Ah Kie

Flora was an old lugger, retired from service in the pearling grounds. As was the way, she was replaced by a new schooner, due to be floated in 1903. Old luggers were sold off cheaply to newcomers starting in pearling or to Chinese buyers. Flora was bought by a Chinese man called Wolla.

It is difficult to say how old Flora was because she was never registered. Her bilge pumps had to be used every day to keep her afloat. Reportedly she had cracked ribs and a damaged hull. She sourced and carried timber, water, and other supplies from the shore to the working luggers. In May 1902 Wolla had agreed to supply timber to the Cossack luggers.

Dolla was the master of Flora. He was an experienced sailor with years of experience. He knew the coastline and creeks of the northwest. The crew on board with Dolla were Ah Kie, Ah You and Ah Houy. They each had a wood cutters permit issued by the Resident Magistrate, necessary because they were all indentured to pearl masters.

The timber near the pearl fields of Cossack and Roebourne had been used and contractors had to cut and carry timber from five miles away. Dolla knew which creeks he could anchor in while the crew cut wood, and on 6 May 1902 he took Flora to Popes Nose Creek. She had food and water for a week, axes and a crosscut saw.

Flora sailed with fair wind and calm seas. She arrived at Popes Nose Creek in two hours, and the crew anchored safely near Antonio’s Myia, the lay up camp in the creek. The crew ran stern lines to the creek bank and put down an anchor.

The men started cutting and carting wood immediately, working until the sun began to set. They took turns each night to cook rice with meat and spices, and then they relaxed with their pipes around the fire before rolling out mattresses for sleep.

The next morning the men cooked leftovers from the previous evening and made coffee. They set about their work and filled another long day. The morning of 8 May was the same, and soon they had cut all the firewood they needed by 10am.They made the boat ready. The weather had deteriorated, and Dolla decided to wait until morning before setting off for Cossack.

The next morning the weather was no better. The wind had not abated and the crew decided they couldn’t leave. They had food and were not yet due back at Cossack. A day off was not unwelcome.

Ah Houy told Dolla there wasn’t enough room for four aboard with a full load. He added he had somewhere he wanted to go on the way back to Cossack. He said goodbye to the crew and set off on foot across the salt flats.

On 11 May Dolla, Ah Kie and Ah You did not rush breakfast as high water was not due until late morning. At 11am Flora slipped out of the creek. The wind was lighter but still against them, and they tacked many times before reaching Devils Gap Reef.

Dolla steered in towards Jarman Island at low tide, and the men could see the rocks on the bottom. Dolla knew the passage well, and Flora came inside the island as the sun was setting. The lighthouse keeper at Jarman Island saw Flora navigating the reef at 6pm but lost sight of her as darkness descended.

Flora got closer to Perseverance Reef. In the darkness Dolla could not see the red buoy near Readers Head. He decided to wait until daylight before trying to get into the creek. He pulled the tiller over hard against the heavy sea. He told Ah You to let go the anchor, and the crew prepared to stay for the night.

The sea ran fast, and a cross wind caught the boat and pushed the loaded boat beam on to the tide. Flora’s anchor dragged under the pressure, and she began to roll. Planks near the bow sprang away from the stem and water rushed into the hold.

The crew manned the pump in turns, but the water came in faster than they could pump. Flora did not have her hatch covers on and water poured in as the sea began to wash over the stricken boat. Dolla grabbed the forward spar for Ah You and two paddles for Ah Kie. He took an empty wooden box for himself and as the boat lurched in a final struggle, the three men jumped into the sea clutching the wooden items to help them float.

The shore was not far away but the flood tide was strong enough to carry them straight into the creek. Dolla was swept far up the creek straight away. He soon lost sight of the other two men.

The Fanny Thornton was anchored in the creek. She was a 77-foot mother boat. Dolla called out and the nightwatchman heard his cries and threw him a line. Dolla caught it and Fanny Thornton’s crew helped him aboard. Before he collapsed, Dolla told the crew that Flora had sunk, and his crew were in the water.

Ah Kie was not a strong swimmer. Ah You had remained with him and dragged him towards the beach. Ah Kie was in shock, and he swallowed a great deal of salt water. He let go of the oars and in his panic, he grabbed hold of Ah You’s clothes and dragged him underwater. Ah You had to let him go or he would drown. Ah Kie disappeared.

Ah You kept hold of the spar he had shared with Ah Kie and eventually drifted up the creek and was picked up by the crew of the lugger Elsie. They took him to the Fanny Thornton where he collapsed with shock and trauma.

Police commenced a search at daybreak but there was no trace of Ah Kie. It was thought his body drifted back out to sea with the outgoing tide.

The lighthouse keeper at Jarman Island saw the wreck of Flora lying on rocks on Perseverance Reef. At 8.30am Police Constables Murphy and Ellice went to the wreck with their Aboriginal assistants. She had lost part of her keel and the rudder, and her planks were stove in. Over the next few days she was battered into tiny bits, pounded against the rocks.

Ah Kie had been in Cossack and Roebourne for years and was mourned by many. He cooked and waited tables in local hotels when he was ashore and was known to many residents.

Ah You and Ah Huoy retired to Perth in their 70s. Ah You died in 1934, aged 73 and was buried in the Chinese section of the Karrakatta Cemetery. Ah Huoy died in 1936, aged 77 and was also buried at Karrakatta in the Presbyterian section.

Dolla remained at sea on pearling boats for several years. Reportedly he was murdered in 1906 by a Malay crewman.