In the early 1900’s, a small group of Greek fishermen resided on Broughton Island. These fishermen led a hard and dangerous life earning their living from the sea, by selling fish, oysters and lobsters.

 

One of these Greek fishermen was Spero Spathis. He became a well-known lobster fisherman and character at Nelson Bay and nearby Dutchies Beach where he resided.

 

Mention is made of Spero Spathis on the signage of the historic ‘Bridle Path’ at Westpoint atop Nelson Bay.

 

 

 

‘Bridal Path’ signage at Westpoint, Nelson Bay [Author photo April 2023]

Location of the “Bridal Path’ overlooking Nelson Bay with its signage and ‘Nelson Bay Heritage Walk’ marker No 6 in the foreground [Author photo April 2023]

 

The Bridal Path leads down to Dutchies Beach. It is here where the path ends that the ‘Nelson Bay Hertige Walk’ marker No 4 identies the site of Spero’s tent home designated ‘Lobsterman’s Cottage’ .

         

                                        No 4 Heritage Walk marker at the present day reserve at Dutchies                                                                                              (Dutchman’s) Beach  [Author photo April 2023]

The brochure, Nelson Bay Heritage Walk, third edition 1999, states:

 

‘Spathis was a lobster farmer of Greek extraction who lived on Broughton Island until 1917, then moved into a shed painted red near Sunny Bell Flats. His boat, the Mahoulis, was also painted a brilliant red. In later life his home was a tent on Dutchman’s Beach on which, as might have been expected, the canvas was painted red’

 

This paper examines various issues that faced Spero Spathis while based at Port Stephens. His name is spelt in various ways in the newspaper reports.

 

Fears raised for the safety of Spathis and another Greek fisherman – 1925

 

The Northern Champion of 19 August 1925, page 3, reported:

‘Anxiety is being felt for the safety of two Greek fishermen on board the launch Miaqualis, which, left Broughton Island, near Port Stephens, for the lobster grounds some miles further north on Tuesday morning of last week.

 

One of the Greeks, is said to be Speero Spathis, the owner of the vessel, but the name of his companion has not been ascertained. The Deputy Superintendent of Navigation, Captain Sangstar, ascertained from the light housekeeper at Seal Rocks that a launch had been seen there on Tuesday afternoon, but the vessel had proceeded north, probably bound for Cape Hawke. The pilot at Cape Hawke, however, stated that nothing had been seen of the vessel. Pilots, lighthouse keepers and masters of coastal vessels have been requested to keep a sharp lookout.’

 

Spathis and his companion returned safely, but no further newspaper reports were published on the incident.

 

Companion of Spathis’ drowns near Broughton Island – 1927

 

The Dungog Chronicle of 23 August 1927, page 4, reported:

‘A magisterial inquiry concerning the death of Eastathios Diligianais, a Greek fisherman, was held at the Court House, Tea Gardens, on Sunday last before the Coroner, Edward Hitchins, Esq: Spearos Spathis deposed: I am a fisherman and reside at Broughton Island. Am of the Greek nationality and not naturalised. I remember on August 12th, at 4 a.m., three of us took an 18ft boat off the beach at Broughton Island, to go to the launch, which was moored about 300 yards from the beach. The deceased was in the boat and after we had covered half the distance to the launch, the boat started to take water in and we joked about it.

 

There were five lobster pots in the boat. I noticed the water coming up to my feet and I said: ‘Pull hard,’ and threw out the lobster pots, but the boat sank shortly after. I grabbed one of the lobster float buoys, and deceased tried to swim to a launch close by. He sang out “Oh! Oh!” two or three times. I called out “Try hard to get to the launch.” I did not hear him anymore. It was moonlight, but I could not see what happened. I called out to Gus, who was asleep, and he came to the beach. I cried out ‘the boat sank, and we want help.’ Gus called his brother and then came and picked me up. Nicholas, who was clinging to the upturned boat, said he was alright, so we went to look for deceased, but could not see him in the water, so we searched the launches, but could not find him.

 

We then went and rescued Nicholas. We searched for the body at sunrise but could not find it. I went to Nelson’s Bay and reported the matter at Nelson’s Bay. Those who remained behind continued to search for the body. We returned to Broughton Island and learned that the body had been recovered. We asked the white people what we should do with the body and they told us to bring it to the police at Tea Gardens. This we did. The deceased and I were working on shares; we had only just started. The accused, according to a book (produced) was 21 years of age on July 1st, 1898. He was born at Milaon, city of Bolos [Milan, city of Volos], Greece. He was a single man and was not naturalised. He was not insured. I heard he had money, but did not know for certain what the amount was. I know he has a launch in Sydney, it is worth about £150. The launch is at Taylor’s boat shed, Lavender Bay. He also owns a dingy at the Island, worth about £10. He has no relatives in Australia.  The day before he died he told us his mother was alive, and that there were thirteen in the family, all being in Greece.

