Callaghan, so well-known in the town as a hotelkeeper and sports man owned many first class horses. As the best of the old “Belmore Arms” he was practically known to all Central Queensland. He eventually built the Palace Hotel and took up his residence in Sydney. He may still be living.
Among those on the Eutopia who did well and are known to be dead were the following:- William Black, grazier of Greenlake. He was the first, or one of the first to start lime burning. He owned some splendid limestone and did a tidy business for a long time. He has been dead some years. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bars who made money by hard work and economy, and a little speculation in house property. Both have been dead for a few years, though they reached old age. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Weldrum, the former started as a police constable in Rockhampton and by his capacity and good conduct rose to a first class inspector before he retired. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Boad, of the Agricultural Reserve. This hard working couple made money on the land by dairying and farming. They reared a large family who are still in the district. Both died at an advanced age, Richard himself having passed his eightieth year. , Mr. William Diamond, once a well known hotelkeeper at Duringa. Mr. AndMrs?. William Priddle. Mr and Mrs. James Rattenbary, were farming and carrying on the Agricultural Reserve for many years. Mr and Mrs M’Fadyean, Mr and Mrs Cairns. Mr and Mrs Yorke, Mr William Norton, Mr J. Pike, Mrs. Prior, Mrs Brewer, Mr C. Herrin, Mr Cummingham, and others. A number of those who died reached fourscore years and more, while other passed the allotted span. On the whole the arrival by the Eutopia proved rather an exceptionally desirable body of immigrants.