The Great Yannathan Fires of 1898

I came across this obituary of Robert Gardiner, of Yannathan, who died on January 11, 1939 at the age of 83. It's an interesting obituary and I was taken by this  comment -  In the great Yannathan fires of 1897, which raged for months, he at first thought he was ruined, but wonderful grass grew in the denuded country that he was able to farm successfully. The report notes the fire were in 1897, but all the reports I could find were from  February 1898. Below are some reports of  1898 bushfires at Yannathan and from the broader Shire of Cranbourne. 

Obituary of Robert Gardiner

The Age, January 14, 1939 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205965071

There were also bad fires in other parts of Victoria during this time, caused by days of hot weather and a dry January. The Government Astronomer, Pietro Baracchi (1851-1926) was interviewed by The Argus on February 1, 1898  (see here) and he has this to say about the weather situation - "Hot and smoky weather is not unusual in February. An unbroken succession of so many hot days is unusual. Coming after such a fearfully hot and excessively dry January, it makes the conditions very much worse than they usually are. As showing what an exceptional month this January has been, it may be mentioned that only 30 points of rain fell in Melbourne, against an average of about 1½in. for all past years." An inch of rain is 100 points, thus the average rain for January is 150 points, and only 30 points had fallen.

The Gippsland Fires. Great damage around Cranbourne. A fire 20 miles long by 20 miles broad.

Cranbourne, Monday - On Friday, Saturday and Sunday a dreadful bush fire raged in this district, and did considerable damage to stock, grass, fencing, orchards and crops. The fire started this side of Somerville township, and, with a strong southerly wind, travelled into Cranbourne a distance of about 20 miles.  The blaze was also 12 miles in width. 

The following is a list, of the heaviest sufferers by this fire, which is the largest that has ever been heard of or seen here since Black Thursday:- Mr. Taylor, Sherwood Park - Loss: 15 miles of fencing, 2000 acres of grass and a large number of sheep.- Mr. Sam Staughton, M.L.A., Coolebah - Loss: - About 1400 acres of grass and a lot of fencing. Mr. J. Staughton - Loss: 1000 acres of grass, fencing and a large number of sheep. Mr. R. Ker - Loss: Grass, fencing and lot of 2 feet firewood. Several smaller farmers were also large losers in having all their fencing and grass totally burnt out, including Mr. David Craig, Mr. T. Meade, Mr. Waller, Mr. Barton, Mr. D. Robinson, Mr. Ted. Gray, Mr. Abrahams, Mr. J. G. Hudson, storekeeper, Cranbourne; Mr. P. Peterson, Mr. Thos. Peterson, Mrs. Poole, Mr. Perridge, Mr. Moscript, Mr. Ridley, manager of the English, Scottish and Australian Bank, North Melbourne; Mr. F. Hardy and others too numerous to mention.

The fire, after passing through the racecourse reserve, swept with lightning-like rapidity towards the township, crossing the Frankston-road, 2 chains wide, in a leap, and but for the timely assistance of Messrs. Duff, Downs, M'Leod, Meade, Rev. Colin Robertson, Constable Dwyer and a lot of other willing helpers, the residences of Messrs. Reid and Wilson would have been destroyed. The fire got into short grass here, and after about four hours' hard fighting was got under. The only sufferers in the township were:- Messrs. Thos. Downs - Loss: 2-roomed house full of hay. Mr. P. Peterson - Loss: A

slaughterhouse and fencing. Messrs. J. Taylor and Reid and Mrs. Tucker: Grass and fencing.

A watch was kept over the township all Saturday night, but nothing further happened. A lot of the farmers, thoroughly overcome by smoke und heat and over exertion, have had to take to their beds. Large fires are still burning round the township, and the damage done totals some thousands of pounds, Mr. Taylor, of Sherwood Park, being the largest sufferer. (The Age, Tuesday, February 1, 1898, see here)

Fires near Cranbourne.

