Salamander 1791

Most of the convicts were in a weak emaciated state, and complained that proper attention had not been paid to them.

Master John Davidson. Surgeon John Rankine

The Sarah & Elizabeth departed London on 1st January 1837 and arrived in Port Jackson 23 April 1837.  She brought 21 tons slate, sundry government stores, ninety-six female prisoners and ten children. Four females died on the passage out.

Sunday 23rd April, the day the ship arrived at Port Jackson, was a cloudy day with winds from the south-west. At noon the temperature was 72F (22C). On the 2nd of May when the women were landed the day was clear with north-westerly winds, the temperature had dropped to 70F (21C)

On the 3rd May, several of the women were forwarded to Port Macquarie by the steamer William the Fourth

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

Twelve of the women of the Sarah & Elizabeth have been identified in the Hunter Valley in the following years.

Weather permitting, the Sarah & Elizabeth was to leave Port Jackson on the return voyage to London on 16th August 1837, taking with her 256 casks of sperm oil brought in from the Ann (whaler); 360 bales of wool, 41 bundles of whalebone; 1787 ox and cow horns; 973 tips, 10,000 bones, 10,000 hoofs; 500 bundles rattans; 1 box tortoiseshell; 2 bags of hair; 364 ox and cow hides; 52 pieces cedar; 4 boxes of tea; 1 case books and 1 ton of bones.

Convicts arriving on the Sarah & Elizabeth in 1837

Master Henry Columbine.

Two hundred prisoners who embarked on the Sarah came from the hulks at Portsmouth on 15th August and according to surgeon Alick Osborne, while there had become accustomed to ship board life. They were under the Guard of soldiers of the 63rd regiment for the journey to Australia.

The Sarah departed London on 29 August 1829, touched at the Islands of Tristan 'Acunha and St. Paul's, and arrived in Port Jackson on the 7th December 1829, a voyage of 100 days. On the way, they spoke the ship Gilmore, with settlers for Swan River and the William, having Sir Edward Parry, R.N. and family on board. 199 male convicts arrived on the Sarah.

This was Surgeon Alick Osborne's fourth voyage as surgeon superintendent on a convict ship. He kept a Medical and surgical Journal from 29 July 1829 to 19 December 1829

He recorded that the weather was fine for most of the voyage, so the prisoners could be on deck all day. The prisons were kept clean and dry with stoves lighted all day and only the oldest prisoners suffered any scurvy. Bark and wine was used as an effective prophylactic treatment. All but one of the prisoners were landed in robust health.

The Sydney Gazette reported on the 19th December: - We always feel much pleasure in adverting to the continued display of humanity and attention manifested in the importation of prisoners to this “our favoured land. "Yesterday 199 male prisoners were landed from the Sarah, Captain Columbine, Superintendent, A. Osborne, Esq. Their state and condition was such, as to show that every attention must have been paid to their health and comfort on the voyage. The experienced Superintendent has been here often before, always receiving the approbation of the Authorities: and we need only say, that the appearance of the prisoners landed yesterday was seldom equalled, never excelled. Captain Columbine is entitled to equal praise for his cheerful and cordial co-operation in every thing tending to the comfort of the people. The conduct of the detachment of the 63d, under Lieutenant Croly, is said to have been most exemplary; and indeed the unanimity and harmony which prevailed amongst all parties in the Sarah, proves that the promotion of the general good was the only predominant feeling. This is as it should be, and cannot fail to be duly appreciated in the highest quarter.

Convicts arriving on the Sarah in 1829

Master J.T. Drake. Surgeon John Dulhunty

(Lloyds Register - The Sesostris  was built at Hull in 1807. 487 tons)

The Morning Post reported on 30th November - Portsmouth 28th November - It has blown very hard all the day; the outward bound remain all well. The Hope from Exmouth to London got on shore on Bambridge Ledge this morning, knocked her rudder off and is leaky; in making for the harbour accompanied by two pilot boats, she ran on board the Sesostris, for New South Wales, and carried away her bowsprit.

The Sesostris departed Portsmouth on Wednesday 30 November 1825, came direct and arrived on Tuesday morning 21 March 1826, a voyage of 111 days

A detachment of the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment of Infantry embarked on the Sesostris on 26th November 1825 at Portsmouth.  They were under the orders of Major Campbell and Ensign Benson. The Band of the 57th joined its Corps by this vessel. Some of the soldier's mentioned in the surgeon's journal included Private W. Warren, Private G. Farnham, Private Samuel Fairman, Private Mark Lane, Private E. Jennings, Private J. Steadman, Private S. Hardcastle, Private D. Mitchell, Private R. Stevenson, J. Grant. The wife of Private Hynes gave birth to a daughter in the ship hospital which had been divided off from the sick men as the soldier's berth was even more crowded.

147 male convicts arrived on the Sesostris, three convicts having died on the voyage out.  - George Archer, W. Bray and George Milford.

John Dulhunty was employed as surgeon superintendent. He kept a Surgical and Medical Journal from 5th November 1825 - 22 March 1826

Passengers included Mr. J. Dulhunty, Mrs. Dulhunty, Miss Dulhunty, Mr. J.B. Clay, and Mr. N. Eise together with 8 women and 12 children belonging to the troops.

The Sesostris departed for New Zealand on 11th April 1826.

More about the Sesostris at The Dulhunty Papers

Convicts arriving on the Sesostris in 1826

Master Lewis Williams Moncrief. Surgeon George Clayton

The Shipley 381 tons, was built in Whitby in 1805. She departed England 18 December 1816, touched nowhere, sailed through Bass Strait and arrived at Port Jackson 24 April 1817 with 125 male prisoners and 30 non-commissioned officers of the 46th regiment under the orders of Lieut. McPherson. This was the first of four voyages of the Shipley. Thirty seven prisoners were under the age of 21.

George Clayton was employed as surgeon superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 19 November 1816 to 3 May 1817. George Clayton was also surgeon on the convict ships    Globe 1819 and  Competitor 1823 (VDL)

Governor Macquarie wrote in his journal on 24 April  -  all the Crew, Soldiers, & Convicts (have) arrived in good Health, none of the latter having died on the Passage. — Passengers Messrs. James Williamson (late Dy. Comy. of N.S.W.) Smith, Bentley, and Eades, as Free Settlers.

Convicts arriving on the Shipley in 1817

Master Lewis Williams Moncrief. Surgeon Robert Espie

The Shipley departed Woolwich on 18 July 1818 and arrived in Port Jackson on 18 November 1818 with 146 convicts.

Robert Espie was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the convict ships Morley 1817  Dorothy 1820 Lord Sidmouth 1823 Lady Rowena 1826  Mary 1830(VDL) Roslin Castle 1834  and Elizabeth 1836

The total population in New South Wales in 1818 amounted to 17,165 people of those there were 4,100 male convicts and 2340 female convicts and 850 of their children.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Shipley in 1818

The Shipley returned to England in March 1819. Soldiers of the 84th, 48th and 46th regiments returned on her as well as eight naval surgeons - Robert Espie, Andrew Smith, William Hamilton, Thomas C. Roylance, Henry Ryan, Morgan Price, John Johnston and John Whitmarsh

Master Lewis Williams Moncrief. Surgeon Henry Ryan

The Shipley departed the Downs 5 June 1820 and arrived 26 September 1820 with male 146 prisoners, four having died on the passage out. 

