Captain George Baker. Surgeon Philip Toms

The Maitland 618 tons, departed Sheerness 22nd March 1840 bringing mostly English and Scottish, male convicts. She arrived at Port Jackson on 14 July 1840

Philip Toms was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical Journal from 3 March to 22 July 1840. He wrote in his general remarks at the end of the voyage.......

From the time of embarkation on the 8th March until the beginning of July, six prisoners only were placed on the sick list, all the other prisoners having enjoyed remarkable good health during the passage and as we were now so near our destination I fully anticipated them being landed without any deaths, but about this time eight or ten of the prisoners presented themselves with symptoms of scurvy and one of that number terminated fatally on the 14th July, a few hours after our arrival at Sydney. The other cases did well, but four of them not being sufficiently recovered to go into Barracks were sent to Hospital in a state of convalescence, the others having quite recovered were landed with the remainder of the prisoners on 22nd July.

I regret to add that in addition to the death above alluded to, two of the prisoners accidentally fell over board during the passage and were drowned, one of them viz James Rhodes on the 25 April and the other Henry Windward on the 27th of the same month.   The total number therefore of the prisoners landed at Sydney was 302.

Twenty six convicts who arrived on the Maitland were soldiers who were court-martialled in Canada for desertion or other military offences: - John Artler; John Bannon; John Blot; George Cadness; Francis Calva; Robert Campbell; Edward Courtney; Stephen Connell; William Darnell; Daniel Davidson; Daniel Donovan; John Galvin; Richard Gilbey; John Gill; William Graham; John Hart; Charles Hunter; Michael Linehan; Patrick McCarthy; Donald McDonald;  James McGanley; Henry Rose; William Sheriffs; Joseph Smith; Daniel Spillane; George Warr

The Malabar was built in Shields in 1804 (Lloyds Register). She departed Spithead on 17 June 1819 bound for Fort William, touched at Rio de Janeiro, and arrived at Port Jackson on 29th October 1819 , anchoring in Sydney Cove the following day.

Governor Macquarie recorded the arrival in his journal:

Saturday 30th October 1819
This forenoon anchored in Sydney Cove, the vessel Malabar, Commanded by Cap. William Ascough, with 170 male prisoners from England – whence She sailed on the 17th. of June last (– touching at Rio Janeiro, which She left on the 17th. of August); Mr. Evan Evans R. Navy, being Surgeon Sup – and the Guard consisting of 31 men of the 89th. Regt. commanded by Lieut. Ashhurst of the 34th. Regt. —

On 6 November the Sydney Gazette reported that they were in receipt of a Letter of Thanks addressed to Captain Ascough and Dr. Evan Evans of the Malabar, from the prisoners, for the humane attention to their health and comfort experienced during the passage.

Convicts arriving on the Malabar in 1819

Captain John Coghill

On the 5th March 1820 surgeon Matthew Anderson R. N., remarked in his Journal -  The soldiers embarked on board this ship are a detachment of the 48th Regiment and lately marched from Chatham to this place. They are to act as a Guard over Male convicts, about to be embarked for conveyance to New South Wales.

On the 17th March 1820, 190 male convicts embarked on board ship, and as the weather was severe and cold and their slop clothing (of which appeared to be intended for a warmer climate) was ill calculated to defend their bodies from its effects, many convicts suffered from catarrhal complaints.

The Mangles 594 tons, departed Falmouth on 11th April 1820 and sailed direct to Port Jackson, arriving on the 7th August 1820, a voyage of 118 days. One hundred and eighty-nine prisoners arrived on the Mangles, one boy being lost on the passage out.

Lieut. Matthews of the 59th regiment., commanded the guard which consisted of a party of the 48th regiment.

The Mangles under Captain Coghill sailed for Calcutta in September. Surgeon Matthew Anderson, Chief Officer Mr. Atherden, Second Officer Mr. Scriff, Third Officer Mr. Brooks

Find out about bushranger Richard Snead who arrived on the Mangles

Image of the Convict Ship Mangles at State Library of Victoria

Matthew Anderson was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Surry 1819   Mangles 1822   Castle Forbes 1824

Convicts arriving on the Mangles in 1820

The Mangles  departed Cork on 21st June 1822, called at Rio de Janeiro and was there at the same time as the Caledonia. She departed Rio on 1st September 1822 arriving in Port Jackson on 8th November 1822 with 190 prisoners.

