This update we continue our new feature The History of Brisbane as a Port based on Peter Ludlow's research for a forthcoming book about the history of the Port of Brisbane Corporation. Each episode is displayed for two weeks only with a new replacement episode being uploaded on the first and fifteenth of the month. Part 21...

Pete and Margaret Taylor ¹²

 

About 1960 Harry Sullivan sold the Bishop Island lease to his son in law, Pete Taylor and wife Margaret. Incensed one day by a remark from a tourist who asked if the cabins on Bishop Island were there when Captain Cook discovered Australia, the Taylors set about rebuilding the place. This included a new kiosk, dance hall, cabins, shelter sheds, and the installation of 240 volt power. They built a mini golf course and had septic tanks installed. They also had Neil Todkill build a new jetty.

Pete and Margaret bought the Mirabel from Hayles Cruises and renamed her Bellana. These were busy times with the family working seven days a week, because as well as running Bishop Island Resort, they also still had the three boats towing the gravel barges, running pleasure cruises (the pirate and ranch night themes were very popular), and handling charter work.

After the Wave Protector demolished the Pile Light at the mouth of the Brisbane River on October 17^th, 1949, the signal station was transferred to Bishop Island, with two of the buildings being brought from Bulwer on Moreton Island. Some of the signal families who were to man the station included Bill Devonshire, the Morandy family, Bill Canning, Jack Meares, and Cyril Ford.

In 1973, the Taylors sold their boats and the lease of the island to Hayles. There was still 7 years remaining of the 20 year lease. The Taylors applied to have the lease extended to 99 years, but the Port of Brisbane quashed the application with its plans to extend Fishermen’s Island to engulf Bishop Island. After the lease expired the caretaker at the time claimed possession and eventually sold to Gary Balkin who for a time ran his paddle steamers there. Today, Bishop Island no longer exists, having been swallowed up by the reclamation of land for the new Port of Brisbane.

 Next update (15.12.2008): Part 22 - The Kleinschmidts

References:

Peter Ludlow acknowledges the following sources for his information:

1. Ludlow, Peter. Moreton Bay Chronicle, privately published (Stones Corner) 1999.
2. Guthrie, Margaret. The First Tourist, privately published (Bribie Island) 1999.
3. Pearn, John. Chronicles of Coochiemudlo, Amphion Press (Brisbane) 1993.
4. Cilento and Lack. Triumph in the Tropics, Smith & Paterson (Fortitude Valley) 1959.
5. Davenport, Winifred. Port & Harbour Development in Queensland from 1824 to 1985.   (Brisbane)1986
6. O’Keeffe, Mamie. The Moreton Bay Penal Settlement. Oxley Memorial Library of Queensland 1974.
7. Steele, John Gladstone. The Brisbane River. Rigby (Brisbane) 1976.
8. Riis, Erica. Family history research
9. Welsby, Thomas. Early Moreton Bay. (Rigby) 1977.
10. French, Dorothy. Land Ho! Australia! Privately published 1999.
11. Ludlow, Peter. Exiles of Peel Island – Quarantine, privately published (Stones Corner) 1991.
12. Ludlow, Peter. Moreton Bay Reflections, privately published (Stones Corner) 2007.
13. Kennedy, Ian. Captain A.F.G.Bishop 1857-1950. Wynnum Manly Historical Society Inc paper 2002.

14. Ludlow, Peter. Moreton Bay People-Volume 4.(from material supplied by John Anderson and Roy Russell), privately published (Stones Corner) 1996.

15. Ludlow, Peter. Moreton Bay People-The Complete Collection, privately published (Stones Corner) 2000.

16. Reed, Michael. HMQS Gayundah website 2003

17. Gibson, David A. "The White Ensign", Queensland Heritage, Vol. 3 No. 7, November 1977, pp. 3-15.
18. Heritage Parks of Moreton Bay – Visitor Guide. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service 2007
19. Ludlow, Peter. Moreton Bay Letters, privately published (Stones Corner) 2003.
20. World Ship Society- Queensland Branch. Queensland Maritime Bulletin  (circa 1972)
21. Riverside Golden Jubilee booklet, 1976
22. Torrance, William. Steamers on the River privately published (Brisbane Market) 1986
23. Department of Harbours and Marine Annual Reports
24. Port of Brisbane Corporation. Brisbane River From Moggill to Moreton Bay 1770 - 2004 Bookmen Publisher’s (Brisbane) 2004

