General Notes: John and Margaret Dearness with their children William (18), Isabella (17) and Donald (15), left London England on 17 November 1887 on the
British India Steam Navigation Steamer the "BULIMBA" Built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1882 weighing 1607 tons. They arrived at Thursday Island on 1 January 1888 and arrived at Townsville on 4 January 1888 and all immigrants were quarantined on Magnetic Island following an outbreak of Measles and
Scarlatina.
British India Steam Navigation Company ship SS Bulimba (courtesy John Oxley Library) DETAILS OF SS BULIMBA
Official Number: 86726
Tonnage: 2510gross, 1607nominal
Dimensions length 315.8 feet, beam 38.2 feet, deph of hold 17.3 feet
Year built: 1882
Name of builder: A. & J. Inglis
Place constructed: Glasgow Scotland.
Engine details: Compound Type 300 horsepower engine built by the builder of the hull.
Owners:
(1)1882 ;British India Associated Steamers Ltd.; Port of Registration: Glasgow, Scotland.
(2)1889; Australasian United S.N. Co. Ltd.; Port of Registration: Brisbane, Australia.
(3)Jan.1900; British India S.N.Co.Ltd.; Port of Registration: Glasgow, Scotland.
(4)1922; to Chinese
Broken up at Shanghai in 1933.
Built for the England-Brisbane mail line but commenced coastal voyages shortly after appearing in Australia, and from the formation of AUSN almost continuously in the coastal runs, becoming well known, and liked, in the Fremantle trade.
(SOURCE: "Australian Coastal Passenger Ships", Ronald Parsons, December 1981)
The Q.R.M.S. Bulimba, which left Cooktown on Tuesday evening, arrived here shortly after four yesterday afternoon. Mr J.A. Wallace, Assistant Immigration Agent, Dr. Long, Acting Health Officer, and representatives of the agents went out to the steamer. Dr. Long consulted with the surgeon without having communication with the vessel, and Dr. Ahearne, Health Officer, who returned from the Burdekin last night, will pay another visit at an early hour this morning. Mr Wallace yesterday received instructions from the authorities in Brisbane that in consequence of the presence of scarlatina on board, the steamer would be quarantined. Arrangements have been made for the landing of all passengers booked for all ports north of Rockhampton at Magnetic Island, where they will undergo quarantine. The owners have permission also to land at this port such of the cargo as they may deem advisable, after the same has been fumigated to the satisfaction of the Health Officer. The passengers for Rockhampton and other Southern ports will proceed in the Bulimba direct to Brisbane, where they will be quarantined at Peel Island.
(SOURCE: Townsville Bulletin, Thursday, January5, 1888)
OBITUARY
With the death on Thursday, December 17, of John Dearness, Townsville has lost one of its early and highly respected residents. John Dearness was born at Sanday, in the Orkney Islands, Scotland in 1843, so his age at his demise was 88 years. Deceased left Scotland in the Queen Victoria Jubilee year and arrived in Thursday Island on New Years morning, 1888. He came out on the B.I. boat, Bulimba. From Thursday Island he came to Townsville settling on Ross Island. It may be mentioned that at this early period the majority of the land on South Townsville was occupied by Chinese gardens. Mr Dearness immediately went into the boat-building trade with his two brothers-in-law, their shed being situated on the bank of the swing basin, in that portion now occupied by Palmer Street. Mr. Mat Taylor's father at this time also had a boat-building shed on the same spot, whilst Henry Limberg was engaged in the timber trade, also Mr. Tom Page Snr. Their yards were situated near the swing basin. In addition to this row was Tom Hamill's blacksmith's shop. Mr Dearness continued at this trade for some four or five years, after which he was employed as nightwatchman by the A.U.S.N. Company for a similar period. In 1896 he purchased a horse and van and commenced in the carrying business. A remarkable incident in this respect is that the invoice and receipt which Mr. Dearness received from H. Hubert, auctioneer for the turnout is still available. Deceased continued in the carrying business up to his death for a period of 35 years. Mr. Dearness leaves one sister, Mrs M. Sinclair, who resides in Macrossan Street, South Townsville and one son Mr. W. Dearness who lives with his wife and family in Bell Street, South Townsville. His remains were interred in the new cemetery on Friday last, a large concourse being present at the graveside, the Scottish Lament, "Flowers of the Forest" was played by Piper A. McPhie, its wail and message whirring out, pulsing to the tree covered heights of Morrel's Lookout, the sentinel of that peaceful acre as the body of yet another Highland Colonist was lowered to rest.
