Incidents and Industry on Middle Island

KARLI FLORISSON

Middle Island is a place that holds a vast fascination for Esperance locals and visitors alike. While a great deal has been written about the island’s history during the days of sealers and whalers, Middle Island has its share of fascinating stories beyond those heady days.

At 2700 acres, Middle Island is the largest island in the Recherche Archipelago. The island is located about 130 kilometres to the east of Esperance, and is nine kilometres offshore from Cape Arid. The famous pink salt lake on the island was named Lake Hillier by Matthew Flinders during his 1803 expedition, after one of his crew members who died while they were anchored at the island. This lake, along with the large areas of untouched vegetation on the island, have attracted a great deal of interest over the years.

In 1891, Albany man Mr Andrews took his two sons, Fred and Clarence, to Middle Island to mine salt. After spending some time there setting up camp, Andrews left the boys to collect the salt, and went back to the mainland. The two boys, aged 15 and 17, expected to be picked up again within two weeks by Captain Douglas on his schooner Agnes . However, Captain Douglas was called away to Adelaide on business, leaving the boys stranded on the island. They were well equipped, and were able to start a small vegetable garden, as well as shoot small wallabies and birds, and catch fish, for food. Another ship passing the island called in to see if the boys were faring well and offered to take them back to the mainland, but they chose to stay. By the time the Agnes came back to collect them, the boys had spent six months on the island, apparently suffering no ill effects from being isolated for so long.

In 1904, Esperance businessman E. J. McCarthy took up the lease of Middle Island, intending to harvest the salt from Lake Hillier. He sent workers to the island, who collected hundreds of tons of salt from the lake. There was a small ripple of interest in further developing the island for various purposes, such as growing vegetables on the fertile ground, or raising poultry. McCarthy, who at the time was running the salt works at Pink Lake in Esperance, had plans to build a rail track from the lake to the shore for ease of transporting the salt. The remains of old rail tracks have been found on the island, so McCarthy at least started this project. Presumably, the distances and isolation, along with the frequently rough seas in the area, made the project too difficult to continue. The island fell into disuse and in 1915, the salt lake on Middle Island was offered for lease for salt mining at the cost of £10 per year.

In 1920, a steamer called the Penguin was wrecked in Goose Island Bay, on Middle Island. The Penguin , owned by the Western Australian government, was being used to carry out a fishing survey of the south coast of the state. On June 27, the ship was caught in a storm and Captain Talbot anchored just off the rocky shore of the island. The Penguin , with a full load of fish on board, was blown onto a reef. The crew were able to get onto the island with difficulty, losing some of their gear in the process. The first mate ended up on shore in only his pyjamas, although he was at least able to rescue his dog. The next day, with the Penguin partly under water, they were able to get more gear and the rest of the crew onto the island. Fortunately, after only a few days marooned on the island, the crew was rescued by the Eucla , passing by on her way to Albany. The two men who later came to the island to salvage the wreck of the Penguin were not so lucky. They were dropped off, expecting to stay on the island for six weeks, but instead were left there for 12 weeks, subsisting on wallabies and fish after their food ran out.

In 1937, a pastoral lease of Middle Island was taken up by Alexander Chisholm. Chisholm was the chief conductor on the Kalgoorlie Express passenger train from Perth. He had seen the lease advertised for £1 per year and took it up, thinking that it was a good idea. Chisholm never actually set foot on the island, although he did see it from the coastal ship Kybra as she sailed past. He also gave permission to the Middle Island Fishing Club to build a hut on the island, which stood for many years. He duly paid his £1 per year for 21 years, but in 1958, the government sent him a letter saying that the island would be taken back from him as he had failed to fill the conditions of the lease by stocking the island. Due to an error in his address, he received the letter too late to take any action, but even so, the conditions would have been too hard to fulfil. At the time, Don MacKenzie’s fishing boat was practically the only commercial boat operating in Esperance waters, and it was not large enough to ferry stock to Middle Island.

Perhaps it is because of Chisholm, and the long period of inactivity on Middle island, that the natural environment has stayed pristine and is now used as a home for a population of critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo. Chisholm’s granddaughter Julie Paxton now lives in Esperance, and she is able to claim that for 21 years, her grandfather owned an island.

