Joseph Raynor was employed as a Seaman on the SS Bobby Towns.    I’m interested in Joseph’s employment on Bobby Towns as it might give clues to his early life in Townsville, and possibly pointers to his earlier life before arrival in Townsville.  As I understand, he arrived in Townsville as a crew member of a Ship, and then left the Ship in Townsville, subsequently finding a job on the SS Bobby Townsville.

The SS Bobby Towns was based in Townsville, therefore Joseph was based in Townsville from then on (if not earlier).  The ship was part of the Burns, Philp and Company (formed in 1883).

As part of the family research, I have done some initial searching about SS Bobby Towns, and found some reference books that might provide more information:

1.  The Main Line Fleet of Burns Philp (1981)

2.  The Ships of Burns, Philp and Company” – Ronald Parsons 1978. ISBN 09O9418 12 8

3.  The History of Burns Philp-The Australian Company in the South Pacific” –  K. Buckley and K. Klugman 1981

Description of Bobbie Towns:   BOBBIE TOWNS 135 gross tons, 75 net. Lbd: 98’2″ x 23’3″ x 7’5″.

Wooden steamship built by G Frost at Kincumber New South Wales for this company. Compound surface condensing engine producing 21 nhp.

Cyclone Leonta (1903):  The Wodonga (moored nearby) broke her moorings and hit Bobby Towns.

New Owners:  October 1915 to Hetherington & Rylance Ltd, Brisbane.

Scrapped:   Brisbane July 1924