Sixty one convicts were disembarked in Van Diemen's Land

On 4th of October the remainder of the Shipley men (85 men) were landed in Sydney. They were inspected by Governor Macquarie who gave the necessary instructions as to their distribution.

Lieutenant Windsor of the 69th regiment commanded the Guard which was a detachment of the 48th regiment. Passenger Mrs. Cartwright, wife of Rev. Cartwright.

Convicts arriving on the Shipley in 1820

Master Lewis Williams Moncrief

The Shipley departed London 7 November 1821 and arrived 11 March 1822 with 149 male prisoners, one having died on the passage out. The voyage had taken 124 days.

George Shaw Rutherford was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 4 October 1821 to 14 March 1822.

He recorded in his journal that diarrhoea made its appearance soon after the convicts embarked and continued more or less troublesome throughout the voyage, although extreme attention was paid to cleanliness and ventilation and every care taken to keep the prison dry and comfortable. The one fatality on the voyage died after suffering this malady, -  Joseph Farnsworth on the 19 January.

Severe weather was experienced soon after clearing the Channel and some convicts continued to suffer the effects the entire voyage, probably with catarrh, rheumatism and pneumonia. Scurvy appeared as the ship entered southern waters, and George Rutherford prescribed lemon juice as treatment. One prisoner William Jarvis, was recorded as suffering sun stroke in December.

On Thursday morning 14th March, the prisoners of the Shipley as well as 300 prisoners from the Southworth and Isabella were inspected by Governor Macquarie who expressed his satisfaction on the healthy and clean state of the convicts.

In 1831, George Shaw Rutherford gave evidence before a Select Committee which was appointed to inquire into the best mode of giving efficiency to Secondary Punishments and to report their Observations to the House. Select here to read the evidence he gave

Convicts arriving on the Shipley in 1822

Master James Leslie. Surgeon William Clifford

William Clifford was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 10 August 1837 to 2 January 1838. William Clifford was also surgeon on the convict ships Harmony (VDL), Forth (1) 1830 and  Norfolk 1832

The Sir Charles Forbes departed Dublin 11 August 1837 and arrived 25 December 1837 with one hundred and forty seven female prisoners, three having died on the passage out. Mary Rooney and Mary Lark arrived as free passengers. The Sir Charles Forbes anchored in Neutral Bay Christmas Day evening. The following day the women would have awoken to a clear, pleasant day with winds from the north-west and temperatures of around 26C.

On the 27 December, notice was given that families who were in need of Female Servants could be supplied from the prisoners who arrived on the Sir Charles Forbes, provided they applied according to the established forms before the 30th December. The assignees were required to enter into the usual engagements, under a penalty of forty shillings to keep their servants for one month unless removed in due course of law.

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

Convicts arriving on the Sir Charles Forbes in 1837

Master John Rennoldson.  Surgeon William Evans

When he embarked on the Sir Godfrey Webster, William Evans began his fourth voyage to the colonies as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 13 May 1825 to 16 January 1826

The Guard consisting of a detachment of the 57th regiment comprising two commissioned officers, 33 rank and file, 6 women and 7 children under orders of Lieutenant Ovens embarked on board the Sir Godfrey Webster at Deptford on 24 May 1825.

Before each voyage, convict ships were fitted up by shipwrights, joiners, carpenters and plumbers. Cisterns may have been installed or fixed and on-board prisons were built. Often the prisons were constructed of timber and new ones may have been re-built for each voyage. Later one of the surgeons recommended that iron bars be used to allow better ventilation and to save on cost of re-building each time. The Sir Godfrey Webster was still being fitted out when the soldiers of the guard arrived. Several became ill with catarrh and pneumonia because the barrack room became damp and fires could not be lit in consequence of the trades people not having finished their work between decks.

The Sir Godfrey Webster left Gravesend on 3rd June 1825 and reached the Cove of Cork on the 16th June. On 27 June 196 male convicts embarked on board from the Surprise convict hulk. On examining the prisoners surgeon Evans remonstrated with principal superintendent Dr. Trevor regarding the propriety of taking two prisoners who were extremely ill. Dr. Trevor agreed to have them removed back to the prison hulk. Dr. Evans also objected to several other patients on the same grounds however did not succeed in having them removed and the vessel departed Cork on 11 July 1825 with 196 prisoners.

For the first fortnight the convicts were quite ill. Surgeon Evans attributed this to the different food to that given in the hulk where the men had not been allowed any solid animal food. Convicts were afflicted with diarrhoea and dysentery and scurvy began to appear as well for which they were given lime juice and vegetable soup. On the 2nd August they made the peak of Teneriffe and the next day anchored off the town of Santa Cruz to replenish water. Here they also procured fresh beef and vegetables for the convicts and guard and fruit for the sick. They weighed anchor on 5th August and came abreast of Cape de Verde Island where the weather was fine and health improved. The prisoners were released from their irons. They reached the equator on 1st September at which time one of the prisoners, James Develin suffered from sun stroke, having exposed himself without any covering on his head, to the direct rays of the sun.

After crossing the equator they were obliged to 'retrace their steps', a circumstance that caused much anxiety on account of the crowded state of the prison and excessive heat. They headed north and then south finally re-crossing the equator on 2nd October 1825. William Evans recorded the death of one of the convicts off the coast of Brazil: - Michael Bergan, aged 30, nearly blind and under other bodily infirmities was in the act of going below when he lost his hold of the hatchway and was precipitated into the main hold; died 8 September 1825 at 10.30.

By the 8th October the ship was making rapid progress to the southward. Scurvy and dysentery became prevalent and the store of lime juice was nearly expended and was rationed out only to the ill. None was allowed to the guard. Because of the serious illness on board they were forced to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope. On the 4 November 1825 the ship reached anchorage in Table Bay . The following day fresh beef and vegetables was received for the guard and convicts and a requisition for supplies was made to the naval store keeper at Simon Town. At this period 38 of the convicts and 2 of the guard were on the sick list afflicted with scurvy.

On 9th November they shipped eight live bullocks and fifty sheep but in consequence of strong westerly winds and heavy swell setting into Table Bay they could not put to sea until 13th November when they 'bade adieu to the Cape after a stay of nine days'. On the 5th December as they passed by the Island of St. Paul they experienced a series of hard gales, during most of this interval much inconvenience was felt by all but more especially the invalids from the heavy rolling of the ship. The convicts who were well enough assisted the crew to the satisfaction of all.

William Evans recorded in his journal that 'at 4 pm on the 27th December we descried King’s Island lying at the entrance of Bass's Strait, and by 10 o'clock the following night got clear through into the Pacific Ocean. On the evening of 3rd January 1826 anchored in Sydney Cove at 8 pm.'

