THE CASE OF THE MISSING POLICE BOAT

 Our  restless  Shipping Reporter  thought  he  was suffering from  a touch  of  the sun  or  was  in a parallel universe  when  he  paddled by  the Townsville  Water  Police  launch landing ,  near  the  ferry  terminals.  Normally  , the   Brett  Irwin , above ,  stands  out . But  tuther day an identical   vessel  named  the   W.  Conroy  was there . Where is  Brett? 

The  W. Conroy  commemorates Irishman  Senior Constable William Conroy   who died   after  being  stabbed  while  going  to the aid of  a  woman  on  Thursday Island in  1895 .  Over  the  years his name  has  been   perpetuated  by   a  range   of  police  vessels ,  the  latest  the    above  one   in  Townsville .