LOSS OF THE BRIG “MARIA” By:- Fitzroy
THE WRECK
When the writer came to Australia in 1863, he heard frequent references to the awful wreck of the British ship Duncan Dunbar, who emigrate from Greek Britain, in 1858. In stormy weather the captain was supposed to have mistaken South Head, Sydney, for the North head, and so during the night the doomed vessel crashed into the rocks at The Gap Island instead of entering the Sydney Harbour. All hands were drowned with the exception of one man, named Jonathon, who was miraculously saved by a huge wave carrying him up the face of the perpendicular rocks and leaving him on a lodge. No other wave subsequently rose so high, or he would have been washed off again. In the morning people were early looking for the expected vessel, and some one spied the man some 220 ft below. His position was perilous in the extreme. But brave men obtained the necessary ropes, and one with a stout heart and cool head was let down to the unfortunate man, who was then tied to the rope, hauled up the face of the rocks, and his life saved. Surely a miracle if ever there was one! Jonathon was subsequently employed in the customs and was sent to Rockhampton soon after. This appalling wreck was remembered in Sydney – and Australia for that matter – for many decades.
Subsequent wrecks occurring on the eastern coast of Australia, the one that caused the greatest concern in Queensland was in 1860 when the steamer Cawarra left Sydney for Brisbane with a lot of passengers and was never heard of again. Apparently also foundered at sea, during a hurricane that occurred soon after leaving her port, and not a soul was saved. Along those drowned was Mr. A. G. Machefer, cordial manufacturer, of Rockhampton who after a trip to Sydney, was hastening home to his wife and family.
Another steamer that used to trade to Rockhampton was the Australian Star, and she, too, about that time was lost at sea and no tidings obtained of her.
A wreck that caused great consternation in Australia was that of the brig Maria, crowded with young adventurers bound for New Guinea, in those days (1872) supposed to be the land of gold and promise. This terrible disaster the writer proposes to re-tell for contains features absorbing interest, wonderful escapes, and almost unspeakable hardships. It was a terrible adventure, for out of a crew and passenger list of over seventy, thirty five or thirty six were either drowned or murdered by the blacks. THE LATE MR. TOM INGHAM
Among the adventurers on the Maria was Mr. Thomas Ingham, so long and favourably known in Rockhampton and Brisbane, as a prominent chemist and also in connection with the distillation of eucalyptus spirit. Mr. Ingham was one of those who was almost miraculously saved, and after sufferings and hardships enough to break down the strongest man, lived to apparently recover his health. It is largely his story that is to be told, at least of happenings after the Maria was wrecked and till the rescued men were got safely back to civilisation.
Mr. Ingham was visited at his home on the Range, over twenty years ago and while he poured out his story in the most dramatic manner to the writer. It was being taken down in shorthand at a side table. He went all through the corridors again, and at times he was worked up to a great state of excitement. Evidently the whole dreadful story was indelibly imprinted on his brain.
It will be easily understood that every member of that passenger list and crew who was saved had his own separate narrative to tell, and in his own way. The omission of incidents that occurred to others in no way impugns the strict accuracy of Mr. Ingham’s tale. Mr. Thomas Tate, of West Rockhampton is one of the few living who undertook that memorable voyage. PREPARATIONS FOR THE VOYAGE
In order to fully realise the feelings that existed throughout Australia about New Guinea in 1871, it must be remember that for twenty years goldfields, some of them fabulously rich, had been opening up in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. Most of these fields possessed alluvial gold, which in some cases could be obtained without a great deal of technical experience and quickly. That was always the incentive – to get rich quickly.
Practically all who had ever visited the southern coast of New Guinea had given glowing word pictures of the wonderful rivers, fertile lands, and magnificent and valuable timber to be found wherever they had been. Gold had been found among the sands of the Fly River though only in tine particles which inflamed the minds of the imaginative till they were certain the heavy gold would quickly be found in the highlands and mountains. Further, eminent geologist had declared that New Guinea was a likely place for gold in great quantities to be found – and quite possibly he may have been correct though all that has been found hitherto scarcely supports that idea.
With all these extravagant ideas about the then but little known New Guinea, an association was formed in Sydney in 1871 named the new Guinea Prospecting Association consisting of about seventy persons all young and eager for adventures. This association proposed to buy a suitable vessel, proceed to New Guinea, form a settlement near the coast and give the rivers and creaks in the highlands a thorough prospecting.
Having arrived at what should be done these members were eager to lose no time in getting away. Most of the members had at least some capital and many of them had a fair knowledge of mining. The outlook was bright and so eager were the associated adventurers to make a start that too little attention was given to the vessel they purchased and its officers and crew.
