Blog

CROCODILE ATTACKS N.T. – EARLY DAYS AND THE FIRST ATTACK RECORDED?

1872

6.      16th May 1872. Trooper William Davis was attacked by a saltwater crocodile Darwin Harbour. FATAL.

Davis was swimming when he was attacked.

SOURCE FOR CROCODILE ATTACKS: CrocBite 100-5033

Note that this was Darwin Harbour – scene of crocodile attacks N.T. but this was very early in our history.

BIG BAD SALTIES, POLICE, AND THE CHIEF OF TROOPERS.

This is recorded by the police on behalf of their trooper.

“The first police fatality occurred in 1872 when Mounted Constable Davis, a noted swimmer, disobeyed a local Standing Order and had a dip in the sea – He was taken by a crocodile.”

History of the NT Police Force | NT Police, Fire & Emergency Services

The man in charge was Paul Foesche.

SOURCE: Paul Foelsche – Wikipedia

A bit more about this incident. Story by Harry Stockdale.

“The Great Australian Crocodile and His Home. “

LEIGHTON CLARK – EXTRACT FROM HARRY’S STORY.

“Speaking of the power of the crocodile to remain motionless, and its general resemblance to a floating log, I cannot do better than quote an impressive illustration that occurred at Palmerston, Northern Territory.

In the early days at Port Darwin, N T., bathing in the open sea was forbidden owing to the danger from crocodiles there, and nearly everywhere else in Australia called alligators, though in reality no true alligator exists in Australia.“

CROCODILE ATTACKS N.T.

THIS IS ONE OF THE ATTACKS LISTED IN CROCODILE ATTACKS MY PAGE ON THIS SITE.

Now we see the problem with crocodile attacks N.T. at all times in our history save for a short period following extensive hunting. (EDITOR.)

“A young trooper by the name of Davis, a keen swimmer, disregarded the general order, and one morning early went for a swim. Far out in the harbour he noticed what he and others took to be a floating log. Many of the northern trees float, and are washed down in the wet season to the open sea. Out went the strong swimmer, nearer and nearer to the supposed log, until too late he recognised his mistake, and that he was approaching instead of a log a huge and apparently listless crocodile.“

A WARNING CAME – TOO LATE!

“But the knowledge came too late to be of any service to poor Davis, though some men called out to him (from a small craft close by} to ‘ go back,’ ‘ go back,’ and Davis did make an attempt to retreat, and was swimming manfully shorewards when the huge brute flashed down upon him at a terrific speed, and opening his great jaws to their utmost capacity came down with a smack that was heard even to the shore, and inside their cruel grasp was trooper Davis’s  head. Then with the quickness common to the saurian it had disappeared with its victim.“

CROCODILE ATTACKS N.T. AND FOLLOW UP. (EDITOR.)

“Every possible attempt was made to recover the body, hut without success, though the harbour was soon alive with boats, and the water thrashed around for a considerable time. Though this means failed the body was soon afterwards found lying on a lock, or rather a reef, some little distance from the scene of the accident.“

SALTWATER CROCODILES OR SALTIES, KILLERS OF MAN AND BEAST.

“The crash of the brute’s jaws had broken his neck, the teeth marks being most noticeable on both temples. The lowering of the boats and the noise of the beaten water had no doubt caused the monster to let go his prey and leave it in the power of Davis’s fellow-townsmen to afford him Christian burial, which was done the same evening, the coffin being borne by his late comrades, the whole forming a most impressive and sorrowful ceremony.“

SOURCE:

• The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 – 1912) View title info
•  Sat 9 Apr 1898 
•  Page 758 
•  The Great Australian Crocodile and His Home.

This attack led to the death of Trooper Davis. How many more to record since 1872.

THE VIEW OF THE WITNESS.

“His peril wans seen from the deck of an anchored ship, but help could not be given him. Wild shouts of encouragement wore voiced, but before he got moving the monster dragged him down. The body of the trooper, the neck broken and the head and shoulders mutilated shockingly, was found a few hours later on the edge of a little reef.” 

A SAD AND SORRY END.

A FEW MORE EARLY ATTACKS IN THE N.T. 

27. 14th October 1894. Aboriginal man attacked by saltwater crocodile at the Twenty Nine Mile Lagoon N.T. Non-fatal.

18 year old swimming

SOURCE FOR CROCODILE ATTACKS: CrocBite 100-4814

1904

32. 4th February 1904. Mubbleburra attacked by saltwater crocodile Frances Bay Darwin. N.T. Non-fatal.

The man escaped with severe injuries.

SOURCE FOR CROCODILE ATTACKS: CrocBite 100-5046

45. 29th May 1915. Alamarayu attacked by a saltwater crocodile Victor Creek Melville Island NT Qld. FATAL

16 year old woman was swimming across a creek while waiting for a canoe.

SOURCE FOR CROCODILE ATTACKS: CrocBite100-4790