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

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Palambam in 1831

Captain J.T. Whiteside. Surgeon Superintendent Alexander McNeill

Passengers on the Parkfield included Captain Rice, Ensign Kelly, 29 rank and file of the 31st regiment., 6 women and 9 children who all embarked at Deptford.

Surgeon Alexander Neill kept a Medical Journal from 1st May 1839 - 7 September 1839........  On Saturday 4th May 1839, the ship dropped down to Woolwich and fifty prisoners were embarked from the Justitia and fifty from the Ganymede hulk, apparently in very good health. One of the men had been subject to epilepsy from childhood and has had several very severe attacks since embarkation, from his being a great nuisance to the other prisoners I did apply to have him removed but we sailed before an answer arrived.

After the embarkation of the Woolwich prisoners we proceeded the same evening to Sheerness by steam and when we arrived on Sunday morning the 5th I reported the ship's arrival to Sir J. Hill. On Monday I west to Chatham and examined the prisoners, rejecting several who were labouring under diseases and I was rather astonished to find symptoms of scurvy in one case as bad as I have seen at sea, purple spongy gums, contraction of the muscle of the legs and macula on the chest and arms; this case only shows the great necessity for a surgeon commencing a four month voyage to be accordingly particular in his examination of prisoners. One hundred and fifty prisoners were embarked at Sheerness from the Fortitude at Chatham making in all 240.

The Parkfield was the next vessel to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the John Barry in November 1838. The Parkfield departed Sheerness on 15 May 1839.

After a voyage of 109 days, the Parkfield arrived in Port Jackson on 1st September 1839. They had not encountered even one gale on the voyage out and there were no prisoners on the sick list. In his summary of the voyage, Alexander Neill made the following unusual observation: I beg further to state that in two voyages in convict ships, I have found dogs a very great nuisance, not only making dirt about the decks but in one case tearing down the ventilation near the beds; and another great objection to their being on board a ship crowded with people is that they are liable to be trampled on accidentally by the prisoners, which in the part of the owner of the dog, nine times out of ten be called wilful; and greatly likely to lean to discussion amongst those whose duties should go hand in hand.

The Sydney Herald reported that the convicts were inspected on Monday 2nd September by the Board of Health Officers, who were highly gratified at the cleanliness of the vessel and good order of every one on board. Mr. Neill, the surgeon was congratulated on his return to the Colony by his many respectable friends, all of whom were happy to hear of his arrival without the death of a single individual. This is the gentleman who so politely volunteered his services on the occasion of the John Barry being placed in quarantine some years back, and was very near to losing his own life.   Alexander Neill was also employed as surgeon superintendent on the convict ships Recovery in 1836,  Heber in 1837 and Eden 1842 (to VDL)

On Saturday 7 September the convicts of the Parkfield were inspected by the Governor Sir George Gipps in Hyde Park Barracks. His Excellency told the second class men that it was impossible that he could do anything for them for two years after their arrival, but after that period all who behaved themselves well would receive the indulgence of being assigned to private service.

The first class men he said must remain in government employment for six months, after which they would be assigned out, if they deserved it. At their work they would be divided into gangs of ten or twelve men who would be made responsible for each others' conduct, so that if they have a bad man amongst them it would be in their interest to inform their superintendent of it, and the man would be removed. Willingness at their work he particularly impressed upon them, as being necessary if they wished to obtain any indulgence. Three men who attempted to escape from the ship after arrival in harbour were placed in the second class. Among the prisoners were sixteen soldiers, for different offences, among whom were four soldiers of the 67th regiment, who were transported for manslaughter in killing a marine in a drunken fray at Chatham a short time since.

In an advertisement soon after arrival the Parkfield was said to be well known as one of the fastest sailing vessels carrying British Colours and could also stow a fair cargo. She could be chartered by contacting Captain Whiteside on board or agents Dunlop & Co. in Queen Street.

Notes and Links:

John Summers who held a ticket of leave dated 19th August 1846 was on a Colonial Office list of thirteen people who applied for their families to be sent to New South Wales. Address of his wife was given as Turkey Hill, Maidstone, Kent.

Convicts arriving on the Parkfield in 1839

Captain James Gilbert.   Surgeon Superintendent Anthony Donoghue R.N.

The Freeman's Journal reported on 11th October 1833 that the first guard from the 50th regiment embarked on board the Parmelia at Deptford on the 28th September, under the command of Major (Joseph) Anderson. The vessel was to call at Cork to take convicts from there. The Parmelia was at Plymouth on 9th October and had arrived at Cork by the 15th October.

Select here to find out more about the Convict establishment at Cork and the names of Officers employed in the service in the years 1832, 1833 and 1834. (2)

The Parmelia was the next convict ship to leave Ireland for New South Wales after the departure of the Royal Sovereign in September 1833.

The Parmelia departed Cork on 29th October 1833 and arrived in Port Jackson on Sunday 2 March 1834. Passengers included Mrs. Anderson and 4 children, 8 women and 15 children.

Anthony Donaghue kept a Medical Journal from 18 September 1833 to 20 March 1834.  His first case on the sick list was Major Anderson who was suffering with rheumatism. The surgeon reported the death of one convict on the voyage.