On 9th June, the eve of his departure on the Mangles, *Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Thornton of the 40th Regiment was among the Officers and Gentlemen presented at the King's Court and Levee. Soon afterwards he joined other members of the 40th regiment including Lieutenant Molinaux Dalrymple. Regimental Surgeon William Jones and 57 rank and file 40th regiment, the Headquarters of the 40th, on the Mangles.

The Mangles, full of a cargo of wool and timber, sailed for London on 10th February 1825. Passengers included Judge Advocate Wylde ; Charles McArthur, Dr. Crocket R. N., Lieut. Carr, Dr. Quid R. N., (?Charles Queade), Mr. Broadfoot, Mr Uther and Mrs Harvey. In sailing from Sydney the Mangles touched on the Sow and Pigs, but received no damage. After clearing the heads the winds suddenly abated, and she drifted very near the rocks under the Light house where she was forced to anchor. She was rescued from her dangerous situation by boats from two nearby Merchant vessels. The Australian reported the incident on 17th February 1825

John Crockett was also employed as surgeon on the convict ship Prince of Orange 1822 (VDL)

Thomas Braidwood Wilson. R. N., was employed as Surgeon Superintendent, the second of his four voyages to New South Wales in that capacity. He was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Prince Regent 1824 Governor Ready 1829 John 1830 (VDL),  Moffatt 1834 (VDL) and Strathfieldsaye 1836

Two hundred and thirty-five male prisoners arrived under the care of Surgeon Superintendent James Rutherford R. N., who kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 8 November 1832 to 9 May 1833.

There was an outbreak of cholera on board as well as scurvy. James Rutherford remarked on a symptom of scurvy he called 'spontaneous salivation' which he had read about, and which he thought may have also affected those who engaged in religious fasting. He treated this symptom using a mixture of nitras potassa dissolved in equal parts of vinegar and lime juice, as used by Charles Cameron surgeon on the Ferguson in 1829

James Rutherford was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Regalia 1826  Pyramus 1832  and  Hooghley 1834

Convicts arriving on the Mangles in 1833

Captain William Carr. Surgeon Francis Logan

The Mangles 599 tons, departed Portsmouth on 23 March 1837and arrived at Port Jackson on 10 July 1837

Three hundred and ten male prisoners embarked on the Mangles under the care of Surgeon Superintendent Francis Logan R. N., who kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 3 March 1837 to 15 July 1837.

On 7th March, soldier Robert Shufflebottam became ill after taking a chill on the boat from Chatham. The surgeon remarked that Shufflebottam had only been released from jail a few days before and was greatly debilitated and inadequately dressed. Shufflebottam never fully recovered and died on 20th April at sea.

Convicts John Martin and Mark Osborne took ill with dysentery the day the vessel departed. Both later died. According to the surgeon the cases of dysentery were occasioned by the wetness and filth from the water closets as all the cases which occurred were in the beds that the drainage came down on.

There were several cases of scurvy. William Westwood (Jackey Jackey) was only seventeen years old when he fell ill with scurvy in May. Under Francis Logan's care, he soon recovered and went on to become one of Australia's best known bushrangers. He was hanged at Norfolk Island in October 1846.

On June 23rd the Mangles had been out 91 days and was at latitude 41° 6' S, longitude 103° 11' E.

The Mangles arrived on the 10th July and the prisoners were mustered on board on Saturday 15th July before being landed in the following couple of days

The Guard consisted of 32 rank and file of the 80th regiment under the orders of Major James Winnett Nunn, Lieut., Lockart, Ensign Kelson.  Seven women and four children, wives of the soldiers came passengers. One of them, the wife of Major Adgerson, bandmaster of the 80th regiment took ill in May and was treated by Francis Logan. Other passengers included Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Alcock.