 

Con Ellissow: I am a fisherman, residing at Broughton Island. On Friday, 12th August, Spearos called me at 4 a.m. in the morning and wakened me. He called out that his boat was sinking. I got my brother and we launched a dingy and went out to assist them. Nicholas was slinging to the boat, and he said he was alright. I then picked up Spearos, who was hanging to two ropes, and we went to look for deceased, who Spearos said swam towards the launch, but we could not find him. We then picked up Nicholas and took him to the beach. We then made another search but could not find anything. At daylight, we went to some English people and told them deceased was drowned. Jack Asquith and his mate went out but they could not find him. I took another mate and made further search. With the glass I saw the deceased on the bottom. I got grappling irons and recovered the body and took it ashore and tried to resuscitate it. His trousers had dropped down between his legs. There was a scratch on his forehead, which might have been caused by the grappling irons. I am sure deceased was drowned and did not meet his death by foul play.

 

Percy Alfred Bassett deposed: “I am police Constable, residing at Tea Gardens. On August 12th, the body of Eastathios Deligianais was brought to Tea Gardens. I had it removed to the hotel, where I examined it closely. There was an abrasion on the forehead, which might have been caused by grappling irons. There were no other marks of violence. I searched the deceased clothing, and found no money or property. His bank book showed a credit of £474/1/1. The Coroner found that Eastathios Deligianais was accidentally drowned at Broughton Island, on August 12th, 1927.’

Spathis accidently shoots himself on Broughton Island – 1929

 

The Newcastle Sun of 5 September 1929, page 7, reported:

‘A farewell scene to one of his mates, who was going to Greece, was responsible for Spiro Spathis (40), a fisherman, being shot in the right arm with a shot-gun on Broughton Island in Port Stephens today. Spathis was brought to Newcastle Hospital this afternoon, with a gunshot wound in the right arm. His arm was fractured. He was picked up by the ambulance at Nelson’s Bay.

 

Several Greeks had been camped on Broughton Island for the lobster season, and this morning they had gathered together to say farewell to the Greek, who was going back to his country. Apparently, it was thought that a salute to their comrade was necessary, and a double-barrelled shot-gun was requisitioned. One shot had been fired, and Spathis was laying the gun on the ground, when the second barrel suddenly went off, the charge hitting him in the arm.’

 

Spathis Injured at his home – 1933

 

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 25 May 1933, page 6, reported:

‘A Greek fisherman, Speito Spathis, 40, of Nelson’s Bay, met with a painful accident at his home late on Tuesday night. He was subsequently admitted to Newcastle Hospital. Walking in his yard, Spathis stumbled and fell headlong into a heap of timber. His chin was severely lacerated, the wound extending downward some distance towards his throat. Comrades arrested the bleeding, and sent for Newcastle Ambulance. At 1.30 a.m. yesterday Spathis arrived at the hospital, where 14 stitches were inserted in the wound.’

 

Spathis purchases two properties at Nelson Bay – 1947

 

The Dungog Chronicle of 11 April 1947, page 1, reported:

‘Mr Sperio Spathis has purchased two cottages in Nelson Bay. Mr. Spathis is well known as a lobster fisherman.’

Death of Spero Spathis at Nelson Bay – 1950

The following funeral notice was published in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of Friday 24 February 1950, page 2:

‘The Relatives and Friends of Spero Spathis, late of Dutchman’s Bay, are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, to move from the Church of England Chapel, Nelson’s Bay, this afternoon, after service commencing at 12.45 o’clock, for the Church of England Cemetery, Nelson’s Bay.’

 

The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder of 28 February 1950, page 3, published the following:

‘Spiros Spathis, well-known to all local fishermen who visited Nelson’s Bay, passed away last week and was buried at the Church of England cemetery. Spiros, a lobster fisherman, could never do enough for fishermen from the coalfields who visited the Bay, and local men will be very sorry to learn of his passing.’

 

A fitting tribute to Spero – 1950

 

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 4 March 1950, page 5, published the following tribute to Spathis that was provided by a Merewether man:

‘In the mail, during the week, came a letter from a Merewether man who, saying he had “no desire to be a story writer,” and asking us not to use his name, enclosed this human story: “Spero, the fisherman, was one of the first of the migrants to come to Nelson’s Bay. We found him one day during our holidays last year, sitting in the warmth of the sunshine, smoking and dreamily watching his old red boat moored in the glistening blue water . . his tiny house built close to the beach, under the shade of the trees, his lobster pots, anchors and ropes nearby, and smelly fish bait drying on the racks near the path coming down from the side of the hill.