Two hundred and eighteen male prisoners arrived in Sydney under the guard of Ensign Campbell and 29 rank and file of the 50th regiment. Detachments of the 50th Regiment also arrived on the Susan, Blenheim, Royal Admiral , Lady Nugent , Hive, James Laing, Captain Cook, Hero, Roslin Castle, Henry Porcher, Parmelia and Lady Kennaway.

While still on board on Wednesday 5th March, the prisoners were mustered for the purpose of taking their descriptions prior to disembarkation and assignment. They were described in the newspapers as a healthy, robust set of men, mostly field labourers. The editors must have missed seeing Thomas Baldwin who was 62 years old and according to the surgeon, a perfect skeleton by the time he arrived. He was sent to Sydney Hospital on arrival however died there nine days later.

On Thursday 6th March the troops of the guard of the Parmelia were landed and immediately marched to Liverpool. The prisoners were landed at the Dock Yard in the early hours of Saturday morning the 8th March, and forwarded to Hyde Park Barracks for distribution. On Saturday 22 March the Sydney Gazette reported that a great number of the prisoners were forwarded to the interior by the settlers who had attended the previous Thursday's market.

....Distribution of 218 male convicts who arrived by the Parmelia...... 203 assigned to private service; 3 sent to Mineral Surveyor's Dept; 1 to the Master Attendant Dept; 3 in hospital; 2 unfit for assignment; 4 sent to Port Macquarie (specials); 2 sent to Carter's Barracks. Two prisoners had died on the voyage out .

Notes and Links:

Convict John Tighe was on a Colonial Office list of thirteen people who applied for their families sent to New South Wales.........

The Parmelia was to sail to India in company with the Fairlie and Lady Hayes early in April.

Major Anderson was appointed Commandant at Norfolk Island in 1834. He remained there until February 1839.

Anthony Donoghue was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships City of Edinburgh in 1832,  Hive in 1835 and the Calcutta in 1837.

Convicts arriving on the Parmelia in 1834

Captain Sampson Kean.  Surgeon Superintendent Robert Bower

The Pekoe was the next convict ship to leave Ireland for New South Wales after the departure of the King William in April 1840.

The Guard for the Pekoe consisted of 29 rank and file, 5 women and 11 children of 96th regiment under orders of Lieut. Curren and Ensign Kenny. They were received onto the Pekoe on the 3rd and 4th June 1840 and left Deptford for Ireland on the 7th June. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 96th regiment to New South Wales included the Barossa, Nautilus, Augusta Jessie, Woodbridge, Maitland, and Eden.

On the 23rd June the Pekoe anchored in Kingstown Harbour, Dublin and two days later 100 male prisoners were embarked. On the 27th June, eighty one more were received on board together with two little boys, sons of two of the prisoners. On the 29th June four of the prisoners previously embarked were taken on shore again and three others were sent in lieu of them, leaving on board 180 prisoners and the two free little boys by the names of Mathew Woods (son of Michael Woods of Co. Louth) and Patrick McArdle (son of James McArdle of Co. Donegal)

They departed Dublin on the 10th July 1840. Symptoms of scurvy began to appear and so they put into Simon's Bay on 13th September and remained there a week being well supplied with fresh meat and vegetables. There was a great deal of boisterous rainy weather between the Cape of Good Hope and St. Pauls and the ship was frequently very wet between the deck from shipping seas.

The Pekoe arrived in Port Jackson on 7 November 1840. The convicts were mustered on board the vessel on Wednesday 11th November and landed on Thursday 12 November.

187 men including 10 who had been embarked at the Cape were marched to the Hyde Park Barracks. From there they were to be transferred to the service of settlers to supply the urgent demand for labour to assist in getting in the harvest.

Robert Bower kept a Medical Journal from 3 June to 12 November 1840 (27 pages)

Convicts arriving on the Pekoe in 1840

The Perseus arrived at Portsmouth from Deptford on 1st January 1802.

The Morning Post and Gazetteer dated 9 th February 1801 reported that the Buffalo, Coromandel and Perseus with convicts on board for New South Wales, departed Portsmouth harbour with a fleet under command of Rear Admiral Collingay, however due to appalling weather conditions the Persues and Coromandel did not weigh anchor until the 12th February when winds had abated and fog had cleared.

Free passengers as well as convicts were required to be in good health to embark on the voyage. When the Perseus arrived in Portsmouth it was found that two of the female passengers were heavily pregnant prompting the following correspondence from Sir John Fitzpatrick dated 26th January 1802:

I have the pleasure of informing you that at present there is a favourable appearance in respect to the probably healthiness of the convicts on the voyage to New South Wales. But I cannot say the same for the Passengers, several of whom are uncleanly and will not subject themselves to regulation. There are two women passengers on board the Perseus, from whom, in consequence of their advanced state of pregnancy, there is much to be apprehended ; for there is no one matter which so soon contaminates the air in a crowded place, and a hot climate as the unavoidable consequences of women's lying in; where they cannot have the necessary means of cleanliness or fresh air and where they must be subject to every inconvenience arising from the crowd and clatter of all about them. Thus do they themselves risk the fatal consequences, whilst those around them and afterwards the ship at large, must experience the effects of foul, contaminated, putrid air, and the unoffending babes equally suffer. Hence it is, that in the transporting of Troops, we must never permit any woman, be who she may to proceed if likely to be brought to bed on the passage. There I pray you to transmit this my opinion that Elizabeth Loyde, on the Perseus the wife of John Loyde, a carpenter, now pregnant near eight months and Margaret Jones wife of a stonemason pregnant seven months should not at present proceed. The former has her husband on board and four children ; the latter her husband only. (HRA, Series 1, Vol., III p. 372)

The Perseus departed Spithead 12 February 1802 in company with the Coromandel. (1)She sailed via Rio de Janeiro and the Cape, and arrived in Port Jackson on 4 August 1802.

