Hide Article Text (OCR)
CmiMof tho 3.3. “EUea^owan.To THK MaOABTHUK AND BACK.The following notes of t trip in the sail boat “• Ellengowan. have been compiled from the statements of several of the pamengers and crew of the launch:—The steam-launch «Ellengowan,” under contract to the Sooth Australian Government to carry out a monthly service between Ptort Darwin and Borraloola (Maoarthur River), started upon her maiden trip at about 7 a.m. on Sunday, June 30th, in charge of J. Macredie, master, with engineer Ren Griffie, and assistant Shaw, and a full complement of men. The passengem were C. 8. Copeland, owner of the bast, A. Searoy, SuhOoIleotor of Customs, H. Pinder, Assistant I*nd-ing-waiter, C. Phwer, Corporal in charge of the Native Police, and A. Bryden, storekeeper, bound for the Roper, and H. Ruthven, contractor, bound for Borroloola. We made a fair start, with a light 8.E. breese, and assohour after hour passed away, and we merrily logged off oar seven knots an hour, we congratulated ourselves on the state of affairs, and expected to have a quick trip, bat alas, 44 The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agiae,” and so it was with us. We paased the Vernons all right, but when we reached the open water on the other side, we found that the wind had risen, and raised a short, choppy head sea, and those of us who were not otherwise engaged at the side of the vessel, and too deeply immersed in our thoughts to take any notice of more trivial matters, soon noted the changing expressions on 'oar chief engineer’s sposlring countenance, and from his actions and frequent references to his brother officers, began to inspect that the chief engineer’s lot on a re-habilitated launch, was not a happy one, and that everything was not running as smoothly as he could wish. However, nothing very alarming occurred until about five o’clock in the afternoon, when we were well on our way to Gape Don, when the engines stopped short, not to go again till repairs had been effected. As we then were lying exposed to the full strength of S.E. gale, and the heavy sea raised from the full depth of Van Diemen’s Gulf, and had the coast of Melville Island under our lee. We tried hard to get round Gape Don, and hammered away till 3 a.m. on the 21st, when we found that we were losing re by leeway than we made, as a last resource the boat s head put in the direction of Gspe Hotham, the nearest shelter, which we reached about 8 fun., on the 21st, and anchored. The engineer then made a thorough overhaul of the engines, ta, and found among other defeats, that the machinery bad not been properly fitted and keyed, the whole of the bearings had too much play, some of the bearing! of the shaft had never been bolted down, nor the donkey engine bolted to its bed. By about 4 an, on 82nd, the repairs were finished, and a fresh start made en our journey. From that time until we reached the Roper, it was one incessant tinkering, repairing some minor defect in the machinery, while at least, once every day we bad an absolute stoppage, owing to the giving out or breaking down of some more important part of the engine. For the first two or three days we Accepted the position cheerfully enough, cracked jokes at anyone’s expense, taxer] one another with having forgotten to pay the washerwoman before, starting, or with being the Jonah who was causing all the trouhle, while some of us, as the days wore wearily on without improvement, felt very much inclined to cast lots to see who really was the Jonah who was to be cast overboard, but doubting the presence of whales on that ooast with sufficient oral capacity to entomb either of us without some serious damage to rise or shape, the idea was never put into practice. So that we should not be too far from land in the event of any irreparable accident happening to our very erratic engines, or to the well-worn hull that carried them, we kept close in sliore, making the course as short as possible by steering from headland to headland, and not coasting all the bays we paaaed. On the night of the 24th we ran for shelter under the land al Blyth’s River, glad to get a short rest, and also to give the engineers a better chance of repairing damages. As our supply of fresh water was getting short, we went ashore to try and replenish our stock, bat did not succeed in finding any. We made a fresh start at daylight on the 26th, intending to try and go through Brown Straits, but as there was a strong S.R breese, with heavy bead sea, it was not desmed advisable to attempt the Straits, so a course was shaped for Gspe Weasel, keeping well under the lee of the islands for shelter; we passed the eape soon after midday on the 27 th, and then felt ths full force of the wind, and the accumulated strength of the long rolling waves, which had gathered force in their passage from the other side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, with the result that our engines oose more refused duty, and we lay bove-to, tossed about at the mercy of winds and waves for son* time; the repairs had hardly been effected before the eooentric broke, but our ever-watchful engineer was able to connect the other one, ko that we were able to keep the engines going, but with the disadvantage that we could not go astern, but must keep moving ahead. The communication ol this bit of nears elicited the remark from the Joe Miller of the company, that it might perhaps have been better if she could only have gone astern, as then she would perhaps makp better time than she had already done. By this time our fresh water was almost exhausted, so it was resolved to put into Melville Bay, where it was known that the Malay trepang fishers had a camp, and get a fresh stock ; on the 28th we anchored under shelter of the tongue ofland that forms the N.E., side of the Isy, and a short distance from ^ the lyflK found a plentiful supplj in a splendid