Unidentified Flat (1873)

Canning River

Official correspondence relating to dredging and revetment fencing to improve navigation along the Canning River records the existence of ‘an old flat’ wrecked prior to 1873.

15th December 1873
Warder Feltham, Canning River Party.

Memorandum.
In reference to the work to be done in clearing out the canals, repairing the
wattle fencing, and deepening the various channels on the Canning River,
the following instructions are forwarded for Warder Feltham's guidance.
The entrance to the first canal from Mason's landing requires deepening,
the silt in all cases to be put on the shore side of the fencing, and not left on
the canal side; if possible, after the deepening has been done, the fence is to
be carried on from the bed of shells on the right side ascending the river to
the tuft of rushes near the entrance to the Blind Creek. Also remove all the
hummocks in the passage down the stream, and all the snags wherever they in
any way impede the navigation, particularly at the spot where the boats were
struck on Friday last. Also, deepen down to where the old flat is sunk, and
renew the cross wattling near this spot, some of the fencing is also gone here
and requires renewing. Deepen the sand bank between the two lines of fencing
- in a work of this nature a great deal must be left to the discretion of
the Officer in Charge; the Clerk of Works has full confidence in Warder
Feltham employing his men to the best advantage.

(CR 1873, C 9: 973)

(Hutchison and Davidson, 1979: 156-57)