Details about the voyage, surgeon's journal and convicts of the Adamant are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the Adamant in 1821

Master Stephen Wharton.  Surgeon Superintendent William F. Le Grand

The Adelaide was one of several transports bringing Exiles to New South Wales. Although transportation had effectively ceased in 1842, between 1849 and 1850 prisoners known as exiles were transported. Exiles had served part of their sentence in a penitentiary in Britain and were granted a conditional pardon or ticket of leave on arrival in the Colony.

Portland, England.- On Monday morning, a party of 132 well-conducted convicts left the convict establishment, and were embarked for Port Phillip in the ship Adelaide, which had been some days waiting for them. We understand that, upon arriving in the colony (should their conduct on board be proved exemplary), they will each be presented with a ticket of leave which will entitle them to work for themselves, being comparatively speaking, free. In addition to the above, there were 170 selected from Pentonville, the hulks, and Parkhurst prisons, who will be allowed a similar indulgence. A guard, composed of 50 soldiers, will accompany them on the voyage, selected from her Majesty's 63rd, 65th, and 99th regiments of foot. There is an experienced surgeon on board, who has the care and management of the convicts, and also a religious instructor. The Adelaide was still in the roads on Tuesday night, waiting for a fair wind. - (SMH 30 November 1849)

The Adelaide departed London on 17 August 1849 and arrived in Hobart on 29th November where 40 men were disembarked. The Adelaide sailed on to Port Phillip but was refused entry and eventually arrived in Port Jackson on 24 December 1849, a voyage of 129 days. 

259 men arrived under the care of William Le Grand who kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 18 July 1849 to 10 January 1850. (26 pages)

The Guard consisted of detachments of 58th and 65th regiments

Other vessels bringing Exiles included the Eden Hashemy Havering  Mount Stewart Elphinstone  Maitland and Randolph

Convicts who arrived on the Adelaide in 1849

Master Robert Abbon Marsh. Surgeon Peter Gossam

The Admiral Barrington was built in France in 1781. She had three decks and a length of 119 ft, breadth 32ft 4in. In 1786 she was taken up by the East India Company for two years.

In 1791 the Admiral Barrington sailed from Portsmouth as part of the Third Fleet with the Albemarle, Active, Atlantic, Britannia, Gorgon, Mary Ann, Matilda, Salamander and the William & Ann . The Fleet later met with the Queen from Cork at Madeira.

The London Times reported on 29th March 1791 that the Albemarle, Admiral Barrington, Britannia, Matilda and the Active departed Portsmouth for Botany Bay on 27th March 1791. The New South Wales Corps formed the Guard on the vessels of the Third Fleet.

The Admiral Barrington arrived in Port Jackson on 16 October 1791. She was the last of the eleven ships of the Third Fleet to arrive

 (An account of the English colony in New South Wales: with remarks ..., Volume 1 By David Collins.)

The Indent of the Admiral Barrington includes the name of the convict, where & when convicted and term of transportation. Isaac Nichols was one of the convicts on board. He had been convicted in Wiltshire and sentenced to 7 years transportation. In April 1809 he became the first Postmaster of New South Wales.

Some of the vessels of the Third Fleet were to proceed to the Southern Whale Fisheries after unloading the prisoners; the rest were bound for Bengal where they were to be freighted back to England with cotton. The sailors on board the Nootka ships were to have nine guineas for the run to Botany Bay after which they were to share as whale fishermen do. The other sailors were paid twenty five shillings per month. (1)

John Justice from Yorkshire arrived as a convict on the Admiral Barrington. He became a Town Watchman. He died in April 1804 age 50 and was buried in the Old Sydney Burial Ground as was John Roberts who died in February 1793.

A report of the probable loss of the Admiral Barrington, which was received in the colony in February 1793., was confirmed. It appeared, that after sailing from Batavia she reached so near her port as to be in sight of the shipping at Bombay, but was driven off the coast by a gale of wind-, in which she was forced on shore on one of the Malouine Islands, where she was wrecked, and her crew (the master, chief mate, and surgeon excepted) were murdered by the natives-. These people saved themselves by swimming to an East-India country ship which was riding at anchor near the island...An Account of the English Colony in NSW

1. The Times 15 March 1791

Master Edward Harrison.

The Admiral Gambier was built at Jarrow in 1807. She was taken up by the East India Company in 1808.

The prisoners of the Admiral Gambier were gathered from many different parts of England -  Bedford, Sussex, York, Somerset, London etc. Many had been held in the prison hulks for quite some time. Joseph Woodhouse having been tried on 2 July 1806 was sent to the Retribution Hulk in October. He remained there until embarked on the Admiral Gambier on 7 May 1808. Others were held in Newgate prison and transferred to the Hulks for only a couple of days before being sent to the ship. James Bullock, Thomas Ellis, John Peake, Thomas Buckley, John Homer, John Hartup, Lewis Solomon, James Clarkson, James Frost, Charles Vining, Daniel Buckley and Thomas Wheeler had all been tried in London and were among those who only spent a short time on the hulk.

The Admiral Gambier and the Speke were the only two convict ships to arrive in New South Wales in 1808. The Admiral Gambier departed Portsmouth 2 July 1808 in company with a West India fleet under convoy of His Majesty's ship Polyphemus, 64 guns; two Portuguese frigates; three gun brigs.

At Madeira she departed in company with the Juno whaler, and Aeolus transport, the latter having between 70 and 80 female prisoners on board. She got into Rio the 8th of September, and sailed with the Juno the 6th of October, leaving the Aeolus at Rio.

After a day or two the Admiral Gambier parted with the Juno, but joined again within a few days sail of Port Jackson, the Juno having fallen in with heavy gales, and much damaged in her rigging and boats.

The Admiral Gambier arrived in Port Jackson on 22 December 1808 with 197 male prisoners. The prisoners were landed in good health and spirits. The Indent for the Admiral Gambier includes the name of the convict where & when convicted, term of transportation, and identifying number of tickets of leave, conditional and absolute pardons of some of the prisoners.

Passengers and Guard included Lieut. Bernard Martin Senior (1) and 34 troops of the New South Wales Corps. Ensign Senior had been promoted to Lieutenant by purchase on 27th February 1808. (HR NSW Vol., VI. p 817)

Also on the Admiral Gambier was a man apprehended at Rio and suspected of being one of the mutineers of the Lady Shore.

The Admiral Gambier departed for England on 28 March 1809 and was wrecked in the Mozambique Channel on 20 June 1817.

Notes and Links:

One of the early bushrangers of the Hunter Region, Isaac Walker, arrived on the Admiral Gambier. In his time he kept company with some of the most desperate, depraved prisoners in the colony and in consequence suffered at the worst of the penal colonies including Newcastle (where he absconded from the Limeburner's gang in 1814), Port Macquarie and Macquarie Harbour in Van Diemen's Land. He was eventually executed with several other desperadoes in June 1824 in Van Diemen's Land.

Hunter Valley convicts who arrived on the Admiral Gambier in 1808

Master Edward Sindrey/ Lindsay

The convict ship Admiral Gambier was the next convict ship to leave England after the departure of the Providence in January 1811. The Admiral Gambier departed England on 12th May 1811 with a fleet of Indiamen under convoy of the Arethusa frigate. She made Rio de Janeiro on the 8th July and departed there 29th July, arriving at Port Jackson 29 September 1811. The Admiral Gambier, Providence and Friends were the only convict ships to arrive in New South Wales in 1811.

Charles Bateson recorded in The Convict Ships that the Admiral Gambier had made the fastest direct passage from Rio to Port Jackson having taken 62 days.

Passengers Ensigns Wentworth and Holmes, with an addition of 32 men to join the 1st Battalion of H.M. 73rd regiment arrived on the Admiral Gambier.

One hundred and ninety-seven male prisoners arrived, three having died on the passage out. The following February (1812) Commissary William Broughton gave notice that the prisoners of the Admiral Gambier who were employed at Government labour were entitled to the summer issue of clothing only. This consisted for the men of One duck frock, one pair duck trousers, one cotton shirt, one pair of shoes and one leather cap; and for the women, one linen cloth jacket, one shift, one pair of shoes, one straw bonnet. Many of these convicts would have seen the effects of the hail and heavy rains that fell six week later. Crops were ruined and bridges and roads became impassable.

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

The Indents for the Admiral Gambier include the name, where & when convicted and term of transportation as well as ticket of leave number if applicable.

The Admiral Gambier departed for England on 2 December 1811.

Notes and Links:

Thirty five of the prisoners of the Admiral Gambier have been identified as being later sent to or settling in the Hunter Valley district.

Richard Boots who later became Sexton at Newcastle arrived as a convict on the Admiral Gambier

Convicts who arrived on the Admiral Gambier in 1811

National Archives - Voyages: (1) From China 1812. Capt Edward Lindsey. Lintin 5 Jul 1812 - 21 Aug Macao - 31 Dec Cape - 27 Jan 1813 St Helena - 18 May Blackwall.

Captain William Sadler.  Surgeon Superintendent George Hume Weatherhead

The Adrian arrived at Portsmouth from the river (Thames) on Tuesday 6th April 1830. The Guard were already on board and the prisoners were embarked on the 7th and 8th April 1830. The prisoners came from many different areas of England. Quite a few had been tried at the Old Bailey and imprisoned in Newgate before being sent to the Hulks at Portsmouth. Those sent to the Hardy prison Hulk from Newgate who were embarked on the Adrian on 7th April included Lawrence Martin, Edward Sampson, James Browne, George Walker, Joseph Thomas, John Harris, John Jacobs, George Kirby and Richard England.

The Adrian departed Portsmouth on 27th April 1830 with 168 male prisoners under the Guard of Ensign Reynolds of 17th regiment with 29 non-commissioned officers and privates under command of A.M. Robinson of 26th regiment.  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 Nithsdale

On 30th May, Mrs Smith wife of Sergeant Smith of the Guard gave birth to her first child, a daughter. Although there was the complication of the cord being wrapped around the baby's neck, both mother and baby survived. Dr. Weatherhead vaccinated the child on July 1830.

George H. Weatherhead kept Medical Journal from 31st March to 20th August 1830 - Surgeon's general remarks. The number of convicts received from the hulks at Portsmouth and embarked on board of the Adrian was 168, and their general condition, and appearance, was unobjectionable. The occurrences on board during the voyage were so unimportant as not to afford occasions for remark. Only two cases of any consequence happened: a case of midwifery, somewhat tedious in its accomplishment, and that of John Barker, who was nearly dying from inanition.

Details of the voyage, surgeon's journal and convicts of the Aeolus in 1809 are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage of the Aeolus.

Captain Robert Surtees.  Surgeon Superintendent  James Hall

It was reported in the London Morning Post on 17th April that the Agamemnon was being fitted up at Sheerness in preparation for transporting male prisoners to New South Wales.

She departed Portsmouth under a south-westerly breeze on the 3rd May 1820 and sailed via Rio, leaving there on 3rd July 1820.

James Hall, R. N., kept a Medical Journal from 6 April to 29 September 1820. He remarked that the prevalent disease on the voyage was Catarrh produced by the weather and the dampness of the prison from the detention of the vessel at the Bay of Biscay by a long continuance of bad weather. He signed the Journal J. Hall, Surgeon, formerly of the Imperial Russian Navy.

The Agamemnon was one of twenty convict ship bringing prisoners to New South Wales in 1820. She arrived at Port Jackson on 22 September 1820 with 178 male prisoners, one having died on the passage out.