Free passengers on the Perseus included Charles and Mary Ann Palmer and their children Clara aged 3 and Sabina age 10 months; Edward and Ann Pugh; Mary Pitches; Mary Beaumont; Catherine Roby Stanley and William Hiscock.

Captain Thomas Weatherhead. Surgeon Superintendent Evan Evans

The Phoenix arrived in Van Diemen's Land 20 May 1822 with 182 male convicts, two having died on the voyage.

The guard comprised a detachment of the 3rd Regiment (Old Buffs), under the orders of Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Cameron, and Ensign Pigot, of the same regiment.

Surgeon Evan Evan kept a Medical Journal from 19 October 1821 - 25 May 1822 (32 pages)................

19 October 1821: Joined the ship at Deptford and reported to Captain Young, agent for transports.

27 October 1821: A detachment of the 3rd Regiment embarked on board as Guard over convicts.

4 November 1821: The ship dropped down from Deptford and arrived at Portsmouth on the 8th.

10 November 1821 at Portsmouth: Embarked 120 convicts from the Leviathan Hulk, and 64 from the York.

11 November 1821 at Spithead: Issued the bibles, testaments, prayer books etc to them [convicts] before the divine service.

30 November 1821 at Spithead: In consequence of the severity of the gale last night, the ship drove some distance, and this day the crew were employed in getting the anchors up and in working the ship to an anchorage at the Motherbank which took up most of the day, consequently very few convicts permitted on deck

20 December 1821 at Motherbank: 9am the ship getting under weigh. The convicts with colds are nearly well today. The vaccination not having the least effect. 2pm working out of St Helens.

21 December 1821 in the Channel: 9am blowing very hard and has blown a hard gale all night, mostly from the SW. The prison very wet, leaking in every direction over the prison and most of the convicts very sea sick, bearing up for Dungeness. At 10am had the convicts with their wet things on deck, fire in the airing stove in prison, and had the prison well dried.

The Phoenix left Portsmouth on the 5th January (the day previously to the departure of the Mary Ann and Denmark Hill.)

They sailed by the Eastern passage, keeping very near the African shore, and in consequence had very long and constant calms near the line, and very warm weather. The death of one of the convicts at this time caused Evan Evans great worry that fever would spread throughout the vessel and he ensured that the decks were frequently fumigated with nitrous acid. They put into Rio de Janeiro where they stayed for six days.

The convicts were all very well behaved and all of them were taken out of irons a few days after departing Portsmouth and kept out of irons the whole of the voyage, with the exception of four days that the ship was at Rio De Janiero. The boys and men who could not read attended school daily. Evan Evans commented that the utmost harmony prevailed between himself and Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Cameron and Captain Weatherhead.

Convicts arriving on the Phoenix in 1822

The Phoenix was the next convict ship to leave Ireland bound for New South Wales after the departure of the Boyne in June 1826. 

The Guard on the Phoenix consisted of a detachment of 39th regiment under orders of Lieut. Charles Cox and Ensign Charles Benjamin Lloyd (1). Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 39th regiment included the Bussorah Merchant, Regalia, Marquis of Huntley, England, Boyne, Speke,  Albion, Midas, Marina, Guildford, Manlius and the Cambridge.

Cabin Passenger -  Rev. Power, Roman Catholic Chaplain.

Joseph Cook kept a Medical Journal from from 6 July 1826 to 12 January 1827. It was an unusually long and detailed journal in which he also noted the impact of the weather on the health of the prisoners.......

On the 4th August, 190 male convicts were embarked from the Essex Convict Hulk in Kingston Harbour, Dublin, mostly young men from 18 to 28 - they generally report themselves in health, but many have the sallow prison complexion.

A few days after being on board, diarrhoea prevailed generally and continued as long as the ship remained at Kingston, but in so mild a form as only a few cases required medicine. The change in diet was evidently the cause  - the allowance of animal food on board the Essex being very scarce and on the Phoenix each convict having a full allowance of Beef and a proportion of vegetables daily. The weather was mild and when it rained the men were sent below. Their clothes were cleaned on board the Essex by the washing machine; and the prison was kept as dry as possible, the deck being cleaned in the morning by heated sand.

The surgeon recorded that the Phoenix weighed anchor and departed Kingstown Harbour on 27th August and by this time there was an improvement in the appearance of the convicts, however for several days they were generally indisposed with sea sickness.  A number also had habitual coughs.

In September they began to recover from the sea sickness and in general enjoyed good health. On the 9th September they arrived off Madeira, the weather became warm and the convicts' hair was cut. They bathed at daylight on the deck every day and when the weather permitted, ate their meals on deck also. Their woollen clothing was carefully packed up for them until it would be needed in the cold southern latitudes. By 16th September they were experiencing hot sultry weather and the men began suffering from fevers. Windsails were set up at each hatchway, by day and night the scuttles were kept open and an airing stove was used in the prison.

