Shipping. Departure, The Courier, Brisbane, 29 July 1863, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3164758:

July 28. Williams, steamer, 400 tons, Captain Cottier, for Rockhampton. Passengers [...] Rev. P. Power, Rev. C. Murlay [...]

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Shipping. Arrivals, The Brisbane Courier, 5 September 1864, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1261578:

September 3. - Clarence, s., 500 tons, Captain W. Smith, from Rockhampton and Gladstone, via Maryborough. Passengers [...] Rev. P. Power [...]

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Latest Intelligence, Queensland Daily Guardian, Brisbane, 20 Oct 1865, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article288851891:

Per Electric Telegraph.] (From our own correspondent.] Queensland. Gayndah, October 19. The Rev. P. Power, Catholic clergyman, was drowned last evening, whilst bathing in the Burnett. The body was found, and an inquest held today. A verdict of "found drowned" was returned. The funeral takes place this day.

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Rockhampton Bulletin and Central Queensland Advertiser, 21 October 1865, p 2, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51564724:

The Rev. C. Murlay, Roman Catholic Pastor in this town, received a telegram on Thursday, stating that the Rev. P. Power, late of Rockhampton, was drowned at Gayndah on the preceding day (Wednesday). The Rev. gentleman is in receipt of no particulars further than the statement of the sad event. The Rev. Mr. Power having been known and highly respected by a large portion of the community during his short stay here, this announcement of his sudden decease will be received with unfeigned regret.

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Gayndah. Death of the Rev. P. Power, Queensland Daily Guardian, Brisbane, 28 October 1865, p 6, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article288852084:

18 October 1865. [...] I reopen this to record one of the most melancholy fatal accidents it has ever been my fate to write about. The Rev. Father Power, who has been in this district for the last few weeks attending to the re-erection of the R. C. Chapel, and his spiritual duties, went to the river this evening, accompanied by three young men, and there went into the water to bathe. Whether the rev. gentleman could swim or not, is not clearly known, but it is an unfortunate fact, that he got out of his depth, and sunk immediately. It is a habit with bathers here to make some noise in sport in the water, and some little time was lost therefore, before the full knowledge of the catastrophe was driven home to the minds of several who were onlookers at a little distance ; thus it happened, that when the fact that Father Power was actually drowning became known the rev. gentleman was all but past aid, had it been on the spot to be rendered, which unfortunately it was not. A cry was, however raised, when many persons rushed to the bank, and one gentleman promptly dived into the water ; but such was the bewildered state in which the companions of the drowned man were in, that not one of them could certainly point out the place where he sunk ; therefore the efforts made to recover the body were abortive. Perhaps also, the strong under current in the Burnett had removed the body, or still more likely it had caught in the branches of some fallen tree; be the thing how it may, Mr. Power has gone from our midst most suddenly, and unexpectedly, and has left a great number of persons to sincerely mourn his demise. The circumstance of Mr. Power's death is rendered more saddening from the fact that he had almost completed his five years' mission in Australia, and intended proceeding hence to his native country—Ireland—next June. Mr. Power was a young man, of kindly, winning manners, was beloved by many, and respected by all who had the good fortune to know him. Every effort is at present being made to recover the body.