The result was that the party purchased the small brig “Maria” of 167 tons. She had been built in America some time in the dim past and had been engaged in the coal trade from New castle to Sydney. She was certainly very old and not suited for such an expedition as she was purchased for. However, everyone was eager to be away and all haste was made in preparing the Maria for sea. START FOR EL DORADO
These sanguine voyagers, who saw nothing, but speedy fortune and grand adventures before them, rushed things along and on Thursday, January 25, 1872 the Maria sailed from Sydney Harbour on what was destined to be her last voyage.
To those on board the distance to New Guinea seemed so short that there was not a doubt but a week or two would see them all safe ashore at New Guinea, the El Dorado they were so eager to reach. Among those on board were a good many well connected including W. T. Foster, a son of the then Agent General for New South Wales, also a son of Mr. Justice Hargrave, and others. It is easy to understand that this expedition had caused more than a little excitement in Sydney and probably owing to the extravagant talk of some of them forming the party the Government got the idea that it was intended to be a sort of filibustering expedition. Therefore before the Maria was allowed her clearance the authorities exacted an assurance from some of the leaders of the party that there was no intention whatever to do anything not recognised by the law. The authorities were further told that the intention was to prospect New Guinea for gold and to open up a legitimate trade in other ways.
In spite of these assurance the Government asked Captain Moresby of H.M.S. Basilisk, which was under orders for New Guinea to keep an eye on the movement of the Maria and her well-armed passengers. This was not known to the adventurers till later.
The Maria sailed for the Fly River which up to that period was one of the best known parts of New Guinea. No sooner was the Maria clears of the Sydney Heads than it was found she leaked very freely. This did not deter the voyagers in the slightest as those on board willingly took a hand of the pumps and the vessel was pumped out every day.
Then followed a period of daily expectation, not unmixed with anxiety, for the Maria did not make the progress expected. On February 14 the captain hinted they had reached Torres Straits and expected they would sight the coast of New Guinea next day. Some of the men fancied they could see the islands off the coast. CAUGHT IN A MONSOON
Whether this was the case or not cannot be said for certain but anyway they were not to see New Guinea. During the day the Maria was caught in a north-north-west monsoon, and one of her yards snapped out and fell among crowd of men on the deck. Wonderfully they all escaped injury. The wind blew with great force, and the Maria rolled and strained to a dreadful way.
This pitching and rolling caused the deck timbers to open and the water which rushed on board poured through the cracks like a sieve. There was great consternation and the pumps had to be manned and kept constantly going. The sea continued to dash over the unfortunate vessel and everything moveable on deck was carried away. As night approached the Maria seemed helpless the captain was asked what he intended to do to which he replied “Run before the wind” This he continued to do and for two days the pumps were kept constantly going, the gale meanwhile become worse.
By February 17, the situation was so dreadful that most of these hopeful voyagers would have been glad to be put ashore anywhere. They evidently pestered the captain (a German named Stratman) as to their whereabout for he told them he would try to get under the lee of the Ned Hebrides, Solomon Islands, or New Caledonia. Hinchinbrook Island
The gale continued but on February 25 it moderated a little and the Barrier Reef could be seen. The captain said he thought he could make Cleveland Bay as he knew several passages through the reef.
A man was sent to the masthead to keep a look out and every now and then he would shout “Breakers on the port bow” “breakers on the starboard bow,” as the case might be. The derided Maria was dodging about in great style to avoid these obstacles, and wonder is that she missed so many of them.
But the end was near, for about two o’clock in the morning of February 26, the look out man shouted. “Reef close under the lee bow!” WRECKED ON BRAMBLE REEF
The warning came too late for almost immediately the Maria struck the reef heavily. At first there was a kind of jerk, then a grating sound, followed by a loud crush from below and there was the buffeted Maria hard and fast on the Bramble Reef.
Tom Ingham was one of the men at the pumps at the time, most the others being below. They rushed on deck, however, and reported that the bottom of the vessel had bulged right in, and the reef was showing through the bottom.
There was great consternation and confusion, for everyone recognised the Maria would never float again and how they were to get ashore was the problem.
In the midst of this perplexing trouble the captain said he wanted six good oarsmen, as he would go to Cleveland Bay for assistance. He said Cleveland Bay was only a few miles away. He quickly got six volunteers, and getting the best boat afloat the gallant men headed the boat for the mainland.
Soon after the mate, Sonmichson came on deck, and said, “Where is the Captain.” He was told he had taken a boat and gone to Cleveland Bay to get help.
“Cleveland Bay be hanged,” said Sonmichson, “he has deserted us,” No one, till this expression of opinion had doubted that the captain had acted in the best interests of the unfortunate people left at the mercy of the waves.
The mate in a fit of and rage ran below and got a rifle and, returning to the deck, fired several shots after the disappearing boat. However, a boat disappearing on the waves was a poor mark, particularly at a distance, and apparently no one was hurt. EFFORTS TO GET ASTTORE
Fortunately though the captain had gone, there were men on board of both courage and resource, and in times of danger such men always come to the front. It was pretty evident the Maria might break up at any time, and all attention was quickly given to what means there were for getting ashore, which all knew was not very distant through it could not be seen from the dark.
