Master John Michinson. 

The convict ship Active departed from Portsmouth on 27 March 1791 and arrived in Port Jackson on 26 September 1791 with 154 male convicts.

Celebrated pickpocket George Barrington also arrived on the Active

Read more about the Active at Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild Ships of the 3rd Fleet.

Captain William Ebsworthy.  Surgeon James Hamilton

The Adamant was built at Blyth near Newcastle, England in 1811. She departed England on 30th March 1821 and arrived in Port Jackson on  8th September 1821, a voyage of 163 days. The Guard consisted of detachments of the 34th and 48th regiments under orders of Lieutenant Thompson of the 34th.

On the 19th March 80 convicts were received on board from the  Justitia Hulk. None were ill. In total 144 prisoners were embarked on the Adamant bound for New South Wales. Over the next five months they would travel over 15,000 miles.

James Hamilton had few serious cases to contend with, however in the early part of the voyage he struggled to deal with the arguments and petty thefts amongst the prisoners. Several received punishment such as being hand cuffed or 3 - 6 lashes. He rewarded those who were willing to work. Abel Sant from Chester had his iron struck off when he assisted in shaving the men and cook's mate John Job had his struck off in the first week also. After three weeks the leg irons were struck off the men whose ankles had swollen under the restraints. The leg irons of all the boys were struck as well. On the 23 April in consequence of the motion of the ship and good behaviour of the prisoners he struck off one iron from each of them as well.

Perhaps the hospital on board was not adequately supplied in the first few weeks, as it was significant enough on 17th April to record in his journal the arrival of several articles  - three knives and forks, two saucepans, one iron kettle, one bed pan, one spitting pot, one urinal, three pint pots, and three towels.

On 3rd June they were at Lat 19.0.S, Long 32. 0.W. and intended touching at Rio de Janeiro for water.

There were quite a few young men among the prisoners. In August it was recorded in the journal that four men were put in irons after they threw water casks through the prison in order to alarm the rest of the prisoners and the following night three boys were put in irons for breaking through the bulk head into the mainhold and stealing rum, sugar and soap.

One prisoner, Edward Morris, fell overboard off the Five Islands on September 8th and was drowned and 142 men eventually arrived in Sydney.

The men were landed on 12th September at 10am. They appeared to be in the very best health according to the Sydney Gazette however Charles Bateson in 'The Convict Ships' tells of convicts' rations being embezzled either by Captain Ebsworthy or the first mate George Farris.

The men were inspected by the Lieut-Governor and then assigned to their various employments.' Eighty-five of the men were sent either to Parramatta or Windsor. At least sixteen of the Adamant men have been identified living in the Hunter region in the following years.  

There were showers and at times heavy rain in Sydney throughout the month of September 1821.  

Convicts who arrived on the Adamant in 1821

Master Stephen Wharton.  Surgeon 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  Surgeon Superintendent William F. Le Grand who kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 18 July 1849 to 10 January 1850.

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 Edward Harrison.

The Admiral Gambier had sailed 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.

Convicts who arrived on the Admiral Gambier in 1808

Master Edward Sindrey. 

The convict ship Admiral Gambier, 501 tons, 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.

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 complains to make against either the commanders or the surgeons. The male convicts arrived in those sips 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)

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

Master William Sadler.  Surgeon 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. She had contact with the convict ship Morley bound for Hobart, off Rio.

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.

The Adrian arrived in Port Jackson on Friday 20 August 1830, a direct passage of 115 days.   One prisoner of the Adrian was lost on the passage out.

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. Read a transcript of the Journal at National Archives - Surgeon G.H. Weatherhead's Journal which was kept from 31 March to 20 August 1830

Fifty-five prisoners arriving on the Adrian have been identified as residing in the Hunter region in the following two decades.

(George Hume Weatherhead,  Member of the Royal College of Physicians, Lecturer on the Principles and of the Principals and Practice of Medicine in 1846).

Convicts who arrived on the Adrian in 1830

Master Robert Addie.   Surgeon Superintendent Richard Hughes. 

