Master Henry Ager. Surgeon Alick Osborne

The Fairlie departed England on the 27 October 1833 and arrived in Port Jackson on 15 February 1834, a voyage of 111 days. She was one of fourteen convict ships arriving in New South Wales in 1834.

372 male convicts arrived under the care of surgeon Alick Osborne. Alick Osborne kept a Medical Journal from 17 September 1833 to 8 March 1834. He was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Lonach 1825   Speke 1826  Sophia 1829  Sarah 1829  Planter 1832  Marquis of Huntley 1835 and Elphinstone 1838

The Guard consisted of 29 rank and file of 17th, 21st, 39th and 50th regiments including soldiers Thomas Burgen, Joseph Crowden, Michael Murphy and Michael Scanlan; as well as 4 women, 12 children and 3 female servants.

Distribution of 372 male convicts who arrived on the Fairlie -  319 were assigned to private service; 3 in hospital; 9 unfit for assignment; 24 placed in an iron gang; 4 sent to Norfolk Island; 3 sent to Port Macquarie (specials); 8 sent to Carter's Barracks; and 2 in gaol committed for trial. Eighty-seven men from the Fairlie have been identified residing in the Hunter region in the following decades.

Find out more about bushranger Timothy Bowser who arrived on the Fairlie

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Fairlie in 1834

Master Henry Dale. Surgeon John Mortimer

The Caledonian Mercury reported on Saturday 28th September 1816 that on the previous Wednesday 135 convicts were embarked at Portsmouth for New South Wales, on board the ship Fame, and the next day 116 were sent to the Sir William Bensley for the same colony. Both ships were expected to sail immediately and planned to touch at the Cape of Good Hope on the way.

The convict ship Fame departed Spithead 9 October 1816 and arrived in Port Jackson 8 March 1817.

She brought 198 male prisoners, two having died on the passage out viz. William Banks of consumption and William Collins of old age.  Forty seven of the prisoners were under the age of 21.

The prisoners were landed on Friday Morning 14th March and at 10 o'clock were inspected by His Excellency the Governor (Lachlan Macquarie); to whom they unanimously declared that during the entire passage they had experienced the most humane treatment. 30 privates and non commissioned officers of the 46th regiment under the orders of Lieutenant Orange arrived on the Fame. Passengers Captain and Mrs. Laycock.  Surgeon John Mortimer.

Hunter Convicts arriving on the Fame 1817

Master John Wallis. Surgeon William McDonald

The convict ship Fanny departed the Downs 25 August 1815 with 174 prisoners, called at Rio on 21st October - 30th October, and arrived in Port Jackson 18 January 1816.  Thirty eight of the prisoners were under the age of 21 years.

William McDonald was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the convict ship Larkins in 1817

The Fanny brought the news to the colonies of 'some brilliant and important victories by the armies under the Command of the Duke of Wellington, in Conjunction with those of the allies, the King of Prussia, commanded by Prince Blucher, terminating in the total Defeat of Bonaparte'. Bonaparte had been sent to St. Helena under a strong guard where he was to remain under the special care of a British Regiment commanded by General Sir Hudson Lowe. A list of killed and wounded officers was included in the Sydney Gazette of the 20th January 1816. Included on the list of severely wounded men was Captain Henry Dumaresq, Aide de Camp to General Sir J. Byng

The prisoners of the Fanny were landed on Thursday 25th January with those of the Marian; after being clothed and inspected by His Excellency the Governor (Lachlan Macquarie), they were appointed to the various occupations they appeared best adapted to.

Among the 171 male prisoners who arrived in Port Jackson on the Fanny was Dr. Thomas Parmeter

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Fanny in 1816

Captain Sherwood. Surgeon Francis Logan

The convict ship 'Fanny' departed the Downs on 29th July 1832. She spent seven weeks at Simon's Bay before departing for Sydney where she arrived on Friday 2 February 1833.

Ninety-eight female prisoners and nine children arrived, eight woman having died on the passage out. Surgeon superintendents were Francis Logan and William Marshall of the Royal Navy.

Before the vessel even left port, Francis Logan was taken ill and unable to attend some of the women who had become ill in July.  Jane Mills died on 4 July, Jane Shannon died on 7 July, Sarah Ralph died 9 July, Mary Lynch died 11 July, Hannah Burke died on 17 July 1832 , Matilda Hill died 21 July, all of cholera. Later in the voyage Ann Jones died after giving birth on 13th October. Fanny Barr died 22 January 22 1833 after a fever of several weeks. Eliza Baldwinson came close to death after suffering scurvy for most of the voyage.