The Guard consisted of a detachment of the 48th under orders of Lieut. Keays of the 47th regiment. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 48th regiment included the Larkins, Lady Castlereagh, Pilot, Isabella and Dorothy

 The prisoners of the Agamemnon were landed together with those of the Dorothy on Friday morning 29th September, and inspected by his Governor Macquarie who was pleased to give directions respecting their distribution.

The convict indent for the Agamemnon includes the convict's name, where and when convicted, term of sentence, native place, calling, age and physical description. There is information about some tickets of leave but no record of where/to whom the prisoners were assigned.

The Sydney Gazette reported: On Tuesday the Agamemnon, Captain Surtees, sailed for Madras. She conveys to India for the purpose of joining their respective Regiments, the various detachments that have come out lately from England as guards in the transports. Also departing on the Agamemnon was First Officer John Melvin, Second Officer William Sindey and Third Officer John Howey.

Charles Bateson in The Convict Ships describes James Hall as a zealous, meddlesome and litigious individual who was later surgeon on the Brothers in 1824 and the Mary Anne in 1822 and the Georgiana to Tasmania in 1833...( These Journals are all signed James Hall {2}, Surgeon )

From the  Australian Dictionary of Biography Online  -  James Hall, naval surgeon, was born on 17 September 1784 at New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London, son of Joseph Hall and his wife, Mary Shaw. James was a second surgeon at the naval hospital at Corfu, Greece, in 1807. At the risk of his life he warned a British sloop that the French had occupied Corfu, thus saving her from seizure, and gave the commander of H.M.S. Weazle information which enabled him to sink three privateers and capture a gunboat with eight transports under convoy, loaded with French troops bound for Corfu. He was appointed an assistant surgeon in the navy in August 1809 and surgeon in September 1817.

 Hunter Valley convicts who arrived on the Agamemnon in 1820

Captain George Bowen. 

The Albemarle was built in France in 1776.  She was taken up by the East India Company in 1791 and used by the Admiralty as a vessel of the Third Fleet. She departed Portsmouth on 27th March 1791 in convoy with the Active Admiral Barrington, Atlantic, Britannia, Matilda, Salamander, Gorgon and the William & Ann.  The Fleet later met with the Queen from Cork at Madeira. The New South Wales Corps formed the Guard on the vessels of the Third Fleet.

She was reported to be intending to sail from Simon's Bay about 30th May (The Times 11 October 1791).

The Albemarle arrived in Port Jackson on 13 October 1791 however remained off the coast for several days, perhaps due to bad weather. Two hundred and fifty male and six female convicts landed between 13th and 17th October. The soldiers landed 21st October and Stores & Provisions landed 26th October. Twenty three soldiers with one woman, one free woman a convict's wife and one child also arrived on the Albemarle.

In the Historical Records of New South Wales Vol.1 Part2, p. 487, unsigned correspondence dated 24th April from Madeira gives an account of the mutiny. The correspondence was assumed to have been written by Lieut. Robert Parry Young and therefore it was he who wounded William Syney in the shoulder.......Later Governor Phillip commended Lieutenant Young for his handling of the situation......Lieutenant Robert Parry Young, who came out as Naval Agent in the Albemarle, has, I presume, informed their Lordships of the convicts having mutinied on board that ship during the passage, and the necessity he was under, of executing two of the ringleaders. From the information I have obtained of that business, Lieutenant Young appears to have conducted himself with a great deal of propriety and in a very officer-like manner, I am, &c. A. Phillip.

Notes and Links:

It seems that Robert Parry Young was accompanied on the voyage by his partner Elizabeth Middleton alias Young. Select here to read his Will and to find out more about Robert Parry Young.

John Darke arrived on the Albemarle as a piper in the NSW Corps. He died in March 1799 and was buried in the Old Sydney Burial Ground

The Albemarle departed Port Jackson for India on 3rd December 1791. In 1793 the Albemarle was captured by a French privateer and taken to Morlaix.

Some of the voyage of the Albemarle from Port Jackson to Bombay is revealed in a Narrative and successful result of a voyage in the South Seas ..., Volume 1 By Peter Dillon........ George Bowen, captain of the ship Albemarle, on her voyage from Bombay to London, was brought into Morlaix, being interrogated respecting what he knew of la Perouse, who sailed from France on a voyage round the world, made answer, that in December 1791 being on his return from Port Jackson to Bombay, he himself saw on the coast of New Georgia, in the eastern ocean, part of the wreck of M. de la Perouse's ship floating on the water, and that he imagines it to have belonged to a French-built ship. That he did not go ashore, but that the natives of the country came aboard his vessel. That he could not understand their language, but that he conceived from their signs some ships had visited those parts. That these people were acquainted with the use of several implements of iron, of which they were very desirous. That he, the deponent, had bartered several iron articles with these Indians for beads and bows. That, with regard to the character of these Indians, they appeared to him to be peaceable and better informed than the inhabitants of Otaheite, since they had a perfect knowledge of the implements of iron. That their canoes were made in a superior manner. That when the natives were on board his ship he did not yet know any thing of the wreck; but sailing along the coast, he perceived it about midnight, on the 30th of December 1791, by the light of a large fire which was burning on the  land.  That had it not been for this fire he should probably have run on the rocks of Cape Deception. The deponent further declares, that all along this part of the coast of New Georgia he observed a great number of cabins or huts. That these Indians were of a stout make and gentle disposition; whence he presumes that if M. de la Perouse, or any of his crew, were on the land, they are still living; and that he knows, of all the vessels which have navigated these seas, none but M. de Bougainville, the Alexander, the Friendship of London, M. de la Perouse, and the deponent, ever were at this place; consequently, he presumes, the wreck must have belonged to the ship of M. de la "Perouse, since the Alexander was sunk in the strait of Macassar, and the Friendship arrived safe in England. Being interrogated, whether he had seen any garments upon the natives of the country, denoting them to have had communication with Europeans, he answered that these Indians were naked, that the climate is very hot, and that he understood by their signs that they had seen ships before. That he saw in the possession of these Indians, fishing-nets, the threads of which were made of flax, and the meshes were of European workmanship. That he took a piece of one out of curiosity, from which it would be easy to judge that the materials and workmanship were European.

Hunter Valley convicts who arrived on the Albemarle in 1791

Captain W.R. Best (to Van Diemen's Land.)  Surgeon Superintendent  James Mercer

The Albion departed Spithead on 20th May 1823 and arrived in Van Diemen's Land on 21 October 1823, a voyage of 154 days.

James Mercer kept a Medical Journal from 3 April to 17 November 1823. Two hundred convicts arrived under his care.

His journal related the methods he used to occupy the men: The 12th article of my instructions directs me to be particular in noticing the number of convicts on deck at a time. To do this there was no occasion, for they were never divided but all on deck when the weather and ship's duty permitted from morning to 7 or 8 o'clock at night and so far from confining them or any of them below, it often became necessary to lock the prison doors to prevent their escaping off deck. In stormy weather they were in and off deck at pleasure, but be it as it might were never suffered to use the prison closets in the day time, a circumstance worthy of notice as it kept the tween decks always clean and sweet. Whether on deck or below I managed as much as possible to keep their minds employed by some bodily exercise. Several seamen among them generally found plenty of employment (about the ship); many were employed at times picking oakum; the mechanics, of which there were a good many, found constant employment. The afternoon of every day was spent in merriment and many exercises such as singing, dancing, single stick playing, sparring (muffled), leap frog and many other pranks only known to themselves. When to this catalogue I add a society formed in the main prison for the suppression of vices, of which Joseph Sloggett (a saint with only one leg) was president. I believe I shall have stated all our labours and diversions. The duties of this society with which I never interfered, were at times laborious for previous to the detection of a few night walkers, numerous petty robberies were committed, their exertion in bringing these marauders to light and consequent punishment were truly laudable and in addition to saving me much trouble they certainly have done a deal of good and really acted up to the import of their assumed title.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Albion in 1823

Captain James Ralph.  Surgeon Superintendent Dr. Walker (or Walk)

Prisoners were being transferred from the Retribution Hulk moored at Woolwich to the convict ship Albion by 16th September 1826. Prisoners transferred on the 16th September included James Atherton, Richard Leeming, William Mitchell, John Greenwood, John Shuttleworth, Richard Pennington, Thomas Percival, Joseph Hart, John Badger, Thomas Palmer, John Linforth, Henry Bullock, William Bowes, Thomas Throp, Henry Pope, William Bairstow, William Bagnall, Edward Sugden, Thomas Clegg, Charles Jebson, Francis Fenwick and William Grayson.

It was reported in the London Morning Post on 20th September 1826 that a detachment of the 39th regiment was ordered to embark as Guard on the convict ship Albion at Sheerness. The Guard was under orders of Capt. Francis Crotty of the 39th. Assistant Surgeon Evans of 57th regiment came passenger. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 39th regiment included the Bussorah Merchant, Regalia, Marquis of Huntley, England, Boyne, Speke, Phoenix, Midas, Marina, Guildford, Manlius and the Cambridge.

The Albion departed Portsmouth on 4th October 1826 and arrived in Port Jackson on the 14th February 1827 with 192 male prisoners.  The Albion was one of seventeen convict ships arriving in New South Wales in 1827.

Wednesday 14th February 1827, the day the Albion arrived, was a warm and pleasant day in Sydney. The men were mustered on board the ship on 17th February by the Colonial Secretary. The information on the indent of the Albion included name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, trade, offence, when & where tried, sentence, prior convictions, place/to whom assigned and occasional information of colonial sentences and tickets of leave.

The Australian reported: The male prisoners from the Albion were landed yesterday forenoon. Those which arrived by the Midas will be landed this morning. The whole of the prisoners are ordered for distribution. There are but few mechanics among them. They are for the most part labouring men.

The Sydney Gazette  - 'There is a considerable number of young delinquents on board the Albion. On an inspection of the prisoners, which took place on Thursday last, by the Honorable Mr. McLeay, one precocious youth, in particular, of not more than 14 years of age, as he, himself stated, was asked, amongst other questions, how often he had been tried. He replied, four times! "What trade are you?" was the next interrogatory. He had not been taught any. "What were you brought up to?" said Mr. McLeay. "To thieving your Honour!"

Fifty-four men who arrived on the Albion in 1827 have been identified living in the Hunter region in the following decades. Select HERE to find out more about these men.

The Albion departed the colony on 29th March bound for Batavia via Hobart lading eight casks of sea elephant oil, 100 chests of tea and an organ for St. John's Church, Launceston, Passengers D.A.C.G. Wemyss, Mrs Wemyss & servant, Ensign Lewis and Charles Cowper.

The Albion returned to Sydney from Hobart on 12th May with sheep, potatoes, wool, kangaroo skins and passengers including D.C.G. Wymss, Charles Cowper, Captain Dumaresq, Mr. Flahety, Mr. Townsend, Dr. Tytler and son, Mr. Day and steerage passengers.

Captain James Ralph  Surgeon Superintendent  Thomas Logan

Thomas Logan kept a Medical Journal from 9 May to 14 September 1828. -  He joined the Albion on 9 May 1828 at Deptford. " Having never seen before the dispositions of a prison-ship" he wrote. "I examined those of the with much interest. They seemed to be judicious and proved that considerable attention had been bestowed in perfecting this melancholy service. On the following day (10 May) the guard embarked. The guard consisted of a detachment of the 63rd regiment (sergeant, corporal, 28 privates, five women and 8 children) under the orders of Lieutenant Vickery. Passengers, Mrs. Vickery and 5 children, and Mr. Frederick Darcy.

Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 63rd regiment included America, Countess of Harcourt, Royal George,  Governor Ready, Vittoria, Katherine Stewart Forbes, Waterloo and Sarah.

On 16 May 1828 at Woolwich the Albion was towed down by the Harlequin steam boat. She anchored in the evening close to the hulk Justitia. The prisons were previously prepared for receiving the convicts by a thorough cleaning.

On 19th May 1828, twelve convicts were received from the hulk Ganymede, and sixty from the Justitia. They had all been examined previously to their coming on board the Albion. They all appeared to be healthy, were clean in their persons and dressed in a new suit of convict's clothes.

On 21 May 1828, the Albion being at anchor in the afternoon, the convicts were all allowed to come on deck. The Occasion was taken to clean the prisons out thoroughly by sweeping, partial scraping and then swabbing. The wind being high the ventilation of the prisons was complete. They weighed anchor at 6pm

22 May 1828 they were sailing for the Nore with a moderate easterly wind and rainy weather. They reached the Nore at 5pm and the prisons were carefully cleaned again. The cleaning of the prisons continued every day. The prisoners remained on deck until the afternoon while the prisons dried

At Sheerness on the 23 May, 50 convicts were received from the Hulk Retribution and the prisoners were allowed on deck for most of the day.

24 May 1828 60 convicts from the hulk Dolphin and 10 from the Euryalus were received. There were now 192 prisoners on board.

The following day there were strong gales. The prisons were cleaned again but prayers were not read because of the weather. The surgeon noted that the easterly gale force winds and sending the prisoners on board in duck trousers instead of the woollen ones they were accustomed to was the cause of a great number of them suffering from Catarrh.

The Albion departed on 1st June 1828, the Cape of Good Hope 13th September and arrived in Port Jackson on Monday 3 November 1828; a voyage of 155 days. She brought 188 male prisoners and Government Stores. Four convicts died on the passage out. The Albion was one of seventeen convict ships arriving in New South Wales in 1828.

On Tuesday 4th November 1828 the military detachment of the Albion, was welcomed on shore, and proceeded through the town to their quarters by the melody of wind instruments, the trill of fifes, and beat of drums belonging to the 39th regiment

Master Duncan Sinclair.   Surgeon  William Balmain  Lieutenant John Sinclair

The Alexander was built at Hull in 1784 by Walton & Co. She was taken up by the East India Company in 1786.

She was the largest of the eleven vessels of the historic First Fleet to Australia. The First Fleet consisted of two Royal Navy escort ships, HMS Sirius and HMS Supply  accompanied by six convict transports, the Alexander, Charlotte, Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales and the Scarborough, and three store ships, the Borrowdale, Fishburn and Golden Grove.

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

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Alexander in 1806

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

Master William McKissock.  Surgeon Superintendent Edward Foord Bromley

The British and Foreign Bible Society forwarded 30 Bibles and 10 Testaments to surgeon Edward Foord Bromley to distribute to Convicts under his charge.  The Almorah departed the Downs 26 April 1817, arrived in Rio de Janeiro 15 June 1817 and departed there for Port Jackson on 23rd June in company with the Hyacinth.

The Almorah arrived in Port Jackson on 29 August 1817 after a voyage of 125 days.  One hundred and eighty prisoners were on board, sixty-six of whom were under the age of 21. There were no deaths of convicts on the passage out and they all arrived in excellent health.

Edward Foord Bromley was also surgeon on the Calcutta in 1803, Ocean in 1816, Lord Wellington in 1820,  Surry in 1833 and the  Numa in 1834

Although no surgeon's journal seems to have survived for this voyage, Edward Foord Bromley gave evidence before a Select Committee in 1819 regarding his regulations for the management for convicts..........

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

More about the Almorah in The Asiatic Journal 

The Almorah was chartered for the East India Company service in 1819

Captain Thomas Winter. Surgeon Superintendent Samuel Alexander, R.N.

The Almorah was the next convict ship to leave Ireland for New South Wales after the departure of the Dorothy in May 1820. The Almorah departed Cork on 24th August 1820.

On 13th August, Dr. Draper, agent for convicts sent on board oatmeal bread, beef and vegetables for the use of the prisoners and guard. At 10.30 divine service was performed which half the prisoners attended.   On the 14th August the day was rainy. Thomas Lawless who had come on board highly recommended was appointed captain of the decks and Henry Smith, also recommended, was appointed surgery man and to be in charge of the hospital. Each mess had a captain appointed. Two cooks were appointed, a swab wringer and two men to attend the water closet cisterns and two scavengers. The prisoners were divided into three and a Petty Officer was appointed to each. Samuel Alexander arranged the boy convicts in the place appointed for them and placed a man over them as schoolmaster.

Dr. Trevor came on board on the 17 August and mustered the men. At 3pm they unmoored and at 4pm weighed anchor and stood to sea. They were required to put into Cove again for more water and ammunition. Three of the Guard were sent on shore as they were too ill to make the journey and two men came from the Lord Sidmouth convict ship. Passenger Jane Burn came on board and they weighed anchor at 5pm.

They departed the Cove on 24th August 1820. Dr. Alexander reported that the prisons were wet from leaks in the boat and that the men suffered much with sea sickness. On the 25 August the starboard water closet was found to be leaking. It was fixed by the carpenter but the stench in both prisons was offensive. During the early part of the passage the prisoners were very sickly, dysentery having made its appearance among them particularly in the young men.

Samuel Alexander attributed the causes of their illness to the following circumstances:

The prisoners who came out by the Almorah were embarked on board of two vessels of about 130 tons each at Dublin on the 20th July for conveyance to Cork where this ship waited their arrival, and as the passage from Dublin to Cork is generally made in from 36 to 40 hours the only fitting that was thought necessary for their accommodation was levelling the ballast and spreading straw mats on it which served them as a platform by day and beds by night. After putting to sea the wind became foul and they were obliged to go into Waterford when they remained windbound until the 12th August. The straw mats had got damp and rotten in consequence of the unexpected detention and the state of the people on being transferred to this ship was truly miserable; in addition to the above predisposing causes, we experienced very tempestuous weather after putting to sea, and the prison as well as upper decks were almost constantly wet during the first week after sailing.

This voyage was difficulty not only because of the deficiencies of the vessel but the crew caused a great deal of difficulties as well. Later, on arrival in the colony, the surgeon informed the Governor of the circumstances and provided a list of convicts who assisted in navigating the ship during the passage when the sailors refused to work......On 5th October the master found it necessary to confine one of his men on which the rest rushed on the quarter deck for the purpose of rescuing him, but were prevented by the interposition of the guard. They then refused to do any duty using many mutinous threats so that it was necessary to put fourteen of them in irons. The greater part of the crew I believe to have been led away by the two men named in the margin - (George King and Jonathan Bell.)(2)

The Almorah arrived in Port Jackson on 22 December 1820.   The Guard consisted of a party of 30 men belonging to 1st regiment of Foot (Royals) under orders of Ensign Bruce.

The prisoners were landed with those from the Asia on 5th January 1821. The Sydney Gazette reported: They were inspected in the forenoon by His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief; who was pleased to express to the Commanders and Surgeons of each vessel the highest satisfaction at the appearance of the men, who, one and all, testified to His Excellency their gratitude to the Gentlemen who whose care and tenderness they had been confided by a benign and merciful Government, in the most lively terms of heartfelt praise, acknowledging they had experienced universal kindness and general attention; indeed, their particularly healthy appearance fully confirmed the expressions of their grateful feelings, which spoke more than language was capable of giving utterance to. When the contemplative mind is insensibly and necessarily led, on such gratifying occasions as these, to take a retrospect of a few years, how manifestly striking is the contrast that now so frequently exhibits itself. They were forwarded by water to Parramatta for service with private settlers or to labour on Public Works there.

The five youngest prisoners were James Brien, Patrick Byrne, Thomas Clarke, John Magennis and Peter Stewart.

Twenty-five prisoners who arrived on the Almorah in 1820 have been identified as residing in the Hunter region in the following years. ............Select here to find out more about these men

2. Reel 6051; 4/1749 pp.261-2

National Archives - Chartered ship, 416 tons. Principal Managing Owner: Matthew Boyd. Voyages: (1) 1818/9 Madras and Bengal. Capt Thomas Winter. Downs 27 May 1819 - 17 Sep Madras - 29 Sep Fulta - 21 Dec Diamond Harbour - 3 Jan 1820 Madras - 12 Mar Cape - 20 May Blackwall.

Master Robert S. Donald.  Surgeon Superintendent Alexander Stewart

Alexander Stewart kept a Medical Journal from 4 March to 31 August 1829.

The guard consisted of a detachment of 63rd Regiment under the command of Adjutant Montgomery. Passengers included Mrs. Montgomery and 2 children. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 63rd regiment included  Albion,  Royal George,  Governor Ready, Vittoria, Katherine Stewart Forbes, Waterloo and Sarah.

Convicts were transferred from prison hulks moored at Woolwich to the America late in March 1829. Thomas Dauncey from Gloucester was transferred from the Justitia Hulk on 27th March along with Joseph Saunders, James Millar, John Murphy, William Stone, John Taylor and James Roberts and others. The last of the 176 prisoners were received on board the America on 30 March 1829, and the voyage began from Woolwich on 8 April 1829.

The Journal of Alexander Stewart reveals that he was kept busy from the very beginning of the voyage. The Guard which had been stationed at Chatham brought on board with them measles which had been prevalent there. The prisoners had been transferred from the hulk Justitia where dysentery was prevalent and Dr. Stewart thought a predisposition existed among the prisoners on their embarking which was brought into action by the change of diet and exacerbated by the bad weather in June and July. On several occasions he was too busy to perform an autopsy on deceased persons. The abstract reveals some of his cases - Hepatitis, 1; Rheumatismus, 1; Rubeola 2; of which one was sent to the hospital; Phthisis 1, who died on board; Dysenteria 15, of which 8 died on board; Syphilis 2. The eight men who died were George Arneil, John Brown, William Bamford, William Cherry, John Humphries, Thomas Moss, Thomas Scott and Thomas Wright.

The America arrived in Port Jackson on 18 August 1829 with the remaining 168 male prisoners. The vessel was at first kept under rigid quarantine. The Monitor reported: Mr. Watson the pilot was detained on board. One of the guard died on 23rd August and his body was towed outside of the Heads by the Customs boat and there left to the mercy of the finny tribe. Consternation regarding outbreak of diseases was understandable. Fifteen months previously the convict ship Morley brought whooping cough to the colony causing many deaths.

The Australian reported that as the measles had completely disappeared and there were only a few cases of dysentery remaining, it was unnecessary to delay the landing for too long. A Medical Board of Inspection boarded her to determine the exact extent of disease on 19th August 1829 and a Muster of the convicts was held on board by Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay on 24th August 1829.

The convict indents include the name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, trade, offence, date and place of trial, sentence, prior convictions, physical description and where and to whom each prisoner was assigned on arrival. There is also occasional information regarding pardons, tickets of leave, deaths and relatives in the colony. The youngest prisoners were John Angew (16), William Bell (14), William Casey (15), William Fletcher (16), John Fisher 1(16), William McLauchlan (16) and John Rae (16).

The prisoners were landed on 31st August and were reported to be a fine healthy set of young men.

In the years to come many of the men of the America were subject to punishment such as Calvin Sampson endured in 1833.........

