Captain Henry F. Alloway. Surgeon Superintendent George McClure

The Nautilus was the next convict ship to leave Ireland after the departure of the Minerva in August 1839.

Two hundred prisoners were embarked on the Nautilus at Kingstown, Dublin. The Nautilus departed Dublin on 17th September 1839. Passengers included Lieut. Mirran 96th regt., Ensign Lake 28th regiment, 28 rank and file of the 28th and 96th regiment, seven women four children and four free settlers.  Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 96th regiment to New South Wales included the Barossa, Augusta Jessie, Woodbridge, Maitland, Pekoe and Eden.

George McClure kept a medical journal from 4 September 1839 to 15 March 1840........

The Nautilus arrived in Port Jackson in February 1840 and departed Port Jackson for Norfolk Island on Saturday 22nd February with 199 convicts. Passengers Capt. Alexander Maconnochie and family.

Convicts who arrived on the Woodbridge in February 1840 were also sent to Norfolk Island at the same time as the men of the Nautilus

Alexander Maconochie naval officer, geographer, and penal reformer, was born on 11 February 1787. He was appointed superintendent of the penal settlement at Norfolk Island and took up his duties in March 1840. Maconochie's notions of penal science rested on the beliefs that cruelty debases both victim and the society inflicting it and that punishment for crime should not be vindictive but designed to strengthen a prisoner's desire and capacity to observe social constraints. He returned to England in 1844......Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Notes and Links:

Report on Convict Discipline and Management by Alexander Maconochie (Laid before Parliament in 1838)

Details of the voyage of the Neptune are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Neptune.

Details about the voyage of the Neptune in 1818 and the surgeon's journal are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage of the Neptune

Captain William McKissock. Surgeon Superintendent James Mitchell

The Neptune departed from the Downs on 23 March 1820. She brought with her prisoners from different counties throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

The guard consisted of a detachment of the 48th regiment under orders of Lieut. Rice.

James Mitchell kept a Medical Journal from 8 March to 29 July 1820. On the 9th March he was employed in examining and receiving 86 male convicts from the Justitia Hulk at Woolwich.   They were placed in their respective berths, four to one berth. Each were given a bed, blanket and pillow. On the following day another 76 men were received from the Justitia bringing the total to 156 men. The weather in England had been severe prior to embarkation and it was found that several of the men contracted severe catarrhs and suffered with ulcers caused by infected chilblains.

By the 11th, James Mitchell had the men organised.  Messes of six prisoners each were established. They were supplied with bowls, spoons, water mugs, knives, forks, razor and strap for shaving. The men were to be shaved twice a week. The decks of the prison and hospital were scrubbed and scraped each day and trustworthy men were appointed to distribute food and keep the prisoners quiet. The boys were formed into classes and a teacher placed over them. Later the adult prisoners also attended a school and the surgeon was gratified at the improvements he witnessed on the voyage.

Samuel Dell  embarked as a convict on the Neptune. He later became a parish clerk and schoolteacher at Newcastle and it was probably Dell who taught at the school on the voyage out. Among his first pupils on the Neptune were probably - John Higham, James Lee, William Mayler, William Richardson, Joseph Stevens and William Jones who were all sixteen years of age and John Newton and John Fordyce who were both fifteen years old.

James Mitchell devised a set of rules he expected the men to follow. There was to be no smoking or gambling in the prison Any cases of abuse towards the prisoners by the guard or crew were to be reported to him immediately. Quarrelling and fighting was to be severely punished. Under no circumstances was there to be any swearing or Flash Language. The prisoners mostly all attended to the rules so that there was no necessity of resorting to the painful alternative of flogging. The only punishments were handcuffs, being double ironed for a time or giving their allowance of wine to shipmates. The men were exercised by cleaning the prison, swabbing the decks or pumping water for the cisterns. The surgeon did his best to keep them busy, knowing that idleness is the Mother of mischief and disease. Divine Service was performed by the surgeon who read sermons he had purchased in England for that express purpose.