On the 7th February the following notice appeared in the Sydney Gazette: 'Families who are in want of female servants, may be supplied from the prisoners who arrived in the Fanny, provided they apply according to the established form. The assignees will be required to enter into an engagement, under a penalty of forty shillings, to keep their servants for one month, unless removed by due course of law'

 It was expected that the women would be disembarked early in the week beginning Monday 11 February 1833, however they weren't landed until the morning of Tuesday 19 February immediately before the men of the convict ship Roslin Castle were also landed.

The women of the Fanny were assigned to various applicants, although the number of applicants was two hundred above the number of women available to be assigned. The Sydney Gazette reported that their appearance indicated possession of excellent health and praised the good care of the surgeon during the voyage. Sixteen of the women were to be sent to Bathurst, to which place they were conveyed in the caravan usually employed in transporting women to the Parramatta Factory.

Ten of the women who arrived on the Fanny have so far been identified later residing in the Hunter Valley area.

The Fanny was one of five convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1833, the others being the Surry, Caroline, Buffalo and Diana. A total of 639 female convicts arrived in the colony in 1833.

Francis Logan was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Champion 1827  Royal Sovereign 1835  and Mangles 1837

Captain John Groves. Surgeon Charles Cameron

In October 1828, it was reported in England that a detachment belonging to the 82nd Regiment of Foot marched from Chatham to Sheerness, for the purpose of relieving a detachment of the 63d Regiment of Infantry, which had been ordered to embark on board the Ferguson convict ship, as guards, for New South Wales. The detachment of the 63rd was under orders of Capt. D'arcy Wentworth.

The convict ship Ferguson 654 tons, departed Dublin on 16th November 1828 and arrived in Sydney on Thursday 26th March 1829 with 214 male prisoners. Two prisoners died of scurvy on the voyage out.

Surgeon superintendent Charles Cameron R.N., kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 23 September to 8 April 1829. The prisoners were already in a low state of health when they were embarked and bad weather in the early part of the voyage caused many of them to suffer sea sickness. Scorbutus (scurvy) had appeared in the prisoners and soldiers by early March and although the cases were numerous, the surgeon did not consider most of them serious.

On 26 March 1829 Charles Cameron reported that fresh beef and vegetables being daily supplied to the prisoners, would improve the general health of the scorbutic patients rapidly. The prisoners being about to land on 29th March two men Thomas Ivory and Christopher Boylen, were sent to the hospital and another four persons John Ryan, Hugh Ritchie, Patrick Quin, and John Clarke sent as convalescents, as they were still too weak to be assigned as servants to settlers.

Passengers arriving on the Ferguson included Thomas Stafford Esq., D.A.C.G. Dr. Russell, Assistant Surgeon of the 63rd Regiment, Ensign Dunbar of the 39th Regiment and Master James.

Charles Cameron was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Midas 1825  Princess Charlotte 1827 and the David Lyon 1830 (to VDL)

Master John Jeffrey Drake. Surgeon Andew Henderson

The Florentia departed Sheerness on 15 August 1830 and arrived in Port Jackson 15 December 1830 with 196 male prisoners, four having died on the passage out.

Andrew Henderson was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical Journal from 16 July to 27 December 1830.

The Guard consisted of 29 rank and file of the 13th Regiment, 4 women and 5 children, under the command of Lieutenant Maclerin who was accompanied by his wife. Members of the Guard who were treated by surgeon Andrew Henderson -  John McGarvey; John goff; Francis Leveretts; Thomas Lowden; Joseph Dorman; James McCurry; John McNiel; Thomas McLanghlan; John Keeling; Dennis Cochran.

Andrew Henderson was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Royal Admiral 1833,  Aurora 1835 (VDL), St. Vincent 1837  and Royal Sovereign 1838 (VDL)

The Florentia brought to the colony the news of the July Revolution in France. The Monitor reported 7000 people had been killed in Paris.

Bushranger John Smith arrived on the Florentia as did convict surgeon Patrick Montgomery

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Florentia in 1830

Master David Proudfoot. Surgeon William Clifford

The convict ship Forth departed Cork 1 January 1830 and arrived in Port Jackson 26 April 1830 with 115 male prisoners, three having died on the voyage. 

Surgeon Superintendent was William Clifford was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal  from 20 December 1829 to 4 May 1830.

William Clifford was also surgeon on the convict ships Harmony (VDL)  Norfolk 1832 and Sir Charles Forbes 1837

The guard consisted of Ensign Miller and 27 rank and file of the 17th regt., with 3 women and 2 children under command of Capt. Clunie.

Captain Clunie was appointed Commandant at Moreton Bay. He succeeded Captain Patrick Logan when that officer was murdered

Captain James Robertson. Surgeon Joseph Cook

The Times reported in June - On Thursday morning at an early hour, 120 female convicts were removed from the Penitentiary to the 'Lee' steam boat, and proceeded in her to the 'Forth' convict ship at Cove, In which they take their passage to NSW; there are also the wives and children of 23 free settlers, who proceed in this vessel by the humane grant of Government, for whom every necessary has been provided. It was pleasing to observe the healthy appearance of the convicts, on their way to the steam boat, and also the demeanour which marked their sensibility at leaving their native land, under circumstances which attention to morality would have prevented.