Alexander Stewart was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Southworth 1830 (to VDL)  and Aurora in 1833

Select here to find out more about bushranger Henry Beard who arrived on the America

George Smith a baker from London arrived on the America. He escaped from the colony in the whaler Venus in March 1832 and was later re-transported on the Marquis of Huntley in 1835 under the name Thomas Sheffield. He died in Sydney Hospital in 1838.

Thirty-five men who arrived on the America in 1829 have been identified residing in the Hunter region in the following years. Find out more about them here

Details about the voyage, surgeon's journal and convicts of the Andromeda 1830 are now on a separate page.

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

Captain Ben Gale.  Surgeon Superintendent David Boyter

The Andromeda was the next vessel to leave England after the departure of the Camden in September 1832. The Andromeda departed Portsmouth on 17 November 1832. On board were convicts from different counties throughout England. They were held on various hulks prior to transportation. Some such as sixteen year old Thomas Kinggett were held on the Hulk Hardy and transferred to the Andromeda on 8th November 1832.

This was David Boyter's 3rd voyage as Surgeon Superintendent of a convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 29 October 1832 to 29 March 1833. ........

The Guard were embarked in fine weather and under the most favourable circumstances. They were all young men in high health and spirits and completed the voyage without a casualty occurring and were disembarked in the best state of health after a voyage of seventeen weeks. The convicts were in number two hundred and eighty-six. I received them from the York hulk at Portsmouth. They were mostly young men lately convicted, of very full habit and apparently remarkably clean and healthy at this time. Cholera was very prevalent and fatal on board of the next hulk and from the men having been employed together at work in the dock yard, I was very apprehensive of the diseases appearance on board the Andromeda, but I am happy to remark that with the exception of a mild case of dysentery, not another instance of bowel complaint occurred during the voyage. During the first part of our voyage in crossing the Bay of Biscay we met with a very severe gale of wind, the ship from being just out of port was very ill-provided with tarpaulins and other necessary things to prevent water getting below. The consequence was that the prison was completely inundated and the lower deck was obliged to be scuttled to allow the water to escape below. Many of the convicts were seriously ill from perfect terror but more especially from sea sickness which induced several to the lowest ebb. I was in these cases obliged to administer liberally wine and medical comfort to assist in their recovery. From these circumstances and getting rapidly into a tropical climate sickness prevailed to a greater extent than I had experienced during my two former voyages.

Passengers on the Andromeda included Lieutenant Lonsdale and Lieutenant Armstrong and 29 rank and file of the 21st regt., 5 women and 6 children. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 21st regiment include the Mary and Lord Lyndoch

Israel Chapman from the Police establishment and his wife Mary Chapman from London arrived as steerage passengers. The Sydney Herald on 21st October 1833 reported: Israel Chapman has been appointed Police Runner, an office in itself quite distinct from the ordinary duties of the Town Police. From his extensive acquaintance with the prison population he is infinitely better qualified for such an office than any other person connected with the Police department. This was a sly dig at his past as Chapman had first arrived as a convict on the Glory in 1818.

David Boyter was also employed as surgeon superintendent on the convict ships Mermaid in 1830 Camden in 1831 and the Hero in 1835.

Hunter Valley convicts who arrived on the Andromeda in 1833

Captain William Ascough.  Surgeon Superintendent James Lawrence

The Ann and Amelia departed Cork on 8th September 1824.

The Guard consisted of soldiers of the 40th regiment under orders of Captain Richard Turton. Other ships bringing detachments of the 40th regiment included the  Asia, Guildford, Medina, Castle Forbes,  Countess of Harcourt, Mangles, Minerva and Isabella.

Richard Turton joined the 40th regiment on 10th February 1808.  On 18 May 1825 he was appointed Commandant at the new penal settlement to be established at Norfolk Island. Lieut. Richardson of the same corps to be Assistant Engineer. (1) They sailed on the Brutus with Surgeon Mr. Coleman, soldiers of the guard, six women and six children and 53 male and 3 female prisoners. Select here to read more about Captain Turton at Norfolk Island. He was appointed Major and returned to Sydney in April 1826 and was next posted to Van Diemen's Land. He married Katherine, the daughter of Jocelyn Thomas there on 15 September 1827. The 40th transferred to Bombay in 1828. Richard Turton died in 1836 on the passage home from Bombay.

Eliza Hamsden and George Hamsden (born at sea); Messrs Thomas Hamsden and Michael Cormick, police officers; 3 boys, sons of convicts all arrived as passengers.

There were no deaths on the passage and two hundred male prisoners arrived in Port Jackson on Sunday afternoon 2nd January 1825 under the care of Surgeon Superintendent James Lawrence. The voyage had taken 116 days.

Surgeon Lawrence wrote in his journal at the end of the voyage - The prisoners and Guard during the passage from Ireland to New South Wales have been so healthy that I have no remarks to make. Purgative medicines were freely administered to many of the prisoners who were not sick, which combined with bathing and exercise tended very much in my opinion to the preservation of their health. James Lawrence's Journal contains treatment for various ailments including one case of scurvy, two accidents and four pulmonary infections, mostly minor in nature. He treated convict Patrick Noonan on 17th September for a troublesome cough which Noonan attributed to a cold caught on board the Surprise hulk - the greater part of the prisoners on board the hulk had torn their clothes and thrown them overboard a few days before leaving her.  John Curley had an uncomfortable voyage, having suffered with painful leg ulcers and boils for most of the voyage. He was kindly treated by the surgeon during the entire time and his condition improved somewhat although he was sent to the hospital at Sydney on arrival.

On 5th January in Sydney, the prisoners of the Ann and Amelia were landed. It was reported that they underwent the customary inspection by His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane between 9am and 10am that morning, and had no complaints to prefer against the Captain or Surgeon. They appeared to be in excellent health and after the inspection were drafted to their various destinations.

The Ann & Amelia brought out 30 tons of flax seed for the Australian Agricultural Company.

James Lawrence was also employed as surgeon on the convict ship John in 1832

Bushranger 'Bold Jack Donohue' arrived on the Ann & Amelia

Select here to find other Hunter Valley convicts who arrived on the Ann & Amelia in 1825

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

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

Details of the voyage of the convict ship Anne in 1810 are now on a separate page.

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

Details of the voyage of the Archduke Charles are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage of the Archduke Charles in 1813

Master James Morice. Surgeon Superintendent William Bell Carlyle

The prisoners who were transported on the Asia came from different counties and cities in England - Gloucester, Surry, Lancaster, Bristol, Cumberland, Middlesex, Kent, London etc., Most were probably held in county prisons or Newgate before being transferred to one of the hulks moored in the Thames.

Some of the men who had been tried at the Old Bailey in April and May 1820 were sent to Newgate. They were taken from Newgate on 21st July and sent to the Bellerophon hulk and on 23 August 1821 were transferred to the Asia. Most of the men were in their 20s and 30s however two were only fourteen years old - Thomas Reed and Walter Preddy and there were several who were 15 and 16 years old. John Hill was the oldest at 56 years of age.

This was William Bell Carlyle's first voyage as surgeon superintendent on a convict ship. His medical journal does not seem to have survived however he made a total of seven voyages on convict ships over the next ten years and the journals from those voyages are all available.......the  Morley in 1823 (VDL) Henry in 1825,  Andromeda in 1827 (VDL) Phoenix in 1828 and the  Marquis of Huntley in 1830. Hundred of convicts arrived in the colony under his care in those ten years, and in all that time he lost a total of only seven prisoners.

The large Vessel in the centre is the Captivity, this was formerly the Bellerophon man-of-war, of 74 guns, to which ship, when commanded by Captain Maitland, and cruising in Basque Roads, off Rochefort, the Emperor Bonaparte surrendered himself, about six o'clock A.M. on the 15th of July, 1815.* Near the margin, on the left, is the Sheer-hulk, used for fixing the masts and rigging of the vessels in the harbour.  The Bellerophon was paid off and converted to a prison ship in 1815, and was renamed Captivity in 1824 to free the name for another ship. Moved to Plymouth in 1826, she continued in service until 1834, when the last convicts left. The Admiralty ordered her to be sold in 1836, and she was broken up.

The Asia was the next convict ship to leave England after the departure of the female convict ship Morley in May 1820. The Asia departed Sheerness on 3rd September 1820 and arrived in Port Jackson on Tuesday 26th December 1820 with 189 male prisoners all in good health. One prisoner died on the passage out.

The Sydney Gazette reported that........ They were inspected by His Excellency the Governor who expressed to the Commanders and Surgeons of each vessel the highest satisfaction at the appearance of the men, who one and all testified to His Excellency their gratitude to the Gentlemen to whose care and tenderness they had been confided by a benign and merciful Government, in the most lively terms of heartfelt praise, acknowledging they had experienced universal kindness and general attention; indeed, their particularly healthy appearance fully confirmed the expressions of their grateful feelings, which spoke more than language was capable of giving utterance to.  Four prisoners were ordered to be assigned to private service at Parramatta - Thomas Guard, Edward Dyde, Charles Reece and Richard James were assigned to John Blaxland.  Joseph Ponting was sent to the Government Factory at Parramatta, James May was sent to the Prisoner's Barracks. Others were assigned to Government to labour on the Public Works at Parramatta. The men were forwarded to Parramatta by water.

The Asia departed Sydney for Batavia in February 1821. Chief Officer was Thomas Tooke and Second Officer C. Howard.

William Bell Carlyle was also surgeon on the convict ships  Morley in 1823 (VDL) Henry in 1825,  Andromeda in 1827 (VDL) Phoenix in 1828 and the  Marquis of Huntley in 1830

Captain Thomas L. Reid. Surgeon Superintendent James Alexander Mercer

The convicts of the Asia came from different parts of England. They were held in county prisons or Newgate before being sent to one of the prison hulks moored in the Thames. Some of the convicts who were tried at the Old Bailey on 24 October 1821 were sent to the Leviathan hulk on 3rd December 1821 and transferred to the Asia on 26th March 1822.

In all, one hundred and ninety male prisoners were embarked, and the Asia departed England on 4th April 1822, three days prior to the Guildford .

Although James Mercer submitted a journal to the Colonial Government on arrival the journal does not seem to have survived, however in the journal of his voyage of the Asia (1) in 1825 he commented that he considered himself fortunate in that there was little illness on either of these voyages. On the voyage in 1825 James Mercer allowed dancing and encouraged the prisoners to be active.

The Guard consisted of Ensign Carmac, one sergeant, one corporal and twenty nine privates of the 3rd Regiment (Buffs); also four women and six children belonging to the guard. Other ships bringing detachments of the 3rd regiment included the Eliza, Shipley, Henry, Princess Royal and Brampton.

Lieutenant George Richard Carmac joined the Buffs on 17 November 1814. He was appointed Ensign on 18 March 1819. In NSW he was acting commandant at Port Macquarie in November and December 1824 after Captain John Rolland died and was replaced by Captain Henry Gillman. Lieutenant Carmac was appointed Captain on 14 December 1826 (2). He married Henrietta, second daughter of Major Maling at Calcutta in February 1833. His wife gave birth to a daughter a Ghazeepore in 1835. He died at Meerut in 1838 after a few days fever and illness. 'This Officer who was senior captain in the 3rd regiment had served with it for a period of nineteen years. (1)

Passengers arriving on the Asia included Mr. James Mudie, three Miss Mudies and Miss Scargill.

