On Wednesday 10 November 1852, the Moreton Bay Courier published a Supplement to its usual Saturday publications. The first item was this black-bordered notice: This wasn’t just the death of a member of the legislature. The passing of Richard Jones, Esq., brought to end an astonishing career that began with his arrival in Australia inContinue reading “On This Day, 6 November 1852: Death of Richard Jones, Esq.”
Category Archives: On This Day
On this day: A Night of Fires, 1866
October 8, 1866 From the Brisbane Courier. GREAT FIRE IN THE CITY. TWELVE HOUSES DESTROYED. A FIRE, only surpassed in magnitude by the two great fires of a year or two ago, occurred in Queen-street last night, being the third great conflagration which has happened in the principal thoroughfare of the city. It took placeContinue reading “On this day: A Night of Fires, 1866”
The Latest News for March 20 (1847)
One event dominated the news on 20 March 1847 – the recent wreck of the steamer Sovereign, and the loss of 44 lives. The murders of Andrew Gregor and Mary Shannon six months earlier still haunted the Courier and its readers. Page 1 The front page was, as usual, the place for advertising. First, MrContinue reading “The Latest News for March 20 (1847)”
The Latest News for March 17 (1849)
The Moreton Bay Courier was published every Saturday in the 1840s, and on Saturday 17 March 1849, the edition gave readers all of the latest news (only three months late for overseas news!), letters and advertisements. As was the custom at the time, the first page was devoted to classified advertising. Readers were informed thatContinue reading “The Latest News for March 17 (1849)”
The Brisbane Flood Anniversary
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 The water came up and the children came out… Of course, this sort of photo disturbs the modern viewer.Continue reading “The Brisbane Flood Anniversary”
November 14, 1842 – Captain John Clements Wickham appointed Police Magistrate at Moreton Bay.
Captain Wickham, whose name adorns streets, terraces and a park in Brisbane, held public office in Brisbane from 1842 until Separation in 1859, when he ceased duties as Government Resident and handed over to the Colony’s first Governor. Surviving photographs show a thoughtful-looking gent with an impressive set of white whiskers almost obscuring the lowerContinue reading “November 14, 1842 – Captain John Clements Wickham appointed Police Magistrate at Moreton Bay.”
National Police Remembrance Day, September 29.
In the 161 years since separation, the Queensland Police Service has kept a roll of honour, remembering the officers killed in the course of their duties. The 3rd and 4th names on the Memorial are those of Constable Patrick William Cahill and Constable John Francis Power. The two young men died on 06 November 1867,Continue reading “National Police Remembrance Day, September 29.”
February 15, 1851 – Patagonia survivors reach Brisbane
The Patagonia, a British Brig of 323 tons was on a routine cargo run from Sydney to Manilla in what was then the Spanish East Indies. There was a small crew and a cargo of coal on board. On February 05 1851, the vessel struck Bond’s Reef just off New Caledonia and could not beContinue reading “February 15, 1851 – Patagonia survivors reach Brisbane”
February 14, 1848 – Ludwig Leichhardt’s final visit to Brisbane.
He’d been away, presumed missing before. This was going to be the big one – Dr Leichhardt would cross the continent, to arrive in Western Australia in early 1850. As that year dawned, people began to prepare for his arrival in Western Australia. And waited, hopefully. Perhaps he had been delayed. Months became years. Expeditions set outContinue reading “February 14, 1848 – Ludwig Leichhardt’s final visit to Brisbane.”
February 13, 1863 – Fearful gales and wild weather
As the Severe Weather warnings roll across Queensland, a timely reminder that this is not unusual. At all. Throughout the whole of yesterday the wind blew strongly in fitful squalls from the eastward and south-east, and the rain fell without intermission, occasionally pouring down in drenching showers. As it had also rained through the previousContinue reading “February 13, 1863 – Fearful gales and wild weather”
Moreton Bay and More 