File:Paluma.jpg

English: The Queenslander

Sat 11 Feb 1893

THE GUNBOAT PALUMA

At the present time Her Majesty's gunboat Paluma is aground in the Botanic Gardens. A Courier reporter had a conversation with Captain Pirie on Monday morning in the Colonial Secretary's office, whither the commander had gone to report the mishap. It appears that the Paluma, which is almost a twin sister of the Gayundah, was helped to the Garden Reach on Saturday night by a steam tug, as was made secure by cable hawsers to the shore. Early on Sunday morning danger became imminent, and the Paluma was one of the first to be affected. After the cables gave way she drifted some distance, but was able to bring up alongside of the Elamang lower down. In that position she remained for an hour or so, but presently she went right on to the Gardens, where she now remains. It is estimated that at the time the calamity took place the river was running at the rate of ten knots an hour. Every effort was made to get the boat off, but without avail. The tug-boat Seahorse stood alongside for a considerable time, and tried to tow her into deep water, but was impossible to do so. At the time the Paluma was undergoing repairs, and all the tubes were out of her boilers. In consequence of this is was impossible to get steam up at all, and all that could be done for the vessel was to navigate her as skilfully as possible. That the vessel has sustained no more damage than a few bent stanchions speak volumes for Captain Pirie's seamanship. The Paluma, it may be added, is a twin screw iron colonial gunboat of 360 tons, and has been temporarily lent by the Queensland Government as tender to H.M.S. Orlando, the flagship on the Australian station, for employment in the survey of the Queensland coast.

More information on the 1893 floods from www.brisbanehistory.com/1893_brisbane_flood_intro.html reproduced below:

"1893 Brisbane Flood - Detailed History and Images

After reported cyclonic weather off Brisbane, on the 4th of February 1893 the swollen Brisbane River burst its banks and deluged a large portion of the main business district of Brisbane and inundated many of the low lying suburbs. This flood had come some three years after a similar less destructive flood in 1890.

The Brisbane community was very mindful of the devastation that was wrought by the earlier flood and many were quick to remove furniture and belongings to higher ground. However those who just escaped inundation from the earlier flood were complacent and watched in disbelief as the waters rose and engulfed their possessions. The 1893 Brisbane flood claimed the record as the worst flood experienced in the Brisbane area since white settlement.

Brisbane at the time was a vibrant port with vessels coming up the river to the wharves spread from Eagle Street to Albert Street and those lining the banks of South Brisbane.

Being a river port, it presented a particular dilemma for authorities. Large ocean-going vessels had to be moored securely or become dislodged from their moorings and float with the flood potentially causing damage to wharf structures and bridges. Rising waters caused large ocean vessels to float above the roof lines of the wharves causing damage to the structures.

The low lying areas of South Brisbane and West End on the banks of the river were especially vulnerable to the raging torrent. The force of the water shifted houses from their stumps in West End and sent them down river to be smashed against the pylons of the Victoria Bridge.

This punishment along with the force of the water eventually collapsed half of the bridge superstructure nearest the northern bank and it was washed away. Floating houses then became a danger to the ships anchored in the river. All through the remaining days of the flood the sound of houses being dashed against the bows of the ships became familiar.

The newspaper the 'Brisbane Courier' reported on the 1893 floods."