The Forth was one of three convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1830 the others being the Asia and the Roslin Castle. A total of 444 female convicts arrived in the colony in 1830.

Joseph Cook was also surgeon on the convict ships Southworth 1822 Sir Charles Forbes 1825 (VDL)  Phoenix 1826  Louisa 1827  Mellish 1829  and Portland 1832

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Forth (11) in 1830 (female convicts)

Captain Henry Moore

The convict ship Fortune arrived in Port Jackson on 12th July 1806, with 242 male convicts and a military guard of 27 rank and file commanded by Ensign Mullin of the 8th Royal Veterans Battalion.

She had departed 28th January in company with the Porpoise and Alexander and store ship Lady Madeline Sinclair. Captain William Bligh was on board the Madeline Sinclair. The Fortune  arrived at Rio 11th April and departed there 30th April leaving the Alexander and Elizabeth whalers at that port. She parted company with the Porpoise and Sinclair on 10th April, when the Sinclair proceeded to the Cape.

Three convicts and a soldier of the Fortune died on the passage out

On the 20th July the Sydney Gazette reported that twenty convicts who arrived on the Fortune were proceeding to Port Dalrymple on the storeship Venus

Master Thomas Walker

The convict ship Fortune departed England 3 December 1812, stopped at Rio 3rd February 1813 to 22nd March, and arrived in Port Jackson 11 June 1813 with 196 prisoners in a healthy state.

On the passage 2 died - John Birnie and William Miles and 2 others drowned Thomas Simpson and John Payne. A soldier Michael Dwyer, who was accidentally shot in the leg also died after suffering amputation of the limb. Thirty six of the prisoners were under the age of 21.

The Ticket of Leave was one of the key incentives to good behaviour within the convict system. It provided a measure of freedom after several years of acceptable conduct; most importantly permission for convicts to work for their own benefit.........

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Fortune in 1813

Master William Harrison.  Surgeon Major West

The Francis & Eliza departed Cork 5 December 1814 and was taken on 4th January by the Warrior privateer. She was plundered before being given up and allowed to continue on the journey. She arrived at Teneriffe prior to 12th January.

The Francis & Eliza was one of two convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1815, the other being the Northampton. A total of 171 female prisoners arrived in the colony in 1815.

Arrived on 22 November 1817 from India via the Derwent

Convicts arriving on the Frederick in 1817

Captain James Ralph

The Friends departed England, sailed via Rio de Janeiro and arrived in Port Jackson on Thursday 10th October bringing 100 female prisoners all in a healthy state

The following February (1812) Commissary William Broughton gave notice that the convicts of the  Friends who were employed at Government labour were entitled to the summer issue of clothing only. This consisted for the men of One duck frock, one pair duck trousers, one cotton shirt, one pair of shoes and one leather cap; and for the women, one linen cloth jacket, one shift, one pair of shoes, one straw bonnet.

Governor Macquarie wrote in a dispatch to Lord Liverpool in October 1811 -   "I have to inform your Lordship that I have, on all arrivals of convicts ships, ordered a muster to be immediately taken of the convicts on ship board by my Secretary and the Acting Commissary, and I afterwards take a muster of them myself so soon as landed, in order to ascertain the manner they have been treated during the voyage, and whether they have any complaints to prefer against the commander or surgeon of the ship in which they came. By the previous muster I also acquire a knowledge of the trades or professions of the convicts, which enables me to appropriate them afterwards in the most advantageous way for Government, and at the same time most easy for themselves. I have much satisfaction in reporting to your Lordship that the convicts arrived by the four ships Indian, Providence, Admiral Gambier and Friends were in general in good health, having been well treated on board, and had no complains to make against either the commanders or the surgeons. (HR NSW Vol. VII)

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Friends in 1811

The convict ship Friendship under Lieutenant Shortland arrived in Botany Bay on January 19, 1788 (80 male and 24 female convicts) Marine Officers - Capt. Lieut. Meredith, Lieut. Clarke, Lieut. Faddy

Image of engraved commemorative coin depicting convict ship Fiendship 1788 at the National Maritme Museum Greenwich

Convicts arriving on the Friendship in 1788

The Convict ship Friendship arrived in Port Jackson on 16 February 1800, having departed Cork 24 August 1799.

133 prisoners embarked at Cork and nineteen died on the passage out.

The wife of Captain Reed kept a diary beginning when the vessel still lay in Waterford.

