Araluen - Araluen Valley History

This account of the goldfields at Araluen is drawn from reports found in local and state newspapers and government publications at the time, and the histories as recorded by authors such as Barry McGowan. ¹

I have taken the location of Araluen to be that area of mining that occurred along the Araluen Creek from the turn off to Major’s Creek,² south to Clear Hills. On the early maps of the district, this area is called Araluen West, the local population called this area Burketown. The spelling of Burketown changed to Bourketown in the newspapers in 1872. The term Araluen Valley refers to the whole valley, which includes the plains of Newtown, Redbank, Crown Flat, Clear Hills, and Favourite Flat then south to Mudmelong. Upper Araluen refers to the rising slopes north of Newtown and north of the Major’s Creek turn off. With so many nearby fields the population was very transient. New finds, droughts, floods and cold weather were some of the many causes of population fluctuations. This, in turn affected the success of businesses, and they in turn would have to move to the new areas of greater population.

Detailed information on the arrival of miners to the Araluen Valley can be found in the article entitled Introduction to Gold Mining in the Araluen Valley in the 1850s and 1860s. This can be accessed on the homepage menu, History, Gold Mining Era.

NB – Burketown, as it appears in the map above, was named after an early settler, Mr William Burke. Authors and newspapers of the 1850s and 60s used the spelling Burketown, but from 1872 the newspapers referred to this area as Bourketown. I have used Burketown on the map and in notes, for the 1850s and 60s.

The Boom Years 1851 – 1856

In September 1851 gold was found near the estuary of the Moruya River. The deposits were traced upstream to the junction of Araluen Creek with the Deua River. Initially there were only 50 to 100 diggers in this area, finding up to 6 ozs per week. Gold was valued at £3.13s per oz. in the 1850s.³ By the end of the month the average return was 1.5 to 2 oz per week per man. By then about 150 miners were working in the area. There were no published reports of gambling or sly grog selling.⁴ Gold was soon discovered in Bell’s Creek and many miners left this are to try their luck in the new field. But as Araluen had a milder climate and if the returns were going well, the overall numbers increased here from the month of March 1852, each year. Although the numbers could be affected if newer areas opened or flood damage making work in Araluen impossible.

It was soon realised that Araluen was not a poor man’s diggings. Provisions and goods were expensive due to distance from supplies and the poor condition of the tracks into the valley. Skill and experience were necessary to gain the best and quickest returns. Fortunately the arrival of miners from California helped with advice and knowledge of cradles, sluicing and long toms.

By November 1851 the use of the gold cradle had made the stream resemble gutters in Sydney after a heavy shower.⁵ This, even though there were only about 20 cradles at work in the middle and lower section ⁶ of the valley, was due to excessive water in the drains. This could indicate the number of miners had decreased due in part to the wet conditions. At that time the Araluen diggings had extended for 1.5 miles down to the Clear Hills station.⁷

Initially it was said that Araluen paid those who were working for themselves. Those working for wages or in parties were not making good returns. As time went by it was realised that due to the wet and difficult ground and all too frequent flooding those working in larger groups were better able to be successful. The wheel barrow was soon replaced by horse and dray, and Californian hand pumps were available, but the first steam engine, Vieq’s engine, did not arrive until November 1859.

The Empire reported that there were not many miners in May-June 1852 as returns had not been very good, but they were better than wages elsewhere. One quarter to one half of an ounce per day seemed to be the maximum.⁸ Once sluicing started they were getting good returns at Araluen and there were several parties at work. The Goulburn Herald reported that in July the average return was six to ten ounces per week.⁹ But, by November 1852 many who had been sluicing at Araluen had left due to a water shortage, and moved up to Bell’s Creek.¹⁰ This left only about 50 miners at Araluen.¹¹ These were probably the ones that were closest to the creek. All reports said they were not complaining and were still satisfied with their results. Water shortage was a problem in all areas of the valley at times, and usually resulted in miners leaving that particular area. Water was needed to wash the gold particles from the soil. The low numbers at Araluen continued until rains the following year.

In March 1853 the Goulburn Herald stated that at Araluen sluicing yielded 10s – 12s per day. Long toms were used as well as cradles. These reports continued until May.¹² Not included in this number were the idlers and those cutting the head and tail races who would not get money from their own claims for 2 or 3 months, while building the races to carry water from the creek to their claim.

Further down the creek there were tents and bark huts housing women and children. They had stockyards attached with poultry and calves.¹³ The Empire said there was a store in Araluen, but prices were very high, due to the expense of bringing the goods down the mountain. Many miners travelled to the tableland for their supplies.¹⁴ This could be Braidwood or maybe the Chinese stores at Jembaicumbene. After the big flood in 1860 a three foot wide bridle track was cut down Dirty Butter Creek and in November 1861 a road to Braidwood was opened.¹⁵ Until these times goods could be brought down several slides into the valley. James Armstrong and his two sons, George and Jimmy, had a couple of two horse teams that would pick up the goods at the end of the slides and bring them closer to the population. Wooden single use sliders were made by carriers at the top of the mountains.¹⁶ This all added to the cost of the goods.

In May 1853, twenty men were working on Sheppard and Alger’s property, 35 oz were obtained in a week’s work.¹⁷

In June and July of 1853 there were severe floods. They levelled the ground and filled every hole and race. So repairs had to begin again.¹⁸ Also in June the majority of the miners were at Araluen, arriving from Bell’s Creek, Upper Araluen and Moreing’s Flats where frosts were severe and water remained as ice until the middle of the day.

