On the tenth anniversary of the floods that drenched Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, let’s revisit the first flood to be widely photographed – the 1893 disaster.
Views of the floods in Southern Queensland
Colorized photo of flooded houses in Brisbane 1893Floodwaters seen from Denmark Hill, Ipswich 1893Charlotte Street Brisbane in floodA wooden boat was used to convey pedestrians across the street, Brisbane.
Inspecting the floodwaters, East Street Ipswich.
Flooded Queen Street BrisbaneDetail from Queen Street photo. “It’s always the lower orders who enjoy this sort of thing, isn’t it?” (see the merry chaps at the back).
The water came up and the children came out…
Children playing in the floodwaters at Warwick, 1893
Children exploring the flood waters in East Street, Ipswich 1893
Children playing in the receding floodwaters Brisbane
Of course, this sort of photo disturbs the modern viewer. Who was responsible for the children? Did they not know about swift currents and undertows? Perhaps it’s the same spirit of incaution that leads modern drivers to consider driving on flooded roads.
When the waters recede, the damage becomes clear
Boats stranded in Brisbane Botanical Gardens
Flood damage to the Ipswich Congregational Church, 1893
Flood damage at the West End Brewery, Brisbane
Flood damage to a house in Cordelia Street, Brisbane.
All photographs are in the digital collections in the State Library of Queensland.
Moreton Bay and More 
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