Massacre at Fish Creek, Nicholson River

Date: 3 Feb 1892
Place: Fish Creek, Nicholson River
Event type: massacre
Direct violence: Yes
See also Corella Creek massacre.

This was the second massacre, led by Tom Perry and pastoralists/station workers in reprisal for Aboriginal people known to colonists as 'Walter' and 'Monkey Boy' killing George William Clarke and Charles Deloitte at Creswell Down Station on 30 January 1892.
The massacre took place at Fish Creek on the Nicholson River.


Gaunt, in the Northern Standard of 19 February 1932, (p 3) described the previous 'Corella' massacre as 'one of the largest, if not the largest, in the history of the Northern Territory' and said that 'dozens' of Aboriginal people were killed, including 'bucks, lubras and picanninies'. This massacre appears to be of similar if not greater proportions.


'They slaughtered the blacks with the same zeal that they killed the blacks on Corella Creek. Following the natives up from camp to camp, killing on sight until the blood lust was appeased. The slaying was big and with the massacre of the Corella blacks combined the number must have been very great. I cannot give any statistics as I don't know the numbers.' (Gaunt, 1932)


Aboriginal oral histories record: 'All the old ladies couldn't run fast enough. Well, those few ladies, mother of this mob ���So they shottem, shot all these old ladies. Shottem. (and burnt them)' (Read & Read, 1991, pp 26-28).


After the massacre Perry took one of the boys whose parents had been killed, made him a servant and named him 'Peter'. 'He (Perry) used to abuse and punish the boy on any pretext, and I remarked to Tom Perry one day, "That boy, when he gets a little bigger, will do you in Tom." Perry only laughed at this warning. I spoke only too true. Later, the boy Peter one night shot Tom Perry dead, was brought to Darwin, and sentenced to ten years in Fanny Bay gaol.' (Gaunt, February 19, 1932, p 2)
Notes:
CorroborationRating: ***
LanguageGroup: Garawa, Yanuwa
Victims: Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People
VictimsDead: 30

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Sources

Event mentions

  • Massacre at Fish Creek, Nicholson River
    3 Feb 1892 — Fish Creek, Nicholson River — massacre
    See also Corella Creek massacre.

    This was the second massacre, led by Tom Perry and pastoralists/station workers in reprisal for Aboriginal people known to colonists as 'Walter' and 'Monkey Boy' killing George William Clarke and Charles Deloitte at Creswell Down Station on 30 January 1892.
    The massacre took place at Fish Creek on the Nicholson River.


    Gaunt, in the Northern Standard of 19 February 1932, (p 3) described the previous 'Corella' massacre as 'one of the largest, if not the largest, in the history of the Northern Territory' and said that 'dozens' of Aboriginal people were killed, including 'bucks, lubras and picanninies'. This massacre appears to be of similar if not greater proportions.


    'They slaughtered the blacks with the same zeal that they killed the blacks on Corella Creek. Following the natives up from camp to camp, killing on sight until the blood lust was appeased. The slaying was big and with the massacre of the Corella blacks combined the number must have been very great. I cannot give any statistics as I don't know the numbers.' (Gaunt, 1932)


    Aboriginal oral histories record: 'All the old ladies couldn't run fast enough. Well, those few ladies, mother of this mob ���So they shottem, shot all these old ladies. Shottem. (and burnt them)' (Read & Read, 1991, pp 26-28).


    After the massacre Perry took one of the boys whose parents had been killed, made him a servant and named him 'Peter'. 'He (Perry) used to abuse and punish the boy on any pretext, and I remarked to Tom Perry one day, "That boy, when he gets a little bigger, will do you in Tom." Perry only laughed at this warning. I spoke only too true. Later, the boy Peter one night shot Tom Perry dead, was brought to Darwin, and sentenced to ten years in Fanny Bay gaol.' (Gaunt, February 19, 1932, p 2)
    Source: Read & Read, 1991, pp 26-28; GSNT Record 579; NTTG, March 4, 1892, p 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3320941; NTTG, Dec 25, 1896, p 3 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3333508; NTTG, 18 Dec 1896 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3333451/826807; NTTG, Mar 5, 1897, p 3 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4165959; Gaunt Northern Standard, (Darwin) February 19, 1932 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49488610; NTRS 2710/P1 Borroloola Police Day Book - Memo, Foelsche to MC Power - 12 March 1892