Carlo renders invaluable service during the Yarroweyah flood

The Murray River flooded in July 1905 and Carlo arrived to investigate the strength of the levee bank which was protecting the surrounding countryside around Yarroweyah (also spelt Yarroweya). Yarroweyah was a small town - a school was established in October 1881 in the Wesleyan Church;  a purpose-built school being opened in 1884. This school was destroyed by fire in August 1912,  and in 1915 a 'new' building arrived from Strathmerton. (1)  A railway station opened in October 1888, part of the Numurkah to Cobram line (2) and the public hall opened in 1901 (3). 

Before we look at the 1905 flood, Carlo had provided his professional advice to the town before on transport routes, both road and rail; and on the levee bank, which had been designed by Carlo and constructed in 1895 (4).

1895 August

Tocumwal, Aug 12 -  The first two loads of Tuppal wool crossed here on Saturday, consigned to Melbourne. The road between here and Yarroweyah being in a bad state, the Victorian Government, in view of the large increase in the the wool carriage from that station, have sent up Mr Catani of the Public Works department, who is forming an estimate of the cost of construction of a road between this town and Yarroweyah. (The Argus, August 13, 1895, see here)

1896 March

The new road to Tocumwal is fast approaching completion, and the work so far as it is done reflects the highest credit on the overseer, Mr J.H. Lawlor. It is expected that the Minister of Public Works, in company with Mr Davidson or Mr Catani, will visit the works in a week or so (Cobram Courier, March 12, 1896, see here)

1897 June

The Government is still proceeding with repairs on the Tocumwal road during the past week. Mr. C. Catani, C.E., the Public Works officer in charge of roads, bridges, etc., together with Mr. Dewer, C.E., visited the district, bringing with them an expert to teach the men how to burn "clay-clinkers" for the road. Mr. Catani expects to put it on the road at a cost of 4s. per yard, and that the production will be equal to blue metal. He thinks the local shire councils should benefit by the experiment. (Numurkah Leader, June 3, 1897, see here)

1897 December

Works at Cobram - The Minister of Public Works, Mr Taverner, accompanied by Messrs Graham and Kennedy, M's L.A., Messrs Davidson, Inspector-General, and Catani, Engineer-in-Chief, and Mr J. L. Dow, of the " Leader," left Numurkah on Friday morning last for Tocumwal. On the way an inspection was made of the road constructed by the Government between Yarroweyah and Tocumwal. The party was entertained at luncheon by the Tocumwal residents. Reference was made to the roadway and the railway. The opinion was expressed that a railway to Tocumwal would be preferable to a road. (Berrigan Advocate, December 3, 1897, see here)

1897 December

Since the time of the Melbourne to Cobram railway construction a levee or low earthen bank, seldom exceeding 3 feet in height, has been built along the Victorian bank of the Murray for about 14 miles, which has converted a former useless morass into one of the most fertile agricultural areas of the colony. This work, the designing and carrying out of which Mr. Davidson the inspector General of Public Works, credits to one of his officers, Mr. Catani, cost altogether under £2000, and has reclaimed upwards of 10,000 on acres which this year has been grown some of the finest wheat crops of the Goulburn Valley. (The Leader, December 18, 1897, see here)

1899 May

In May 1899 a public meeting was held in Yarroweyah to take into consideration what steps were necessary to urge on the coming session of Parliament the construction of the line of railway from Strathmerton to Tocumwal.  There were two routes suggested  - one from Yarroweyah and the other from Strathmerton and one of the issues raised was that the Railways Engineering Branch had given an adverse report regarding the construction of the line; however Mr. W. Davidson, Inspector-General of Public Works, and Mr. Catani, engineer, had both said they would pledge their reputation that the levee would keep the water back, and it was therefore made plain that expensive earthworks were not necessary, thus entirely sweeping away the great expense that had been considered necessary, and was such a bar to the construction of the railway. Two members of the Public Works Committee had inspected the route, and they could not see anything to support the adverse report of the engineering department. (Numurkah Leader, May 19, 1899,  see here) In the end, the line to Tocumwal came from Strathmerton, not Yarroweyah, and was completely opened in July 1908 (5)

1899 August

Yarroweyah - The usual monthly meeting of the Progress Association was held on Saturday, Vice-President J. M. Breen presiding. It was decided to ask Mr Catani to examine the embankment along the Murray and have everything in readiness for a probable flood. The department is also to be asked to go on with the work of repairing the Tocumwal road, so as to be prepared for the wool traffic.  (Cobram Courier, August 17, 1899, see here) 

Victorian Railways map of Victoria, 1936, showing Yarroweyah, on the Numurkah to Cobram line and the Strathmerton to Tocumwal line (Tocumwal is on the New South Wales side of the Murray River)

State Library of Victoria http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/120405

In July 1905, Carlo returned to Yarroweyah.

The Levee Bank, Water reaches the Top.

