THE 90-year-old remains of a shipwreck have been discovered in the Pioneer River on the site of the Forgan Bridge replacement project - forcing contractors to stop work.

Remains from the Brinawarr, a ship that sunk on the northern side of the river in the famous 1918 cyclone, were discovered during works to remove a section of the rock training wall.

The Brinawarr was a steam-powered, timber vessel built in 1890. It came to Mackay in 1893 plying its trade until its demise in 1918.

Facts
BRINAWARR 119 gross tons, 73 net. Lbd: 91'2" x 18'4" x 7'5". Wooden steamship built by J Hawken Snr, of Coolangatta, at Shoalhaven New South Wales. (Strange that Coolangatta Queensland on the Tweed River, border of New South Wales and Shoalhaven, well south of that locale are stated as the construction site. Could well be constructed on the Tweed River, Coolangatta and serviced the Shoalhaven district for J Hay,whilst registered at Sydney.) How J Hay employed this vessel is unknown however her dimensions state river work only. October 1893 acquired by the Adelaide Steamship Co and employed as a tender on the Pioneer River, Mackay, Queensland. Sank when span of a bridge collapsed on her during a Cyclone in January 1918. Not salvaged (Brinawarr- Aboriginal word for 'Place of water lilies')

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