Percival James Skerman

Percival — Wilhelmina McDowall Mitchell. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Marriage: 10 Jul 1865, Coulsdon, Surrey, England
• Immigration: 1866; THE LOSS OF THE NETHERBY. A good deal of excitement was caused in town on Monday by the receipt of d telegram announcing the total loss of the immigrant ship Netherby. She was one of the Black Ball liners, of 941 tons register, under the command of Captain Evans. She is from London, but embarked most of her passengers at Plymouth, from which port she sailed on April 13. The telegram states that the ship was wrecked on Sunday, July 15, on King's Island, just at the entrance of Bass' Straits, but no details are given beyond the fact that there had been no lives lost. Later in the afternoon we learned that H.M.C.S.S. Victoria had been despatched from Melbourne to the assistance of the passengers on Sunday last, the second officer of the Netherby having arrived at that place with in telligence of the disaster. The Netherby had 413 passengers on board when she left Ply- mouth. We have been courteously furnished with the list of passengers by Mr. Smythe, of the Immi gration Office. It is as follows ;?Saloon Pas sengers: Mr. W. Townsend, Miss E. Thomas, Miss Isabella and Mary Townsend, Miss B. Stuckbury, Mr. Erwart Cowell, Mr. Alexander Webster, and Mr. H. D. Vincent. Second Cabin Passengers: Thomas Dupreny, dwin George and Victor Townsend, G. F. Springett, George Evans, W. M. Young, H. P. Bluett, Edwin and Selina Gill, Thomas Grimes, Carry Grimes, Isaac Grimes, Maria Grimes, J. C. Vicary, W.. H. Atteread, Walter Crawford, Herman Hartenstien, John Wall, Mr. and Mrs. Hall. Intermediate Passengers: James and Eliza Spencer, 8. P. Browne, John G. Dickson, Mr. and Mrs. Starke, Ann Starke. Steerage passengers: John Le Monier, A. E. Bonner, Alfred and Eliza Seymour, Charles and Marion Dunning, James Dunning, Henry E. Baily, William Smith, Thomas Has lett, George Massingham, Edwin Bellgrove, Mr. and Mrs. James Drake, James B. Thompson, Arthur Short, Robert Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. John Austin, William Edwin John and James Austin, Elizabeth Helena and Mary Austin, Sophia Laurence, William Laurence, John Rogers, J. Goldsworthy, Samuel Meager, Mishe Kelly, G. H. Bulpet, Ann Bulpet, George Scand, Alexander Forbes, James Aplin, Mary Aplin, Ann F. and Lucy J. Aplin, Thomas Arkle, Henry Manning, James Yoriton, Rebecca Yoriton, Henry and Alfred Yoriton, Amelia and Harriett Yoriton, Edward F. Dealty, Charles Parsons, Eliza Parsons, Thomas Parsons, Elizabeth and Lupina Par sons, Patrick Burns, Robert Hall, W. W. Arnold, George and Eliza Snook and infant, R. Sydney, James Reekie, George and Rosina Exton and infant, Thomas Bridges, Edwin Morris, Fanny Morris, Albert B. and Charles Morris, Joseph and Ann Grindall and infant, Mary E. Patmore, James Patmore, Richard Grindall, Sarah Grindall, William, Maria, and Tancar Grindall, Samuel Morris, Sephen New land, John Pryor, Thomas Martin, Charles Ferris, Richard Drake, Emily Drake, Richard J. and Henry G. Drake, James Rerden, Ellena Rerden, James Phillip and Charles Rerden, Ed mund Hogan, Ellen Hogan, Michael and Margaret Hogan, Amelia Smith, Robert Nally. Mary Nally, Ellen Reardon, Thomas Lanfer, Louis Nicolas, Richard Brooke, George Huggins, Eliza Huggins, Barry Carley, Charles Barkins, Fre dericka Barkins, Augusta Dora and Win Bar kins, James Sinclair, Isabella Moffatt, Lake and Mary Moffatt, John Hanna, Ann Hanna, Edward and Sarah Hanna, Joseph Frost, Jane Roult, Pierce Demois, Selina Condon, B. A. New, Richard Bodle, Ellen Bodle, Joseph Southerwell, A. W. Darlington, Edward Killham, Thomas Pope, William Sherman, David Pinnick, Elizabeth Pinnick, Albert and David Pinnick, Arthur Lea, Elizabeth Lea, William and Alfred Lea, John Adams, Eliza Adasns, Mary A. and John B. Adams, William Lingard, Emma Lingard, Thomas Bradshaw, Charles W. Aldis, John Skennan, Maria Skennan, Ann E. and Walter G. Skerman, James Yeates, John Evans, Edward