These floods were the first of many floods that were to affect the mining areas in the Araluen Valley. It appears that rainfall was not measured in these early days in the goldfields. Indeed the first measurements of rain did not occur until 1858 in Sydney. The following map highlights the drainage and gives an indication of the results of high rainfall in short periods of time.

For the remainder of 1853 there was no detailed information about gold mining in Araluen. This motivated A Digger to report¹⁹

January 9. – Not having seen any mention in your valuable journal of the Araluen diggings – for some time past, I beg leave for the information of your numerous readers, to send you the following statement of facts. There are about seventy persons here, earning from 15s. to £1 10s. per diem, and in some few instances considerably more. Messrs. Taylor and Jennings have been very fortunate, the last four claims turned out very rich. I have no doubt if we had a population equal to the Ovens, that some rich claims would be discovered in this locality. I am happy to say that during the Christmas holidays, the whole of the diggers conducted themselves with decorum and respectability. On Monday morning, the 26th ultimo, a meeting was convened by a select party of the diggers, and it was proposed that a bower should be erected, capable of accommodating all parties, both male and female, and to send for their wine and spirits from Braidwood, instead of going to the public house, where drunkenness and riotous conduct invariably took place. At an early hour in the evening about fifty or sixty per-sons assembled. After a brief but appropriate speech from our worthy chairman, Mr. Sweeney, supper was served by our very obliging friend, Mr. Armstrong, storekeeper, whom we have all to thank for supplying us with the common necessaries of life when we were refused elsewhere. The cloth being removed, the chairman called order: after the usual toasts were proposed and responded to, dancing commenced, and singing during intervals, which was kept up until an advanced hour in the morning. The evening’s entertainment concluded by proposing the health of our worthy commissioner, W. E. King, Esq., which was responded to with enthusiasm. God save the Queen was played on the violin, in first-rate style by Mr. Croft, after which the whole of the parties retired to their respective tents, highly satisfied with the evening’s entertainment. I am proud to say that not a single individual was the worse for liquor. Great praise is due to Sergeant Winner and trooper Parkington, for their manly and upright conduct in keeping order and regularity on the diggings. A DIGGER.

Whilst it was recorded by McGowan²⁰ that a separate escort for Araluen did not commence until 1867, the NSW Government Gazette²¹ stated that escorts for Sydney would leave Araluen from November 1851, on or about the 24th of each month. The charge was one half per cent of the value- to Goulburn and a further one per cent to Sydney. In December 1851²² it was further stated that armed escorts would leave every fortnight. The gold would be delivered to the Colonial Treasury. Storekeepers also bought gold from the miners.

From 1854 to August 1856 there was very little information on gold mining in Araluen. In March 1854 many diggers had left this area.²³ No reason was given. But by November²⁴ of that year there were about 100 men at work and Jennings had sold 70 oz to a storekeeper.

Then again no articles with any detail other than “some getting good returns” for a few years.

1856 – 1869 The Boom Years

The years from 1856 – 1869 were the boom years for the Araluen field when more than 90 000ozs of gold was estimated to have been sold. However, this period was also marked by numerous devastating floods, causing deaths and destruction of property and destroying the workings which had to be rebuilt after each flood.

Things were looking up in August 1856. The Gold Commissioners Report said there were 230 on the field. Two only, were traders. There was one party of five men, with 32 employees, who were working a quarter mile square, paying for 50 licences at 10s per month each. They were washing 50oz per week. Diggers were paid £3.5s. per week [£169pa].²⁵ And by 1857 the miners had made homes for themselves with neat comfortable houses and gardens, compact milking yards, fowl houses and piggeries.²⁶

As well as coping with floods, famine, bridle tracks for transport and uncertain income, there were many accidents and outbreaks of cholera and typhoid due to lack of sewerage easements. We are reminded just how difficult life was when reading about the unfortunate disasters to the Armstrong family.

On 14 March 1857 the first of the reported disasters occurred …

Our usual tranquillity was disturbed last Tuesday evening by the destruction of Mr. Armstrong’s public-house by fire. This occurred about seven o’clock, and was occasioned by the occupant’s youngest son accidentally setting fire to the curtains while looking underneath the bed for his jacket. Every exertion was used by those in the house to stop the progress of the flames, but without success. The calico and canvass ceiling conducted the fire with fearful rapidity, rendering it impossible to save anything except the cash. The day had been extremely hot, without a breath of wind stirring ; at the first outbreak, strange to say, a strong breeze sprang up, varied its course more than once during the conflagration, is if determined not to be baulked of its prey, and ceased so soon as the mischief was done. The principal part of the diggers hastened, without loss of time, to the scene, but so fierce were the flames only a few sheets of bark and slabs could be saved. Great fears were entertained for the safety of the store opposite, belonging to Mr. Richardson fortunately, however, the wind changed, and the loss was confined to the one place which, is rather serious, the stock being heavier than usual. It is a great wonder so few fires occur on the diggings, when we consider the materials used, and the number who go to bed in a state of intoxication.²⁷

