South Sea Islanders in Queensland

Foreword by Professor Geoffrey Blainey

Dillon often sets out long documents which give readers an opportunity to learn more and more, and even to make up their mind. Thus, he challenges the prevailing view that these islanders were usually shipped home like sheep without any worthwhile gain. -- Geoffrey Blainey

In ’Bêche-de-mer and the Binghis’, I explore the maritime history of colonial Queensland and the often-overlooked interactions between the colony and Indigenous groups involved in marine incidents. The project, which grew into a series of three books, began with an examination of the native-born Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders who played key roles in these maritime events. However, further research revealed the involvement of additional Indigenous groups, including Torres Strait Islanders, Papuans, and South Sea Islanders (also known as Melanesians). Each group had unique interactions with Queensland’s maritime traffic, shaped by their participation in the region’s labor systems and colonial dynamics.

The study focuses on ＂marine incidents,＂ including injuries or deaths of crew members, damage to vessels, or breaches of maritime laws. As Queensland’s economy grew, labor demands shifted from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers to the importation of South Sea Islanders, which led to significant controversy. The ethical and legal questions surrounding the importation of Pacific Islander labor for the burgeoning sugar and cotton industries became central to the debate, with many viewing the system as a thinly veiled form of slavery. This series delves into these complexities, offering a thorough look at the historical and cultural impact of these Indigenous maritime encounters in Queensland’s colonial period.