Pinnick, William Ellis, Jane Ellis, Henry Fox, Sarah Fox, Henry J. and Charles H. Fox, Walter Yeates, Elizabeth Yeates and infant, George Drayton, Gerrge Hart, James Murdoch, A. Huggins, John Bobins, John Lobb, Alfred Reay, H. Tink, Wil liam Packer, Thos. Turner, James Thornton, Mary Thornton, Emily A. Thornton, William Clemp son, Ed. W. Shelford, Michael Henry, Mary Henry, George Fisher, William Ward, Henry Hughes, James Budge, Frederick Skerman, Alice Skerman and infant, William Skerman, Caroline Skerman and child, John Edwards, Emma Edwards, George Dart, Wm. Cox, Thos. Northfield, Hope Martin, Maria Martin, James Crocker, Michael Hinigan, Mary Hini gan, Elizabeth Michael and John Hinigan, Thomas Cornell, Charles Kerney, Ernest Barry, John Nash, James Pearse, Henry Dawiton, John Jsevon, Charles Cook, Charles Tweansville, William Hussey, George Faul, Joseph Taylor. John Allan, George Wiffley, Miriam Wiffley, Walter and Miriam Wiffley, Barry Groom, Lucy Groom, William Barry Lucy and Rose Groom, Thomas H. Robinson, Henry Hard wick, Stephen Creswell, William Thompson, Francis Brown, John Dotson, Edwin Berry, George Cole, Thomas Jones, Denis O'Connor, Michael O'Connor, John O'Connor, George Evans, Emcline Evans, Wiffiam Thomas, Alfred S. Barry, A. P. Watkinj, Martha Watkins and infant, John Watkins, William Smith, Barry Brans, William Barnett, Ellen Barnett, Mary A. and Wior H. Barnett, Michael Williams, James Burden, Ann Burden, Charles Williams, Julia Williams, Hannah j Ellen John and Charles Williams, Henry Copping, Mary Copping, Henry Copping, John Moore, Laundors Copping, Edwin lagan, Alfred Lee, Robert Jones, Martha Jones, John Shaw, William Schardon, Mary Schardon, Mary and Margaret Schardon, John Thon, Martha Thon, Thomas and Catherine Thon, Alfred J. Austin, George Pope, Thomas Bowler, William Sher wood, Berry Hirst, James Murphy, Ann Murphy and infant, John Coward, Thomas Ford, Andrew Lea, Mary Lea, Darid Margaret and Isabella Lea, John Clark, Elizabeth CUrk, Annie Eliza beth and Dorata Clark, Patrick Clark, John Gill, Mary Gill, Thomas Patrick and Ellen Gill, John Keys, Martha Fagan, Mary Fagan, James Malona, Margaret Malona, Bernard Clark, Catherine Clark, William Lennon, Daniel M'Carthy, Peter Mar shall, William Parker, Thomas Johnson, James Armstrong, John Harris, John M'Farlane, James Kelly, George Hackney, Thomas New brook, Mary Newbrook, Samuel Deakin, Ellen Deakin, Ellen and Elizabeth Deakin, William M'Kenna, Elizabeth M'Kenna, Malcolm M'Kenna, Morris Condon, Mary Condon, Al fred Caroline and Adelaide Condon, Robert Condon, Samuel Harris, William Camming, Ellen Camming, William Alfred and Elizabeth Camming, John Williams, Daniel Nolan, John Nolan, Edward Ganty, Robert Bailey, Thomas Corkill, Thomas Daris, Ann Daris, William Beckworth, Elizabeth Beckworth, Hannah Eliza and William Beckworth, James Coulden, Charles Archdeacon, Elizabeth Archdeacon, Charles Archdeacon, making in all 413 souls, equal to 356 statute adults. We append an abstract, showing the pro portion of free and assisted passengers, together with their ages:?Adults, 54 full payers, 6 assisted, 251; children from Ito 12 years, 10 full payers, 74 free; infants, 15 free: total 413 ?equal to 356 adults. Occupations of the free and assisted passen gers: ?Female domestic servants, 2; farm labores, 91; navvies, 6; groom, 1; fitter, 1; Blockmaker, 1; miners, 3; blacksmiths, 24; bricklayer, 1; mason, 1; sawyer, 1; carpen ters, 8 ; wheelwright, 1; millwright, 1. The following gives the ages, sexes, &c n of the passengers, and whether they are married or single:?Adults, married?males, 67; females, 70. Single, males, 162; females, 15. Children between 1 and 12 yean?males, 46; females, 38. Infants?male, 11; females, 4. Total, 886 males, 127 females. Grand total, 413. For farther particulars of the lass of the Netherby, see telegraphic columns. Transcribed from 'The Queenslander' Saturday 28th July 1866 ------------ THE NETHERBY. ALTHOUGH so much sympathy has been shown by the people of Brisbane in respect