James Mileham was employed as surgeon on the voyage. He later accompanied Lieutenant Charles Menzies on his historic voyage up to the Coal River settlement in 1804.

The Duke of Portland to Governor Hunter, Whitehall August 1796.......(Extract) The Ganges takes out 121,289 pounds of beef and 40,522 pounds of pork for the use of the settlement, exclusive of the necessary quantity for the consumption of the convicts during their voyage, and for nine months after their arrival. The above quantity of beef and pork added to the quantity sent by the Prince of Wales and Sylph, transports, is calculated as making together a twelve month's supply for the settlement.

I enclose you a list of the convicts which go by this conveyance with the original contracts entered into by Thomas Patrickson the owner of the Ganges, for their safe delivery in New south Wales together with his Majesty's Order in Council for the transportation to New South Wales of such of the convicts whose sentences required such order.. HRA NSW. Vol. III, p96

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Ganges in 1797

The convict ship General Hewitt, 690 tons, departed England 26 August 1813 in convoy with the Windham and the Wanstead. The General Hewitt arrived at Rio on 17th November and left there 2nd November, arriving in Port Jackson 7 February 1814  with 266 male convicts. Thirty four prisoners died on the passage out. Forty four of the prisoners were under the age of 21. Two were only 14 years of age - Richard Aris and John Bede,

In 1819 Surgeon of the Almorah and Ocean, Edward Foord Bromley gave evidence before a Select Committee on the conditions on the General Hewitt. He attributed the sickness and great loss of life on the General Hewitt to the improper treatment of the prisoners on board the ship. At this time the convicts were not under the superintendence of any person belonging to government. In 1814 new regulations took place however when the General Hewitt departed England she sailed under the old regulations. He told of the provisions having been purchased by the master, who had the entire charge and superintendence of the convicts, at Rio Janeiro, from a part of the convicts for a certain time; for which he gave them spirits from Rio as well as tea, sugar and tobacco. The prisoners went days and possibly weeks without animal food, which they had bartered to the master for spirits.

The Guard was a detachment of the 46th regiment under Captain Ogilvie. The 46th were to relieve the 73rd regiment which was proceeding to Ceylon.

Passengers on the General Hewitt included Captain John Piper who brought with him a fine thoroughbred black horse named Wellington; and John Harris, former Principal Surgeon of the 102nd regiment.  Captain James Wallis  and Lieutenant Thomas Thompson both of the 46th regiment also arrived on the General Hewitt as did architect Francis Greenway (convict); artist Joseph Lycett (convict) and 'Gentleman' John Smith (convict 2nd voyage)

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the General Hewitt in 1814

Captain Robert Grainger. Surgeon Andrew Smith

The convict ship General Stewart departed Portsmouth 19th July 1818. She touched at St. Helena where she stayed six days. After a tedious passage of more than 5 months she arrived in Sydney on New Years Eve -  31st December 1818.

The surgeon superintendent employed on the voyage was Dr. Andrew Smith who had superintendence of 246 male prisoners; three convicts died on the passage out also 1 sailor and a boy belonging to the ship was drowned.

The Military Guard was a detachment under orders of Captain Arthur Bernard on the 84th regiment.

The Sydney Gazette reported that on Wednesday 13th January, at 10 am, 'His Excellency the Governor (Lachlan Macquarie) inspected the prisoners who had that morning been landed from the General Stewart and the Tyne; all of whom were reported to be in a perfectly healthy state, denoting the humane and judicious attention they had received on their voyage. His Excellency, on the muster of the General Stewart's people, enquired whether they had any complaints against the Surgeon Superintendent, under whose guidance they had been especially placed; or against the Officer of the military guard; or against the Commander of the ship or his Officers; which demand was answered by a universal cry of "no, no, no, none, none whatever". We are sorry  to add however that several of the men were distinguished from the others for a most daring and insulting demeanour towards the commander of the guard, and the detachment under his orders; for which they were directed to be placed in the gaol gang during His Excellency's pleasure with the assurance that their removal from thence would depend on a reformed conduct.'

Passengers on the General Stewart included  Mr. and Mrs. Panton and family who 'had the unhappiness' to lose on the passage out, their infant son George Kerr Panton.'

