Backward Glance: When tragedy came to the northern end of Bribie Island not far from Caloundra

Years ago when communications to the Near North Coast were almost non- existent, a serious incident occurred near Caloundra.

In 1920, three young men vanished without a trace after going for a swim.

The mates had travelled from the Pine Rivers district up the Pumicestone Passage where they planned to camp, swim and fish during the Easter break.

Vern Carseldine, a cabinet maker of Bald Hills, had built the boat ‘Sylvie’ himself and was proud of the little vessel.

It was launched not far from Vern’s home on the North Pine River, near the southern end of Pumicestone Passage.

Vern was the youngest son of Joseph and Sarah Carseldine, who were an early pioneering family from the Pine Rivers district.

Like a number of early suburbs in the district, Carseldine, on Brisbane’s north side, is named after the family.

Vern and his family often went on fishing and hunting trips between the North Pine River and Caloundra.

The group of seven young men left the Pine Rivers district in the evening of Thursday, April 1, planning to spend a few days away which saw them travel through Pumicestone Passage overnight arriving the next day not far from the little seaside village of Caloundra.

The group consisted of Vernon and Percy “Ted” Carseldine, Eric Beer, Wal McCallum, Alex McPherson, Herman Feurreguel and AC Stewart.

Soon after arriving about 2pm the group moored ‘Sylvie’ in the quite waters of Pumicestone Passage and walked across Bribie Island to the beach to gather worms for fishing and go for a swim.

Some of the group went into the surf.

They had swum at that same spot many times before and had never encountered problems.

This time, they noticed an undertow and Percy Carseldine made for the shore.

Eric Beer was the first to call out that he needed help and Vern Carseldine went to his aid.

It was low tide, but the surf was fairly rough and the undertow was treacherous.

The friends were all strong swimmers and Wal McCallum was a Royal Life Saver.

AC Stewart went for help and the others brought back ropes from the ‘Sylvie’ with Ted Carseldine swimming out with a lifesaving apparatus.

The rips had dragged them too far out to be reached that day.

A search and rescue party went into the surf after the alarm was raised.

Nothing could be found of the group.

Caloundra Lighthouse Keeper Oliver Birrell came to assist as did crews of boats visiting the area.

Mr Francis “Frank” Rooke, who collected the Caloundra and district mail from the Landsborough Railway Station for delivery, as well as running a passenger car service between Caloundra and the Landsborough Railway Station drove some of the remaining group to Landsborough for police assistance as Caloundra’s telephone was closed.

With a storm lashing the coast, the sorrowful group returned to Caloundra with the police.

Lighthouse keeper Birrell explained at the time that rough surf sometimes cuts channels which funnel water back out to sea even when it appears to be running to shore.

Keeper Birrell believed the group was probably caught in a situation as he had described.

Landsborough Police came to assist and Constable McLachlan and local Caloundra people searched for days.

An inquest was held into the drownings on May 24, 1920 and concluded that no blame could be attributed and that the deaths were accidental.

Later in the year, family and friends held a memorial.

A wooden memorial cross dedicated to the loss of lives stood for many years towards the northern end of Bribie.

The inscription on the cross read: “This cross is erected by members of the crew of the ‘Sylvie’ in memory of their comrades. Vernon David Carseldine aged 23, George Wallace McCallum, 20 years and Eric Charles Beer, 19 years; who were carried out to sea when bathing opposite this spot on April 2, 1920. Crossing the Bar.”

The memorial cross on Bribie Island marked the spot of the tragedy for many years, but is no longer on that stretch of beach.

Rumour had it that it was removed for security reasons during WWII when soldiers were stationed at Bribie Fortifications. Perhaps it was taken as a souvenir; we do not know.

Crew member of the Sylvie, Ted Carseldine was head teacher at Bald Hills School when his younger brother was swept away.

He remained at the Bald Hills School for many years and was known as ‘Old Ted’ to his scholars.

The story of the drownings is a sad chapter in Sunshine Coast’s history.

Thanks to Sunshine Coast Council’s Heritage Library Officers for the words and Picture Sunshine Coast for the images. In 2017 we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Naming of the Sunshine Coast. For more information on this milestone anniversary visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/fifty

Image captions

Hero image: P90052 Vern Carseldine's boat, the ‘Sylvie’ pictured with seven young men aboard on a fishing and hunting trip in Pumicestone Passage, ca 1920.

Carousel images:

Image 1: P90051 Vernon David Carseldine of Bald Hills, 1920.

Image 2: P90053 Crew under sail on board the wooden boat, ‘Sylvie’ in Pumicestone Passage, 1920.

Image 3: P90054 Memorial service on the northern end of Bribie Island for three men who drowned while swimming near the mouth of Pumicestone Passage, 1920.

Image 4: P90055 Memorial cross erected by members of the crew of the ’Sylvie’ in memory of their comrades lost at sea, Caloundra, 1920.