to the relatives of those who perished by the wreck of the steamer Cawarra, but little interest has been exhibited as regards those unfortunate immigrants who, whilst on their voyage to this colony, lost their all by the wreck of the ship Netherby. Our Victorian neighbors, there is no doubt, behaved most handsomely towards the unfortunate passengers. How is it that we are behind them in our display of liberality? A portion of the immigrants have arrived here, but as yet no friendly demonstration has been made. We pride ourselves upon the support we give to local benevolent institutions. Why should we be backward in our endeavors to assist those who left England with the intention of making for themselves homes in Queensland, and who, through no fault of theirs, have arrived almost penniless. In connection with the above wreck, we publish the following account (written by one of the party, who is now in Brisbane) of the adventures of the boat's crew who so gallantly volunteered to go from King's Island to Melbourne. The writer says:? "As is well known, we were wrecked on King's Island on July 14, and all the passengers got safe off on the 15th. On Monday morning Mr. Parry was ordered to go and seek relief. Volunteers were called for, and the following persons gave their services:? Messrs. Attwood, Bluett, Springett, Belgrore, Stanley, and Evans. We started from the camp with only 1 1/2 lbs. of biscuit, a bottle of gin, and some coffee. After having travelled over a very rough and rugged shore, we encamped about 4 p.m., and had a small allowance of biscuit each, and then had a rest, which we much needed. Next morning, the 17th, we started off not very refreshed, as it was piercingly cold, although we kept up a good fire all night; we also felt exceedingly hungry, having had nothing but a small quantity of biscuit since the night of the wreck. After proceeding some distance, we found a native cat, which had half a wallaby in its lair. This we washed well, and eat it with great relish, although it tasted rather strong of pussy. We encamped that night where the crew of the Flying Arrow had. We started early on the 18th. On our rough walk two or three of the party showed signs of being wearied, and it was with muoh difficulty they managed to creep along. About 10 a.m. we came across a cart track, which we followed, and found it much easier walking. On our road we passed a grave, with a tombstone at its head, on which was cut:?' Sacred to the memory of Captain M'Eschern, late of the ship Brahmin, who was drowned 21st May, 1854; aged 39.' About 12 noon, we sighted the lighthouse, a good distance off. This raised the spirits of the party greatly, and we trudged on quite merrily. We came across a river, which retarded us a good deal, as we had to make for the coast again, not finding a place to cross inland, and all were very tired. We crossed the river, went a few miles further, and then encamped. Up next morning at daybreak, and two of the party reached the lighthouse at 10 a.m., the others straggling in about an hour afterwards. Here we were treated most hospitably by Mr. Spong, the superintendent, and all his party. We found that the only chance of relief was to go across to Melbourne in a small whaleboat, consequently, Mr. Parry, second mate, Messrs. Attwood, Bluett, and Springett started off, at 2 p.m., having pulled safely out of the surf about nine or ten miles. We then hoisted a small spritsail, and got on capitally till night, when it began to rain hard, as well as blow, and to make it worse we found we had no lamp, consequently every now and then we lighted a match to see how we were steering by a small pocket compass. We spent a most miserable night, all of us being nearly worn out, and it was with great delight we hailed daylight, which brought to our view land, which we mode for, but could see no place where we could land, till we come to a small bay, where we thought there was a river. Here we went, and, to our delight, saw a small sheltered spot, where we hauled the boat up. We had something to eat (we took plenty from the lighthouse), and then turned in for the night. Next morning we come across Mr. Allan's surveying comp, where we were treated most hospitably both by Mr. Allan and Mr. Irwin, another of the party. They provided Mr. Parry with a horse and money, and sent a man to show him the road. The rest of our adventures is already known; as also, how splendidly and nobly the Victorians treated, not only us, but the rest of the unfortunate passengers by the Netherby." Transcribed from 'The Queenslander' Saturday 25th August 1866

