In the early years of the colony when roads were crude or non-existent,
water transport was a far more efficient way to move people and goods.
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| Steamers on the Brisbane River 1855 (Conrad Martens) |
The township of Ipswich was previously a convict station where
limestone was quarried and burnt in kilns to provide lime for building.
Beyond Ipswich the river was not navigable because of rocky outcrops,
so the township was the natural location as the transit port for goods and
produce to and from the interior.
At first punts were used between Brisbane and Ipswich, relying on the
tides and manpower to make the journey.
In 1846, the Moreton Bay Courier
announced that a steamer would make a trial run upriver to the inland port.
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| Advertisement in The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 20 June 1846 |
THE "EXPERIMENT."-This steamer started from
North Brisbane, on her experimental trip to Ipswich, on Wednesday morning last.
Mr. Pearce, the owner, and a select party on board, were warmly greeted as they
passed up the river, by a large concourse of spectators, who had assembled to
witness her departure.
Owing to the imperfect knowledge of the person acting as
pilot, respecting the river flats, she got aground near the crossing place at
Woogoroo, and was detained until daylight the following morning, when she
proceeded on her voyage, and reached her destination at one o'clock. The
Ipswich folks were quite delighted at her appearance amongst them, and
expressed their satisfaction by giving a hearty reception to Mr. Pearce and all
on board. [1]
The initial trip being a success, the owner immediately planned to also
offer pleasure cruises around Moreton Bay.
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| Advertisement in The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 27 June 1846 |
Mr. Pearce intends to accommodate parties of pleasure
desirous of visiting the Bay, and other favourite places, with the use of the
steamer, should it be required for such a purpose. There is no doubt that many
persons will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity to take trips down the
river during the summer season. She has excellent accommodations, consisting of
gentlemen, and ladies' cabin, as well as spacious steerage. On Tuesday, Mr.
Pearce applied to the Magistrates for a license for the sale of spirituous
liquors on board, which was immediately granted.[2]
A week later the Experiment was reported as having made the round trip
upriver to Ipswich in the “highly satisfactory” time of six and a half hours.
THE "EXPERIMENT." - The return trip of the
steamer on Sunday last, after allowing for the time occupied in placing beacons
in various parts of the river, was accomplished in six hours and a half, so
that the result, as far as regards speed, which averaged, seven knots an-hour,
is highly satisfactory. Her future trips will be made on alternate days in each
week, commencing on Monday next. In order to obviate any inconvenience to
passengers, regularity will be observed in the time of departure from the two
townships, notice of which will be given in our next number. It will be seen by
our advertising columns, that the Experiment is engaged for the conveyance of a
party of pleasure to the Bay to-morrow. The reasonable price of the tickets,
and the accommodation provided for the table, will no doubt ensure a numerous
attendance on board.[3]
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| Paddle steamer docked at the Ipswich wharves, ca. 1870 |
A few months later, a detailed report of a trip to Ipswich appeared in
the local press. It is a fascinating description of a riverine landscape
still largely untouched by European settlers and the waters unsullied by industry.
Trip to Ipswich by Water
Those among our readers who may be unacquainted with the
scenery on the banks of the River Brisbane will, perhaps, feel interested in
the following particulars, gleaned during a recent trip to Ipswich in the “Experiment”
steamer.
The country on the south bank of the river has been
cleared for a distance of about one mile from the township; a small portion
only is under cultivation, the greater part being used for paddocks. A number
of sheds for the sawyers extend some distance on the south bank, while on the
opposite bank there is not a single dwelling or hut, above the township, of any
description.
About five miles down the river are the Ovens rocks,
situated a short distance from the north bank. The country here is rather
thickly wooded, with patches of brush reaching down to the water's edge, the
open parts, however, are covered with excellent grass. At the six-mile rocks
the banks are of considerable elevation, and rocky; the soil is generally
excellent; a fine rich mould prevails for miles.
Here the silk-oak, caouthouc[4],
pine, cedar, and the eucalyptus trees flourish luxuriantly. On the south bank
is a place called the Sandstone Rocks, from whence a man jumped in order to
save his life when pursued by the blacks, and swam across the river.
Near this spot an attempt was made to find coal, but the
sample not answering expectation, the cut then made was abandoned. About ten
miles from the settlement is Canoe Creek[5]
flowing into the river from the southward; and lower down on the northern side
are several flats formed by deposits of sand and mud from the creek, and which
are not covered at low water.
