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THE SHIP “SALDANHA”

by Fitzroy 1920

This ship was sent direct to Keppel Bay, and she sailed from Greenock Scotland, on May 23, 1863. The Saldanha was a large vessel, being of 1862 tons register. Her master was Captain Dawson and Dr. Barry was the Surgeon-superintendent. She was onsigned to Messrs. Headrick and Livermore, and she made a fair passage, which occupied 106 days. She anchored in Kepel Bay on September 8.

Unfortunately, there was a good deal of sickness on board nearly all the voyage, scarlet fever and measles being rife, in addition to the customary ailments. The vessel brought 620 immigrants, and there had been a good many deaths during the voyage.

Dr. Callaghan, the Health Officer, placed the Saldanha in quarantine, but as no fresh water could be obtained conveniently on Curtis Island, it was decided that the passengers should be quarantined on the north bank of the River Fitzroy, near Brown’s Crossing. A fine lagoon of fresh water was at hand in that locality, and tents were soon erected to accommodate the new comers, and the schooner Policeman brought the voyagers to their temporary destination. This was an experience that by no means reached expectations but a plentiful supply off fresh provisions gave things a more cheering aspect.

This all fresco camp last fourteen days, at the end of which period probation was granted and the travellers were brought to town, nd glad enough they were to be once more near civilisation. They were soon lodged in the depot, the passengers by the Beejanore and Hannah More being pretty well cleared out.

A few days before the period of quarantine had expired an incident occurred that might have had a more distressing ending. Two Welshmen, both unable to speak English, took a little trip on their own, just strolling over a not very distant hill to see what was on the other side. When they tried to retrace their footsteps they quickly lost their bearings, and soon become hopelessly bushed. Information of the loss of these poor fellows was sent to town and the police ultimately found them after they had been lost three days, without food. They were placed in the Rockhampton lockup for security and probably no one was ever so pleased to be in the lockup as they were.

Perhaps none of the ships that came to Rockhampton from Britain left so many people in that town who became widely known in the community as the Saldanha, and this will be recognised when some of the families and individuals are named. Most of these have passed away, but there are still a few alive.

Mr. and Mrs. Boreham, with a large family of good-looking sons and daughters of a very English type. The parents after a few years stay in Rockhampton migrated to Bundaberg, where they died the mother being over eighty years of age. One of the daughters married Mr. E. R. Row, the well-known chemist and she is probably living in Bundaberg at the present time. One of the younger sons was Harold J. Boreham, chemist, who carried on the business of E. R. Row and Co, for himself and sister. He became a city alderman, and was of course quite a celebrity in town. Later he had a business in a northern town, still later was the Government chemist at Dunwich. The writer believes he is still living. There are many grandchildren and great grandchildren, descendant of the old couple.

The Thomasson family, who had big family, all of whom were well known in the town and include Samuel Thomasson who was Mayor of the Rockhampton in 1902; Thomas Thomasson, who is and has been for some years, a member of the Livingstone Shire ouncil; James Thomasson, the eldest son, a selector near Mount Hedlow, who in 1872 put the writer on to a short road to Cawarral. Other sons and daughter still living and grandchildren and great grandchildren are like the relatives of Sir Joseph Porter, K. O. B, can be reckoned up by dozens. The original Mrs. Thomasson, a virile and vigorous little lady, lived to a great age, possibly ninety.

W. G. K, and M. Cusack; brothers, the former first town clerk of Clermont and after wards Gold Warden and Police Magistrate at Ravenswood. Michael Cusack married Miss Canning and kept the Saleyards Hotel for some years. He died and his widow became Mrs. Dolan, and proprietor of the Boardmount Hotel. Mr. Dolan and daughter now live in Brisbane.

Mr. and Mrs M’Mullen and family. Their son Hugh amassed a considerable competency as a tinsmith. He was well known in musical circles. He has been dead some years. Another tinsmith by the Saldanha, James Cochrane, also acquired wealth. He was a great advocate of Emu Park in its early days, and daily discovered new beauties in the scenery when viewed from a different aspect.

George and Mrs. Bletcher, who reared a large family. For many years he kept in boot shop in East-street, and his happy smile and long beard will be remembered by many old residents. He gravitated to Brisbane and from there to Mackay, but never ceased to regret his good times in “Rocky,”. He had a large family.

Hugh and Mrs. Marqees who married shortly before leaving Ireland, and remained in Rockhampton till old age and death claimed them both. A fine old fellow who kept “the Melbourne” boarding house for many years and who’s chief worries were grumbling and desalting guests.

Thomas and Mrs. Marshall sad family, the parents best remembered as proprietors of the Commercial Hotel corner Quay and William streets, in the seventies. They afterwards built and kept the Calliungal Hotel, Mount Morgan. Both are dead, but a daughter is married to W. H. Jeffriess, a valued member of the “Morning Bulletin” mechanical staff.

The Holt-family, including the parents. There were several sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. William the oldest son, kept the Rockhampton Hotel for many years, and died in the west at Longreach.

Abraham and Mrs. Yates and family. The father will be best remembered as a master painter and contractor. Both reached a ripe old age, and their eldest son James died recently, aged sixty seven years. Richards, Peter, and Edward still live.

The Rankin family. The sons will be still remembered as bookmakers, with a shop in East-street, for a number of years. John, with wife and numerous family, migrated to New Zealand, but the old people and most of the other children are dead.

Patrick and Mrs. Waters. Patrick was a stonemason, bricklayer, and builder and his sons followed in his footsteps and achieved considerable success in that direction. The old people have passed away many years ago and some of the children, but there are some still alive.

Other families were the Woods who settled on Stoney Creek, near Mount Chalmers; the Hogans, father, mother and family who took up land at Mount Hedlow; the M’Gladderys, who settled at Westwood, but their descendants or some of them moved into town and else where; John and Mrs. Hatton, who lived in town and afterwards on a selection near Yaamba; John M’lean, of North Rockhampton.