The Burnett, like all other rivers in Australia, has its bed and banks more or less altered by every flood, and the late flood seems to have given quite a different aspect to the part of the bank where bathers generally go to, that it presented last year; besides, the floods invariably bring down much dead wood, trees, &c., and there is no telling where these will be deposited, thus the bathing place is altered again by some obstruction of this nature. Last year persons went into the water from a shelving gravel bank, that sunk gradually to a depth of about five and a-half feet. Now at the same spot the bather has to start from a soft muddy bank, and in two steps he comes to the edge of the bank, which then goes down perpendicularly to a depth of about six feet or a little more of water, which, in about twenty feet from shore, shoals again rapidly. It was close to the bank Mr. Power is said to have sunk, and it is there the strongest current, as also the dead branches of trees are to be found; it is little wonder then, that having once been lost sight of in the stream, the unfortunate gentleman should be lost to this world for ever. As I write, I am informed that the body has been recovered, it was not twenty feet from the shore, in a depth of water about six feet. The Burnett Argus of the 25th says :— Mr. W. K. Hampson (of Mr. James Walker's establishment) dived in and found it, but could not bring it to the surface. Messrs. Huxham, Kohn, Bligh, and others then went in, and amongst them succeeded in landing it. Numbers of lanterns and lamps were then obtained, the body wrapped up in a sheet and carried up the tortuous banks, amid the grief of friends and the dim glare of the dull lanterns, through the street to Messrs. Power and Connolly's, where the body was laid out. It was a sorry sight. Many a heartfelt pang was occasioned by it ; a gloom was shed over the whole town, and the light breeze seemed to mutter a low penetrating moan that curdled the blood. His loss was the more keenly felt for that he had endeared himself to all his church; and that fact could not be concealed. On the following day (Thursday) his remains were interred at the foot of the altar of the new Catholic Chapel, being followed thither by nearly all our inhabitants. All business was suspended for the day, and a feeling of regret pervaded the breasts of all in town. The deceased's name was Pierce J. Power ; he was a native of Carrick, Tipperary, Ireland ; educated at Maynooth College, and at the time of his death was thirty years of age.

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Death of the Rev. Father Power, Freeman's Journal, Sydney, 11 November 1865, p 10, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115450878:

(From the Burnett Argus.)
On Wednesday evening last the Rev. Father Power, R.C., was drowned whilst bathing in the Burnett River, at Gayndah. 'Twas a melancholy circumstance. It appears that the reverend Gentleman went to the river in company of Messrs. Walsh, Franklin, Keneally, and B. B. Power to see the three firstnamed parties bathe. The various depths from the bank to the "footing" were then shown by Keneally, to the reverend gentleman, and he was induced to venture in : it must be remarked that at this bathing-place the water is much deeper near to the bank than it is a few yards out. By the time he had undressed the whole party were disporting themselves, in the middle of the stream, little heeding his entry into the water, for he had assured them on his way down to the river that he could swim, but it was then some five years since he did so. He plunged in, and was observed, as was thought by the swimmers, to be "paddling,"— but, alas ! he was struggling with Death. Mr. B. B. Power, who at this juncture was on the bank, instantly called the attention of those in the water to the fact that the reverend gentleman was drowning. Walsh swam towards him ; the drowning man grasped at him and missed him ; Walsh then lost confidence, and found it difficult to save himself. The unfortunate gentleman was then observed to rise to the water's surface and sink again several times,— still struggling, and no help available though plenty looking on,— and eventually disappeared with his hands uplifted, as it were to heaven. The alarm was immediately given that the priest was drowning ; this was re-echoed again and again; and in a few seconds some fifty or sixty persons were at the scene of the sad occurrence. Mr. Watson, scarcely giving himself time to undress, plunged in and dived about, but could not find the body, — several then went in, but with a like result, until after it had been immersed an hour and a half, when Mr. W. K. Hampson (of Mr. James Walker's establishment) dived in near to where in its life it had gone in, and found it, but could not bring it to the surface. Messrs. Huxham, Kohn, Bligh, and others then went in, and amongst them succeeded in landing it. Numbers of lanterns and lamps were then obtained, the body wrapped in a sheet, and carried up the tortuous banks, amid the grief of friends and the dim glare of the dull lanterns, through the street and to Messrs. Power and Connolly's, where the body was laid out. It was a sorry sight. Many a heartfelt pang was occasioned by it; a gloom was shed over the whole town, and the light breeze seemed to mutter a low penetrating moan that curdled the blood.

"Poor Father Power is drowned !" was softly and sorrowfully uttered from every side, from all tongues. He, a corpse, who two hours before was buoyant in spirit, hope, and anticipation! One who appeared destined to do great spiritual good, — whose high and holy aspirations were budding into usefulness, expanding their beneficial influence in many directions, — cut off even in the zenith of his holy mission. What a verification of that beautiful passage, "In the midst of life we are in death." A fearful lesson of our impotence!