They crossed the equator on 11th October and the weather began to cool. The woollen clothing that had been previously stored was distributed again. Other than some cases of fever and dysentery most of the convicts remained well. By November the weather had become cold and wet and a heavy sea prevented the convicts taking sufficient exercise on deck. A stove was used daily in the prison and hospital and every means employed to keep the between deck as dry and well ventilated as possible. Some of the men were suffering with rheumatism, catarrh and pleurisy and the wine which was sparingly used at the beginning of the voyage was now offered to each convict daily. In addition to their other clothing, flannel drawers and worsted stockings were supplied.

The same cold weather continued until the 19th December, however as they sailed north up the coast of Australia the weather became milder and they were again able to exercise on deck. Two men were still in hospital when they sailed into Port Jackson on Christmas Day 1826 and the others according to the surgeon were in a stout, healthy condition. The guard were disembarked on 26th December all in good health.

According to the surgeon's journal catarrh had prevailed in the colony, in a violent form during the summer, carrying off many of the inhabitants and some of the prisoners of the Phoenix were also affected with this complaint. In consequence one of the men was sent to the Colonial Hospital in Sydney. The prisoners were mustered on board on Tuesday 2nd January by the Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay. The convict indents include such information as name, age, education, religion, marital status, family, native place, trade, offence, when and where tried, sentence, prior convictions, physical description, and where and to whom they were assigned. There is also occasional information regarding colonial sentences, deaths and pardons.

In January another two convicts were sent to the Hospital, one with dysentery and the other as the result of an accident. One prisoner had died on the passage out. He had been ill while still in the hulk however had concealed his illness as he had a relative sailing on the same vessel. On 11th January the remainder of the prisoners were disembarked in a state of health fit for employment.

The Monitor reported in January 1827: The prisoners by the Phoenix that landed two weeks ago, were inspected by the Governor at Hyde Park Barracks. For the most part they consisted of young Irishmen, of hale, hearty appearance. There were also a considerable number of boys. Previous to their disembarkation, the greater proportion was assigned to the service of Settlers, who generally find the Hibernian the preferable servant when required for the purposes of grazing. English answer best for husbandry.

Captain Thomas Cuzens. Surgeon Superintendent  William Bell Carlisle

The Phoenix was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Asia in November 1827.

The Guard for the Phoenix consisted of Captain Collet Barker, Lieutenant Moore and 30 men of the 39th regiment, together with four women and six children. They received their orders to embark on the Phoenix on 30 January 1828.

The Phoenix departed Spithead on 9 March 1828.

There were no deaths on the voyage and most of the illness was trivial. Nineteen year old George Williams spent an uncomfortable few days with a most excruciating headache which he attributed to having exposed himself to the sun for some time without his cap. He was put on the sick list on 25 April 1828 at sea and was well again after five days.

The Phoenix arrived in Port Jackson on 14th July 1828.   A Muster was held on board by Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay on 18th July 1828 and the Prisoners were landed on Monday 28th July. The Australian reported that with few exceptions they were an uncommonly healthy and robust body of men. Nearly the entire shipload had been assigned to the service of private individuals, many in Sydney.

Captain Pexton. Surgeon Superintendent  Charles Queade

The Pilot, the Chapman and the Canada all departed Cork in March 1817. They were the next vessels to leave Ireland bound for New South Wales after the departure of the Surry in July 1816. The Pilot departed the Cove of Cork 9th March 1817, touched at Rio de Janeiro 5th May where she remained until 23rd May before leaving for New South Wales.

The Caledonian Mercury reported in February 1817 that several transport ships were assembled at Cork and were to convey the 48th regiment to New South Wales to relieve the 46th. They were to sail in company of convict ships for the same destination. (1) The military guard on the Pilot consisted of a serjeant and 30 privates of the 46th and 48th regiments under the orders of Lieutenant Franklin of the 69th regiment. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 48th regiment included the Larkins,  Lady Castlereagh,  Agamemnon, Minerva, Isabella and Dorothy

Charles Queade was about 40 years old when he made this voyage. Although this was his first voyage as Surgeon Superintendent of a convict ship, he was a well experienced naval surgeon and he was taking no chances with the prisoners under his care, which considering the events that took place on board the Chapman, was fortunate.  He made certain recommendations to Lieutenant Franklin for the management of the convicts while at Cork and on the voyage to Australia:

1st. I would recommend that the sentinels be constantly kept on deck under arms night and day, that is, one on each gangway about the Barricade doors on deck and one on the forecastle and that these sentinels are supplied with a certain number of ball cartridge.

2nd. No boats ought to be allowed to come along side with any thing for the prisoners without my particular permission or in my absence without the permission of the Master of the ship. All boats at night coming near the ship are to be hailed by the sentinels and if coming to the ship must be reported to me or the Master before being allowed to come along side.

3rd. The key of one of the prison hatchways is to be constantly kept in the possession of the non commissioned officer of the guard who is to attend when any of the prisoners require to come on deck and never to admit more on deck than twenty while in Harbour unless I particularly order.

