'RACE FOR THE BAR'.

 

SS Charon - courtesy Flotilla Australia.

Northern Times, Saturday 19 August, 1911.

PORT HEDLAND.

From Balla Balla the Charon steamed 

to Port Hedland, and, after passing 

through a fleet of 25 pearling luggers 

at work, anchored outside the

bar at 7 o'clock Friday night. By

10.30 the tide was favorable and the

vessel was ably steered across the bar

and through the harbor's tortuous

channel, mooring alongside the jetty

in excellent time and fashion. I made

a visit to the office of the "Hedland

Advocate" close on midnight, and had

a chat with its breezy sponsor. In the 

early morning we saw the Paroo at 

anchor outside the bar. The tide,

which has a range of about 26 feet,

had receded, and the narrow channel

within the harbor was clearly visible.

Mangroves give friendly covering to

mudbanks where the waters have gone

out, except on the town side, The port

is a natural harbour, at least 12 days in

the month negotiable by large steamers

between various hours. 

The Paroo and the Charon hasten loading

and together race for the bar, crossing it in 

four and a half fathoms (26 ft.) at about 

2 o'clock. Then we part company and 

proceed on opposite courses.

SS Paroo - courtesy Flotilla Australia.

courtesy Trove