Minnie

The Minnie, another pearling ship, was wrecked in November 1872 on Fortescue Island. There were three men on board and they reached the island but without many supplies. They were George Forthcut, Liberty Joe and an Aboriginal who was not named. They remained stranded there for five weeks, and were becoming desperate. Finally, the Aboriginal swam to the mainland and managed to walk to Mardie station which was owned by Mr Mackintosh. He despatched a boat to the island and the other two men were rescued and recovered at the station. The unnamed Aboriginal was rewarded for his courageous act with a blanket, shirt, pair of trousers and pound of tobacco.