4th. The prison hatchways and doors are to be locked every evening before dark by the sergeant of the guard and reported to you but before being locked it would be advisable that the Sergeant goes round the prison and sees that the prisoners are quiet and orderly.

5th All parcels for the soldiers or prisoners ought to be carefully examined by the Sergeant before being permitted to be taken below to prevent if possible the introduction of spirits or beer into the ship clandestinely and it is also advisable that all packages belonging to either the soldiers or prisoners be well searched before leaving the ship so as to prevent their disposing of their necessaries or clothing.

6th It would be highly necessary that you prevent the soldiers under your command while on or off duty from making use of any abusive, insulting or irritating language towards the prisoners

7th. The Soldiers ought to be strictly prohibited from holding any conversation whatever with the prisoners while on or off duty. (Colonial Secretary's Index. Reel 6046; 4/1738 pp.178-88)

He wrote a similar set of instructions to the Master of the vessel and in addition advised that the windsails were to be kept up all day in harbour when the weather permitted and the stoves were to be lighted in foggy or rainy weather at eleven o'clock in the morning and put  out at two in the afternoon. The provisions for the day were to be served out to the prisoners sufficiently early so as to allow their breakfast to be comfortably cooked and ready to be served out by eight o'clock in the morning.

After a voyage of 142 days the Pilot arrived in Port Jackson on 29th July 1817. One hundred and seventeen prisoners were landed on Friday morning 8th August and although it rained hard throughout the morning, Governor Macquarie carried out his usual inspection of the prisoners.  The Governor extended his warmest thanks to Captain Pexton and Surgeon Charles Queade R.N., for the humane treatment which the prisoners gratefully avowed receiving throughout the voyage.

The Pilot departed Port Jackson bound for Hobart in September 1817.

Charles Queade was also surgeon on the convict ships Minerva in 1819,  Minerva in 1821 and the Phoenix in1824 (VDL)

Convicts arriving on the Pilot in 1817

(1) THE ARMY . The Morning Post (London, England), Saturday, February 15, 1817; Issue 14374. 19th Century British Library Newspapers: Part II.

Captain R.L. Frazer.  Surgeon Superintendent Alick Osborne.

The prisoners of the Planter came from districts throughout England - Surry, Sussex, Wiltshire, Oxford, Essex, Berkshire, London, Lancaster etc. A few had been court-martialled at Corfu and John Pearce a schoolmaster and missionary was tried at Sierra Leone. As well as the usual farm labourers and shepherds there were also butchers, a game keeper, watchmaker, linen draper, coachman, jeweller, silk weaver, a miller and a doctor.

The Planter was delayed in Portsmouth for some time having been placed in quarantine after some of the prisoners were found to be suffering from cholera.

The Planter was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Clyde in May 1832. She departed London on 15th June 1832.

Passengers included Lieutenants Bullin and Irvine of 38th regiment and 28 rank and file of the 4th regiment, 1 serjeant of 39th; 3 women and 1 child and Mr. James Busby

The Colonial Times, Hobart printed a review of Alick Osborne's Surgeon's Journal :

Mr. Osborne sailed from Portsmouth on the 15th June 1832 in the ship Planter of 368 tons, with 200 convicts for Sydney NSW. The first subject to which he refers is, naturally the treatment and behaviour of the convicts on board. On this subject we make the following extracts - 'On embarkation, the prisoners were surprised to find good biscuit, beef, port, pease, flour, raisins, lemonade, wine etc issued to them, in lieu of the coarse brown bread and indifferent beef sometimes supplied by contractors for the hulks. The convicts have hitherto behaved tolerable well, and are now beginning to enjoy themselves after the first brush of sea sickness. Having gone out with Irish convicts on a former occasion, I find a sad difference between the English and them. The one polished, artful, and vicious, poor Pat simple, innocent, and as tractable as a child, with a civil word you can do any thing with Paddy. In one of my voyages from Cork, there happened to be among the rest a father and two sons for sheep stealing. Old Murtagh was advanced in life, the sons fine athletic young men. Two days after embarkation, I observed Rory, the eldest, eyeing me very wilfully, but apparently unwilling to trespass. I beckoned him aft and desired to know what was the matter, hoped the old man kept up his spirits, etc. Emboldened by the manner, he simple begged 'if your honor would be pleased to divide the bolts between me and Dennis for the ould man's getting tender, God help him, and I'm afear'd he wont get to the end of the journey any way'. I felt ashamed at having overlooked the poor old man so long (he was four score but I did not know he was so old). and instantly removed the old mans irons amidst the prayers and benedictions of the whole party.

Alick Osborne had the gratification to be able to state in his journal that the prisoners were all disembarked in excellent health and condition, not one having been sent to hospital on arrival.  Select here to read the Surgeon's Journal of the voyage of the Planter in 1832.

The Planter arrived in Port Jackson on 15 October 1832 with 200 male prisoners, none having died on the voyage out.  The convicts were mustered on board by the Colonial Secretary on 19th October 1832. The indents for the Planter give information such as name, age, marital status, family, religion, education, native place,  trade, offence, date and place of conviction, sentence, physical description and occasional information such as tickets of leave, date of death or colonial crimes.  There is no information as to where or to whom the prisoners were assigned. The men were to be landed on the morning of the 29th October.