There were still two small boats left; but they had been so knocked about in the storm that both leaked. They were got into the water and some men jumped into them. The boats would only hold about a score, and so it was resolved to build a raft. This was accordingly done. Two booms were obtained and two companion ladders fixed to them crosswise. Then hardwood planks were placed across, till a raft about 10 ft. square and 3 ft in depth was completed. Some parts were fastened with nails and some with ropes, and when the job was finished the raft was thrown overboard and made fast to the wrecked ship by a rope.
Still more rafts were needed, and a second one was immediately started. This time it was decided to build of lighter material than the first one, and pine only was used - forms, timber from the bunks, and so on, being availed of. This raft was about 8.ft square and about 3 ft. deep. It was also got afloat and such articles as were available were got on board.
There was no intention of leaving the wreck till they were compelled, but the adventurers had wisely made all the preparations they could. There were some men who had confidence in the captain and thought he might return from Townsville with assistance at any time.
Just as the second raft was finished the day broke, and the voyagers could the more fully recognise the desperate position they were in. Still great confusion prevailed. Some men were working others praying and some were drinking spirit. It was recognised that the worst was sure to follow, and Tom Ingham and his mates decided it would be wise to get on one of the rafts as in case of the sudden breaking up of the Maria, there was sure to be a rush for the two little boats. Suddenly it was seen that the two boats were afloat, two men in one and four in the other. Forester and Coyle, who were two strong big men, and remarkably cool, were looked on as leaders. All hands got something to take away. Tom Ingham got a couple of woollen guernseys. One of Ingham’s mates, Tom Hartley, went below to get something and as he disappeared the Maria began to sink.
The prevailing confusion became greater, and men were rushing for the rafts. Ingham’s friends had got on the smaller raft. The rafts were moving off, and they could only be reached by swimming. Ingham was unable to swim a stroke and there was the raft apparently moving off, and Maria sinking beneath his feet. Ingham’s mates yelled, “come on, Tom!” Ingham taking in the desperate situation made a tremendous dive from the disappearing side of the Maria. The force of the dive carried him near enough of the raft for someone to grab him, when rose to the surface, and he was hauled onboard. The next fear was that the raft would be sucked down with the disappearing vessel, but, fortunately, someone had a tomahawk, and he cut the straining rope and the raft floated off. Ingham took one glance back only to see. Tom Hartley coming out of the companion, when the heavy inflow of water forced him back, and the unfortunate man went down with the ill fated Maria, which suddenly slipped into deep water, no part of her remaining out of the water, but one yard. With the shrieks of the drowning in their ears and ghastly remembrance of what had happened, the raft floated off whither the current took them – to north west. Tough hardly so desperate as the ship wreck described by Byron, his immortal words not inaptly described the scene – “There rose from sea to sky the wild farewell; then shook the timid and stood still the brave; and some leapt overboard with dreadful yell, as though eager to anticipate their grave.”
AFLOAT ON THE RAFTS
Those on the rafts had no means of guiding or managing the frail structures so they were quite at the mercy of the wind and current. As the rafts floated off, rolling and rising and sinking in a sickening manner, the men holding on with might and main to prevent themselves from slipping, into the turbulent sea, they cast their eyes back to see how their shipmates left in the water were getting on.
Bad as it was on the rickety rafts it was infinitely worse when the Maria had disappeared. Men were struggling to keep afloat and some of them shrieking for help. The men in the two boats already referred to, went back and picked up some of those in dreadful difficulties, while the second mate, Mr. Andrews, was swimming round helping the men on to the yard of the Maria that was showing above water.
To those on the rafts it did not appear that many got into the boat, but were known subsequently that twenty eight were in the two, all of whom were ultimately saved.
Those left clinging to the yard might have had a chance also had the captain remained with the largest boat, but though they clung desperately to the yard, it was only a question of exhaustation till the poor fellows dropped off one by one till none were left. When the S.S. Tinone came a week later there were no signs of any men.
It was on February 26, 1872, that the Maria sank.
All accounts do not quite agree as to the number on the Maria , but it was not more than seventy five or less than seventy one. Probably the larger number in the nearer correct. The way the passengers and crew were divided up at the time of leaving the wreck was about as follows:- Captain’s boat 7; two other boats, 28; large raft 13; small raft, 12; left on ship’s yard, 12; drowned (Tom Bartey), 1; total 73. Ingham, Forster, Coyle, Hayden, Phillips, Smith, Tanner, Grant, Morris, Haselbrook, Taylor, Bardon, and Siddell, were on the larger raft. Captain’s boat had apparently gone due west, and the smaller boats had also taken a westerly course.
