Fremantle

“ While the convict establishment was busy in building at Fremantle the Government was not idle. The arrival of so many new people, and the anticipated prosperity induced them to put up new buildings directly or indirectly required through the influx of people. Thus in March 1850, tenders were called for building a schoolroom at Fremantle; in July, from those people willing to furnish barrack accommodation to from twelve to twenty soldiers at Fremantle; in September, for the erection of a stone wall, 354 feet long, and about 7 feet high, to enclose part of the Government Domain in Pier Street ”

“ Before I say good-bye to Fremantle, I must give some account of its situation and appearance. Although considered the chief port of the colony it is but a small unpretending little town, and one which makes but a slight impression upon a new-comer. In the main street, and in the three or four short thoroughfares which connect the sea-jetty with the river-pier and wharf, there are a few handsome and substantial houses, belonging either to the Government or to some of the principal inhabitants. ”

“ So I began to experience some of that comradeship of the sea for which a sailor will endure many a hardship.
Finally, after eighty days at sea without touching at a single port, we sailed into the harbour at Fremantle. I had always thought of Australia as a land of kangaroos, of black aborigines with bows and arrows, and of bushrangers. But Fremantle turned out to be as commonplace and bleak a port as you could hope to see. However, I met some sailors off a German ship, and the sound of my native language and association with my countrymen made me happy. ”

“ In the rapid influx canvas villages sprang up around Perth and Fremantle. Piles of luggage lay upon the wharves, at the Customs sheds, railway stations, and in the bush. House accommodation could not be procured, and tents were pitched on the slopes near Perth, around Fremantle, and contiguous to the railway line between the two centres. Many persons did not enjoy even this protection, and slept in the open. The permanent populations of Perth and Fremantle were considerably augmented, and building was pursued with astonishing rigour. ”

“ A rumor gained currency that a body of "blacklegs" were coming down the river in a launch. Immediately bellmen were despatched throughout the Fremantle district calling all unionists to the wharf.
Confirmation of some secret move was first obtained in Fremantle by the arrival of a number of motor cars, containing many prominent employers. These cars halted for some minutes on the old Fremantle bridge, waiting for the arrival of the launch with the remainder of the party, the arrangement apparently being that all should arrive at the Port simultaneously. ”

“ W. E. Marmion has filled many useful offices in Fremantle and Western Australia. He represented the colony at that important intercolonial gathering—the great Federation Convention held in Sydney in March, 1891. He was a member of the Board of Immigration, was created a Justice of the Peace in 1872, and was a member of the Central Board of Education from its inauguration in 1871 to its abolition in 1895. Of the early Fremantle Town Trusts he was a member, and when the Trust was superseded by the Council he continued to represent ratepayers, and while a young man was chairman of the body. ”

“ By the end of the year marked progress was made in Perth, on the Swan, Canning, and Helena Rivers, and Garden Island. Perth had grown from the rough camp stage, and possessed modest cottages, built with some attempt to uniformity and alignment in streets. But Fremantle was still camp, and continued to be the favourite resort of dissatisfied
people, and the sluggards who aspired to obtain fortunes which demanded no special exertion from them. ”

“ In my young days we had to learn to work almost before we learned to spell."
"It does not seem to have done you much harm."
"None at all, but I'd have been a tarnation sight more presentable if somebody had taken me in hand and licked me into shape."
"What sort of a place is Fremantle?" asked Jack, changing the subject.
"It's not much like Brighton," replied Captain Seagrave, laughing. "You'll find a vast difference, but there's worse places than Fremantle on the face of the globe. It's an old convict settlement, at the mouth of the Swan river, about a dozen miles from Perth. ”

“ That eminent engineer considered that fair harbourage should satisfy the wants of the present generation; but the people of Fremantle are not likely to be long content with any improvement which will still keep them in the rear of Albany as a port of entrance for ocean-going steamers, especially in view of the tempting advances which the Orient Company are believed to have made in the direction of constituting Fremantle a regular port of call on the passage between England and the Australian colonies if safe harbourage is guaranteed. ”

“ The late Dean as twice married, first in 1863 to Isabella, youngest daughter of Sir Guiling Eardley, whose international religious philanthropy was reproduced by his son-in-law. Mrs. Fremantle died in 1901, and two years later the dean married as his second wife, Sophia, eldest daughter of the late Major G. T. Stuart, of the 88th and 49th Regiments. By his first he had a large family. The best known of his sons is Mr. H. E. S. Fremantle, formerly editor of the South African News and a member of the Union Parliament. ”

“ In order to get to Geraldton, the main port of the district which the Midland Railway of Western Australia, when completed, is to traverse, I had to proceed from Perth by railway to Fremantle, its port at the mouth of the River Swan. Fremantle is only some 3,000 behind the capital in population, and in hotel accommodation and some other matters seems to have even surpassed it. ”

“ Numerous accidents to shipping took place at Fremantle from one cause and another. In June, 1844, the American whaler Cervantes was wrecked on a rock in Jurien Bay. The sailors, after a trying walk, reached Fremantle in safety. On the night of 24th February, 1845, a tremendous gale drove two vessels, the Halifax Packet and the whaler Merope, ashore at Fremantle. One life was lost. Heavy rains at Albany in 1846 did serious damage. In August of the same year floods caused loss among the gardens on the Swan, and damaged property at York, Northam, and Toodyay. ”

“ Humble has taken an active interest in every movement which had for its object the advancement of Fremantle and its citizens. To him is due much of the credit of founding the Fremantle Benefit Building and Investment Society, of which he is at present the secretary. ”