Taurus APR 20 - MAY 20

Things ease up on the finance front this month, allowing you much needed breathing space to reassess your bank balance. However, just because the postie is delivering fewer bills doesn’t mean you can book that European vacay just yet. Use this time to plan out the rest of the year, taking into account all your upcoming expenses. Once you know what’ll be left in the kitty, plan something to treat yourself.

Gemini

MAY 21 - JUN 20

The daily grind is wearing you down and you’re desperate for a change. As things slow down in the leadup to winter, there’s never been a better time to figure out what that change looks like. An extended holiday might be all you need to shake things up, or you might require a complete change of career. Pop on a pot of mulled wine and invite your inner circle over for a brainstorming sesh focussed on your future.

Cancer

JUN 21 - JUL 22

You need to rely on your family more than usual this month. That’s okay. Don’t ever feel like you’re burdening them, particularly in your time of need. You'll be repaying the favour before the year is out. However, if you feel like you need to say an extra special thank you to someone who has helped you, do it with something heartfelt, like home baked banana bread, handpicked flowers, or Dad’s homebrewed beer.

Leo JUL 23 - AUG 22

May is a good month for you to find peace in a relationship that has been at war for some time. You will feel an overwhelming sense of calm in the coming weeks. This is a great time to extend an olive branch, mend, and heal. You may be apprehensive to communicate your feelings openly but if you do, you will find you are heard and understood. Be brave and you will be rewarded with a renewed friendship.

Virgo AUG 23 - SEP 22

As the temperature drops, don’t let your health take a back seat. You may prefer a pair of uggies to a pair of sneakers right now, but this will do you no good in the long run. Set up healthy habits for the winter ahead. Try your hand at meditation or yoga, meal prep some healthy dinners, and plan fun ways to stay active when it’s cold and miserable. Your future (healthy!) self will thank you for it.

Libra SEP 23 - OCT 22

You feel romantically uninspired this month. That doesn’t mean you can’t inject a little va-va-voom into your love life. May is the perfect month for a weekend getaway. The sunny days are ripe for exploring the outdoors, and the crisp nights are ideal for cosying up by a fire with a glass of red wine. You’re tired, so this might be the last thing you feel like planning. But a small break is just what you need to reinvigorate your relationship.

Scorpio OCT 23 - NOV 21

An interesting financial opportunity will present itself in the coming weeks. Don’t turn your back on it too quickly – often great risk is accompanied by great reward. Be mindful of others pressuring you into a decision. Only you can decide what is right for you. Sit down with an oat latte at Cloud 11 and write a list of pros and cons before you lock anything in. If the list comes out even, listen to your gut. It usually knows best.

Sagittarius

Capricorn DEC 22 - JAN 20

You have so many pots on the stove right now, it’s a wonder they all fit. If you’re constantly longing for an extra couple of hours in the day, you need to let go of something. You’re at risk of burnout, not to mention neglecting your relationships, health, and wellbeing. Re-evaluate the importance of everything you’ve taken on so far this year. Ask yourself, is it worth the stress and exhaustion?

Aquarius

JAN 20 - FEB 17

A friend will need your help this month and it’s probably not who you’re thinking. They won’t be direct in asking for your support, so check in on all your close pals if you can, just to see how they’re travelling. Being a shoulder to cry on is good, but actively helping by shopping, babysitting, or cooking is even better. Put yourself in their shoes – if you were experiencing their troubles, what would you want your friends to do?

Pisces

FEB 18 - MAR 19

Pay more attention to your health this month. Yes, you’re busy, but you are never too busy to take care of your physical and mental wellbeing. We’re surrounded by some world class walking trails so if the gym’s not your thing, take advantage of what’s around you! If you’re getting on the cans every night, it’s time to turn that around, too. Treat your body with the respect it deserves and watch your zest for life increase tenfold.

NOV 22 - DEC 21

It’s time to let go of what you don’t need. This might be literal – perhaps you should clean out your junk drawer, your wardrobe, or your garage. Or this might be more metaphorical, and you need to rid yourself of unnecessary feelings, emotions, or friends. It can be hard letting go but once you do, creativity will flow. There’s an aura of strength around you this month, so take a deep breath and go for it!

Aries

MAR 20 - APR 19

Romance has been the last thing on your mind lately. You’ve been busy, so that’s understandable, but now is a good time to reignite your love life. A wave of creativity washes over you this month. Put this towards your relationship by thinking of new ways to show your significant other you care. If you’re single, hit up 33 Degrees ASAP to find someone to shack up with over the coming winter months.