Yandilla station flood boat

Vessel numberHV000807

Date1890s

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 3.15 m × 1.26 m × 0.55 m (10.34 ft × 4.13 ft × 1.79 ft)

Terms

DescriptionThe story and significance of the YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT has been compiled in detail by Grant Uebergang for the Millmerran & District Historical Society, and the following is summarized from his text.

The YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT was unearthed by Grant Uebergang after lying for many years upside down on the bank of the Grasstree Creek at Yandilla homestead, partially submerged by a thick matted carpet of Lippia (or Condamine Couch) and silt. In 1987 the Milmerran and District Historical Society Inc. successfully applied for a grant from the Australian Bicentennial Authority to repair and paint the hull and renew the timber lining. The restoration of the YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT allowed society members to hone their skills prior to the restoration of WATER BABY (HV000768).

The YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT shares close similarities with other known flood boats of the Darling Downs in the late nineteenth century. In 1887 the Toowoomba Foundry Company were engaged to build two iron flood boats for John T. McMichael of Condamine Plains Station in the Pampas area and the other for Francis Claudius Brodribb of Kurrowah Station (between present day Milmerran and Cecil Plains). Both sheep stations were located along the Condamine River on the central Darling Downs area of Queensland. McMichael's boat measured 15 feet long and 5 feet wide (the boat survives to the present day on the Condamine Plains property). Both boats were built of iron and timber lining boards and seats. With similar manufacturing material and design, it is highly likely the YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT was also constructed by the Toowoomba Foundry Company.

MAY BELLE (HV000534) and the COEN FLOOD BOAT (HV000546) also have similarities in design to the YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT. Both were used on north Queensland Rivers in the late nineteenth century before bridges were built, to ferry passengers, supplies and mail.

What is unique about these flood boats, and this applies to the YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT as well, was the riveted iron design in contrast to the typically wooden craft of the time. Using iron (sheet metal) had certain advantages over wood. The extreme dry conditions of the inland meant the vessel would have spent considerable time out on the water. Wood would shrink and open at the seams making the vessel unusable. The seams would need several days of wetting again to swell the gaps. The dryness of the atmosphere would also tend to split the wood, effectively destroying the efficacy of the craft. A metal hull was easily repairable as most stations employed a qualified blacksmith to undertake any necessary repairs. The Yandilla Station blacksmith was in a handy position on the west bank of Grasstree Creek near the homestead.

The YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT has two timbered seats and timber lining along the gunwhale. It is made of one sixteenth inch (2mm) sheet metal (this is heavier gauge sheet metal than that of WATER BABY (HV000768), lap riveted with reinforcing steel ribs measuring 33mm x 7mm spaced 355mm apart. For propulsion there is an oar point on either side. It is an open boat with no decking, has a plumb stem bow and transom stern. Its primary use would have been in flood rescue working along the Condamine River in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Records exist of iron floodboats being used to evacuate stranded residents during flooding in Cecil Plains in 1890, Condamine in 1893 and 1927, and Kupunn in 1951. During the late nineteenth century the YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT would have been owned by Francis Arthur Gore, manager of Yandilla Station from 1868 to 1904.

The small YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT may have been used for other purposes not performed by the steam launch WATER BABY (HV000768). Yandilla Station commenced dairying in the early 1890s. The head station buildings were separated by Grasstree Creek. There is a possibility that the dairy was on one side and the homestead and employee quarters on the other giving the scenario that the craft could have been used to ferry cream and employees from one side to the other. The vessel was certainly built heavy enough for this purpose. There is also a distinct possibility that the craft was used for annual celebrations on the Yandilla lagoon at the homestead - celebrations included Church of England fetes, "Back to Yandilla Days", Country Womens' Association fund raisers and local sport, swimming and picnic days. A boat was always in attendance to entertain the children with joy rides. There is potential the boat was left on the banks of Grastree Creek in 1948 after the last recorded event of this type in Yandilla.

SignificanceThe YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT was built in the 1890s for use during periods of flood. The flood boats riveted iron design is unique, allowing it to operate in hot and dry Queensland conditions without shrinking and opening at the seams. The YANDILLA STATION FLOOD BOAT at 10ft long and 4ft wide was further used to ferry provisions and employees to the local Yandilla Dairy Station, and took part in annual celebrations of the town at the Yandilla lagoon. It is a pre-eminent example of a late nineteenth century Queensland flood craft that saw wide usage beyond its original purpose.