Then in the October of the same year, a tragedy²⁸…

…. A most melancholy accident occurred last Wednesday, which resulted in the death of a fine boy aged eleven years, the son of Mr. James Armstrong of this place: he was accompanying his brother for a load of goods, both riding on the dray, when on coming to a part of the road where the horses had lately been accustomed to cross the creek both offered to follow the track, the elder brother called them back, but on coming into the road the wheel slipped off the bank (about three feet from the creek) capsizing the dray, one wheel of which fell upon the chest of the poor little fellow. His brother with superhuman strength lifted the dray sufficiently high for the unfortunate boy to creep from under ; by this time the accident was observed, and the sufferer was carried into a neighbouring house, where every attention was paid him, and Dr. Codrington sent for, but before his arrival death ensued. An inquest was held before the coroner the same day, and a verdict of accidental death returned. The funeral took place on Friday, and was attended to Braidwood, the place of interment, by all the inhabitants who owned or could borrow a horse. The funeral cortege left his parent’s house about 9 o’clock a.m and all who have visited Araluen know the difficulty of ascending the mountain. The coffin was carried on the shoulders of four men, and a number of volunteers, uniting hand to hand, formed a chain to assist the bearers, while others behind prevented any danger from a foot slipping. Numerous bodies of horsemen and many vehicles joined the mournful procession at the summit of the mountain, Bell’s Creek, Bell’s paddock, and the remainder of the road, until, on the entry into Braidwood, there could not be far short of two hundred followers. If anything could alleviate the distress of the afflicted parents and relatives, this mark of public sympathy must have had that tendency for a more respectable and well-dressed attendance could not be desired.

In September 1858 an article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald from their Braidwood correspondent²⁹ …

For the last three months our escorts have been on the increase, and from one thousand ounces they now reach seventeen hundred. From this it will be seen that our diggings are going ahead at Araluen. There are several large companies employing a great number of men. A rush took place lately at the spot where Mr. Henry Hicken (now deceased) first discovered gold in this district. It was soon abandoned, however, on account of the water, the people not being then well up in the art of gold digging.

Now the case is altered, and a population of 500 souls having mustered on the spot. The returns are very considerable. A store and public house have been erected. Within a month there will be three other public houses and four stores. The diggers have been also accommodated with a post-office. At the Upper Araluen a lock-up is shortly to be erected, and a police force stationed. The people who work on hire complain that the wages are not sufficient to support their families, as provisions have attained such famine prices. Many are obliged to take employment although they have claims of their own. The want of rain has compelled them to work on hire. The services of a medical man are to be added to the comforts of the inhabitants. Dr. Hodkinson has already secured premises, and will shortly settle himself in the midst of the Araluen people. Bell’s Creek is again mostly deserted through the rush to the Lower Araluen [Burnell’s Claim] ; but some of its old inhabitants prefer remaining on the spot they know to contain the yellow deposits.

In February 1859 the Goulburn Herald³⁰ said the Araluen field was overrated, repeating earlier statements that it was not a poor man’s diggings due to the costs of supplies, the skills and capital expenditure needed for success. Araluen was a different field from Major’s Creek and Bell’s Creek and a different form of mining was required. The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal³¹ suggested this is because miners in Araluen had to build head and tail races and sluice boxes and they need a water wheel and pump, which few were prepared to expend.

Also in February 1859 the miners of Araluen formed themselves into a Protective Society to look to their social, material, and political interests. They invited diggers on other southern gold fields to do likewise, and especially to keep their eyes wide open as to the selection of a representative.³²

In late January or early February 1859, Araluen was flooded again. The previous flood was back in 1853, but in the 1860s floods became more regular³³ …

We regret to hear that the late rains have flooded out the miners in the valley, filling up the races, and doing other damage. All have suffered more or less, and it will take fully a month to remedy matters. Amongst the sufferers, we may mention Messrs. Hogarth, Cowan, and Macdonald. Of course those who have bed claims are the greatest sufferers, as the holes are all filled up, and the dams swept away.

Later that month the Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal claimed that ³⁴ …

The glory of the Araluen has departed ; trade is dull and mining operations in a state of collapse, in consequence of the late destructive floods.

The paper went on to claim that Araluen and other Braidwood goldfields were immensely overestimated blaming the two Braidwood papers, only to be proved wrong in years to come. Although the journalist did understand the difficulties faced by the Araluen miners, including the roads and the lack of associative enterprise.

The great drawback to this field is the absence of ‘associative enterprise’. The operations would be expedited and facilitated, and the ground far more profitably worked, by large parties or co-operative associations, such as have been found to answer so admirably on the Victorian gold-fields.³⁵

In June 1859 a European party sold their claim to a party of Chinese miners who also purchased water rights from an adjacent claim. By 1860 it was said that Europeans were selling their claims to the Chinese as fast as possible. This was also reported in 1873 when the Chinese miners were moving up the valley, buying and working abandoned ground. the Braidwood correspondent was very negative about this saying situation,³⁶ saying …

To some extent the diggers are to blame for the overspreading of these Mongolians among us.

The Chinese were also blamed for introducing leprosy into Australia, firstly in Victoria, then onto the goldfields in NSW.³⁷

On a brighter note …

No doubt the diggers and storekeepers will be glad to hear that Mr. F. A. Cooper, our new representative, has seconded our endeavours to get a bi-weekly mail to Araluen, and that tenders for this service are called for this week.³⁸

By August 1859 extensive work had commenced, building head and tail races. Many miners were coming from less prosperous fields. It was thought that in the coming summer there may be 5 – 6000 diggers between Araluen and the coast. The exact number at any given time was never certain. Much was based on guesswork. Censuses did not help as those that were not British were not counted.