Cranbourne, Tuesday - A large bush fire broke out on Saturday at Lang Lang East and did considerable damage, travelling for about 5 miles to Yannathan. Mr. Bell, of Lang Lang East, lost a lot of fencing and a large area of grass, so did Mr. John and Mr. James Smethurst, of Yannathan. After several hours fighting the fire was got under. On Sunday, at St. Germains Station, near Cranbourne, a large quantity of fencing and about 300 acres of grass were burnt. Mr. William Griffiths, manager for Mr. S. Staughton, M.L.A., of Coolbah Estate, has been a heavy loser by the fire here, having lost a flock of turkeys valued at £20. The birds were all roasted. Mr. Griffiths also had a very narrow escape of his life, being caught in the flames on horseback whilst trying to rescue some sheep, which he successfully accomplished. His horse was singed of all its hair and badly burnt. There is a water famine in Cranbourne. Nearly all the tanks are dry, and the residents are only depending on a few wells, the water of which is brackish. (The Age, Wednesday,  February 2, 1898, see here)

  

Church burnt at Heifer Creek. Damage at Lang Lang and Yannathan
Cranbourne, Wednesday - Amongst other parts of the district the township of Lang Lang was the scene of a conflagration which nearly destroyed the butter factory and stores there. The fire broke out in a heavy belt of timber and scrub just west of the factory, and the flames rose to a dreadful height, coming within a few feet of the building, which was only saved by the united efforts of the employes and townsfolk. Had the factory gone the entire township must have been consumed. The station master's residence narrowly escaped destruction, the fire running right up to it.

At Heath Hill on Tuesday night the farm of Mr. Patrick M'Grath was the scene of a dreadful fire, which destroyed his stack sheds, large quantities of grass and fencing. Flames are still to be seen in that direction. At Red Bluff, near Lang Lang, Mr. Le Rostu's [Le Roux] farm was attacked, and some grass and fencing were destroyed. Last night Mr. J. S. Stewart, of Woodleigh, lost everything. Mr. R. Scott, of Rockwah, saved his homestead, but lost its surroundings. Fires are still burning around Yannathan. The destruction there covers thousands of acres of grass and miles of fencing. It is
stated that all the country between Yannathan and Longwarry is ablaze. The church at Heifer Creek was destroyed by the fires. (The Age, Thursday, February 3, 1898, see here)

In the Cranbourne District. General Destruction. 

Cranbourne, Wednesday - Some large strips of country have been burnt out on the Yallambie Estate, north of the Great Southern line, and Mr W. T. Duff has sustained a big loss in having fencing and grass destroyed. All that portion between the Gippsland and Great Southern lines, known as South Pakenham and Cardinia, which is on the western fringe of the Koo-wee-rup Swamp, has been in imminent danger from the fires burning in the swamp, and the closely settled dairying district of Clyde, between the swamp and Cranbourne, would be swept right out, should the wind bring the fires on from the swamp, and already there have been a number of out-breaks, which fortunately have been promptly checked. The swamp scrub consists mostly of ti tree but beneath this is a layer of peat varying from 18in. to several feet deep, and once ignited it burns for weeks. From a burning mass of this terrible stifling smoke is now being emitted. The village settlers are having a most trying time. Both from the direction of Narre Warren and Berwick, Cranbourne is threatened with fires, and Mr Beaver Hall, of Glady's-park, has already lost a valuable extent of glass and fencing. 

The fires from Koo-wee-rup Drouin, and Longwarry have extended right on to the closely settled dairy farms of Yannathan and on Saturday and Sunday they raged furiously, destroying pastures and fencing on farm after farm. Mr Ritchie lost everything, except his home, and some valuable horses were most terribly burned, and had to be destroyed. At Mr. William Bell's, a magnificent farm of 640 acres has been completely burnt out, and every stick of fencing is gone. Councillor John Smethurst, president of the Cranbourne Shire, lost 400 acres of grass, and fencing. Mr. James Smethurst, his brother, likewise lost 400 acres, and fencing at Blackwood At his home there was the greatest possible difficulty in fighting off the fire, the pine trees and picket fence around the garden being consumed, and the house was only just saved. Mr Samuel Smethurst likewise had to fight to save his homestead, the fire burning right up to the doors. Messrs Joseph and William Burnside had 640 acres of grass and fencing burned, the last-named farmer being reduced to a very critical state from the exhaustion of two days' battling with the flames. A huge portion of Mr. James Greaves's farm was similarly burnt, also fencing. 