His Excellency Governor Brisbane inspected them and they were afterwards handed over to their various employments.    Forty-three prisoners were forwarded to Parramatta district by boat; five to Windsor district; eight to Evan district; nine to Airds; thirteen to Liverpool district.  They would have all experienced the solar eclipse that occurred on Saturday 17th August 1822.

Thirty eight prisoners have been identified as residing in the Hunter Region in the following years. Select HERE to find out more about these men.

Captain Reid had frequently visited the colony. He died on the voyage home from India. (1)

James Mercer was also employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the Albion to Van Diemen's Land in 1823.

Master James Lindsay. Surgeon Superintendent William Evans

The guard consisted of a division of the 40th regiment under the command of Captain Bishop. One subaltern, one sergeant, two corporals, thirty men, five women and a child, embarked on the 5th July.

Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 40th regiment included the Guildford, Medina, Castle Forbes, Countess of Harcourt, Mangles, Minerva and Ann & Amelia.

Passengers included Deputy Assistant Commissary General Fletcher and Lieut. O'Shea of the 13th Light Infantry on his way to join his regiment in Calcutta.

On the 15th July 150 male convicts were received on the Asia from the Justitia Hulk which was moored at Woolwich.

The Asia departed England in company with the Guildford which was bringing convicts to New South Wales. (1)

The was William Evans fourth voyage as surgeon on a convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 28 June 1823 to 18 January 1824. He joined the Asia on 28th June 1823 at Deptford...........

Their general health was good, though a few laboured under debility, whom notwithstanding I was induced to take as Mr. Capper wished to get them out of the country. From the continued wet weather several cases of catarrh occurred before we reached the Downs, which we did on the 3rd August. From the Downs we sailed on the 9th August with beating winds down the channel and were obliged to put into Portsmouth on the 15th in consequence of the prevailing westerly gales with much rain. Sailed from Portsmouth on 28th August and the weather gradually became more settled until we reached Madeira when the sick list diminished to some trifling cases of debility arising from the long confinement of many of the prisoners in the different gaols previous to their embarkation.

They suffered unbearably hot weather between the Cape de Verde and the Islands and about twenty or thirty convicts and the Guard were permitted to sleep on deck until they reached the Equator.

During the day the prisoners were all on deck when the weather permitted and were ordered to bathe daily. Those who showed scorbutic symptoms were given lemon juice daily. The surgeon thought they were among the most slothful of the prisoners.

There were two deaths on the voyage out - William Roberts age 24 died on 4th October 1823 after suffering epileptic fits and paralysis and Thomas Nichols on 9th October 1823 after becoming ill with fever.

They had remarkably fine weather after the Equator and arrived in Van Diemen's Land on the 19th January 1824.

Convict artist Thomas Bock arrived on the Asia. Find out more about Thomas Bock here

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Asia in 1824

Captain Thomas F. Stead.  Surgeon Superintendent James Alexander Mercer

The Asia was the next convict ship to leave Ireland after the departure of the Ann and Amelia in September 1824.  The Asia departed Cove of Cork on 29th October 1824.

The guard was the first detachment of the 57th regiment and consisted of Captain Richard Heaviside, Lieut. Le Merchant, 2 Serjeants, 1 Corporal and 30 privates. Other ships bringing detachments of the 57th regiment included the Norfolk, Minstrel, Sir Godfrey Webster, Henry Porcher, Hooghley, Lonach, Royal Charlotte, Marquis of Hastings, Sesostris, Mangles and Morley

James Alexander Mercer kept a Medical Journal from 28 August 1824 to 28 February 1825. He considered himself fortunate in that the first time he went to New South Wales in charge of prisoners (on the convict ship Asia in 1822) there was little sickness, and on this voyage there was again little sickness and no deaths. He had only two cases that he considered troublesome, one being John Gorman who was cured after Mercer operated to relieve a hydrocele.

For the first few days of the voyage the winds were strong with a high sea running and most of the men were sea sick, however after a few days the ship came into fine weather and all recovered. After they were clear of the Bay of Biscay all the irons were struck off and when near Madeira all the woollen clothes, shoes and stockings were collected, labelled and stowed away in bread bags. This left the convicts with two shirts and two pairs of trousers each until the evening dews began to get heavy and the air cooled when the surgeon had the warmer clothing re-distributed. There was such fine weather for most of the voyage that the convicts and guard ate the majority of their meals on the deck.

The men were regularly bathed early in the morning, fifty at a time passing through the bathing tub as mustered by the surgeon. Their beds were stowed at 7 bells and dinner was at midday. They were served their lemonade on the quarter deck immediately after dinner each day.

The youngest prisoners on board were Thomas Bowen (16), Charles Curneen (16), Thomas Lyndsay (15), James Murphy (16), Francis Ramsey (17), William Rogan (17) and Robert Rogers (17). The surgeon made them attend school every day for a certain number of hours. They were probably schooled by Denis Lynch a 40 year old schoolmaster from Queens County. Described in the indents as a quiet man with hazel eyes and grey balding hair, Denis Lynch was sent to the Carter's Barracks on arrival. After school was finished for the day when the ship's duty permitted the boys were encouraged in harmless amusements.

The surgeon believed the men should be encouraged to be active. All the convicts on this voyage were allowed dancing as a form of amusement until 8 o'clock at night when they were mustered and secured in the prison for the night. 

Carpenters, joiners, shoe makers and tailors were seldom unemployed on board. Other men picked oakum and assisted in sailing the ship. The surgeon recorded his thoughts on the employment of prisoners on the voyage out.......

I wish I could in conformity with the 22nd act of my instructions say I had discovered some method of employing prisoners on the passage, but I really have not, nor in a well regulated ship do I think constant employment by any means necessary particularly for the preservation of health for such as are willing to make themselves useful need seldom be entirely idle.

At 5 bells am Sunday and Thursday I always have muster when every man must appear clean shaved and in clean shirt and trousers. This naturally leads to as many washing days they need not therefore be as inactive on the passage as at first view would be supposed. Tis true all this is their own and ships duty. Government reap no advantage from such labours, nor do I know any way in which they could be advantageously employed towards lessening the enormous expense of sending them out unless it were practicable to exact on board something after the plan of the tread mill which coupled to and working wheels similar to those of the steam vessels would by a few hours exercise occasionally in light winds, and calms greatly expedite the voyage and proportionally lessen the expense. And so far from being a punishment, by often times saving them many days exposure to a vertical sun it would tend to their comfort, for a very few leagues often carry a ship from the failure of N.E. Trade to the commencement of S.E. hence there would be no delay on the Line.

They sighted King Island on 9th February and arrived in Port Jackson on Tuesday 22nd February 1825.  One man was sent to hospital on shore on arrival and a Muster was held on board on Friday 25th February by Colonial Secretary Frederick Goulburn.  The indents reveal the name, when and where tried, sentence, native place, trade, age, physical description, remarks on their conduct during the voyage and where assigned on arrival. There are also occasional notes about relatives already in the colony, colonial sentences and deaths. Although the surgeon gave most of the prisoners a good report for behaviour there are also several mentioned in the indents who were punished - Hugh Vaughn 12 lashes for insubordination; Thomas McDonnell 24 lashes for quarrelling; Patrick Caffrey 18 lashes for quarrelling; Laurence Brennan 18 lashes for insubordination; Christopher Walsh 24 lashes for quarrelling.

The indents also reveal the names of several police constables found guilty of manslaughter at the Spring Assizes at Marysborough. John Kingsmill, George Walpole, Robert Harvey, John Owen and James Hincks were all assigned to government service on arrival. Select here to read the story of John Kingsmill.

The Sydney Gazette reported on 3rd March 1825...On Monday morning last at six o'clock the prisoners of the ship Asia, were landed at the King's Wharf, 190 in number, all healthy looking men; they were conducted to the Jail Yard and re-mustered, A great many applicants for servants were made, and the greater part of the prisoners were assigned over to masters. Captain Stead and Doctor Mercer gave most of the prisoners a tolerable character for sobriety and good behaviour during the voyage and they were on the spot assigned to respectable settlers and merchants. They were inspected by His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane who was pleased with their clean and healthy appearance.

Except for John Glass who had lost part of his right hand and was sent to the Carter's Barracks on arrival, most of the prisoners who gave their employment as weaver, flax dresser or hackler were sent to the Factory to be employed there.

About thirty six of the prisoners of the Asia have been identified in the Hunter Valley region in following years. Select HERE  to find out more about these men.

The Asia was intending to sail for Calcutta on 25th March 1825.

Captain William L. Pope. Surgeon Superintendent Thomas Davies

The Asia was built in Calcutta in 1805.

It was reported on 18th December 1824 at Portsmouth of the detention of many outward bound vessels by contrary winds. Some of the ships had been two months out of the Downs during which they had made repeated ineffectual struggles to clear the Channel but could not get to the westward of Plymouth. The convict ships Hercules, Royal Charlotte and the Asia were among these vessels detained at Portsmouth.

The Asia departed Portsmouth on 5th January 1825 and Santa Cruz 24th January.

The Asia arrived in Port Jackson on Friday 29 April 1825.  A muster was held on board by Colonial Secretary Frederick Goulburn on 2nd May 1825. Of the two hundred prisoners who were embarked in England, one was re-landed prior to sailing, two men died on the voyage Thomas Howey and James Lovett -  and one was sent to the hospital on arrival in Sydney Cove.

Thomas Davies kept a Medical Journal from 3 October 1824 to 6 May 1825. He had previously served as surgeon superintendent on the Henry in 1823.

There were no cases of scurvy on this voyage and the surgeon was pleased to report that there were no cases of illness when the vessel entered Port Jackson........

It may not excite surprise that my anxiety to prolong the existence of men so circumstanced has been great and continued and I beg to remark that in every individual requiring even a purgative and the facility with which the greater number were restored to their former condition, may be conclusive as to the slight tendency of their indisposition to danger. In conclusion I had the satisfaction of discharging my charges in the Colony a perfect healthy.

The three youngest convicts were George Hames (16), William Miles (16) and James Quinnell (15). Hames and Quinnell were both sent to Carter's Barracks on arrival. Robert Johnson, surgeon and apothecary was sent to the 'Valley of the Swells', Wellington Valley.

Convict Henry Sears was assigned to service at Paterson Plains in 1825. After many transgressions of the law he was executed in 1842 for piracy and murder at Norfolk Island. Select here to find other Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Asia (111) in 1825

The Guard consisted of Lieut-Governor Colonel Stewart of the 3rd regiment, Lieut. Thomas Bainbridge* of the 57th and 54 men of the 57th and 3rd (Buffs) regiments in including Sergeant Pike and Private John Finn. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 57th regiment included the Asia, Norfolk, Minstrel, Sir Godfrey Webster, Henry Porcher, Hooghley, Lonach, Royal Charlotte, Marquis of Hastings, Sesostris, Mangles, Borodino and Morley. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 3rd regiment included the Asia,  Countess of Harcourt, Henry, Princess Royal, Shipley and Brampton.

*Lieutenant Thomas Bainbridge accompanied Captain Logan to the penal settlement at Moreton Bay in March 1826 where he was employed as acting engineer (1). He married Sarah, second daughter of Samuel Bates, formerly Deputy Judge Advocate of Norfolk Island in Sydney in October 1826. (2)

Sir Francis Forbes in giving evidence before the Select Committee into transportation in 1837 mentioned John Fitch, formerly a sailor in the Royal Navy. John Fitch whose real name was John Knatchbull arrived on the Asia. He received a ticket of leave in 1829 however was convicted of forgery and sent to Norfolk Island in 1832. He completed his sentence at Norfolk Island and returned to Sydney. He was executed for murder in February 1844. (SG)

Captain Thomas F. Stead. Surgeon Superintendent  James McTernan

The prisoners of the Asia came from various counties in England and Scotland. They were held on prison hulks prior to transportation. Many were transferred to the Asia on 9th November 1827

The Asia was the next vessel to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Hooghley on 5th November 1827. The Asia departed London on 23 November 1827.