Yarroweyah, Wednesday - The residents fifteen miles south of the Murray have been threatened by the river overflowing the levee between Tocumwal and Cobram, which in places is nearly 10 feet high. Mr. Catani, Chief Engineer of the Public Works department, arrived from Melbourne on Sunday last, and immediately put men on to guard the levee. The river rose on Sunday night some 4 feet. This rise was increased by the obstruction to the natural flow of the Murray by the Strathmerton-Tocumwal railway. On Monday about 100 persons interested, some of them coming from a distance of fifteen miles, set to work and strengthened the bank. It was thought at 4 a.m. on Tuesday that their efforts would be vain, as the river had then reached the top of the levee bank, but at this stage the turn came, and the water is now slowly receding. The Murray at this part is about two miles wide. Owing to the slow fall of the river, the levee is being guarded night and day. Should a break occur there will be thousands of acres washed away and many families will be rendered homeless. The Tocumwal railway is several feet under water between the levee and the river, and outside the levee at the Dairy Creek the ballast has been washed away. The river will in all probability, keep up until the snow water comes down in  September or October. A petition is being prepared for presentation to the Minister of Public Works, asking for the first section of the levee to be immediately strengthened. Mr. Catani returned to Melbourne to-day, leaving Mr. Connor, inspector of Works, in charge. (The Age, July 20, 1905, see here)

Murray River flood just breaking through the Yarroweyah Road. Photographer: S.T. Ellis.

The Australasian, July 29, 1905, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139194583

Flood Damage 

Mr. Catani, engineer of the Public Works department writes: "The water rose over 19ft. at Tocumwal a greater height than the flood of 1870, there was some damage done. At Tocumwal the railway station yard was 2ft. deep in flood waters, and several temporary culverts were washed away along the line, the lowest part of which is below flood level. The volume of water was not so great as in 1870, but the level was raised higher, owing to its being confined by the levee banks, as well as by the raised road to Tocumwal and the railway. There are two extensive breaks in the raised roadway from the bridge, each about a chain wide. As soon as the water drains off the flats traffic can be resumed on one or other of the old tracks to Strathmerton. Traffic has been resumed over the Tuppal Creek channel, on the main road to Deniliquin, via Belubla and Tuppal stations. Although the water is 3ft deep in places, the metal road is sound underneath." (The Australasian, July 29, 1905, see here)

Breaks in the Tocumwal Railway Embankment in the 1905 flood

The Australasian, July 29, 1905, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139194583

In August 1905, Carlo was commended for his sterling work in Yarroweyah. 

The Murray Waterway. Obstructions on the New South Wales bank

Yarroweyah, Wednesday - The credit of preventing the flood waters of the Murray from breaking through the levee banks during the recent rise is largely due to Mr. Catani, engineer of the Public Works department, assisted by a number of laborers and farmers, the latter volunteering their services. A meeting of the landowners and business men was convened here to-day, when there was a large attendance. The following resolutions were carried unanimously: - That in the opinion of this meeting the block to the natural flow of the flood waters at Tocumwal is caused by the New South Wales levee, the high level public road and the railway across the waterway near the same place, which have rendered the first section of the levee insufficient, and not the weakening of the banks by rabbits, as alleged. (The Age, August 3, 1905, see here)

Rural Topics

Reports received by the Public Works department indicate that there is further danger of floods in the Murray at Yarroweyah. Mr. Catani, engineer of the department, who rendered invaluable services a few weeks ago in preventing damage, again volunteered for duty and on Saturday last left for Yarroweyah. The Minister for Public Works (Mr. Cameron) has received from the inspector-general of Public Works (Mr. Davidson) a report, in which Mr. Catani's efforts on the previous occasion are warmly commended. Mr. Davidson in his report says that it was entirely due to Mr. Catani's efforts that a great disaster had not befallen the land-owners near the Murray levee. For 64 hours continuously Mr. Catani worked unceasingly, and he left the scene only when he was assured that his services were no longer required. Mr. Cameron has expressed high appreciation of Mr. Catani's self-sacrifice and zeal.   (The Australasian,  August 12, 1905, see here)

Carlo back in Yarroweyah in 1906
Yarroweyah was impacted by floods the following year as well and once again Carlo was on the spot and rescued Mrs Hart and her three children from their property at Koonoomoo, just north of Yarroweyah, and you can read about the rescue, here.

River still rising at Yarroweyah. Water flowing over the levee. Extensive damage.
Yarroweyah, Tuesday - The river has risen, so high as to completely flow over the levee in all directions. The settlers on the reclaimed land had a trying time all day removing their families to dry land. Mr. Catani, of the Public Works department, arrived here today, and found it impossible to attempt to do anything to the levee, as the river is still rising, and the Strathmerton railway and the raised road obstruct the waterway. Thousands of acres of crops are now lost, besides pigs, fowls and calves that were left behind. The residents on dry land have thrown their homes open for those whose houses have been flooded. (The Age, October 10, 1906, see here)

Railway Washed away. 

Yarroweyah, Wednesday - The river to-day is reported to be stationary, but the flood waters are creeping through fresh paddocks hourly and are now within a mile and a half from the town. Mr. Catani was out all day, but could not get near the levee hank. It is not yet known how much of the levee is swept away. He is forming a gang from the settlers to try and stop the breaches at the first possible opportunity. The Strathmerton to Tocumwal railway line has been washed away in many places south of the levee bank, which will relieve the pressure of water at the Koonoomoo settlement. Mr. Kermode, engineer from the Public Works department, has arrived to assist Mr. Catani. (The Age, October 11, 1906, see here)

Damage at Yarroweyah
Yarroweyah, Thursday - The river is still pouring through the levee on to the reclaimed area, but the Strathmerton to Tocumwal railway, which offered an obstruction to the course of the water, has been washed away. Mr Cope, whose property adjoins the Mywee station, has been flooded out. The greater part of the ground sold by the Government as reclaimed, at prices varying up to £3/15/ per acre, is under water. Some six months ago a public meeting carried a resolution asking the Premier (Mr Bent) to cause an independent inquiry into the Murray levee and it's surroundings, but nothing was done. The so called reclaimed land is now under water. The purchasers have put their all in improvements, depending on their harvest, which has been swept away. The Premier will probably be asked to reduce the price charged against the ground, or make the levee sufficiently strong to prevent a recurrence of the floods. Mr. Catani has returned to Melbourne, leaving Mr. Kermode in charge of the relief works. (The Argus, October 12, 1906, see here)

Carlo  produced a report on the levees in 1909 - 

The Northern floods. Improving the levees. Mr Catani's recommendations.

