In 1901 the steamer Greyhound could carry 255 passengers in Moreton Bay and many excursion and camping trips were made to Bribie Island. The following descriptions of trips made to Bribie Island during 1901 and 1902 give a glimpse of those excursions.
The Steamer Greyhound's Trip.
The trip by the steamer Greyhound yesterday was again well patronised. It was a perfect day, and all on board were delighted with the outing. The Kenilworth hulk had been taken down to Bribie Island, and will form a landing stage, so that passengers can get ashore without any delay, thus affording a longer time on shore. As advertised, the Greyhound will proceed to Bribie Island to-morrow morning (Separation Day, Dec 10th), and no doubt will be well patronised by those requiring a quick trip and a good run on shore.
The Brisbane Courier, Mon 9 Dec 1901, p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19133447
Trip to Bribie Island.
Considering yesterday (Dec 10th) was not closely observed as a holiday, the steamer Greyhound left for Bribie Island with a fair complement of passengers. There was a good stiff breeze blowing in the Bay, and the crispness of the temperature, combined with the moderate “knocking about” indulged in by the staunch little boat, added to the enjoyment of the trip.
A good supply of fruit, with an abundance of oysters, were ready for the passengers on arrival, and after an enjoyable time ashore they left again for town, well pleased with the day’s outing.
The Brisbane Courier, Wed 11 Dec 1901 p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19158557 The Bribie Island Trip.
The Greyhound left town yesterday morning for Bribie Island with a full complement of pleasure-seekers, the run being made in three hours, thus allowing passengers a long run on shore. As arranged, abundance of oysters were procurable, and were quickly disposed of at Bribie prices.
On the return a stiff south-easter was met, which added greatly to the enjoyment of the quick passage to town. After a good outing for all on board, the steamer reached the Adelaide wharf at 6 o’clock in the evening.
The Brisbane Courier Fri 27 Dec 1901 p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19153767 Free trip to Bribie.
On account of unavoidable delay, the steamer Greyhound did not leave town at the usual time yesterday. There was a full complement of passengers waiting, and some, fearing the delay might be prolonged, departed to some other resort.
Those who remained were rewarded, for the steamer went to Bribie : but Mr Campbell decided to make no charge, and all enjoyed a good run on shore. As two of the Ambulance men came on board for the trip a collection was made amongst the passengers for the institution, the contributions amounting to £2 2s. The excursion gave much pleasure, and the liberality of Messrs. Campbell and Sons was fully appreciated.
The Brisbane Courier 13.1.1902 p4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19133847
Ship Greyhound to Bribie on Sat. returning Mon. for excursions and camping offered by James Campbell & Sons (tickets 3s, 6d each)
Excursions - Camping at Bribie Island.
Special facilities are offered to Camping and Fishing Parties to spend a delightful holiday at Bribie Island. Greyhound leaves Adelaide Wharf, 2 p.m., on Saturday, 15th March, returning to town on Monday (St. Patrick's Day, Mar 17th). Splendid fishing and shooting, surf bathing. Plentiful supply of oysters arranged for. Tickets on application to James Campbell and Sons Limited, Creek-street, on or before Friday Afternoon, at 3s. 6d each, return.
The Greyhound will also run to Bribie on St. Patrick's Day, 17th instant, leaving Adelaide Wharf, 9.30, landing passengers. Fares : Adults, 2s. 6d., children 1s.
Camping at Bribie Island. An advertisement appears in this issue notifying that the steamer Greyhound leaves the Adelaide Company's Wharf at 2 p.m. on Saturday, conveying camping parties to Bribie Island and returning to town on St. Patrick's Day.
The Brisbane Courier, Thu 13 Mar 1902, p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19130269
Bribie Camping Parties.
As advertised, camping parties can proceed to Bribie at 2 o’clock to-day by the Greyhound, and can return on Sunday or Monday.
The fare is reasonable, and many will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of a change from city life. The passage is noted for good fishing, and an excellent beach for bathing in the clear ocean waters. Tickets can be obtained at Campbell and Sons, Creek-street.
The Brisbane Courier 15.3.1902 p5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19161433
Sailing Notes. . . . The boats will then either, that night or next day, cruise over to Toorbul Point, where a cricket match is being arranged. On the Monday, 17th instant, the boats will race home from Toorbul Point to the Pile Light.
The Brisbane Courier, Wed 12 Mar 1902, p. 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19131496
Trip to Bribie.
Among the pleasure trips by steamer yesterday, one which must have been very enjoyable was made by the steamer Greyhound, which left the Adelaide Company's wharf about half-past 9 a.m. for Bribie Island, whither she had taken a number of campers-out on Saturday. She had a fair complement on board. She left Bribie on her return trip about 3 p.m.