The surgeon was kept busy attending to those on board. Apart from the two obstetric cases, there were cases of Fever, Flux, Scurvy, Rheumatism, Pulmonic Inflammation, Ophthalmia, Psora, Tinea Capitis, Diseased Ears, Tonsillitis, Dyspepsia, Dysuria, Gonorrhoea, Vertigo, Impetigo and Hepatitis.

James Mitchell wrote towards the end of his journal that by attention to Divine Service and School and also by their good behaviour on board that not a few of them had become determined to reform their lives. He also remarked on the good will that existed between himself, Captain McKissock and commander of the Guard Lieutenant Rice.

The Neptune arrived in Port Jackson 16 July 1820, a voyage of 114 days. One hundred and fifty six male prisoners arrived in general good health, although three men were sent to the hospital in Sydney on arrival. Two women had given birth on the voyage.

With the Neptune came the news of the death of King George III and on Monday the 17th, eighty-two minute guns were fired from Dawes Battery, Flags were raised at half mast and the Bells of St. Phillips Church tolled morning and night.

The men were disembarked on 28th July 1820. Three were assigned to H. Macarthur. Sixteen were sent to join the Western and Windsor Road Parties under the superintendence of Johnson and Ford and another six were privately assigned and these men were all sent by water to Parramatta. The remainder were distributed at Parramatta, Liverpool, Windsor, Upper Minto and Emu Plains. Those sent to Emu Plains included Thomas Ignoll, John Needham, Thomas Wharton, Thoams Hammond and Robert Catlin. They were to work under the superintendence of Mr. Richard Fitzgerald.

Lewis Collins who arrived on the Neptune was sent to Newcastle penal settlement in 1821. He was one of eleven pirates who seized the cutter Eclipse from the harbour in 1825. Find out more about their audacious escape at Pirates

James Warman arrived as a free settler on the Neptune.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Neptune in 1820

James Mitchell was also employed as surgeon on the Guildford  in 1822, and the Guildford in 1824.

The Neptune was to depart Sydney in August 1820. Surgeon James Mitchell, First Officer Samuel Groube, Second Office H.M. Taylor, and Third Office J. Buckpit were all intending to depart on her.

Read James Mitchell's account of this voyage from Sydney to Batavia.......

Captain Joseph Nagle. Surgeon Superintendent Patrick Martyn R.N.

The Neptune was the next convict ship to leave Ireland for New South Wales after the departure of the Sir Charles Forbes two weeks previously. The Neptune sailed from Dublin on 27th August 1837.

This was Patrick Martyn's only voyage as surgeon superintendent on a convict ship. He was approximately 34 years of age in 1838. His medical journal does not seem to have survived.

One hundred and ninety seven male prisoners arrived in Port Jackson on the Neptune on 2 January 1838 three having died on the passage out

Passengers included Major Elliot, Mrs. Elliot and child, Lieut. Baker and 28 rank and file of 51st regiment, 6 women and 8 children. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 51st regiment included  John Barry, Lord Lyndoch, Bengal Merchant, Waterloo and Portsea.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving in the Neptune in 1838

An accident which had nearly been attended with fatal consequences occurred off the inner point of Mrs. Macquarie's Chair on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Mackay, of Darlinghurst, and Mr. Abercrombie, of the Glenmore Distillery, had been on board the ship Neptune, lying off Dawes' Battery, and were, at the time of the accident, returning to Mr. Mackay's residence, accompanied by Captain Nagle of the Neptune, in the ship's cutter, with four of the seamen. When off Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, at about 100 yards distance from the land, and in the act of tacking, a sudden gust of wind caught the sails and upset the cutter, and the whole of the people on board were precipitated into the water. Mr. Mackay, who is considerably advanced in years, and was at the time in a very indifferent state of health, made towards the shore, as did several of the younger and stronger of his companions. Before he could accomplish his object his strength failed him and he sank to the bottom, where he must have perished but for the prompt aid afforded him by Captain Nagle and two of the seamen who swam to his assistance and brought him safely, though senseless to shore. Mr. Abercrombie and two of the seamen saved themselves by clinging to the boat.  - Sydney Gazette

The Neptune was to depart Sydney for Valparaiso via the Bay of Islands in February 1838.