An amplification of his report upon the Goulburn and Murray levees was forwarded by Mr. Catani, Public Works Engineer, to the Acting Minister of Public Works yesterday. He points out that the Murray levee was built in 1895 for relief work for the unemployed. Since its construction a road has been put through a mile and a half of forest. A railway has also been constructed close by and the New South Wales Government has constructed levees of its own, which have cut off important streams, viz., the Barooga and Tuppal creeks, which used to carry flood waters. 

It was pointed out in 1905, when a fairly large flood occurred, that the levee above Tocumwal required strengthening and the then Treasurer authorised the expenditure of £1000 on condition that the land owners contributed £250. The work was started, but a month after, when it was found that the contribution from the land owners was not forthcoming, operations were stopped, and the levee has remained in an unfinished condition ever since. Mr. Catani says that £350 will repair all the damage

to the Murray levee, but the proper topping of the Cobram levee should also be undertaken at a cost of £700. If that were done the road from Yarroweyah to Tocumwal would be safe, as also would the railway, while the village settlers at Koonoomoo would be enabled to make a

living. 

The report continues with the cost of the estimates to the repairs to the levees £1,510 and Carlo also recommended the expenditure of another £1625 for the levees to be altered to withstand larger floods than the last one. The newspaper reports concludes - 

Mr. Catani expresses the hope that before long a bill may be passed to create a trust to carry out a larger scheme of improvement, which consists mainly in leading more water from the Goulburn through the existing creeks to the Murray, cutting bends and widening and strengthening banks and providing for the efficient maintenance of the works. (The Age, July 7, 1909, see here)

Carlo's involvement with the small town of Yarroweyah is just one more example of the very active and hands-on role played by public servants in the development of Victoria in the past; not only did they know where these town were, but they visited them to listen to their concerns. A marked contrast to today's Melbourne-centric bloated bureaucracy.

Footnotes

(1) Vision and Realisation : a centenary history of State Education in Victoria, edited by L.J. Blake. Published by the Education Department of Victoria, 1973.

(2) VicSig.net https://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Yarroweyah 

(3) https://www.monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/culture/social/display/34103-yarroweyah-memorial-hall

(4) The Leader, December 18, 1897, see here and The Age, July 7, 1909, see here

(5)  VicSig.net https://vicsig.net/infrastructure/location/Tocumwal 

Carlo provides flood recovery advice to the Victorian Racing Club at Flemington Racecourse in 1916

In 1916, on Saturday September 23 and Sunday September 24, Melbourne suffered from extensive flooding - the Yarra River rose in places by 18 feet and the Maribyrnong River flooded low-lying land along its bank, including parts of Footscray, Kensington and Flemington. Kensington residents were also impacted by the flooded Moonee Ponds Creek. Many people were made homeless. (1).

Here are some reports of the flooding -

.... no fewer than 70 residences at Maribyrnong, mostly erections of practically recent date, were rendered untenable and the contents considerably damaged. In one or two cases only the roofs of the houses were discernible and as floating logs and rooted-up trees came down stream, impelled by an irresistible force, to crash against the sides of the buildings, it was feared that the structures would be swept away. (2).

There was this  short report -  Along Maribyrnong River, at Kensington, about 200 houses were flooded and the flood water covers an area of about 24 acres. (3).

Another report about Kensington - 

At Kensington the Moonee Ponds Creek overflow took place in the area from the Flemington road on the north to the West Melbourne docks on the south. Despite the low-lying nature of this territory portion of it is thickly inhabited, and the dwellers in these areas suffered severely. The canal, swollen with a fall of over five inches of rain, assumed the proportions of a huge river, and soon Stubbs street, which faces the creek, was merged in the rushing torrent and the tide was lapping at the doors of houses in the vicinity and inundating back yards and homes in a manner which threatened much worse conditions to come. Factories were surrounded by huge lakes, and a general cessation of labour resulted. Residents stuck to their home to the last possible moment, and as a result many were rescued in exciting circumstances. Conditions were particularly bad in the area south of Macaulay road, where, despite the perils of the position, a number of new houses had recently been erected. About 30 families had to leave their homes, and many of the sufferers alleged that the flood, as in previous case, was rendered more serious as a result of the stupid policy of the Government in stopping the flow of the creek by driving piles in connection with a bridge, at the railway gravitation yards into the bed of the canal. The authorities arranged that sufferers could store their belongings at the Kensington Town Hall, but more material comforts were provided by the kindly offices of a number of residents who hastily improvised an impromptu relief movement.  Prominent among such benefactors was Mrs. Jones, licensee of the Centennial Hotel (4),  who threw her doors open to the sufferers, with the result that 31 individuals were accommodated with free board and lodging until the waters subsided. To accomplish this philanthropic task local bakers, butchers and grocers had to break through Sunday observance to supply the requisite stores to supply such to the large "family"' so suddenly called into being. It was a case of the better the day, the better the deed (5).

Floods at Flemington, c, 1900-1925. I believe the top image is of 

the Moonee Ponds Creek.