At Madeira the Admiral Gambier parted convoy in company with the Juno whaler and Aeolus transport, the latter having female prisoners on board. The Admiral Gambier sailed into Rio on 8th September and departed with the Juno 6th October, leaving the Aeolus at Rio.

The Aeolus arrived in Port Jackson on 26 January 1809 with 79 female prisoners. The prisoners were all landed in good health and most were sent to Parramatta.

Passengers on Aeolus included Captain Lewis of NSW Corps and family; Mr. Lyons whose wife died at Rio, and Mr. Hoskins.

The fate of some of the women of the Aeolus can be derived from an extract from the correspondence of T. W. Plummer to Colonel Macquarie (who did not take over as Governor until January 1810). The correspondence was written in England on the 4th May 1809..........I beg to submit to your consideration the following remarks:... There is another cause to which the laxity and depravity of public morals is peculiarly imputable. It will perhaps scarcely be believed that, on the arrival of a female convict ship, the custom has been to suffer the inhabitants of the colony each to select one at his pleasure, not only as servants but as avowed objets of intercourse, which is without even the plea of the slightest previous attachment as an excuse, rendering the whole colony little better than an extensive brothel, and exposing the offspring of these disgraceful connexions to the risk of an example at once infamous and contagious. So prevalent has this practice been that it is estimated there are actually at this time about one thousand illegitimate children in the colony of this description.....HR NSW Volume 7., p.120

Viscount Castlereagh to Governor Macquarie 14th May 1809 - It has been represented to me that upon the arrival of a ship with female convicts in NSW the unfortunate females have been given into the possession of such of the inhabitants, free settlers, and convicts, indiscriminately, as made a demand for them from the Governor. If a practice so extraordinary and disgraceful has not been abolished, you will be no means suffer it to continue, an I am to desire you will take the proper means for having the female convicts upon their arrival, kept separate till they can be properly distributed in such a manner as may best encourage attention to industry and character....The female convict, it is stated, is seldom apprenticed, and she lived indiscriminately, first in one family, then in another.

Convicts who arrived on the Aeolus 1809

Captain Surtees.  Surgeon 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, called at Rio and arrived at Port Jackson on 22 September 1820.

Surgeon Superintendent James Hall, R. N., kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 6 April to 29 September 1820. He remarked that the prevalent disease 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. 178 male prisoners arrived in Sydney in good health under his care. One prisoner died on the passage out. 

The Guard consisted of a detachment of the 48th under orders of Lieut. Keays of the 47th regiment. The prisoners of the Agamemnon were landed together with those of the Dorothy on Friday morning 29th September, and inspected by his Excellency the Governor who was pleased to give directions respecting their distribution

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.

Convicts who arrived on the Agamemnon in 1820

Master George Bowen. 

The convict ship Albemarle departed England on 27 March 1791 and arrived in Port Jackson on 13 October 1791, as part of the Third Fleet. She was built in France - with a tonnage of 530.  She remained off the coast for several days, perhaps due to bad weather, and finally arrived on the 13th October. 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. 23 soldiers with one woman, one free woman a convict's wife and one child also arrived on the Albemarle.

Master W.R. Best (to Van Diemen's Land.)  Surgeon 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 was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 3 April to 17 November 1823. 200 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.

Convicts who arrived on the Albion in 1823

Captain James Ralph.  Surgeon Dr. Walker

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.

The Albion departed Portsmouth on 4th October 1826, under Captain James Ralph and arrived on the 14th February 1827 with 192 male prisoners.  Assistant Surgeon Evans of 57th regiment came passenger and Dr. Walker was surgeon superintendent.

The Sydney Gazette reported - '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!"

Wednesday 14th February 1827, the day the Albion arrived, was a warm and pleasant day in Sydney.

Fifty-four men who arrived on the Albion in 1827 have been identified living in the Hunter region in the following decades.

Convicts who arrived on the Albion in 1827

Captain James Ralph  Surgeon Thomas Logan

Surgeon Thomas Logan's Journal - National Archives  -  Medical journal of the Albion, from 9 May to 14 September 1828. -  Surgeon Thomas Logan 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 Albion 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 came on board. It consisted of a lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, 28 privates, 5 women and 8 children.