Select here to read the diary of the wife of Captain Hugh Reed

Convicts of the Friendship later sent to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley included:  David Bell, William Briggs, Hugh Develyn, Timothy Hector, Thomas Logan and Thomas Osborne .

There were a number of United Irishmen on the Friendship. In September an Irish Conspiracy was uncovered. The plan was to overturn the government by putting Governor King to Death and confining Governor Hunter. The rebels were to meet at and take Parramatta and then before day light take the Barracks at Sydney. And afterwards to live on the Farms of the Settlers until they heard from France where they had intended to dispatch a ship. The rebels were well armed with pikes and were to be joined by soldiers who it was planned would take the guns to South Head and other places of security. When the plan was revealed, Governor Hunter ordered an enquiry.

One of the rebels was Patrick (Paddy) Galvin.......Unfinished Revolution, United Irishmen in NSW by Anne-Maree Whittaker

Select here to read what happened to Patrick (Paddy) Galvin at the hands of Dr. Martin after the failed rebellion

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Friendship in 1800

Captain Andrew Armet. Surgeon Peter Cosgreave

The convict ship Friendship  departed from England on 3 July 1817. 

While off the coast of Madeira Captain Armet received on board six Spaniards and an American sailor who had almost perished being in just a small boat. They were pirates from South America and were later transhipped to an American vessel to be landed at Bonavista.

Passengers on the Friendship included William Cordeaux and Thomas Walker, two men of high rank in the Commissariat. Another passenger Mr. John Gyles, a Missionary who was intending to travel on to Otaheite, in correspondence to Rev. Marsden, later censured the captain for inhumanity in the infliction of punishment; the use of a wooden collar being employed on the voyage; and for lack of control of the women.  The case was later discussed in the House of Lords:

'Mr. Gyles also asserted that no precautions were adopted by Captain Armet or surgeon Cosgreave to prevent an improper intercourse between the crew and the convicts ; and it certainly appears, by the evidence of Mr. Cordeaux, that the very simple and obvious one of depositing the keys of the prison in a place of security during the night, was not resorted to till after a complaint was made at St. Helena. In consequence of this neglect, a very general intercourse took place between the crew and the female convicts ; and after it had been once permitted, the captain and the surgeon, though not without a sense of the advantages that they expected to derive from a strict performance of their duty, had lost that authority over their subordinate officers, that might have enabled them to have enforced some restraint upon the crew; their attempts to restore it were ineffectual, and, in making them, they were opposed by the vicious inclinations of the women themselves.'

John Gyles wrote that the conduct of the surgeon and master during the whole passage was very bad; they seldom spoke to any of the convicts without oaths; the treatment of the convicts and others was truly distressing; little or no attention was paid to cleanliness; no vice restrained, excepting in the latter part of the voyage. On arrival at St. Helena the names of the female convicts were then called, and from that time they were locked down at night between decks. The passengers and convicts suffered much for the want of water, though there was plenty on board; the quantity allowed to a grown person was about three pints for 24 hours, for all purposes of cooking etc and half that quantity for a child. This quantity was not more than half enough in the hot weather and the children suffered very much. The canisters of fresh meat, of veal, mutton and beef, were eaten principally at the captain's table and the offals sent to the sick prisoners in lieu. From the whole the convicts and passengers suffered greatly from the unfeeling conduct of the master and surgeon who are both very profane men possessed of little humanity.

However on arrival in Port Jackson, the women of the Friendship apparently indicated to Superintendent Mr. Hutchinson, that they were perfectly satisfied with the conduct of the captain. Mr. Campbell's muster of them on board also declared that no complaints were made on the voyage. Nevertheless an inquiry was instigated. Correspondence was forwarded to government including that of Amelia Wood on behalf of the other free female passengers; M.C. Kearns, Captain's steward, and 3rd Mate Robert Culverwell. Peter Cosgreave forwarded correspondence of his own stating that Amelia Wood, wife of a convict who arrived in 1809, came on board with her daughter by order of government. She attempted to bring another child by surreptitious means; and on the voyage gave birth to a son.

Surgeon Cosgreave did make some favourable recommendations on arrival. Mary Jones had acted as nurse and had behaved with the greatest propriety and humanity and he recommended her to the Governor.

One hundred and ninety seven female prisoners arrived in Port Jackson under the medical superintendence of Peter Cosgreave R.N., Three women died on the passage - Ann Beal, Sarah Blower and Martha Thatcher. Jane Brown also died having thrown herself overboard. 

On Friday 30 January twenty eight of the women were landed; sixteen of them had husbands already in the colony and were allowed to join them and the remaining twelve went as servants into various families. Thirteen others, who were afflicted with scorbutic diseases, were sent to the General Hospital; and 56 were transhipped from the Friendship to the Duke of Wellington, to be conveyed to Hobart Town, together with 28 artificers and mechanics, sent from Sydney to be employed on the Government works there.