The prisoners were landed on Monday 16th January. Their healthy and orderly appearance was attributed to the care of surgeon William Evans, to whose humanity and attentions during the passage, the prisoners themselves bore testimony to in an address. The Sydney Gazette reported that the men were said to have conducted themselves with the greatest regularity and decorum during the tedious passage of six months. Among the individuals by this ship, was one who a short time since discharged the magisterial functions in the south of Ireland.

One of the convicts on the Sir Godfrey Webster was William Lackey, father of Sir John Lackey

William Evans was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Sir William Bensley 1817   Bencoolen 1819  Hindostan 1821  Southworth 1834 (VDL) and Earl Grey 1836

Convicts arriving on the Sir Godfrey Webster in 1826

Master Lew E. Williams. Surgeon William Evans

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 Fame did not depart until the 9th October 1816.

The Sir William Bensley arrived in Port Jackson on 10 March 1817 with 199 male convicts.  Some of the men had been tried at the Old Bailey before being sent to Newgate prison. From Newgate they were probably sent to one of the Prison Hulks. Francis Bodenham was convicted of bigamy at the Old Bailey on 11 January 1815 and sentenced to 7 years transportation. Along with twenty six other prisoners he was received on to the Perseus hulk from Newgate on 22 April 1815 and therefore spent approximately 17 months on the Hulk before transportation.

The guard comprised a Military detachment of 32 non-commissioned officers and privates commanded by Lieut. Ross.

Fifty five of the prisoners on the Sir William Bensley were under the age of 21. One prisoner, William Young drowned after falling overboard.

Lieutenant Governor Sorrell, recently appointed to Van Diemens Land arrived on the Sir William Bensley. On Saturday 15th March, he boarded the Governor's barge at 11am to be conveyed to the Governor's wharf. A Salute of 13 Guns was fired from Dawe's Battery.

William Evans was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the convict ships  Bencoolen 1819  Hindostan 1821  Sir Godfrey Webster 1826  Southworth 1834 (VDL) and Earl Grey 1836

Convicts arriving on the Sir William Bensley in 1817

Captain Alexander Scott

The Somersetshire departed Spithead 10th May 1814, called at Madeira and arrived at Rio 13th July where she remained 10 days, arriving in Port Jackson on Sunday 16 October 1814 after a voyage of five months and five days. She was one of seven convict ships arriving in New South Wales in 1814, the others being the Wanstead, General Hewitt, Catherine, Three Bees, Broxbornbury and Surry.

Two hundred male prisoners arrived on the Somersetshire. Forty two of the prisoners were under the age of 21.

Arriving on the Somersetshire as guard was a detachment of 30 men under command of Capt. Nairn to join the 16th regiment. On the voyage out Private Andrew Johnson died from fever before reaching Rio and one convict, James Brown (alias White) was presumed drowned in a rash attempt of escape at Rio. The wife of Private Quinten Owen gave birth to a healthy daughter on the 30th September 1814.

The Somersetshire brought the news of the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. On the 17th October, in honour of the news, a Royal Salute was fired from Dawe's Battery by command of His honour Lieut- Governor Molle; and in the evening a general illumination took place.

In November while the Somersetshire lay at anchor, seaman Robert Carroll was seriously injured in a fall and afterwards conveyed to the hospital on shore.

The Somersetshire sailed for Calcutta on Monday 5th December 1814.

Among the male prisoners who arrived on the Somersetshire was stonemason James Clohesy

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Somersetshire in 1814

Captain Thomas Elley

The Guard consisted of 28 men of the 39th and 63rd regiments under orders of Major Pool and Lieut. Bell. They were ordered for embarkation at Deptford on 2nd July 1828.

The Sophia departed Dublin 15th September and arrived in Port Jackson on 17th January 1829. Surgeon Superintendent  Alick Osborne R.N., kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 7 June 1828 to 25 January 1829

One hundred and ninety male prisoners arrived on the Sophia.  Passengers included Mrs. Pool and three Misses Bell.

One soldier, Thomas Ault aged 23 died from phthisis, and two prisoners also died - Peter Hoey, aged 86. Hoey had two sons and a son in law on the vessel and although he was old and infirm and surgeon Osborne 'had little hope of landing him', he could not refuse the old man's request. Hoey was put on the sick list on 19th September and died on 21st December 1828; Peter Hanagan, aged 40 according to Osborne, was labouring under great mental depression, absolutely broken hearted and devoid of all energy, and died 9 January 1829.

There were a few cases of scurvy which appeared early in the voyage thought to be due to the diet in the Hulk. The symptoms soon disappeared when the vessel got out to sea and a diet of preserved meat, cooked daily and made into a broth was served up.

Alex Osborne had the gratification to see it remarked in the Sydney Gazette of the state of robust health of the convicts who were landed from the Sophia.

Hunter Valley bushranger Robert Chitty arrived as a convict on the Sophia. Robert Chitty was employed as a constable near Norah Head in the 1830's. He later joined with others to form the JewBoy gang (bushrangers). He was executed in 1841.

William John Whitelaw also arrived on the Sophia, having been tried in Antrim. He was later employed as a surgeon in Maitland

Alex Osborne was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Lonach 1825   Speke 1826   Sarah 1829  Planter 1832  Fairlie 1834  Marquis of Huntley 1835  Elphinstone 1838

Convicts arriving on the Sophia in 1829

Master David Sampson. Surgeon Joseph Cook

One hundred and one convicts to be embarked on the Southworth arrived at the vessel from Cork at 3pm on the 24th October 1821. According to surgeon Joseph Cook, a number of them had been supplied with ardent spirits by their friends on the passage down and were in a state of intoxication. George Shine aged 22, had indulged to excess and died an hour after coming on board that day.

Although the convicts were boarded on the 24th October, the vessel did not depart until 18th November. They anchored at Santa Cruz, Teneriffe on 30th November where they procured water and fresh beef and vegetables, departing from there on 1st December 1821.

The Southworth arrived in Port Jackson on 9th March 1822 with 100 male prisoners. The voyage had taken 111 days.

Joseph Cook, R.N., was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 18 September 1821 to 13 March 1822. Joseph Cook was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Sir Charles Forbes 1825 (VDL)  Phoenix 1826  Louisa 1827  Mellish 1829  Forth (11) 1830  and Portland 1832

The Guard consisted of a detachment of 3rd regiment, Sergeant Henry Foster, and Commanded by Lieut. Woods.

In April 1822 the Southworth departed Port Jackson in company with the Governor Philip and the Fanny intending to sail north via Torres Straight.

Convicts arriving on the Southworth in 1822

Master John Coombs. Surgeon James Forrester

One hundred and thirty four female prisoners were received onto the Southworth from the Cork penitentiary on 14th January 1832. Their ages varied from 13 to 70.

The Southworth departed Cork on 6th February 1832 and arrived in Port Jackson on Thursday 14th June 1832, a voyage of 129 days.

