HEROISM OF BLACKS.

Shannon News, 8 March 1927, Page 2

HEROISM OF BLACKS.

QUEENSLAND FLOOD STORY.

The heroism of North Queensland blacks stands out among the latest stories of rescue work in the area devastated by flood and cyclone. At Cardwell, a black, whose gin had died front exposure, battled through flood waters to secure help for a white settler and his family. The native crew of the wrecked lugger Sunshine displayed wonderful endurance and heroism in getting two .white men ashore through four miles of heavy seas. After battling with the .elements for some time the boat anchored under Dunk Island. However, she dragged her anchor, and drifted at the merey of wind and sea. Huge waves broke over, the boat, and she filled and sank in the open sea. As she went dow.i the crew took to the small dinghy, but this, too, filled, and went down unci-: them.

Alexander M'Leod, the owner, could not swim on aceount of an injured leg, while the mate, H. Eggers, was a poor swimmer. Fortunately the boys were remarkably good in the wa'; er, and all set out for the mainlan i four miles away, the blacks swimming strongly and taking it in turns to assist the two whites After battling for two hours they reached the coast near the Hull River. Both white-men were thoroughly exhausted. Another story of heroism.of Northern blacks comes from Cardwell. A

black boy named Willie Murray, and his gin, had to leave their hut and were swept away by the strong currents Thsy reached dry land, but found themselves surrounded by a sea of fast-rising. waters. • They climbed a tree, where they remained all night, exposed to tho*.bitter wind' and driving rain.. The gin eventually died from exposure. Murray left her body in the fork of a tree, and battled his way through the flood waters to Ingham pumping station. Here he,learned that Mr and Mrs E. Burke and family were perched on the top of their home on the bank of Saltwater Creek. He immediately set off through the swirling current to Kennedy, the nearest telegraph station, and after an epic struggle, got there. The station master got into touch with the police at Cardwell, where a boat party was organised, and the Burke family rescued.

About 30 people who had gathered at Winter's Store Euramo, from all parts of that district, were rescued by a boat party from Cardwell. Water was flowing through" the store when the rescue party arrived. At Tuily the stationmaster was isolated in his house with his wife and family. The flood waters were rising very rapidly. With a torch he signalled to the police on the other side of the creek and he and his family were rescued just as the water was up to their necks. i