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 thorough cleaning.

On 19 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, the Cape of Good Hope the 13th September arriving in Port Jackson 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 guard consisted of a detachment of the 63rd regiment under the orders of Lieutenant Vickery. Passengers, Mrs. Vickery and 5 children, and Mr. Frederick Darcy

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

On the Thursday 6th November the Honorable Mr. McLeay proceeded on board the Albion to inspect and muster the prisoners prior to their disembarkation and distribution.

Thomas Logan was also employed as surgeon on the convict ship Proteus in 1831 (VDL)

Forty-one convicts who arrived on the Albion in 1828 have been identified as residing in the Hunter region in the following decades.

Convicts who arrived on the Albion in 1828

Captain Richard Brooks

Captain Bunker of the Elizabeth, en route for Australia, reported that he had met with the Alexander at Rio. When the Elizabeth left Rio the Alexander was undergoing repairs, having run on a sand bank previous to making the port.

The 'Alexander' arrived in Port Jackson on 20th August 1806 under Captain Richard Brooks, with male (the Sydney Gazette reported 14 male convicts, one of whom was Solomon Wiseman)  and over forty female prisoners all healthy. There was a loss of one male and one child on the passage out. 

A few weeks later the Alexander was being fumigated to rid it of vermin prior to leaving for England. An incautious sailor fell asleep below and was killed by the fumes. When she finally departed the Alexander took with her 300 tons of oil 20 tons of fine salted skins and 1500 fur skins. She had a slight mishap in going on to Bennelong Point but with assistance was rescued and resumed her voyage, Captain Brooks intending to take her via the Cape.

According to Charles Bateson in The Convict Ships, this was the same Richard Brooks who delivered convicts in the Atlas in 1802 in a 'thoroughly filthy and objectionable condition, having neglected every precaution'. Brooks later became a merchant trader and then a settler in the colony, residing in Denham Court near Liverpool.

Convicts who arrived on the Alexander in 1806

The Alexander departed Ireland on 4th November 1815, sailed via Rio de Janeiro and arrived in Sydney on 4 April 1816  with 81 female prisoners.

Three women died on the passage out.

Sixty female prisoners who came by the Alexander were conveyed to Hobart Town on the brig Kangaroo, under Captain Jeffreys. The rest remained in Sydney. (Select Notorious Strumpets and Dangerous Girls to find a list of the women who were conveyed to Hobart)

The Principal Superintendent of Convicts William Hutchinson announced on 6th April that 'a quantity of female prisoners' had arrived on the Alexander and those colonists desirous of a housekeeper should apply to his Office.

The Alexander was one of two convict ships arriving in New South Wales in 1816, the other being the Mary Ann.

John W. Hallion was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also employed as surgeon on the convict ship Isabella in 1818

Convicts who arrived on the Alexander in 1816

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

Read 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 

Convicts who arrived on the Almorah in 1817

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. Dr. 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.

The Almorah arrived in Port Jackson on 22 December 1820. (a journey of 122 days) She brought 160 male prisoners in good health. The Guard consisted of a party of 30 men belonging to 1st regiment., of Foot (Royals) under orders of Ensign Bruce.

Twenty-five prisoners who arrived on the Almorah in 1820 have been identified as residing in the Hunter region in the following years.

Convicts who arrived on the Almorah in 1820

The Almorah weighed anchor on 6th April 1824 and by the 7th April nearly all the females both prisoners and free were ill with sea sickness and there continued outbreaks of measles. The weather was cold and the seas heavy and the women were unable to go on deck. Three days later Dr. Price reported that many of the women were suffering from hysteria. On the 16th April he reported that prisoners, free women and children were continually retching. From time to time many of the prisoners had to be handcuffed for fighting and abusive language, some of the free women were nearly as bad and he adopted the same plan to them.  The children attended school and the women were employed in knitting stockings and sewing when they were well enough, however they continued to quarrel amongst themselves, particularly the free women. A gown was issued to each of the prisoners on 30th April.

The Almorah arrived on 20th August after a voyage of 136 days. On 25 August, five days after arriving, the prisoners were transferred to Parramatta.