The Lord Sidmouth and the General Stewart were expected to sail for Europe via Calcutta on 17 April 1819

Find out about bushranger John Rideout who arrived on the General Stewart

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the General Stewart in 1818

Master - Captain George N. Livesay. Surgeon John Tarn

The convict ship George Hibbert  329 tons, departed the Downs 27 July 1834 and arrived in Port Jackson 1 December 1834 with 144 female prisoners. Agents Learmonth & Co.,

Surgeon's general remarks. 'Between the 3rd and 17th of July 1834, 144 female convicts, 11 free women and 64 children were received on board at Woolwich, having been forwarded in parties from the different counties of Great Britain'. Most of the women were below middle age and in sufficient good health to make the journey without much risk of disease. The vessel was very crowded but the usual precautions to reduce risk of disease made it a healthy voyage. The convicts and children were on deck whenever possible and stoves were used to reduce dampness. Most complaints were affections of the bowels, catarrhal and dyspeptic attacks and diseases of the uterine system and were generally not severe. Bowel complaints appeared during the close, sultry weather and were mostly connected with hepatic secretions. Calomel and purgatives removed the symptoms. The voyage was longer than usual, taking 130 days, and there were numerous slight symptoms of scurvy for some weeks before arriving in Sydney. Lemon juice had been regularly issued and when it ran out it was replaced with [concrete] citric acid and a solution of nitre in vinegar. These remedies produced good effects particularly in the dysenteric cases. Among the children, only 11 were subjects for vaccination, 10 successfully and the other unsuccessful although the virus was taken from the arm of a healthy subject. - John Tarn

  Fourteenth Annual Report of the Committee of the Ladies British Society for promoting reformation of female convicts - Reports in the House of Commons 

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

John Tarn was also employed on the convict ships Georgiana 1831   Bengal Merchant 1836 and Surry 1840 (VDL)

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the George Hibbert in 1834

Captain Thomson. Surgeon John Tarn

John Tarn was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical Journal from 4 March to 11 August 1831.

On 10 March 1831 the military Guard, a detachment of the 11th Dragoons and 16th regiment, consisting of 3 officers and 29 men , 4 women and 1 child, were embarked at Deptford. The surgeon considered them chiefly young healthy recruits.

On the 24 March 1831, 182 convicts were received on board at Portsmouth from the Leviathan and York hulks, after being examined as to their state of health and capability of performing the voyage to New South Wales. The prisoners were generally young men and lads and appeared in a tolerable state of health although not in full vigour in consequence of confinement, scanty diet and other causes.

During the detention of the ship at Spithead in the early part of the voyage a good deal of cold damp and changeable weather was experienced occasioning a few catarrhs and pneumonia attacks of moderate severity, and easily manageable.

On approaching the warmer latitudes a corresponding increase took place in the temperature of the atmosphere and many of the prisoners complained of lassitude, want of appetite and general debility. In several the the Georgiana departed London 1st April 1831.

During the latter part of the voyage the weather was cool and changeable, often boisterous in consequence of which the prison was at times exceedingly damp for leakage. Catarrhs inflammatory throats and rheumatic attacks were the diseases which then made their appearance but they were few and of little importance.

 John Tarn was also employed on the convict ships George Hibbert 1834  Bengal Merchant 1836 and Surry 1840 (VDL)

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Georgiana in 1831

Master James Colnett.  Surgeon Jacob B. Mountgarrett.   Midshipman James Hewett

The convict ship Glatton, departed from England on 23 September 1802, sailed via Madeira and Rio de Janeiro and anchored in Sydney Cove on 11 March 1803.

Captain Blythe. Surgeon George Clayton

140 prisoners were embarked on the Globe from the prison hulks at Portsmouth.

George Clayton was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 28 August 1818 to 30 January 1819. George Clayton was also surgeon on the convict ships

Captain Pounder. Surgeon William Stewart

The Glory arrived from London Monday 14 September 1818 with 170 male prisoners. Private Michael Fitzgerald of 87th regt., died on the voyage from a lingering illness. Twenty eight men of the 87th under Lieut. Ervine formed the guard.

William Stewart, R.N. was employed as medical superintendent.