watorhole. As niggers Vacfcs were very numerous, we kept a bright look out, but did not see any of the natives. Messrs. Copeland, Searcy, and Pinder tried to get as for as the site of the old Malay camp, but as the wind and sea were too strong for the boat, they returned unsuccessful. As* the engineer feared that our stock of coal would not *ast much longer, he suggested the advisability of shaping a course inside the islands, so that we should have a little shelter, and be aide to get to a sheltered spot .to cut firewood, we accordingly got under weigh at daylight on 22th and steered for the channel inside Melville Island, but our cranky old engine didn’t see it, and again jibbed ; we had to keep clear of the land, and lay hove-to with a nasty head sea and thick heavy weather, drifting to leeward, while the engineers were busy straightening matters for another start, which they effected atdaylight on 30th. We kept going nearly all day, till soiqething else went wrong; someone said the air-pump and piston bad curried away ; we managed to get under the lee of the land, and ancliored off Chasm Island. The engineers were busy all night and part of next day repairing, and we got another start about mid-day for Connexion Island in side of Groote Island, where we anchored aliout sundown. This night our piscators were rewarded with more than ordinary success, and made the very welcome addition to our larder of some very fine red schnapper, which we all of us appreciated when they had passed through the 44 Doctor's ” hands, and duly appeared at table. Next day July 2nd, was spent cutting wood and digging for water, it was a very awkard place for loading, as the island is surrounded with coral re**f. and it was necessary to wade waist deep to get the wood to the boat. The fresh water too was thick and muddy, and added to these du*§rtmtn* the weather was extremely hot. In addition to thro*' amusements, we had a little excitement on lioard. the eook’s galley having taken fire, but as it was got pnder very speedily, not much harm was done. Wo got under weigh the same evening, and steered for Maria island, off the mouth of the Roper, which we reached the next day, 3rd, and under the pilotage of old Jock Morrison, who sailed amongst our crow, reached the little bay where the « Claymore ” discharged some coals in 1871 or 1872. We refilled our ooal bunkers and were rather surprised to find that although the ooal had lain for some fourteen years exposed to wind and weather, shine and storm, it had m no wise deteriorated, but turned out splendidly, and proved of great value to us afterwards. We made a fresh start about 10 or 11 o’olaok next morning, 4th, and stood across for the mouth of the Roper Mr. Finder, who had bare been here some years ago was able to give our captain a little information alamt it, so that he found the channel, and crossed the bar without difficulty, never having less that 14 feet of water on the bar. The mud fiats extend some dozen miles outside of the river, and are nearly all uncovered at low water, after proceeding alout twenty milt* op the river by sundown, we anchored for the night, giriiig the engineers an opportunity for effecting necessary repairs. We started again at daylight on 5th, and succeeded in reaching a point about three miles below the Ri%er Wilton; ou the way up touched on a sandbank, bat were easily kedged off without injury. About 8 p m. a l*at carrying mails and passengers started for Lric-bardt’s Bar, which was reached about 9.30 p.in.; on the 7th, the launch was brought up to within al*out four miles of the stores at Leichardt’s Bor, and the cargo was discharged on to the river l*nk. Four days were spent here discharging cargo and refitting, and in the meantime, the passengers were enjoying the pleasure of l»eing on terra firma once more. We here met an old friend, the RA.T. dog-cart, which was requtsi-tioned for a drive to the Native Police Camp at M‘Minn's Bluff, Not more than half of the distance had been traversed when in crossing the creek near HeM's Gatef, oim of the wheels collapsed, and down came dog-cart, passengers, and all. Fortunately no one was hurt ; one of the party then started on the only hoi-se to get saddle horses, and in the meantime the rest of the party camped amongst the rains. As an opportunity offered of sending letters and telegrams to the Katherine by a passing traveller, some of oar purty sent wires to allay the anxiety which we knew must exist at not hearing from us before; our fellow passengers Power and Bryden left aa here; we made a start for the Maoarthur at daylight on the 11th, bat were brought up abort by running on a shelf of rock just below the Wilton, bat Aoeted off all right at high water,20. Holt;and resumed our voyage, wa were on discoveries bent, and found a sandbank where the diart shows 3 or 4 fathoms. Tried very hard to get her off, but unsuccessfully, so had to wait for six days till the tide fioated as off, Apparently without damage. As our lanler had only been stocked for a four weeks’ trip, we now began to find that we were getting on very short commons, and although the sportsmen of the party made repeated efforts to shoot some game for general use, they wore very unsuccessful, only managing tosecure a kangaroo, a native companion, and a few pigeons. Captain Macredie is to be credited with securing the native companion, which he did by a lucky shot through the neck ; they •ved a very welcome addition to opr til of fare, which had by thiq time been reduced to fiour and tea. Owing to the very sharp lines of the boat she lay over very considerably when aground but righted without trouhle as the tide rosa When dm footed off she was hauled clear, and anchored for ths night, we started again at daylight, and got dear of the river by dark, and immediately turned the boat’s none inGTthe direction of t^e Miicarthur. reach ing an anchorage