James Forrester was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 2 December 1831 to 8 June 1832. James Forrester was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Brothers 1827 and Amphitrite 1833

Passengers J. Plunkett, Solicitor-General + family; Mr. Kean, Rev. McEnroe; Ann Kingston, a free woman and 4 children; Mary Fleming, free woman with 4 children; Mary Gillespie, free woman and 4 children; Mary Gillespie, free woman.

One prisoner, Elizabeth Murray aged 28 died on the passage out, however there was little illness among the women and 133 were landed in Sydney in June.

Prisoners included Ann Bloomfield, Catherine Byrne, Isabella Campbell, Julia Carroll, Margaret Carroll, Isabella Dargin, Ann Fitzgerald, Ann Flynn, Mary Johnson, Margaret Keeley, Jane Lewis, Jane Matthews(Yarwood), Mary McCawley, Mary Mealin, Mary Murphy, Catherine Reily, Eleanor Toohey and Belle Vallally

The Southworth was one of three convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1832, the others being the Pyramus and the Burrell. A total of 381 female convicts arrived in the colony in 1832

Convicts arriving on the Southworth in 1832

The Sovereign departed England 25 May 1795 and arrived in Port Jackson on 5th November 1795, a voyage of 165 days.

One male prisoner arrived on the Sovereign.

Master William McKellar. Surgeon George Fairfowl

On the 7 March 1829, George Fairfowl received an appointment as surgeon on the convict ship Sovereign which was fitted to carry 120 female convicts to New South Wales; on the 21st March the first draught of women came on board. On the 27th the remainder of the women were embarked. Some of these women had been seriously injured on the journey to the ship. Several of them when being brought from Liverpool, were chained together on the top of a stage coach, which was overturned in the night and they were thrown onto the road. One women, Mary Williams received a deep gash in the calf of her leg when the irons ploughed into it.

George Fairfowl was a well experienced surgeon having been first been appointed in 1808 and employed on convict ships Ocean 1818  Dromedary 1820  Woodman 1823 and Royal Charlotte 1825 

He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 7 March to 14 August 1829. He recorded in his journal careful details of the measures he employed to keep the women occupied and under control on the voyage.

The Sovereign departed Cork 21 September 1828 with 119 women, 23 free children and ten passengers. The Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists 1826 - 1922 at Ancestry reveal that the passengers were Surveyor General Samuel Augustus Perry, Mrs. Perry and six children and Miss Julia Thomas who was a relative of the Perrys. In the steerage was Ann Barnett, servant to Mrs. Perry.

At first the convict women were disposed to be disorderly, however under George Fairfowl's rules, 'by admonition and steady punishment they learned that perseverance in improper conduct invariable tended to their own discomfort.'

They were made to rise at 7 in the morning, and when dressed, to roll up neatly their beds, pillows and blankets in a hard roll.  After this the prison was swept out, and such parts as were wet dried up, and when this was properly done, and not before, breakfast was served out. After breakfast when the weather permitted, they were all sent upon deck, carrying with them the utensils they had used at their breakfast, and the prison received a thorough cleaning. It was then locked up until noon, to prevent any going below without express leave, and it was well ventilated by means of stoves burned in the water closets and by windsails. These were the regular times of cleaning the deck; but one mess daily received charge of it, and was responsible for it being, at all times dry and clean. The water closets were also washed out three times a day, and oftener when required, and each time sprinkled with the solution of chloride of lime. The women and children were mustered on Sundays and Thursday, and inspected to see that their hair was combed and their persons linen and stockings were clean. Cheerful and innocent amusements among themselves were encouraged, and provided the songs were not licentious, singing was permitted until 8 o'clock except on Sundays and Thursdays.

On Sunday mornings church services were read to them; on the quarterdeck when the weather permitted, and in the evening in the prison. On Thursday evenings the service was read in the prison, and as they were permitted to sing the psalms and hymns which many, having been trained to it in Newgate, did with considerable taste and melody, it became a pleasant duty, instead of an irksome task, and was rarely omitted. It served a purpose of keeping them occupied at a time when they were usually all crowded together in the dark, and inclined to quarrel or to play mischievous tricks on each other, for want of useful employment.

Although George Fairfowl was under no illusions that the women were reformed on arrival in Sydney, he nevertheless thought they had improved their behaviour and demeanour under his guidance.

None of the prisoners died and the Sovereign arrived in Port Jackson on 16 January 1829

The Sovereign was one of twenty-one convict ships arriving in New South Wales in 1829. Four of these carried female prisoners: the Sovereign, Princess Royal,  Lucy Davidson and the Edward.  A total of 492 women arrived as convicts in 1829.

George Fairfowl was later surgeon on the convict ships  Andromeda 1830  Clyde 1832  and Hive 1834

Convicts arriving on the Sovereign in 1829

The Speedy departed England on 24 November 1799 and arrived in Port Jackson on 15 April 1800, a voyage of 143 days. Fifty female prisoners arrived on the Speedy.

Botanist George Caley and Lieutenant Governor King and family arrived as passengers on the Speedy

Master John Hingston

The Speke was built in Calcutta and launched in November 1789. In an article in the Asiatic Journal in 1819 entitled Comparative Strength of Ships built at different parts of India, she was described as still both a good and safe ship although the frame had been built of sissoo, a wood inferior in durability to the saul, of which the frames of ships were built in 1819. It was anticipated by experts who had examined her that she still had another 15 years left in her.

The Speke departed Falmouth with 99 female prisoners on 18th May 1808; she was in company with a large convoy from the Brazills, in which was Lord Strangford, the British Ambassador and suite. She arrived at Rio, with the fleet on the 24th July and on the 11th August sailed for the Cape under convoy of the Lightning, Captain Doyle; arriving at the Cape the 10th of September with Government stores. She sailed again for Port Jackson on the 30th September, and having an uninterrupted succession of favourable weather, reached there on 15th November 1808, a voyage of 185 days. Ninety-seven female prisoners arrived on the Speke, two having died on the passage out.

The women were all reported to be healthy on arrival - The healthy and cleanly state in which the prisoners from the Speke were landed is a strong proof of the care and humanity with which they were treated during the voyage.

Passengers included Captain Porteous, surveyor John Oxley, Surgeon MacMillan of his Majesty's ship Porpoise and Mr. Harris a private gentleman. Select here to see the list of goods imported on the Speke probably as investment by John Oxley.

Two of the women who were transported on the Speke were Eleanor Hall and Elizabeth Wade. They were found guilty of grand larceny (the theft of goods of the value of 1 shilling or more, without any aggravating circumstances such as assault, breaking and entering etc.) at the Ely Quarter Sessions, Cambridge. They were sentenced to 7 years transportation.  See the original order to remove the women from the gaol at Ely and forward them to the Speke at Deptford at the Cambridge County Council site. The order was dated 4th February 1807. Before being sent to the Speke they were to be provided with one jacket or gown; one petticoat; two spare shifts; two spare handkerchiefs; two spare pair of stockings; one spare pair of shoes. They were to bring with them a Surgeons certificate stating they were free from disease. (Elizabeth Wade later married Thomas Colebrook. She resided in Sydney according to the General Muster of NSW 1823/24/25)

See Australia's Red Coat Settlers to find the names of some of the N.S.W. Corps who arrived on the Speke

Jacob Salkeld. may have been employed as carpenter on the Speke. He claimed to have been impressed in 1808 and was taken on the Speke when she reached the Cape of Good Hope in September

Convicts arriving on the Speke in 1808

Captain Peter McPherson. Surgeon Edward Coates

The Speke departed England on 22 December 1820 and arrived on 18 May 1821 having on board 154 male prisoners in good health.