Captain W.J. Ferris. Surgeon Superintendent Joseph Steret

Surgeon Joseph Steret kept a medical journal from 15th September 1837 to 31st January 1838.

Joseph Steret was also employed as surgeon on the Camden in 1833

Captain Benjamin Peck. Surgeon Superintendent Morgan Price

Morgan Price kept a Medical Journal from 18 June to 7 December 1833.......The Neva proceeded to Sheerness on the 11th July and on the following day received from hulks - Cumberland, Euryalus and Retribution 100 convicts, many of whom were old men. They arrived at Plymouth on the 18th July and on 19th received the remaining 70 convicts from the Captivity hulk.

Cholera broke out while the ship was still at Deptford and was prevalent in the early part of the voyage and fever at various times throughout the journey.  One prisoners died on the voyage. He was elderly and addicted to drinking according to the surgeon and despite every care died of apoplexy. Grave fears were held for another man with a case of ischuria however by the end of the voyage this man had recovered......Upon the whole the Guard, Ships Company and Convicts during the voyage enjoyed good health which I attribute in a considerable degree to the free ventilation of the ship, frequent fumigation and the employment of the solution of chloride of lime; and during the voyage when the weather was favourable the whole of the convicts admitted on deck. The utmost attention was paid to personal cleanliness and the convicts had access to the forecastle. The bathing tub was placed for the purpose of washing and during warm weather 1/4 of the men bathed every morning.

The Neva arrived in Port Jackson on 21 November 1833.

Morgan Price was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Martha in 1818,  Brampton in 1823 and the Almorah in 1824.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving in the Neva in 1833

Details of the voyage of the Neva are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the Neva in 1835

Details of the voyage of the Nile are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Nile in 1801

Captain Thomas Christian. Surgeon Superintendent Robert Malcolm

The Nithsdale sailed from Bombay on 8th March 1829, made St. Helena 19th June and arrived off the port at Dover on 17th August. On the 9th December 1829, sixty male convicts were received on to the Nithsdale from the Justitia and Ganymede hulks at Woolwich, and on the 18th, sixty four were received from the Retribution at Sheerness. On the 19th another sixty were received from the Dolphin at Chatham, making a total of 184 men.

The Nithsdale was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Mermaid on 5th December 1829.

The last day of 1829 was spent on board the Nithsdale at Sheerness and the following day, 1st January 1830, they weighed anchor. They made Deal under a N.W. wind on the 3rd January, departing from there soon afterwards.

This was Robert Malcolm's second voyage as surgeon superintendent of a convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 9 November 1829 to 21 May 1830........

All the prisoners were examined by Robert Malcolm previous to their embarkation and they were found to be in a healthy state. During the voyage almost everyone experienced an attack of diarrhoea, in some cases very severe. Other illnesses included ophthalmia, fever and apoplexy. However mostly the prisoners remained healthy, one only dying of apoplexy. Robert Malcolm was proud of the achievement of bringing a healthy ship into port.......Some fifty years ago it would scarcely have been credited that a vessel some hundred tons burthen with two hundred and fifty persons on board would ever be able to perform a voyage of 132 days duration and to disembark the persons in a state of perfect health at its conclusion without the loss of more than one man.

The Guard was commanded by Captain Robert Moffatt of the 17th Regiment and Ensign Tobin. Mrs. Moffatt and Miss Singer, a friend of Mrs. Moffatt came as passengers. The Guard consisted of a total of 29 commissioned officers and privates of the 17th regiment together with four women and three children.  Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 17th regiment included the Lady Feversham, Forth, Mermaid, Lord Melville, Hercules, Royal Admiral, Burrell, York, Edward, Eliza and the Adrian

George Whittle, wife and child came as free passengers.

