THE SHIP “ROYAL DANE”
by Fitzroy 1920
Of all the ships on the line for the conveyance of passengers from Great Britain to Queensland none exceeded in popularity the Royal Dane, so named in compliment to Alexandra, Princess of Wales. She came three or four times to Rockhampton and a few times to Brisbane. Her master, Captain Lewis Davies, was a very popular skipper. The vessel was about the usual tonnage, and she brought 540 passengers on her initial trip. The Surgeon superintendent was Dr. E. R. Hodgkinson, and the Matron Mrs. Edwards, a sister Sir John Macartney.
Immigration Ship Life
The Royal Dane sailed from London on April 23, 1865, and, after a fine passage of ninety three days, dropped anchor in Keppel Bay on July 25. This ship also had an epidemic of measles during the voyage, and several deaths occurred from that disease. In all there were thirty two deaths during the voyage. One woman died just as the anchor was dropped, and she was buried on Curtis Island. As it happened, there had been no fresh cases of measles for some days prior to casting anchor, which meant that the vessel had to be in quarantine for only a few days. Pratique was granted on August 2, and the following day the steamer Leichhardt brought 401 of the immigrants to Rockhampton.
The new comers were glad enough to be on shore, and they were promptly well fed and taken to the depot. The passengers were a superior class, and English largely predominated.
A young man among the passengers was M. Wilbraham who had come out see what sort of a land sunny Queensland was for himself. He evidently intended to go in for squatting pursuits, and was induced to join in partnership with Messrs, Robert Rose Beddom, and W. Palmer, who then owned Cawarral Station. Soon after he selected Zilzie, an estate that extended from Emu Park to Cawarral Creek, with a frontage of about six miles to Keppel Bay. Mr. Wilbraham had evidently been in the British army, and on his recall to England to become Queen’s Messenger, he left Zilzie in charge of Lieutenant Colonel Armitage. Mr. Wilbraham married Miss Jardine, eldest daughter of John Jardine, a well known Police Magistrate and Gold Warden of the early days. Mr. Wilbraham attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel , and, returning to Rockhampton many years ago, disposed of Zilzie, which is now the property of Mr. C. H. Humphreys. Wilbraham has been dead many years.
Other well known passengers were Charles and Mrs. Hitchcock. Among positions of trust that Hitchock held was that of clerk of the Goganago Divisional Board, which he retained for several years. Subsequently he departed for Brisbane. Where he died some years ago but at least one son lives in the Rockhampton district.
J. W. and Mrs. Power, who kept a general store in William street, and, shifting later to Yeppoon, the business became quite an institution in that thriving town. Mrs. Power is dead but the writer thinks J.W. is still in the land of the living. He hopes so at all events.
W. and Mrs. Wright, who kept a fruit and fancy goods shop in East-street opposite the Criterion House, for many years. They are both dead, but left children and grand children, who are no doubt still in the town or district.
Miss Elizabeth Fryer, from Yorkshire who a year or two later married William Kay Hingson, the well known Rockhampton business man, alderman, and Parliamentarian. Mrs. Higson, after a long life of usefulness, died on August 13, aged 84.
Miss Kezia Seymour, in charge of friends from Devonshire, married J. T. S. Bird, and died seven years ago.
The young lady who became Mrs. Con. Hourigan, and the lady who married Henry Hart.
A rather curious incident is connection with the Royal Dane’s frequent trips to Queensland was related to the writer. At a casual meeting of four ladies at some function some years ago it was found that all four had come to Queensland by that ship, each on separate occasions.