Captain Alloway. Surgeon George McClure

The convict ship Nautilus departed Dublin 17th September with 199 male prisoners under superintendence of George McClure, surgeon. 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.

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

Alexander Maconochie (1798 - 1860), 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

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

Master Donald Trail.    Surgeon William Gray

424 male convicts , 78 female convicts were embarked at Portsmouth

One hundred and seventy eight men and eleven women died on the passage out

The Neptune arrived on 28th June 1790

In August 1790 .......

August 1790. An Account of the English colony in NSW

Convicts arriving on the Neptune in 1790

Captain Robert Carns. Surgeon Thomas Reid

The Neptune entered the Heads of Port Jackson at 10.30am on 5 May 1818 and shortly after received the pilot on board. At Noon they anchored to wait for the tide and at 12.30 the Naval Officer boarded. The Master of the vessel, Captain Carns accompanied by Surgeon Superintendent Thomas Reid, then went on shore to deliver dispatches to Governor Macquarie.

The Neptune brought with her 170 convicts who had departed the Downs 20 December 1817 as well as 16 men who had escaped from New South Wales in the vessel Harriet and were apprehended at the Cape.

On arrival the invalids were removed to the hospital on shore and a few days later 16 absconders embarked at the Cape were taken ashore

More about the voyage of the Neptune 1818

Read about Henry Angel, convict of the Neptune

Surgeon Thomas Reid recorded details of provisions for the journey of the Neptune: -

The following is a correct copy of the list of extra stores and necessaries allowed on board the Neptune in which ship I was surgeon and superintendent in 1817, and is an undeniable proof of the humane concern Government takes in the welfare of those unfortunate persons:

Navy Office -  A List of Stores shipped on board 28 Nov. 1817. The Neptune Convict Ship for the use of 170 male convicts, guard and passengers, during their voyage to New South Wales. And of clothing for the use of the convicts upon their arrival at the colony.

Articles of Comfort for Use during the Voyage.

Mustard, 170 lbs.: Soap, 510: combs, 31 large, 31 small, No. (32 : razors, 10: hone, 1 : strop, 1 : preserved meats, 47G lbs., value 4'2/. 10: lemon juice, 242 gallons : sugar to mix with it, 1,939 lbs.

Articles in case of Sickness. Tea, 34 lbs.  sugar, 170: chocolate, 10: sago, 20:

Scotch barley, 340  ginger, 1 : black pepper, 3 : allspice, 6 : red port wine, 102 bottles : rice, 24 Ibs. : pearl barley, 24.

Fumigating Articles.

Tar, 1 barrel: crude brimstone, GO lbs.: vinegar, 60 gallons : fumigating lamps, 2 : extra wicks, 2 boxes: oil, 4 gallons: oil of tar, 10.

Hospital Furniture.

Duck frocks, 10: flannel trowsers, 10 pairs: flannel waistcoats, 10: cotton hose, : pocket-handkerchiefs, 20: night-caps, 20: towels, 20 : sheets, 34 : calico pillow-cases, 34 : pewter pans, 2 : urinals, 2 : spitting-pots, 2 : pans and buckets, of each 2: tin teakettles, 4 : tin saucepans, of sorts, 10 : tin japanned drinking mugs, 20: knives and forks, 20 of each: water purifier, 1 : charcoal, 20 bushels: bathing tub, 1 : airing stove, ventilating, and swing, each 1 : pails 4: kegs (three gallon), 28: spare bedding, 17 sets.

Clothing for the Use of the Convicts on their Arrival.

Yellow kersey jackets, 170: waistcoats, 170: raven duck trowsers, 170 pairs : for use during voyage, 170: shirts, 510: stockings, 340 pairs: shoes, 170: woollen caps, 170: and neck-handkerchiefs, 170.

In addition to the above, 2 cots were also supplied in case of fractured limbs, besides a proper stock of medicines from the Apothecaries' Hall.

The sixteen men who escaped on the Harriet and were returned to Sydney on the Neptune were later brought before a Bench of Magistrates and sentenced to receive one hundred lashes each and to be worked in the gaol gang for 12 calendar months. Their names were Henry Chambers, John Druet, Benjamin Oliver, John Cochrane, Robert Plummer, John Skelton, Patrick Lowry, Nathaniel Ewer, Henry Moore, William Hollady, John Latham, James Quinn, Benjamin Little, William Chapman, Thomas Edwards and Moses Solomon, a boy.

Convicts arriving on the Neptune in 1818

Captain William McKissock. Surgeon James Mitchell

The Neptune departed from the Downs on 23rd March 1820 and arrived in Port Jackson 16 July 1820 , a voyage of 114 days. One hundred and fifty six male prisoners arrived in general good health, not losing one. 

James Mitchell, R.N., was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 8 March to 29 July 1820

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

With the Neptune came the news of the death of King George III. 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

Convicts arriving on the Neptune in 1820

The Neptune sailed from Dublin 27th August 1837 with 197 male prisoners and arrived in Port Jackson 2 January 1838. Three prisoners died on the passage out

Passengers included Major Elliot, Mrs. Elliot and child, Lieut. Baker and 28 rank and file of 51st regt., 6 women and 8 children

Convicts arriving in the Neptune in 1838

The Neva 337 tons, 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.