The larger raft not being so much in the wind as the smaller one, drifted more northerly than the smaller one, which accounts for the first-named reaching the shore farther west to the north. A TERRIBLE MISCHANCE
As shown on what small matters the fate of people sometimes hang, it should be stated that Taylor, who was the look-out man on the Maria when she struck had seen land in the offing which he believed to be Hinchinbrook Island – it really was that island – which he had seen before. Now had Taylor been in the captain’s boat he would have definitely recognized the island when they drew closer, and Captain Stratman, had he known where he was, could have got to Cardwell in a few hours, obtained help, and nearly all might have been saved. THE LARGER RAFT
It is largely with the fortunes of these on the larger raft that this story has to deal. The wind had dropped a little when the rafts floated away. The larger raft was so heavily built that those on it caused it to sink nearly a couple of feet in the water. With thirteen on board a raft 10 ft, by 10 ft the size of the structure, they were somewhat cramped for room, and as the two rafts began to draw apart, a man named Grant tried to swim from the big raft to the other. On the way he suddenly gave a loud yell and sank never rising again. It was supposed he was taken by a shark, which was far from comforting to those with such an insecure footing.
The rafts drew further and further apart. None of the boats or rafts apparently had either food or water, but one man had a biscuit on Ingham’s raft which was shared all round. The wind began to increase in strength and the sea rose in response, making the position on the raft still more difficult. At first the men lashed themselves to the structure, but fearing it might turn turtle that plan was desisted from fearing the men might be drowned.
On the next day (February 27) land would be plainly seen from the big raft about six miles away, but try as they would they could get no nearer. The materials forming the raft were beginning to get less and portions were floating away. A Frenchman named Morris dived underneath and managed to tighten the ropes a little but pieces still continued to disappear.
That night Taylor became delirious and the other tried to cheer him up, but the raft capsized and Taylor was seen no more. Haselbrook, a German, who was tied on, was pulled on to the raft again, but was apparently dead. Ingham was sitting in the water next to Percy Tanner, a reporter on the “Sydney Morning Herald” He had lately come in for a fortune and had joined the Maria purely for an adventure. He said to Ingham, “I am going to lie down,” to which Ingham replied, “So am I.” They both did so, and just then the raft capsized, and Tanner was never seen again. Ingham grabbed hold of the ladder and climbed it, as it were, till his head arose above the water, when someone hauled him on board. Soon after the raft capsized again, and Haselbrook’s body floated away. Morris after this capsizes started to swim for the shore, and it is supposed was drowned or taken by a shark.
The second time the raft capsized Ingham swallowed a lot of water and began to lose his senses, but he kept firm hold of the ladder the whole time. POSITION BECOMES WORSE
Already the big raft had lost Grant, Tanner, Taylor, Haselbrook, and Morris and Ingham was on the verge of delirium. He said: “I had a series of night mares, which are vividly impressed on my memory. I distinctly remember the raft going over several times, and I came up all right on each occasions. I was told the raft went over seven times. On the fourth occasion, I think it was, I imagined I was standing near the Redfern Railway Station, Sydney, and I saw a five-barred gate coming towards me. I fancied I should be drowned if I did not get hold of the gate, and as it came towards me I caught it. I hung on and went along with it. I imagined there was a lot of water rushing about but I drifted along on the gate till I came to a small hole where the railway people shot the coal. Strange to say the five-barred gate rushed into this hole, and I with it and came out on the other side. My arms were nearly jerked out of their sockets, but I held on, and once more our raft was righted.
“The next thing I imagined”, continued Ingham, “was that I was standing on the side of the hill between St. Mary’s Cathedral and Hyde Park, Sydney, when I saw an omnibus coming along. All at once the bus toppled over into the gutter, and was being carried away by the stream. I hung on to the bus like grim death and was carried down the gutter to Woolloomooloo. That must have been the raft turning over again. I remember that I always drew myself up to the top of what I caught hold of. The next thing I imagined was that I was on a goldfield, and by some mischance I fell into a sluice box, and I felt myself being washed through with the flow of the water. Some logs were being carried along also, and I thought that I hung on to one of these and was carried right through the trap-door at the end of the box, which had been left open.
“I can scarcely remember what happened after that I was told afterwards that Forster, finding that I kept my head below water, kept pulling me up. Before I lost my senses I remember that we all had a great craving for a drink. In my delirium I saw a man sitting opposite me holding in his arms a glass barrel. At one end of the barrel was wine and at the other whisky and I coaxed him to give me a drink. I fancied that the man looked away, and I made a grab for the barrel and took a drink of the wine, when to my intense disgust, it proved to be only sea water.”
Apparently Ingham’s delirium was partly reality. His distorted imagination conceived all sorts of queer things but the dreadful position he was in can be traced right through these queer imaginings. The devoted and untiring attention Ingham received from his friend Forster, who kept his head and his strength in a marvellous manner, undoubtedly saved Ingham’s life. He forcibly held Tom’s head above water when he wanted to lie down, and thus reserved his life at great risk to himself.