In November it was reported that Araluen was still going well …

There was a constant supply of water and the introduction of machinery had improved things considerably. And early in 1860, with recent rains, the miners were still at full work. Taylor’s party averaged £7 to £10 per man per week ; Walsh’s party were earning £15 to £20 per week per man ; Huggett had set up a co-operative association and his shares were changing hands for £230. The wheelbarrow was soon replaced by the horse and dray, and the claims were drained by steam engines, water wheels and Californian pumps. This technology, due to the wet and difficult ground, facilitated working larger claims and increased the need for hired labour. Vieq’s steam engine was at full work.³⁹

These good times were not to last. Later in January 1860 rains led to the most disastrous flood the valley had seen since recorded settlement. The months of effort in repair to claims the miners had given after the flood in January 1859 were washed away. A journalist, looking down from Upper Araluen described the water as extending from one side of the plain to the other.⁴⁰

The flood arrived in Araluen at about 5.30am on 11 February when most people were still asleep. All the tents and equipment of those camped near the creek were washed away. Buildings were destroyed.

On 23 February the Empire⁴¹ published a letter from the Braidwood Observer, in which the journalist stated that families could not even buy bread many miles from Araluen. Meat was also very scarce and could not be bought. There was no flour in the valley. The journalist felt that the government would soon step in as they had at Gundagai and the Hunter River district, especially as the government would lose a lot of money if the diggers could not keep working. He also mentioned that the storekeeper, Eaton, was trying to get flour across the flooded Moruya River by means of slings.

The government did help and they empowered the magistrates to give immediate relief in necessitous cases. They also instructed the Braidwood Bench to organise the restoration of the Clyde road and to contact the Nelligen shopkeepers. Mr Griffin, a resident in the Braidwood district, was instrumental in convincing the government that this help was necessary. Also a Braidwood Goldfields Flood Relief Fund was set up and donations could be made to St Andrew’s and the Wesleyan churches.

Araluen was very dependant on supplies from the greater district, as was Braidwood. Everything, food, clothing, equipment, etc had to be brought into the valley. This flood extended much further than Araluen and the Braidwood districts. All roads and bridges out of Araluen and Braidwood were impassable, Nelligen and their stores were flooded, as was the Shoalhaven. The floods extended to Nowra. It would take time for food and other supplies to be imported. People were starving. A more detailed account of these floods appears in Appendix 1 at the end of this account of gold in Araluen.

By March 1860 some claims at Araluen were back at work. By April there were a number of steam engines draining the claims. Many more labouring men gained employment as the area to be mined increased. Hopes were high, but in early May 1860 there was another flood. This was not as big as the one in February. There was no loss of life and not as much personal property was lost. But the claims were levelled again and most races entirely destroyed. The creek bed was also changed by the floods. However, by the week’s end some were back at work again. It took longer for the engines to be operative, but by early June, King’s, Biss and Tab’s engines were working and more had been ordered.⁴²

In July the yield of gold was considerable, one buyer purchasing 300oz in a week. The long credit, extended by the stores in the February flood was reduced considerably, most being able to pay current bills weekly.⁴³

In October mining was going well and another engine bought by Mr Henry Clay Burnell, was on its way. This engine was erected by mid-November, on the edge of the creek at the back of his farm.⁴⁴

Mining at Araluen continued successfully for the rest of the year but in February and March 1861 there were more problems with rain. Then there was another severe flood in mid-April 1861. All claims along the creek were filled in with sand and water. Nothing was spared down to Mudmelong. Wheels, machinery, barrows and other tools were washed away, engines were displaced. The work of the months from the last flood was completely destroyed.⁴⁵ The damage was largely repaired by June and miners were working from sun up to sun down, and in early 1862 Freeman’s Journal informs us that the previous week took away 1200 oz of gold.⁴⁶

McGowan⁴⁷ comments on the lack of reports from 1862 to 1867, stating that it did not indicate that the boom years were over, but they were one of transition from lone miners to well capitalised parties using expensive machinery. This was especially relevant in Araluen where the topography and multitude of floods made it necessary to have machinery to pump the excess water more quickly and successfully than waiting for nature to take its course. This machinery was also very useful to claims away from the creek as water could be pumped to them and was therefore more readily available.

The Freeman’s Journal on 5 February 1862 informs us that 600oz were purchased by one store last week. The population had decreased owing to the attraction of new fields at the Gulph (Nerrigundah). This affected all mining areas in the Braidwood district. The paper also states that many new buildings were being erected on the plains at Araluen,⁴⁸ but the diggers were unhappy about the lack of Gold Commissioners in the district, as resolution of disputes were often delayed.

In March 1862 the Freeman’s Journal⁴⁹ again reported that business was dull in Araluen. Less gold was sold and parties only washed 50oz per week. This was due to the miners taking advantage of the fine weather and going to their farms for harvesting, opening new paddocks, repairing engines and other farm duties. At this time building operations were going well in Araluen, especially on the plains and the other side of the creek. In one paper this are was referred to as as London Town.

The Gold Commissioner’s Report of 20 July 1862, described the Araluen area as being the most important field in the district. Eight hundred men were engaged in mining and there was much investment in expensive machinery. Profits were satisfactory and provisions plentiful and reasonably priced. This was mainly due to a better road into the valley – although it was still a single lane. Instructions regulating the traffic up and down were posted, but largely ignored, resulting in constant accidents.

Things presumably went well until December when we have this report from the Goulburn Herald.⁵⁰

One of those immense volumes of water which from time to time rush down the gorges which intersect the mountains surrounding the Araluen valley, has once more swept all before it in its headlong career. On Sunday night just after dusk the diggers little dreamt of approaching danger, but in less than a few minutes the valley of the Araluen was swept from end to end by a rushing torrent which levelled in all the claims, burying carts and tools and other implements used in mining, and doing not much injury to the claims that months must elapse before they will recover themselves again. At the upper end of the creek Desmond’s engine was capsized. It is supposed that a waterspout must have burst on the top of one of the ranges, as that supposition is the only one that can account for the congregation of such an immense body of water in so short a time …….. The damage done in the Valley is extensive and will, we fear, drive many to leave it. We have heard of no casualties further down, in the direction of Moruya, although it rained very heavy at the coast. It is reported since the above was in type that the body of a man has been found in Araluen, but, whether that of the poor young man, whose death we have just recorded, or another, we cannot say.—Braidwood Dispatch.