The Neva departed Plymouth on 20th July 1833 and arrived in Port Jackson 21 November 1833. Cholera was prevalent in the early part of the voyage and fever at various times throughout the journey. One prisoner died on the passage out.

This was Morgan Price's fifth voyage as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 18 June to 7 December 1833

The guard consisted of 26 rank and file of the 21st regt., etc., under the orders of Lieutenant McEdwin of the Queen's Own and Ensign Buchier of the 17th Regt.,

Ship's carpenter was John Thornton

The prisoners were landed at the Dockyard on Saturday 7th December 1833.

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

Master Benjamin Peck

The Neva departed Cork 8th January 1835 with 150 female prisoners, 9 free women and 55 children.

The Neva was Wrecked north of King Island on 13th May 1835 and all perished except six of the women and nine of the Crew.

The six surviving women were later taken to Sydney - Ellen Galvin, Mary Slattery, Ann Cullen, Rose Ann Heland, Rose Dunn and Margaret Drury.

Only two vessels carrying female prisoners arrived in New South Wales in 1835, the Neva and the Mary .

Three vessels transporting convicts to Australia were wrecked in the year 1835. The other two were the Hive which ran aground on a beach south of Jervis Bay and the George III which was wrecked near Hobart.

Ninety-six female prisoners, four children, ten male passengers including William Bowman, Richard Rouse, John Tibbett, John Jones, Israel Rayner, John Hillas and Peter Hodge; nine female passengers and 21 children arrived on the Nile.

Literary Gazette - From the Memoirs of James Hardy Vaux

In May 1801, after an almost fatal attack of the gaol fever, his father, mother, and sisters took a final leave of him, and he was removed to Gravesend, and put on board the Minorca transport, which lay there with the Canada and Nile bound to Port Jackson. We dare say it will be new to the majority of our readers to learn how persons in this situation are treated ; and as the subject has just been raised in the House of Commons, it acquires greater importance.

'Having entered the ship, we were all indiscriminately stripped (according to custom,) and were saluted with several buckets of salt-water, thrown over our heads by a boatswain's-mate. After undergoing this watery ordeal, we were compelled to put on a suit of slop-clothing. Our own apparel, though good in kind, being thrown overboard. We were then double-ironed, and put between-decks, where we selected such births, for sleeping, &c. as each thought most eligible. The next day, we received on board forty-six more prisoners from the Hulks at Woolwich, and the Canada fifty. The Nile also took on board one hundred women, from the different gaols in Great Britain. The three ships then sailed for Spithead where, on our arrival, the Minorca and Canada had their numbers augmented, from the Hulks at Portsmouth, to one hundred men each. Every thing being now in readiness, we only waited for the convoy to assemble, with which we were to proceed to a certain latitude. - Literary Gazette - From the Memoirs of James Hardy Vaux

Convicts arriving on the Nile in 1801

Master Thomas Christian. Surgeon Robert Malcolm

On the 9th December 1829, sixty male convicts were received 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. Robert Malcolm was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical 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. The Guard was commanded by Captain Robert Moffatt of the 17th Regiment. Mrs. Moffatt and Miss Singer came as passengers. Other members of the 17th regt.,  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 Horn,

The last day of 1829 was spent on board the Nithsdale and the following day, 1st January 1830, they departed England. According to surgeon Robert Malcolm, during the voyage almost everyone experienced an attack of diarrhoea, in some cases very severe. Other illnesses included ophthalmia, fever and apoplexy.

The Nithsdale arrived in Port Jackson on 12 May 1830, having lost one convict on the voyage out. The prisoners were landed on Friday 21st May and the majority of them were assigned to private service.

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

Convicts arriving on the Nithsdale in 1830

Master Alexander Greig. Surgeon William Hamilton

(Built at Littlehampton in 1804. 547 tons.....Lloyd's Register)

The Norfolk sailed from Portsmouth on 17 April 1825 with 178 male prisoners, guarded by a detachment of the 57th regiment under orders of Captain Brown. They sailed direct and arrived in Port Jackson on 18 August 1825, a voyage of 123 days.  Two prisoners died on the passage out.

William Hamilton was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 11 March 1825 to 23 August 1825

Convicts arriving on the Norfolk in 1825

Captain Alexander Greig. Surgeon James Dickson

The Norfolk departed from Spithead on 23rd May 1829 and arrived in Port Jackson on 27 August 1829. She transported 200 male prisoners, none having died on the passage out. 

Surgeon Superintendent James Dickson kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 28 April to 7 September. His cases included pleurisy, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, lumbago and rheumatism. James Dickson was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Countess of Harcourt 1824  Woodford 1826 (VDL) Florentia 1828 and Vittoria 1829 

Captain William Henniker. Surgeon William Clifford

On 13th September 1831, 199 prisoners were transported from the hulk at Cork and embarked on the convict ship Norfolk.

