Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), Tuesday 20 April 1926, page 8


SHARK TRAGEDY OF 1855.

Mr. Frank Treloar, Kooringa, writes :— In The Register of April 15, Mr. Saunders makes mention of a legend of a child falling overboard at Port Wakefield, and

being carried away by a shark, but says he had never known of its being con-firmed. The legend is only too true, and the facts are as follow :— The sailing ship Sobella was riding at anchor at Port Wakefield on March 28, 1855. Previously the ship had made several voyages to the colonies under Capt. Coleman. On that trip he had with him his wife and three children (one boy and two girls). About midday, while all hands were occupied elsewhere, the little boy fell overboard unnoticed by any one. Shortly after-wards, while a search was being made, in full view of all aboard, a large shark was seen to pass under the ship, and afterwards swim away with the poor little boy. The sight had such an effect on Capt. Coleman, that the sailors had diffi-culty in restraining him from jumping overboard. Later in the afternoon the captain, his wife, and two little girls were taken ashore, prostrate with grief. Arrangements were then made for their conveyance by bullock dray (the only means available in those days) to my parent's home, Springvale, Watervale, where they arrived on March 30, 1855, after a trying trip in hot, dusty wea-ther. When their grief had subsided, and they had had a few days' rest, they went on to Adelaide by the Clare mail cart (spring), which ran weekly. In the meantime the ship was taken back to Port Adelaide by the first mate. At that time it was known a very large shark was about the gulf. In the end it be-came very daring, and on one occasion attacked a boat going out fishing. After this a reward was offered for its capture, which was accomplished later on, to the relief of everybody. It was known to old hands as "Port Wakefield Tommy."

The annual meeting of the Home for Incurables will be held in the McNally Hall, at the home, Fisher street, Fullar-ton, on Thursday afternoon, at 3 o'clock. Lady Bridges will preside. The public are invited to attend. Afternoon tea and music will be provided. The Deputy Director of Posts and Tele-graphs intimates that mails which were dispatched from Adelaide on March 19 arrived in London on Saturday. In regard to the motor cycling accident at Sellick's Beach on Saturday, it has been pointed out no speed events were held, as stated. A programme of novelty sports was conducted and it was during the holding of a speed judging contest that the accident occurred.