Through all of Ingham’s delirium there were glimmerings of reasons. At one time he fancied he was on the Parameter River ferry-boat, whence he saw an Island. Poor Tom declared he had had enough of the ferry-boat and asked to be put on the Island. He heard someone ask, “Is he dead?” Ingham wondered whom he meant, and thought, “Surely, it is not me that is dead!” RAFT REACHES THE SHORE
The terrible experiences without food or water, drifting helpless at the mercy of wind and tide, had lasted three days, the raft getting nearer and nearer to shore. At lengths the raft got among the breakers near the shore, and one big wave capsized the raft, driving it and the men rapidly towards the beach. All hands by this time were terribly weak, and Forster had to let Ingham go to save himself.
They all scrambled up the shore away from the undertow as best they could, Forster remarking, “poor Tom is gone”. Looking round all hands were surprised to see Ingham clambering over the side of the overturned raft, on the top. The raft had drifted ashore, and Forster almost carried Ingham away from the water, while Coyle looked after Smith, who was also very weak.
Ingham and Smith were in a comatose and helpless state, and the other six who got ashore, drew their helpless comrades up the beach beyond the reach of the waves, and went off looking for water. By great good fortune it came on to rain, and it seems the downpour came in a perfect torrent, as it does in the same place (Innisfail) at the present day. This rain was a real reviver, for it roused Ingham out of his lethargic state, and he was able to sit up.
This was on February 29, that year being leap-year. The rain seemed quite cold. Ingham looked around, but could make nothing of his whereabouts. He saw the waves rolling in seemingly mountains high, and the raft some distance away. He was still quite dazed and pinched himself but could feel no pain. The rain continued to fall in torrents, and it was having a reviving effect on the unhappy man sitting helpless on the beach.
Presently Ingham so far recovered that he remembered the wreck of the Maria and some of the miseries they had all been through. He had been restored to consciousness about an hour, when he saw a man coming towards him on the beach, and presently to his great delight saw it was his friend and preserver, Forster.
Mr Forster came up quickly and cried, “Hello Ingham I thought you were dead.” “I thought I was dead myself” replied Ingham. Forster then told his friend that there were eight of them got ashore and he and Coyle had left Smith with Ingham but Smith had apparently disappeared. Forester likewise said that he and Coyle had found water, and had had a sleep.
Mr Ingham was still very thirsty, and as it was still raining heavily Forster and Tom laid down under a large grass tree and trained the points of the long narrow leaves into their mouths and so gradually assuaged their thirst. Coming in this slow manner from the raindrops was the best possible thing for them both. Ingham, in particular, was so thirsty that had there been water in plenty he might have killed himself.
The two were still under the grass tree sucking in the drops of rain when they heard voices along the beach; looking out from the shelter they directly behold Phillips and Haydon coming in their direction. Forster called them over, and they were delighted to find Ingham also alive and so well. They too, had found water and had quenched their thirst.
The next thing these poor shipwrecked fellows did was to build a mia mia to shelter them and one of them having found a bread fruit from a Pandanus tree, they all ate the seeds which were sweet and wholesome. THE SOAKED BIBLE
As these pitiable fellows lay under their shelter talking of their awful position, Haydon felt something inside his shirt, and putting his hand in pulled out a soaked substance about eight inches by 5 inches. It proved to be a Bible! It was so soaked almost to a pulp, but they at once recognized that it seemed to be a special act of Providence for their guidance and encouragement. That lump of apparently useless pulp was destined to be of more benefit to these poor shipwrecked men than had it been something to eat for the leaves were carefully dried singly and preserved, and day by day they read the Blessed Saviour’ words of hope and comfort to those in dire distress, mentally and physically. The book had a different meaning to these men to what it had previously, so many passages apparently fitting their own deplorable position. Every day chapters were read, and it inspired them to struggle on, thinking that God in his own time would answer their daily prayers for help and succour.
It appears that when there was danger of the Maria breaking up at any moment, and the men rushed below to get some of their belongings, Hayden saw the Bible his mother gave him when he left his English home. He placed it inside his shirt, and there it had remained though Haydon had been capsized into the sea a dozen times.
When they were nearly starving, suffering from all manner of complaints and crushed almost to despair at their seemingly helpless and deplorable position, someone would suddenly say “Read us a chapter from the Bible” Ingham declared, “I read the Bible more in that fortnight than I had ever read it before.” Thus when almost on the verge of giving up the seemingly hopeless struggle, these wrecked men were cheered on to make further effort by the words of promise from the battered old Bible. VARIOUS EXPERIENCES
So the first night on the shore passed away, and in the morning of March 1, the four were gladdened by seeing Coyle coming to join them followed shortly by Smith, who was left for dead. This made the party six, two others Siddell and Bardon, who were mates, being still missing. Coyle had been away with some blacks who had proved very friendly, and they gave him such food as they had.