Passenger William Levingstone Band master.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Glory in 1818

READ MORE about the journey of the Gorgon

Thomas Braidwood Wilson was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the convict ships Prince Regent 1824  Mangles 1826   Moffatt 1834 (VDL) Strathfieldsaye 1836

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Governor Ready in 1829

On 6 November the Sydney Gazette reported that they were in receipt of a Letter of Thanks addressed to Captain Ascough and Dr. Evan Evans of the Malabar, from the prisoners, for the humane attention to their health and comfort experienced during the passage; and a similar Letter from the prisoners brought by the Grenada addressed to the Captain of that ship also; and also to  Emanuel Lazarretto M.D. F.R.S Surgeon superintendent of that ship.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Grenada 1819

Captain Andrew Donald. Surgeon Peter Cunningham

Surgeon Peter Cunningham joined the Grenada at Deptford. A carpenter was employed in fitting out the bed cabins for convicts and the guard. On 7 April 1821 the Grenada left for Portsmouth. They anchored at Spithead on 19th April during strong westerly winds and rain.

On 21st April Ensign Sutherland and detachment of the 36th, 34th, and 54th regiment joined the ship as guard over the convicts. In the afternoon 100 convicts were received from the Leviathan and 52 from the York convict ship. They were supplied with beds and blankets. 20 single ironed convicts were admitted on 24th April and they departed Portsmouth on the 9 May 1821.

On the voyage, the prison deck was cleaned daily after breakfast, windsails kept up whenever the weather admitted, the bed bottoms were taken occasionally on deck and a certain number of the beds and blankets hung up to air every good day. The convicts bathed every fine morning. Peter Cunningham recorded that their conduct generally speaking was perfectly orderly throughout the voyage. Solitary confinement on board and bread and water being almost the only punishment found necessary. No deaths occurred either among the guard or convicts from the period of their embarkation to their landing although several were in a dangerous state and three soldiers and two convicts were on the sick list the greater part of the voyage. Two soldiers and three convicts were sent to Sydney hospital on arrival.

One hundred and fifty two male prisoners arrived in Port Jackson on 16 September 1821.  The Military guard was commanded by Ensign Sutherland of 53rd regt., 

Surgeon Peter Cunningham was also employed on the convict ships Recovery 1819  Recovery 1823  Grenada 1825 and Morley 1828

Select here to find out more about Bushranger Isaac Holmes who arrived on the Grenada

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Grenada in 1821

Captain Alexander Anderson. Surgeon Peter Cunningham

(Lloyds Register - Departed 4 October 1824. Built at Hull in 1800. 408 tons)

The Grenada departed England 4 October 1824 and arrived in Port Jackson on 23 December 1825 with 81 female prisoners with 15 of their children and 21 cabin passengers. No deaths occurred and all convicts arrived in good health.

Passengers included Rev. Wilkinson & family, William Ogilvie & family, D.A.C.G. Bowerman & wife and surveyor Heneage Finch.

The Grenada was one of four convict ships transporting female prisoners to New South Wales in 1825, the others being the Mariner, the Henry and the Midas. A total of 255 female prisoners arrived in the colony in 1825.

Peter Cunningham was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Recovery 1819  Grenada 1821  Recovery 1823 and Morley 1828

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Grenada in 1825

Eighty eight female prisoners embarked on the Grenada and four died on the passage out as well as two children of convicts.  Alexander Nisbet was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical Journal from 4 August 1826 to 1 February 1827.

In writing his remarks at the end of the voyage he spoke first of the suitability of the Grenada for the convict service: No ship could be better adapted for the convict service than the Grenada; she was of good height and very roomy between decks affording sufficient accommodation for the number of convicts and passengers about to be embarked. The prison was thoroughly ventilated and the Hospital was particularly spacious, however on both of her decks and top sides, during rain and in heavy weather the water came in all directions, but more particularly forward, on one occasion prior to embarkation, running almost in a stream on the deck. Although it was thought that the problem was dealt with before leaving, as soon as the vessel was at sea the water once more poured in until there was hardly a dry berth.  The Master left no means untried to remedy the situation but without effect.

Another problem was the bad state of the water which was put on board for the sea store and in part what was used by the prisoners while in the river. The former was in some instances so decidedly bad that it could not be issued and much more that necessity alone compelled its use. This was owing, as Surgeon Nisbett afterwards observed, to their having watered the ship while lying at Deptford at all times of tide, which took place prior to his joining the ship.