State Library of Victoria Image H37726

Many residents were unprepared for the flooding and The Age report noted the reason why some residents were caught out - 

Word that Maribyrnong River was likely to overflow was first received by Sergeant Ryan, of the Footscray police, on Thursday, but at that time there had been little rain in the metropolis, and though the police warned residents below flood level to be prepared very little attention was paid to the warning. In the intervening years since the previous destructive flood similar warnings had been issued on numerous occasions, but the expected floods did not occur, and those concerned found that the trouble in removing goods to higher levels had been unnecessary. Consequently on this occasion, even when on Friday fortified by reports from Lancefield, Sunbury and Gisborne, the police issued a further warning, very little heed was paid. But on Saturday morning the river commenced to rise so rapidly that those concerned had to make for safe positions, and had then very slight opportunity for saving their goods. By midday the river overflowed its banks from Maribyrnong to the railway bridge at Footscray, and half an hour later the heavy volume of water had spread in some places until the river appeared in places along the Maribyrnong valley over half a mile wide; and it kept on rising. (6).

Some of these residents suffered a double blow as many places of employment were also affected by the flood - the Abattoirs at Kensington for instance and the the Colonial Ammunition Company, at Footscray which was flooded to a depth of six feet - it was reported that it would be close to a month before it could operate again. (7)

Flemington Racecourse. The Great Flood Sept 10, 1906 - the flood a decade earlier

State Library of Victoria Image H42587/8

Also affected by the flood was the Flemington Racecourse. The following paragraph lead The Age newspaper's report on the flood - 

History repeated itself on the Maribyrnong River on Saturday. Ten years previously premises along its banks were flooded out; the racecourse at Flemington was submerged and left in such a condition that the V.R.C. October meeting had to be held at Caulfield, and considerable valuable property was washed away. The position is practically the same now, and the fact that such is the case completely disposes of the excuse put forward in 1906 that the trouble was caused by the damming back of water at the underpinned railway bridge at Footscray. (8)

Naturally the concern of the V.R.C., in 1916 was the same as that in 1906 - the fact that the Melbourne Cup carnival, held in early November, was just five weeks away, so they went straight to the top and asked Carlo Catani for advice on how to remedy the flood damage.  In October  1916, The Age reported - 

A visit of inspection was yesterday paid to the Flemington racecourse by the chairman (Mr. L. K.S. Mackinnon) and members of committee, who were accompanied by Messrs. Catani (Public Works department), Kermode (engineer of ports and harbors), W. Davidson and Jas. Wilson, jun. The object of the visit was to confer and obtain advice in regard to the flood damage, and the means of removing the silt, thousands of tons of which was carried on to the racing track, saddling paddock and lawn by the flood waters. The silt is being cut away and removed as quickly as possible, and new turf will have 
to be laid in various parts of the ground. The methods of dealing with the work in hand were generally approved of by the visitors, who attended by invitation, and it is expected that with a spell of fine weather, the grounds will be in readiness by Derby day, Saturday, 4th November. The repairs to be effected will entail a considerable outlay. In the committee rooms and other buildings the linoleums and other furnishings were badly damaged by the flood waters, and will need to be replaced. (9).

The Age later reported on the efficacy of these remedial works  - 

Traces of the devastation wrought by the recent floods will be easily discernible at Flemington on Saturday week, when the V.R.C. Spring meeting will be commenced with the Derby programme. Yesterday forenoon a semi-official inspection of the course and grounds was made by a party of sporting pressmen and others........In some parts of the course the flood waters extended to a height of 6 feet to 7 feet, and considerable damage was done not only to the racing track for the whole circuit, but also in various other directions, and it is estimated that the cost of the renovation work will total close upon £2000. Particular attention first of all was paid to the course proper, from which thousands of tons of silt, which had been 15 inches deep in places, had to be removed, and when the whole of the running track was chipped off with spades by the workman, grass had to be sown down immediately. The roots of the original plantation had not been interfered with to any extent, and this, with the new growth, has done so well that with a few fine days ahead everything will be in readiness for the big fixture next month. There may be a soft spot or two close to the rails, but generally speaking the course should be in excellent order by Melbourne Cup day. The silt has been placed in heaps in the saddling paddock and other parts of the course for removal or use in some other way in the future.....In its scheme of renovations and improvements, at which between 350 and 500 men were employed, the club received material expert assistance from Messrs. Catani, Kermode and Davidson, and has done excellent work during the time at its disposal. (10)

The Melbourne Cup race went ahead and was won by Sasanof, by over two lengths. In reality, the winner was the Victorian Racing Club who had the resources to employ up to 500 men to repair the damage to the Flemington Racecourse as well as the clout to receive the advice of the top Public Works Department Engineer, Carlo Catani. I wonder how much official assistance the people along the Maribrynong River and Moonee Ponds Creek, who were flooded received, but I think we know the answer to that (11). It was no doubt left to concerned locals such as Mrs Margaret Jones of the Centennial Hotel and her troop of bakers, butchers and grocers. 

