Reminiscences of Queensland, 1862-1869 — John Shaqi
Reminiscences of Queensland, 1862-1869Corfield, William Henry
History
Reminiscences of Queensland, 1862-1869
Corfield, William Henry
Frontier and pioneer life -- Australia -- Queensland; Queensland -- History
This we found was our good-bye to England, and, towed out by a tug, we
commenced our long voyage to Australia. When well clear of the land, the
tug dropped us, and with a favourable breeze, we made quick passage to
the entrance of the channel.
By this time most of the passengers were suffering the usual
disabilities felt by landsmen for the first few days at sea. I soon
gained my sea legs, and was able to take a view of my surroundings.
Here we were--365 human beings, who would be cooped up for weeks in a
sailing ship, and with as many different characters, sympathies and
antipathies, one wondered if it could be possible to live long with
harmony and unselfishness in such daily crowded contact. I suppose we
were representative of the many, who, whether in the poop or steerage of
similar ships, were looking hopefully towards the far off,
not-long-named southern colony, which was becoming known to the people
of Great Britain.
I was just nineteen, and all things looked bright and cheerful, but I
was impatient for the time when, on a bounding steed, I would be
scouring the plains, following the sheep and cattle on my uncle's
property where, as an employee, I was to begin my adventures.
After a passage of 137 days, spent either in glorious runs before
favouring winds, wearisome calms, or battling against heavy gales, we
arrived in Moreton Bay, and in due course at Brisbane.
The city, as it was in 1862, has so often been described, that it is
unnecessary for me to say anything as to its appearance. All I need say
is that it did not enter my mind to anticipate its growth and
importance.
Our ship's surgeon was Dr. Margetts, who, for many years afterwards,
practised his profession at Warwick. It is to his credit that we had no
deaths on the voyage, but immediately after landing, a little girl
passenger died. I helped to dig her grave on the ridges somewhere out
towards Fortitude Valley. My destination was "Stanton Harcourt," 55
miles north-west from Maryborough, which my uncle held as a station. He
was taking an active part in the great developments which, at this time,
were being carried out by the squatters. I was directed by my uncle's
agents, George Raff and Co., to engage five or six of the immigrants as
shepherds. These accompanied me to Maryborough by the old steamer
"Queensland." On arrival at Maryborough the shepherds were taken charge
of by the local agents, and I was instructed to ride on to the station.
I left Maryborough alone the same afternoon, but had not gone far when I
found I was bushed. Riding back I struck the main road, and followed it
to the public house at the Six-mile, which was a favourite camping place
for carriers. My new-chum freshness immediately attracted the attention
of the bullock-drivers camped there, who told me of the dangers I would
meet from the blacks, unless I propitiated them by generous gifts of
tobacco.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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