User:IgnorantArmies/Subpage 29

The 1919 Fremantle wharf crisis, also called Bloody Sunday, the Battle of the Barricades or the Fremantle riot, was a civil disturbance that occurred on 4 May 1919, in Fremantle, Western Australia. Members of the Lumpers' Union reacted violently

Background
Fremantle had been used as Western Australia's main port since the establishment of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Originally, the entrance to the Swan River estuary, which led upstream to the capital of Perth and the town of Guildford, was blocked by a large limestone bar separating the river from the ocean, making the entrance to the river impassable for ocean-going vessels. A large jetty, dubbed the Long Jetty, was constructed extending out from Bathers Beach, allowing ships to dock. Cargo was then carried through Fremantle and loaded onto barges destined for upriver.



The construction of Fremantle Harbour, designed by the colony's engineer, C. Y. O'Connor, began in 1892, with the demolition of the limestone bar at the rivermouth.

In 1917, lumpers had refused to load flour onto ships bound for the Dutch East Indies, which they believed would eventually be used for the German war effort. The port authorities responded by hiring non-union labour, with the encouragement of both the State and Commonwealth governments.

Colebatch
The Premier of Western Australia at the time was Hal Colebatch, who had been Minister for Health during the Boonah crisis the previous December. After weeks of stand-off between the, the Premier decided to

"The crowd, which included a number of women, was armed with missiles of every description. As the launch approached the road bridge a single shot was fired, but whether it was fired by one of the men on the bridge could not be ascertained. The launch, as it passed through under the bridge, was subjected to a fusilade of stones, but none of the occupants was injured. Having passed the first bridge, the launch proceeded on its way downstream. In the meantime the crowd on the road bridge had signalled to their comrades on the railway bridge. A mixed force ran madly along the river bank keeping parallel with the launch shouting the men stationed on the other bridge no to let the 'scabs' pass. As the launch approached the second bridge a fresh volley of road metal was hurled at the occupants, and the boat passed underneath the bridge spans great boulders and heavy pieces of irons were dropped on to her decks. The launch was considerably damaged, one heavy piece of iron penetrating the bridge deck. The occupants, however, escaped injury, but several had miraculous escapes"

Reactions
The 17 June 1919 edition of The Print Trades Journal called the incident "Westralia's Eureka", a reference to the Eureka stockade. The West Australian, edition 5 May 1919, praised the "admiral restraint of the police" and the "wisdom shown by the authorities".

Strike action
In April 1919, non-union labour attempted to unload the S. S. Dimboola, a supply ship laden with medical supplies, before it had been quarantined.

Riot
During the riot, Thomas Charles Edwards, a member of the Lumpers' Union, received a blow on the forehead which fatally fractured his skull. Six other lumpers were injured, and twenty-six policemen needed medical treatment. Edwards was

Funeral of Tom Edwards
The dead lumper, Tom Edwards, was called a martyr by the union movement, and his funeral on 10 May 1919 was attended by thousands of people.

In 1920, the Australian Labour Federation published a pamphlet entitled The Fremantle Wharf Crisis of 1919.

Clubs
Two new clubs, and, were added to the competition for the 1901 season, raising the total number of clubs to six. Both clubs had previously competed in the First Rate Junior Association, but were invited to compete in the senior association after securing grounds (Shenton Park and North Fremantle Oval respectively) for use.