I have recently discovered the existence of information on four crocodile attacks going well back in history. My research has me totally convinced that there is no one single record that is exhaustive. Many attacks have occurred with little to note the fact. Additionally, the information is there, but not in one place.
Crocodile attacks occurred in large numbers back in the days. What is our future?
1. 1885. Wm. Orr attacked by crocodile. Leichhardt River Wld. FATAL.
A man named Wm Orr was driving cattle
He was taken by an alligator (sic) while stopping to drink at the Leichhardt River NW Qld.
SOURCE: ERNESTINE HILL “THE TERRITORY.”
VALIDATED.
The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947)
1889. MAN ATTACKED BY CROCODILE DARWIN HARBOUR N.T. NON FATAL
A Crocodile attacked a Larrakia boy named Mubbleburra, who was working with May’s pearling fleet.
He was clawed from a canoe and carried off in a clamp of jaws. Desperate, he gouged the croc’s eyes and was released. He immediately dived deep and came up quickly to scramble into the canoe. Ultimately, he lived to say, “I think that one old fella. S’pose him quick, might be I die.”
SOURCE: Ernestine Hill “The Territory.” P. 217.
1896. THE “GULF HERO” ATTACKED BY LARGE CROCODILE. KATHERINE
RIVER N.T. FATAL.
Jack Watson was also known as “The Gulf Hero.”
Jack was the second manager of VRD (Victoria River Downs.)
1st April 1896. The Katherine River was in big flood. The river was a quarter of a mile wide and seventy feet deep.
People were stranded and a man was needed to swim in assistance.
Jack elected to swim to and fro and did so for some time. The job was approaching completion when he was suddenly taken by a crocodile. Although the body was not found, the searchers found an 18 foot saltwater crocodile in a pool nearby. The crocodile was judged as guilty.
SOURCE: Ernestine Hill “The Territory.” P. 232.
1890 CIRCA. PALMER MAULED BY CROCODILE, BRADSHAW’S RUN.N.T. FATAL.
Palmer, a stockman, and once a manager of a bank dived into the river and was mauled by a crocodile. His grave is located on Bradshaw’s Run.
Note: The river mentioned is likely the Victoria River, but not named as such.
SOURCE: Ernestine Hill “The Territory.” P. 247.
When I get time, I will update my ever-growing list of attacks and incidents involving crocodiles. in the meantime, be sure that there were many more crocodile attacks than are listed, not only on my site, but in all other places. cheers Leighton