Bullfinch

George Johnson (38) was Danish, although he had been in Western Australia for 16 years. He was a well-known as a fisherman in Fremantle, and the newspapers described him as a blond Viking-like man. George skippered the fishing boat Bullfinch. She was a 30-foot cutter, only 18months old, owned by George and his partner Axel Johansen (32). While George drove the boat, Axel worked the deck.

Bullfinch left Fremantle on 10 July 1912, bound for fishing grounds at Jurien Bay, just over 100 miles north. She had a built-in ice box to carry her fish. The weather was fine, and George and Axel spent two days fishing off Fisherman’s Island, approximately 12 miles south of Jurien.

By 4pm on Friday 18 July, the boat was approximately five miles from shore, steering a course for shelter at Fishermen’s Bay, when a heavy swell was running. A sudden large breaker overtook Bullfinch, and she was swamped and sank immediately.

The men threw off their heavy oilskins and outer clothing. They cut away a boom to support them, and Axel grabbed a large sweep paddle and a buoy before they started to swim for land. It was the best items he could grab as the boat went down and items from the deck were being washed away. The sea had calmed again., and then men knew they were four or fivr miles from shore. They set out, swimming together and remained afloat with the paddle and buoy.

Dark fell around 6pm and the men became separated by a large breaker. George called out for Axel repeatedly but did not get a reply. George struggled on until midnight, assisted by a strong south-easterly wind. He was eventually dumped onto the shore approximately 15 miles from Jurien Bay. His feet were numb and he was unable to move for several hours.

When George eventually crawled up the beach, he searched for Paul but had no success. He waited until daylight and could see there were no other boats moored nearby. He had to walk for 15 miles in bare feet until he found a farmhouse to get help. At 6am on Saturday morning, he arrived at the home of Harry Butler, clad in only a wet singlet and trousers.

Geroge remained with Harry until Monday 21 July, when Joe Brown’s fishing boat Silvery Wave was able to take him to Fremantle. He arrived at 5am on Tuesday 30 July.

On 26 July, an ice chest and parts of the Bullfinch were found near Jurien Bay. She was still al fairly new boat but was uninsured. Axel’s body was never found, and it was thought it was taken by one of the many sharks known to inhabit the sea in the area.

The “Golden Gate” newspaper (Fremantle) quoted George who said he intended to return to the sea as soon as possible and added a further comment about “Viking contempt for the sea and the sea’s lack of respect for human life”.