Les Eastaway's great grandfather, after serving on numerous ships between Sydney and the Manning ports, turned to farming at Taree Estate.
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During research Les found the following article in the Manning Times, January 1899.
"It is an interesting story of the Manning's early days," Les said.
School of Flying Fish
One of the many local steamers to service the Manning was the Coraki.
In January 1899 (120 years ago) between Cape Hawke and the Bar at Harrington about 3am a large number of flying fish flew over the deck of the steamer, about half a dozen falling on the deck while others crashed into the hull.
Chief Officer Henry Eastaway who was on the deck at the time stood in amazement. He inspected the fish and later concurred they were indeed a tasty meal.
Captain Ricketts kindly brought a specimen to the Manning River Times office.
The fish measured fifteen inches with two fins on the tail about three inches long. The wings which were just behind the gills were 8 and a half inches long and 1 and a half inches broad and resembled those of a swallow. Two fins, each three inches long were underneath the body towards the tail.
The fish had no dorsal fin but there was a small one close to the tail on the top of its' back.
The specimen of the deep was a great novelty and had been no doubt attracted on board the steamer by her lights.
Although an unusual occurrence on the coast, flying fish on occasion have been known to lodge on board vessels. Some years previous when taking a steamer across Newcastle Bight Capt Ricketts was struck in the face by one that flew aboard.
One of the specimen was left at a Mr A Ross's shop, where it was viewed by a large number of interested townsfolk.
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