(SOURCE: Townsville Daily Bulletin, 26 December 1931)
Noted events in his life were:
� Occupation: Farm Servant.
� Occupation: Agricultural Labourer.
� Occupation: Carrier.
� Grave Location: Block A, Row 10, Grave 27.
� Obituary: 26 Dec 1931, Townsville Daily Bulletin.
� Funeral Notice: 18 Dec 1931, Townsville Daily Bulletin.
John married Margaret DEARNESS , daughter of Donald DEARNESS and Isabella SNODY\SNODDIE , on 10 Jun 1868 in Bressigarth, Lady Parish, Sanday, Orkney Islands, Scotland. Margaret was born on 22 Nov 1843 in Quayliddie, Sanday, Orkney Islands, Scotland, died on 4 Sep 1919 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, at age 75 3, and was buried on 5 Sep 1919 in West End Cemetery, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Noted events in her life were:
� Grave Location: Block A, Row 10, Grave 27.
� Funeral Notice: 5 Sep 1919, Townsville Daily Bulletin.
Marriage Certificate of John and Margaret Dearness (click on picture to enlarge)
Children from this marriage were:
+ 2 M i. William DEARNESS was born on 16 Apr 1869 in Tresness, Lady Parish, Sanday, Orkney Islands, Scotland,4 died on 11 Sep 1948 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, at age 79,5 and was buried on 11 Sep 1948 in Belgian Gardens Cemetery, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
+ 3 F ii. Isabella DEARNESS was born on 7 Jun 1870 in Sanday, Orkney Islands, Scotland, died on 8 Jan 1912 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, at age 41,7 and was buried about 8 Jan 1912 in West End Cemetery, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
+ 4 M iii. Donald DEARNESS was born on 20 Oct 1872 in Sanday, Orkney Islands, Scotland, died on 10 Feb 1930 in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, at age 57,8 and was buried on 11 Feb 1930 in Belgian Gardens Cemetery, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.9 10
+ 5 M iv. John DEARNESS was born on 21 Jun 1875 and died on 11 Aug 1875.
1. Queensland Deaths Registration 1930-1934, Microfische No. 002, Page No. 401, Registration No. 1932 / 001020.
2. Townsville Daily Bulletin, Funeral Notice.
3. Queensland Deaths Registration 1915-1919, Microfische No. 002, Page No. 496, Registration No. 19 / 004865.
4. Certified Copy of Scottish Birth Certificate, No. B 9228, issued at Sanday, Orkney Islands 6 August 1932.
5. Queensland Deaths Registration 1945-1949, Microfische No. 003, Page No. 549, Registration No. 1948 / 004058.
6. Queensland Marriages Registration 1900-1904, Microfische No. 003, Page No. 585, Registration No. 02 / 002314.
7. Queensland Deaths Registration 1910-1914, Microfische No. 002, Page No. 313, Registration No. 12 / 004684.
8. Queensland Deaths Registration 1930-1934, Microfische No. 002, Page No. 401, Registration No. 1930 / 001045.
9. Townsville Daily Bulletin, Funeral Notice, Tuesday, February 11, 1930.
10. Queensland Family History Society, Page 20.
11. Queensland Marriages Registration 1895-1899, Microfische No. 001, Page No. 268, Registration No. 96 / 001989.
12. Queensland Marriages Registration 1920-1924, Microfische No. 004, Page No. 930, Registration No. 1921 / 001967.
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This page created by Glen Hall on 17 March 2003.
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