 

“He told us he had come from Greece when he was only a boy, and now he was an old man. Yes, he had been away for holidays sometimes, to the Barrier Reef, to Sydney, and to some of the big towns out west, but the most beautiful part of all was this little place called Dutchie’s Beach. His life now was one long holiday, and with the passing of the years he was content to rest here.

 

“To our boy, he smiled and said he lived on his own, and did not have a Mummy to cook his dinner and to tuck him into bed at night. He was not lonely. He had lots of friends. The children came to his end of the beach to swim and play, and to swing out from the bank on the rope hanging from the branch, high up in the tree; and we gathered that he had a place in his heart for boys who loved the sea and boats that sail on it. “And so, a little boy found a new friend, a place to go for a friendly talk, and a boat in which to row and play.

 

“But one day last week, a notice appeared in the ‘Newcastle Morning Herald’ . . . ‘the relatives and friends of Spero Spathis are respectfully invited . . . . “Old Spero had died while at work in his boat in the bay. “Soon we will be going there again. There will be a feeling of sadness. We will miss the cheery call of ‘Hullo, Spero’ from the boy running up the beach to hold the hand of the old fisherman and to hear the welcome reply of ‘Well! It’s my mate.’ “Spero had told us he did not want anybody to cry over him when he died. A little boy of only four knows, and we know, that Spero has gone away in his old red boat, out past the Inner Light, between the headlands of Tomaree and Yacaaba, not fishing to Broughton Island, or to his lobster traps . . . he has kept straight on, far across the sea, until he comes to that happy land where his mother is waiting for him.” 

 

Thieves break into the former home of Spathis at Dutchies Beach – 1950

 

Following the death of Spathis, local thieves soon spotted an opportunity, as reported by the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 1 March 1950, page 6. The newspaper reported that three local thieves had been remanded till March 20 on £50 bail each on a charge of having broken into the house of the estate of Spearo Spathis, at Nelson Bay, on February 25 and stolen a wireless set.

 

A report on the subsequent court case was reported in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 20 April 1950, page 5:

‘Three men who are alleged to have broken into a house at Nelson’s Bay two days after the occupier died, and stolen a wireless set, were committed for trial at Newcastle Quarter Sessions. The men …… were charged with having, at Nelson’s Bay on February 25, broken and entered a house, the property of the estate of Spearo Spathis, and having stolen the wireless. Detective Sergeant P. J. O’Neill said he saw …. on February 27, and said: “We have evidence you broke into the house of Spearo Spathis.” He replied: “We didn’t break in; the door was open.” George Todd, a neighbour of the late Spearo Spathis, said he went with other men to Spathis’s former dwelling on the night of February 25. The door was open, and battens which had been nailed across the door were lying on the ground. He walked in and saw ….. and …..  at a cupboard on which a wireless set had formerly stood. The wireless was not there. He said he picked up a lighted lantern they had and walked to the door. ….. came up from outside and an argument began. He had a fight with…. . Mr. H. L. O’Neill appeared for the three men.’

No further newspaper reports were published concerning the outcome of the court proceedings.

 

Windup of Estate Concluded – 1952

 

The windup of the estate of Spathis was completed in 1952.

 

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 15 April 1950, page 8, advertised:

‘To-day, at 10 a.m., in Dutchman’s Bay, Port Stephens. The well-known fishing Launch of the Estate of Spero Spathis, deceased, will be submitted for Public Auction, with Dinghies, Pots, Crates, etc. Under instructions from the Public Trustee. D. W. Ripley, Auctioneer. Tea Gardens.’

 

The Dungog Chronicle of 5 April 1952, page 4, also advertised:

‘Attractive Nelsons Bay Cottage corner Church and Donald Street [Nelson Bay], Saturday, 12th April, 10 a.m. Under instructions from the Public Trustee in the Estate of Spero Spathis, deceased. Vacant possession, Weatherboard Cottage, together with land having frontage of 55ft. to Donald St. and 72ft. 6in. to Church St. Lot B— Weatherboard cottage together with land, having a frontage to Donald Street x a depth of 72ft. 6in. (Subject to existing tenancy). Particulars from — D. W. Ripley, Auctioneer, Tea Gardens.’

 

Concluding Comments

 

These insights into the life of Spero Spathis, a Greek fisherman, who decided to call Port Stephens home, highlight the hardships and dangers faced by his fellow countrymen who earned a living many thousands of kilometres from their homeland.

 

No doubt, many other interesting insights into their collective lives remains to be discovered.

 

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

April 2023