Mr Murchison, tragically, was on his final patrol before resigning. As for Mr Kelly, a senior inspector, it was his first patrol after taking up duties in Bundaberg about a month before. The men would normally not have ventured so far north around Bustard Bay, but with the Gladstone inspector on leave, the duo decided to take up the patrol. On June 24, an oar and hat were found at Jenny Lind Creek around noon, prompting a full-scale search of land, air and sea. The search was called off when torn and ripped clothing, that looked like it had been in the jaws of sharks, was discovered.