The six then discussed what was best to be done. It was remembered that the land they had tried to reach whilst on the raft, was said by Taylor to be Hinchbrook Island, as he knew the shape of the mountains. As they had drifted away to the north before they reached the shore they rightly assumed that they had passed the island and were on shore on the mainland. They knew they must be north of Cardwell, but how far they were unable to ascertain.
It was clear that the way to get back to civilisation was to travel south. Also they assumed that the captain’s boat for certain, and probably the two smaller boats and the other raft, had got ashore further to the south. They likewise, concluded that directly the news of the wreck of the Maria was known a vigorous search would be made for those who might have got ashore more particularly as some of the voyagers were connected with the influential people. The reasoning was correct, except that the search was not very speedy, at least it always seemed so to men who were so dreadfully in need of succour not to mention those who lost their lives through cannibal blacks.
Having decided that the right thing to do was to proceed south, the six headed in that direction. Foster, Coyle, Hayden and Phillips went off in front and Ingham and Smith, both of whom were very feeble, the latter being an old man, brining up the rear.
Ingham was very frail from exhaustion though before the wreck he was a wonderfully strong man. Now he and his companion hardly crawl along and every few hundred yards both of them had to lie down and rest. Still they would not give in and they struggled along till they reached north shore of Glady’s Inlet, really the mouth of the Johnstone River, named after Sub-inspector Johnstone, who subsequently avenged the atrocities committed by some tribes of blacks on those helpless wrecked people.
It should be said that all these people from the Maria were without boots or hats, but as their hands and faces were burnt by the sun they did not miss their hats much. Ingham’s hair was red, and was a great curiosity, subsequently to the blacks. PECULIAR NATIVE HUTS
That day the whole six met a few of Coyle’s black friends and Coyle and Phillips went off with them to their camp, but the others were too tired and finding some empty blacks huts they slept in them quite comfortably.
These huts were peculiarly constructed and looked somewhat like a huge old fashioned reed beehive. The tops of small saplings had been pulled down and fastened in each other, and the arch thus formed was beautifully interwoven with twigs and leaves till quite watertight . One or more openings about two feet high, were left to crawl in and out. The interior was dry and fairly comfortable, and were most welcome to man without shelter of any kind. Some of those huts were big enough to accommodate a dozen or more. The blacks all slept with their feet to the centre, where a fire was kept burning. GLADY’S INLET
There were several little creeks or inlets leading into Glady’s Inlet, and some of these had to be crossed as the wanderers went west, or up the Inlet, in order to find a place to cross to the south side. They got across some of these creeks on fallen trees, or waded through. They got bruised a good deal in struggling through the dense mangroves that fringed the banks of the inlet. It is supposed they went so far inland as where Innisfail now stands, about four miles from the sea.
Even then there appeared to be no prospect of crossing the water, so they decided to return to the beach, as in leaving the seashores there was a chance of their missing any party by boat or otherwise sent in search of the Maria’s passengers and crew.
The wanderers therefore tried to retrace their steps and were moving away towards the seashore when they saw a log of wood, as they previously thought glide away and plunge into the water proving the supposed log to be a big alligator. This was an unexpected danger, and made them more then ever desirous of getting back to the sea.
A FRIENDLY TRIBE OF BLACKS
As the six voyagers were struggling back towards the sea they saw three blackfellows, who promptly ran away and got on to their rafts made of thick banana stems, which had been dried and lashed together. They made friendly signs to these blacks, who were at last induced to come back to the bank again and took the six men across to one of those little inlets, two on each raft. The blacks obligingly swam behind each raft and pushed it in front of them. This saved the poor tired fellows a difficult journey through the mangroves. The blacks then left their rafts and went along with the six white, who patted them on the back, and repeatedly said, “Budgeree fellow you,” No doubt the blacks did not understand what was said, though they appreciate the kindly gestures.
These friendly aborigines appeared to take great interest in these shipwrecked people, and at last they appeared to understand a few words, as did also the whites. The blacks carried large shells for holding drinking water and the wise example the whites followed. That morning the three friendly blacks caught four fish which they at once cooked, and generously threw the heads and tails to the starving whites. They kept the centre of each fish, and when they threw the bones away the white men picked them up, and gladly ate any little flesh left on them. The natives, however, picked the bones pretty clean before throwing them away. Think of the horrible situation: white men glad to pick a bit of food from what a black fellow had thrown away.
Rain still continued to fall at intervals. Fortunately the botanical knowledge of someone in the party induced them to try the fruit of the Eugenia Grandis and Eugenia Suborbicularis, which are white and red respectively. The red fruit resembles a rosella in colour, but is more the shape of a small orange. It has a repugnant taste something like castor oil but the fruit appeared to be wholesome and eating it relieved the gnawing of their stomachs. There are several of these trees growing in the Rockhampton Botanic Gardens.