Footnotes - 

(1) Read flood reports - The Age, September 25, 1916, see here; The Argus, September 25, 1916, see here; Bendigo Independent, September 25, 1916, see here; The Age, September 26, 1916, see here; Flemington Spectator, September 28, 1916, see here;

(2) The Age, September 25, 1916, see here

(3) Bendigo Independent, September 25, 1916, see here

(4) The Centennial Hotel, on the corner of Rankins Road and Smith Street in Kensington was built in 1888, a good description was in the North Melbourne Advertiser, September 8, 1888, see here.  There was the Bar, Dining Room and Billiard room on the ground floor; 14 bedrooms on the second floor and 21 bedrooms on the third floor. It was sold in September 1938  to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sadler, licensees of the Village Belle Hotel, St. Kilda. The hotel, a large three-story brick structure, has long been a landmark in Kensington suburb, and is one of the oldest and best-known hotels there. It is the intention of Mr. and Mrs. Sadler to reconstruct the hotel and make it one of the most modern suburban hotels. (The Age, September 24, 1938, see here). In April 1939, it was reported that the Victorian Licensing Court had given approval for alterations costing £4000 to be carried out to the Centennial Hotel, Kensington, Victoria, by F. Morsby, architect. This would have been the time that the hotel was converted into the existing two storey building. (Construction, April 5, 1939, see here)

At the time of the flood it was operated by Margaret Jones; her husband John Joseph Jones, had died the year before, in Sydney, on September 18, 1915; he had previously been at the Cornish Arms Hotel in Brunswick and the Cheltenham Hotel, Cheltenham. He was an active supporter of all branches of sport, and will be well remembered in connection with the early history of the Colllngwood Football Club.  (Death notice The Argus, September 21, 1915, see here; short obituary in The Herald September 22, 1915, see here). Margaret died January 7, 1917 at the age of 42; the couple had two children, John and Eileen. The late Mrs. Jones endeared herself to a large circle of friends by her philanthropic acts; her generous deeds in relieving sufferers by the recent floods will be remembered, and she was a prominent worker in local charitable and patriotic movements.   (Obituary Essendon Gazette, January 11, 1917, see here) 

(5) Flemington Spectator, September 28, 1916, see here

(6) The Age, September 25, 1916, see here

(7) Ibid

(8) Ibid

(9) The Age, October 10, 1916, see here; there is another report of the visit in The Argus of October 10, 1916, see here.

(10) The Age, October 28, 1916, see here.

(11) Interesting letter here about the lack of assistance from the Melbourne City Council -  The Argus, September 26, 1916, see here.

Carlo comes to the rescue at Koonoomoo

In October 1906, the Murray River flooded and inundated the surrouding countryside including Koonoomoo, a small town which is located south of Toucumwal, north of Yarroweyah (which I have written about here), northeast of Strathmerton and northwest of Cobram. Over 2,000 acres of crops went under water (1). Carlo Catani inspected the flood area and while he was there went to the rescue of Mrs Hart and her three children. I have reproduced three newpaper accounts of his bravery and then we will look at the life of Mrs Hart and the Koonoomoo community.

This is an account of the flood -

Koonoomoo Settlement Submerged - Miles of Country flooded. 

The Murray has broken through the levee bank in several places between here and Tocumwal, and the intervening country is one vast stretch of water. The flood of this country has had the effect of lowering the river by at least three inches at the Cobram bridge, but although the stream is receding, the water is rising inland very rapidly owing to the gaps in the levee being made deeper. Koonoomoo township is under water, and every settler has shifted to higher quarters. 

(Riverine Herald, October 12, 1906, see here)

I have found three accounts (2) of Carlo's heroism and even though they are similar in some aspects I have reproduced them here because this is a tribute blog to Carlo and to paraphrase William Shakespeare, I come to praise Carlo.

Koonoomoo Settlement Submerged - Miles of Country flooded

During Tuesday afternoon an exciting incident happened. Mrs Hart, one of the settlers residing to the north-west of the village, had decided to remain with her three children in her home, thinking that the flood would not reach them, but as the water was rising at the rate of 4 inches per hour her situation was becoming critical. Mr Catani, who visited Koonoomoo during the aflernoon, learned of Mrs Hart's position, and be procured a boat and with assistance set out to rescue her. After going about 50 yards, however, the boat proved so leaky that Mr Catani was prevailed upon not to risk his life. Constable Tennant, who had been busily employed in the neighborhood, happened along, and he readily volunteered to go to Mrs Hart's rescue, in company with Mr Joe O'Connor, the well-known footballer. The pair had a difficult task to reach Mrs Hart's dwelling, but by dint of much baling the cottage was reached and all the inmates taken aboard. The boat was then rowed out between the front gate posts, and shortly afterwards a great quantity of water came aboard through one of the party shifting. The rescuers promptly dropped out into 3ft. 6in. of water and baled the boat dry, and subsequently managed to land Mrs Hart and her children on high ground.

(Cobram Courier October 11, 1906, see here.)

Local residents of Koomoonoo, 1920.

Weekly Times July 19, 1920. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222554833

Koonoomoo Settlement submerged. Miles of country flooded.

An exciting incident occurred during the swamping of the settlement, which was the work of a few hours, as the water rose at the rate of five inches per hour. Mrs Hart, with her three young children, decided to stay at their dwelling, thinking the flood would not reach them. It did so, however, and Mr Catani, of the Public Works department, procuring the only boat available, made an at attempt to go to their assistance. After going 50 yards the boat leaked so badly that Mr Catani decided to come back.

Constable Tennant, from Cobram, who had been helping the flooded settlers all the morning, came along, and with Mr Joseph O'Connor, got into the boat and proceeded to Mrs Hart's house. They had hard work to steer the boat in a safe course and to keep it bailed out, but eventually they reached the dwelling and put the inmates on board, When returning by a more easy course, Mrs Hart leaned to one side, causing the boat to partly fill, and Constable Tennant and Mr O'Connor had to jump out into four feet of water and bail out the boat. Eventually the party reached high land and were taken care of. 