Two convicts died on the passage out, one from old age and the other fell overboard and was drowned. Edward Coates R. N. was employed as Surgeon Superintendent.

Lieut. Sutherland of the 30th regiment, commanded the military which was detachments of the 30th, 34th and 89th regiment.

Passengers included Rev. Kendall of the Church Missionary Society; Henry Grattan Douglass, Assistant Surgeon of medical establishment, with wife and family; Mr.& Mrs. Mulgrave coming with the purpose of establishing a national system of education in VDL. ; Mr. Phelps and two New Zealand chiefs who had been in London and were returning to NZ; the two chiefs were Shungie and Whycato  embarked on the 15th December on the Speke for the return voyage which had been granted them by government. They were reported to be highly pleased with the continued kindness and attention which they received from Captain McPherson, Mr. Coates, Lieut. Sutherland and the Ladies and Gentlemen on board.

On the 23rd January, a letter was written at Tenerife from on board the Speke. It was received in Glasgow from 'one of the poor deluded radicals who were taken in arms at Bonnymuir. It mentioned that nothing of consequence had happened on the voyage. All the convicts had their irons taken off a few days before Tenerife which made their condition more comfortable. There was a gentleman on board going out to settle who had promised to do as much as he could for the benefit of those who conduct themselves with decency and decorum. He and a clergyman were teaching felons to read and in giving them religious instruction.

The Sydney Gazette reported that the prisoners were landed on Wednesday morning 23rd May and had a healthy and satisfactory appearance - they could not have left their native land in better health. They were inspected by His Honor the Lieutenant Governor (Erskine), who was pleased to enquire into the treatment and usage experienced by them on the voyage, when they, simultaneously, expressed their grateful acknowledgments to Captain McPherson and Dr. Coates, with which His Honor was much gratified. They were afterwards distributed, as usual, to their various departments and employments.

The Speke sailed for Madras on 6th August 1821 with various detachments to join their regiments in India. Lieuts. Sutherland, Isaacson and Gordon also departed on the Speke. Surgeon Edward Coates died off the coast of Sumatra on this voyage.

Convicts arriving on the Speke in 1821

Speke 1826

Commander Robert Harrison. Surgeon Alick Osborne

The Speke arrived on Sunday 26th November 1826 having departed Sheerness 8th August 1826 with one hundred and fifty six male prisoners. She came direct.

The Guard which embarked in July, consisted of a detachment of the 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot. Lieut. Scarman of 39th regiment accompanied by his wife and four children.

Alick Osborne R.N was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 17 July to 8 December 1826. He recorded that the prisoners were generally healthy and the passage was quick with pleasant weather. There were no medical cases worthy of mention except that of James Johnson who was one of the Fancy (a pugilist) and had fought many battles which had ruined his constitution. James Johnson only survived three days at the hospital in Sydney.

The Colonial Secretary proceeded on board on Wednesday 29th November 1826 and mustered the prisoners prior to the disembarkation and distribution.

Alick Osborne was reported to have left the colony on the Hervey in December 1826. He was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Lonach 1825  Sophia 1829  Sarah 1829  Planter 1832  Fairlie 1834  Marquis of Huntley 1835  and Elphinstone 1838

Convicts arriving on the Speke in 1826

Master James Muddle. Surgeon Andrew Henderson

The Guard embarked at Deptford on 8th August 1836

The convict ship St. Vincent departed Cork on 13 September 1836. On board were 224 male convicts who had been embarked from the hulks at Kingstown and Cove of Cork, including 120 convicts from the Elsen hulk and 73 convicts from the Surprise hulk. Ten free settlers, sons of convicts who already resided in New South Wales, were given a passage by the State Government. ( One was 12 year old John Healy). The guard consisted of Lieut. Donald Stewart of the 3rd East Kent Regiment, Lieut. Sculley 80th regiment and 30 rank and file 28th and 80th regiments, six women and seven children.

After a voyage of 115 days, they anchored at Port Jackson on 5th January 1837 with at total of 190 prisoners, three having died on the passage out.

Surgeon Andrew Henderson kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 13 July 1836 to 18 January 1837

He reported that in general the health and appearance of the convicts on embarkation was good and continued to be so for the rest of the voyage.

Andrew Henderson was an experienced surgeon having also served on the convicts ships Florentia 1830   Royal Admiral 1833  and Aurora 1835 (VDL).  He had never on any of these other voyages expended so little medicine which he attributed to the general good state of health on board.

Captain Philip Jones. Surgeon Thomas Braidwood Wilson

Thomas Braidwood Wilson R.N., was appointed Surgeon Superintendent of the Strathfieldsaye on 20 November 1835. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 16 December 1835 to 18 June 1836. He joined the ship at Deptford on the 16th December while she was still being fitted to convey convicts to New South Wales.

The ship was delayed and not ready for sea until 27th January 1835. On this day the guard, a detachment of the 28th regiment was embarked at Deptford. The Guard consisted of Lieutenant Cadell, and Ensign Garling, and 28 rank and file of the 28th regiment. Passengers: Mr Thomas Smith, farmer; Miss Cameron, governess; Mary Peacock and Caroline Freeman, Servants; eight soldiers’ wives, and thirteen children.

The Strathfieldsaye arrived at Woolwich where seventy prisoners from the Justitia hulk were received and then to Portsmouth where 200 prisoners were embarked. In consequence of heavy weather and contrary winds they did not reach the Downs until 3rd February.

At the Downs the ship struck on a sand bank where she remained hard and fast, however fortunately the tide was flowing rapidly and in half an hour the ship was afloat.  On 6th February 130 prisoners were received from the Leviathan Hulk and 70 from the York. Surgeon Wilson remarked in his journal that during all his former voyages he had never seen such miserable looking prisoners.

They were detained at Spithead by strong adverse winds until 18th February when they weighed anchor. They had a favourable passage down the channel and across the Bay of Biscay. They passed to the eastward of Madeira and approached too near to the Coast of Africa when they 'got entangled among the Canary Islands'.

On 3rd April they anchored at the harbour at Cape of Good Hope and the next day had a narrow escape when they weathered the breakers on the starboard shore. The surgeon was greatly vexed at this second instance of want or caution or skill in the Master and the captain promised to pay more attention to the surgeon's advice in the future.