The Mangles sailed for China on Sunday 14 August 1837

Francis Logan was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Champion 1827  Fanny 1833  and Royal Sovereign 1835 

Convicts arriving on the Mangles in 1837

The Mangles departed London 28th November 1839 and Cape of Good Hope 1st March 1840, arriving in Port Jackson on 27 April 1840

289 male prisoners arrived under the superintendence of Alexander Nesbitt R.N., who kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 1st November 1839 to 18 May 1840: -

The Mangles, a roomy ship, completed fitting out on 2 November and dropped down to Woolwich where 60 convicts were received from the Justitia and 40 from the Ganymede hulks on 4 November. The next day they sailed to Sheerness and received a further 106 from the Fortitude hulk at Chatham. At Portsmouth on 14 November the number was completed to 290. They were unable to sail until the 28 November 1839.

The passage down channel was favourable and they reached Tenerife in four weeks and then called at Santa Cruz for a small supply of water and fresh beef and vegetables. They were unfortunate with winds and their progress was very slow. Three months after leaving Portsmouth they were only approaching the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope. At the beginning of the voyage there were very few sick men, mainly cases of mild diarrhoea which continued until the tropics when fevers occurred. By the time the ship reached the southern latitudes these diseases mostly disappeared and after so long at sea, scurvy began to appear. Forty seven cases were found on the first examination and the following day nine more were found to be suffering from the same disease. Alexander Nisbett indicated to Captain Carr that they should call at the Cape of Good Hope to receive fresh supplies of meat, vegetables and live stock. They arrived there on 27 February 1840. The fresh provisions soon produced beneficial effects and reduced the number of sick. Alexander Nisbett thought that if they had not called at the Cape the consequences would have been disastrous. Scurvy did not appear again until towards the end of the journey, when the weather was cold and damp. The new cases were less numerous but more severe and mostly occurred in prisoners who had been affected previously.

Alexander Nisbett found Captain Carr to be of great assistance. He provided from his own private store, many things to help the convicts and calling at ports at Nisbett's suggestion. He supplied potatoes which were served raw to the convicts with vinegar added as a salad. By this means many were cured of scurvy and the remainder improved.

Alexander Nisbett was well experienced in this position, this being his sixth voyage to New South Wales as Surgeon on a convict ship. Every means in his experience was used to promote health, dryness and cleanliness on the voyage out, including windsails, stoves and keeping half the convicts on deck whenever possible. The convicts below deck were organised into classes of not more than 15 and instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic by other convicts. There were frequent examinations with prizes or indulgences awarded. After supper all hands were permitted on deck and a play performed and other amusements, such as leap frog, went on until darkness. Of the 195 days they were at sea, there were only 5 when the rain was too severe for the convicts to come on deck at all, 23 when they were kept below part of the time and 8 with light showers which did not prevent their being on deck.

After 150 days at sea, they arrived in Sydney where they found that they were to proceed to Norfolk Island. After landing 53 convicts at Sydney ( the convict boys, sick requiring hospital diet and convicts transported for military offences), they departed for Norfolk Island on 8th May, arriving there after a passage of 10 days with 236 prisoners. By this time they had been on board the Mangles for six months

Passengers included Major Sergentson and Lady, Ensign Grimes and 29 rank of file of 50th regiment

Alexander Nesbitt was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Minerva 1824  Grenada 1827  Hooghley 1828  Asia 1830  and Earl Grey 1838 

Convicts arriving on the Mangles in 1840

It was reported that David Conway was appointed Surgeon Superintendent of the Manlius on 22 February 1827. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 23 February to 24 August 1827.

The Manlius departed the Downs on 17 April 1827, the same day the Marquis of Hastings left from Portsmouth.

It was later reported that Mr. Cruikshanks, the Chief Officer of the Manlius, a young man much respected by the Commander and Ship's Company, met a premature death by accidental drowning on 15th May.

The Manlius arrived in Port Jackson on Saturday 11 August 1827 with 174 prisoners. Quarter-master Lloyd and 30 men of the 39th regiment provided the Guard on the vessel. They were landed on the Saturday afternoon of their arrival.

The prisoners of the Manlius were landed on Friday 24th August in a healthy and creditable condition. A considerable number of them were assigned for Country service the same day.

The Monitor's editorial of 27 August 1827 regarding the assignment of the Manlius prisoners: - It is customary now upon the arrival of a male Convict Ship, to select from among the prisoners those who are Scribes, and land them separately, from the great bulk of the Ship's Company, for the especial inspection of the Governor; the general result of which is, a transmission soon afterwards to Wellington Valley!!!! We suppose that Prisoners of this class, are deemed by the present Government, dangerous subjects for employment in the towns or settlements contiguous to the metropolis. Nine men of this description were landed from the Manlius. News of this, newly-invented punishment-a punishment, for being guilty of being able to write, ought to be transmitted 'to the poor people of England, that they may have the option at least of withdrawing their children from school.!!!