The miners recovered from these floods and for six weeks the races were open, claims pumped dry and damages repaired when another flood, was reported on 23 February 1863⁵¹ …

The creek during Monday night had risen very high and on Tuesday morning some of the more exposed claims were seriously damaged. The creek rose to the highest, however, about 5 o’clock on Tuesday evening, after the heavy rains during the middle of the day. About that time the flood of waters came roaring down the centre of the valley, spread over a width of not less than 300 yards, and upwards of sixteen to seventeen feet deep in the creek, with wave rolling after wave, rearing their crests six to seven feet high. The whole length of the valley was of course lined with spectators more or loss interested in the progress of the energy torrent, and it was anything but a satisfactory sight to many of them to witness the disappearance of those piles of stripping which had taken so much time to rear up. In some cases, perhaps, this wholesale removal of dirt may have proved very advantageous, indeed we have already heard of one instance where an old tip has been carried away off ground which it was intended to strip and work. Generally speaking, however, it was a sorry sight to see these big tips containing thousands of tons of earth, swept away, as in most instances they were only carried a few yards to level up the places from which they had been piled. There are, however, various claims on the Plain, we understand, which have not been filled up, and which, after being pumped out, will not be found to have suffered so much as was expected. The most serious damage has occurred below Sapling Point, where the creek is more con- fined and where the works are principally in the bed. Altogether, we believe that the damage will not be so great as was expected, and although serious pecuniary inconvenience will necessarily be experienced in reopening some of the large claims which have been filled in, the doing so will not be so much, a matter of speculation as it was at one time :— the lead of gold is now better defined, and operations are more certain. The proprietors of those claims therefore have now something tangible to go upon, and they well know which will pay for opening and which will not and be able to act accordingly.

In March 1863 new diggings were opened at Redbank and many miners from Mudmelong to Jembaicumbene and Major’s Creek were relocating to these diggings. This population movement continued for the remainder of 1863, stating Araluen, but it is often to Redbank which was being referred. The term Araluen, can refer to anywhere on the plain, which is very confusing. The population had reached between 3 – 4000 by September 1863. However from census records we know that Chinese, Irish and other nationalities were not included in the census data. There is also no detail on the actual mining at this time.

In February 1864⁵² many men were out of work due to a disagreement with shareholders about wages. This led to a strike on 15 February. Three men were arrested and appeared in court that week, and were acquitted. They were charged with a “roll up”. This was a “union” agreement among the labourers not to work for less than £3.10s. a week. However some had agreed to work for £3.5s. This exasperated others who assembled in large numbers and compelled a stoppage. There was no news as to the result of this dispute.

In March 1864 there was heavy rain which meant the work ceased for several days and in April another flood. This one surpassed the misery of the 1860 flood. Every claim had been damaged, broken races, collapsed shafts and drives and 300 men out of work.⁵³ Repairs took six weeks. This was followed by another flood in June. Except that only two lives were lost, that of two men near Eaton’s store in Crown Flat, these June floods were considered the worst. All machinery was destroyed. The whole district was affected, all bridges down and all roads cut. In Araluen, the Major’s Creek road was washed away ; the Dirty Butter Creek road impassable, except by horse. All banks were broken and covered in fallen trees ; many engines, pumps and tools were buried, some not worth extracting.⁵⁴ By July there was much destitution in Araluen and many claims were abandoned. Many could not get enough to eat. Supplies from Goulburn and Nelligen could not be delivered due to damaged roads and bridges. Some store keepers allowed credit, but others were wary as many previous storekeepers had been declared insolvent from the 1860 flood.

A letter to the Sydney Morning Herald from an Araluen resident encapsulates some of the emotions to these continuous floods …

……… There is at present a population of fully two thousand at Araluen, and the greater part of these are miners, depending upon the return from the gold claims, and consequently are far worse off than many of the agricultural labourers, because there is no other occupation they can torn to by which they might earn a few shillings for the support of their wives and children. I am well aware that it is often urged that the diggers are a lot of spendthrifts, and never think of laying by a pound for a rainy day; but this accusation, if at all applicable, can only be applied to the single men, who are certainly often found very improvident ; but could point out some scores of honest and industrious men who have been settled in Araluen for a length of time, and who, with their hard earned savings have erected comfortable houses and homes for their families, and in some instances are purchasing machinery for their claims ; these claims for the past six months have been constantly flooded in, and the proprietors have as frequently set to work again repairing the damage, which after a flood, take from two to four months ; and, as a finale to their misfortunes, a flood carries and sweeps away engines which had been erected at average cost of £500, together with valuable tools and machinery, thus leaving the poor fellows nothing but the clothes they stand in – after labouring for months and years, and having no means to either open their claims again or to move to other parts to look for employment. Their chance of support is suddenly taken from the poor fellows, and the claims which have hitherto supported them and their families, and enabled them to employ labour, are rendered almost valueless in fact, some are not able to dig out their buried engines …

In was not until September 1864 that the newspapers were reporting that things were looking up and most repair work was finished. The Araluen correspondent of the Braidwood Dispatch writes very cheerfully respecting the diggings in the valley.⁵⁵ He writes …