His loss was the more keenly felt for that he had endeared himself to all his church; and that fact could not be concealed.

On the following day (Thursday) his remains were interred at the foot of the altar of the new Catholic Chapel, being followed thither by nearly all our inhabitants. All business was suspended for the day, and a feeling of regret pervaded the breasts of all in town. The deceased's name was Pierce J. Power; he was a native of Carrick, Tipperary, Ireland; educated at Maynooth College, and, at the time of his death, was thirty years of age. He had purposed going home in the course of a year or so; but, alas! he has travelled too far, and has gone to "that bourne from whence no traveller returneth."

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Removal of a Priest's Remains, The Age, Brisbane, 17 October 1914, p 1:

Sad memories of many old residents of Gayndah were revived on Tuesday, 6th inst., when the remains of the late Father Pierce Power were removed to make way for the new church building, which is now in course of erection. Some 49 years ago this promising young priest was accidentally drowned alongside the township whilst bathing with some others in the Burnett River. He was then only in his thirtieth year, and greatly beloved by all who knew him. To show their esteem for him they erected over his grave a nicely carved monument, suitably inscribed, and enclosed by a very handsome iron railing, and protected all round by a substantial wooden fence. When the new church foundations were marked out it was found that the grave would lie close to the new building, and it was thought that the last and best tribute to the memory of the deceased would be to place the remains under the High Altar in the new church. This was accordingly done on Tuesday, and the ceremony though brief, was a very solemn and edifying one, all the men engaged at the building and a few others, standing round the grave while Father Brady recited a portion of the Church Ritual suitable for such an occasion. Had there been time to have given due notice of the ceremony many of the deceased's old friends would have been present to join in the last prayers, but as the anniversary of the good priest's death is soon to occur, prayers were offered up for the repose of his soul at the old church on Sunday last.—R.I.P.

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Denis M. Long, Pioneer and Early Priests, Archdiocese of Brisbane, Deceased or retired by 1929, 2021, pp 5-7:
Rev Father Pierce J Power

Pierce J Power was born in 1835 at Carrick-on-Suir in co Tipperary to Matthew and Mary (nee Cullen) Power. He was the third child and eldest son of their seven children; 3 girls and 4 boys. Pierce was educated at the national school in Carrick-on-Suir, then at Mt Melleray before completing his ecclesiastical education at St Patrick’s Maynooth.

A few years after ordination Fr Pierce Power came to Australia on the ill-fated ship Erin-go-Bragh arriving in Moreton Bay on August 1, 1862. He was a co-chaplain with Fr Patrick Dunne who was deeply involved in organising the Queensland Immigration Society for Bishop Quinn.

The saga of the Erin-go-Bragh is a sad story. The journey took nearly six months, instead of the usual three. Fifty one persons - 12.5% of passengers - died on the journey. Fr Patrick Dunne and his fellow chaplain Fr Power were honoured with an address by all on board.

Address of the Passengers of the ship Erin-go-Bragh
To the Rev Messrs Dunne and Power
Dear and Rev Sirs – The time of our separation being now at hand, we the undersigned, beg in the most respectful and grateful manner to tender you this address as a humble token of our high appreciation of your kindness, affability, and condescension to us during the long and trying voyage just terminated – your wise and good advices to us on all occasions when necessary – your combined, zealous, parental, praiseworthy, and untiring exertions in the promotion and preservation of good feeling, religion, and morality amongst us, the beneficial results of which must be manifest to every unprejudiced mind – the deep, anxious and paternal interest, both in our temporal and spiritual welfare, exhibited by you, and which is so highly characteristic of the Catholic priest.
Rev Sirs, there are many amongst us whose acquaintance with you is rather limited, yet we have all great pleasure in uniting on this occasion to return you our heartfelt thanks. We sincerely regret, dear and Rev Sirs, that owing to our present peculiar position, we have it not in our power to express our gratitude to you in a more substantial manner. All we can now do is to unite most cordially in returning you our sincerest thanks – in telling you that your kindness and courtesy to us for the past six months has made an indelible impression on our hearts that will descend with us to the grave; and that we are firmly resolved, with God’s help, that our future conduct in our new homes will be such as will in some measure repay for your pains and trouble amongst us.
We now, Rev Sirs, bid you farewell, and we do so with sensations of pleasure and pain – pleasure at the anticipation of again meeting you occasionally in the land of our adoption – pain at the thought that such meetings must necessarily be, with most of us, few and far between.
With kindest wishes for your future health and happiness, and wishing you every success wherever you may go, we beg, dear and Rev Sirs, in behalf of the passengers of the above named ship, to subscribe ourselves, W Egan, M Syman, Thos Clohesy, M McDermott, P J Hughes, C O’Driscoll, M O’Sullivan, T Connolly, A E North, T North August 9th, 1862 (1)

