THE SINKING OF THE RODNEY

[Jeff Thorpe]

THE SINKING OF THE RODNEY

© Jeffrey Thorpe 27 June 2023

Squatter Ben Chaffey owned Tolarno Station
four hundred thousand hectares in western New South Wales,
took over in 1894 from Reids, long -time owners
when Union Bank’s collapse plucked the wind from their sails.

Tolarno carried three thirty thousand sheep
shearing at one hundred stands continued all year round,
wool prices were low, this echoed in shearer’s wages
strikes through the 1890s saw neither side give ground.

To keep his woolshed running, Chaffey hired non-union shearers,
fifty of these “scabs” coming on PS Rodney to the station.
Unionists however, were determined to block the voyage
and on August 27 1894, their action shocked the nation.

Rodney was anchored in the Darling, 45K from its destination
when in the early hours 300 masked men boarded the boat,
forcing the strike breakers ashore, they set fire to the vessel
burning it to the waterline and in the words of song voiced gloat.

“After we burnt the Rodney, we danced on the river bank,
there we played an old tune, until the Rodney sank,
many a heart was happy, if you could only see,
we had a bloody good bonfire
the night we burnt the Rodney.”

The only inland act of piracy ever recorded in Australia,
and although two unionists were shot by police
and large reward offered, no one was ever convicted,
a volatile event that brokered scant industry peace.

Rodney’s boiler and engine were ultimately salvaged
though the useless hull was dragged to the river bank
where it lies to this day, listed on the NSW Heritage Register,
tribute to the affairs of the time when she sank.

[Maureen K Clifford]

WOW! I love poems that tell us of our history - nicely crafted and very interesting. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Shelley Hansen]

Another goodie, Jeff!

Like Maureen said, it's great to read these lesser known aspects of Aussie history. I firmly believe we bush poets have a role to play in bringing them to light in verse, as you do.

Cheers
Shelley

[Maureen K Clifford]

Totally agree with Shelley's comment. Our poetry will go on to be a perfect time capsule which is why it is important to thoroughly research. Look at the writings of our earlier poets and how much of history we glean from their words.

[Jeff Thorpe]

Thanks Maureen and Shelley. Glad you liked it.
The researching of these little known aspects of history is rewarding, even before the words hit the screen

Regards, Jeff