(Riverine Herald, October 12, 1906, see here)

Damage at Koonoomoo. Mr Catani's adventure. 
During Mr Catani's visit he underwent a thrilling experience. Not far from the levee at Koonoomooo is the homestead of a settler named Hart, who had left some days previoulsy, leaving his wife and three childen at home. During the night the river rose, and when Mr Catani arrived the house was standing in the centre of a surging mass of yellow water. The flood had already invaded the house, and there was every indication that it would rise, and carry away the woman and her children. At imminent risk to himself, Mr Catani entered a boat to rescue them. He appealed to several men for assistance, but they declined to venture out, asserting that they could not swim. Mr Catani then rowed to another part of the bank, and offered a young man a sovereign if he would assist in the work of the rescue. At this moment the police, who had rendered great assistance during the flood, came to the scene, and Mrs Hart and her family were removed to a place of safety.

(The Argus October 13, 1906, see full article here)

The township of Koonoomoo was proclaimed on December 18, 1885 (3). We can get some idea of the early history of Koonoomoo from  the history of the school from Vision and Realisation (4).  In September 1886 the community applied to the Education Department for a school, which was knocked back due to insuffucient numbers. In September 1890 the community applied again for a school and provided a list of thirty nine potential students. This time they were successful, a site was selected and the school opened in September 1891 in an old weatherboard house that had been moved to the block. Another site was selected in 1897 and in the December the school building from Dargalong was moved there and classes started in the 'new' building in March 1898, with an enrolment of 51. The building was condemned by the Council Health Officer in 1904, and another disused school, this time from Pine Lodge West, was shifted to the town. The school closed in February 1953 and the students moved to Cobram Consolidated School (5).

There is also a description of Koonoonoo in a letter written by May Davenport to Aunt Connie, the editor of the children's pages in the Weekly Times on June 1, 1901

Dear Aunt Connie,

Koonoomoo is a village settlement about 2 ½ miles from the Murray River. There is a lagoon running through it. On the other side of the lagoon there are some sandhills, on which there are several vineyards. The country on this side of the lagoon is pretty flat, and one time when the river overflowed, there used to be a flood now and then, but now there is an embankment made to keep back the floods. There is a flood gate in the embankment to let sufficient water into the lagoon. It is a pretty sight to see the water rushing through it. There is a lot of wattles on river banks. They look very pretty when, they are out. There are some sandbanks along the river, and we go down on them some times for picnics. Cobram and Yarroweyah are the nearest townships. Cobram is about five miles from here. It is the terminus of the Goulburn Valley railway line. Yarraweyah is about three miles from here. I got two prize books this year. One of them, which I got from the State school, is named Glen Luna and the other, which I got from Sunday school, is named the Wide,Wide World. I think they are both nice books, but I like the Wide, Wide World the best. We have had a nice fall of rain, and the grass is growing nicely. The mice are very bad here this year.

With love to you, I remain, your loving niece, May Davenport.

(Weekly Times June 1, 1901, see here)

This township map of Koonoomoo, shows the lagoon running through the town as mentioned by May in her letter to Aunt Connie.

Public Records Office of Victoria, view a high-res version here.

The State Library of Victoria also has a plan of the Koomoonoo Village Settlement and the township, here.

Koonoomoo was clearly a small town as in the 1906 Electoral Roll there were only twelve people listed with a Koonoomoo address (6) and in 1908 there were 28 (7) including Hugh and  Matilda Hart. The occupations listed were either farmer or labourer for the men and home duties or farmer for the women - no shopkeepers or blacksmiths, so Koonoomoo appears to actually be more of  a locality rather than a town.

It was Matilda Hart and her three children who were rescued from the flood. Matilda Hancock had married Hugh Hart, in 1896; the marriage was registered in Deniliquin (8). They had two children in New South Wales - Isabella, born in 1897 and Myrtle (9) in 1899; the births were registered in Tocumwal. Hugh was born in 1904, and his birth was registered at Strathmerton.  Matilda Hart had a previous escape from calamity in December 1898 when she was struck on the head, as the report below tell us.

A report of Matilda Hart's accident - note the interesting way the bleeding was stopped.

Sydney Evening News, December 7, 1898  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114042720

In one of the flood reports it said that the Harts had lost 30 acres of crops in the flood (10).  In the 1908 and 1909 Electoral Rolls Hugh's occupation was listed as a farmer and also listed at Koonoomoo was a Patrick Hart. After 1909, Hugh's occupation was listed as a labourer and Patrick was no longer listed, so I wonder if Hugh and Patrick worked the farm together and if Patrick moved on, so they decided to sell the farm and Hugh worked as a labourer. 

Matilda was in the newspapers again in 1916 when the Tungamah Shire Council charged her with failing to register her three dogs.

Report of Matilda Hart's failure to register her dogs with the Tungamah Shire.

Nurmurkah Leader December 15, 1916 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132754538

On October 1925, Matilda Hart had to attend a hearing in Numurkah to show cause why her licence to lease 70 acres of Crown Land should not be forfeited. I don't know what the outcome was, but it is interesting that the property was in her name and not in Hugh's name. They also have the address of the property as Yarroweyah. It appears that in common with many rural areas there was a blurred line between locality boundaries, in this case that of Koonoomoo and Yarroweyah. This may also explain why there were so few people listed in the Electoral Roll with a Koonoomoo address.

Notice of Matilda Hart's licence to lease Crown Land hearing.