Mr. A. Woodman, whose property is situated on the Yallock Creek, between Koo-wee-rup and Yannathan, is also a heavy loser by the fire, and Mr. Carson, of Yannathan also experienced a big loss. At Heath Hill last night, a furious outbreak occurred, jeopardising the whole of the farms in that portion of the district. Prompt assistance alone saved the places, but Mr. P.W. McGrath lost his haystacks, outhouses, grass fencing, and stock-yards. Mr George Gray, in the same locality, suffered heavily, and Mr. A. E. Glover's house had to be watched all night to save it from the burning trees, which were falling in every direction, Protector's Plains were one big blaze, and the fires are still burning with fierceness in this locality. The loss all through Yannathan and Heath Hill must be very large. 

A terrible fire broke out in the ti tree and scrub adjacent to Lang Lang township, and for a few hours the inhabitants experienced a sultry and most uncomfortable time of it. Between Lang Lang, and all the way to Grantville, the country has been burnt for miles and miles. Councillor Le Roux, of the Cranbourne shire, lost a very large quantity of grass, and some miles of fencing. Mr R.C. Scott, of Woodleigh, a well-known grazier, is another of the burnt-out victims. (The Argus, Friday, February 4, 1898, see here)

Damage at Lang Lang and Yannathan.

Cranbourne, Wednesday - Amongst other parts of the district the township of Lang Lang was the scene of a conflagration which nearly destroyed the butter factory and stores there. The fire broke out in a heavy belt of timber and scrub just west of the factory, and the flames rose to a dreadful height, coming within a few feet of the building, which was only saved by the united efforts of the employes and townsfolk. Had the factory gone the entire township must have been consumed. The station master's residence narrowly escaped destruction, the fire running right up to it. (The Leader, Saturday, February 5, 1898, see here)

Yallock Village Settlement Burnt.

Cranbourne, Saturday - Further extensive damages from the fires have occurred at Lang Lang Messrs Addison, Foster, Ridgway, and many of the selectors in that locality have lost everything, saving their homes with the greatest difficult. Another fire broke out near the Lang Lang township, and the Church of England, Mechanics' Institute, market buildings &c., were all in danger of complete destruction. The townsfolk had a terrible fight for their property. Last night an outbreak occurred at the Yallock Village Settlement, and before any resistance could be offered the residences of Messrs Orford, Izard, Titherly, T. Pretty, and several others were completely destroyed, and the whole settlement swept clean of grass, fencing and gardens. The fire spread on to on Messrs. Glasscock Bros. Forest paddock, near Yannathan, and here the whole of the South Yannathan country was seriously menaced, and but for the united exertions of a large body of the local farmers, who turned out with water tanks and combated the flames, the homesteads of Messrs. Rinding, Cousen and Ridgway would have been swept clear. Mr John Smethurst, of Yannathan, who goes in extensively for bee farming lost a colony of bees and hives, valued at over £100, during the fires. At the Cranbourne Council to day, the engineer reported that a large number of culverts and bridges had been destroyed in the shire by the fires. It will entail a very large outlay to replace them. (The Argus, Monday February 7, 1898, see here)

Yallock Village Settlement Destroyed.
Cranbourne, Saturday - On Friday night another big fire was discovered raging at the Yallock village settlement, on the cast side of the Yallock Creek, near Monomeith. In an incredibly short space of time the whole place was one great blaze, and four houses and their contents were completely demolished, whilst the settlement was burnt out in the most disastrous manner. Fully 20 families have lost their fencing and improvements and their gardens. Extending from thence the fires crossed on to Mr. Glasscock's property, at Monomeith, where a very large acreage was destroyed before the fire was got under control. Had it not been for assistance from Yannathan this fire would have proved one of the most severe in the district, but the farmers now being better organised were able to offer a more capable resistance, and their united efforts undoubtedly saved many more Yannathan farms from being ravaged by the flumes. Fires still continue to do great damage around Lang Lang. 

At Cranbourne shire council meeting it was stated to-day that a large number of culverts and bridges were destroyed by fires at Langwarrin, Sherwood and various other portions of the Yallock riding, and these will entail considerable expense to repair. (The Age, Monday, February 7, 1898, see here)

How fires originate.

