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STEVENS Walter Frederick UPDATED Following years of research the story behind the elusive Walter
Frederick Stevens, can now be told. Walter was the last person to manage and
operate Mason & Bird’s Saw Mill in Bickley. Although he was mentioned in a
couple of newspaper articles around the time that the mill was up for sale,
very little else was known about him. His story links him with other familiar
historic events that happened during those early years of Western Australia.
Walter Frederick Stevens was born on 4th
January 1840 in Taunton, Somerset, England, to Joseph and Cecilia (nee Reed) Stevens. The
family sailed to Tasmania, on 23rd November 1852 on board the
“Northumberland” leaving from the port of Birkenhead, arriving in Hobart on 20th
February 1853. The protestant family consisted of father Joseph, a 38 year old
shoemaker, his wife Cecelia aged 30, George 14, Walter 12, Maria 11, Jane 8 and
Edward 7. In 1862 Walter’s occupation was a timber miller and he
married 20-year- old Eliza Martha Rowntree on the 4th March in
Hobart, Tasmania. Eliza’s father, Edward Casson Rowntree, was a descendant of
the famous English chocolate and confectionary makers “Rowntrees”. |
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On 27th April 1829 eighteen year old, Edward was charged with a felony, to wit; "that he did steal, take and carry away two promissory notes for the payment of two guineas valued at two pounds and two shillings, one piece of gold being a current coin of the Realm called a Sovereign valued at one pound, one piece of silver being a current coin of the Realm called a Half Crown valued at two shillings and sixpence and one iron key valued at one penny, being the property of one George Hancock". Coming from a strict Quaker
family, it was out of character and embarrassing for the family. His mother had
just died and is despair he fell into the hands of bad company. He was
sentenced to 7 years transportation and was sent to Tasmania. |
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EDWARD CASSON ROWNTREE #1 |
HANNAH NICHOLLS #2 |
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Following
his release, Edward, aged 24 married 18-year-old Hannah Nicholls on 6
th July 1835 in the Sorrell Parish by Rev. James Norman. They went on and had 15
children between 1836 and 1859. |
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Three days after their marriage, Walter and Eliza sailed
from Hobart Town aboard the 195 ton barque “Isabella” for Otago, New Zealand,
accompanied by the Rowntree family. The “Isabella” had 10 passengers and a
cargo consisting of; 3000 five foot palings, 2000 five foot box palings, 5000
shingles, 16,000 feet timber, 20 house frames, 12 tons potatoes and 27 cases of
fruit. Their first child, Helen Louisa (Lilli) was born on 23rd
December 1862 in Dunedin, New Zealand. Walter was now in a timber fabrication
business partnership with William Mitchell. In 1863 William retired and Walter
continued on in the business himself. He was busy expanding the business by
exporting to other parts of New Zealand. A year later in 1864 Walter and family returned to Hobart
where their second daughter, Celia Alice, was born on 9th July 1864.
They then returned to Dunedin where his business was experiencing financial
problems. On 1st January 1865 he entered into partnership with Mr.
F. J. Moss and all future business was to carry on under the name of “Stevens
& Co”. However later that year Walter Stevens signed a deed that put into
trust all his estate and effects over to John Bullock and Charles Alexander
Pritchard. They were instructed to carry on the business and at the best time
to sell everything and convert that into money that would divided amongst the
creditors. They were to employ Stevens and others to manage the business until
that time arose. He eventually left the business ending up with no capital. He
then rented a small saw mill which paid him well giving him a capital of 300
pounds. In 1866 Walter was regularly in court in New Zealand over a variety of
business ventures. |
WALTER STEVENS TIMBER BUSINESS #4 |
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Walter and Eliza’s first son, George Henry, was born on 1st
May 1866 in Dunedin, New Zealand. Two years later in 1868 their second son,
Walter Frederick Ernest was born on 25th January also in Dunedin.