Members of the 17th regt., mentioned in the surgeon's journal included Dennis Leary, John Keating, Benjamin Cooper, Dennis Kelly, Thomas Wall, Jonathon Bean, Thomas Carr, William Smith, John Pigot, Michael Whalen, Lawrence Fleming, William Pender, Thomas Horne. According to the surgeon the wife of Thomas Horne suffered a miscarriage on 28th December while still at Sheerness. She was three months advanced in pregnancy and had undergone much fatigue in nursing the Captain of the Guard's child to which she ascribed her affliction.

Select here to read about a Court case in Sydney involving Captain Thomas Christian and the ship's steward who was making a claim for unpaid wages

Select here to find out about bushranger Andrew Hamilton who arrived on the Nithsdale

Hunter Valley Convicts arriving on the Nithsdale in 1830

Captain Alexander Greig. Surgeon Superintendent  William Hamilton

The Norfolk arrived in Port Jackson on 18 August 1825.

One hundred and seventy eight male prisoners arrived under the care of William Hamilton. Two prisoners died on the passage out, both had been tried at Bury St. Edmonds on the same day -  Stephen Baldry died of typhus and 29 year old Benjamin Hazelip who became melancholy at leaving behind his wife and family died of debility on the 21st July 1825.

The prisoners were mustered on board on Friday 19th August 1825 by Colonial Secretary Frederick Goulburn. The Indents include the name, date and place of trial, sentence, native place, trade, age, physical description, remarks as to conduct and where assigned on arrival. There is occasional information as to deaths and colonial sentences.

An order was given on 22nd August that sufficient boats be in readiness early the following morning for disembarkation of the convicts. They were to be taken to the gaol yard where they would be inspected by Governor Brisbane at 10.30am. They were then forwarded to Parramatta, Liverpool, Windsor, Evan and Bathurst for assignment to private settlers. Fifty three of the men were sent to Hyde Park Barracks.

Convicts  John and Benjamin Burrell who arrived on the Norfolk were executed in 1830 for robbery in the house of Samuel Adair at Paterson

The Norfolk was next taken up by Government to convey troops to India departing in September.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Norfolk in 1825

Captain Alexander Greig. Surgeon Superintendent James Dickson

The Norfolk was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the America in April 1829. The Norfolk departed from Spithead on 23rd May 1829

James Dickson kept a Medical Journal from 28 April to 7 September. His cases included pleurisy, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, lumbago and rheumatism. There were few serious cases and in consequence he was induced to fill the blank pages of his journal with a meteorological record.

James Dickson was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Countess of Harcourt in 1824,  Woodford in 1826 (VDL) and the Florentia in 1828.

Captain William Henniker. Surgeon Superintendent William Clifford

The Norfolk was the next convict ship leave Ireland for New South Wales after the departure of the Bussorah Merchant in August 1831.

The convicts of the Norfolk had come from different counties in Ireland - Tipperary, Sligo, Galway, Kilkenny, Cork, Clare, Roscommon etc. Their crimes ranged from vagrancy and theft to highway robbery, assault and manslaughter.  One man had been sentenced to 7 years transportation for poisoning a dog. There were also men from Mayo, Clare, Roscommon and Galway who had all been convicted of administering unlawful oaths. There were nine very young prisoners - John Driscoll (15); Joseph Boland (12); Daniel Cullinan (14); Philip Gallagan (15); Thomas healy (11); Timothy Mahony (13); Michael Nowlan(13); Thomas Toomey (16); and John Dwyer an errand boy tried in Cork who was only 9 years old. He died in the hospital at Port Macquarie just four years later.

William Clifford kept a Medical Journal from 8 the September 1831 to 23 February 1832.........

On 13th September 1831, 199 prisoners were transported from the hulk at Cork and embarked on the Norfolk. The Surgeon examined the men and found their general health good. Their clothing was improved from that of convicts under his superintendence in former voyages.

The Norfolk departed Cork 15th October 1831. The prisoners continued healthy until the ship entered the tropics when some inflammatory diseases appeared. There  were four deaths on the voyage out - Maurice Buckley, John Doughan, Patrick Kelly and John Magee. One died from syncope, two of phthisis and one from dysentery. Another prisoner Thomas Cantwell died on his way from the ship to the hospital at Sydney.

