Brisbane River Monsters 1880-1898

Brisbane River Monsters 2

Horrible Encounter with a Shark.
Brisbane, Friday.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: November 27, 1880
Page Number: 4

A horrible shark accident occurred last evening at the Deep Rock, opposite Kangaroo Pond, Brisbane River. Some boys were bathing, and one named Alexander Drury, 12 years, son of Mr. Albert Drury, clerk of the Executive Council, was seized by a large shark by both legs. The boy being a splendid swimmer, turned and fought, and got away until nearing the bank, when he was seized again and dragged under. A companion named Bergin jumped in to the rescue and got hold of Drury, but the shark was too strong for both. A third boy jumped in and seized Bergin, and with other boys assistance they drugged Drury away. The combat lasted for five minutes. Frightful injuries are done to both the poor boy's legs, which are stripped from the calves downwards, and the ankle and feet bones were crushed. Great loss of blood resulted, and the water for yards round was discoloured. Amputation of both legs, below the knees, was performed by Dr. O'Doherty last night. The boy may possibly recover. Drury has several times swam across the river.

The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld.)
Date: December 31, 1881
Page Number: 837

A SHARK 12ft. long was seen in the Brisbane river near the Victoria bridge on Thursday last.

Albert Victor Drury
(1837-1907)

Drury was something of an unofficial historian and kept many scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings, photographs, invitations, menus and other memorabilia relating to royalty and its representatives, governments and politicians. This collection, now in the Oxley Memorial Library, is a valuable source of reference to government activities and personalities.

The Brisbane Courier (Qld.)
Date: December 6, 1881
Page Number: 3

Bathing in the Brisbane River is at the present time, and for the next three mouths will be, a luxury to be enjoyed only at much risk. In the baths it is no doubt safe enough, but in the open waterway it may mean loss of life, or a maiming of the body scarcely less terrible. The fact is, that our summer visitor, the shark, has called in, and is curiously exploring the windings of the Brisbane in search of anything fleshy. He is said to have a preferenco for dog, as the most digestible diet, and next in order comes kanaka as most juicy, but he is not averse even to a highly-flavoured billy goat, and in fact his strong point may be considered a desire to be entertaining all round. However, the matter is really a very serious one, and as there are people, old and young, reckless enough to bathe in the Brisbane during the hot summer months, when sharks are almost certnin to be about, it would be only right to give official warning that they must not do so in future, and, if they disobey the regulation, to punish them. Two sharks were seen yesterday from the Victoria Bridge, a little above it.

Horse tram at the northern end of the first permanent Victoria Bridge, c. 1890

Kanaka labourers on a Queensland sugar plantation, 1890s.

The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld.)
Date: January 7, 1882
Page Number: 5

A SHARK 7ft long was caught in the Brisbane River on Sunday last.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW)
Date: November 29, 1887
Page Number: 5

A shark, caught in the Brisbane River on Saturday, appears to have had a fancy for trading. Wnen opened, it was found he was in possession of a penknife, a penny, a silver watch and chain, several shells, and a bolt.

Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.)
Date: January 20, 1888
Page Number: 5

A circumstance happened in the Brisbane River, near the North Quay ferry, on Sunday afternoon, says the Observer, which ought to act as a warning. About midday two gentlemen were crossing the North Quay ferry, an were followed by a large and valuable retriever dog, which swam after them. When about half way across the dog was seized by a huge shark, and drawn completely under the water. In a very short time half of the animal rose to the surface, but was quickly followed by the monster and devoured. About half an hour before this occurrence a number of youths were bathing in the vicinity, and two lads, more venturesome than the rest swam to the middle of the stream. Fortunately for them the shark did not appear to be at hand, or else it is quite probable one a them would have formed a portion of the shark's meal. On Saturday a shark about 5 ft. in length was caught near the bridge and it is very evident that more are about.

The Brisbane Courier (Qld.)
Date: January 27, 1888
Page Number: 5

Several sharks have been seen in the Brisbane River lately, and their presence demonstrates the danger to which those who will persist in bathing in the river expose themselves. Late yesterday afternoon a youngster who had caught a catfish tied it to a piece of wood and threw it into the river again. This boy and others were watching the frantic efforts of the unfortunate fish to free itself, when a shark measuring 5ft. or 6ft. in length made its appearance on the scene. The shark made several attempts to secure the catfish, and finally succeeded in taking the wood to which it was attached. This did not, however, meet with the shark's approval, and it soon appeared on the surface again.