They took in a supply of water, fresh beef and vegetables and also six bullocks. They had a fair average voyage to NSW and arrived on 15th June 1836. On 24th and 25th June two hundred and sixty nine prisoners were landed in a far better health than when they embarked according to the surgeon. The surgeon remarked that there was not the slightest disturbance during the voyage. The prisoners behaved with becoming decorum and propriety and there was no instance of personal punishment.

Thomas Wilson related his methods of managing the prisoners in his journal: As soon as they were received on board they were divided into messes with 8 men in each and properly arranged in their berths. Cooks and others were selected from the most active among the prisoners. The irons were removed from all the prisoners and they were allowed on deck constantly from 7 am till nearly dark. The decks were dry holystoned and hanging stoves kept burning between decks throughout the day.

Thomas B. Wilson was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Prince Regent 1824  Mangles 1826  Governor Ready 1829 John 1830 (VDL) and  Moffatt 1834 (VDL)

Select here to find the names of the military guard on the Strathfieldsaye and the Surgeon Superintendent's report

Convicts arriving on the Strathfieldsaye in 1836

The Sugar Cane sailed from Cork on 12 April 1793 and arrived in Port Jackson on 17th September 1793. 110 male and 50 female prisoners were transported on the Sugar Cane.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Sugar Cane in 1793

Master Patrick Campbell

Arrival of Surpize(2) on 25 October 1794.  Sixty female convicts under the age of 40, twenty male convicts and a guard of 15 men. Surgeon James Thomson

Scottish political prisoners Thomas Muir, Thomas Fyshe Palmer, Maurice Margarot and W. Skirving &  free settlers John Boston and his family; Matthew Pearce and his pregnant wife; a young man named Ellis who accompanied Thomas Palmer but who was to be considered a free settler on arrival not a 'domestic' to Palmer

Trial of Maurice Margarot

Convicts arriving on the Surprize in 1794

Captain James Paterson

The Surry departed England on 22 February 1814, sailed via Rio de Janeiro and arrived at Port Jackson on 28 July 1814  with one hundred and sixty four male prisoners. Forty of the men were under the age of twenty-one.

In The Convict Ships, Charles Bateson wrote of the Surry - She was built at Harwick in 1811 and owned by the well known London firm of Mangles. She was a fully square-rigged ship of 443 72/94 tons, with an overall length of 117 ft 6in and a breadth above the wales of 29ft 6in. She was copper sheathed and had quarter galleries, with a Minerva bust for a figurehead. As originally built, the Surry had two decks with a height between decks of 5ft 8 in but was rebuilt about 1818 and from the following year in shown in the register as having three decks.

There was a severe outbreak of fever on this first voyage.

The chief officer and two soldiers of a detachment of 25 men of the 46th regt., died as well as two of the ships company. Thirty eight male prisoners out of two hundred also died from the fever.

The Broxbornbury fell in with the Surry off Shoal Haven and on speaking her, learnt that from the relaxed state of the crew, and illness of the surviving officers, her safe conduct into Port Jackson was despaired of, unless assisted from the other ship with some person capable of navigating her in; for which service a seaman capable of the task generously volunteered his service and brought her in. Thomas Raine, a junior officer was the only surviving officer left on the vessel.

As soon as the melancholy report was communicated to the Governor in Chief by the Naval Office, who had in the mean time prohibited any communication with the vessel from any shore or ships' boats, His Excellency was pleased to confirm the interdiction until the nature of the prevailing malady should be ascertained by the Principal surgeon and the other Gentlemen of the Medical Department; whose report, after being repeatedly alongside, confirmed the apprehension already entertained of the contagious nature of the distemper. His Excellency issued instructions that the Surry should be brought up at a convenient anchorage near the North Shore where the people might be landed, and remain until the danger of their nearer approach should disappear.

A Notice was soon issued prohibiting any but the medical and quarantine officers from communication with anyone from the ship. She was placed in strict quarantine and there was a guard both on the vessel and on the North Shore to prevent any contact. Despite this and the prospect of severe punishment,  two of the convicts -  Thomas Thomas and John Poole took the opportunity to abscond. A notice for their apprehension was soon issued.

The names of the prisoners who died, the Hulk they had come from and the date of their death were included in the Sydney Gazette on 10 September 1814

Brevet Major Stewart of the 46th regiment arrived on the Surry

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Surry in 1814

Captain Thomas Raine

The Surry departed from Cove of Cork 14th July, sailed via Rio de Janeiro and arrived at Port Jackson 20 December 1816 with 150 male prisoners.  The voyage had taken 159 days.

John Bayley was employed as Surgeon and the guard was a detachment of 29 men under the command of Lieut. Reveley of the 46 Regiment.

Botanist Allan Cunningham arrived as a passenger.

It was reported in the Aberdeen Journal in December 1817 that word had reached Ireland that the Surry had arrived in New South Wales safely. Letters from two gentlemen who went out in the vessel on their way as Missionaries to the South Sea Islands written in January 1816 stated that they had a favourable passage from Rio de Janeiro, and after a voyage of 12 weeks, anchored in Sydney Cove on 20th December in health and spirits. One of these gentlemen expresses his thankfulness to Captain Raine for permitting him to instruct the convicts on board, and the crew. Many of the prisoners were very attentive and diligent. Those who could read the Scriptures, frequently collected around them others who could not, had the Bible read to them, and there is reason to hope, the writer adds, that good was thus done among them.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Surry in 1816

Captain Thomas Raine. Surgeon Matthew Anderson

The convict ship Surry departed from Sheerness on 19th September and arrived at Rio De Janeiro 11th December, departing there in company with the Lord Sidmouth on 22 December. She arrived in Port Jackson on 4 March 1819, the voyage having taken 156 days.

150 prisoners were sent to Hobart on the 12th March and seven prisoners remained in Sydney. 

Governor Macquarie recorded in his Journal on Thursday 4. March 1819 -  This day between 1, and 2,O'Clock in the afternoon, anchored in Sydney Cove, the Ship Surry, Commanded by Captain Thomas Raine, with 157 Male Convicts from England, from whence She sailed finally on the 17th. of October last, touching at Rio de Janeiro, which she left on the 22d. of December in Company with the Lord Sidmouth Male Convict Ship for this Port. — Mr. Mathew Anderson of the R. Navy is Surgeon Superintendent of the Surry; and a Detachment of the 84th. Regt. of 30 men have come out as the Guard over the Prisoners. — Lieut. Statham of the 84th. Regt., who Commanded the Guard, died on the Passage; also one Soldier and three Convicts; – the rest of the Troops & Convicts arriving all in good Health. — Mr. Terry, his wife, & 11 children as Free Settlers and also two Pensioners, are come out Passengers in the Surry. —

Matthew Anderson was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships  Mangles 1820  Mangles 1822 and Castle Forbes 1824

Convicts arriving on the Surry in 1819

Master Thomas Raine. Surgeon Charles Linton

According the the Sydney Gazette, the convict ship Surry departed Portsmouth on 29th October 1822 and arrived on Thursday 4 March 1823 with 157 male prisoners, having lost three men on the voyage out.  She was referred to by William Charles Wentworth in 1824 as the Old Surry with her old Commander, Captain Thomas Raine.