The Norfolk arrived in Port Jackson on 9th February 1832 . The men were mustered by the Colonial Secretary on 12th February. The convict indents reveal information such as name, age, religion, education, marital status, family, native place, offence, occupation, place and date of trial, prior convictions and physical description. There is no information as to where the men were assigned on arrival. There is occasional information regarding colonial crimes, family members already in the colony, pardons and deaths.

There was an accident to one of the seamen on 11th February while the ship lay in the harbour - while engaged on the main yard unbending sails, he fell to the deck and was so desperately bruised, as to render his removal to the General Hospital necessary.

The prisoners were landed on Thursday 23 February 1832. They were described as being for the better part, strong healthy labourers who would be an acquisition to the settlers amongst whom the majority of them were assigned.

The Sydney Gazette of 14th February 1832 reported the following testimonial to Dr. Clifford care of the prisoners:

Dr. Clifford, the Surgeon Superintendent of the Norfolk, has now performed three voyages, to this colony in that arduous and responsible capacity. For kind attention to the prisoners under his charge, united with the maintenance of the strictest discipline and good order, Dr. Clifford is not surpassed by any of his professional brethren in this branch of the public service. Of this a more satisfactory proof could not be afforded than the fact, that he has been presented by the convicts, both on this and former voyages, with written testimonials of their gratitude for his humane treatment. The Transport Board has also been made sensible of his merits, for which it has made suitable acknowledgements.

William Clifford was also surgeon on the Convict Ships Harmony (VDL), Forth (1)in 1830 and Sir Charles Forbes in 1837.

The guard consisted of 29 non-commissioned officers and privates accompanied by Lieut. Lardy, 4th regt., Passenger Mrs. Henniker.

Captain John Gatenby. Surgeon Superintendent John Inches

The Norfolk was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the John in September 1836.

John Inches kept a Medical Journal from 30th October 1836 and 12 February 1837........

He reported that the Norfolk sailed from Spithead on 30th October 1836. They had an excellent run out of the Channel and fine weather. All the prisoners were healthy except Harry Bell who had been despondent since embarking at Spithead.  Harry Bell had come on board from a hulk moored at Portsmouth where he had been sent after being convicted of stealing billiard balls. He claimed to have purchased them from a Frenchman. In his plea before the Judge at the Old Bailey he claimed that he had moved in as high a circle as any man in England—I have served my King and country for many years. Harry Bell was 40 years old when he died on the 21st November 1836.

Towards the end of November there were a few cases of scurvy which were treated with lime and wine. William Smith died on the 14th January 1837 after experiencing difficulty breathing.

Two hundred and seventy eight convicts arrived in Port Jackson on 11 -12 February 1837 and according to the surgeon, the prisoners were very orderly and clean on the voyage out.

Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 80th regiment included the Lloyds, Bengal Merchant,  Asia, Lady Kennaway, Captain Cook, Earl Grey, St. Vincent, John, Prince George, Mangles, Heber, Theresa, Calcutta and Eden.

Passengers arriving on the Norfolk included Mrs. Reitt, Mrs. Bowler and family, Mrs. Inches and family and botanist Allan Cunningham

Details of the voyage of the Northampton are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Northampton

Master Alexander Johnston. Surgeon Superintendent Edward Ford Bromley

The Ocean departed England late October 1815, sailed via Rio de Janeiro and arrived in Port Jackson on 30 January 1816 after a passage of thirteen weeks. The prisoners came from many different parts of England. Sixty of the men were under the age of 21 years. Their occupations included tinmakers, sailmakers, farmers, fishermen, sawyers, shoe makers, stone cutters and grooms.