The character of the country is bold and picturesque; in
the distance may be seen D'Aquilar's Range, presenting delightful scenery,
while a range of hills at the back adds considerably to the romantic appearance
of this beautiful spot.
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| Brisbane North & South Brisbane from kangaroo Point 1851 (Conrad Martens) |
The tide extends to the crossing-place at Canoe Creek.
The banks of the river at this place are covered with the most luxuriant
foliage, indicating the excellent quality of the land, which only requires
capital and labour, to render it highly productive.
About seven miles below Canoe Creek are the Seventeen-mile Rocks, which extend
across the river, and form an insurmountable barrier to vessels drawing more
than eight feet water. There is but one channel, which is very narrow, and the
tide rushes through it with great rapidity.
The Sovereign steamer tried to get up the river at this
place, but the width of the passage did not allow of her making the attempt,
with safety, and she was obliged to turn back. A bridge might be constructed
here at comparatively little expense. Two miles farther down is Mosquito
Island, close to the north bank, and contiguous thereto is Mongrel Creek,
flowing from Black Fellows' Range.
There is a road from the settlement to the brushes on
this creek, the banks of which abound with pine, cedar, and other valuable
timber. The country here is rather more diversified, the banks consisting of
fine ridges opening away to the south, and clothed with the richest verdure;
judging from the appearance of the grass, it would be very suitable for hay.
About twenty miles from Brisbane is Mount Ommaney,
situated on the south bank, with a small blind creek running round its southern
base. On the opposite side is an apparently well-watered creek, and apple-tree
flats, the country thinly wooded.
At Lower Redbank, the banks are steep; a mud flat juts
out on the south side, and extends upwards of twenty yards. The appearance of
the river at this place is very pretty, forming a kind of basin; the elevated
bank commands a most delightful prospect.
On proceeding farther up the river, the first object that
claims attention is Cockatoo Island, in the middle of an extensive reach, near
which place is the "Narrows," a name which indicates the difficulty
of the navigation. A mud bank extends from this island to the middle of the
river, causing a very rapid current in the navigable part of the stream.
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| Woogaroo Creek, Goodna 1890 |
After passing this island, and on the south bank, is
Woogaroo, the residence of Dr Simpson, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, which
is beautifully situated in a bend of the river, and commands a fine view of a
very extensive reach. The house is placed on an eminence, and the prospect from
it is very pleasing and varied; there is a gentle slope to the riverside, and
the soil is of the richest description, being an accumulation of vegetable
matter.
A more promising aspect or more favourable position could
not have been selected on the banks of the river. The gardens are very
extensive, and, owing to the labour bestowed upon them, have been highly
productive. A portion of the brushwood has been left standing, and will,
doubtless, furnish the site for an exceedingly pretty refuge from the scorching
summer heats. Woogaroo Creek forms the western boundary of the property.
On leaving this delightful spot you proceed up the river
until you come to the flats, formed by deposits from the last-mentioned creek,
and which extend for some distance on the northern side of the river. Avoiding these, you enter the Coal
Reach, which is extensive and, hurried as our views were of its banks, they
cannot, unless nature has deviated from her usual laws, but be fertile. It is
here that the steamer obtains a supply of fuel.
There are also some flats, caused by the removal of
Spicer's Island, which has been gradually washed away by the floods in the
rainy seasons. On entering the River Bremer, the country improves very much,
the banks being thinly wooded, and clothed with luxuriant herbage.
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| Ipswich landing place 1851 (Sketch by Conrad Martens) |
With the exception of some occasional obstructions from
partly-sunken trees, and rocks here and there, the navigation of the Bremer by
vessels of light draughts of water is very easy; there is no tide-way, but a
rise and fall of about two feet. The water within two miles of Ipswich has a
brackish taste, but abreast of the town it is perfectly sweet.
The Experiment made the trip in eight hours, against a
strong head wind, which is rather more than six miles an hour. While we are
upon this subject, it may perhaps be as well to remind our Ipswich friends that
they should erect a wharf whereon to land the goods brought by the steamer. The
proprietor has done everything in his power to afford them accommodation, and
he certainly has a right to expect that they will contribute their quota
towards the improvement of the township.[6]
[1]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 20
June 1846
[2] The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 20 June
1846
[3]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 27
June 1846
[4]
Perhaps from caoutchouc, India-rubber i.e. a species of rubber tree. OED
[5]
Now known as Oxley Creek.
[6]
The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 8
August 1846