The prisons were alway opened in the morning immediately that the decks were dried and every person allowed free access until after breakfast when a general muster took place on deck until dinner time, leaving only a sufficient number below to clean the prison and put every thing to right. For two hours after dinner and for half an hour before being mustered below for night they were kept on deck to allow the prison to be ventilated. In the intermediate prison every one did as they pleased, remained on deck or went below while on deck all amusements were encouraged .

Alexander Nisbet was also surgeon on the convict ships Minerva 1824  Hooghley 1828  Asia 1830   Earl Grey 1838  and Mangles 1840

The Grenada was one of five convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1827, the others being the Princess Charlotte, Harmony, Louisa, and Brothers. Over five hundred female prisoners arrived in the colony in 1827.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Grenada in 1827

Master Magnus Johnson

The Guildford departed London 3 September 1811 with 200 male prisoners, sailed via Rio de Janeiro, and arrived in Port Jackson 18 January 1812 with 199 men, one having died on the passage out.

The following February (1812) Commissary William Broughton gave notice that the prisoners of the Guildford who were employed at Government labour were not entitled to an issue of clothing as they had received theirs as soon as they arrived. 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.

Convict artist William Harrison Craig arrived on the Guildford. In August Craig was convicted of forgery and sentenced to 50 lashes and 7 years at Newcastle penal settlement. He later escaped from the settlement and was re-captured and sent to Van Diemen's Land.

Convicts arriving on the Guildford in 1812

Master Magnus Johnson. Surgeon Archibald Hume

The convict ship Guildford departed Cork 14 November 1817 and arrived at Port Jackson on 1st April 1818 with 198 prisoners.

Archibald Hume was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical Journal from 9th September 1817 to 10 April 1818.........

On the 1st of April we arrived in Sydney Cove with 198 convicts, one of whom was sent to the Hospital on the 3rd instant. On the 10th they were all landed safe as was the Guard with their wives and children. During the passage the prison was washed every Wednesday, and the bottoms of the bed boards up twice a week. Clothes scrubbed twice a week. Prisoners shaved twice a week, hair cut once a fortnight. The prisoners behaved very quietly and readily obeyed all orders given. The greatest unanimity prevailed among all the officers in the ship and the state in which the prisoners were landed will (I flatter myself) snow that every attention was paid to the main object of the voyage viz. conveying the prisoners to New South Wales with as little expense to Government and as much comfort to the unfortunate men as was possible.

Archibald Hume was also employed as surgeon on the convict ship Coromandel in 1820

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Guildford in 1818

Captain Magnus Johnson. Surgeon Hugh Walker

The Guildford departed Portsmouth on 14th May 1820 with 190 male prisoners.

Hugh Walker R.N., was employed as surgeon superintendent. He kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 15 April 1820 to 5 November 1820.

Officers commanding the guard of the 46th regt., were Lieut. Dawe of 46th and Ensign Codd of 48th regiment. Passenger: assistant surgeon Allen.

Six weeks after commencing the voyage, the surgeon had the irons struck off the boys who were learning to read. He was pleased with their progress as many did not know any letters when they arrived on board.

The prisoners were usually put in handcuffs as punishment for theft or quarrelling. There was only one mention of corporal punishment, that of James Knibbs on 2 August, was given 2 dozen lashes for theft.

The ship reached Simons Town on 6th August they received fresh water, vegetables and fruit. Four prisoners were received on board from Cape Town. There was a dispute here between Surgeon Walker and Lieutenant Dawe of the Guard over the method of punishment of one of the prisoners, John Flynn who had stolen bread from a soldier. The dispute was settled with a verbal judgement from Captain Moresby of the Menai to whom the surgeon had appealed. John Flynn's punishment was to be put in handcuffs.

They got under weigh from Capt Town on 17th August. There was a violent squall on the night of 30th August. The sail was ripped to pieces and cross jack yard was torn away.

On the 27 September they passed by Jervis Bay and by this time the convicts were allowed on deck without restraints. They reached Port Jackson Heads at 8am on 30 September 1820 and at noon Captain John Piper, Naval Officer of the Port came on board. By 2pm they had anchored in Sydney Cove. There had been one death, that of an infant girl and one birth, the wife of Sergeant Wardrobe of the 46th regiment, was delivered of a son.