He remarked in his journal that the women were all sent on board in a very filthy state from the Cork Penitentiary - with a small supply of spare clothing (linen). A great number were infected with psora as well as with influenza which was prevalent at the time in England and Ireland. A number of the crew were also affected. Bilious fever became a problem when the ship reached the warmer climate. 

The Margaret was one of four convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1837, the others being the Sir Charles Forbes, Henry Wellesley and Sarah & Elizabeth. A total of 533 female convicts arrived in the colony in 1837

Henry Kelsale was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Andromeda 1834  Margaret 1837  Cape Packet 1842 (VDL) Waterloo 1842  and John Calvin 1846 (Norfolk Island)

Captain Edward Canney. Surgeon George Todd Moxey

George Moxey was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Woodbridge 1840  Susan 1842 (VDL) and Mount Stewart Elphinstone 1849

The Margaret was one of five convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1839, the others being the Planter, Whitby, Mary Ann and Minerva. A total of 727 female prisoners arrived in the colony in 1839.

Captain Edward Canney. Surgeon Colin Arrott Browning

The Margaret  364 tons, departed Kingstown, Dublin on 30 April 1840 with 132 female prisoners and arrived on 18th August 1840 with 130 female prisoners.

Colin Arrott Browning was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 20 April 1840 to 26 August 1840. He became ill on 2nd August 1840 and remained so until the vessel reached Sydney.

Passengers included Mr. Swansea and 17 free female settlers.

The Margaret was one of three convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1840, the others being the Isabella and the Surry.   A total of 461 female prisoners arrived in the colony in 1840.

Colin Arrott Browning was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Surry 1831; Earl Grey 1843 (VDL);  Theresa 1845 (VDL); Hashemy 1849

Convicts arriving on the Margaret in 1840

Passengers included Mr. & Mrs. Wood.  

Thirty female prisoners were landed at Hobart and 94 at Sydney.

Eighteen convict ships arrived in the colony in 1818. Of these three transported female prisoners - the Elizabeth, the Maria and the Friendship. A total of 282 women arrived on these three vessels in 1818.

Convicts arriving on the Maria in 1818

Captain Harris Walker. Surgeon William Hamilton

Captain John Herbert. Surgeon John Haslam

The convict ship Mariner departed England at the beginning of June, touched at the Cape and arrived at Port Jackson on Friday 11 October 1816.

John Haslam was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He later wrote "A Narrative of a Voyage to New South Wales, in the year 1816, in the ship Mariner, describing the Nature of the Accommodations, Stores, Diet &c., together with an account of the Medical Treatment &c."

John Croaker was one of the convicts transported on the Mariner and John Haslam's Narrative has been re-produced in 'John Croaker: convict Embezzler' by John Booker and Russell Craig:

John Haslem described some of the events in September:

On the 3rd September when we were off the Cape of Good Hope, a heavy squall came on during the time I was officiating in the prison. There was a general apprehension that the vessel could not long withstand its fury. This appeared to me to be the favourable opportunity to impress the minds of the convicts with a due sense of their awful situation; and, as well as I was able from my own apprehensions I endeavoured to exhort them to a consideration of the necessity of employing the short time that probably remained in prayer and repentance - but in vain; the violence of the tempest had inspired them with additional excitement, and my admonitions were drowned in a roar of blasphemy. They recollected that it was the time of Bartholomew fair, and began a song commemorating the scenes of its licentiousness; and compared the rolling and pitching of the vessel to the swings which are employed during that festival.

Notwithstanding the utmost vigilance was exerted to prevent their confederation for the purpose of seizing the ship, yet they made the attempt at a time when it was least expected. On the 8th September they contrived to open the prison door communicating with the forhold; this was speedily detected, but not until several articles had been stolen On the 28th of the same month, during a tremendous storm at night, which excited the greatest alarm amongst those who navigated the ship; they found means during the general distress to cut a hole in the deck of the prison communicating with the hold, by which in a short time they might have rendered themselves masters of the arm chest, had they not been discovered. When I went into the prison accompanied by the master and a sufficient guard, they pretended the most perfect ignorance of the transaction, said they had been asleep and wondered how it could have been effected.....