This was James McTernan's third voyage as surgeon superintendent on a convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 3 October 1827 to 24 March 1828. His journal begins .....Although the general summary numerically viewed may give an idea of much sickness on board the Asia, few ships enjoyed a greater immunity which is principally to be attributed to the usual attention to cleanliness, dryness below, ventilation and indeed much to the fitness as to capacity of the Asia for such a service. Although the vessel was rendered uncomfortable for some time by the very bad fitting and consequent damp of a water closet.

The guard comprised a detachment of the 57th Regt., with 7 men of the Royal Veterans and 5 women and 6 children under the orders of Lieutenant George Edwards*.  Members of the guard who were mentioned in the surgeon's journal include Lieut. Edwards (cholera); Patrick Coade (phthisis); William Dockeral (pneumonia); John Digney (cholera); John McMahon (dysentery); Thomas Quinn (pneumonia).  Other ships bringing detachments of the 57th regiment included the Asia, Norfolk, Minstrel, Sir Godfrey Webster, Henry Porcher, Hooghley, Lonach, Royal Charlotte, Marquis of Hastings, Sesostris, Mangles, Asia, and Morley

*George Edwards was born in Hastings, Sussex, England on the 2nd February, 1795. He joined the British Army at the age of 24 as an Ensign. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1828 and was appointed to the settlement at Moreton Bay in that same year. He was there at the time of the murder of Captain Patrick Logan. It was he who informed the Commander of the 57th regiment of the tragic death of Patrick Logan. (1)

Passengers on the Asia included Solicitor-General John Sampson and Clerk. John Sampson did not survive long in the colony. Already ill with pulmonary disease, he died on 27th October 1829 aged 32 years. His body was buried at the old Devonshire cemetery. A tombstone at his grave stated that the monument was restored in 1882 by the deceased's nephew Charles Sampson. Exhumations of this cemetery were undertaken in 1901 in order to build Central Railway. (2)

The Asia arrived in Port Jackson on 13th March 1828 bringing 100 male prisoners and Government Naval stores. A Muster of convicts was held on board on 18th March 1828 by Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay and the Military guard disembarked on the afternoon of Friday 14th March 1828.

There were fourteen prisoners aged 16 and under, the youngest two were John Brown (or King) and John Jeffrey who were both only fourteen years old. Most of the boys were sent to Carter's Barracks on arrival.

James McTernan was also surgeon on the convict ships Ocean in 1823, Eliza in 1829, Lady Harewood in 1831,  John Barry in 1836 and the Sir Charles Forbes in 1827 (VDL)

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Asia in 1828

Details of the voyage of the Asia in 1830 are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage and prisoners of the convict ship Asia 1830

Master Henry Ager.  Surgeon Superintendent George Birnie

This was George Birnie's first voyage as surgeon superintendent on a convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 27 June to 14 December 1831.

The Guard on the Asia consisted of a detachment of the 4th regiment of foot under the command of Captain Chetwade and Ensign Zouch. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 4th regiment included the Waterloo, Lady Harewood Parmelia, Bussorah Merchant, Asia, Clyde, Jane, Isabella and City of Edinburgh.

Mr Andrew Gillespie, a free settler, 5 soldiers' wives and 2 children came passengers

There was widespread insurrection against local landholders in Co. Clare in 1831. Landless peasants lived in misery close to starvation. White boy crimes such as firearm offences and unlawful oaths were taking place throughout the county. ..............

Hundreds were tried at the Spring Assizes and afterwards at Special Commissions in Limerick and Ennis which took place until the end of June 1831. Some of the prisoners who were transported on the Asia were tried for White Boy crimes on 2nd June 1831. They included Patrick Collins, Michael Clancy, John Donohue, John Hayes, William Hayes, Patrick Hickey, James Linehan, James Neylan, Michael Magee, Michael McNamara and Maurice Molony.

On the 3 August 1831, 120 convicts and 1 free settler, Andrew Gillespie, embarked on the Asia at Cork and on 4th August another 97 convicts. The majority were found to be in poor health and several had been in the hospital until a few days before embarking. George Birnie considered some convicts were unfit for the voyage and should never have been sent on board, for example, John Fitzgerald, David Sheehan and Patrick Couney. Three men were rejected and, according to James Gilchrist, Surgeon of the Bussorah Merchant, two of them died within a fortnight. Patrick Canny, Edmond Garraghty and Patrick McGuire were all disembarked before the ship set sail. Surgeon Birnie found that prisoners sometimes lied about the state of their health just to escape from the Hulks. They would rather risk dying at sea than remain in a hulk.  Samuel Hollingworth was the local Inspector of the hulk Surprise in 1831.

The Asia was the next convict ship to leave Ireland for New South Wales after the departure of the female transport Hooghley in June 1831. The Asia departed from Cork 6 August 1831

The Asia arrived in Port Jackson on 2 December 1831 with 206 prisoners. Those who did not survive the voyage included -  James Naylor, aged 40 died on 8th November during stormy weather; Patrick Donnelly aged 19 on 17 November - had never recovered from a beating he received on the hulk; Maurice Murphy 44, on 24th November; John Costelloe 21, suffering from pneumonia, revived slightly on the sight of land on 28th November however never fully recovered and died on 3rd December; Cormick Berry was admitted to hospital on arriving in Sydney however died 10 days later from scurvy; Edmund Scanlon also admitted to hospital on arrival and later died.

Scurvy occurred only amongst the prisoners on this voyage. The surgeon attributed this to the 'regular supply of spirits supplied to the crew, guard and families, and their previous wholesome food as well as an absence of depressing passions.'

The prisoners on this vessel were well attended by Captain Ager and Surgeon Birnie. The men were allowed on deck regularly and the prison was kept much cleaner than the barracks. Supplies of preserved meat, tea, sulphate of magnesia, castor oil and oil of turpentine (used orally or by enema for dysentery) were insufficient and so were replaced by Birnie at his own expense. Chloride of lime (for scurvy) was used liberally during the voyage and greatly contributed to the comfort of all on board. Captain Ager ordered milk and fresh bread to be given to the sick every day. He also had 'a place fitted up behind the fore chains on each side, for the people to retire to' [as a toilet], to alleviate the nuisance throughout the ship caused by the 'soil pans'. George Birnie recommended similar arrangements should be generally adopted by order of the Navy Board. He also recommended the adoption of iron bars as less wasteful than the wooden prisons fitted in ships and taken down at the end of each voyage. Iron bars would also allow better circulation.

The prisoners were generally quiet and orderly, and kept themselves and their berths clean. On arrival 36 of the prisoners, as well as the more serious cases mentioned in the journal were exhibiting scorbutic symptoms. They all recovered rapidly on being given fresh meat and vegetables. One hundred and ninety four men were mustered on board on 6th December 1831 by the Colonial Secretary. Of the original two hundred and twenty men, three had been disembarked while still in Ireland, eleven died at sea, twelve were sent to the hospital on arrival. The indents reveal the name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, trade, offence, sentence, when and where tried, former convictions, physical description and where assigned on arrival. There is also occasional information about colonial crimes, deaths and relatives already in the colony. There were eight young prisoners - John Hassett (16), Jeremiah Mahoney (15), Owen McCarthy (15), Patrick McCarthy (16),William Tate (16) and brothers William Mara (16) and John Mara (14). The youngest was Patrick Flynn who was aged 13.

On arrival prisoners were distributed to settlers and government service. Ten were assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company. Select HERE to find convicts assigned to the Hunter Valley region.

Henry Ager was Captain of the Waterloo convict ship en route to VDL in 1842 when it was wrecked at Table Bay.

George Birnie was also surgeon on the female convict ship Caroline in 1833 and the Blenheim to Van Diemen's Land in 1837.

Thomas F. Stead. Surgeon Superintendent Andrew Douglas Wilson

The Asia was the next convict ship to leave England after the departure of the Surry in July 1831.

Two hundred men from various counties throughout England were transported on the Asia. Most would never see their homeland again. They had been held in different hulks moored in the Thames prior to embarking on the Asia on 24th September 1831. Many were petty thieves; there were highway robbers, forgers and soldiers convicted of desertion. There was also one man by the name of Samuel Price who was being re-transported. He was 43 years of age and married with four children. He had originally been transported on the Indian in 1810, however escaped from the colony and now twenty two years later was being returned to serve his sentence.

The Asia was reported lying windbound at Portsmouth on 11th October 1831 and did not depart until 16th October 1831.

Andrew Douglas Wilson kept a Medical Journal from 24 September 1831 to 27 February 1832. The Surgeon's general remarks concentrated on the case of nineteen year old John Tierney who concealed the diseased state of his arm as he did not want it to jeopardise his transportation because he wished to better his condition. The Surgeon stated that although he was landed in better health than he had embarked, 'he was a bad subject for New South Wales in as much as he was nearly a useless one. John Tierney died in Liverpool Hospital in 1833.

The surgeon thought the only serious case was rheumatism which affected himself. He was so ill that on arrival in Sydney he had to be hoisted out of the ship in a chair. The disease was then mainly in the hip but had since spread to almost every part of his body and confined him to bed. He attributed the illness to a fall on the Convict Ship Princess Royal three years previously, in which his skull had been damaged.

The Asia arrived in Sydney on 13th February 1832. A Muster was held on board by the Colonial Secretary. The convict indents reveal the name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, occupation, offence, date and place of trial, sentence, prior convictions and physical description. There is no indication in the indents as to where the prisoners were assigned on arrival. There are occasional notes about colonial sentences and dates of death. There were six prisoners under the age of 16 years - James Duffield (16); Benjamin Fox (16); John Jones (14); George Lee (16); John Sheen (16) and Samuel White (16).

Two of the prisoners of the Asia were assigned to James Mudie at Castle Forbes in the Hunter Valley where conditions for convicts were harsh.  John Perry was one of these men. He absconded from the estate in 1833 and took to the bush with other prisoners from the estate. He was one of five men later executed in what became one of the most infamous episodes in colonial history.

Andrew Douglas Wilson was also surgeon on the convict ships Princess Royal in 1829 and the Lady Feversham in 1830

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Asia in 1832

Captain Thomas F. Stead.  Surgeon Superintendent Thomas Galloway

The Asia was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Mangles on 14th December 1832. Thomas Galloway kept a Journal from December 1832 to 19 July 1833.  It begins on 14th December 1832, two months before the Asia set sail for New South Wales on 21st February 1833.

The prisoners who had been in the hulks and were about to embark on the convict ship Asia in February 1833 were starving. They brought with them from the Justitia hulk little bundles of bread, butter and sugar which some of them ate immediately they received it.  On the morning of their embarkation they had been washed in cold water and subsequently stood for some hours in an open shed in Woolwich Warren, until the remainder of them had completed their ablutions and were inspected. There had been incessant rain and the Asia was in an extremely damp state in the prison area and under the poop deck. At first the surgeon considered these to be the causes of the first signs of illness, however on arrival at Sheerness when a patient who had been convalescing for three days suffered a relapse, followed by other cases of cholera the same evening he became convinced of it being an epidemic and instantly adopted every measure in his power to arrest its progress.