Six women who arrived on the Almorah have been identified residing in the Hunter region in the following years:-

Penelope Burke was 20 when she was tried in Galway in 1823 and sentenced to transportation for life for aiding and assisting in an attempted rape. She was sent to the Female Factory at Parramatta two years after arrival after being charged with being repeatedly drunk. She was carried in a state of drunkenness to the watchhouse and sentenced to two months in the 3rd Class of the Female Factory. In July 1832 she was assigned to William Ogilvie at Merton. Here she met  John Dorkins who arrived on the Asia in 1825 and was employed as a Constable at Merton. They were married in August 1832. John Dorkins was described as a farmer of Wylies Flat in 1847. Penelope died at Singleton in 1872.

Margaret Delaney was aged 25. Occupation House maid. She was sentenced to 7 years transportation in Cork in 1823

Catherine Donnelly (Donnley)(alias Innis), aged 29 was sentenced to 7 years transportation in Dublin in 1823. In 1825 she applied to marry John Large who arrived on the Atlas in 1816 and was employed as a scourger at Newcastle.

Mary Driscoll was tried in Dublin in 1824 and sentenced to 7 years transportation. In 1827 at Newcastle she married Martin Herring who had arrived on the Elizabeth in 1816. In the 1828 Census they were employed by Joseph Bull at Patterson's Plains and by 1829 Martin was employed as a constable at Patrick Plains. He was assigned a convict soldier while residing at Dulwich in 1834.

Bridget Kennedy was tried at Maryborough in 1823. In 1825 at Newcastle she married Michael Kennedy who arrived on the Elizabeth in 1820; she was rewarded with a ticket of leave in 1829 for good conduct in the married state

Catherine Walker was tried in Dublin in 1821. She was assigned to James Reid at Rosebrook in 1828 and married Patrick Quinn in 1829.

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

Convicts who arrived on the Almorah in 1824

Master Robert S. Donald.  Surgeon Alexander Stewart

The guard  for the convict ship America consisted of a detachment of 63rd Regt., under the command of Adjutant Montgomery. Passengers Mrs. Montgomery and 2 children.

Convicts were transferred from prison hulks moored at Woolwich on to the America late in March. 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 Surgeon 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 1 was sent to the hospital; Phthisis, 1, who died on board; Dysenteria, 15, of which 8 died on board; Syphilis, 2.

The America arrived in Port Jackson on 18 August 1829 with the remaining 168 male prisoners.  The Australian reported that she was quarantined but 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.

Surgeon Alexander Stewart's Journal on the America 4 March to 31 August 1829 - National Archives.  Alexander Stewart was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Southworth 1830 (to VDL)  and Aurora in 1833

Thirty-five men who arrived on the America in 1829 have been identified residing in the Hunter region in the following years.

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

Convicts who arrived on the America in 1829

Master Robert Parkin  Surgeon George Fairfowl

The Andromeda departed from Cork with 181 male prisoners on 28 August 1830 and arrived in Port Jackson with 172 prisoners on 18 December 1830.

George Fairfowl was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Ocean 1818  Dromedary 1820  Woodman 1823  Royal Charlotte 1825  Sovereign 1829 Clyde 1832 and Hive 1834

The Guard consisted of a detachment of 17th regiment., 5 women, 2 children under Captain Forbes. Passenger D.A.C.G. Joseph Hazard.

Fifty-two men who arrived on the Andromeda have been identified residing in the Hunter region in the following years.

Hunter Valley convicts who arrived on the Andromeda in 1830

Proceedings of the first expedition, 1826-1830, under the command of Captain P. Parker King (Google eBook)

David Boyter was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from  29 October 1832 to 29 March 1833. Of the 186 prisoners under his care, four died on the passage out.

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

The Andromeda departed Cork on 25th May 1834 and arrived at Port Jackson 17 September 1834 with 173 female prisoners and 21 children. Passengers arriving on the Andromeda included 14 free females and 28 children. One of the prisoners, Bridget Costello died in Sydney Harbour.