Cranbourne. Monday - At Cranbourne court to-day, John and Alexander Ritchie, two young farmers, of Yannathan, were charged with lighting fires which endangered adjoining property on the 15th January. Both pleaded guilty to having committal a technical offence, and explained in defence that they lighted the fires to protect their own property from a fire which was burning close at hand in the Kooweerup Swamp. They were each fined £3, with 15s. costs. George Ritchie their father, was then charged with igniting a fire on the. 29th ult. The evidence proved that Ritchie was seen lighting the scrub at the back of his house, and that this fire spread, burning out among others Messrs. Bell, John H. Smethurst and James Smethurst, and inflicting very considerable damage in the neighborhood. The defendant pleaded not guilty, but was fined £3, and 12s. costs. (The Age, Tuesday, February 22, 1898, see here)

Floods and fires in the 1920s and 1930s

The 1920s and 1930s were a time of floods for Koo Wee Rup with major floods in October 1923, August 1924, December 1934, April /May 1935 and October 1937. The August 1924 flood saw two feet of water through the town. The December 1934 floods were devastating, with about six feet of water through the town. The 1935 floods largely affected the surrounding area, rather than the Koo Wee Rup township; for instance, there was two feet of water through the Public Hall at Cora Lynn (it was located in the Recreation Reserve). The 1937 flood once again saw water about two feet deep through the town (1).

It wasn’t just the damage in the towns to houses, but the damage to the surrounding farms with the loss of crops, livestock, fences etc. This is from a report in The Argus of December 6, 1934 (see here) - Hundreds of dead cattle and sheep, ruined asparagus and potato crops, grazing lands covered with slime, bridges and plantations swept away, mud inches thick in houses, and business almost at a stand-still in the main street these are some of the impressions received by the Minister in Charge of Sustenance (Dr.Shields) when he visited Koo Wee Rup yesterday…..More than 2,000 carcases including cows, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry have already been disposed of. The carcases have been thrown into the main canal and floated down to Westernport. There are still about 1,000 dead animals in the district but some of these will have to be buried. 

The party was told that the carcases would be devoured readily by sharks which were plentiful in the northern end of Westernport. One resident said that they were so numerous that fishermen were afraid to put out in small craft. Countless hundreds of chickens and fowls have been destroyed by the floods Only the dogs seem to have escaped These are ravenously hungry and fight for scraps of food when it is thrown to them. (The Argus, December 6, 1934 (see here)

The 1920s and 1930s was also a time of fires and there are many reports of houses and other buildings burning down. This fire situation was exacerbated by the lack of Fire Brigades and an inadequate water supply. Reports of fires in the newspapers often ended with comments such as - As there is no fire fighting apparatus in the town, the blaze could not be checked....Residents who were awakened by the crackling of the flames, which at times shot twenty feet into the air, did what they could, but little could be saved…..the fire quickly gutted the building, while townspeople looked on helplessly without any water supply, with which to combat it (2).

It wasn’t until the 1940s that local Fire Brigades were formed. For instance, Lang Lang in August 1942, Bunyip in October 1942, Koo Wee Rup in November 1943, Bayles in February 1944 and Tooradin in March 1945 (3).

The following are some examples of fires in the local area, including shops, houses, two Halls and two Coffee Palaces (a Coffee Palace originally provided accommodation and meals, like a Hotel, but did not have a liquor licence). 

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Thursday, October 15, 1925 - At about 4.15am last Thursday a number of persons were rudely awakened by an alarm of fire, and on investigating received a shock when they found that the block of wooden buildings in Rossiter street, Koo Wee Rup, occupied by Mr D. Thomson (butcher), Mrs M. Porter (fruiterer), and Mrs J. Byron (small goods) were on fire. It was at once seen that the task of fighting the flames was a hopeless one, but efforts were made with three fire extinguishers to subdue the conflagration, but the fire had too great a hold for these instruments to be of any use. They, however, are credited with the saving of an adjoining brick shop, owned by Mr F. Ellis (draper)…How the fire originated is not known…Mr Thomson did not have time to save anything; Mrs Byron, who does not reside on the premises, also lost everything; while Mrs Potter with assistance was able to rescue some of her furniture and a few bicycles. 

