A FLOOD OF MEMORIES Commemorating the Centenary of the 1916 Clermont Flood
Relive stories of courage, heroism and tragedy from one of the deadliest floods in Australian history
The Old Town Gold was found on the banks of a lagoon on Sandy Creek by stockmen preparing to move sheep into the Peak Downs area of Central Queensland in the early 1860s. With water near and the promise of alluvial gold, tents and shanties quickly appeared. There was no thought given to the suitability of the site as a permanent town, despite being warned of the flood prone area by local aboriginal people - after all the prospectors were searching for gold. As the field continued to yield gold in payable quantities, the town of Clermont was surveyed by C.F. Gregory in December 1863. During the 1880’s, between 2000 and 7000 ounces of alluvial gold was being produced each year and surrounding industries included wool, coal and copper. Clermont quickly changed from a shanty town into a settled centre of business and was proclaimed on March 25, 1864. The main street, Drummond Street, boasted five hotels, two sawmills, three saddlers, several boarding houses, a bank, hospital and a local newspaper – the Peak Downs Telegram and Queensland Mining Record which ran its first issue on October 4, 1864. After seeking his fortune on the gold field, Gordon Pullar opened a shop in 1900 selling bicycles and fancy goods. An avid photographer, he lived in Clermont with his family until his death in 1934. During that time, the event that changed the shape of the town for the future was a disastrous flood in 1916. For the people of the town the story of the flood that drowned over 60 people and caused untold destruction has become legend, with brave deeds still recalled to this day.
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Previous Flooding The original location of Clermont was particularly prone to destructive flooding. Prior to the 1916 flood, Clermont experienced five floods. On the 31 January 1870 at midnight a disastrous flood caused by the overflowing Sandy Creek, suddenly swept through Clermont carrying away houses, furniture and fences. In an hour there was nearly five feet of water over the town and in some places the current flowed at eight to nine miles per hour (12 to 14 kmph). Fifteen lives were lost and the total damage estimated at ÂŁ10,000. In March 1882 Clermont flooded once again with three to six feet of water flowing through the town. In February 1896, three people drowned from heavy flooding. In later years provisions were made against flooding with Drummond Street raised considerably and buildings erected on higher ground.(a)
The Cause of the 1916 Flood In the early hours of December 27, 1916, a cyclone crossed the coast between Bowen and Mackay. Rain poured down in the catchments of Wolfang Creek and then later Sandy Creek. A total of 419mm of rainfall was recorded near the Clermont township, 241mm of rain fell at Blair Athol and the Wolfang area received 481mm of rain. However, heavier rainfalls of 500mm to 600mm were recorded between Clermont and Capella. The Clermont township was just half a mile downstream from the junction of Wolfang and Sandy Creeks. Sandy Creek was still rising at dawn on December 28, 1916 and by 6am, the floodwater was two feet deep (0.6 metres) in Drummond Street. At the same time, water was rushing along Wolfang Creek. This water reached Clermont about 6.30am and the floodwaters rose six feet (1.8 metres) in 20 minutes. The flood peaked around midday on December 28, 1916 at a height of about 16 feet (4.8 metres). The flood was estimated to have covered an area five to six miles (8 to 9 kilometres) long and a mile (1.6 kilometres) wide.
The Great Flood, 28 December 1916 With the water rising so quickly, the houses along Sandy Creek were submerged and most were swept away. All members of Simon Carroll’s family drowned and his brother-in-law, Harry Carsten, lost his wife, fourteen month old baby, mother and two sisters. Harry Carsten himself was swept into a tree in the showgrounds where he remained with another man until 3.30am the next day, before being found and taken to hospital. A number of aged pensioners who lived on the northern side of Sandy Creek were saved by Tom Watters who swam with them to higher ground. These were just a few of the stories of survival and tragedy. The police did what they could to warn people but, from about 6am, the water rose so quickly and the current was so strong that within a short time buildings and homes became isolated. About four metres of water covered the main street which was said at the time to be about three metres higher than any previous flood in memory. After the flood waters receded, the vastness of the destruction was revealed. Australian Geographic lists this event in the top ten deadliest floods in Australian history. More than 60 lives were tragically lost, 10 homes destroyed, 50 buildings damaged and 10,000 head of livestock killed.
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The Town that Moved During a public meeting Mr H.F. Hardacre, Minister for Public Instruction, encouraged the people “to endeavour to build a better Clermont.” The people were instrumental in deciding their future and from their courage and determination came the Clermont Flood Relief Act of 1917, and the amendment of March 1917. Crown land was opened up for residential and business purposes. Objections were lodged by Land Commissioner Arnold, amendments made to the original land resumptions and battles waged in parliament. However, the groundwork for the scheme had been laid and the possibility of rebuilding the town on higher ground commenced. (b) Many of the large buildings caught in the flood were still in good repair. Three of these were moved to Capella Street, a distance of about one kilometre. Each building was raised on jacks with timber rails laid underneath. The rails were then laid for about one hundred metres ahead. A steam traction engine then winched the building slowly along the track. Buildings that were moved after the flood and still stand in Clermont today include: the Grand Hotel, Commercial Hotel, the Leo Hotel and Griffin’s Store.
4 REFERENCES a. A documentary Investigation of the Clermont Storm, November 1970 b. Clermont Flood Relief Act 1917 IMAGES 1. 1873 View of Clermont, R.J.Cottell 2. Sandy Creek Bridge after the 1916 Flood 3. Child on horse, National Library of Australia ca. 1916 4. Moving the Leo, National Library of Australia, ca.1917 5. Commercial Hotel being winched to higher ground after 1916 Flood
Exhibition and Contact Information Exhibition on Display August 31, 2016 - December 13, 2017 Clermont Historical Centre Gregory Highway Located approximately 2km from Clermont, Qld Opening Hours Wednesday to Saturday 9am to 3pm Cost $6 adults $4 pensioners $3 children under 12 years $15 family with two or more children For more details visit www.isaac.qld.gov.au or call (07) 4983 3311 or 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227).
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