146 male prisoners were landed in Port Jackson, all in a healthy state, having lost none on the voyage.

Convicts arriving on the Mariner in 1816

A Medical and Surgical journal was kept by surgeon Harman Cochrane from 30 December 1824 to 15 August 1825.

Mariner 1827

The Guard for the convict ship Mariner comprised a detachment of the 39th Regiment of Infantry under command of Captain Sturt. They embarked on the 21st November at Chatham. Some of the soldiers mentioned in the Surgeon's journal include Private John Iverson, Private Patrick Trainor and Sergeant Smith.

The Mariner departed Cork on 14 January 1827 and sailed via the Cape of Good Hope where about a dozen prisoners who had been convicted of crimes at the Cape were embarked. Several of these were soldiers who were assigned to the Engineers Department on arrival in New South Wales.

The Mariner departed the Cape on 28 March and arrived in Port Jackson on 23 May 1827, a voyage of 129 days in all.  158 male prisoners arrived in the colony in good health, two having died on the passage out. 

The Guard were landed on 24th May. They marched through George Street, Sydney to their quarters at noon with drums beating and fifes playing.

Patrick McTernan was appointed as Surgeon Superintendent on the Mariner in November 1826. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 3rd November 1826 to 5 June 1827. He was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Katherine Stewart Forbes 1830  and Dunvegan Castle 1832

Convicts arriving on the Mariner in 1827

Master William Ostler. Surgeon George Rutherford

The convict ship Marquis of Hastings departed Portsmouth on 22 August 1825, Rio de Janeiro 2nd November, and arrived in Port Jackson on 3 January 1826. 

One hundred and fifty two male prisoners, Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay and a Guard of 37 rank and file of the 57th regiment arrived on the Marquis of Hastings.

Surgeon George Rutherford kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 2 July 1825 to 9 January 1826. He remarked that there were few cases of serious illness due to the favourable season when sailing.

George Shaw Rutherford was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Prince of Orange 1821   Shipley 1822   Eliza 1827  Lord Melville 1829  Royal Admiral 1830 China 1846 (to Norfolk Island)

Evidence of George Rutherford - on the efficiency of secondary punishment

Convicts arriving on the Marquis of Hastings in 1826

Master John Jeffrey Drake. Surgeon Gilbert King

William Rae was also surgeon on the convict ships Eliza 1822  Isabella 1823  Marquis of Huntley 1826  Prince Regent 1827 

Convicts arriving on the Marquis of Hastings in 1828

On 27th and 29th March, 228 convicts were embarked on the Marquis of Huntley at Sheerness. There was no opportunity for surgeon William Bell Carlisle to examine the men prior to their embarkation.

Captain Molison. Surgeon Alick Osborne R.N.,

Some of the convicts arriving on the Marquis of Huntley had been tried and convicted at the Old Bailey. Select here to find out what it may have been like to be tried at the Old Bailey and imprisoned in Newgate in 1835.

The Marquis of Huntley departed the Downs 27th March 1835, came direct, and arrived in Port Jackson on 5 July 1835 with 319 male prisoners under superintendence of Alick Osborne R.N.,

Alick Osborne kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 25 February to 27 July 1835

Passengers on the Marquis of Huntley included Lieut. Becham and Irving 28th regt., F. Fisher Mrs. Osborne and Misses Ann Jane Mary and Isabella Osborne; and 29 rank and file of the 28th regiment.

Alick Osborne remarked in his journal that during the voyage all the prisoners were generally very healthy, with one exception, that of John Desmond. This patient was old and infirm and sunk under accumulation, misery and misfortune...... A prisoner who had been sentenced to 7 years transportation was placed on the Marquis of Huntley for a few weeks before being removed to the Fortitude Hulk. He described a different picture of the situation on the  Marquis of Huntley .....When he was placed in the vessel there were 150 men of either side on the deck with sleeping berths, five men in a berth; it was scarcely possible to describe the horrid language commonly made use of, and the dirt and filth of the deck; he thinks he could not have lived long in such a place, and was truly thankful when he found himself on board the Fortitude

Alick Osborne was also employed on the convict ships Lonach 1825   Speke 1826  Sophia 1829  Sarah 1829  Planter 1832  Fairlie 1834 and Elphinstone 1838

One hundred and ninety-nine male prisoners under a guard commanded by Lieut. Nunn arrived on the Marquis of Wellington.