Two stoves were supplied from the dockyard and they were kept constantly burning in an attempt to dry the prisons but without success as the ship was too large and needed more stoves. Surgeon Thomas Galloway later recommended that for ships over 500 tons, no less than six stoves and coke to burn were needed when vessels were departing between February to the end of July.

Several prisoners lost their lives on the passage, one of them from a carbuncle. Of the old men who died towards the close of the voyage, the surgeon reported that two of them Wanstall and Edgoose were so feeble on embarkation as to require assistance to and from deck even in fine weather. 

A number of the prisoners were boys and a separate prison area was established for them on board. Many left families behind who would not hear of their fate for many years.  Fifteen were under the age of 16. The youngest were William Brown (15); John Jauncey (15); Charles Richard Rogers (15); John Rowley (14); Frederick Thompson (14); John Tree (14) and Robert Stephens (12). Robert Kidd from Edinburgh was sixteen years old when he was convicted of picking pockets. He left behind a grieving mother who was still trying to find his whereabouts many years later. She wrote a letter of enquiry....To Mr. Thomas Byn, Please sir, I am sorow for troubling butt I will take it very kind if you will give me any information of Robertt Scoott Kid who left Edinburgh in 1832  he sailed in the easey as I am his Mother I have very much thought aboutt him bean so long absent I would like very much to know whether he is dead or alive there is a person come home just know one Richard Shaw who gave me your address and he says the last time he herd of him he was with one Mr. Thomas Arkell, Bathurst by Sydney New South Wales. Sir I will be exceedingly oblige to you if you will write me an answer by return of post. No more at presentt butt Remain Your obedient serventt, Mary Kidd

Two hundred and twenty five male prisoners arrived in Port Jackson on 27 June 1833 after a voyage of 126 days.  The convicts remained on board for twenty one days until arrangements were made for their final distribution. They were landed on Monday 15th July 1833.

The guard consisted of 29 rank and file of the 21st Fusiliers Regiment accompanied by 8 women and 8 children, under the orders of Lieuts. Kelly and Wilson of the 6th regiment. They were embarked on the Funchal bound for Hobart to join their regiment there. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 21st regiment included the  Roslin Castle, Java, Bengal Merchant, Camden, Lloyds, Fairlie and Mangles

Thomas Galloway was also surgeon on the Isabella in 1832,  Henry Porcher in 1835 and the  Susan in 1836.

Two prisoners of the Asia - John Jenkins and Thomas Tattersdale were executed in Sydney on 10 November 1834 for the murder of Dr. Wardell.

Hunter Valley convicts who arrived on the Asia in 1833

Captain Benjamin Freeman. Surgeon Superintendent John Gannon

The Asia V was the next vessel to leave England after the departure of the James Pattison in July 1837. The Asia departed on 4th August 1837.

John Gannon kept a Medical Journal from 28 June to 11 December 1837.  He joined the Asia on 28 June 1837 at Deptford.

The guard consisted of 29 rank and file of 80th and 4th regiments, under command of Major William Kemp and Ensign Cross with passengers Mrs. Kemp and 7 children, 8 soldiers' wives. Fifty people altogether joined the ship on 7th July and on 10 July they sailed to Woolwich. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 80th regiment included the Lloyds, Bengal Merchant, Lady Kennaway, Captain Cook, Earl Grey, St. Vincent, John, Norfolk, Prince George, Mangles, Heber, Theresa, Calcutta and Eden.

On 11 July, 140 convicts were received from the Justitia and Ganymede hulks and on 14 July, another 140 arrived from the Fortitude at Chatham.

The Asia anchored in the Downs on 23 July and at Torbay, because of strong westerly winds, on 28 July. They sailed again on 4 August, passing Madeira on 18 August and getting into the North East trades on 21 August.

The prevailing diseases that John Gannon had to deal with were catarrh, diarrhoea, inflammatory fevers, some ring worm, and there was one case of confirmed phthisis pulmonalis.

They crossed the equator on 17 September and found the South East trades on 18 September. There were catarrhs, sore throats, diarrhoea and one case of chronic rheumatism at this time. The catarrhs and sore throats occurred in the prisoners who were on deck in the evenings, which were damp and sometimes chilly.

In October the weather was mostly clear and dry with some days of heavy showers. Prevalent diseases in October, were catarrhs and diarrhoea, a case of scorbutus supervened in a man on the sick list for boils. One man died from consumption, P. McGuire.

In November the weather became boisterous with heavy showers of hail and gales and heavy seas but was clear and dry from the 8th. On 24 November they sighted the West Coast of New South Wales. Prevailing diseases were catarrh, rheumatism and several severe cases of scurvy 'caused by the cold, damp and heavy state of the weather, and the 'wet state of the ship' at the start of the month. There were two deaths, one from consumption, James Holmes, and one from apoplexy, Matthew Coxford.

On 2 December 1837 they arrived in Port Jackson, a passage of 120 days from Torbay. The prisoners were disembarked on 11 December 1837. Disembarking that day were two men who had been held in London prisons in 1837. George Caddell and John Cook were interviewed while in prison by John Ward who later gave evidence at the Molesworth Select Committee on transportation. -

Did you find that they were aware at all that if they committed offences in the colony they would be subjected to very severe punishment? - I do not believe that the agricultural prisoners that I spoke to , had any idea of that.

Did you find that the more educated class, for instance, the London thieves, had any idea of that description? - In Maidstone gaol I examined George Caddell, who was under sentence of transportation for 14 years, for uttering; he had been in prison before, having been a year in Coldbath-fields; he told me that he knew nothing of the place where he was going to, for he had never read about it or heard any particulars; he thought that other prisoners were equally ignorant with himself; he did not particularly dread going out, because he did not know what he might meet with, and when he was in prison he knew what he must expect. In Aylesbury county gaol I examined John Cook, who was under sentence of transportation for life, for sheep stealing; he said he knew nothing about the place to which he was going; that he did not know how he might find it, but he thought it could not be worse than a prison.

The Asia brought the news to the colony that Sir George Gipps would succeed Sir Richard Bourke as Governor of the colony.

John Gannon was also employed as surgeon on the Barossa in 1844 (VDL)

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Asia V in 1837

Captain Archibald Armstrong. Naval Agent Lieutenant Bowen

The Atlantic was part of the Third Fleet and with the Admiral Barrington, Albemarle, Active, Britannia, Matilda, Salamander, and the William & Ann departed in March 1791. The New South Wales Corps formed the Guard on the vessels of the Third Fleet.

In January 1791 the Belfast Newsletter reported on the progress of some of the convicts who were travelling overland to join the vessels of the Third Fleet at Plymouth:

Exeter - On Thursday evening last arrived here, under the care of the gaoler of Bristol, on their way to Plymouth to be shipped for Botany Bay, twenty two convicts in an open waggon, and two who are stiled Gentlemen Convicts, in a tilted cart. They had each of them an iron collar, and an iron chain run through a ring in each collar, which fastened them all together - the next morning, at eight o'clock, they set off again in the same manner, and though there was a violent storm of hail, wind and rain, they were singing and hallowing as they passed through the street, with great glee and jollity.  Whilst these convicts were passing the streets of Exeter in the manner above mentioned , a woman, struck at their hardened conduct, called out to them "Ah! you wretched creatures, how can you be so merry in your dreadful situation?" Merry, mistress" replied one of the, "why bless your funny heart, if you was in our situation you would not only be merry, but actually transported!?

On 17th March at twelve o'clock, two of the transport ships from Portsmouth appeared off the harbour at Plymouth and made a signal to the Atlantic, Salamander and William and Anne vessels lying in Cawsand Bay; on which they weighed anchor, and got under sail immediately. (The London Times 21st March 1791)

The London Times reported on the 24 March that the Atlantic, Salamander and William and Ann transports with convicts for Botany Bay, put to sea (again) from Plymouth on the evening of the 23rd, and it was hoped would now get out of the Channel and make a safe passage (London Times 28 March 1791)

The Atlantic anchored at Sydney Cove about midday on 20th August 1791, a voyage of 146 days. Also on board was a sergeant and seventeen privates and provisions. (Hunter's Voyages to New South Wales)

Simeon Lord arrived on the Atlantic as a convict.

John Heard who also arrived as a convict died in March 1813 age 70 years. He was buried in the Old Sydney Burial Ground

Some of the vessels of the Third Fleet were to proceed to the Southern Whale Fisheries after unloading the prisoners; the rest were bound for Bengal where they were to be freighted back to England with cotton. The sailors on board the Nootka ships were to have nine guineas for the run to Botany Bay after which they were to share as whale fishermen do. The other sailors were paid twenty five shillings per month. (The Times 15 March 1791)

The Atlantic left Port Jackson bound for Bengal on 26th October 1791.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Atlantic in 1791

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

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

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

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

Master Walter Meriton.  Surgeon Superintendent Patrick Hill

The Atlas was built in Whitby. She was a single decked vessel with beams and was sheathed in copper.

A detachment of 34 men including non-commissioned officers and privates of the 89th regiment under command of Lieutenant Kenny formed the Guard on the Atlas.

Select here to read about the Trial of Lieutenant Edward Kenny of the 89th regiment for the manslaughter of the surgeon Robert Charlton in 1826.

Other convict ships bringing soldiers of the 89th regiment included the Speke, John, Baring and Minerva.

The prisoners of the Atlas were tried in various districts of England and Scotland as well as Bermuda and Canada. Most were held in the hulks before being embarked on the Atlas.

The passengers were embarked on 19th December 1815 and included free settler William Howe Esq. with wife and family of six children. Missionaries Rev. Lancelot Threlkeld and Mr. William Ellis and their wives.

The Atlas was delayed at Portsmouth at first by contrary winds and then by dysentery. They departed Portsmouth 23 January 1816 with 194 male prisoners.

William Ellis and Rev. Threlkeld preached to the convicts when the weather permitted and the Threlkeld's first child, William was born at sea on Sunday, 17 March, 1816. When the Atlas called at Rio de Janeiro on 21st March, Martha, the wife of Rev. Threlkeld and their new born baby William were ill and Rev. Threlkeld refused to leave. William died at Rio de Janeiro and was interred in the English burial ground. The Atlas sailed from Rio on 29th April 1816. (1)

The Atlas arrived in Port Jackson on Monday 22 July 1816 with 187 prisoners. The Sydney Gazette reported that one prisoner, Simon Mallard had been consigned to a watery grave on the passage out.  One of the crew Lionel Bunderlin also died on the passage; and Peter Ramsdail, a youth fell overboard and was drowned. On 26th July Colonial Surgeon D'arcy Wentworth was advised to arrange for the removal of five sick people from the ship who were to be forwarded to the General Hospital on shore as the surgeon superintendent thought their present weakly state would be much benefited by good air and wholesome food. They were taken to the new General Hospital (rum hospital) which had been opened in April 1816. Select here to find out more about the early history of Sydney Hospital

The convict indents reveal the prisoner's name, time and place of conviction, sentence, native place, trade, physical description and occasional information such as tickets of leave or conditional pardons. There is no information as to where and to whom the men were assigned.  Sixty of the prisoners were under the age of 21.

The Atlas departed Port Jackson bound for Batavia on 12 September 1816. On the 28th September 1816 the Sydney Gazette gave details of three young women Sarah Corbett and Elizabeth Wright both arrived on the Northampton and Mary Price a Welsh woman,  - all three were reported to have absconded on the Atlas when she departed on the 12th September.