 Christian herald and seaman's magazine

After the convicts were landed they were assigned to various settlers or government service. John Thorn was paid £6 from the Colonial Fund for supplying six carts to convey the prisoners to their various destinations. Forty-one prisoners have been identified residing in the Hunter Valley region in the following years. There was also a soldier of the 48th regiment, Charles Powell who arrived free on the Ocean. He was later convicted of a colonial crime and joined the rank of felons. As with convict John Dickenson he was sent to the Limeburner's gang near Newcastle...... Select here to find out more about other convicts who arrived on the Ocean. 

This was Edward F. Bromley's second voyage as surgeon on a convict ship. In 1819 he gave evidence before a Select Committee regarding the treatment of convicts...........

Read more of Dr. Edward F. Bromley's evidence before a Select Committee in 1819 regarding his treatment of the convicts on the Almorah and the Ocean

The Ocean departed Port Jackson bound for Batavia in March 1816

Edward Bromley was also surgeon on the convict ships Calcutta in 1803,  Almorah in 1817,  Lord Wellington  in 1820, Surry in 1833 and the Numa in 1834.

Captain Samuel Remmington. Surgeon Superintendent George Fairfowl

George Fairfowl was later employed as surgeon superintendent on the convict ships Dromedary  in 1820, Woodman, Royal Charlotte in 1825,  Sovereign in 1829, Andromeda in 1830,   Clyde in 1832 and the Hive in 1834.

The Ocean departed for Batavia late in February 1818

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Ocean in 1818

1. The Times [London, England] 9 Aug. 1817: 2. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.

Captain William Harrison.   Surgeon Superintendent James McTernan

Some of the prisoners of the Ocean were held in the Leviathan hulk at Portsmouth prior to embarkation. They were sent to the Ocean on 12 April 1823. Officer of the Guard was Lieutenant Woodgate of the 54th regiment with his wife and nine children and servant Elizabeth Prendergast.

James McTernan  joined the vessel on 23rd April, just one day before departure.

The Ocean departed Portsmouth on 24th April 1823 just four days before the Henry sailed. The prisoners on the Ocean had a very different experience on the voyage to those of the Henry. The men on the Henry experienced very little illness and all survived the passage out whereas on the Ocean there was a serious outbreak of scurvy and six men died.

167 male prisoners arrived on the Ocean. The six who died were:

Thomas Upton aged 22, died 25 May 1823

William Alcock aged 46 died 6th August 1823

James Malone aged 20 died 4 August 1823

James Simpson aged 29 died 15 August 1823

William Exeter aged 26 died 4 August 1823

William Thompson aged 39 died on 22 August 1823

Two children also died on the voyage.

Altogether twenty-one prisoners were treated for scurvy during the voyage.

This was James McTernan's first voyage as Surgeon Superintendent on a convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 23 April 1823 to 2 September 1823 (17 pages), and was greatly concerned at the high number of cases of scorbutus. He included some of his thoughts on the cause in the general remarks at the conclusion of the Journal:

With the exception of the general appearance of scurvy, it will be seen that the Ocean enjoyed tolerable immunity from disease.

In the treatment of the case of venereal which is given, I experimentalized a little on the combination of the quiescent and mercurial plans and am more confirmed in an opinion which I have held of their combined utility.

Among men who shared so liberally in medical comforts and to whose cleanliness exercise and ventilation the most strict attention was paid, I  should feel at a loss to account from the appearance and prevalence of scurvy, if I were not aware of a strong predisposing cause.

They consisted for the most part of men who by repeated acts of misconduct in their hulks had forfeited every claim to indulgence, had formed a resolution to take whatever ship they should be put out in had actually attempted to possess themselves of the Ocean and concerted measures to repeat their attempt. It will be admitted that the desponding naturally arising from disappointments in those repeated mutinies added to a quick transition from a tropical to a high Southern latitude, is calculated to produce the effects so generally prevailing. But not quite satisfied with (my) own opinion on the subject, I suggested to His Excellency Governor Brisbane, the propriety of a search into the circumstances of their condition on board, my attention to and care of their comforts during their passage as well as the development of a cause that might to me be unknown. Such enquiry having future good and satisfaction to me for its objects with regard to the latter.

 I have no hesitation in attributing much benefit to my being constantly among them, cheering them and administering their nourishment with my own hand.