Since my last but little of importance has transpired respecting mining matters, but I may say without fear of contradiction that an air of prosperity seems to prevail in our midst……. In [Upper] Araluen, at Clune’s claim all is bustle and business. The engine repaired by Messrs. Fletcher and Cotton [in Araluen] works admirably ; – washing is to take place here shortly. Desmond’s party [Upper Araluen] are actively engaged, and I hear, with profitable results. The Redbank claims are, with but few exceptions, doing well ; and money, as a natural consequence is more plentiful in that locality than for a long time past. Crown Flat, once the centre of attraction, appears now to be almost forgotten by the sturdy band of miners who of yore unearthed its golden treasury. Dr. Beer’s party continue to strip and wash, and obtain a satisfactory return for their labour. At Huggett’s claim [Upper Araluen] the “show” is good ; Dawe’s party are opening out with a prospect of doing well. Below the crossing place two or three parties of Chinamen are at work, but with what success could not learn. The great event of the week has unquestionably been the arrival on Tuesday last (fully decked out with flags) of May and Co.’s [Upper Araluen] new engine, which has been very aptly named ” The Pride of the Valley,” This is a double-cylinder engine of ten horse power, and together with its belongings, weighs nearly six tons. It was brought from Picton to Araluen in first class order by Mr Patrick Egan, in the one exampled and surprisingly short period of three weeks. Mr. Egan states that even the time named would have been considerably shortened had the roads been in better condition. May and Co., have certainly by their enterprise done their best to win the smiles and retain their places in the good opinion of that illustrious lady, Dame Fortune.⁵⁶

Jumping to mid-1865, despite all the difficulties and subsequent loss of income faced by the miners, they were still prepared to invest in new equipment in the hope of greater returns.

A large steam engine, which has been recently purchased by Mr James O’Brien, of Belle Vue, passed through town yesterday, its destination being Araluen. Braidwood Dispatch.⁵⁷

By May 1866 mining at Araluen was not as brisk as it had been due to the working out of one or two claims and a suspension of work on De Rome’s claim due to an engine breakdown. De Rome’s claim employed 140 men.

Then in July 1866, another flood⁵⁸ …

On Wednesday morning last [11 July 1866] a drizzling rain set in at Araluen and continued till about noon, when it was succeeded by a perfect avalanche of rain. In an incredibly short space of time the whole of the creeks began to swell, every precaution was taken by the claim holders to prevent the loss of their mining stock …….. At 11 o’clock the same evening, Mr. Summer’s team of six horses, which were going down with a load of goods were crossing the Dirty Butter Creek at the regular fording place when the undercurrent of drifting sand washed the animals clean off their legs, and the water carried them down for a distance of two hundred yards. Fortunately sergeant Stafford chanced to be on the other side and perceiving the predicament of the driver, a man named King, proceeded to Atkins’s public house where Mr. Spicer and several other individuals were staying and all hands went to assist. In the extraction of the team, it was pitch dark, but by the light of lanterns the wagon was unloaded, and King’s life, and the horses were saved. When holding the head of his shafter he had been washed between, the wheels and narrowly escaped destruction. The overpowering volume of water had cut a perpendicular channel of escape, and it was consequently with the greatest difficulty the animals were brought up the bank. On Thursday morning the spectacle was disheartening in the extreme. …… Generally speaking though, happily no corresponding loss of life can be reported – the effects of the flood are to be considered to be equally as disastrous as those of the flood of February six years ago. In the present case many of the carts were washed a considerable way from the tips on which they were left on Wednesday evening and it is fully anticipated that it will be two or three months before all the claims can be brought into a condition for washing out.

In April 1867, yet another flood. The Empire, 3 April 1867 reports …

The early part of Saturday was showery ……. and by Monday the rain came down in torrents …. by that time the main creek, with all its tributaries, had taken complete charge of the valley, and one claim after another was doomed – pumps, engines and engine-houses, gradually disappearing as the waters arose. …… and the wealth of the valley destroyed at one fell swoop. The amount of damage done has been generally more severe than on any former occasion, it has afflicted, the valley from Upper Araluen to Mudmelong ….. Over one thousand hands are this day thrown out of employment for a time. Many of the claims will never be worked again, and it will cost a good round sum to those who intend opening their claims anow.

And the Sydney Morning Herald, 17 April 1867 states …

Great distress prevails here owing to the disastrous result of the flood, many people are literally starving. There is an appeal going to be made to the citizens of Sydney to open a relief fund, and also to the Government. Many have applied to the police for subsistence. A monster meeting was held to day to petition Hassall and Roberts to grant three months’ grace for the purpose of opening the claims that were filled in.

Claims were only just opening when there was another flood, three weeks later. The whole valley was as flat as a pancake. From Crown Flat to Upper Araluen there were no claims at work. Every engine was silent and there were about 2000 men out of work.⁵⁹

A Floods Relief Committee was set up. By July the weather was fine and some were able to set about repairs. By mid-August most claims were washing. The Relief Committee had issued over 1000 ration orders representing 1000 families, averaging five individuals each.⁶⁰

The Armidale Express⁶¹ points out that the floods were not only damaging the claims and businesses, but also the farmers. The greater proportion of the potato crop was destroyed.

A meeting of those interested in the establishment of a public school was held and a donation of £200 was received. Three hundred children were guaranteed. The number of engines in the valley indicated that Araluen had mostly transitioned from a working miner’s field to one of large parties and companies.⁶²

The continuous flooding also increased the instances of cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio due to poor sanitation. It is generally known that the goldfields in Australia were rife with these diseases.

