murdered in Australia 10.1854

[Jane Gee]

Hi Patrick
I wonder if you know roughly if the year was 1855 that the aboriginies were removed from Darlinghurst goal or later on being dishcarged and returned to the Island. Some years ago the BBC did a television series and Andy Martin was interviewed by Angus Deayton (a well known BBC person) it was a big suprise to watch this. Of course no mention of past events.
Will be in touch
Best Wishes
Jane

[Patrick Noonan]

Jane
They were transferred from Darlinghurst Goal to the custody of the Water Police Office on 10 April 1855. This is last date that I have been able to locate. Unfortunately, most of the Water Police records were lost and that makes it difficult to track what happened next. HMS Torch returned to Port Curtis in September 1855 but I do not know if the Aboriginal prisoners were on board. Does the ship's log mention anything for this period? On the return journey from the Percy Islands, HMS Torch called in to Port Curtis on 7 February 1855 and Captain Chimmo wrote to the Government Resident Captain Maurice O'Connell requesting assistance with "an impressive ceremony of interring the remains of poor Spurling in the Christian burying-ground". O'Connell provided that assistance and William Spurling's funeral was held at 1.30pm on 8 February 1855 attended by O'Connell, the ship's company and a contingent of Mounted Native Police. Again, does the ship's log provide any information on the whereabouts of this "burying-ground"? There are many inconsistencies in the various accounts of what happened. For example, Chimmo's report claims that Strange shot two Aborigines but in court Walter Hill says that Strange was only carrying a single shot weapon. Why go to all the trouble of disposing of the other three bodies and their possessions and leave Willliam Spurling's body in mangroves right next to the huts where the Aboriginals were living? It is interesting that Strange was first speared in the thigh (which is a traditional form of non-lethal punishment) but he manages to pull out the spear and shoot one of his attackers. It is after this that the other three are killed mainly with clubs. You would be aware of the disputes over the lease on Middle Percy Island that erupted when Andy returned from England and continued after his death until settled by a court judgement. Attached is a photograph of the ketch 'Vision' taken many years after its voyage to the Percy Islands.

Patrick

[Patrick Noonan]

Jane
My apologies I have gone back to the beginning of this thread and saw that your ancestor was Henry Gittings not William Spurling. I have been so preoccupied with trying to find the location of his grave in Gladstone that I have made the wrong assumption. Yes, most likely your ancestor was put into the sea with the outgoing tide (not thrown out of a canoe). While that particular beach is relatively shallow there is some deep water between Middle Percy and Pine Islet and the bodies would have been caught in the current.
Patrick

[Jane Gee]

Hi patrick
Dont worry I am always pleased to hear from one with any interest however tenous the connection can be. The more I hear the more I can form a "whole picture" of the events. I checked on line via the ADM references for the ships log and there is a gap from April 1855 to around 1860. There may be other records ie muster rolls. I used to be so clued up on these records but in March 2010 I had opthalmic shings and 4 months off work and 99% of my family history research ground to a halt. I need to get back into the swing of recognising the records but I used be so embroiled in the Royal Navy due to Henrys father & gt grandfather being officers in the Georgian Royal navy I have had plenty of practice but above all loved the research and the finds. I have checked my records and the person who sent me the information regarding the aquittal of the prisoners was Craig Gordon. I do not know what his interest was as he never said but was very helpful if putting me on the right track.
If I have any more information I will contact you, please keep in touch and many thanks for your information.
Best Wishes
Jane

[Jane Gee]

Hi Patrick
I did get your last message but it came via the moderator its a miracle I worked out how to send it to you in the first place! I definitely need more practice I would love to have the pictures you have and will go back send you another message with my info. After I had found the file I was going to send to you I realised that the file is in fact a copy of the newspaper article from the Sydney Morning Herald of 19th October page 2 onwards. I reread this and came to the conclusion that alot of Lt Chimmos comments appear to be purely his opinion. It does mention about the throwing into the water of 2 bodies. but as you mentioned this was more than likely not true. I would be interested in your opinion of his statement I am sure that somewhere an not an interpreter available but am unsure where again I read this I will again read through the articles I have which are really interesting to read. I do want to produce some kind of book for our family members only regarding this incident which has actually taken 25 years to solve but I would never say the story will ever be complete. Unsure of copyright etc. I hope to retire next year and this would be a great winter project.
Hope to hear from you at your convenience.
Jane