The Norfolk departed Cork 15th October 1831 and arrived 9th February 1832 bringing 199 male prisoners, 4 having died during the passage.

William Clifford was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 8 the September 1831 to 23 February 1832. William Clifford was also surgeon on the Convict Ships Harmony (VDL), Forth (1) 1830 and Sir Charles Forbes 1837

Convicts arriving on the Norfolk in 1832

Captain John Gatenby. Surgeon John Inches

Surgeon John Inches 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 February 1837 under the superintendence of John Inches R.N., who kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 30th October 1836 and 12 February 1837.

According to the surgeon, the prisoners were very orderly and clean on the voyage out. They arrived at Port Jackson on 12 February 1837.

The convict ship Northampton departed Portsmouth 1st January 1815, and sailed via Rio de Janeiro. Jackson's Oxford Journal reported on 18 February that the Northampton had been captured off Madeira by an American ship but afterwards liberated, the enemy not liking the cargo, and suffered her to proceed on her voyage.

The Northampton arrived in Port Jackson on the 18th June 1815 with 106 female prisoners having lost 4 on the passage - Eliz. Cowan and Ann Turner at Rio; the latter of whom fell overboard and was drowned; Susan Frost died at sea after leaving Rio; and Mrs. Shirwell died a fortnight before arrival. Free passenger Mrs. Dedman and her 2 children were buried at Rio; Mrs. Noble lost 1 child; Mrs. Drake lost 2 and Mrs. Higgins 1.

The prisoners were landed 23 June in a healthy state. A number of women came free to join their husbands. Twenty eight of the prisoners were under the age of 21 years.

Joseph Arnold was employed as Surgeon Superintendent........Trove Australia - Joseph Arnold - naturalist and naval surgeon, was born on 28 December 1782 at Beccles, Suffolk, England. He was apprenticed in 1799 to a surgeon and apothecary, obtained his surgeon's diploma at Edinburgh in 1807. In 1815 he arrived in charge of the female convict transport Northampton, the first surgeon-superintendent of a convict ship appointed on the British government's adoption of that system.

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

More about the Northampton 1815

Convicts arriving on the Northampton 1815

Master John Baker. Surgeon Edward Ford Bromley

The Times reported that the Numa, James Laing and Moffatt all with convicts for Australia, lay windbound at St. Helen's and the Motherbank on 21st December 1833. Altogether 150 vessels were all waiting for moderate weather and a fair wind. It had blown during the previous week with great violence but without occasioning any loss to the ships whilst at anchor.

The Numa finally departed on 29 January 1834 and, touched at the Cape where she departed on 17th March, and arrived in Port Jackson with 138 English female convicts on 13th June 1834 .

The women were mustered on board on the 17 June 1834. There were three sick in the hospital, two had died at sea, 1 died in the General Hospital on shore. Originally 140 women were embarked

Edward F. Bromley was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 14th October 1833 to 1st July 1834. He was also surgeon on the convict ships Ocean 1816 Almorah 1817  Lord Wellington 1820 and Surry 1833

The Numa was one of three convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1834, the others being the Andromeda and the George Hibbert. A total of 453 female convicts arrived in the colony in 1834.

Convicts arriving on the Numa in 1834

Ocean 1816

Master Alexander Johnston. Surgeon Edward Ford Bromley

The Ocean arrived from England on 30 January 1816 after a passage of thirteen weeks bringing 218 male prisoners. She had sailed via Rio. One man died on the voyage. Of those convicts who embarked in England, sixty were under the age of 21 years.

The Guard consisted of a detachment of 46th regiment., and a small party of the 56th regiment., Officers Lieut. Nepean and Ensign Bullevant. Passenger Rev. Youl.

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

Edward Bromley was also surgeon on the convict ships  Almorah 1817  Lord Wellington 1820  Surry 1833 and Numa 1834

Convicts arriving on the Ocean in 1816

The Ocean sailed from Spithead on 21st August 1817, called at St. Helena en route and arrived at Port Jackson on 10 January 1818 with 180 male prisoners having lost two on the passage....Augustus Golding and William Tarry.

George Fairfowl was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal which he commenced on the 24th June 1817.

In 1808 George Farifowl was employed as surgeon on the vessel Alexandria. The voyage of the Ocean in 1818 was the first of seven voyages he made as surgeon on a convict ship: -  Dromedary 1820  Royal Charlotte 1825  Sovereign 1829 Andromeda 1830  Clyde 1832  and Hive 1834

Convicts arriving on the Ocean in 1818

Captain William Harrison.   Surgeon James McTernan

The Ocean departed Portsmouth on 24th April 1823 and arrived in Sydney on Wednesday 27 August 1823. She was one of twelve vessels bringing convicts to New South Wales in 1823.

165 male prisoners arrived on the Ocean, six having died on the passage out: -

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.

James McTernan was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He joined the vessel on 23rd April, just one day before departure. He kept a Medical Journal from 23 April 1823 to 2 September 1823, 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.

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

William Price Wall arrived as a convict on the Ocean.  Select here to find other convicts who arrived on the Ocean in 1823