The Age, May 13, 1927 (see here) - A disastrous fire occurred on Scanlon's drain, Bayles, last night, an eight-roomed house and contents being entirely destroyed. The tenant, Mr. E. Carter, was the only occupant, the family being away in Melbourne. Mr. Carter retired early and was awakened by the noise of an explosion. He was caught in the centre of the house by a wall of flame and fighting his way through the blinding smoke succeeded in reaching a window, by which he got outside. He had his right hand and arm severely burnt and was singed about the head and face. The house was owned by Mr. D. Duff. Mr Carter lost furniture, clothing, jewellery and valuables valued at £700. 

The Argus April 19, 1929 (see here) - A six-roomed house, occupied by Mr. Herbert Smethurst, of Monomeith, was, with the contents, destroyed by fire this morning. Mr. Smethurst had taken milk to the railway station, and his wife was engaged at the front of the house, when she smelt something burning, but, thinking that it was some rubbish, took no notice for a time. When she went to look later the kitchen was in flames, and nothing could be done to save the house. 

Koo Wee Rup Sun, Thursday, June 4, 1931 - Early on Monday morning last, one of the oldest residences in Koo Wee Rup, known as the Koo Wee Rup Coffee Palace, was totally destroyed by fire. It was a 10-roomed wooden building, and was erected by the late Mr O’Riordan, and for several years past has been leased to Mr B. Healy. The first notification of the fire was received by Mr Healy, who was awakened from sleep. He just had time to arouse other members of the family, who escaped with only the clothes they had on. Quickly other persons arrived at the scene, but they were unable to rescue any of the furniture, and to save the building was a hopeless task. A hose belonging to the Shire Council was secured, but difficulty and loss of time was experienced in connecting same to water main….The whole building was demolished in about 25 minutes. 

Dandenong Journal, Thursday, May 4, 1933 (see here)  - Lang Lang - At 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday, neighbors were aroused by crackling, when it was discovered that the Palace Hotel was in flames. This structure, erected fully 40 years ago, burned rapidly, and the main building was completely destroyed. Fortunately no one was injured, and the wind carried the sparks well away from the two adjacent houses. A commercial traveller, Mr. Houghton, of Melbourne, who was staying overnight, had to scramble down a side verandah post for safety. He lost a coat, vest, a gold watch and chain, and some papers and cheques. The building and stock are partly covered by insurance. From the ashes, it is hoped that, Phoenix-like, a modern structure will arise. Meanwhile Lang Lang has joined the dry area. 

Palace Hotel, Lang Lang, destroyed by fire May 2, 1933. 

The Hotel was originally near the Railway Station. It was rebuilt on McDonalds Track.

Image: Lang Lang & District Historical Society.

The Age, April 29, 1936 (see here)  - One of the oldest landmarks in Lang Lang, the Railway Coffee Palace (4), owned by Mrs. Jane Pickett, was destroyed in a spectacular early morning fire. The cause was unknown. Mr. Robert Parsons, a boarder at the house, was awakened about 4.30 a.m. by smoke, and found that the main part of the building, comprising the dining room and the kitchen, was ablaze. He quickly awakened the other boarders and the lessees of the coffee palace, Mr. and Mrs. J. Parks, and family. Most of the boarders saved their possessions. Fine work against a fierce blaze was done by Mr. Maynard, who managed to save a little furniture and a few bed clothes. Mr. and Mrs. Parks and family lost all their furniture and nearly all their clothes. Mrs. Parks' personal effects were insured for a small sum. Mrs. Pickett had the building insured. Fortunately, there was no breeze, and this saved the adjoining property. An electric light pole caught fire and the town was temporarily deprived of light. The building, which consisted of about twelve rooms, was completely gutted in about forty minutes, only the chimneys being left standing. Mrs. Parks has been lessee of the coffee palace for approximately eighteen months. Residents who were awakened by the crackling of the flames, which at times shot twenty feet into the air, did what they could, but little could be saved. 

The Age, April 16, 1937 (see here)  - The Garfield Public hall and contents were totally destroyed by fire at an early hour this Morning. The previous night the hall was used for a social evening, and when the place was locked up for the night everything was apparently safe. The outbreak occurred at about 1.30 a.m., how the fire originated is a mystery. When residents arrived on the scene it was impossible to save anything. The building was insured for £400, and contents for £100. Read more on the Garfield Hall, here.

