THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4576, 22 February 1893, Page 4

THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS.

The Drowning of the Jackson Family. Begarding the drowning of four of Mr Peter Jackson's family. Miss Jackson and Mr George Sienibn, her brother-in-law, give the following account: — On Friday afternoon, Feb. 3, about three o'olook, Mr Jaokson left home for his work with the remark that he would most likely be back soon. The waterß at the time, although rising rapidly and running strongly, were not anywhere near the house, and even though the dwelling were reached, thero waa the consolation of apparent safety on the summit of a hill a short distance to the east. On arriving at Ipswich, Jaokson, in the course of his duty, left with the 6.15 p.m. train for Sandgate, and would in ordinary circumstances have returned with the midnight train, but the flood waters intervened. Some time after he had left home the water advanced to the house, and at dawn on Saturday Miaa Katie Jackson and John Eowe, a labourer on the farm/ urged Mrs Jackson to quit the house and seek safety on the hilL But Mis Jackson lingered until exit became compulsory, and having a boat near, she, with her daughter Eatie, aged eighteen, her son Henry, aged nine, and two other daughters, Elizabeth Beatrice and Ada, aged seven and five years respectively, left in it for the Bhore, the house then being completely surrounded. Misa Mary Jackson, the eldest unmarried daughter, and Eowe remained in the house, it being arranged that Eatie should return for them, she being a good rower and a Bplendid swimmer. Her mother rowed the boat to the shore, but, unhappily, when within a few feet of the bank TEH CBAFT WAS STRUCK ' by a woody projection and capsized. The mother and the girl Beatrice struck out for trees and succeeded in reaching them, and were subsequently rescued, the former by H. Mills, an employee of the railway workshops, in a small dingy, and the latter by Frank Beilly, who swam out and brought her in. On the boat upsetting the children clung to Miss Eatie, and their screamß, heard plainly by those left in the house, were heartrending. The four must hare gone down together, and it is very doubtful now if the bodies will ever be recovered. About two houro after the boat had left the house the water was getting so high in it that it was agreed that the roof of the house must be reached. Eowe secured a rope, and from a window threw it across the house, Miss Jackson caught it at the window on the opposite side and held it while Eowe climbed on to the roof, and Miss Jackson in turn ascended. DBBPBBATE EFFORTS were made by people ashore to reach them, but the current was running with Buch terrific force that it was impossible. Within an hour and a half the building was lifted off its supports, and went down the current at fearful speed. Miss Jackson and Eowe, by a supreme effort, succeeded in reaching a tree, and clambered up to a couple of forks four feet or five feet above the water. A big crowd collected on the bank, and a boat having been secured, Messrs fl. Mills, Graham and P. Webb went towards the tree, and threw a rope, which Miss Jackson caught and fastened round a limb, but it snapped like a pieca of cotton. Constables Murray and Sangeter then got a rope to the tree, bat it also snapped. The boat had to start about a mile up the river in these attempts, as the current was so strong. Presently \ . THK B.EBCTJB ,BOAT STBTTCK against a tree and capsized, Constable Sangster and Sydney Webb being the oconpants. Sangster caught a tree and clambered on to it, whilst Webb clung to, the boat and was carried into calm water, succeeding in gaining the bank. About 6 p.m. the limb on which Sangster was located broke, and he sank quickly. Meantime another 'boat had been secured and was being taken out with four coils of new rope. This reached the scene about 6 o'clook p.m., but the boat was a light one, and in such bad repair that it waa next to madneßS to face the current with, it, particularly at that time. Nothing more could be done that night, but with the object of keeping up the Bpirits of the man and woman in the trees, immense fires were kindled on the bank, and kept going all night. About midnight Constable Murray from the opposite bank cooed to those on the tree, and receiving a response lighted a fire there also, and kept it going till morning, calling out at intervals encouraging words. Miss Jackson and Eowe had before dark LASHED THEMBELVEB TO THE TEEE with a rope. Before daybreak on Sunday morning Mr G. Siemor secured a substantial boat, and shortly before seven o'clock the boat was put out and drifted past the tree. Endeavour was made to throw a rope, but. in vain. Messrs Stirling and Harris then started, again for the tree, having first fastened a rope to the bank, but when they got its length the boat commenced to Bwamp, and the rope was let go by those on shore. The rope, dragging behind, caught in a limb, and the boat was completely swamped, but the rope was then cut, and N the boat and its occupants drifted down the stream, reaching the bank. The boat; having been emptied, the pair started again. This time Harris succeeded in lassooing a limb of the tree, but it was found impossible to hold the boat against the stream. About this time a . large boat belonging to Hancock Brothers arrived on the scene, manned by John Jeffrey, G. Broenan, F. A. Kingston and G. Graham, who, having crossed the river, made fast a rope to a tree on tbe bank, and let it out as they proceeded down stream. After a while they succeeded by encircling the tree with a rope in getting beneath Miss Jackson and Kowe, who were some Bixfceen feet above the boat, the waters having meantime fallen about fourteen feet. Miss Jackson aB well as she could lowered hereelf by the rope with which she had been lashed to the tree, and was caught as she dropped and placed safely in the boat. Eowe then let himself do wu similarly, and was assisted to the boat. He and Miss Jackson were taken to the bank and provided with dry clothing and refreshments. On reaching Nicholas street the news of their arrival spread rapidly, and within a few moments there was a regular stampede to see them. Dr Townley states that Miss Jackson's condition is not in the least dangerous. ,