The Brisbane Courier (Qld.)
Date: December 18, 1888
Page Number: 5

A correspondent gives a timely caution to bathers in the Brisbane River. He says that on Tuesday last a shark some 8ft. or 9ft. in length was seen opposite the Mary-street wharf and that a few days previously a dog swimming after a Kangaroo Point ferry-boat was seized by a large shark. Daily lads are to be seen swimming in different parts of the river, apparently unconscious of the terrible risk they run. It would be well it they took warning that at this season of the year there is danger in bathing in any open part of the Brisbane.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald &
General Advertiser (Qld.)
Date: January 16, 1890
Page Number: 2

A young shark, measuring nearly 3ft. in length, was caught in the Brisbane River, at Goodna, by an inmate of the Lunatic Asylum, on Tuesday afternoon last.

The Brisbane Courier (Qld.)
Date: February 24, 1892
Page Number: 6

What is believed to have been a shark, about 5ft. or 6ft. in length, was seen by Mr. John Roll at the England's Creek crossing in the Brisbane River near Fernvale, last week. The shark attempted to swim down the river through the crossing, but being very large and the stream shallow, was obliged to return to a sheet of water where it is hoped he will be captured ere long.

The Brisbane Courier (Qld.)
Date: March 5, 1892
Page Number: 4

It is reported that an alligator has been seen on the banks of the Brisbane River.

Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW)
Date: March 12, 1892
Page Number: 13

It is reported that an alligator has been seen on the banks of the Brisbane River, in the vicinity of Hamilton, a suburb of the metropolis.

Western Star and Roma Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld.)
Date: March 18, 1892
Page Number: 2

THERE is some reason to fear (says the Telegraph) that the alligator reported to have been seen in the Brisbane River is not a case of monkey brand soap, as has been suspected : the eye witnesses of his dangerous presence being too many and too reliable to admit of a doubt. This is so, especially seeing that it is possible to suppose that some travelling showman may have dropped the great reptile over the bank, thinking he was dead and would float out to sea. But the monster must be destroyed. A correspondent suggests that explosive bullets be used to do the work. He says that Mr. George Warry, he believes, has had the yacht Petrel placed at his disposal, and if so there should be another early account of this strange visitor. Mr. Warry may go well prepared, but it is not everybody who travels with explosive bullets about him. Mr. E. Munro, it is said, will join the party, and he being an excellent shot, the expedition may equal Randolph's lion hunt, at which everybody, save the lion, came off so well.

Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW)
Date: December 10, 1892
Page Number: 38

The well-known trainer Harry Linnell, and the jockeys F. Failey and E. Cannon, had an encounter in the Brisbane River recently with a 9ft 6in shark. The incident occurred off the Hamilton, and after a lot of trouble they succeeded in landing the monster.

SHARK V. JEW FISH.
Warwick Argus (Qld.)
Date: October 31, 1893
Page Number: 2

An unusual occurrence took place in the Brisbane river opposite the A.U.S.N. Company's wharf about 11 o'clock on Thursday morning. Several of the company's men were in coal punts alongside the wharf when they noticed the water rising midstream as if a struggle was going on. They pulled out to the spot, and discovered that a large jewfish had been attacked by a shark. The fish was captured, when it was found that the shark had bitten a piece about 9 lbs. off the tail part, and had taken a couple of bites of about 4 lbs. each off the back. It was estimated that the jewfish must have been fully 50 lbs in weight before the shark breakfasted off him.

The Brisbane Courier (Qld.)
Date: July 19, 1898
Page Number: 4

Mr. Drennan, the lighthouse-keeper at Fisherman Island, reports having seen an alligator in the Brisbane River a few days ago. He says that the alligator, which was about 7ft. long, was lying on the mud. Upon being disturbed it moved away, and disappeared in theriver. Mr. Drennan afterwards inspected the tracks of the reptile, and saw from the impressions made in the soft ground that it was what is known as an ordinary alligator, the same as are found in the North.

Reported Monster in the Brisbane River.
A GREAT HOAX.

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser (Qld.)
Date: September 6, 1898
Page Number: 7

September 4.