Walter (Snr) then joined the firm of Conner and McKay toward to end of 1868 and
was made foreman on their Graving Dock project at Port Chambers at 4 pounds per
week. |
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LYTTELTON HARBOR, NEW ZEALAND #5 |
A third son, Edgar Harold Stevens, born on 6 February
1870 in Port Chalmers New Zealand. Walter Frederick Stevens was listed in the
1870/71 Dunedin electoral roll as owning a leasehold dwelling house and saw
mills in Cumberland Street. Another daughter, Eliza (Lill) Maria (Martha) Stevens,
was born on 12th March 1872 in Port Chalmers, New Zealand. Connor and McKay were engaged in constructing harbor
works for the Canterbury Government for which they required durable timber for
piles for their harbor and reclamation work and pier at Lyttelton. They sent
William Frederick Stevens out to Western Australia to establish a supply of
Jarrah (Swan River Mahogany) for this purpose. He arrived in Albany in
September 1870 and took up residence in Bunbury. |
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In
1872 they had given him 1800 pounds ($3,600)to purchase the timber and to defray his
expenses, with his salary in New Zealand running on. Having purchased a
quantity of jarrah for Connor and McKay’s account from the Western Australian
Timber Company and others for the cost of 1,500 pounds ($3,000). The Midas, a 555-ton barque, under the command
of Captain John Cumming, sailed from Dunedin to Koombana Bay, Bunbury, arriving on 3rd
February 1872. This had been a long voyage of 98 days. The “Midas” was chartered
for the purpose and was loaded with a cargo of timber for Messrs Connor and McKay of
Dunedin in New Zealand. This included about 100 jarrah piles each 21.3 m long
and a quantity of sleepers. The piles were too long to go through the hatch
and a port had to be cut in the hull at the bows through which the piles were
loaded. The timber was destined to be used in the
construction of a large jetty at Dunedin for use in the timber trade between
Western Australia and New Zealand. Additional railway sleepers were added to fill
the vessel, the loading being completed on 10th March 1872. Before she was able
commence her voyage to New Zealand she was driven ashore and wrecked. |
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THE "MIDAS" DOCKED AT THE RIGHT, ADELAIDE WHARF #6 |
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On
10th March 1872 a sudden storm struck the Bunbury anchorage. This was
accompanied by a violent shift in wind direction, changing from the east,
through north to west and then south. At its peak the wind blew hardest from
the north for about two hours from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., and was described
as a cyclone by the press. A newspaper reported that it was ‘unprecedented in
the annals of this colony’. The crew of the Midas immediately dropped a second
anchor, but this proved insufficient to hold the vessel. With seas breaking
over the deck, it dragged both anchors, with 90 fathoms (165 m) of chain on one
and 75 (137 m) on the other. It was blown some 450 m into shallow water. Here
the barque began striking heavily, carrying away the rudder and the mainmast at
deck level. The mizenmast was chopped down to try to alleviate the strain on
the barque. However, the port side had been bilged and the vessel quickly
filled with water. At about 4.00 p.m. the wind began to gradually abate, too
late for the Midas which was later condemned as a wreck. |
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Later contrary to objections from Connor and McKay’s
solicitor and Stevens, 9 days after the accident the Captain J. W. Cumming
disposed of the wreck on 19th March, to a Mr. Anderson for 255 pounds (approx.
$39,730 in 2019) - 130 pounds (approx. $20,260 in 2019) for the vessel and 125 pounds
(approx. $19,470 in 2019) for the cargo. Connor and McKay alleged that neither
they, or their agent, Stevens, had ever authorised the Captain to sell the
cargo, nor it was contended that the sale was neither a valid or legal one.