The Annual Report of the British Society for the promoting the reformation of female prisoners  stated that the Irish convicts by the Andromeda were supplied with the usual Requisites by the Ladies committee; and gratifying intelligence had been received from Cork of the good effect that followed the Christian Labours of a few benevolent ladies there, who attended to the poor convicts at the time of their embarkation.

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

Henry Kessall Esq., R.N., was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Margaret 1837  Waterloo 1842  and Cape Packet 1842 (VDL)

Convicts who arrived on the Andromeda in 1834

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.

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

Master James Stewart.

The Anne departed from Cork 26 June 1800, sailed via Rio de Janeiro and the Cape and arrived in Port Jackson 21 February 1801 with 127 male and 24 female prisoners.

There was a mutiny on board on the 9th July 1800.

Convicts who arrived on the Anne in 1801

Captain Charles Clarke

The Anne arrived from England on the 27th February 1810  with 197 male prisoners, having lost one overboard on the passage whose name was Pope.

The prisoners were in a healthy state on arrival and expressed the highest satisfaction at their treatment on the passage out.

Military Officers Captain Maclean, Lieutenant John Purcell, Lieutenant Drury and Assistant Surgeon Martin, the last three accompanied by their families. Passengers Rev. Samuel Marsden and wife and Rev. Cartwright and family

Among the prisoners was Benjamin Grainger who worked for many years in the Newcastle coal mines.

Convicts who arrived on the Anne in 1810

The Asia departed Sheerness on 3rd September 1820 and arrived in Port Jackson on 26th December 1820 with 189 male prisoners all in good health, one having died on the passage out.

 William Bell Carlyle R.N., was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the convict ships  Morley 1823 (VDL) Henry 1825  Andromeda 1827 (VDL) Phoenix 1828  Marquis of Huntley 1830

The Asia arrived from England on 24th July 1822 with 189 male prisoners in good health having departed England three days prior to the Guildford on the 4th April 1822.

The Guard consisted of a detachment of the 3rd regiment., (Buffs) commanded by Ensign Carmac. Passengers arriving on the Asia included Mr. James Mudie, three Miss Mudies and Miss Scargill

Convicts who arrived on the Asia in 1822

Master James Lindsay. Surgeon William Evans

William Evans was Surgeon Superintendent on the Asia (to Van Diemen's Land). He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 28 June 1823 to 18 January 1824.

Evans joined the Asia on 28th June 1823 at Deptford. The guard, consisting of one Captain, one subaltern, one sergeant, two corporals, thirty men, five women and a child, embarked on the 5th July.

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

They departed the Downs on the 9th August 1823 and arrived on the 19th January 1824. There were no deaths on the voyage.

Convicts arriving on the Asia in 1824

Captain Thomas F. Stead.  James Alexander Mercer

The Asia departed Cove of Cork on 29th October 1824. Among the prisoners on board were police constables found guilty of manslaughter at the Spring Assizes at Maryborough.

James Alexander Mercer was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 28 August 1824 to 28 February 1825

James Mercer considered himself fortunate in that the first time he went to New South Wales in charge of prisoners (on the convict ship Asia 1822) there was little sickness and the second time (this voyage) he had 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.

Convicts on this voyage were allowed dancing as a form of amusement. In his journal he commented that carpenters, joiners, shoe makers and tailors were seldom unemployed on board.

189 prisoners arrived in Port Jackson on the Asia on 21st February 1825. A Muster was held on board on Friday 25 of February by Colonial Secretary Frederick Goulburn. The prisoners were landed on 22 February 1825 and inspected by Sir Thomas Brisbane.

Newcastle constable James Wilkins arrived on the Asia (1)

Convicts arriving on the Asia (1) in 1825

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Captain William L. Pope. Surgeon Thomas Davies

(Lloyd's Register - Built in Calcutta in 1805. 492 tons)

The Asia departed Portsmouth on 5th January 1825 and arrived in Port Jackson on 29 April 1825

One hundred and ninety seven male prisoners and Government stores arrived on the Asia.

The Guard consisted of Colonel Stewart, Lieut. Bainbridge and 54 men of the 57th regiment in including Sergeant Pike and Private John Finn (who were mentioned on the surgeons sick list)

Thomas Davies R.N. was employed as surgeon superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 3 October 1824 to 6 May 1825. He had previously served as surgeon on the Henry 1823

Select Colonial Events 1825 to find other convict ships arriving in New South Wales in 1825.