Victoria Government Gazette October 10, 1917.  http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1917/V/general/168.pdf

Hugh died at the age  of 78 on June 5, 1932 at the Mooroopna Hospital. Matilda was still listed at Koonoomoo in the 1936 Electoral Roll. She died in Carlton on August 11, 1948. Her death certificate said her usual place of residence was Deniliquin. She was 83 years of age (11). 

Death notice of Matilda (nee Hancock) Hart.

The Age August 12, 1948 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206892880

Matilda and Hugh's three children survived to adulthood - Isabella died in 1973, aged 76. She had married Charles Henry Schultz in 1914. He died in 1931 and she then married Arthur Tredrea in 1935. Myrtle married Edwin Sitters in Tocumwal in 1923 and she died in 1968 at the age of 68. Hugh died in 1969 aged 64 (12). As you can see by Matilda's death notice, she had a step-daughter. Hugh's death notice said he had been married twice, but no children from either marriage were listed on his certificate for some unknown reason.

Did the Harts regale their families with stories of the flood and the daring rescue for the rest of their lives - saying to their children or grandchildren - Did I ever tell you about the time we were rescued by Mr Catani?

I could only find one historic photo of Koonoomoo on-line. 

It is from 1939 and titled Boys with rabbits near Koonoomoo. This would be not much different from how Koonoomoo looked when Isabella, Myrtle and Hugh Hart were growing up in the area.

State Library of New South Wales Image IE1713999

Acknowledgment

I found out about Carlo's daring rescue at Koonoomoo from my research colleague, Isaac Hermann. Isaac also supplied the information about Mrs Hart's dog registration issues and her Crown Land licence hearing.

Footnotes

(1) The Age, October 11, 1906, see here. 

(2) There is actually one other report in The Age, October 11, 1906, see here. 

(3) Proclamation of the town was in the Victoria Government Gazette of December 24, 1885 http://gazette.slv.vic.gov.au/images/1885/V/general/124.pdf

(4) Blake, L. J (editor) Vision and Realisation: a centenary history of State Education in Victoria,  (Education Department of Victoria, 1973)

(5) Blake, op. cit.. v. 3, p. 835.

(6) The 1906 Electoral Roll list the following with a Koonoomoo address - James Boland, Mary Boland, John Brown, Emily Hiles, Joseph Hiles, Thomas Lambert, Annie O'Connor, Johanna O'Connor, William O'Connor, Arnold Schultz, Christina Schultz and William Schultz.

(7) The 1908 Electoral Roll list the following with a Koonoomoo address -  Margaret Blowes, Annie Clouson, George Davenport, Elizabeth DeAble, Hugh Hart, Matilda Hart, Patrick Hart, Emily Hiles, Ester Hiles, Maud Hiles, Elizabeth Holmes, Catherine Hutson, Robert Hutson, Thomas Lambert, May Lynch, Maud Mansell, Annie O'Connor, Johanna O'Connor, William O'Connor, Walter Prayle, Edward Rowe, Ethel Rowe, Catherine Ryan, Mary Ryan, Matthew Ryan, Robert Teitz, Charles Thomas, William George Thomas, William James Thomas.

(8) Index to the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages. Matilda's death certificate lists her father as William Thomas Hancock and her mother's surname as Carmichael and says she was born in Collingwood. As she died in 1948 and her age was listed as 83 then that makes her birth year around 1865. In the Victorian Index to Births, Deaths and Marriages there is a Matilda Hancock born in 1869 in Collingwood to William Thomas Hancock and Mary Henderson.  I assume this is our Matilda, but I cannot account for the discrepencies in the year of birth and the mother's surname. According to Hugh's death certificate his full name was Hugh William Fisher Hart and being 78 in 1932, it means he was born around 1854. His parents are not listed and his place of birth is listed as Woodstock, a town north of Melbourne on the intesection of the Broadford Road and Donnybrook Road. The only birth of a Hugh William Fisher Hart in Victoria was in 1864, to John Fisher Hart and Sarah Ann Wall. The birth was registered in Kyneton, that's ten years after the date suggested by the death certiticate. I don't have an answer for this. 

(8) The Index to the New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages list Myrtle as Bertha. This may be a transcription error or she changed her name.

(10) The Age, October 11, 1906, see here. 

(11) Death date of Hugh and Matilda comes from their death certificates.

(12) Information on Isabella, Myrtle and Hugh comes from the Victorian Indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Yarra River flood of July 1891

The Yarra River flood of July 12, 1891, left 1,000 people homeless. The Age of July 13, 1891 had a full report of the damage the flood caused (read it here) but here are a few stories- a house in Cremorne Street, Richmond had water to within a few feet of the roof, in Dover street, the water was  within a foot of the top of the some of the street lamps..... The Johnston Street bridge.... as a rule is considerably over 50 feet clear of the flood level, but last night the water was within 14 feet of the decking.  The flood also submerged 207 houses in South Yarra - the worst streets being  Clara, River, Tivoli and Karlsberg (The Australasian July 18, 1891, read full report here)

Great flood of July 1891 -  Looking east from Princes Bridge

State Library of Victoria Image H12675

A Board of Inquiry into the Yarra River flood of  July 1891 was established.  The Inquiry was investigating  (1) the causes and extent of river floods in and about Melbourne, and the extent to which they are contributed to, or intensified by, artificial or preventable causes , and (2) the measures that might be adopted for controlling or mitigating the effects of such floods, and for preventing, future damage therefrom.