The excitement and amusement created by the bunyip hoax on Friday have not yet subsided and the sayings of those who were determined to capture the monster cause no end of merriment. There were about ten men of K company present with forty rounds of ball cartridges and about twenty of the young men round here (seven with shot guns), while others (on hearing the first volley fired at the river) made haste to the scene of action, bent on having a view of the leviathan. The excitement was intense. The independent firing continued until the halliards or ropes attached to the "creature" were cut and then the boat was manned and the shooters made towards the supposed dying bunyip. On their near approach, however, the remaining rope was pulled by the unseen operator and the crew of the boat paused, some saying, "Look out ! don't let us get too close, for we do not know what he may do." A hurried consultation resulted in their deciding to let the monster have another volley to make quite sure. The deed was done and the boatsmen then got near the object of their pursuit and pulled it on board, when they were surprised to find that lately "terriblemonster" was, as one remarked, "only a b——y box !" Those who had before held back, being rather afraid, now, on hearing that the "monster" was dead, drew near to the boats and the surprise of the assembled crowd was very amusing. The "bunyip" was on view at the Lowood Railway Station yesterday. It is about 5ft. long (tail included) with a head like that of a good sized calf, covered with swanskin, black leather being over its nose. The tail was made of swanskin and grey wallaby skin, and the ears of wallaby skin, with wire appliances to keep the ears stiff. The "body" was simply an old wooden case. At the railway station, on the arrival of the trains, a general move of the passengers was made to view the "bunyip," and it is the talk of the whole district. Some say that one resident of the Pocket had offered £40 for the capture of the monster that was reported to be seen in the river some months ago, when the calves were being missed. A report was also rife that the Government were willing to give £200 for the monster, for the Museum, and there were several disputes, before the finale as to how these rewards were to be shared by the armed and unarmed hunters of "the River Terror."

Nothing in the hoax line that has happened here has caused so much laughter for many a year.

(FROM OUR LOWOOD CORRESPONDENT.)
September 1.
Ever since last flood, rumours have been prevalent that there was some animal of the alligator species in the river here. Several fishing parties have reported being disturbed by the appearance of the monster, demon, or whatever it was, which scared the piscators so much that they retired in much haste and trepidation. Others have said that the animal was seen to come out of the river at night and attack cattle grazing on the bank. One report was to the effect that a calf was, on one occasion, carried bodily into the water and devoured. The monster was described by some who saw it as being something similar to a Newfoundland dog with a ferocious head and large tusks. Others affirmed that it had wings or large fins and yet resembled an alligator in its motions when on dry land. If it could only be located it was the determination of numerous residents to destroy the brute. When seen, however, no firearms were in the hands of the surprised beholders. Last Thursday night, a party of 'opossum-shooters when near the river were surprised to see the monster floating in the river, and only too glad of the opportunity of distinguishieg themselves by clearing the river of the "devourer," they fired ten shots which did not prevent the "bunyip" from speeding away up the river to the long waterhole opposite Lindermann's cultivation. The monster having thus been located the night of Friday last was fixed for a party to effect its destruction. The appointment was made for 5 p.m., and the "vigilance committee" were to assemble at the Lowood School of Arts. About twenty of the residents (armed with guns), together with Constable Fagg and others, accordingly met at the "trysting-place" and determined to get to the scene of action with as little delay as possible. A move was accordingly made to the bottom of Mr. Lindermann's paddock on the river bank, and, after the party had traversed the bank some half hour or so, one of the scouts reported seeing a dark moving object on the other side of the river on a large log. The object had scarcely been noted when it jumped or dived off the log with considerable noise and splashing, and came towards the party bent upon its destruction. As it rapidly and fearlessly approached, some who were rather timid were for firing and scaring the monster off, but the leader of the party counselled them to reserve their fire until a nearer approach of the creature. The right time having arrived the order was given, and a volley from the party was fired at the approaching object. Another volley was next poured in, with shots at intervals of a few minutes until the advance of the monster was stayed and the body seemed to float away up the stream. The firing brought quite a crowd of the principal residents on the scene, and a boat was soon manned to follow the carcase of the supposed dead bunyip. The party in the boat on nearing the unknown, fired once more, and then secured the floating body. Loud cries of "Have ye got him?" "Is he dead?" "Get him to land?" &c. were directed to the party in the boat who were hauling aboard the river monster. It was soon found to the disgust of the slayers, that the bunyip wore make up. The skin of a wallaby had been stuffed over an empty wooden case and an ingenious arrangement of corde fixed so that the "demon" could be pulled through the water. This was rather a "sell" for many persons who thought that "behemoth" was genuine, and the affair has caused a lot of fun.

Lindemanns in their car c 1908

Lowood Railway Station

THE "BUNYIP."
Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald &
General Advertiser (Qld.)
Date: September 15, 1898
Page Number: 2

A well known fisherman and farmer says that the "bunyip hoax" was all very funny, but he is confident that there is something in the river yet; as, while fishing, he has seen the creature, and it was his opinion that more will be heard of it. Others also aver that the "real M'Kie" is still alive and living in the river, and several persons have got their eyes open, and mean to capture the "monster" before long.

Carl Hermann Detlef Lindemann
1873-1952

Shopkeeper, inventor,
first-class monster hoaxer.

(State Library Qld)