Convicts arriving on the Asia (111) in 1825

Captain Thomas F Stead.. Surgeon James McTernan

The Asia departed London 23 November 1827 and arrived at Port Jackson on 13th March 1828 bringing 100 male prisoners and Government Naval stores.

James McTernan was employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the Asia. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 3 October 1827 to 24 March 1828.

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 Lieut. Edwards. Passengers Solicitor General Sampson and Clerk. 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).

The Military guard disembarked on the afternoon of Friday 14th with the usual honors

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

Convicts arriving on the Asia in 1828

Captain Thomas F. Stead.. Surgeon Alexander Nisbet

The Asia departed Ireland on 14th September 1829 and arrived in Port Jackson on Wednesday 13th January 1830, a voyage of 125 days. One hundred and ninety six female prisoners arrived on this day.  Eighty one women were sent to the Female Factory and the rest were assigned.

Alexander Nisbett was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 9 July 1829 to 26 January 1820.

Alexander Nisbett was also surgeon on the convict ships Minerva 1824  Grenada 1827  Hooghley 1828  Earl Grey 1838  Mangles 1840

Convicts arriving on the Asia in 1830

George Birnie was employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the Asia. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 27 June to 14 December 1831

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. 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.

The Asia departed from Cork 6 August 1831 with 220 male prisoners and 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.

The Guard on the Asia consisted of a detachment of the 4th regiment of foot under the command of Captain Chetwade and Ensign Zouch. Mr Andrew Gillespie, a free settler, 5 soldiers' wives and 2 children came passengers

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 convict ships Caroline 1831 and Blenheim 1837 (VDL)

Convicts arriving on the Asia in 1831

Thomas F. Stead. Surgeon Andrew Douglas Wilson

The Asia departed England on 16th October 1831 under Captain Stead and arrived in Sydney 13th February 1832.

Two hundred male prisoners arrived on the Asia.

Surgeon Superintendent Andrew Douglas Wilson kept a Medical and Surgical 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.

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.

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

Convicts arriving on the Asia in 1832

Captain Thomas F. Stead.  Surgeon Thomas Galloway

The prisoners who had been in the hulks and were about to embark on the convict ship Asia in February 1833 were starving. There had also been incessant rain and the Asia was in an extremely damp state in the prison area and under the poop deck. 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 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.

Thomas Galloway kept a Journal from 14th December 1832 to 19 July 1833.  It begins on 14th December 1832, two months before the Asia set sail for New South Wales. There were many cases of cholera and diarrhoea recorded in his journal in the two months before departure on 21st February 1833.

Two hundred and twenty five male prisoners arrived in Port Jackson on the Asia on 27 June 1833 after a voyage of 126 days. Several died on the passage out. A number of the prisoners were boys and a separate prison area was established for them on board.

The guard consisted of 29 rank and file of the 21st Regiment accompanied by 8 women and 8 children, under the orders of Lieuts. Kelly and Wilson of the 6th regiment.

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

Convicts who arrived on the Asia in 1833

Captain Benjamin Freeman. Surgeon John Gannon

The Asia V departed on 4th August 1837 under Captain Ben Freeman and arrived in Port Jackson on 2 December 1837. She brought 277 male prisoners. 

Surgeon Superintendent John Gannon kept a Medical and Surgical 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 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. 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 they arrived in Port Jackson, a passage of 120 days from Torbay. The prisoners were disembarked on 11 December 1837

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)

Convicts arriving on the Asia V in 1837

Captain Archibald Armstrong

The Atlantic departed Portsmouth on 27 March 1791 with 220 male prisoners, in company with the Salamander,  William and Ann,  Albemarle, Active, Admiral Barrington, Britannia and Matilda.

Eighteen prisoners died on the voyage out. Nine were ill when landed.

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. Lieutenant Bowen stood to a bay on the coast, which was described as a good harbour. (Hunter's Voyages to New South Wales)

The Atlantic had departed with 220 male prisoners, 18 of whom died on the voyage out.