“ The Government are carrying out very extensive harbour works at Fremantle, the port of Perth, in the hope of inducing the mail steamers to call there, and they believe that, when a railway line has been constructed between {304} Perth and Adelaide, a line which must eventually be built, though perhaps not for many years, Fremantle will become a place of great importance, as, beyond being the shipping port for the produce of the Coolgardie goldfields, it will be the point of arrival and departure of the mails between Great Britain and all the Australian Provinces. ”

“ The Disputes Committee, which had met during the afternoon, placed its proposals for settlement before the State Executive, and the two bodies arranged to place a proposal before a mass meeting of lumpers and tally clerks the next morning.
In the King’s Theatre, Fremantle, at night an immense gathering rallied to hear the men’s leaders. A great reception was accorded Messrs. Renton (who again appeared with his head swathed in bandages) and Alex. McCallum. ”

“ No sooner was the first wing of the building completed than energy was concentrated on extending the premises and in erecting officers' quarters. In 1854 a public meeting was held in Fremantle, and proposed that the seat of government should be removed from Perth to the port. Lord John Russell positively disapproved of the scheme. Then in 1854 residents of Guildford, as if in retaliation, proposed that the Convict Establishment be removed from Fremantle to Guildford. ”

“ When we think of the great change that is likely soon to occur—with the mail steamers calling at Fremantle, with a railway running through Perth and through the goldfields to all parts of Australia, with thousands annually visiting Fremantle, Perth, and the goldfields who never have the opportunity of seeing us now, what a new vision arises, and what new avenues are seen for trade, for commerce, and for enterprise in the development of the colony? ”

“ Fremantle is rapidly increasing in size and population, and social life is not so divided as in Perth; there seem to be more geniality and not so much stiffness about the people. A volunteer artillery corps, turf, bicycle, rowing, cricket, and football clubs provide various forms of social activity. ”

“ The Swan River at Perth forms an exquisite piece of scenery, which redeems the environs of the sandy city from utter ugliness. Innumerable black swans swim hither and thither on its placid waters, and by the sloping banks, well fringed with rushes, many notable yachting clubs have their pavilions. There is nothing in this Capital of the Western Colony to attract. Even to the casual observer it is plain that the bustling, Oriental-looking town is essentially a gateway to the goldfields, and little more. Fremantle, on the other hand, is the Port, and chief engineering and commercial centre. ”

“ The chain-gang of Fremantle is the depth of penal degradation. The convicts wear from thirty to fifty pounds of iron, according to their offence. It is riveted on their bodies in the prison forge, and when they have served their time the great rings have to be chiselled off their calloused limbs.
The chain-gang works outside the prison walls of Fremantle, in the granite quarries. The neighbourhood, being thickly settled with pardoned men and ticket-of-leave men, had I been deserted by the aborigines ”

“ The conditions in Western Australia were different.
When the prison at Fremantle was reached the convict began his journey along the gradations of a system which at least recommended the eye of the mind to look towards the beacon of hope—a timid enough light on his dark path. He now entered a sort of brotherhood—a brotherhood or democracy, like most others, containing grades of ability; where there were men who, by strong will and dynamic power, attracted and compelled the regard and subservience of others. The brotherhood of this system was grotesque; it comprised abnormalities of humanity. ”

“ At one time, however, in 1853, there were about 250 men engaged on the road between Fremantle and Perth, but it was not until after years that main thoroughfares through the country districts were macadamised to any extent. In Perth, Fremantle, and country towns, streets were made, and other important improvements negotiated. In 1856-7 producers at York, Northam, Toodyay, and Bunbury announced, without cause, that their main roads were no better than in pre-convict days. ”

“ This circumstance stimulated settlers to erect more substantial residences. Inns and hotels now appeared in greater numbers, not only in Perth and Fremantle but also in the more populated farming districts. In Perth the fronts of allotments were surrounded by paling fences; in Fremantle the most marked progress was probably evident. ”

“ Congdon had shown his admirable qualities for the mayoral chair, and Fremantle was again anxious to have his services. In October, 1895, he was once more asked to stand for mayor. In the meantime North Fremantle had been created a separate municipality, and the residents of the newly-born municipality clamoured for Mr. Congdon. No man can serve two masters, much less two municipalities. Mr. Congdon declined Fremantle proper, with the result that he was unanimously elected to the mayoralty of North Fremantle. ”

“ Fremantle, at the entrance of Swan River, is the sea port; and Perth, situate about nine miles inland, the seat of Government: Guildford and York are the other chief places in the colony.
There is nothing very particularly inviting in the first appearance of Western Australia; dull-green-looking downs, backed by a slightly undulating range of hills, rising to nearly 2,000 feet high, are the chief natural features of the prospect. ”

“ The Adelaide Steamship Company has a large office staff of twenty men in Fremantle, an aggregate which is no more than adequate to the growing dimensions of the firm. The company gives employment to many labourers in the port, as can be readily perceived when it is stated that for the year ending June, 1897, £15,000 was paid for wharf labour alone. ”

“ Some of our colonists, who have returned from Launceston, report that town to be inferior to Fremantle, which has undoubtedly improved considerably, comfortable stone houses rising in all directions. Water has been found in abundance, and the sand is discovered to possess most fertilising properties. ”

“ H. Briggs, M.L.C., holds among the teaching class of this colony. That he has made his individuality strongly felt in Western Australia goes without saying, and throughout Fremantle, where he is best known, he holds the confidence of all citizens. Light-hearted, and yet didactic, by nature, and of a generous temperament, he has the qualities which tend to make a man popular. ”