Weekly Times, June 19, 1937 (see here) -Three thousand books, forming one of the most comprehensive country libraries in Victoria, were burnt in a fire which destroyed the 75-year-old Tooradin Mechanics' Institute building. Blazing fiercely when first discovered at 4.30 am., the fire quickly gutted the building, while townspeople looked on helplessly without any water supply, with which to combat it. Insured for £1000, the building contained the library, a hall and supper room. All the furniture, including a piano, was destroyed. At midnight, when members of the local table tennis club left the hall, everything appeared to be safe. Koo Wee Rup police are investigating the fire, the cause of which is unknown. As the institute was 50 yards from the nearest building, other premises were not endangered. 

Tooradin Mechanics' Institute and Library, destroyed by fire June 15, 1937.

Image: Tooradin 125 years of Coastal History, published 2001.

These accounts of fire are all unfortunate events, none of which thankfully resulted in a loss of life, but perhaps the most unfortunate example I could find was that of Mr Gilchrist, who suffered from a flood and a fire.

The Argus,  December 5, 1934 (see here)  - After having lost most of his large herd of cows in the flood, Mr. A. J. Gilchrist, dairy farmer, of Koo Wee Rup, lost his house by fire yesterday. Yesterday Mr. Gilchrist began to clean his home, which is near the township. He lit a large fire in the kitchen and placed clothing, blankets, and rugs to dry in front of it. He and other members of his family then left to search for survivors of the herd of cows. When they returned they found the house in flames. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Gilchrist and his family went to Dandenong, where they will stay with friends. The Herald of December 4, 1934 (see here) had a similar report but also said hundreds of homeless townspeople camped at the railway station looked on, powerless to fight the 30ft flames which cast a lurid light on the flooded streets.

Trove list - All the  articles, plus some others, are on my Trove list. Access it here. The only exception are the two articles from the Koo Wee Rup Sun, which is not on Trove apart from a few months of 1918.

Footnotes
(1) If you want to read a good history of the drainage of the Koo Wee Rup Swamp then read this - From Swampland to Farmland: a history of the Koo Wee Rup Flood Protection District by David Roberts. (Rural Water Commission, 1985)
(2) Quotes from The Herald, June 1, 1931, see here; The Age, April 29, 1936, see here; Weekly Times, June 19, 1937, see here.

(3) Fire Brigades -  Lang Lang - Dandenong Journal, August 12, 1942, see here;  Bunyip - Call of the Bunyip: history of Bunyip, Iona and Tonimbuk, 1847-1990 by Denise Nest (Bunyip History Committee, 1990), p. 82;  Koo Wee Rup - I have written about the early years of the Koo Wee Rup Brigade, here; Bayles - Dandenong Journal, February 9, 1944, see here;  Tooradin - Dandenong Journal, March 21, 1945, see here.

(4) Lang Lang Coffee Palace - I was under the impression that the original Coffee Palace was remodelled and extended to form the Palace Hotel, which as we know burnt down in 1933. I am unsure what this Coffee Palace was - were there two in town?  This is what I wrote when I put this post up - but Peter Hayden, Secretary of the Lang Lang & District Historical Society has cleared up the matter in an email he sent me on August 3, 2021 -

1. The Palace Hotel was originally a single storey building (c early 1890's) that operated as a Coffee Palace. The hotel at that time was the Lang Lang hotel run by John Flintoft, and the Coffee Palace was run by his wife Mary. In 1898 they extended the Coffee Palace and obtained a liquor licence and renamed it the Palace Hotel. The Lang Lang Hotel was then sold to Mr. James Sharp.
2. The railway Coffee Palace was built by the Picketts at about the same time to cover the need for accommodation for non-drinking travellers. It was located on the corner of Mains Street (Westernport Road) and Roseberry Street, opposite The Park.
3. There was also another coffee palace in town for many years, I am unable to determine yet the exact dates. It was called the Lang Lang Coffee Palace and was located in Station Street, beside the Butter Factory.  It must have closed some time before 1919 as the building became the home and surgery of Dr. and Mrs. Appleford when they came to town in 1919.