Convicts arriving on the Atlantic in 1791

Master: Richard Brooks.  Surgeon Elphinstone Walker.

The Atlas departed Ireland on 29 November 1801, with 151 male and 28 female convicts, sailed via Rio de Janeiro and the Cape, and arrived in Port Jackson on 7 July 1802.

Charles Bateson in The Convict Ships wrote of the voyage of the Atlas - The Irish authorities permitted the prisoners to be embarked in a deplorable state of health, and the avariciousness, neglect and inhumanity of the master of the Atlas, Richard Brooks turned the voyage into one of the worst in the history of transportation. The Atlas embarked her first prisoners at Dublin. They were brought out to her in the three brigs and all were more or less unhealthy, suffering from Typhus or dysentery and should never have been embarked. The Atlas completed her complement of convicts at Cork where a number were convalescents from recent illness. Surgeon Elphinstone Walker viewed the embarkation of these prisoner with alarm but did not feel empowered to refuse to accept them.

Surgeon Jamison (acting principal surgeon) to Lord Hobart 8 November 1802. (HRA Series 1 Volume 111, p. 701)

The just observation that foul air and filth generate disease was verified in the Atlas. A dangerous fever and dysentery appeared amongst the convicts, to which numbers fell victims; nor were the necessary means adopted to check the progress of this destroying Malady used; on the contrary it should see, from the conduct pursued, that it was intended to aid the baneful influence of this harbinger of Death, for one half the hospital was occupied as a sail room, and by this arrangement the Sick were some of them obliged to sleep in the prison with other prisoners who were in health. The prevailing disease being contagious in its kind, the infection extended from the cause above recited, and the malady became almost general I have further to remark upon the above head that when the ship lay at Rio, the prisoners being kept on shore presented a favourable opportunity to expel infection from on board by washing and fumigation; but the Surgeon could do neither to effect, the prison being almost filled wit sundry kinds of lumber, principally Mr. Brooks private property...........

Elphinstone Walker compiled a return relating to the convicts on arrival:

151 male convicts and 28 female convicts were received on board at Cork

Died on the passage: 2 soldiers and 1 serjeant's wife; 63 male convicts and 2 female convicts; three male convicts escaped.

85 male and 26 female convicts arrived in the colony.

More about Richard Brooks

Sir Henry Browne Hayes arrived as a prisoner on the Atlas (1)

Convicts arriving on the Atlas in 1802 (1)

Master Thomas Musgrave. Surgeon Thomas Davie

The Atlas departed Cork 30 May 1802, sailed via Rio de Janeiro, and arrived in Port Jackson on 30 October 1802 with 188 male prisoners, twenty convicts having died on the way out.

Convicts by the Atlas (2) included Bligh supporter Roger Farrell, limeburner Anthony Dwyer, and notorious Newcastle runaways Patrick Ducey and Thomas Desmond

Convicts arriving on the Atlas in 1802 (2)

The Atlas departed Portsmouth 23 January 1816 with 194 male prisoners and arrived on 22 July 1816 with 187 prisoners, seven men having died on the passage out. Sixty of the prisoners were under the age of 21.

Patrick Hill was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the Earl St. Vincent  in 1820

Convicts arriving on the Atlas in 1816

Captain Joseph Short. Surgeon John Duke

Surgeon Superintendent John Duke R. N. kept a Medical and Surgical 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 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.

 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 the 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 1810

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

Convicts arriving on the Atlas in 1819

Surgeon Thomas R. Dunn

The Augusta Jessie departed Dublin on 11 November 1839 and arrived in Sydney on 24 February 1840. The only death on the voyage out was that of one of the seamen.

Surgeon Superintendent Thomas R. Dunn kept a Medical and Surgical 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 a hour and a half each morning and afternoon. 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 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. The 4 sick convicts and the 23 junior prisoners were also landed.

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.

Convicts arriving on the Augusta Jessie in 1840

Captain Dalrymple Dawson. Surgeon Alexander Stewart

The Aurora departed Portsmouth on the 4th July, 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.

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

Convicts arriving on the Aurora in 1833