It was soon made plain, however that some danger existed in eating fruits or berries that they knew nothing of. Coyle found something like a cabbage stalk, which he thought the blacks ate. He tried a piece of it, which burnt his month and throat in a terrible manner. He could only gasp out “water,” which was quickly given him, but it only gave slight relief. His tongue swelled, and it was many days before the effects wore off. After such a painful experience the whites were careful to eat nothing the blacks had not partaken of.
The six men wandered about the beach with these friendly blacks, gathering shell fish and occasionally shrimps, which helped to sustain life. In spite of everything, however they were always ravenously hungry, and could not get their strength back.
The blacks were greatly interested in Ingham and Smith. They used to pull Ingham’s red locks, apparently thinking the hair would come out. Smith was as bald as a billiard table and the blacks delighted in rubbing their hands on his smooth face, jabbering to each other all the time. THEIR TROUBLES INCREASE
Seven days passed away without a sign of outside assistance and then the friendly blacks were joined by about twenty belonging to another tribe and to the astonishment of the six, Siddell and Bardon were with the party and apparently had been all the time with the party. The blacks had stripped the two poor fellows of everything but a pair of trousers and shirt, one having the trouser and other the shirt. A row arose between the two lots of blacks and those had been friendly took Hayden and Phillips and lead them to the north, evidently desiring to part company with the newcomers. Forster and Doyle also moved off in the same direction, but Ingham and Smith were too weak to follow and had to remain behind.
Forster was of opinion that the friendly blacks wished to take them where they would be rescued, and urged them all to go north with them.
The four remaining behind Ingham, Smith Siddell and Bardon - camped on the south bank of a small river, a little to the south of Point Cooper, and about two miles to the north of where their raft came ashore.
It still continued to rain, and the shipwrecked quartet remained in their camp in one of the native huts. The next day three of the strange blacks came to the hut, and the white men made signs to them that they were hungry. The three blacks then beckoned to the white men to follow them. Expecting that they might be going to give them food, they followed the aborigines. Directly the natives pointed into the thickest part of the scrub, where they went and knocked over a big grass tree. When they pulled the leaves off a white vegetable substance appeared, which was eatable, and they all ate a portion of it. THE ATTACK BY THE BLACKS
The three blackfellows then pointed to Ingham to go into the scrub, which be did and as he moved away he received a heavy blow on the head from a wooden sword. The blow was so severe that Ingham fell to the ground. Luckily he was not severely injured and at once jumped to his feet again facing round to his assailant. As he turned round a spear thrown by one of the aborigines stuck in his arm. This cowardly assault roused Ingham’s blood and pulling the spear out he tried to use it as a club on the blackfellow.
The three blacks consisted of two young men and an old one. The old man had his spear raised to throw while his eyes glared and there was a horrible expression on his face. It was now or never with poor Ingham and wounded as he was, he made a rush at the old fellow who instead of throwing the spear, turned and took to his heels, and was followed by the young blacks.
Ingham then returned to Smith and told him what had happened and they both agreed it was best to follow those who had gone north with the natives who had been friendly. Accordingly during the night Ingham and Smith endeavoured to cross the river but the tide was too high and Ingham was nearly drowned. This failure to cross the river caused them to return to the hut they had occupied. IN DESPERATE STRAITS
Just before daybreak Ingham heard a coo-ee, and going out of the hut to see what was up he saw a lot of blacks gathering round. He returned to his companion and said “Smith, it is all up with us now, they are going to kill us for certain.”
Looking round them they could see heads popping up from the ground in all directions, and they estimated there were at least twenty or thirty black fellows apparently eager for they blood. The natives were armed with spears and wooden swords and slowly advanced. They came up to the huts and sat down near the opening of the hut occupied by the whites. They caught hold of Smith’s clothes and pulled at them they also pulled Ingham’s hair which he strongly resented.
At this instant a spear came through the side of the hut but luckily it missed both white men and stuck in the sand between them. Thinking their time had come, both Ingham and Smith rushed out in the open. All fear of death had now gone, and valiant Ingham and Smith in spite of wounds and weakness determined to die fighting though their powers of resistance were small.
Directly Ingham got outside the hut he received a spear thought the calf of the right leg. He pulled it out and threw it back as best he could. Smith was also getting wounded from flying spears and following Ingham’s example, he endeavoured to throw them back but of course the blacks easily evaded them. Every now and again Ingham and Smith would make a rush at the blacks who would turn back but still continued to throw spears. Ingham was next speared in the hip also just below the spine making four wounds in all. Crocodile in North Queensland
While all this fighting was going on between the blacks and Ingham and Smith. Bardon and Siddell kept telling them the blacks wanted their clothes and to give them up. The whole six who had been together had previously decided not to give up anything, as the blacks would only want more whatever they did.