Charles Linton was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the Guildford 1827

The guard consisted of a detachment of the Buffs commanded by Major Marlay. Lieutenant Evernden also joined his corps in the colony.

Convicts arriving on the Surry in 1823

Captain Charles Kemp.

One hundred and twenty male prisoners were transferred from the Leviathan and eighty from the York hulks to the convict ship Surry  on 11th July 1831. They had been inspected by Dr. Porter prior to embarkation and only those in good health had been forwarded, although James Welsh managed to conceal his illness.

The Surry departed Portsmouth on 17 July 1831 and arrived in Port Jackson on Saturday 26 November 1831, a voyage of 151 days from embarkation to disembarkation.

Surgeon superintendent Colin Arrot Browning kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 25 June to 8 December 1831.

Prisoners suffered with diseases such as pneumonia and catarrh which surgeon Browning considered a modified influenza, resistant to medicine given for common catarrh. Twenty of the guard and 28 of the ship's company were also affected. He considered the clothing supplied was not adequate and recommended each convict should be issued with 2 pairs of flannel drawers and 2 flannel shirts or Guernsey frocks. Neither was the quantity of medicine supplied by government adequate, Captain Kemp supplementing supplies from his own stock. None of the prisoners suffered from scurvy on this voyage.

The Guard consisted of a detachment of the 39th regiment, under command of Captain Wadron.

Colin Arrot Browning was also surgeon on the convict ships Margaret 1840;  Earl Grey 1843 (VDL);  Theresa 1845 (VDL); Hashemy 1849

England's Exiles by Colin Arrot Browning was published in 1842 and is an account of the voyage of the Elphinstone to VDL in 1836

Convicts arriving on the Surry in 1831

Captain William Veal. Surgeon Edward Ford Bromley

The female prisoners to be embarked on the Surry in 1832 were inspected at the depot in Cork before embarkation and although some were found to be suffering debility 'the consequence of dissolute habits and very low diet at the depot', all were taken, as the surgeon thought 'better food and sea air would be useful to them'

The Surry departed Cork 15th November 1832 and arrived at Port Jackson on 9th March 1833 with 141 female prisoners and 11 children.

Surgeon Superintendent Edward Ford Bromley Esq., R. N. kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 25 August 1832 to 28 March 1833 in which he gave a very unflattering description of the women. He thought that Irish female convicts were 'very inferior to English women of the same class'. He had difficulty stopping them from smoking below decks and to get them to keep themselves clean. Out of 141, only 100 could 'tell their letters' and about 5 write and 10 read. They were mostly 'taken off the town as common prostitutes, the rest the lowest descriptions of burglars and petty thieves, hardened and old offenders'.

Half a pint of wine was issued to each, twice a week, and was always followed by 'drunkenness and rioting'. The surgeon recommended that this practice should be stopped as producing no good but 'much mischief'.  He also recommended that iron collars should be supplied since one girl took off her wooden one and threw it overboard, handcuffs and gags should also have been furnished. The charter party did not provide candles or lanterns for going below into the prison or hospital and the surgeon had to provide his own. He complained that the 'security box or black hole' was not secure and that one woman burst out of it. To prevent this he put a chain round the box with a strong padlock. He suggested a straight jacket should also be provided.

On 16 February 1833, the sugar ran out and on 24 February the wine ran out, and 'this was the signal for a tremendous riot, fighting and quarrelling of every description'. One woman tried to stab a seaman and three of them had to be severely punished. The surgeon repeated his plea that the issuing of wine should be abolished since it has been 'nearly the cause of all the riots in the ship'. Catarrh prevailed a good deal in February because of the cold winds.

Passengers arriving on the Surry included 19 free females and 40 children.

 Names of the free women embarked on board the ship Surry. Catherine Murphy; Julia Whitehill; Ellen Manon; Sarah Carroll;  Chary Stobs;  Elizabeth Jones; Margaret FitzGerald; Mary Logan; Elizabeth Staffinson; Catherine Sloane;  Mary Neil;  Mary Riordan;  Mary McCormick; Ellen Tierrey; Bridget Henley;  Kate Slattery; Margaret Birrell;  Jane Rourke;  Julia Walsh.

Free womens' children - Margaret Whitehill aged 14; Anne Whitehill aged 8; Stonor Manon aged 12; Richard Manan aged 8; Mary Carroll aged 17; James Carroll aged 13; Peter Carroll aged 8; Mary Jean Stobs aged 3; Catherine Jones aged 17; John Jones aged 12; John Jones aged 13; Anne Jones aged 10; Mary Fitzgerald aged 12; Michael Fitzgerald aged 9; Mary Logan aged 12; Daniel Logan aged 9 Patrick cloane aged 14; Charles Sloane aged 12; Bernard Sloane aged 18; Bridget McCormmick aged 14; Thomas McCormick aged 12; Margaret Tierney aged 20; Mary Tierney aged 18; John Tierney aged 16; William Tierney aged 10; Patrick Henley aged 12; Mary Henley aged 8; Mary Slattery aged 21; Catherine Slattery aged 18; Bridget Slattery aged 13; Timothy Slattery aged 8; Margaret Birrell aged 17; Anne Birrell aged 15; Patrick Birrell aged 13; Catherine Birrell aged 11; Ellen Murray aged 12; Surry Logan born at sea.

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

Edward Foord Bromley was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships  Ocean 1816   Almorah 1817  Lord Wellington 1820  and  Numa 1834

Convicts arriving on the Surry in 1833

Master Charles Kemp. Surgeon John Smith

Surgeon Superintendent John Smith kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 20 March - 3 September 1834

John Smith's journal begins on the 20 March. His first case was that of James Ramsey a twenty-six year old soldier, part of the Guard on the Surry. Ramsey had been discharged from hospital only a few days previously. Barely recovered from his 10 day stay in hospital, the march from Chatham to Gravesend, and exposure to cold in the small vessel that conveyed him on board the Surry, he did not recover sufficiently to return to his duties until 10th April, three days after the Surry set sail. Ramsey fell ill several time more during the voyage, his illness being exacerbated by drunkenness, a previous bout of cholera and night duties as sentry.

The Surry departed Plymouth 7 April 1834. John Smith reported that it was more crowded than on previous voyages, carrying 260 convicts instead of 200 men, but every precaution was taken to prevent this being a cause of ill health or discomfort. Catarrh and diarrhoea were the main illnesses but were generally mild. Both diseases might be made less common by the issuing of flannel shirts and drawers. Several cases of diarrhoea were caused by worsted belts being taken from the prisoners on board the hulk. Only 2 cases of scurvy were mentioned in the journal but there were at least 3 more very slight cases, two of which developed notable ulcers on their legs. The sores were dressed and their allowances of lemon juice and sugar increased. The disease did not seem to first attack those the surgeon would have expected it to, instead it attacked men who had previously been healthy.