On the 4th October 61 convicts trans-shipped from the Shipley and bound for Van Diemens Land were embarked on the Guildford and Mr. Campbell came on board to inspect the convicts. On the 6th October the five conspirators were disembarked.

For the most part, this seems to have been one of the easier voyages. The surgeon attributed the remarkable health of the convicts to cleanliness, ventilation and daily mustering on deck. Those who had early signs of scurvy were treated with lemon and bark successfully.  There was little severe punishment and the boys were able attend school. Surgeon Walker would have liked the prisoners to have been supplied with 'pipe and tabors', so that they could dance to prevent them brooding on their misfortunes. He also suggested that oakum picking as the best occupation for convicts.

Some of the men known as the Cato Street Conspirators were on board the Guildford. They were tried and found guilty of high treason at the Old Bailey on 16 April 1820. Most of the Conspirators were sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered, however all sentences were later commuted.  John Brunt, William Davidson, James Ings, Arthur Thistlewood and Richard Tidd were all hanged and beheaded at Newgate Prison on May 1, 1820. Their bodies were placed in coffins, filled with lime, screwed up and placed in line with each other in a channel which had been dug alongside the subterraneous passage that led to the cells. The graves were covered with earth and stones. The death sentences of Charles Cooper, Richard Bradburn, John Harrison, James Wilson and John Strange were commuted to transportation for life.* They were sent to the Captivity Hulk at Portsmouth, but did not remain there long as they were sent to the Guildford on 2nd May.

After a dispatch from Under Secretary Goulburn warning Governor Macquarie that the men had not repented of their crimes and were 'not indisposed to embark on further crimes of the same measure', Governor Macquarie was advised to separate them from other convicts. On arrival the five men were sent to work in the gaol gang at Newcastle, however Commandant Morisset later commended the prisoners for their quiet and orderly conduct. (HRA Series 1, Vol. 10). They all remained at Newcastle until 1823 and all except Richard Bradburn later moved to the Bathurst district.

Hugh Walker was also employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the convict ship Minstrel in 1825

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Guildford in 1820

Master Magnus Johnston. Surgeon James Mitchell

The Guildford departed London on 7 April 1822

James Mitchell was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a Medical Journal from 9th March to 24 July 1822. In a summary in his Journal after he reached Port Jackson he wrote:

 It gives me very great pleasure to state that the number of sick on this voyage was comparatively small when it is taken into account the number of Guards, convicts (in all 232) cooped up which in a small place for such a length of time and for the safety of the ship the prisoners were only allowed on deck in divisions, added to this the greater part of them were those who had led a rustic life and accustomed to a vegetable diet. However to the kindness of Providence, to the liberality of Government in supplying wine and preserved meats and to the discipline I enforced amongst them by keeping them moving about as much as possible, their beds up in the nettings and to the cleanliness of the prisons and their own persons as also from the attention paid to ventilation, I ascribe the healthy state in which the men landed. The boy Wharton that died shortly after leaving England was worn out with sea sickness, and anguish of mind owing to his degraded situation. The 12 cases of Catarrh and pneumonia were produced by out running down in a high southern latitude and the prisoners dress being too thin for such a climate.  

James Mitchell was also employed on the convict ships Neptune 1820  Guildford 1824

The Guildford arrived in Port Jackson on 15 July 1822, after a voyage of 99 days.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Guildford in 1822

James Mitchell was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also surgeon on the convict ships Neptune 1820  and Guildford 1822

Passengers included Chief Justice Sir Francis Forbes and Mr. James Glennie.

Lady Amelia Sophia Forbes kept a brief diary on the voyage. Movement of the 40th regiment to find out more about the voyage

Find about bushranger Aaron Price who arrived on the Guildford

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Guildford in 1824

The Guildford departed Plymouth on 31 March 1827

Surgeon Superintendent Charles Linton kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from 7 March to 15 August 1827.  He wrote a detailed report of the conditions on the Guildford.