kt the mouth of th« Western channel by about t OH 20th. Almost immediately a boot was started for the township of Borroloola a distance of some 40 or 50 miles, taking mails and passengers. Unfortunately our boat party was pot ■ ipplied with a chart of the River, and got bushed up Batten’s Creek, nqt discovering the mistake till we had reached ita head, some 25 miles up, at sundown ; we then camped for the night The following day, 22nd, we returned to the main channel, and made another start for Borrok»U, but had not proceeded very far when the ketch 44 Budgaree n w*e found lying pt anchor, having cofpe in at the other entrance through the centre channel. The sight of her seemed to infuse new Hfo into the Gustoins ofBriah, and to brighten their feces wonderfully, for they had been fearing that owing to the delays experienced on the way, that they would miss her, and eo miss the very object of their trip. As R was, she was to have sailed for Thursday Island the next day, 23rd, so that with another twelve hours delay, they would have missed her altogether. As it was sundown when we reached the ketch, we boarded her, and spent the night, pretty tired with the long pull ami cramped with sitting so kmg in a small boat, and very much disgusted that after pulling for two days we bad only made about thirty oufes from the * EUcngowan.” However, as this seemed to be quite in keeping with the rest of the trip, we tried to look pleasant, having long before up all the objurgatory adjectiandhymns suitable for such Another start was made next morning, and we at length reached the township of Borroloola, about 2.30 p.m. on July 23rd, on the 34th day out. As vrc had no particular bumness to detain us in the township, and having hod a general look round, we got under way again at midnight, and reached the mouth again at 11 p.m. on the 24th where, owing to thick weather, and a very heavy north-west rain squall, we bad to wait for daylight to enable as to cram the bar. We reached the 44 Elleagowan ” at 7 a.m^and were under weigh by eight o’clock, home vard bound. It is worthy of note, ns being a most unusual occurence,that during that night the barcmrtac on board fell an inch, while the wind blew from all points of ths oompam, with heavy vain from the north-wartto the earth-west Wa ware glad to find that daring our abseuoe the eogfeeeta bed been abletoemke snob further repairs that we warn able to reach within about 36 aulas of Fori Darwin without any mere rtnpfgm, aad then only a mutter al oomn*w#vdy little imprwtoiHu Our trip hack was an uneventful ana; wa carried fora weather with ua the whole of the way, Ou the 27th, when about 40 mites mat New Tearie Island, wa qmke the eqhwer « Griffin, timber laden, bound for Cambridge GuM and were asked to report thee* *e all welL Our only stopping ufoce, while returning,was Rohinoon'W Chmp, Rowan Straits, where we called to get water and provisions, and to try get some oil for the machinery a oar original stock having long been exhausted. At the Roper and Maoarthur we cleared oat the stocks of castor oQ in bottles—rather an expensive sort of machine oil—and had used up all the batter and dripping on board, and abe a oaae of antifriction grease. The court-line near Port Darwin was sighted about sundown on July 29 tb, and right glad were we to be so near home. We reached the anchorageat 8 p.m., 5 days, 12 hour* from the Macarthur, including 12 hours detention in Bowen Straits, and considering the time we took reaching the Roper, whence we sent newt of our arrival by telegram from the Katherine, we were not surprised that we were hardly expected to torn upeosoon. “All’s well that ends well, but we trust that some enquiry will be made into the why and wherefore of the launch being allowed to go to sea with her machinery In such a bad state, and the blame, if blame there k, be borne to the right person, or and if punishment is deserved, that it be promptly applied. For it k very certain that many a time we were in the greatest jeopardy, and, under God, owe our safe return to Oapiaia Mao-redie’a akQl as a navigator, and to the untiring skill and energy displayed by the chief engineer, Ben Griffie, and his asristant 8haw, who were always on the alert to repair damages, and keep the engines going. Indeed at times it seemed as if they never slept, so unerasing was their labour, and pm*: milling their attention to the rickefoymachinery to thrir cheige. .oearage or skil UU them* it than prohibit that the lives of all on board, some fifteen persons, would have bean lost . , .The manner to whish nearly every patkm porapering a ear court k wuktogup to the necessity of providing adequate torpedo-boat protection to RU littoral town is, perhaps, not to be wondered at Even officials, aroused by the imminent danger of war, era urged thereto by the excited meetings of the coastwise inhabitants, seemed at one time to think it desirable to look into the matter. But while France^ Germany, Austria, Italy, and the United States, and other Powers not only considered the subject, bat are taking measures for eamrtog the needed protection ; there are no signs that the shores of this country are to be provided with men or material. The Royal Engineers are going ahead with mine defences at some points, but there is, at present* no arrangement for supplying torpedo-boats for practice, or for forming torpednbontfs crews, although there are plenty of volunteers ready and willing to get the necessary experience.—Army aad .Miry Gazette.
Newspaper Details
Palmerston Northern Territory Times and Gazette
Palmerston, Northern Territory, AU
Sat, Aug 07, 1886
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
GB 22 Apr 2023
Other Publications Near Palmerston, Northern Territory
Palmerston North Australian and Northern Territory Government Gazette
Palmerston Northern Territory Times and Gazette
Palmerston North Australian