Frederick married Alice Darlington 1865, Croydon, England. Alice (daughter of James Darlington and Ellen Hayes) was born 1847; died 2 Jun 1935, Rockangle, North Pine, Qld. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Birthday Celibration: 28 Jul 1932, Rockangle, Strathpine, Qld; BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. To celebrate tho 85th birthday of Mrs. P. J. Skerman, one of,the pioneers of the district, 13 members of her family assembled at Rockangle, Strathpine, on July 28. Mrs. Skerman settled In the district with her husband from Enfield, Middlesex, England, having sailed for Australia In 1866 on the Netherby, which was wrecked on King Island, near Tasmania. The second mate rowed to Melbourne in an open boat and secured help, and having lost all their possessions Mr. and Mrs. Skerman began their life in Queensland, and instead of opening a foundry, as they had intended, they took up land at Rockangle, the property having been in the possession of the family ever since. The late Mr. Skerman died In 1890. Members of the family present at the celebrations included seven daughters-Mesdames Bryant (Toogoolawah), Pringle (Woombye), Misses N. Skerman (Toogoolawah), L. and S. Skerman (Toowoomba), M. and P. Skerman (Rockangle)-and six sons, comprising Messrs. George Skerman (Sydney), Fred. Skerman (Milmerran), Percy Skerman (Kaimkillenbun), Jack and Ernest Skerman (Maleny), and Joseph Skerman (Rockangle). -A number of nephews, nieces, and grandchildren were present also. A birthday cake made by a member of the family was a feature of the birthday celebrations. Transcribed from 'The Brisbane Courier' Saturday 13th August 1932
• Obituary: 6 Jun 1935, Queensland; Obituary Mrs. Alice Skerman Mrs. Alice Skerman, relict of the late Mr. F. J. Skerman, of Rockangle, North Pine, whn died on June 2 in her 88th year, was one of the few remaining survivors of the ill-fated immigrant ship, Netherby, which was wrecked off King Island, in Bass Strait, on July 14, 1866. More than 400 passengers landed safely, and had to exist for 10 days on a few ship's biscuits and mussels from the rocks. awaiting the slender hope that the second mate, who rowed a boat, single-handed, across the strait to Melbourne, would bring relief. Mrs. Skerman's father was bringing with him his iron foundry from England, but all their possessions went down with the ship. Mrs. Skerman, with her husband and one child, arrived in Queensland on August 6, 1866, bereft of everything but one sovereign to contend with the rigour of a depression. They first resided at Toowong, and then at Humpybong, and later purchased the property on which Mrs. Skerman re sided until her death. Her husband's first earnings were 2/6 a week, clear ing brushwood at Toowong, and 8/ a week at Humpybong. Mrs. Sker man was an ardent worker for the Red Cross during the Great War. She reared a family of 15 children, 13 of whom are still living. The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954) Thursday 6 June 1935

John married Maria Chesher 17 Jul 1833, Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire . Maria (daughter of Joseph Chesher and Sarah Munday) was born Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire ; died 12 May 1868, Queensland, Australia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

http://member.melbpc.org.au/~barryc/genpage.htm

James — Ellen Hayes. [Group Sheet]

Joseph — Sarah Munday. [Group Sheet]