On his arrival in the colony Fr Power ministered in Brisbane until the end of 1863 when he was appointed to Rockhampton. Early in 1865 he moved to assist the ailing Dean Tissot in Maryborough. At this time Gayndah was under the care of Maryborough. In the second half of that year Fr Power arrived in Gayndah, possibly to settle there.

After only a short time in Gayndah Fr Power was tragically drowned in the Burnett River on 18 October.

A Gayndah correspondent‘s account of his death appeared in the Maryborough Chronicle:

The death by drowning of the Rev Father Power, which occurred on the evening of Wednesday last, is one of the most painful stories it has been my lot to tell, and one that will spread universal sorrow and regret whenever it becomes known. The deceased, accompanied by three other young men, went between six and seven in the evening, to bathe in the river immediately in front of Mr J Connolly’s store. It was the first time he had been, and he appeared somewhat diffident about going in, but having seen one of the young men go in, and at the request of another sound the depth, which was at that place about seven or eight feet, he proceeded to undress, and went into the water. By this time the three others had swum to shallow ground; but on looking round they were horrified to see the deceased struggling in the deep water between them and the bank. Their attention was called by a fifth young man, who was a painful witness from the bank, and one of them swum to his assistance. At the time deceased was struggling violently, and sank two or three times; he rose, however, as the swimmer reached him, and made an effort to clutch his would-be saver; this so unnerved the young man that he was powerless to render further aid and swam away; the other two, who had not confidence in their own strength or skill to be of any use, and appalled by the fear of their own death, were powerless and all but speechless witnesses. The fourth ran for help. But ere it came, the deceased had sunk to rise in life no more. A great many persons quickly assembled, and Mr Watson, of the telegraph office, plunged in, hoping to save the life if possible, but not withstanding all his efforts, they were unavailing. After about two hours’ time, however, the body was recovered by Mr Huxham, who, with Messrs Bligh, W K Hampson, Kom and others, had been searching by diving. Hampson was the first to find it. I would here testify to the strenuous and manly exertions that were made by these parties, and cannot refrain from particularising Mr Bligh's conduct, which deserves unusual credit. After about an hour’s ineffectual search by dragging, he was the first to go into the water and he never left it until the recovery of the body. The deceased was conveyed to the residence of Mr F G Connolly, and was interred the following evening at five o’clock in the ground of the Roman Catholic chapel. The funeral was the largest ever Gayndah has witnessed, and business people of the town showed their sympathy and respect by closing their several establishments. The funeral cortege with 250 followers – their mournful faces – and the gloomy aspect of all around, but too clearly demonstrated the grief and sorrow that prevailed. The thought of losing by death, one, who but a few short hours was in our midst, full of life and hope, was in itself enough to teach us a melancholy lesson – one that will never be effaced. Father Power was a native of Carrick, Tipperary, Ireland; he came to this country in the ill-fated ship, Erin-go-Bragh, and has been employed on the Catholic mission in different portions of the colony. He has been amongst us but a few short weeks; but by his kindness, benevolence and Christian feeling had won the respect of all who had come to know him. He was greatly esteemed among his own congregation, who by his death lost a good friend and a faithful pastor; for in the words of Goldsmith:
His ready smile a parent’s warmth expressed –
Their welfare pleased him, and their cares distressed(2)

Mrs Carolyn Nolan, assistant to Fr Denis Martin in the Archdiocesan archives for many years, showed me a letter that her great grandfather, Francis Glynn Connolly, wrote to his sister in law, Mrs Ann Power, (no relation to Fr Pierce) concerning the death of Fr Pierce.

