Halfway Island (Queensland) facts for kids
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Satellite image of Halfway Island (top) and Kodnasem Reef
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A map of the Torres Strait Islands showing Masig in the north-eastern waters of Torres Strait
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Australia |
| Coordinates | 10°06′20″S 143°19′15″E / 10.10556°S 143.32083°E |
| Archipelago | Torres Strait Islands |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Torres Strait |
| Administration | |
| State | Queensland |
Halfway Island is a small island in the Torres Strait Islands group. It is located about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Thursday Island in Queensland, Australia. The island sits in an area called the Cumberland Passage within the Torres Strait. It's also about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of a place known as Yule Entrance.
Contents
About Halfway Island
Halfway Island is part of the many islands that make up the Torres Strait. This strait is a body of water that separates the northern tip of Australia from the island of New Guinea. The Torres Strait Islands are known for their unique culture and beautiful natural environment.
Location and Geography
The island's name, "Halfway Island," likely comes from its position. It might be halfway between two other important points or shipping routes in the strait. The Torres Strait is a busy area for ships, so islands like Halfway Island can be important landmarks.
A Shipwreck Story
Long ago, the waters around Halfway Island were dangerous for ships. One famous event involved a ship called the Governor Ready. This wooden ship was quite large, weighing 512 tons. To give you an idea, 512 tons is like the weight of about 100 large elephants!
The Wreck of the Governor Ready
The Governor Ready was built in 1825 on Prince Edward Island. In May 1829, while sailing from Sydney, Australia, to Batavia (which is now Jakarta, Indonesia), it hit a hidden reef. This reef was located between Murray and Halfway Islands, northeast of Cape York. The ship was badly damaged and became a wreck.
The Survivors' Journey
Luckily, the people on board managed to escape the sinking ship. They used three smaller boats: a longboat, a skiff, and a jolly boat.
- Nineteen people got into the longboat.
- Twelve people were in the skiff.
- Eight people used the jolly boat.
These brave survivors traveled a very long way, about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), over fourteen days! They stopped at different uninhabited islands along the way. Finally, they were rescued by another ship called the brig Amity near a place called Timor. It was an amazing journey of survival across the open sea.