At last, nearly fainting from pain and loss of blood, Ingham and Smith took off their cloths and gave them to the blacks, who then left. One big blackfellow had been particularly brutal, and had wounded Ingham more than once. Ingham was so enraged that he tried to get hold of this giant, wishing to choke him before he himself was killed.
It seems quite evident that Siddell and Bardon were right, and it was the cloths and possessions, small as they were, that the blacks wanted, more perhaps than to kill them. MOVING FURTHER NORTH
When the blacks moved off with the clothes, Ingham and Smith, the two unhappy men were so exhausted that they promptly fell into an uneasy sleep. When Ingham awoke his leg was giving him acute pain, and on examination he found that hundreds of black ants had eaten into the wound.
In spite of everything the poor fellows managed to hobble along to the north hoping to get away from vicinity of their black assailants. The tide was now out and they were able to cross the river and then they managed to get round Point Cooper.
They had not gone far on the northern side of that point when they espied a mob of blacks coming towards them from the north. With enemies apparently in every direction, the two wounded men felt quite hopeless, and really cared little whether they lived or died. They had as short consultation and both decided to go on and meet their fate. They struggled along not caring very much how soon they were put out of their misery.
But as they advanced towards the oncoming natives joy came into their hearts with a bound when they recognised the friendly blacks who had gone north with their four companions a few days before. THE KINDLY ABORIGINES
Sick, tired and despondent as Ingham and Smith had been, the sight of the kindly disposed blacks revived their hopes once more. Forward they hobbled and greeted each other with hearty hand shaking and, “Budgeree blackfellow,” “Budgeree whitefellows” were the greetings exchanged again and again.
Ingham and Smith were not quite happy as to what had become of Forster, Coyle, Haydon, and Phillips, who had gone away with those blacks. They accordingly made signs of inquiry as to what had become of them. The blacks held up three fingers which puzzled the shipwrecked men to understand. However Ingham and Smith followed the friendly blacks till a scrub was reached when the blacks held up one finger. They then held up three fit gets and pointed to the north. This seemed to indicate that one man was in the scrub and the three others were somewhere further north.
They followed the direction given by the one finger and went through a small scrub. After going a short distance they emerged to see in front of them an open space with a little cluster of about twenty native huts, all of the some pattern already described like large beehives.
There appeared to be about fifty blacks and one white man. On drawing near the white man was found to the Coyle, who had to be left behind in consequence of having a bad big toe. Ingham told Coyle about the attack by the blacks and Coyle replied that they should not have given up their clothes. Ingham replied that the clothes were only surrendered to save their lives. It would probably have been wiser had they given up their clothes at once as did Siddell and Bardon. THE NATIVE VILLAGE
From this native village the famous Bellenden Kerr Range could be seen, with its loftiest peak rising 5400 ft above sea level one of the highest mountains in Australia. The mountain seemed only a short distance away, though in reality twelve or fifteen miles distant.
Forster, Haydon, and Phillips had gone away foraging to the north, but they returned later in the day with the blacks, all of whom brought in something to eat. Some of them had wild fruit like rosellas, and others had shrimps. Ingham and those with him were famishing for food and they held out their hand imploringly to the blacks, begging for something. One blackfellow would put in a rosells and another a shrimp which were quickly devoured. It was a poor meal, but they were glad to get it. Their hunger was so great that the whites looked diligently for frogs, lizards, or snakes, but could find none.
The following day Ingham saw a sail in the offing but a great distance from the shore. The ship continued north without seeing the signals the shipwrecked men made. They made signal fires, but they were extinguished by a heavy storm. In consequence of this failure to be seen the shipwrecked people were cast down more than ever if that were possible. They subsequently ascertained that the ship they saw was the one that reported the wreck of the Maria to the Basilisk. THOUGHTS OF HAPPIER DAYS
Ten slept in a big hut, including four blacks, in comparative comfort so far as the hut was concerned. Fortunately the weather was so warm that they suffered but little discomfort for lack of clothes. On the third morning after the arrival of Ingham and Smith at the big native village, the latter was unable to move in consequence of the inflamed character of his spear wounds. Ingham was in no better condition. His wounds were swollen to a terrible size and greatly inflamed. They bad to lie on their stomachs, that being the least painful position.
Though the pain from the wounds was so great the hunger of the poor fellows grew greater every day. Bardon and Siddell had by this time joined the other six in the native village. The thoughts of every one were continually about food, and the delight of once more having a square meal.
Bardon said suddenly to Ingham “I say, Tom, how you would like to be picking the leg of a roast goose at the royal Hotel. Or a few slices from the breast of a roast turkey. How would you like a nice roly-poly pudding with a glass or two of fizz to wash it down?”
Poor Ingham thought Bardon had gone mad, but he replied with all seriousness; “Never mind about the Royal Hotel; but if I ever get back to Sydney again, I shall go Carpenter’s pie stall and have a dozen of those beautiful pies”.
“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.