I have the melancholy intelligence to inform you of the death of Father Power, a priest who only arrived here about three months ago. The poor fellow went to the river to bathe in company of Walsh, Pat, and Franklin below where the old pound used to be and unfortunately the poor fellow drowned. I was in Maryboro (sic) at the time delivering cattle I sold and received a great shock when I heard the news. The poor fellow was well liked in the place and I believe had a very large funeral. He is interred at the altar end of the chapel for the reconstruction of which he was collecting at the time of his death.(3)

The place of his burial was where a chapel had been constructed in 1864 by Fr Edward O’Donohue. It was destroyed by a storm in December of that year before it could be used. When the present Gayndah Catholic church was being constructed Fr Power’s grave was found to be where the foundations of the Church were to be laid. It was decided to reinter his remains under the site of the main altar of the church. Fr Patrick Brady, parish priest at the time, in a brief but solemn and edifying ceremony reburied the remains as he recited a portion of the Church Ritual suitable for such an occasion.(4)

With no priest to officiate at the burial, the witnesses were W H Franklin and John Connolly. Fr Hanly celebrated the first Mass in Gayndah in the home of John Connolly in 1853.(5)

Frank Glynn Connolly, Galway immigrant, was one of the most prominent people in Gayndah. With his brother John Connolly, both were elected to the first Town Council. By a narrow margin Frank Glyn Connolly was elected as the first mayor of Gayndah. By 1866 he was steward at the races and Treasurer of the School of Arts Building Fund. … … …
Bishop Quinn had married Frank Connolly to Ellen Maria Power on 6th August, 1861 and would seem to have kept in regular contact with them. In April 1865, he (Bishop Quinn) wrote to Connolly and suggested that he offer himself as a candidate for the Legislative Assembly.(6)

Was Fr Pierce Power related to Fr James Power who was parish priest of Sandgate for 40 of the 50 years he served in that parish? Fr James was a native of Carrickbeg, County Waterford only a few miles away. Monsignor Justin McCarthy, a native of Dungarvan in County Waterford, told me that the Powers were a force to be reckoned with in the presbyterate of Waterford Diocese. Following the monsignor’s retirement from Rosalie in 1970 he was succeeded by Fr Denis Power, a nephew of Fr James.

There is a sad saga to the story. Fr Pierce’s younger brother, John Francis, arrived in Queensland in November 1862. He became a police constable. With another constable, Patrick W Cahill, he was murdered on 5 November 1867 at Mackenzie River Crossing 130 miles from Rockhampton. They were escorting the carrying £4,000 in bank notes from Rockhampton to Clermont. They had been poisoned and shot. Thomas Griffin, a gold commissioner and former police magistrate, was convicted of and hung for the crime. Added to the sorrow was the following report:

Power’s father survived the shock of his eldest son’s death but a few months; and the younger son only awaited the conclusion of his service, by the disbanding of the Clermont party, to hasten home to his widowed mother, who naturally looked to him as the prop of her declining years.(7)

Footnotes
1. Courier, Brisbane, 19 Aug 1862, p. 3.
2. Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, 28 Oct 1865, p. 3.
3. Frank Glynn Connolly, Letter to Ann Power, 1865.
4. Catholic Advocate, Brisbane, 15 Oct 1914, p. 21.
5. Moreton Bay Courier, 1 Aug 1857. (quoted by Fr Denis Martin)
6. Patrick Tynan, Constantine Rossolini - Pioneer Priest of the Burnett, 2002, p.25.
7. Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, 6 Jun 1868, p. 2.

Reproduced by permission of Fr Denis Long.