Riser (Cutter)
The Wreck of the Riser, Cutter, and Massacre of the Crew.
THE Colonial Treasurer on Tuesday last received from Sub-collector Giffin, the Customs officer Stationed at Cardwell, the following telegram:—
"I have just returned in the cutter from the search for the wreck reported by Sub-collector Hughes as having been seen by Parsfield, of the boat Liverpool, on August 26, and supposed to be the Eliza, of Newcastle. I found the wreck lying a quarter of a mile north of King's Reefs in three fathoms at low water. The hull is painted white, with a red ribbon, and is fresh coppered. Part of the bottom and the keel were gone, and the lower part of the mast was projecting through the bottom. The name was painted "Riser," in black letters, red-shaded, with "Newcastle, N.S.W.," on copper plate on the stern. She appeared to be from four to five tons burden. We searched the islands and the beach, but no traces of survivors were left. Sub- inspector Johnstone with troopers, is on the South Barracks, searching the aboriginal camps for traces."
On Thursday the Colonial Treasurer and the Commissioner of Police received the following telegraphic advices, which leave no doubt as to the fate of the unfortunate men who formed the crew of the little craft. The Sub-collector of Customs at Cardwell telegraphs to the Colonial Treasurer as follows:—
"Mr. Sub-inspector Johnstone reports finding the bodies of two men in a native oven on the mainland opposite King's Reef.
"The skulls were smashed in, and the bodies partly roasted, parts of the flesh being absent. The features were not recognisable. One is supposed to be 6ft. high, with dark hair mixed with gray. The other man of medium size, with light brown hair and sandy whiskers.
"From papers found in the native camp in proximity to the bodies, there can be little doubt that these are the remains of the crew of the Riser cutter, the wreckage of which was found a few days since on King's Reef.
"An enquiry is being held to-day."
Sub-inspector Johnstone telegraphs to the Commissioner of Police that he had been to King's Reef, where he found the wreck of the cutter Riser, of Newcastle, floating at her anchor.
He also found the vessel's articles in a blacks' camp on the mainland, as well as the burned bodies of the two men who composed the crew, and who had evidently been murdered by the blacks.
Another telegram, received by the Commissioner of Police from Inspector Morisset at Bowen, states that the Riser is the vessel which landed a distressed crew at Bowen from Whitsunday Passage a short time back. The Riser cleared at Newcastle, with Welsh as master, but she was, when lost, in charge of a man named Taylor. The only other man on board was a foreigner.
Queenslander, 14 September 1878, p. 768 (Trove)