Article Archives
The following articles from previous web updates have now been archived.
(Just click on the name of the article to see the original)

From 15.01.2008: Peel Island declared a National Park (Rhonda Bryce)
From 01.01.2008: Noel Flor's newspaper clip of the tragedy at Bird Island in 1866  
From 15.12.2007: Norm Davidson remembers Snowy Drennan
From 15.11.2007: Peter Ludlow's introduction to the Port of Brisbane
From 01.11.2007: Norm Wright Junior writes to Gordon Darlington about the crew of Violet II
From 15.10.2007: The Australasian Championships of 1905/6/7 (Gordon Darlington)
From 01.10.2007: Moreton Bay's Frontier Islands (Allen Gilmour)
From 15.09.2007: Wartime Brisbane, through the eyes of a lad (John Thornton) (part 2)
From 01.09.2007: Wartime Brisbane, through the eyes of a lad (John Thornton) (Part 1) 
From15.08.2007: Redland Bay Reflections (John McGinnis Williams)
From 01.08.2007: Bruce Hazel asks 'What's in a Name?'
From 15.07.2007: Some Medications Used to Treat Leprosy at Peel Island
From 01.07.2007: The Last Sad Years of Epaminondo Torazzi
From 15.06.2007: Crash of Dakota Aircraft off North Stradbroke Island
From 01.06.2007: "Going to the Gums" Exhibition
From 15.05.2007: An Historic House Afloat

 

Any Questions?
If you have a question about Moreton Bay history, email the editor, Peter Ludlow, at pludlow@bigpond.net.au
We'll post it on the webpage and ask our readers to help with an answer.

#22 Meg asks:
(posted 15.11.2008)
Mr & Mrs. Crampton who had the Redland Bay Hotel are my grandparents and as I am doing my family tree I was wondering if any of your informants would possibly have any photos of them or of the hotel when they had it.

#21 Ellie Durbidge writes:
(posted 15.11.2008)
The North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum has recently acquired a dugong pot (once used to boil up dugong flesh to extract the oil) from Doug Anning. It is said to have been made at a foundary on Russell Island but Ellie is not aware that there ever was such a foundary. Has any reader more information?

#20 Sandy Sharrock writes:
(posted 15.11.2008)
You posted a question on our boat "Ocean Spray" in your column a while ago (#06). I thought you might be interested to know that "Ocean Spray" has just been accepted on the Australian Register of Historical Vehicles and you can see her at www.anmm.gov.au/arhv

#19 Noel & Del Bergman write:
(posted 15.11.2008)
our "1865 Susanne Godeffroy" book project is still progressing well.
Further details can be found on our website:-
http://members.optusnet.com.au/nanddbergman/

#18 Barry Clark from Bribie Island writes about a special reunion at Bribie Island recently:
(posted 1.11.2008)

(L to R)..... Dawn ( nee Robertson) Carey, Dorothy (nee Shirley) Schulte, Barry Clark, and Joyce (nee Batterham) Voysey.
There were a total of 17 people assembled for this "Reunion" which included three generations of the Ladies relatives, plus an old school friend from Bribie in the 1930's. The three ladies were friends on Bribie back in the 1920/30's, and have not seen each other since they said goodbye back in 1941.
DOROTHY SHIRLEY (now aged 92) is the daughter of Bill Shirley, who built the first road on Bribie in 1923, and he went on to be the first honorary Councilor.Dorothy Shirley went on to establish successful dress shops at Redcliffe,where she lived until recently, but is now in a retirement village on the Gold Coast
DAWN ROBERTSON (now aged 80) is the daughter of Ted Robertson, who came to Bribie from Samoa in 1926 and worked for Bill Shirley. Her grandparents came from Samoa to Bribie in 1925, and were the largest freehold landowners on the Island, at Banksia beach (now Pacific Harbour).
JOYCE BATTERHAM (now aged 80) was at school with Dawn Robertson, and her brothers in the 1930's.
In 200 Joyce (now Mrs Voysey) wrote a book entitled "A Girl from Bribie Island" (just as a record for her grandchildren) and only had 20 copies printed.