Of that number, 48 were under the age of 21. Three were only 12 years old, two were 13 years old and one was 14 years old.

Convicts arriving on the Marquis of Wellington in 1815

Morgan Price was employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the Martha. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 18 August 1818 to 4 January 1819.

Early in August, one hundred and twenty convicts were received on the Martha from two small brigs, where they had been for some time. Many of the men imagined they had fever, and they were washed and cleaned before being admitted to the prison. Many also had signs of scurvy and debility. All were convalescent by time of sailing according to Morgan Price

Morgan Price was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Martha 1818  Hadlow 1820  Brampton 1823 Almorah 1824  and Neva 1833

Convicts arriving on the Martha in 1818

The Mary departed Cork 25 May 1819 and arrived 26 August 1819 with 159 male convicts.  Surgeon Superintendent J. Morgan.

The convicts all arrived in good health, none were lost on the voyage. The Mary sailed from the Cove of Cork the day after the Bencoolen.

The Sydney Gazette noted that the prisoners landed from the various vessels (the Canada, Mary and the Bencoolen), during the previous week appeared to be in a healthy and comparatively happy condition. They spoke of the kindness and humanity they received from the Commanders and Officers in the most grateful terms of praise; who expressed universal satisfaction at their orderly conduct and exemplary good behaviour during the voyage.

The Guard consisted of a party of the 57th and 89th regiments under the command of Lieut. Wilton of the 53rd regiment.

Convicts arriving on the Mary in 1819

Surgeon Superintendent John Rodmell kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 26 July 1821 to 28 January 1822.

He first boarded the Mary on 26th July 1821 at Deptford where the carpenters were kept busy fitting up the prison. On the 12th August, the ship dropped down to Gravesend and on the 16th weighed anchor for the Nore. On the 17th August they got underway again but were obliged to anchor again in consequence of very light wind and ebb tide. On the 18th got underway with light wind and at 7pm came to in the Queen Channel. On the 19th they made sail for the Downs where they procured Irish beef and vegetables, departing there for Portsmouth which they reached on 21st August.

On the 5th September 1821, at 4 pm they got under way, but were obliged to come to an anchor at Cowes. On 7th September 1821, the ship got under way but found it necessary to come to an anchor in Yarmouth. On 8th September 1821 at 5.30 they got under way and made sail through the needles. At noon the pilot left the ship.

Surgeon Harman Cochrane's Journal kept on the voyage of the Mary from England to Van Diemens Land and New South Wales, begins in April 1823. In that month two female prisoners Mary Parsons and Elizabeth Maddox, were taken off the Mary and returned to hospital or prison as they were too ill to make the voyage at that time.

The Mary departed London 4th September 1832, came direct, and arrived in Port Jackson with 168 male prisoners on 5 January 1833. This was William Conborough Watt's fourth voyage as Surgeon Superintendent of a convict ship.

He kept a Medical Journal on the voyage out. His Journal alluded to his former voyages to the Colony of New South Wales where many prisoners suffered severely from bowel complaints which on many occasions were caused by the use of lemonade. Also mentions to the beneficial effects of the acetous solution of nitre in the cure of scurvy.

Passengers Richard Cunningham, colonial botanist (brother of Allan Cunningham), Capt. Daniels, & soldiers of 21st Reg. of Royal Scotch Fusiliers.

William Conborough Watt was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Edward 1829 Roslin Castle 1830  and Exmouth 1831 

Convicts arriving on the Mary in 1833

John Inches was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Lady Harewood 1832 Lloyds 1833   and Norfolk 1837

Convicts arriving on the Mary in 1835

James Bowman was on his first voyage as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the convict ships  Lord Eldon 1817 and John Barry 1819

On Tuesday 27 November 1821 the Mary Ann was lying at Woolwich. Prisoner Elizabeth Montague from Oxford, under sentence of transportation for 14 years was embarked on that day. The Mary Anne departed Portsmouth 25 December 1821 and arrived in Port Jackson via Van Diemens Land on 20 May 1822 . Forty five women were landed at VDL and 62 were sent to Sydney

Surgeon James Hall kept a Medical and Surgical Journal  from 27 October 1821 to 25 May 1822.

