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The first immigrant ship direct to Moreton Bay

One hundred and sixty three years ago the Artemisia, the first immigrant ship came direct to Moreton Bay. It arrived in the summer heat near Christmas.

The arrivals were keenly welcomed as a contribution to the labour supply and most were soon employed.

The Moreton Bay Courier was excited and wrote on the 16th December:THE arrival of the first immigrant vessel, direct from England, is an important event in the annals of Moreton Bay-an epoch to be often reverted to by the future historians of the northern colony. For that reason we give the good ship a place of honour in this day's issue, instead of confining our notice of her to the less conspicuous space usually occupied by our shipping intelligence.

A description of this new ship follows and the news of the imminent arrival of the first of Dr Lang's 3 vessels, the Fortitude which came the following February.

Moreton Bay was a rundown former convict colony but the Illustrated London News 12 August 1848 painted a rosier picture with descriptions of this "El Dorado" and "most interesting part of our possessions". The wages were visionary it assured the emigrants. Sketches of the vessel and its passengers were included in this edition. They are also included in Picture Australia http://www.pictureaustralia.org/. The full article is on microfilm at the State Library.

Read the coverage in the Australian papers at Trove http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper

The State Library also holds a diary of a passenger who travelled from Scotland to Deptford and then onto Brisbane.

Do you have a family story related to the Artemisia?If so let us know at genie@slq.qld.gov.au

Waipara on the Waves to Queensland

The Waipara brought thousands of immigrants to Queensland 1904-1916.Their departure and arrival was captured in images. In the period 1910-1912, the Brisbane Courier and the Queenslander not only reported on the journeys but also used photographs of passengers leaving Scotland by train to the English ports, boarding the ship, arriving in Brisbane and then at the immigration depot at Kangaroo Point. There are also images of groups of passengers from the vessel.

Find out what is available in these newspapers on Trove http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper It is possible to select ‘illustrated articles only’

Did your ancestors come on the Waipara? We would love to hear your story. Email us at genie@slq.qld.gov.au

Shipboard diaries and family history

Shipboard diaries can be a fantastic resource for family historians as they provide a fascinating insight into life and conditions on board migrant vessels.

The State Library of Queensland's John Oxley Library collection contains many shipboard diaries. A sample of six shipboard diaries have been digitised and can be viewed online.

These include:

• Diary of Maria Steley, aged 14, written on board the ship “Ariadne” and at the North Stradbroke Island quarantine camp between 6 October 1863 and 23 February 1864. In this diary, Maria records daily activities on board ship, as well as ‘useful hints’ addressed to a friend about what to bring when migrating to Australia.
• Diary of William A Smith written on board the ship “Young Australia” between 9 May and 13 August 1864. Smith describes the activities that passengers were engaged in during the voyage, such as reading, gambling, cards, drafts and chess.

 http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/coll/qhist/more/shipdiaries

You can find other shipboard diaries by searching "Manuscripts Queensland"  - http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/coll/qhist/manq

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SLQ podcast: shipwreck sites on the Queensland coast

Wrecked! A survey of shipwreck sites on the Queensland coast, with Paddy Waterson

Throughout history, Queensland’s treacherous coastline has claimed nearly 1,400 vessels. The maritime industry is at the heart of Queensland’s and Australia’s historic development and shipping was the principal mode of transport for goods and people until well into the 20th Century.

Listen to Paddy Waterson, Queensland’s appointed historical shipwreck practitioner, as he brings some of these stories to the surface. Paddy is a Principal Heritage Officer with the Heritage Branch, DERM, and has worked throughout Queensland, especially in the Far North, Wide Bay/Burnett and South-Eastern Districts.

http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/find/webcasts/out_of_the_port

Picture: Drawing of the SS Quetta in the Torres Strait at 9.15 and 9.18 pm on February 28th 1890. The first drawing shows the Quetta before foundering and the second shows the shipwreck. (Source: Picture Queensland)