In February 1868 there was another flood which filled in several small claims in Araluen, the larger claims escaped this time.

The Gold Commissioner’s Report for 1868 confirmed the pre-eminent place of Araluen in the colony. The unofficial mining population, given at about 3000, suggested a total population of about 10 000 people.

In May 1869 there was an attempted robbery of the Joint Stock Bank in Araluen and also another flood. Again the smaller claims suffered and Gibson and Company’s engine was buried. In most claims the pumps could not keep up with the underground leakage and it was some time before washing could be resumed.⁶³

In July industrial action was taken by wage earners on the Little Extended claim. The Perseverance miners were the next to strike, following a notice that wages would be reduced from £2.8s to £2.2s. About 50 men and 30 to 40 children marched from claim to claim, dragging out the little boys who were driving the horses and carts. As usual the Goulburn Herald was very critical of the men, but did not give any result of the dispute.

By December 1869 mining had improved again and the last escort with 4500oz was above the average for the month. Everyone, no doubt, hoping these results bode well for successful mining in the 1870s.

APPENDIX 1

DISTRICT ACCOUNTS OF THE 1860 FLOOD

Braidwood

From the Braidwood Dispatch of Saturday we learn that Wednesday 15 February 1860 morning was ushered in with dark heavy clouds gathering up in the south-east, and in the forenoon and during the day some slight showers descended ; at night, however, it blew a very heavy gale of wind from the south-east, and the rain poured down in torrents, and kept on all through Thursday with fitful gusts of wind and incessant showers. Throughout Thursday night the gale continued with unabated fury ; as a natural consequence, the creek at the northern entrance to the town rose with fearful rapidity, and on Friday night presented the appearance of a large river, rolling along like a torrent. Some idea may be formed of the expanse of water when we state that several of the tents on the flat between the creek and the police paddock were inundated, and Mr Moxon’s house presented the appearance of a sort of eddy stone surrounded by a sea of water. The dam (or bridge, as it is sometimes called) over which the Goulburn road passes was completely hidden from view, and we are sorry to say that a kiln containing some thousands of bricks just ready for burning, the property of Mr Robinson, saddler, of Wallace street, was entirely swept away by the force of the water. The other creek, near Potter’s Bridge, is almost impossible. Wilson, the mailman, having to swim it on Friday in coming from his residence near Jellamatong. Boro creek must also be up, as the mail from Goulburn, due here on Thursday, has not yet arrived ; and up to Thursday evening the Shoalhaven had hardly begun to rise, but yesterday we hear that it is over the banks and running like a sluice. Some parties went on Friday as far as the crossing place of the Jembaicumbene Creek, but had to return as it was utterly impossible to cross it. Several gentlemen are detained in town in consequence of the rising of this creek …… Poverty Flat presents the appearance of a large lake, and the water is running over the road quite close up to Mr Gurney’s new residence. Mr. E. Smith’s brewery also we hear is flooded, and that parties were engaged all yesterday with the water. Wilson, the mailman, who left town yesterday with the Clyde mail, returned again in the afternoon, reporting that the bridge over Warrambucca creek had been totally destroyed by the heavy flood. We also learn that the portion of Potter’s Bridge, at the southern end of the town, has been carried away.
A part also of the new stable in course of erection at the Doncaster Hotel by Mrs Badgery has given way. Several other buildings in the town have, we hear, been seriously injured. At Jembaicumbene, too, we have been informed, that several of the diggers have been washed out, and have lost barrows, shovels, slabs, and all their other mining implements.

Nelligen⁶⁴

All the lower part of the town, company’s store on wharf and on purchased land, and my own dwelling, were upwards of six feet under water. The loss of property in store has been less than I expected. The store itself stood well, and but for the lifting by the water of the bar that holds the doors together inside, nothing would have got adrift. All the goods that could float, of course did, and some of them were got out by the roof, and placed in my store on the rafters ; but finding that the labour was too great, and the damage complete before rescue that plan was given up, and more attention paid to securing the floating timber (pine, etc), and we saved much, and should have secured more if we had had a boat. The water, I may state, reached above the skilling roof, and my fear was that if it rose higher the floating goods would lift the roof, and then they would go adrift altogether. Fortunately this did not happen. When the flood subsided, the store, as you may imagine, was in a fearful state of confusion. On Friday, at midnight, the first indication of a flood was visible in the rising of the tide, so as to come into Alick’s room adjoining the wharf. He rushed over to Mr. Dowling, who was sleeping in my tent, and they went across, and stacked such goods as they could, that were perishable, so as to be out of the way of what was thought to be only a little excess of tidal water.
At one he went to bed and slept soundly, being awoke about three hours after by Mr. Poole’s boat coming against the tent door, and Mr. Hill shouting to him to get up. The bed was floating with him. In three hours more the water was at its highest. All the time, Mr.D., the coachman, and two others, were swimming about saving floating cases that were stacked outside the store, etc. The floor of the wharf was floated up, and might have been saved if immediately lashed. On Saturday morning it floated down, and was swept past the steamer at the rate of ten miles an hour. I have personally suffered great loss, all my property having been forty-eight hours under water.
The corn and hay is a fearful loss. One of Richardson’s vans and two loaded drays were washed away at Carter’s. Thomson came down to-day from Braidwood, and reports every bridge gone, and the Clyde road shut up for at least a fortnight, even if labour were put on to-morrow to repair the damage. We have suggested to the Government that immediate assistance should be given in the shape of money to repair the road, offering sureties for the proper expenditure of the same.