The Board members were Mr Clement Hodgkinson, chariman; Mr. W. Davidson, Inspector general of public works; Mr Stuart Murray, chief engineer Victorian Water Supply department; Mr A. C. Mountain, city surveyor of Melbourne; Mr William Thwaites, engineer in chief to the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works; Mr P. J. Nolan, city surveyor of South Melbourne; Mr H. Tolhurst, city surveyor of Collingwood; Mr A Clayton, C. E., city surveyor of Richmond; Mr H.T. Haynes, city engineer of Hawthorn; Mr William Calder, city surveyor of Footscray; Mr A. V. Heath, borough surveyor of Port Melbourne and Mr. T. B Muntz, C. E., engineer of the shire of Malvern. (The Argus, October 14, 1891)

The Great Flood of 1891 - Punt Road Richmond.

State Library of Victoria Image H12674

The Inquiry heard from a number of expert witnesses - Carlo Catani, being one and his friend, Ettore Checchi being another. Ettore, Carlo and their friend Pietro Baracchi,  had journey from Italy to New Zealand then onto their new life in Victoria in 1876. The other evidence that was given by the expert witnesses can be read in The Argus of October, 14 1891, here.

Carlo and Ettore's evidence was reported in The Argus of October 21 (see here) Ettore's evidence is interesting as it shows the huge volume of water that swept down the Yarra during this flood.

Mr Ettore Checchi of the Victorian Water Supply department, the first witness examined submitted a number of plans showing the levels of the floods at different points of the river. At Warrandyte the volume of flood water was 1,650, 000 cubic feet per minute ; and at Dights Falls he estimated the volume to be 2,290,300 cubic feet per minute. Other authorities had formed different estimates as to the volume at the last-named and a mean average of 2,167,600 cubic feet per minute was given. At Gardiners Creek the mean average as to the volume of the flood water was 2,206,200. At Prince's-bridge the discharge would be practically the same at at Gardiner's Creek. The discharge of water at the St Kilda road was 495,800 cubic feet per minute, with a volume of 147ft per minute. The mean volume of water at the Saltwater River was 1,188,600 cubic feet per minute. The total discharge of water at the junction of the Saltwater River was 2,899,000 cubic feet per minute, with allowance for diversion at Prince's-bridge only. The total discharge of water into the bay was 3,395,000 cubic feet per minute. (The Argus of October 21, see here)

Mr. Catani of the Public Works department,  said there was a discrepancy between the levels supplied by him and those furnished by the officers of the Harbour Trust as to the flood waters at the Queen's-bridge. Above and below the bridge the same level of water he found obtained, the abutments of the bridge offering no obstruction to the continuous flow of the water. The levels he had marked on his plans were in agreement with those obtained by the Railway department. From his own observation he had fixed the levels of the flood of 1891. (The Argus of October 21, see here)

One of the solutions to stop the Yarra River flooding was to widen the river and straighten it's course and this work, between the Princes Bridge and the Cremorne Railway Bridge, was undertaken by Carlo Catani and the Public Works Department in 1896 and 1897, you can read more about it here. This work also led to the creation of Alexandra Avenue and the Alexandra Gardens, two other projects of Carlo's.

Kelso Street, Richmond, July 1891 flood. Photographer: Paul and Gerald Turner.

State Library of Victoria Image H96.160/1996



Twenty nine houses were 'rendered uninhabitable' by the flood, and you can see why by this photo.
Clara Street, Hawksburn, 1891 flood. Photographer: Cyril Robert Stainer.
State Library of Victoria Image  H2002.130/6

There are many photos of the 1891 flood on the State Library of Victoria website, www.slv.vic.gov.au

Carlo knows 'next to nothing' about flood damage on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp

The Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society has a series of letters from Mr Huntly Campbell Gordon of Five Mile (Koo Wee Rup North - one of Carlo's Village Settlements)  written from around 1911 to 1916. He was a prolific letter writer to the State Rivers & Water Supply Commission, his local MLA, Mr Keast and others. Mr Gordon kept copies of his letters and the replies and was on many local committees. For example, in 1911 he was writing on behalf on the Five Mile Progress Association and recorded the minutes of the Cora Lynn Progress Association, in 1913 he was writing on the flooded condition of the Five Mile School, in 1915 he recorded the minutes of the Koo Wee Rup Drainage Association and sent letters on their behalf. 

His correspondence reflects the reality of living on the Swamp as opposed to the theories that the drain works are sufficient and in this letter of November 21, 1913 he was very critical of Carlo Catani. This is a  rare criticism of Carlo.  

Five Mile
Koo Wee Rup
21st November 13

Farmers at Koo Wee Rup are taking exception to the remarks which Mr Catani is reported to have made concerning the damage done by the recent floods. Mr Catani said that the statements were greatly exaggerated, about the losses sustained. As a matter of fact, the Chief Engineer for Public Works knows next to nothing about the matter and the opinion is freely expressed that he is endeavouring to hide the imperfections of his own drainage scheme, by making light of the damage done.

It is ridiculous for Mr Catani to say that only 200 acres of potatoes were harmed, for four hundred would have been nearer the mark. Then oats, barley, wheat, carrots, peas , onions and fodder crops suffered and are still suffering through the soakage....

Mr Catani's remarks which Mr Gordon objected to were published in The Age on November 17, 1913.

The Age November 17, 1913

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7263758

The Age followed up with this report on November 22 -  obviously taken from Mr Gordon's letter.  

The Age  November 22, 1913

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196239430