THE SHIP “ROCKHAMPTON”
by Fitroy 1920
There is little doubt that Premier Herbert, to whom Rockhampton people complained because the Persia had been sent to Gladstone Harbour instead of Keppel Bay, must have laughed up his sleeves at the speed with which the Emigration Agent in London was pouring immigrants into Rockhampton. The Utopia arrived in Keppel Bay on November 6, 1862, and on October 12, 1863 – in little more than eleven months – no fewer than five vessels had brought their living cargoes to the Central city, then very much in its infancy. The five ships were the Utopia, Beejapore, Hannah More (or her passengers), Saldanha, and the Rockhampton. The last four being from June 28, to October 17 inclusive – less than four months.
The ship Rockhampton, 1065 tons, Captain Joseph Brough, with Dr. A. Bouthron, as Surgeon Superintendent, sailed for Keppel Bay on June 18th, 1863, and cast anchor off Seaview Hill on October 12, a voyage that lasted 116 days, by no means a quick passage. There were about twenty deaths during the voyage of whom five died from diphtheria. Measles also occurred during the voyage but no case of contagious sickness having occurred for some time prior to her arrival. Dr. Callaghan did not place the vessel in quarantine.
This was just as well for many of the immigrants were in a dissatisfied, not to say rebellious, state of mind. As the writer has endeavoured to show, though passengers had plenty of annoyances, and almost invariably a shortage of proper food to complain of, once they were in sight of their new homes, they cast their sufferings behind them, and made up their minds to make the best of things. There was the proper spirit, of course though such cheerfulness by no means exonerated the authorities from their responsibilities.
The passengers of the Rockhampton complained bitterly of both the captain and the purser, attaching the blame for the poor supply of food and medical comforts to them, or to at least the latter. Possibly neither was to blame but those in authority in the London office. The accommodation in all parts of the vessel was very bad, and the ventilation quite inadequate.
The passengers left the ship on October 17 and were safely landed in Rockhampton. Before leaving the vessel they found a way of showing their resentment to the captain by calling for cheers for the chief officer, Mr. Christeaseu, and other officers, whom they cheered to the echo. As for the purser they groaned and hooted when cheers were called for him. Poor fellows no doubt it relieved their feelings a little and they will not be blamed by the many who suffered similarly.
“A good class of immigrants” was the general opinion of those who arrived by the Rockhampton. There were 134 English, 134 Scottish and 186 Irish, and in spite of the large number who had previously landed in Rockhampton, the new arrivals went off apace, though no doubt the current wages offered was less than the immigrants had been led to expect. Single girls, except in special cases were offered and accepted from 8s. to 10s. per week, whilst the single men were glad to receive £50 per year for station work, or £1 per week at other avocations.
The five vessels the writer has enumerated had distributed in excess of 2000 immigrants in Rockhampton and Central Queensland, and with the addition of those who had come to the district from vessels that had arrived at Brisbane and elsewhere, it will be clear that by Christmas Day 1863, the whole town and district was richly peopled with new chums from the old countries.
Passengers by the Rockhampton include some who are well known and a good number of those who were young are still living. The chief families that came within the cognisance of the writer by this ship were as follow:-
Peter and Mrs. Sellars and a young family, all of whom became well known in the town. The eldest son, Harry Sellars, has been stationmaster for many years at Melbourne-street, South Brisbane, and prior to that at Clermont and other towns. Mrs. W. Bennett was the eldest daughter, now of Sydney. R. R. Sellars, well known in connection with the Brisbane markets is another son, while George, William, and Arthur are dead. A daughter, Mrs. J. W. Jones still resides in Rockhampton.
A and Mrs. M’Celland and family consisting of several sons and two daughters. The sons included Ringan M’Clelland, as well known in the town and district as an alderman and member of the Livingstone Shire Council. He like most of the family have been dead some years, mainly through being heedless in preserving their health. The eldest daughter, Mrs. James Howe, was living when the writer last heard of her. Just the woman for pioneering and the last of her family – a good wife and estimable mother.
William and Mrs. Charlton and family. Their son William has been alderman of Rockhampton for many years and has occupied the Mayoral chair.
Robert Warnock, who married a shipmate, led a happy life, and left a numerous family.
Samuel and Mrs. M’Cullough and family.
Andrew and Mrs. Graham, a worthy couple who will be remembered as being the custodian of the Fire Brigade Station.
Mrs. Alexander Anderson; James and Mrs Nixon; William and Mrs Mill, long residents at Lake’s Creek. John and Mrs Banks and family, John lived to a great age, as did also James Nixon.