Our S(h)ipping Reporter, the only one north of Coogee , has received interesting news via the latest Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory newsletter which will help people track down missing old salt ancestors in Queensland . Entitled Queensland, Seamen 1882-1919, it is an index of seamen compiled by the Harbours and Rivers Department, with info about the ships they served on and dates of service.
The irascible S(h)ipping Reporter wonders when somebody from the Townsville media mushroom club will ask if livestock shipments from the port now have an independent inspector on board , as is the case with all shipments out of WA after the shocking treatment and deaths of sheep were revealed and cancellation of the Emanuel export licence . If not , why? If yes ,who was that person , from whence did he come ? What was the inspector's first report from the initial shipment from Townsville under the new regime ? This, says the waterfront roundsman , is called obvious follow up journalism .
Livestock movements out of the port seem to be clothed in secrecy , yet the smell and trade even manages to get a mention from time to time in the Murdoch Townsville Bulletin via texts and letters , not a reporter assigned to the subject .
