Kerosine Jack-an update
Following on from last week’s Article The Lost Loot of Lima we had a wonderful update from Richard Bell, on the ground in Queenscliff. These Documents are part of a Queenscliff Historical Museum project about the Fishermen and Families on Fisherman’s Flat, Queenscliff.
(click to enlarge)
Giovanni Karasino was also known as “Kerosine Jack” & “Stingaree Jack”. He was a Spanish seaman whose marriage certificate states that he was born in Genoa.
He married the widow Anna White in 1881, she was then 62 years old, she died in 1885. Giovanni died on 1/2/1902 of heart failure.
In Queenscliff he lived in a hut on Fish Street (Bridge Street) from 1884 to 1886. He did not hold a lease, and likely was subletting a secondary cottage. He was at 24 Beach Street from 1887 to 1901. His occupation was then described as a Fish Hawker. In the Rate Book his last name variously appears as Karosino and Carasino, his first as Giovanni, Jack or John.
He promoted the Bonito’s Treasure Legend, producing a treasure map. He claimed to be Bonito’s son.
