The cruise of the Francois
1928
In the path of Captain Cook
5th to 10th June 1928
Very early the next morning on the 5th June, they again proceeded south.
The dawn emerged with a fine, clear day ahead of them. Francois slipped through the glassy, smooth
sea as they passed Flat Rock, Barren Isle and anchored on the north side of Hummocky Island.
Five of the crew went ashore and gave the magpie Jacko a run on the sand. The water was crystal
clear, showing the sand beneath, but they failed to find any fish or shells; in fact the only discovery of
any interest was wreck of a burned boat.
They awoke before dawn to a wintry morning and a bitter, wintry breeze.
It was still dark as they passed Capricorn Light and George morsed the light requesting a report to
Brisbane that they were “O.K.”
The intention was to head for Lady Musgrove Island. Although the sea was fairly smooth, the freezing
conditions made them change plans and run for Bustard Bay. Under a dull, cloudy sky they anchored
mid-morning under Round Hill Head.
© Copyright 2011 Julianne Dodds
Did You Know?
Gin rummy card game
Gin rummy first appeared on the
scene, in its current format, at the
beginning of the 20th century.
Some historians have recognized a
member of the Knickerbocker Whist
Club, Elwood Baker, as the originator
of the game. Elwood Baker’s son came
up with the name of the game based
on the beverages of gin and rum. Gin
was popular immediately. It then rode
waves of highs and lows where it was
forgotten about and then re-gained
popularity in the late 1920s and the
1940s.
What’s in a name?
Urangan
In the Kabi Kabi language this word
referred to small white shells.
Another interpretation is that it
referred to the dugong (yuangan)
which frequest the seas off Hervey
Bay.
Going ashore at Urangan.
Williams Collection
“After lunch dinghy and launch went ashore and hauled the net with fine results – good
feed of mullet.
The further south we get it gets noticeably cold. Inspected Capt. Cook’s monument on
Round Hill Head. George and Steve and Duncan caught a good number of crabs from the ship.”
It was here that Lieutenant James Cook made his second
landing on Australian soil (his first had been at Botany Bay)
in May 1770. Cook went ashore near Round Hill Head
with botanist Joseph Banks. They noted many pelicans
and, upon the shore, a species of bustard, one of which
was shot. They considered it the best bird they had eaten
since leaving England, and in honour of it they called the
inlet Bustard Bay.
Another cold day followed as Francois continued on her
home run. Passing Burnett Head, they arrived at Urangan.
With a length of 3,077 ft from end to shore, the Urangan
Pier was opened in 1917. A rail ran the length that then
connected to a railway.
Although there were two berths provided, Francois
anchored off the jetty and remained at anchor overnight.
As it was a Friday, they planned to go ashore for the
weekend provisions. Due to a misjudgement blamed on
Barrie, the launch was ‘stoved in’ against a pile on the
wharf. Leaving the yacht at anchorage off the pier, the
party was forced to go ashore in the flattie.
The weather was ideal and they enjoyed the stroll ashore
as the stores were purchased - bread, meat and onions.
In Urangan they found a shooting gallery. Mac, George,
Barrie and Steve competed – Mac won. It had been a fine,
clear day with a light wind and calm sea so they stayed
another night at anchorage.
Departure was a little later than usual next morning. A very
cold wind blew as they proceeded through Sandy Straits
between the mainland and Fraser Island. Unlike their
journey north through this passage, they were not guide
by a Fishing Inspector.
After passing Little Woody Island they anchored close to a point marked on the chart that indicated
the presence of fresh water. They spent the afternoon searching for the promised water, finding only
discoloured water not fit for use. At this stage they were desperately short of water.
As compensation, they hauled the net and caught a fine haul of garfish. The laborious task of
preparing 126 small, bony fish gave them sufficient for two meals. It was too cold to remain on deck
that evening so they played rummy, a card game.