Hunter Valley land owners Captain James Phillips and Dr. Francis Moran arrived as passengers

All prisoners were disembarked on 23 May 1822 in Sydney in good health

Convicts arriving on the Mary Anne in 1822

Some of the convicts arriving on the Mary Ann  had been tried and convicted at the Old Bailey and imprisoned at Newgate before being sent to the hulks. Select here to find out what it may have been like to be imprisoned in Newgate in 1835.

The Guard consisted of 28 rank and file of 28th regiment.

Campbell France was also employed on the convict ships Asia 1828 (VDL) York 1831   John Barry 1839 and King William 1840

Surgeon Campbell France's Journal 25 June 1835 to 12 November 1835

Convicts arriving on the Mary Ann in 1835

One hundred and forty three female convicts, 23 children and six free women and children were embarked at Woolwich between 19th June and 1 July 1839.

The Mary Ann departed Woolwich 18 July 1839, touched at Santa Cruz for a few hours, and finally anchored in Port Jackson on Sunday 10th November 1839, a voyage of 115 days.

Surgeon William Bland kept a Medical journal of the Mary Ann, convict ship from 4 June to 18 November 1839 on the voyage to New South Wales.......Surgeon's Journal Mary Ann 1839

The Mary Ann was one of five convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1839, the others being the Margaret, Whitby, Planter and Minerva. A total of 727 female prisoners arrived in the colony in 1839.

Convicts arriving on the Mary Ann in 1839

Master Matthew Weatherhead

A total of 205 male convicts were brought out on the Matilda. Twenty four prisoners died on the passage out. An ensign with twenty privates formed the Guard

Convict arriving on the Matilda, Daniel Phillips accompanied John Howe on his expedition of discovery in 1819.

Convicts arriving on the Matilda in 1791

The Guard comprised a detachment of 40th regiment under orders of Lieut. Gunning.  Passengers Lieut. Futter and Mrs. Futter

John Rodmell was also surgeon on the convict ship Mary in 1822 

Captain Arthur Vincent. Surgeon Joseph Cook

At the end of October and the first week of November 1828, the Guard and 170 convicts were embarked on the convict ship Mellish on the River Thames.

A convict named James Hawkins succeeded in escaping from the Mellish on the 8th December. In 1821 Hawkins had been transported for life, and arrived at Sydney in December of that year; he escaped in 1824 and arrived in England in the following year. In 1826, he was apprehended, tried and again sent to New South Wales and again escaped. In October 1827, he was again apprehended in London, tried, and convicted and a third time sentenced to transportation, but contrived to escape from the caravan which was conveying him from Newgate to the Hulks. He was re-taken in August last, and again sentenced to transportation, and sent on board the Retribution hulk. On the 21st of November, he was embarked in the Mellish upon the voyage to Sydney. The Mellish sailed and about dusk on the evening of the 8th, as the vessel was sailing through the Needles, he slipped his irons, and lowering himself from a port hole, cut way the hawser of a small boat, and rowed ashore to the Isle of Wright. The boat and himself were soon missed and an immediate search was made through the Isle of Wright but he was not found. He ascribed his repeated and daring escapes to a doting fondness for his wife. - Morning Chronicle 13 December 1828......It is thought that the unfortunate Hawkins, who jumped overboard from the Mellish convict ship, in her passage through the Needles, has been drowned. The master of the vessel forfeits a thousand pounds for not having taken proper precautions to prevent the flight of the prisoner. - Derby Mercury 31st December 1828

On the 2nd January 1829, the Mellish proceeded on the voyage from Falmouth and on the 10th they anchored at Teneriffe. They arrived in Port Jackson on 18 April 1829.

Passengers Captain Baylee of the 63rd regiment and T. F. Gilbert of the Commissariat Department arrived on the Mellish.

Surgeon Superintendent Joseph Cook kept a Medical and Surgical Journal between 7 October 1828 and 28 April 1829

Joseph Cook was also surgeon on the convict ships Southworth 1822 Sir Charles Forbes 1825 (VDL)  Phoenix 1826  Lo