Seventy six convicts of the Planter have been identified residing in the Hunter Valley region in the following years. One of the convicts, Benjamin Stanley was executed for the murder of Robert Campbell in 1844. Select here to find what happened to other convicts of the Planter

Alick Osborne was also employed on the convict ships Marquis of Huntley 1835,  Lonach in 1825, Speke in 1826,   Sophia in 1829,  Sarah in 1829, Planter in 1832, Fairlie in 1834 Elphinstone in 1838.

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

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Planter in 1839

Porpoise 1800

The Porpoise arrived on 9th November 1800 with 6 male and 6 female passengers, two children and eight prisoners from the Cape of Good Hope (HRA., Series 1, Vol. III, p 18)

The Porpoise also brought four tons of 1797 cartwheel pennies. ........

Historical Records of Australia

Series 1, Volume 2, 1797 - 1800, p. 341

The Duke of Portland to Governor Hunter

(Despatch, per store-ship Walker; acknowledged by Governor Hunter 15th November 1799)

Whitehall, 12 April 1799

Sir,

You will receive by the Porpoise near four tons of a new copper coinage of a penny each.

The total value of the above coinage is £550, which you will take care to carry to the credit of Government, and to account for it in making such payments therewith for the public service as you shall from time to time judge most advisable.

The circulation of this coinage must very much add to the comfort and convenience of individuals, and greatly facilitate their dealings with each other.

It does not occur to me that there can be any inducement or motives of interest for sending this money out of the settlement; but if the contrary should be the case, it will be your duty to frame a suitable ordinance for preventing such an offence, subjecting all defaulters, as well the parties receiving as those disposing of them for exportation, to severe penalties.

I am &c., Portland.

Joseph Cook kept a Journal from 21st October 1831 to 11 April 1832.  The Portland did not depart Spithead until 27 November 1832 and surgeon Cook reported that during that time the winds and weather were variable. Catarrh appeared as an epidemic during these days and continued to recur during the whole of the voyage, almost all on board having been affected with it more or less, but in the greater number of instances so slight as not to require confinement or medical treatment. The prisoners were also much affected with costiveness induced by sea sickness and change of diet but the general state of health on board during the voyage was good.

The Portland was off the coast of Brazil on 14th January 1832.

During the voyage the convicts were admitted on deck daily as much as the state of weather and other circumstances permitted, one half taking their meals on deck alternatively. Attention was paid to cleanliness and the between decks kept as dry as possible. The surgeon did not report heavy rain until off the coast of Australia when they also experienced westerly winds. The temperature occasionally reached 89° in the prison at nights while passing through the tropics.

The Portland arrived in Port Jackson on 26th March 1832.  There had been no deaths on the voyage and 178 male convicts, the original number, were landed at Sydney on 6th April 1832. All except one, William Toll who had suffered scurvy, were fit for immediate employment.

Notes and Links:

Joseph Backler who was convicted of passing forged cheques arrived on the Portland

Joseph Cook was also employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the convict ships Southworth in 1822, Sir Charles Forbes in 1825 (VDL)  Phoenix in 1826,  Louisa in 1827,  Mellish in 1829 and the Forth (11) in 1830.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Portland in 1832

Captain William Ascough. Surgeon Superintendent  Charles Inches

Charles Inches kept a Medical Journal from 18th December 1832 to 13 July 1833

On 28 December 1832, the Guard embarked on the Portland at Deptford. The Guard consisted of 1 subaltern of the 26th regiment, one sergeant, one corporal and 27 rank and file of 21st Fusiliers accompanied by 5-6 women and 11 children under command of Captain Frazer of 26th regt., Passengers included Lieut. Wallace, D.A.C.G. Brackenbury, Mrs. Brackenbury, Miss Brackenbury and Miss Frazer.

On the 1st January 1833 they dropped down the river to Gravesend, and another subaltern of the 16th regiment joined the ship. On the 3rd January 1833 they proceeded to the Cove of Cork, arriving there on 11th January. They remained at the Cove of Cork for six weeks while arrangements for the convicts were made. Cholera was still rampant in Ireland and as well the prisoners had a very restricted allowance of food in their diet on the hulk amounting to only 20 ounces a week per man, so that by the time they were embarked on the Portland their health was in a poor way. Later the surgeon remarked that the longer they stayed on the Portland, the better their health got.  On 2nd February 184 male convicts were embarked and on the 9th February eight more men were received on board.

Select here to find out more about the Convict establishment at Cork and the names of Officers employed in the service in the years 1832, 1833 and 1834. (2)

The Portland was the next convict ship to depart Ireland for New South Wales after the female convict ship Surry left in November 1832. The Portland departed Cork on 21st February 1833 with 193 male convicts.

There was an unusual degree of sickness on the Portland, which the surgeon attributed to the convicts of Ireland being much inferior in health and vigour than the convicts in England. As well their clothes were worse, being more or less worn and thin. By the time they reached the cooler weather in the southern latitudes the surgeon reported that their clothes were in tatters.....By this time, notwithstanding the pains actually taken by most of the poor fellows their clothing very generally gave way and with difficulty was held together, however by procuring patches of old canvas and sewing them to the most needy, they continued to keep themselves covered and to get into Sydney in good condition as to health.