Connor found out that Anderson had sold one third of his share to Stevens, who
subsequently on sold it to Mitchell and Moore, the auctioneer, in an effort to
make some recovery of the cost of the cargo. Stevens returned to New Zealand to
advise Connor and McKay of the details of the sale. |
"MIDAS" WRECK AUCTION #7 |
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KOOMBANA BAY WRECKS SHOWING POSITION OF "MIDAS" #8 |
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While in New Zealand, Stevens advised Connor and McKay
that the Western Australian Government was calling tenders for the
establishment of a sea route for mail services that could also cater for
passengers and cargo. Although they had a limited connection with Western
Australia or experience in New Zealand shipping, through Stevens in Western
Australia, they submitted a tender for an annual sum of 4,000 pounds ($8,000)
in April 1972 which was successful. One ship would perform the run from
Champion Bay to Albany once a month. When the mail contract was signed on 13th
September 1872 by William Frederick Stevens on behalf of Connor and McKay, they
did not have a vessel suitable to provide the service required. As the service had
to be in operation no more than eight months after 9 August 1872, (that is by 9
April 1873) a vessel had to be acquired quickly. |
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The steamer “Georgette” was purchased in Glasgow by the Company for the mail service. On the 11th September 1873 it arrived in Fremantle and was immediately put up on Garden Island to be stripped down and the keel cleaned of marine growth prior to going into service. On 27th September the repairs were completed and she took on passengers at “Mason’s Jetty”, Fremantle, bound for Champion Bay. Returning on the 9th October to collect mail for the U.K for delivery to Albany and then returning via Bunbury. On the return route heavy seas and strong winds meant the “Georgette” ran aground on Horseshoe Reef off Becher Point, near Rockingham. All passengers and mail was safely removed. Walter Stevens, who was on board, and devised a plan with the chief engineer to build a replacement rudder and to refloat the ship as soon as weather permitted. Returning her to Garden Island for the damaged to be surveyed and repaired. The “Georgette” resumed service to Champion Bay on 17th January 1874. |
THE STEAMER "GEORGETTE" #9 |
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By
March 1874 the wreck of the “Midas” had become a navigational hazard, with the
added danger of many floating jarrah piles from the cargo causing damage,
should the wreck break up in a storm. The Government therefore called for
tenders to remove the wreck. The
tender of W.F. Stevens for 487 pounds, was accepted. Stevens, using explosives
to break open the wreck, recovered 200 sleepers, 27 piles, 30 fathoms (55 m) of
15 chain, the iron work of the windlass, about one tonne of chain plates,
bolts, and other iron, 40 iron knees and 0.25 tonnes of copper. The timber
cargo salvaged from the Midas was later shipped out on the “James Hammell”. James Dagley Gibbs
built a flat bottomed lighter of about 30 tons from the salvaged kauri deck
timber of the Midas, which was then used to take cargo to and from vessels in
Koombana Bay. For many years the wreck of Midas was visible
(underwater) some 350 metres east south east of the first bend of the jetty,
but it is now buried. Walter Stevens and his family relocated from Dunedin, New
Zealand to Bunbury, Western Australia. On 20th October 1875 a newspaper article lists
the interesting cargo on board the “Georgette” bound for Champion Bay. Cargo - 204 bags
sugar, 212 pine boards, 20 bags grain, 12 cases salmon, 20 boxes candles, 31
bundles shingles, 100 boxes soap, 217 pieces scantling, 486 jarrah boards, 10
cases kerosene, 1 qr-csk. Wine, 1 qr-csk. Rum, 21 cases spirits, and sundries. The “Georgette” continued
her mail/passenger service until the contract expired in September 1876. She left
Fremantle on 29th November 1876, on which was to be her final voyage.
She was carrying fifty passenger and a cargo of Jarrah timber bound for Adelaide
via Bunbury, Busselton and Albany. Shortly after midnight on 1st
December, when she was about midway between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Hamelin,
a leak developed, and the ship’s pump would not work. By 4.00 a.m. the water
was rising so fast that her Captain, John Godfrey, had all the passengers and
crew bailing with buckets while he steered for the coast. At 6.00 a.m. the rising
water had extinguished the engine’s fires, leaving the “Georgette” drifting
still some kilometres from shore. Godfrey then gave the order to man the
lifeboats, but the first lifeboat to be lowered was thrown against the ship’s
side by a big wave, and snapped in half. Some of the occupants were rescued by
a second lifeboat, but twelve people drowned |
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THE BUSSELL FAMILY HOMESTEAD #10 |
“Georgette” continued to drift until she drifted into the
surf at Calgardup Bay, where she was seen by the Bussell family’s Aboriginal
stockman, Sam Isaacs. Isaacs travelled to the Bussell homestead to raise the
alarm, where Alfred Bussell gave him some ropes and gear for the rescue. Alfred Bussell's 16 year old daughter
Grace insisted on accompanying Sam Isaacs on his return trip to the scene on
horseback. |
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Meanwhile,
the “Georgette” had grounded and begun to break up. On
arriving at the scene, Grace Bussell immediately rode down the cliffs and into
the surf, swimming her horse out until it was aside one of the swamped
lifeboats. With as many people as possible clinging to her and the horse, she
returned to shore and landed them. One man was left on the boat, and Isaacs was
sent to collect him. Godfrey continued to launch lifeboats, but everyone was
swamped or capsized in the surf. Bussell and Isaacs continued their rescuing
efforts, taking over four hours to land all passengers. According to an account
by a family friend of Isaacs, he returned to the water with his horse several
times but Bussell went back to the beach, having been advised to do so by
Isaacs because he felt she could not sufficiently control her horse. |
RESCUING PEOPLE FROM THE "GEORGETTE" #11 |
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GRACE BUSSELL #12 |
Grace Bussell’s role in the rescue was widely and
enthusiastically reported by newspapers around the world picking up the story.
