Massacre at Mission Beach (1), Sabben Expedition

Date: 6 Mar 1872
Place: Mission Beach (1), Sabben Expedition
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
Sailors led by Lt Sabben RN and another officer were sent with a detachment of sailors from Brisbane to Mission Beach to recover any survivors of the brig Maria which had been wrecked on Bramble reef on 26 February 1872. Some survivors had reached the British settlement at Cardwell but the captain and 13 crew were killed by Djiru people at present day Mission Beach. Sabben and his men landed at Clump Point, Mission Beach and were confronted by about 120 Djiru people.
'Whilst engaged in cooking we
were suddenly surprised by a terrific yell from
about 120 natives who rushed out from the mangrove bushes,
300 yards from the boat, with the intention of capturing
her. This, however, was frustrated by my crew getting
there first, and when the nearest of the natives were
within eighty yards I opened fire on them, but at the first
volley three of the six rifles missed fire, and on examination
it was found all the powder had got wet, as it had
rained a great deal during the morning, and we had also
shipped some water in the boat on our way up. We had
now only our own three Sniders to trust to. Our first
volley was returned by the natives (who were each armed
with a sword, shield, and boomerang) with a volley of
stones, which they kept up to the end of the fight with
great rapidity, but, strange to say, not a stone struck any
of us, though there were several narrow escapes. After
half-an-hour's fighting the blacks retreated into the scrub,
leaving behind them eight killed and eight wounded.' (Sydney Morning Herald, 6 Apr 1872, p 8)


According to Moresby: 'Suddenly there was a yell, and about 120 natives, making hostile demonstrations, rushed from the mangrove bushes 300 yards off the boat, and made for her; Mr. Sabben and his men ran also, gained her first, and opened fire on the blacks at eighty yards, who returned it with a volley of spears, and took to their heels after a while, leaving eight dead and eight wounded behind them' (Moresby, 1876, ch 4).
Notes:
CorroborationRating: ***
LanguageGroup: Djiru
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 8

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Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Mission Beach (1), Sabben Expedition
    6 Mar 1872 — Mission Beach (1), Sabben Expedition — massacre
    Sailors led by Lt Sabben RN and another officer were sent with a detachment of sailors from Brisbane to Mission Beach to recover any survivors of the brig Maria which had been wrecked on Bramble reef on 26 February 1872. Some survivors had reached the British settlement at Cardwell but the captain and 13 crew were killed by Djiru people at present day Mission Beach. Sabben and his men landed at Clump Point, Mission Beach and were confronted by about 120 Djiru people.
    'Whilst engaged in cooking we
    were suddenly surprised by a terrific yell from
    about 120 natives who rushed out from the mangrove bushes,
    300 yards from the boat, with the intention of capturing
    her. This, however, was frustrated by my crew getting
    there first, and when the nearest of the natives were
    within eighty yards I opened fire on them, but at the first
    volley three of the six rifles missed fire, and on examination
    it was found all the powder had got wet, as it had
    rained a great deal during the morning, and we had also
    shipped some water in the boat on our way up. We had
    now only our own three Sniders to trust to. Our first
    volley was returned by the natives (who were each armed
    with a sword, shield, and boomerang) with a volley of
    stones, which they kept up to the end of the fight with
    great rapidity, but, strange to say, not a stone struck any
    of us, though there were several narrow escapes. After
    half-an-hour's fighting the blacks retreated into the scrub,
    leaving behind them eight killed and eight wounded.' (Sydney Morning Herald, 6 Apr 1872, p 8)


    According to Moresby: 'Suddenly there was a yell, and about 120 natives, making hostile demonstrations, rushed from the mangrove bushes 300 yards off the boat, and made for her; Mr. Sabben and his men ran also, gained her first, and opened fire on the blacks at eighty yards, who returned it with a volley of spears, and took to their heels after a while, leaving eight dead and eight wounded behind them' (Moresby, 1876, ch 4).
    Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 6 Apr 1872 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13255383; Queenslander, April 13, 1872, p 8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27270598; Bottoms, 2013, pp 134-136; Moresby, 1876 http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks13/1301151h.html