The Portland had touched at Lisbon however in consequence of one man on board dying of cholera, on entering the Tagus, the ship was immediately ordered off. During the voyage two more deaths occurred from cholera. The last case of this appeared in March. Six people also died from fever and other diseases. According to Charles Inches' journal nine people died altogether. The Portland arrived in Sydney Cove on 26 June 1833. In consequence of rumoured illness on board, despatch of the mails that had arrived was delayed until an examination of the vessel had taken place. The prisoners were landed on Saturday 13th July 1833.

Dr. Bowman on behalf of the Board of Health boarded the Portland and submitted his report to the Executive Committee who sat at a late hour to receive the report. He pronounced the vessel healthy and the convicts were mustered on board on 1st July and landed on Saturday 13th July 1833. The detachments of the 21st Fusiliers that arrived by the Asia and the Portland, proceeded on the Funchal to join the strength of the Regiment stationed at Hobart.

The indents reveal such information as name, age, religion, education, marital status, family, native place, offence, sentence, date and place of trial and physical description. There is no indication in the indents as to whom the men were assigned on arrival. In the Sydney Herald on 22 July 1833 the distribution of the men was reported:

161 assigned to private service

9 assigned to the Commissariat Department

4 assigned to the Surveyor General's Department

4 sent to Port Macquarie

2 sent to Carter's Barracks (boys)

4 unfit for assignment

The Portland sailed for Launceston in the first week of September. Passengers included William James Cox, Mrs. Eliza Cox, Misses Rebecca, Mary and Georgiana Cox, Mrs. Thompson and two children, Miss Blanchford, Dr. Inches, Mr. Edward Lord, Mr. J.S. Uther, Mary Reeves, John McMahon, Andrew Galligher, John Davis, James Murray, John Gray and Michael Power, Henry Tully and John Stewart. Two of the seaman William Ambrose and John Raine, refused to sail on her stating, that they had signed articles under Captain Ascough, and that they were not forced to serve under a new captain. They could not, nor would serve under Captain Coghill who was taking over as captain of the Portland. 'They were sentenced to 7 days hard labour in the Gaol.

The Portland was wrecked seventeen miles to the East of the George Town Heads in October 1833. All but two survived the wreck.  The infant daughter of Mr. Cox was washed from it's mother's arms and although rescued from the sea by a sailor could not be saved. The carpenter of the ship also drowned. The Master of the vessel was lying dangerously ill at George Town.

Charles Inches was also employed as surgeon on the William Glen Anderson in 1831 (VDL), Westmoreland in 1835, the John in 1837 and the London in 1844 (VDL)

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Portland in 1833

Thomas Bell was employed as surgeon superintendent on the Portsea. He kept a Medical Journal from 7 July to 22 December 1838. There were possibly two different surgeon superintendents by the name of Thomas Bell. The signature on the medical journal of the Eliza,  Prince George in 1837 and Portsea in 1838 are all similar. The signature on the medical journal of the Thames in 1829 (VDL) and the Edward in 1831 seem to have been signed by a different Thomas Bell.

The Guard, consisting of Lieut. Donald McPhee of 28th Regiment, Ensign Gravatt, 28th regiment and 25 rank and file of the 28th, 50th, 51st and 80th regiments and Passengers Mrs. McPhee and the Misses Isabella and Euphemia McPhee, boarded the Portsea at Deptford on 7th July 1838.

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The Portsea sailed immediately for Portsmouth, arriving there on 17 July.

Many of the prisoners of the Portsea had been held in prison hulks prior to embarkation.   Select here to read a Prison Hulk Report describing a typical week in the life of convicts incarcerated in the Hulks in 1838.

The surgeon examined the prisoners on the York and Leviathan hulks at Portsmouth. He rejected several who had recently had small pox. On 19th July, 240 male convicts were embarked on the Portsea and the surgeon spoke to them about good conduct and punishment. Rules were posted in the prison, beds and utensils were distributed and the surgeon took charge of all valuables.

They received orders to sail on 26 July but unfavourable winds delayed their departure. They were afterwards driven into Plymouth and did not leave there until 8th August 1838

A school was established on board and convict Henry N. Disney (alias Arthur Battersby) took over as schoolmaster. Many of the convicts 'did not know the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, or how many Commandments there were'. By the end of the voyage there were no more than 3 who did not know the church catechism.

The prisoners were formed into divisions and exercised each day, walking four miles round the long boat while the band played.  In the early part of the voyage, headaches, constipation and slight fevers, due to a change in diet, weather and sea life occurred. Later, as they approached the tropics, boils, prickly heat and ringworm prevailed.

The surgeon remarked that there were several cases of scurvy, mainly among the army deserters who had undergone punishment. Prisoners who had deserted in Gibraltar, Jamaica or Canada included John Barraclough, George Beet,  William Darcy, Robert Dicks, Joseph Flemming, William Fraser, James Gibson, George Glass, John Hancock, William Harris, Jonathon Harrison,  Henry Hatch, Charles Hewitt, John Hill, Robert Hunt, Thomas Hunter, William Johnstone,  Charles Lovell, Hugh McCartin,  Henry Mead,  Charles Oliver, William Power, Henry Skett, Christopher Smith,  Morrison David Todd, William Whymark. They were treated with lime juice and nitre, 1 ounce of nitre to a pint and a few drops of oil of peppermint in wine with sugar to make it palatable. The mixture was diluted with water and given in doses of 3 or 4 ounces. As soon as symptoms of scurvy were detected, the sufferer was put on the special diet. - a pint of chocolate at 6am, with an ounce of lime juice and an ounce of sugar, and porridge, a pint of thick gruel with a gill of wine at midday, porridge again at 4pm, chocolate at 6pm and gruel with wine in it at 8pm.