Bussell was touted as “Western Australia’s Grace Darling”, and was awarded the
Royal Humane Society’s Silver Medal. Isaacs received their bronze Medal and was
granted 100 acres (40 ha) of land by the Western Australian Government,
becoming the first Aboriginal person to receive a land grant in Western Australia.
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SAM ISAACS #13 |
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Because of Stevens’ experience on the Lyttelton Railway and the Lyttelton Harbour, in 1872 he was called upon by the Executive Council Committee examining the related costs in construction of the proposed Eastern Railway in Perth, Western Australia. As this meeting it was recommended to construct the railway all the way to Fremantle. Connor and McKay tendered to construct the “second”
section of the Eastern Railway and this was believed to be the lowest tenderer. Mr.
McKay had departed Western Australia and this tender was withdrawn in strange
circumstances. Proceedings in the Supreme Court of New Zealand to dissolve the
partnership later became a criminal fraud case but this ultimately collapsed. Connor and McKay dismissed Stevens in 1880 and he
returned from New Zealand to Western Australia via Hobart where he was joined
by his daughter. In March 1883, Walter Stevens is reported as managing the
Canning Timber Station, at Bickley near Pickering Brook, for owner Joseph Shaw. Following Shaw’s announcement of
his intention to return to England, he put the Canning Timber Station up for
sale, including the timber concession, tramways, tramway rights, buildings and
machinery. It included the 500 acre “Woodloes” estate with a country house,
stables, couch grass paddocks and gardens etc. Shaw was declared bankrupt on 28th
November 1883 and advertised the property, which was extensive, for sale on 10th
January 1884. |
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"WOODLOES " HOUSE #14 |
On Saturday 28th June 1884 an article in the press
announced that Shaw had let his timber station to W.F. Stevens from 1st July.
Stevens and his family took residence in “Woodloes” House located on the banks
of the Canning River. It was built in 1871 by Architect Francis Bird as his home
when he owned the timber mill with Benjamin Mason. It was one of the earliest
Architect designed homes in the Swan River Colony. At Mason’s Landing on the
Canning River, there was a store where Walter’s son, Steven worked, and his
daughter was in charge of the retail shop there. |
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In 1884 Walter Stevens was now running the Canning Timber
Station with Atkins. Stevens brought William Atkins in, with the approval of
the trustees of Shaw’s estate, to carry on the business as timber merchants
employing 30 ticket of leave men who, in April 1885 sued them to recover unpaid
wages. As he had set up depots in Bunbury and Perth, he was frequently included
in shipping passenger lists. In January 1885, while driving home from a horse race
meeting, Walter Stevens, accompanied by two of his daughters and two other
ladies, met with a very awkward accident. Turning out of Guildford Road into
Canning Road, the vehicle turned completely over. Miss Stevens was so severely
injured that it was half an hour before she regained consciousness. Walter was
hurt and the other three occupants were quite shaken, while the trap carriage
was smashed to pieces. |
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In Western Australia, on 20 February 1885, the insolvent
estate of Joseph Shaw, including “Woodloes” was sold at Auction. There were 17 lots,
the last of which was “Woodloes”. The property portfolio was extensive. In the West Australian on 11th November 1887 Walter
Frederick Stevens had taken over the four year old Canning Timber Station from
Joseph Shaw. Tram wheels, which were delivered after he had taken over the
station, were the subject of a successful claim for 75 pounds by the Adelaide
firm of Harrold Bros. (approx. $11,700 in 2019) Walter Frederick Stevens’s daughter Helen (Ellen) Louisa
(19) had married to Duncan Cumming (29) at Mindaroo Station, Ashburton WA on 28th
November 1889. The station is 40 kilometres south of Onslow on the Ashburton
River and was owned by the Forrest family. In Western Australia on 6th June 1890, James Shaw issued
a petition to make W. F. Stevens a bankrupt. The amount claimed was 115 pounds
(approx. $18,100.00 in 2019). A meeting of creditors was held in the Supreme
Court on 18th July at which it was agreed to allow him 12 months to pay in
full. |
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They ran into
difficulties and Stevens and Shaw lost everything. The mill was taken over by Edward
Keane who took up the timber license providing a regular supply of sleepers for
the West Australian Railways. Keane was a member of State Parliament and twice
Lord Mayor of Perth. Walter Frederick Stevens then entered Local Government
becoming a Perth City Councillor. Then in May 1892, Walter was appointed as the
Sub-Inspector in the Department of Public Health. A year later he was one of a
Committee of the Perth City Council that visited Canning Jarrah Timber Company Mills, near Pickering bRook, to investigate a
newly constructed slaughter house following reports of pollution entering the
stream that flowed into Perth’s water supply at Victoria Reservoir. This
pollution was found to be occurring and eventually the Canning Mills were
closed down partly because of it.
