Past Present Future Blackbird images 2013

2013 is a significant year for us, descendants of the pacific islanders bought here as labourers over 150 years ago!!

Some Townsville History HERMIT PARK: Robert Towns was the original owner of the land, which contained his boiling down works and cotton/ sugar plantation. Leo Ferdinand Sachs, one-time manager of the Australian Joint Stock Bank, purchased the “Boiling Down Paddock” from the estate of the late Robert Towns in 1877. He placed a notice in the Townsville Herald on 6th July 1878 which gave his address as “Hermit Park (late Boiling Down Paddock), apply at the Lodge.” He was still using “Hermit Park” as an address in 1883. The name Hermit Park is said to be derived from a bachelor establishment there, of which Sachs was the head. In 1884 a syndicate formed the Townsville Land and Investment Company to purchase the property for subdivision

Blackbirding Images....

In honour of, and to remember our elders and ancestors I'm posting some Blackbirding Images....I may have posted these before, however, as 2013 draws closer, marking 150 years since the first major shipment of "Kanaka Labour" was introduced to Queensland by Robert Towns, I thought I'd post some pictures.....as they speak for themselves...

Blackbirding Vessels

Blackbirding Vessels ‘DANIEL WATSON’ Wood schooner that was based in Sydney and did her recruiting in the 1860’s. Her captain discovered that other recruiters had got to several islands before him and he decided to make it harder for them to recruit the next time by firing on every village that he passed on his way along the coast. ‘EMPREZA’ Wood Brig that was based in Brisbane and took her turn in the recruiting trade. She was active in taking returning natives back to the islands when their contracts expired. One group of 153 natives she took back to the New Hebrides was ill with dysentery and when they arrived at their home island, the locals quickly came down with the sickness and over 200 died. ‘JANET STEWART’ Wood schooner that was based at Maryborough, Queensland. She operated during the 1870’ and 1880’s under Captain L Thomas. Government Agent; William Lockhead. The vessel anchored off Kwai Island, Malaita in February 1882 and the captain and two boats went ashore at a place some five miles from the anchorage. The captain had been lured away from his vessel, leaving the government agent and some of the crew aboard. Natives crept on board the schooner and killed the agent and the rest of the crew then set fire to the vessel. When the captain returned, it was too late to save the ‘Janet Stewart’ and those killed were cremated on the burning ship. ‘SPEC’ Wood schooner that operated from Mackay, North Queensland during the late 1860’s. She recruited labour for Robert Towns and various other plantations.

On This Day - 20th November 1894

Circular from the Immigration Office in Brisbane, regarding the anticipated difficulties faced by South Sea Islanders returning to their respective homes, May 1906

(Qld State Archives)