Tyele by Barbara Breheny

Author:Barbara Breheny
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780615484242
Publisher: Barbara Breheny

Donald with record queenfish he caught using 30lb test in northern Queensland.

We anchored at Turtle Head close to the still functioning cultured pearl farm, which is called Ocean Gems, and was Japanese-owned and operated. We had hoped to be able to tour the farm, but were informed in definite language that no visitors were allowed, so we had to be content with viewing the racks from afar. This was the last of the farms to be operating in an area that was once the home of many profitable farms. In 1970, the tanker Oceanic Grandeur hit bottom in the Torres Strait and spilled thousands of tons of oil into the sea after which were thrown more thousands of gallons of detergent. The owners of the Oceanic Grandeur did not want it said that the pollution caused by this disaster did, in fact, destroy the cultured pearl industry, but it is true that after the disaster all farms were experiencing 100% loss after years of 90% shell survival after the delicate operation of depositing the irritant was performed.

On June 6th, we entered Albany Passage, a narrow, very deep channel between the mainland and Albany Island with steep hills on both sides and a narrow fringing reef along the edge. Historically, the area rates very high, as once it was a potential major port and expected to be the future Singapore of Australia.

Sir George Bowen, Queensland’s first governor, suggested that the port be established after a cruise aboard the HMS Pioneer. Neither Townsville nor Cairns existed then, and the town of Bowen was only one year old. The new town would be called Somerset, and optimistic businessmen eagerly purchased the crown land that was sold at auction.

At first, Albany Island was the suggested place for the port, but the first government resident, John Jardine, selected the site on the mainland which we saw. It was marked by a coconut plantation and two houses on the hill overlooking the passage. Many more government residents followed Jardine including the “Father of North Queensland,” George Elphinstone Dalrymple, whose enthusiasm for that part of the world started many towns. He died from fever while returning from his tenure at Somerset. The last resident was Jardine’s son, Frank, who remained there after the local seat of authority was moved to Thursday Island. He married a Samoan woman who was a direct relation of King Malietoa of Samoa and, together, they built an empire based on the plantation, cattle, and pearling, and were responsible for establishing Somerset as one of the most romantic spots on the coast.

We tried to set the anchor in the recommended place, close to the northern headland of the bay. We were experiencing a windward condition, which was the cause of an extremely fast current and kept driving us toward the rocks at the base of the headland. Our attempts proved futile, and so, we had to forego a land trip to inspect the plantation and mansion, but I was gratified to at least have had a view from the water of the fabulous place known as Somerset.

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