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EDWARD KEANE #16 |
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CANNING JARRAH TIMBER COMPANY MILLS #17 |
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In 1896 Walter was made the Perth City’s Building
surveyor although the extent of his qualification was questionable. He
instigated various prosecutions over the next few years. Walter’s son, George Henry Stevens died on 16th August
1898, aged 32 of peritonitis and was buried in East Perth Skinner Street
Cemetery. Eliza Gibbs, wife of Stephen Gibbs of
Cannington, constructed five residences on her land in Summers Street, East
Perth. In 1898 No.134 was occupied by Eliza and Stephen Gibbs and No.136 by
Bernard Walkemeyer who operated a bakery on the opposite side of the street. Note. Addresses for the Stevens family, are taken from
Rate books and NOT the Post Office Directory. From the Rate Books in 1899
onwards, it appears various members of the Steven family occupied a number of these
houses next door to each other in Summers Street, East Perth, including houses
at number 126, 128, 130, 132 & 136. |
GEORGE STEVENS GRAVE #18 |
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MRS. GIBBS' HOUSES IN SUMMER STREET, EAST PERTH #19 |
1899 rate books list Mrs Duncan Cumming as living in
Summer Street, East Perth with no house number listed, but with E.H. Stevens’s
one side and W.F. Stevens on the other, all being owned by a Mrs Gibbs. As the
next house is numbered 132, it could be presumed the three houses were 130, 128
and 126, which does not tie up with other numbering. Walter Frederick Steven’s son Edgar Harold (30) married
Alice Milford (21) in 1900. She was the daughter of Henry Milford who operated
in the Canning Timber Mills in 1861c. Edgar and his wife lived in 128 Summers
Street, East Perth with his parents from 1901 to 1904. In 1905 they moved next
door to 132. Walter Frederick Steven’s daughter Celia Alice (37)
married Robert Ernest Spencer (25) an Albany farmer in 1901 and they had a son
Robert Stevens Spencer. They later lived at 128 Summers Street in East Perth. Celia
died 30th October 1944 in West Perth and is buried at Karrakatta
Cemetery. Next door was Edgar Harold in 132 with Alice, they had a daughter
Doris Evelyn. |
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In 1902 Rate books list Mrs Duncan Cumming (Helen Louise
Stevens), as resident in 136 Summers Street, East Perth with Wilfred Frederick,
Martha and Lillie next door in 128. It lists her as a widow. In 1903 56 Walter Frederick, Martha and Eliza Maria
(Lilli) Stevens lived in 128 Summers Street, East Perth with Edgar Harold
Stevens and his wife Alice living next door in 132. In 1904 Walter Frederick, Martha, and Eliza Maria (Lilli)
Stevens lived in 128 Summers Street, East Perth with Edgar. In 1905 & 1906 Walter Frederick, Martha and Eliza
Maria (Lilli) Stevens lived in 128 Summers Street, East Perth with Edgar Harold
Stevens and his wife Alice living in 132 Summers Street. Mrs Duncan Cumming,
Helen Louisa Stevens, lived in 136 with a tenant John Roy In 1916 Walter Stevens was reported as having retired and
was living in East Perth. Walter Frederick Stevens was listed as still living in
Summer Street, East Perth, with his wife Martha in 1922 but he died on 3rd
February aged 85. He became known as “Jarrah” Stevens. CHILDREN |
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HELEN
LOUISA (Ellen) |
was born on 23rd December 1862 in
Dunedin, New Zealand. Died 26th October 1962 aged 99. Married Duncan
Cumming at Mindaroo Station, Ashburton WA on 28th
November 1889. Children: Eric, Marjorie, Jean. |
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ELIZA MARIA STEVENS GRAVE #20 |
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Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.
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References: Article: Gordon Freegard Images: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18 Internet
Copyright: Gordon Freegard 2008-2023
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