Patrick Hill was also surgeon on the Earl St. Vincent in 1820.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Atlas in 1816

 (1) Raven, Majorie, Rev. Lancelot Edward Threlkeld, 1992

Captain Joseph Short.  Surgeon Superintendent John Duke R.N.

John Duke kept a Medical Journal from 12 May to 7 November 1819 while on the voyage of the Atlas from England to Australia. He provided a day by day entry describing weather conditions, punishments and illnesses..........

John Duke joined the Atlas on 12 May 1819 and on 21 May 1819 prisoners were received on board at Woolwich. On 22nd and 25th May more were received more from Justitia hulk, totalling 156 men.

On the 9 June 1819, they dropped down to Gravesend and on the 10 June 1819, got underway. They came to anchor at the Downs on 11 June 1819 and the prison and hospital were cleaned. On the 12th June 1819 they weighed anchor at 5 am. The convicts were allowed on deck in rotation and they anchored off Dungeness at 7:30.  They sailed down the Channel on 18th June 1819 and on the 20th all prisoners were brought on deck for 2 hours under armed guard while the prisons were thoroughly cleaned, ventilated and fumigated. Efforts to keep the prisons well ventilated and the prisoners clean continued for the rest of the voyage under directions from surgeon Duke.

On 23 June several prisoners were overheard planning to take the ship, two were handcuffed for being out of bed. At 10 am Alexander L. Hayes, Edward Mills and Jonathan White received a dozen lashes each for having broken through the prison into the hospital and having two steel saws in their possession. Prisoners were then allowed on deck only 40 at a time.

The weather was warm on the 27 June when Madeira was sighted 16 leagues to NNW and on the 4 July when the prisoners were mustered and inspected, the island of St Antonio was sighted 8 leagues to the west.

By early July the weather had turned sultry with heavy showers. These conditions continued for the next few weeks and John Duke was unable to keep the prisoners as dry as he could have wished. They passed the equator on 23 July, but did not observe the usual ceremony on the occasion as the heavy showers continued.

Land was sighted at daylight on 26 August and at 3 pm they anchored in Table Bay, Cape Town, where they remained until 6th September. Twelve more prisoners were taken on at the Cape. They also took on fresh meat and vegetables, however the prisoners complained of the condition of it. Although the Master of the ship and Lieutenant of the Guard declared it to be good and wholesome, still the prisoners threw some of it overboard.

On 19 October 1819 at 3 am the light on Port Jackson was sighted, and a Pilot came on board at 10 am. At 1:30 they came to anchor in Sydney Cove after a voyage of 124 days. One prisoner by the name of Solomon Hill died on the voyage.

 On the 27 October, the Colonial Secretary inspected the prisoners and enquired of each if they had any grievances. Several complained that Griffiths had been withholding part of their daily allowances and the Secretary promised it would be enquired into and redressed.  The following two days, the prisoners were allowed on deck as they pleased and they were issued with new clothes to land in. After 154 days on board the Atlas, they were landed and inspected by Governor Lachlan Macquarie on the 30 October, who according to the Sydney Gazette ' was afterwards pleased to return a polite compliment to the Commanders and Superintendent Surgeons, requiring the acceptance of his thanks for the very fine and healthy appearance of their people. In the usual mode of enquiry His Excellency applied to the men individually whether they had any cause of complaint as respected their treatment or allowance on the passage; but the men looked so well and hearty, and appeared to have been so very well used, as to deserve His Excellency's congratulations'. The surgeon reported that Governor Macquarie ordered that the amount of daily allowance defrauded by Griffiths should be calculated and made good either in kind or in money.

....Governor Macquarie's diary entry 19th October 1819

Find out more about William Edwards (alias Alexander Lookaye) who was transported on the Atlas in 1819 and re-transported on the Minerva in 1824

Surgeon John Duke died at Montrose on 9th May 1858.

WRECK OF THE ATLAS.- On the forenoon of May the 9th, 1820, the ship riding heavy, and the sea breaking with great force over her, hove gears overboard ; she then parted from her small bower cable . and being observed to be drifting fast on shore, owing to the breakers, slipt her chain cable, and put to sea under the storm stay sails, which were instantly blown to pieces ; the ship at the same time falling upon her beam ends. It was then found necessary to cut away the mizen-mast in hopes of her righting, which carried away both her quarter-boat wheels, binnacle, and nearly one third of the round-house. At half-past 3 p. m. the main mast went with a heavy crash, close by the board; the ship still righted, but would not wear ; the main-mast, in falling, disabled the lee pumps, and tore away the planks in the wake of the channel bolts, which occasioned her to leak considerably. It now blew a hurricane ; the ship, being entirely upon her beam ends, was quite unmanageable. At 5 P. M. experienced a sudden shift of wind to the S. W. and found the ship drifting fast towards Ponlieat Shoal. At half-past 11 P. M. the ship struck, with a heavy crash, amongst the breakers on Poulicat Sands; immediately cut way the foremast, she being inclined to swing broadside on the water, which, at that time, was rising as high as her main deck beams. At 1 A. M. the ship, being struck with a heavy sea, parted in two, in the wake of the mizen chains ; the crew endeavouring to save themselves, upon the quarter deck ; which at about two A. M. separated from her lower works and was drove by the breakers towards the shore; the crew closely clinging to it, as their only resource At about half past 3 it struck the beach ; and, upon mustering the crew found five deficient ; viz. two men and one boy (European), and two natives. The Commander, Officers, and crew, return their most sincere thanks to Dr. Bronnickam, resident at Poulicat, for his attention towards then in their then helpless state ; and take this opportunity of paying the public tribute of gratitude, which they consider so justly due to his humanity, and the hospitable manner in which they were received and treated by that Gentleman. Sydney Gazette 23 December 1820

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Atlas in 1819

Master J. Sparke.  Surgeon Superintendent Thomas Russell Dunn

The Augusta Jessie was the next vessel to leave Ireland for New South Wales after the departure of the Nautilus in September 1839. The August Jessie departed Dublin on 11 November 1839 and arrived in Sydney on 25 February 1840. The only death on the voyage out was that of one of the seamen.

Thomas Russell Dunn kept a Medical Journal from 1 October 1839 to 9 April 1840. Thomas Dunn was later employed as surgeon on the convict ship Waverley to Tasmania.

The surgeon joined the ship at Deptford on 9 October 1839. The guard, under Captain Hill of the 96th Regiment, joined the following day and the ship sailed on the 12th, arriving in Kingstown Harbour [Dun Laoghaire] on 23 October 1839. On the 28th, 100 convicts were embarked from Kilmainham Jail and on the 30th the surgeon inspected a further 60, several of whom were rejected, being infected with ophthalmia, 2 with ill conditioned ulcers and 1 with pulmonic disease.

On 6 November 1839, 45 more were sent on board and 3 were returned as unlikely to survive the voyage. Another 16 were received from a distant part of the country on 10 November 1839 and 3 were returned as remanded by the Government for further examination.

On 11 November 1839 the Augusta Jessie sailed with a crew of 29, guard of 44 officers and privates, 6 women and 13 children, 155 male convicts, a Government passenger and the surgeon, a total of 209 on board. The weather was cold and many prisoners suffered from sea sickness.

The prisoners were at first placed in messes, with captains chosen by the surgeon, according to how they appeared on the jail list, however after sailing they were allowed to form their own messes and elect captains. A volunteer washer man was selected from each mess to wash clothes and permanent volunteer parties cleaned the decks. There were several non-commissioned officers and privates of the army among the prisoners and 8 were selected as a constabulary force, enforcing cleanliness and good order.  The good feeling evident throughout the voyage indicates they exercised their authority with discretion. Later, on orders of the Governor they were landed at Sydney to join the mounted Police.

This was Thoms Dunn's first voyage as surgeon but he thought the Augusta Jessie to have been a remarkably healthy ship. He attributed this to a number of factors, including, a good height between decks, a good supply of water and rations, the good behaviour of the guard, the crew and their officers, the prisoners being well disposed and the good weather.

To enforce cleanliness prizes were offered to the captains of the cleanest messes and for personal cleanliness. The prizes consisted of books of amusement or instruction supplied by the Inspector General of Prisons for Ireland, the merits of the winning individual were recorded in the flyleaf of each.  About 40 junior convicts attended a school for an hour and a half each morning and afternoon. Bryan Coan was listed as a schoolmaster on the convict indents and it may have been him who conducted the school during the voyage. A list of some of the junior convicts who would have attended the school is below.

On 2 January 1840 the island of Tristan Da Cunha was sighted, there was some boisterous weather off the Cape of Good Hope and some water was shipped, rendering the lower deck uncomfortable. The thermometer did not fall below 56 in January. Flannel waistcoats were issued during the cold weather and an extra blanket to the invalids. Old canvas was nailed around the stanchions of the fore, main and after hatchways in an effort to keep below decks dry, charcoal swinging stoves were also kept burning. The remaining part of the voyage the weather was similar.

The indents for the convicts of the Augusta Jessie include information such as name, age, education, religion, family, native place, occupation, offence, date and place of trial, sentence, former convictions, physical description. There are no details as where or to whom the prisoners were assigned on arrival.

The exemplary conduct of the military prisoners selected as police on the voyage was reported to the Governor, who ordered them all to be landed at Sydney to join the mounted police of the colony. Those who gave their occupation as soldier on arrival included Aaron Arrowsmith, Daniel Cainey, Robert Donnelly, Edward Fenerty, Richard James, Dugald McDonald, James McDonald and Joseph Webb.

The 4 sick convicts and the 23 junior prisoners were also landed in Sydney. The twenty three junior prisoners were Robert Agee 15, James Byrne 15, William Charles 15, James Carty 13, Edward Cullen 15, William Cunningham 15, Owen Dowling 15, Michael Dyer 15, Edward Garty 15, Hugh Gilmore 15, James Gurney 15, John Holan 16, James Kane 13, John Kelly 15, Peter Kelly 14, Ardle McAleavy, Jhn Magenity 15, John Murphy 14, Maurice Regan 15, Edward Reid 13, Patrick Syron 15, William Telford 15 and Thomas Tomkins 13.

A new contract was negotiated with the master of the Augusta Jessie and 80 convicts were sent on board from the Woodbridge to be taken to Norfolk Island. With the remaining 120 originally embarked, this 200 were landed at Norfolk Island on 27 March 1840. The Augusta Jessie then returned to Sydney, on 9 April 1840, with a detachment of the 50th Regiment.

Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 96th regiment to New South Wales included the Barossa, Nautilus, Woodbridge, Maitland, Pekoe and Eden.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Augusta Jessie in 1840

Captain Dalrymple Dowson. Surgeon Superintendent Alexander Stewart

The Aurora departed Portsmouth on the 4th July 1833, came direct and arrived at Port Jackson on Sunday 3 November 1833

Three hundred male prisoners arrived on the Aurora under the superintendence of surgeon Alexander Stewart R.N.  Alexander Stewart was also surgeon on the convict ships America 1829 and Southworth 1830 (VDL)

The guard consisted of Major Delisle, Lieut. Greetham, 1 soldier and 2 boys of the 4th regiment and 29 rank and file of the 21st Fusiliers. Four females and four children together with a servant also travelled steerage.

Passengers included Mrs. Delisle and Miss Delisle, 5 women and 4 children.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Aurora in 1833

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

Historical Records of Australia Series 1

The Convict Ships - Charles Bateson

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