#17 Barry Clark also writes:
(posted 15.10.2008)
You may have seen in recent newspaper articles, or heard me interviewed on
 the radio about the launch of my latest project which is a "Bongaree  Heritage Walkabout" brochure.
Many months of hard work in conjunction with Warwick Outram, a long term Bribie resident and local author.
An initial 10,000 copies printed with sponsorship from my Rotary Club and now available free at local Tourist Info Offices and other local outlets

.
Editor’s Answer: Barry and Warwick are highly respected historians of all things Bribie. Next time you visit the island, I recommend you pick up one of Barry's brochures from the tourist information centre (just after you get off the bridge). It's a wealth of information.

#16 Julie asks:
(posted 1.08.2008)
I am seeking your assistance again....
I have a photo of my father, John McGinnis Williams, on his yacht Francois, that was taken in 1928 before they left on their trip to Cairns from Brisbane and return.
According to my father's log the passengers were:
John McGinnis Williams and his wife, Frances Ann Williams;
Captain George Kerr (Torres Straits sea pilot who was experienced in northern waters and, I think, was living in East Brisbane in 1928) and his wife;
Sailing Master Duncan McRae (an engineer according to electoral roll);
George Wardle and his wife (a telegraphist who lived at Bulimba with his wife Ivy according to electoral roll);
Steve Barrington Waters who was manager of Fullers Theatre in Brisbane;
Doc Crowe who had a medical practice and private hospital at New Farm;
James Dodd, who I think was also an engineer;
Norman Hazel;
Bill Rathbone (a clerk who lived in Bulimba);
Cyril Moar, handyman.
I can identify some of the people in this photo but would like to match names with other faces. I have put up the photo on my website at
http://www.tropikkal.com/francois.htm

 Best regards,
Julie in Cairns mailto: tropikkalmedia@mytown.net.au
(posted 15.08.2008)
Julie has now added many new photos to her website. You may be able to help with these too.

#15 Ross Cameron writes:
Thanks for the pix of the Kaptajn Neilsen. I`ve been after one for years. I came within a whisker of immortality (or at least a shared medal) with that dredge. My mate at Southport, and I were mad-keen scuba divers during that period. He was returning home late one night and heard the distress call over radio for divers to help rescue the trapped crewmen. He knew I had a fast boat so we could be at the upturned vessel in an hour, so called around and woke me up. Sad to relate, I had pulled the inboard engine out of the boat for overhaul the previous day. Joe Engwirda was consequently on the scene, rescued a number of the trapped crewmen and won a George Medal. So close.

#14 Question:
(posted 15.6.2008)
John Harper writes: I am researching the history of Astrop, a property here in Canterbury, New Zealand, once owned by William Aubrey Willes, the younger brother of John Willes who with his wife, Katherine, settled on Russell Island in the 1860s. I would very much like to get in touch with any bescendants of John and Katherine, and noticed the name of David Willes as the contributor of an article in one of your books. If you know any of the Willes descendants who would be interested to know of their great uncle's life in New Zealand I would be very pleased to hear from them.

#13 Question:
(posted 01.6.2008)
Evelyn writes: In the past you have helped me find some information about our family who arrived on the ‘Friedbeburg’. I am now tracing some family that may have arrived on the ‘Indus’ on the 1^st July 1872. Their names are Ellen and William Taafe.  Or spelt Taaffe. Do you know anything about this ship arriving in Moreton Bay?

#12 Question:
(posted 01.6.2008)
Merilyn asks:  I have been reading your book on Moreton Bay People. In 1970 my husband and I came from Sydney to have a holiday on Bribie Island and we had to buy  tickets to go over the bridge there, a book of 5. I was trying to find out who built the bridge ,because we were told that it was built privately and that the toll was to pay back the resident but I haven't been able to find anything about the builder and if this is true I know that it was opened in 1963 but there is no mention of the builder on the information on the Bribie information page, whether it was built by the then council or not .I was wondering if you may know.

#11 Question:
(posted 15.5.2008)
Amanda Stilsted is researching her family tree and would like to know more about a boating accident in Moreton Bay in the 1930/40 era when three of her grandmother’s brothers were drowned. One of the brothers was named Ronald Davis.

