February 7, 1849 – the first Fortitude immigrants arrive.

The Fortitude was the first of Dr John Dunmore Lang’s immigrant ships to Moreton Bay, departing Gravesend on 14 September 1848 with 253 on board. After dropping anchor on January 21, the immigrants spent time in quarantine, getting some fresh air and testing out their land legs. The Schooner Susan brought the first group inContinue reading “February 7, 1849 – the first Fortitude immigrants arrive.”

Old Tom journeys through Brisbane – September 18, 1870.

A DAY AMONGST THE DOUGHBOYS.  (BY OLD TOM.) On 18 September, 1870, the Brisbane Courier published a guide to Doughboy Creek (now called Bulimba Creek). Old Tom was the nom de plume of Tom Dowse, a former convict, who arrived in Brisbane Town at the time of free settlement and who went on to aContinue reading “Old Tom journeys through Brisbane – September 18, 1870.”