DEPARTURE OF HMS CALCUTTA FROM ENGLAND

Ipswich  Journal. 15 January 1803

His Majesty’s ship Calcutta, Capt. Woodriffe, is dropped down to Long Reach, nearly ready for sea; she is to take on board 450 convicts, men and women for New South Wales. Mr. William Dowers is appointed to her as Lieutenant. T. Scott Smith, the sham Parson of St. Martin’s who was convicted of forgery, but had his sentence commuted for perpetual transportation, goes in this ship for Port Jackson

Lieut. Col. Collins of the Marines and lately Judge Advocate of Port Jackson, has been appointed Lieutenant Gov. of a Settlement, about to be formed at Port Phillip in Bass Straits, in the southern parts of New Holland, about latitude 40. The convicts going out in the Calcutta are to form this new Colony, and the military force is to comprise 200 marines exclusive of officers. Port Phillip so named after Gov. Phillip, is in the finest country imaginable, abounding with excellent harbours, and is considered as much superior in point of soil to Port Jackson. Lieut. Colonel Collins is intimately acquainted with that part of the world, and has written some interesting tracts on the subject. His salary is fixed at £500 a year. Gov. Hunter has received a pension of £300 per annum for his services in NSW

Ipswich  Journal 30 April 1803

His Majesty's ship Calcutta, now at Portsmouth, Capt. D. Woodriff is going to New South Wales with convicts, where a new Colony is to be formed, under the government of Lieut. Col. Collins, of the royal Marines; she is accompanied by the Ocean transport, which has on board a number of volunteer settlers. It is highly to the credit of Capt. W. and his Officers to records, that with 300 convicts on board, now 3 months, they have only had one death, Smith, the sham parson; and at this moment only 3 on the sick list, and those not dangerously; this is entirely to be attributed to the unremitted exertion of the Officers to have them clean; at 5 every morning their hammocks are carried up on the booms, and the decks washed and scraped; and as many are admitted in turn, as is consistent with safety, upon deck for 2 hours every day. The 7 mutineers from the 25th regiment, who were sent home from Gibraltar, came on board on Friday evening. The Rev. Mr. Knopwood goes out Chaplain to the settlement. On board the Calcutta, Government have allowed 50 healthy young women to go out wit them; they, doubtless, will form not the least important part of the stock taken out for the effectual colonization of this hitherto unexplored region, certainly situated at the farthest limits of the known world.