Of ventilation he wrote: The width and height of the Guildford between decks was very favourable for keeping the prison well ventilated. I have had difficulty however in getting the windsails mounted and kept property trim and attended to during the passage - from the criminal want of  activity in the Master and his Mates, from whom I received very little efficient assistance of any kind during the whole voyage. I consequently was obliged on all cases of the most trifling nature to attend to every minute detail myself in order for the preservation of health. I regret to say that the hospital was very imperfectly ventilated during almost one third of the first part of the passage in consequence of the ship having a forecastle deck over the hospital. The grated scuttle on the upper deck of the Hospital being rendered completely useless from the sailors being allowed to berth under the forecastle by this means their scuttle was almost constantly closed up by the sailors.  It was a nuisance I could not get remedied before our arrival at the Equator notwithstanding repeated remonstrances and applications to the Master on the subject. I proposed to have had this remedied before the Guildford sailed from Sheerness, having recommended a wooden square tube to be carried up from the Hospital Scuttle to that of the Forecastle by which means constant ventilation could have been ensured and all communication with the seamen cut off. The Master however refused to comply with this request and as the Dispatch had arrived, I had not time to communicate with the Navy Board on the subject. When this tube was at length put up, I found great advantage from its use and subsequently the vessel was kept in the most perfect state of ventilation.

One prisoner, John Towns died on the voyage out (on 25th June) after suffering dysentery. 189 male prisoners eventually reached Port Jackson on 25 July 1827 after a voyage of 116 days.

Charles Linton was also surgeon on the Surry in 1823

Diary of John Forbes, Captain of the Guard of the 39th Regiment available at NLA Australia

Private Benjamin Roden, 39th regiment arrived on the Guildford

Select here to find out more about Bushranger William Atkinson who arrived on the Guildford

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Guildford in 1827

Master John Harrison. Surgeon John Stephenson

John Stephenson was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. The following paragraphs are excerpts from the Medical journal he kept from 4th May to 4 November 1829 (A Digital copy of the Journal is available online at UK Royal Navy Medical Journals 1817-1857 at Ancestry).........

During the whole month of May the ship remained at Deptford fitting and preparing for the reception of the Convicts and Guard etc., On the 19th one officer and 29 men with a portion of women and children were embarked; but nothing occurred worthy of notice in a Medical point of view.

In the early part of June the vessel arrived at Dublin and on the 16th 200 convicts were embarked as were also three Government passengers making the total number of persons on board 203. Of these several required medical or surgical treatment but no case of any importance was put on the lists. The facility with which the Guard and ship's company can procure spirits is the occasion of much drunkenness from which originate many accidents, inflammatory and bowel complaints.

The Guildford departed Ireland on 12 July 1829

About the 12th or 13th August a great and sudden change took place in the temperature of the atmosphere and state of the weather. The thermometer also which had previously ranged from 65° to 67° at 2 pm fell in one day to 55° or 56° above which it has rarely risen since, and this weather became wet, cold and blowing. The convicts who are very poorly clad most of their clothing being worn out during the month we were detained in Dublin, have in consequence suffered severely from dysentery; upwards of 40 being taken ill in a very few days and many more are likely to suffer. The fatal case which occurred shall be given at length and I may remark that this patient in some measure fell a victim to his own imprudence. He was employed as cook subject of course to great changes from heat to cold and on being taken ill not only drank large quantities of rum  but concealed his illness for two days......

The cold wet weather continued through September and October; during this period the greatest number of people were ill and so far from their being able to have anything like fresh air it was but rarely those who were in health could enjoy that luxury on deck without getting wet. The following summary will show how very uncomfortable the situation of all must have been - Of 50 days between the 11th September and 31st October there were very wet with heavy showers of hail, much lightening and strong breezes. 17 very wet and hard gales 7. Dry and fine with hard gales 5. Moderate breeze cloudy wet weather 10. Calm with thick fog and very damp wet 4. And of fine weather 7. Of course this greater part of the time the motion of the ship was distressing to the patients. As the dysentery was almost entirely confined to the convicts so were all the inflammatory complaints and pneumonia but none except two cases of the latter were of any importance. Several trifling cases of scurvy occurred during the last two or three weeks of the voyage. The disease showing itself by swelling of the gums, livid spots on the legs etc., but no case of an aggravated nature took place.  In the surgical way I had little or nothing to do.........

The Guildford arrived in Port Jackson on Wednesday 4 November 1829. This was a hazy day in Sydney with winds from the S.E.. Temperature 64F - 69F. Two days later the temperature was 98F at midday. The Guildford was one of 21 convict ships to arrive in New South Wales in 1829.

John Stephenson was also surgeon on the convict ships Eleanor 1831  Waterloo 1833 and Neva 1835

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Guildford in 1829