The men were exercised as much as possible, dancing, acting plays, ‘sky larking’ and marching about were daily employment. They were also encouraged to join in the working of the ship. Cleanliness was also attended to and the meals were properly cooked. There were no deaths or any important sickness and they arrived in Port Jackson on 17 August 1834. Select here to find other ships arriving in 1834

Distribution of 260 male convicts who arrived on the 'Surry' -  Assigned to private service…..241; to Public Service as follows - to Surveyors dept…..1; to Commissariat Dept…..1; in hospital …..7; Unfit for assignment…..2; placed in an ironed gang…..8

Bushranger Henry Allen arrived on the Surry

John Smith was also employed as surgeon on the Marquis of Huntley 1828   Moffatt 1836   Clyde 1838

Convicts arriving on the Surry in 1834

Master George Sinclair. Surgeon Thomas Robertson

Surgeon Thomas Robertson kept a Medical Journal from 9 October 1835 to 4 June 1836. He received on board 227 male prisoners including 32 emigrant boys from Ireland all in good health.

The Australian in May 1836 reported the following information about the Surry which was printed in the Portsmouth Herald (n.d) -  The Surry, convict ship, drove from her anchors on the 25th, and struck on the brake. She lost three anchors and cables. The underwriters have gained the consent of the Admiralty to her being docked and refitted here. Notwithstanding the strong representations that have been made of the unwholesome effect of supplying those unfortunate people, the prisoners, with cocoa, instead of oatmeal, the Surry has been supplied with that article, which even, was it of the best quality is any thing but nutritious, and in the present instance it is the very refuse of the stores. We expect to hear that the men will suffer even worse than did the miserable men who perhaps happily for them, perished in the George the Fourth.

The Surry departed Cork 9th January 1836 and arrived in Port Jackson 17 May 1836 with 222 male prisoners, five having died on the voyage: -   Jeremiah Bryan aged 38, John Kelaky age 20, James Burn aged 30, Patrick Lane aged 60 and Moses Ward aged 45.

Passengers arriving on the Surry included Dr. Arthur, Inspector General of Hospitals VDL, Mrs. Arthur, two children and two servants. Lieutenant Bonham, 50th regiment, Ensign O'Neil, 4th regiment, and 26 rank and file of the 50th regiment with eight women and fourteen children

Thomas Robertson was also surgeon on the convict ships William Bryan 1833 (VDL) Forth 1835    James Pattison 1837 and Planter 1839

Convicts arriving on the Surry in 1836

Master George Sinclair. Surgeon Edward Leahy

The Surry departed the Downs on the 2 April 1840 and arrived in Port Jackson 13 July 1840 with two hundred and twelve female prisoners.

Edward Leahy was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 9 March to 27 July 1840. He wrote in the journal: -

Of the 213 prisoners with whom I left England, 186 were received from the Millbank penitentiary, the remainder from Newgate and county gaols. 12 children of prisoners were embarked with their mothers one of whom aged 5 months died at Woolwich previous to sailing from the effects of the inclement weather and another died of marasmus at sea 18 July, this was aged 10 months. Six free women with 13 children were also embarked, a total of 243 persons on sailing from Woolwich.

The Sydney Monitor reported that -

'No less a number than eleven assigned servants were returned to the service of government by 28th July. The assignees (willingly) paying the accustomed free of 5 shillings to get rid of them, as being useless in their employment. We attribute this occurrence to the recent importation of the female prisoners arrived, lately by the fine ship Surry. Numerous application have been made throughout the Colony for the services of these women'

One of the women who arrived on the Surry, Mary Baker who married John Thornton in 1841 was executed in 1844 after being found guilty with Joseph Vale, of murdering her husband. Read an account of the murder in the Maitland Mercury

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

Convicts arriving on the Surry in 1840

Captain Stephen Addison. Surgeon John Issett and Archibald Ross

The Susan departed London 10th March 1834 and arrived 8 July 1834 with 292 male prisoners, eight having died on the passage out. The Susan put into Madeira in consequence of the death at sea a few days previously of Mr. John Issett, the Surgeon Superintendent, who embarked at London. Dr. Archibald Ross joined the ship at Madeira.

The Sydney Gazette congratulated Captain Addison on his return to Australia. Captain Addison had been several times before while in command of the ship Waterloo.

The Guard consisted of Lieut. Gunter of 50th regiment.; Lieut. Bunbury 21st regiment.; and 29 rank and file of the 50th regiment., with 5 women and 4 children

Distribution of 292 male convicts who arrived by the ship 'Susan'. Assigned to private service 254; to public service as follows: Government Demesne….2; Mineral Surveyors Dept……5; Barrack Masters Dept…..1; Surveyor General's Dept……4; 10 in hospital; 15 placed in an ironed gang; 1 for transportation to VD

Convicts arriving on the Susan in 1834

Master Henry Neatby. Surgeon Thomas Galloway

The Susan departed Portsmouth 16 October 1835 and arrived in Port Jackson on 7 February 1836 with 294 male prisoners.

Thomas Galloway was employed as surgeon superintendent. He kept a Medical Journal from 12 September 1835 to 26 February 1836. The voyage took 114 days and after a serious outbreak of scurvy several convicts died. He recorded in his journal that of the three hundred convicts embarked, 200 were taken on board at Woolwich and 100 at Sheerness. There were several men who had very recently been in Hospital for various illnesses and who concealed this at the time of the surgeon's examination because of their desire to proceed to New South Wales. Also several old and very infirm men who had to be kept entirely on the Hospital Provision. Ophthalmia was not confined to the prisoners and several of the seamen were also affected as well as Officers of the Guard.

A detachment of the 28th Regiment arrived by the prison ship Susan. They were Landed at the dock yard on Friday afternoon 12th February and marched to the barracks. The band did not meet them as was usual on such occasions. Some of the 28th who arrived on the Susan included Captain Symons, Private James Flanagan, Private John Mooney, Private Henry Gunter, Private William Gollett, Private Walter Williams.

Thomas Galloway was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Persian 1830 (VDL)  Isabella 1832  Asia 1832  and Henry Porcher 1835

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Susan in 1836

Master Adams

The Swallow arrived from Madras on 23 October 1836.

Passengers P.H. Stromlen Esq., and A.J. Matthewson Esq., of the Madras civil Service, J.E. Lovel Esq., Mr. Stillman, William Brown and sixteen prisoners from India

Convicts arriving on the Swallow in 1836

Master William Edwards.   Surgeon Mr. Cleghorn

The Sydney Cove departed Falmouth on 11th January and arrived at Port Jackson on Thursday 18 June 1807, a voyage of 158 days.

She transported one hundred and ten female prisoners and four male prisoners. Three women died on the passage out.

Passengers included Mr. Mills of the Royal Navy, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Underwood and family, with Mr. Samuel Foster and several other settlers.

Convicts arriving on the Sydney Cove in 1807

Captain Saville

The vessel Symmetry, 250 tons, arrived from the Isle of France on Saturday 26 May 1838 having departed 27th March. She brought a cargo of sugar and passengers Mrs. Saville, Mrs. Jamison and six convicts

Convicts arriving on the Symmetry 1838