The Ocean arrived in Sydney on Wednesday 27 August 1823. She was one of twelve vessels bringing convicts to New South Wales in 1823.

James McTernan was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Sir Charles Forbes in 1827 (VDL) Asia in 1828, Eliza in 1829, Lady Harewood in 1831,  John Barry in 1836 and the  Sara in 1837 (VDL)

William Price Wall who later resided in Maitland for many years arrived as a convict on the Ocean, having been tried at the Old Bailey in 1822. He was a tailor by trade and although his first few years as a prisoner were difficult he eventually married and set up business in Maitland. He was recommended for Conditional Pardon by some of the most influential settlers in the district in 1842. He left Australia with his family for the Gold Fields in California in 1850 however later returned and eventually settled in Victoria.

Henry Drummond was also one of the men transported on the Ocean. He was also convicted at the Old Bailey, however his experience as a prisoner was very different to William Price Wall. Henry Drummond was only 15 years old on 24 October 1821 when he was convicted of pick pocketing and sentenced to 14 years transportation. He never reconciled to his new life and in his time became a pirate, mutineer and not least in the eyes of other convicts, a snitch. He was sent to some of the worst penal settlements in the colony, the first being the Moreton Bay penal settlement where at the time Captain Bishop was Commandant. At Moreton Bay he was employed as a stockman and together with another prisoner John Boyd, was found guilty of stealing sheep and absconding from the settlement. They were both forwarded to Sydney for trial. At their trial they pleaded not guilty stating that their prior confession was made with the view of escaping corporal punishment at the settlement and of being forwarded to Sydney where they could have a fair trial. They were both sentenced to death but later the sentence was commuted to transportation to Norfolk Island. It was to be many years before Alexander Maconochie brought penal reforms to Norfolk Island and in 1827 the settlement was a hell-hole for the convicts. Bound for Norfolk Island in the brig Wellington in February 1827, Henry Drummond joined with other desperadoes to capture the Wellington and take captain, crew and troops prisoners. They made for New Zealand where they were captured by Captain Duke in the Sisters and conveyed back to Sydney. It is one of the most remarkable stories in colonial history and excited enormous public interest, in part because of the notorious reputation of Norfolk Island penal settlement  - the Sydney Gazette covered the story in great detail.  Five of the pirates were later executed, however Henry Drummond was not amongst them. He was returned to Norfolk Island. In 1834 he once again became part of an infamous colonial chapter when he took part in an uprising of 150 convicts. He was injured in the battle but later recovered. (SG). He was put on trial with many others, one of whom gave a testimony which brought tears to Judge Burton's eyes - 'Let a man be what he will when he comes here, he is soon as bad as the rest; a man's heart is taken from him, and there is given to him the heart of a beast'. Henry Drummond was found guilty and executed for his crimes with twelve other cohorts a month later.

Select here to find other convicts who arrived on the Ocean in 1823

Resources used to compile Convict Ship pages:

Sydney Gazette, The Australian, The Monitor, The Maitland Mercury and other publications available via Australia Trove

UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849 - Ancestry

Various 19th Century British Library Newspapers available via National Library of Australia eResourses ( see Cora Num's site for instructions to access)

Lesley Uebel's Port Jackson Convict Anthology

Surgeon's Journals at National Archives

Surgeon's Journals at Ancestry

Publications available at Google Books

Historical Records of New South Wales Vols. 1 - VII

Martin Cash: His personal narrative as a Bushranger in Van Diemens Land

Free Settler or Felon Database

Journeys In Time 1809 - 1822 - The Journals of Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Online

North to Matsumae, Australian Whalers to Japan by Noreen Jones.

Bound For Botany Bay: Narrative of a voyage in 1798 Aboard the Death Ship Hillsborough - Frank Clune

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." by John Haslam in John Croaker: convict Embezzler: John Booker and Russell Craig.

Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1825 [database on-line].

Australian Town and Country Journal 3 January 1891 - Arrivals of vessels at Port Jackson and Departures of same up to 1817

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