The following is the letter alluded to in the House by the Hon. Member for Eden.
Nelligen. Clyde River, February 14, 1860.

Dear Sir,
I am sorry to inform you of the terrible floods which have lately inundated this and the whole of the surrounding districts here-alone destroying property to the amount of £7000 or £8000 sterling. Of that amount at least £5000 or £6000 in the stores of the Illawarra S. N. Company at this place, which have been under water for three days. The creeks, all rising, have carried houses, loaded drays, etc, etc, all before them, and the Clyde Road, through the torrents which have come from the hills, has been rendered perfectly impassable.

Nowra

From Wednesday’s Illawarra Express ; The rain poured down in torrents, and as it fell over a large area forming the watershed of the Shoalhaven, the numerous running creeks soon augmented the waters of that river to a dangerous and threatening height. All the low-lying lands on either bank were flooded. The Shoalhaven, it should be borne in mind, is a long river, and drains a vast area-and when that circumstance is considered in conjunction with the facts, that the low lands are situated between Adam’s wharf and the sea, and that the river at one part of its course has a rapid fall, it will be easy to form an idea of the magnitude of the inundation. The effects were most disastrous. The Steam Navigation Company’s store was turned completely round. The cottage occupied by the Commercial Branch Bank was washed away, and an iron safe belonging to the bank was afterwards found close to the store of the company. Mr. Lovegrove’s house was washed away. The flood surrounded the iron store kept by Mr. MacArthur, and that gentleman and his family had to be delivered from their perilous position through the bedroom window. The Nowra steamer had her chain broken by a log, drifted away, and is now high and dry on the bank near the entrance to Broughton Creek. A coasting vessel, supposed to be the Mary Anne, has been lodged between two trees on the bank of the river, according to another report, in the bush. Rumour reports the deaths of several persons. We have heard that upwards of six lives were lost, and that the coroner had been sent for to hold an inquest on the bodies of two children at some place near Shoalhaven, and when he reached the spot there were nine bodies there.

1
Barry McGowan, The Golden South, Publ. by Barry McGowan, 2000.
2
(now Majors Creek – in 2018 the NSW naming policy removed the apostrophe in place names. This was to allow rapid retrieval of place names from emergency services databases.)
3
https://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/stories/what-happened-if-goldminer-found-gold
4
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 20 September1851.
5
McGowan, Golden South, p 36.
6
The lower section of the valley was from Clear Hills station down to Mudmelong
7
McGowan,Conservation and Heritage Overview of the Araluen Catchment Area.Canberra 1998, p 14.
8
McGowan,Conservation and Heritage,p 18.
9
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 10 July 1852.
10
People’s Advocate and New South Wales Vindicator, 20 November 1852.
11
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 2 February 1853.
12
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser 26 March 1853, 16, 30 April 1853.
13
McGowan, Conservation and Heritage, p 21.
14
Empire, 25 March 1853.
15
The article on Bell’s Creek has a more detailed description of the transport routes into the valley.
16
Richard Kennedy, Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal, 13 March 1942.
17
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, 4 May 1853.
18
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 25 June 1853.
19
Sydney Morning Herald, 16 January 1854.
20
McGowan, The Golden South, p 52.
21
New South Wales Government Gazette.18 November 1851.
22
New South Wales Government Gazette, re-printed, 8 March 1854.
23
Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, March 1854.
24
Sydney Morning Herald, 2 November 1854.
25
McGowan, Golden South, p 42.
26
Goulburn Herald, 5 December 1857, 27 January 1858.
27
Sydney Morning Herald, 14 March 1857
28
Sydney Morning Herald, 3 October 1857
29
Sydney Morning Herald, 7 September 1858
30
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyll Advertiser, 16 February 1859.
31
Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, 23 February 1859.
32
Freeman’s Journal, 5 February 1859.
33
Sydney Morning Herald, 8 February 1859
34
Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, 23 February 1859.
35
An interesting account of cooperative mining in Victoria can be found at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197088405?searchTerm=%22gold%20mining%20companies%22
36
McGowan, Dust and Dreams, p 31.
37
Sydney Morning Herald, 5 July 1858.
38
Sydney Morning Herald, 9 July 1859.
39
McGowan, Conservation and Heritage, p 30.
40
Illawarra Mercury, 24 February 1860
41
Empire, 21 February 1860
42
McGowan, Conservation and Heritage, p 31.
43
Sydney Mail, 14 July 1860.
44
Sydney Morning Herald, 24 November 1860.
45
McGowan, Golden South, p 63.
46
Freeman’s Journal, 12 February 1862.
47
Barry McGowan, Conservation and Heritage, p 36.
48
In the 1860s the journalists introduce the term the plains, for general information which appears to cover the entire plain including Araluen, Redbank, Crown Flat and Newtown. People can have more than one claim, often in different localities, and only on occasion are we given which locality is being referred.
49
Freeman’s Journal, 1 March 1862
50
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 20 December 1862.
51
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 20 December 1862.
52
Freeman’s Journal, 6 February 1864
53
Freeman’s Journal, 6 February 1864
54
Empire, 25 June 1864
55
Empire, 21st September 1864.
56
Empire, 21 September 1864
57
Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 29 July 1865
58
Empire, 19 July 1866
59
McGowan, Golden South, p 69.
60
McGowan, Conservation and Heritage, pp 39/40.
61
Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, 6 July 1867
62
McGowan, Conservation and Heritage, pp 39/40.
63
Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1869.
64
Sydney Morning Herald, 17 February 1860.