#10 Question:
(posted 1.5.2008)
Bev Moore is researching her family tree and would like more information on Margaret Sarah Thorpe who was married to Sid Thorpe – a caretaker for Colin Clark of the oystering family at Toorbul Point. Bev  thinks this would have been prior to 1900.

#09 Question:
(posted 15.4.2008)
Jim Inglis asks: I am trying to find out any details about Logan’s boats used during his commandant-ship of Moreton Bay. A name or dimensions may have been mentioned in one of his diaries. Have you ever come across anything or know where his early diaries/journals can be accessed?

#08 Oscar Crouch responds to An Historic House Afloat (see Article Archives of 15.05.2007):
My Grandad's dad was the one who owned the house that was floated up the river to Bishop Island. The house did not leave from the street you said it did. It actually left from 59 Byron St.

#07 Question:
(posted 1.4.2008)
Helen Grosert writes: My great grandparents were the keepers of the Bribie Island Lighthouse (George and Maria Gosling).  I was wondering if there was anything about them in any of your publications?  Their son Arthur "Mac" later took over. There was a house specially built for them, which is still partly there and a street was named after them.
Editor’s Answer: Unfortunately I don't have any information in my books about your grandparents. Can any of our readers help?

#06 Question:

(posted 01.03.2008)
Sandy Sharrock says: I thought you might be interested to know that my partner Trevor and I own a 36ft timber boat that was built in 1937 in the Brisbane River. She was designed and built by a gentleman called George Fest and the boat is called "Ocean Spray". George was a diver on the salvage of the "Rufus King" and nearly lost his life as a result. I have pictures of "Ocean Spray" as she was in 1937 and we have been trying to trace her history since we bought her 4 years ago. She is a part of the history of Moreton Bay and she used to take fishing trips  to Amity Point in competition to the Mirimar. The first tiger prawns were caught on "Ocean Spray" in Moreton Bay.
Jim Inglis' Answer:
Last time I saw “Ocean Spray” she was moored at Steiglitz near “Vindex” in the 70’s. Never knew who owned her though.
I had a similar boat at the time.

# 05Question:

(posted 15.02.2008)

Lesley Sullivan asks: I'm looking for a person who I believe migrated on the Western Monarch 1878 & wondered if there are shipping lists available. Would you know if this ship went on to another port afterwards, or if passengers disembarked nearby?

Editor’s Answer:

The only reference I have to the Western Monarch in 1878 is to be found in my book “Exiles of Peel Island – Quarantine” which states: “The following year (1878) saw a further clash between Dr Challinor and the Central Board of Health over the quarantining of the "Western Monarch", which had arrived in the colony infected with typhoid fever.”

Out of interest, it was also quarantined at Peel in 1876 and 1883:

Unfortunately I don’t have an exact date for its 1878 quarantining, or you could look up further details in the John Oxley Library’s copies of the Moreton Bay Courier. This newspaper often had passenger lists. The other alternative is to contact a family history group.

Tracy Ryan (Local Historian, Redland Shire Council) Answers:

Your local family history group is probably the best place to start looking for shipping lists. If they don't actually have them they should be able to tell you where they are and how to access them. If you are in the Redland Shire, you might like to visit the Cleveland Library's local history room on Tuesday or Thursday mornings, 9.30-12.30, or Saturday afternoons, 12.30-3.30, as members of the Redland Genealogical society are in the library at these times to help with inquiries such as yours.

#04 Question:

(Posted 15.02.2008)

Gary Rolph asks: I believe the Mirimar and Mirana  still exist but may be renamed? I used to travel to Amity - Pt Lookout annually with my father from about 1956 - boarding at Hayles wharf, North Quay. The journey to Amity (via Dunwich) took most of the day.

#03 Question:

(Posted 15.02.2008)

Erik Roberts asks: We are currently in the process of preparing an exhibition of paintings and an accompanying video consisting of images of Moreton Bay and need help with finding suitable locations for inclusion in the show (June - July). So far, we have documented the foreshore and the cliffs at the entrance to Cabbage Tree Creek, Sandgate, Scott's Point and Scarborough. We are planning to spend a few days working along Red Beach, Southern Bribie.

