27 July 1933

The Boat Blew Up

Over sixty years ago there was a paddle steamer called the Providence carrying cargo on the Darling. On one trip she was towing a loaded barge. Captain Davies was in command and Mr. Sparks was engineer. The engineer noticed the water gauge attached to the boiler was not showing any water. This meant they could not tell correctly how much water was in the boiler, but that it was very low. He then ordered the Providence to the bank, where they pumped cold water into the hot boiler. The result was too much steam, and the boiler blew up, killing both captain and engineer, and sending the Chinese cook through the air, depositing him in a tree. He was dead when found. The boat sank. Some time later the engines were recovered and brought to Goolwa. My grandfather bought them for £50, and after cleaning them, found the cylinders were perfect. Captain Pickles later bought the engine at £150 for the Queen, which was burnt some years later.

This little ditty used to be sung on the Murray beats half a century and more ago: —
' When first I went to Goolwa,
The boats they went by steam,
With Johnson on the Wentworth
And Pickles on the Queen;
So go it now, my hearty.
So go it while you can;
So go it now, my hearty.
For we are Murray men. '

Don't 'Monkey' With Ants

In the scrub country near the old Talisker mine, Cape Jervis, many ant mounds may be found. Some are as high as 5 ft. These are of ironstone pebbles built by bull dog ants. The outside of these nests are extremely hard, smooth, and conical shaped. They resemble polished granite rock. I remember one mound 4 ft. high, which we school children of 50 odd years ago stoned and poked at, and broke pieces off by day, taking care not to get stung by ants. We were interested to see how quickly the ants with their saliva smoothed and repaired the damage. Through our destructions this nest became flat on the top. One midwinter a party of tourists wandered to this mound. 'What is it?' they asked. 'A bull ants' nest,' they were old. The visitors poked the nest and assured themselves that no ants lived there. One young man stood on the top and began to declaim —
I am monarch of all I survey.
My right there is none to dispute.

Just then some sleepy ants crawled over his boots. He went on reciting, unconscious that more and more insects began to crawl over his trousers. Suddenly he gave a mighty yell, and made a flying leap, rolling over and over in the grass. His friends laughed at first. But when frantically he tore his clothes, and kept shouting, they went to his assistance, vigorously brushing off the enraged ants. It was not long before all the men were dancing about maddened by pain. Two were badly bitten, and kept moaning bitterly. Some local school children who had bought their experience, advised the victims to get some hot water and bathe the wounds. So a sobered and wiser party made post haste for the nearest farmhouse for assistance.— 'S.M.J.,' Maylands.

Sam Decided To Swim

An early day sailing vessel on the Murray was the Mosquito. It is said to have been built by Captain Randall at Gumeracha, and then conveyed to Mannum to have engines fitted, so that it could be launched as the first steamer on the Murray.

But when the Mosquito came to have the machinery installed it was found to be too small, and Randall had to build another vessel, which secured the coveted honor.

I do not know if that legend is true. But what is authentic is that the Mosquito was turned into a sailer, and put in command of Captain Tinks. The Mosquito sailed down the river to Lake Alexandrina, and after the harvest was employed in taking wheat from Milang to be gristed at the flour mill of Goolwa. The Goolwa mill was the only one in the vicinity at the time, and it provided the surrounding districts with flour.

On one occasion on the return trip the Mosquito had just passed the sand spit which runs out from Pt. Sturt, when a boat behaving most queerly was seen. It seemed as if it was half full of water and as if there was no one aboard. It would sluggishly run up into the wind, then pay off a little, and run before the wind.

On investigating the men on the Mosquito saw a queer sight. The boat was almost full of water, and in it its owner, 'Old Sam,' was swimming back and forth from bow to stern. Sam, it turned out, was returning from Milang, where he had sold his catch of fish. Evidently a little money and a public house were the ingredients of a comedy. When the boat shipped a little water Sam was too tight to bail it out, and by the time it became half full Sam evidently thought he was overboard and decided to swim for it.

After being given a drink of hot tea and having his boat bailed empty, Sam again set out for home. This time he reached it in safety. Sam was an expert swimmer, and it was said that when his boat was becalmed he would dive overboard and tow it to its destination. — J. E. Broomhead, Buckleboo. W.C.

The House-Building Rat

One of South Australia's most interesting native rodents is the house building jerboa rat— (Leporillus conditor). Captain Charles Sturt, the explorer, discovered this rat on his expedition into Central Australia. These grey-brown rabbit-like rodents are common on the Nullabor Plain where their wonderful stick houses are of much interest to travellers.

Marvellous ingenuity is shown in the construction of their 'houses,' which vary in shape, some being low and flat, and others cone-shaped. Sticks are woven together and dwellings up to a height of 3 feet are erected. These 'houses' are usually situated in a slight depression, or in the shelter of a limestone ridge or a saltbush. Others are built over rabbit burrows. Some of the builders favor flat roofs which are cleverly weighted down by small stones. This indicates an unusual degree of intelligence in the little architects. When the housing problem becomes acute several families occupy one 'home,' each family keeping strictly to its own compartment.

Their natural enemy is the cave owl of the Nullabor Plain. This owl closely resembles the familiar barn owl. It makes its nest in the blowholes which abound all over the plain. At night it raids the 'homes' of the jerboa rats.— 'R.V.H.,' Yeelanna.

She Changed Her Mind

This incident occurred in one of our northern towns some years ago. A certain spinster of many years' residence and questionable popularity, decided to migrate to another town. The news was received with pleasure by most of the townspeople, but not wishing to show their animosity it was decided to give her a farewell social.

The town was canvassed for donations towards a presentation. The eventful evening arrived. The lady's friends— and others not quite so friendly— assembled at the hall, where the function was held.

During the evening the chairman expressed regret at the guest's impending departure. His remarks were supported by other spokesmen, who in their effort to please the departing guest, overdid their eulogies somewhat. The presentation was duly made, and the lady rose to respond.

Then the bomb fell. She said she was both surprised and gratified to know that she was so popular. Since her going was so likely to create a void in the town, she had changed her mind, and would stay with them a little longer. And stay she did. — 'Peggotty,' Cowell.

The Boat Blew Up (1933, July 27). Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), p. 16. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90891637