The Brisbane Courier, Tue 18 Mar 1902, p. 4 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19153105
Miscellaneous. . . . Some mischievous person set fire to the hulk Kenilworth, which is high and dry on Bribie Island, at Easter. Of course the hulk was burned right out, and the boating men got the blame, but some score of tents from the Greyhound were in the vicinity.
Queensland Figaro, Thu 3 Apr 1902, p. 17 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84123669 Editor note: The hulk Kenilworth is mentioned in December 1901 as being used as a landing stage for passengers from the Greyhound to get ashore at Bribie.
A Night Out. Bushed at Bribie. Search Party Organised.
The large number of persons who camped at Bribie Island during the Christmas holidays were treated to a little excitement they had not calculated on. The Greyhound during her trips to the island took a large number of excursionists over, and there must have been in all about 150 persons camped on the island. Of these there were at least three adventurous spirits – three young men – who decided to walk across the island. They started lightly clad, but found the journey more arduous than they anticipated, and proceeded to return home. At a certain point two decided on resting, but the third pushed on and reached the camp all right. The other two, on resuming their journey, concluded that their comrade had taken the wrong track and consequently did not follow on his footsteps but took another route, with the result that they lost their way.
As they did not return that night there was some anxiety among their friends in camp, and on the following morning a search party of 30 was organised, and set out to find the missing men. A sailing boat proceeded to Woody Point and gave information to the police there of the incident, with the result that the police authorities in Brisbane were communicated with, and two constables and two trackers were sent down to Bribie by the Greyhound on one of her further trips. There was fortunately, however, no occasion for their services, as before the original search party on the island returned to camp the missing men put in an appearance. Needless to say they were much fatigued, having been without food or water for some time, and having suffered extremely from colonies of mosquitoes and sandflies, who, finding scantily clad humans in their midst, made a special Christmas feast at their expense. On return to camp they were attended to and revived with the best of fare available, for which they expressed their grateful thanks.
The Telegraph (Brisbane) Tue 30 Dec 1902, p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172580620 Lost on Bribie.
Experiences of Two Young Men. Further particulars of the incident mentioned in last week’s “Week” concerning the two men who were temporarily lost on Bribie Island, has now been supplied by Mr. Leslie Hoey, one of those concerned.
Mr. Hoey states that he, Mr. H.E. Shaw, and another, set out from the camp on Bribie Island at 8 o’clock on Saturday morning last (that is about an hour after breakfast) with the object of collecting ferns and crossing the island. Evidently they miscalculated the nature of the task they had set themselves and were ill-equipped for the journey. They calculated being away from camp for but a few hours, and took with them neither food nor water. After tramping a couple of hours they decided to return, and a halt was made at 10 a.m. for a rest. The third man soon made his way back, but the other two lingered at the resting place for some time.
When they resumed their journey they were tired, hungry and thirsty, and a difference of opinion arose as to the right track to take. They eventually lost their way, and were all Saturday seeking their camp without success. It was a weary sojourn in the scrub that night – a bed of grass, no water and no food. That was, however, what awaited them, and they made the best of it, sleeping on the grass and dreaming of pellucid streams, &c. As a compensation, however, there were mosquitoes, and it was with little satisfaction that the belated travelers found the representatives of the species Cuiicidae enjoying themselves. A hole had been dug in the sand to a distance of 3 feet, but no water was obtained.
On the Sunday morning the two young men travelled south, and then west over very rough country. They could not see or hear the sea and were beginning to be anxious when a red bullock was espied, and this indication of the nearness of civilisation gave them renewed hope.
The sea coast was at length reached, near Bribie Passage, and the two young fellows waded along near the beach for a couple of hours when, at 10 o’clock, they met the sailing vessel Dawn, in charge of Mr Murray, and which was anchored near the shore. They were treated very kindly after their 15 hours’ thirst and fast, and some of the crew accompanied them back to their camp.
Messrs. Hoey and Shaw express their gratitude not only to the crew of the Dawn and the Yarracoo, the latter being sailed over to Redcliffe to inform the police; but also to the Police Department for dispatching Constables Freestone and McLeod and the trackers James Murray and Sam Johnson to join in the search organised by the people in camp at Bribie by Mr. Markwell.
The Week (Brisbane) Fri 9 Jan 1903 p. 16 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article181799420 Editor note: Edwin Leslie Hoey b. 28 Oct 1879, d. 5 Oct 1911 (Queensland) F: Thomas William Hoey M: Louisa Cornish Lavers. On 1903 roll, Edwin Leslie Noey, clerk, of Melrose, Jane street, West End.
References
Greyhound (ship) (not dated) image https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/1dejkfd/alma99183513562302061