What we are looking for are places that - despite urbanisation - have retained their ancient features, i.e. we are deliberately avoiding man-made structures, even people - we want to celebrate the wild places that are left.

We are especially interested in painting / filming rocky headlands, such as Scott's point. However, my wife has MS and is limited in terms of her mobility. So the places we visit around the Bay have to be accessible by car.

So far, we have concentrated on the coastline going north from the mouth of the river. I am not so well acquainted with the edge of the Bay that runs South past Manly and Wellington Point down to Cleveland. Do you know of any rocky outcrops or reasonably untouched beaches / mangroves we could include in our artists' survey of Quandamooka?

I've attached a video still of Scarborough to give you an idea of the imagery we're after.

Editor’s Answer:

It would be worth taking the car over to Stradbroke Island. The sea gorges at Point Lookout are very spectacular. Also if you go down Lagoonview Road at Redland Bay right down to the boat ramp, there’s a nice view of the samphire flats and mangroves looking north. Also look at Lagoon Island just across the water. When you think about it, though, there aren’t many areas of Moreton Bay remaining that we’ve left untouched. Perhaps our readers have some suggestions.
Jim Inglis' Answer:
Some of the most beautiful, natural bay scenery is around Peel Island. One of the best scenes you will ever see [and I’ve seen a photo of it] is Golden Wallabies on the tidal flats onSouth Stradbroke in the early morning with the highrise jungle in the background.
Jumpinpin area is superb and I think you can get a ferry to all those South Stradbroke sights.
There are good seascapes from Jacobs Well, Steiglitz, Victoria Point etc with very little or no development in the way.

#02 Question:
(posted 06/01/2008)

Sandra and Gary Eaton from Glamorgan South Wales have heard that the Eatons of Moreton Bay are searching for details of  a William Eaton of Martley, Worcestershire, England who sailed on the ship 'Irene' 1855.  
Sandra says: We have gone back to 1777 Benjamin Eaton Yeoman of St. Clement Worcestershire Gary's 4x Great grandfather  married Mary Jones they had son's Thomas, Benjamin, John, and William . John is Gary's 3x Great grandfather. There were also daughters Mary, Elizabeth, and Mary again. We have more on family that lived in Worcestershire and came to Wales. Can you help us find who is looking for the info?
Editor's Answer:
The only details I have of the barque 'Irene' is a visit to Moreton Bay arriving from Liverpool on 11 February 1858. Captain Jones and Mrs Jones, and 344 Government immigrants. Dr Graham Surgeon Superintendent. (Ship's Agent J and G Harris)
Lynette Hughes Answer:
I am descended from William Eaton and Ann Powell who immigrated on the Irene - in fact there are over 5000 of us and the family is having a reunion on Sunday 10/02/2008 for 150 years in Australia at the Woodford Showgrounds in SE Qld where a lot of the family settled. I would very much appreciate being able to contact the Welsh Eatons, particularly as they're enquiry a month before the reunion is so timely.
 (Eaton – Jenkinson decendency enclosed)
Gary Eaton replies:

Gary Eaton here from Wales. Do you know anyone who can give any information about the Eaton family reunion at Woodford? The history of the Eaton families in England, Wales and Australia is fascinating. I believe there is also a book coming out about the Eaton's from Australia that I would like to have.
Helen Eaton replies:
(posted 01.03.2008)
On your site you have a listing for a Sandra & Gary Eaton of Glamorgan South Wales looking for descendants of the Eaton Reunion held in Woodford Qld. I am Helen Eaton and together with Toni Eaton White we were the two that organized the Eaton Reunion. Can you please pass this on or advise on contacting these people.
Editor Replies: Done!

#01 Question:
(posted 16/12/2007)
James Gray asks:I am trying to find something on the history of the Moreton Bay League; but to no avail. Do you have anything I could use?
Editor's Answer:
I think the Moreton Bay League was set up by Thomas Welsby. It might be worth a visit to the Welsby Room at the Royal Queensland Historical Society, Old Commissariat Stores, William Street, Brisbane.

Readers, please send your comments to the Editor, Peter Ludlow, at pludlow@bigpond.net.au

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Last modified: March 26, 2007