Strict attention was paid to cleanliness and when the weather permitted the prisoners bathed every day and were afterwards rubbed dry with a towel, which each man who had money was made to buy before leaving port. The prisons were also cleaned and kept dry and ventilated. The constabulary force under H N Disney was active and impartial. The ship was obliged to call at Hobart by a shortage of water and strong winds from the west making it likely that arrival at Sydney would be delayed.

They left Hobart Town on 11 December and arrived at Sydney 18 December 1838. On 22 December 239 prisoners were landed, one having died on the passage out (George Carter). It had been 164 days since the embarkation of the guard. The Colonial Secretary and the principal superintendent of convicts, were pleased at the health of the convicts and the orderly way in which they landed.

Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 28th regiment included the Marquis of Huntley, Westmoreland, Norfolk, Backwell, England, John Barry, Susan, Waterloo, Lady McNaughten, Moffatt and Strathfieldsaye

Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 51st regiment included Neptune, John Barry, Lord Lyndoch, Waterloo and Bengal Merchant

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Portsea in 1838

Captain Adolphus Holton. Surgeon Superintendent Thomas Bell

The Prince George was built at Bristol in 1830 by ship builder John Green. She was 482 tons with a length of 118'; breadth (above) 30' 3"; height 6'9". There were two decks and three masts. She had a square stern, quarter galleries and bust head.(1)

The Prince George was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Sarah and Elizabeth. The Prince George departed Torbay on 14th January 1837 and arrived in Port Jackson on 8th May 1837. Two hundred and forty four male prisoners arrived under the superintendence of surgeon Thomas Bell, six having died on the passage out.

The guard consisted of 29 rank and file of the 80th regiment under command of Lieut. Baxter and Ensign Foster; eight women and three children. Other convict ships bringing detachments of the 80th regiment included the Lloyds, Bengal Merchant,  Asia, Lady Kennaway, Captain Cook, Earl Grey, St. Vincent, John, Norfolk, Mangles, Heber, Theresa, Calcutta and Eden.

Leaving Lincolnshire - In Chains written by David J. Porter tells the compelling tale of his ancestor, Lincolnshire farm labourer John Porter, who was accused of killing a sheep belonging to the local curate. John Porter was promptly convicted, on farcical evidence, and transported to Australia for life, leaving his wife and four young sons to manage without the breadwinner. John Porter was one of 244 convicts who arrived on the convict transport Prince George in May 1837.

Leaving Lincolnshire - In Chains contains Dr. Bell's report of the voyage revealing much on the lives of convicts under his care. During the voyage of the Prince George over 200 of the convicts and many of the guard of the 80th regiment required medical treatment.  Author David J. Porter has the full set of records left by Dr. Bell, which includes the name and age of the convict, illness, when each was taken off the sick list and the outcome of each case.

Purchase Leaving Lincolnshire - In Chains at Burning Ambition Publications

There were possibly two different surgeon superintendents by the name of Thomas Bell. The signature on the medical journal of the Eliza,  Prince George in 1837 and Portsea in 1838 are all similar. The signature on the medical journal of the Thames in 1829 (VDL) and the Edward in 1831 seem to have been signed by a different Thomas Bell.

Hunter Valley convicts ariving on the Prince George in 1837

Captain Thomas Silk. Surgeon Superintendent George Shaw Rutherford

George Shaw Rutherford was also surgeon on the convict ships Shipley in 1822,  Marquis of Hastings in 1826,   Eliza in 1827,  Lord Melville in 1829,  Royal Admiral in 1830 and the China 1846 (to Norfolk Island)

Details of the voyage of the Prince of Wales in 1788 are now on a separate page.

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Prince of Wales in 1788

Captain William Anderson. Surgeon Superintendent James Hunter R.N.

The Prince Regent was the next ship to leave England after the departure of the Dromedary on 11th September 1819. The Prince Regent departed Deal on 11th October 1819. She brought with her prisoners from  districts throughout England including Lancaster, York, Middlesex, Nottingham, Warwick, Worcester, Kent, Oxford, Essex, Derby and London. The youngest convict was Thomas Rooke from Essex who was only 14 years old. The oldest was Abraham Brierly who was 70 years of age.

The London Times on 21st October 1819 reported the case of two brothers Judah and Joseph Solomons, who were convicted at the Maidstone Assizes of being accessory to burglary committed in Sheerness. They had been removed from the Bellerophan hulk and shipped on the Prince Regent for NSW.  - Their feelings were sensibly affected at leaving their native country, particularly Judah, who had long resided at Sheerness. On Thursday last, the ceremony of divorcement, according to the Jewish custom, took place at the Fountain inn, Sheerness, between Joseph Solomons and his wife. It was performed by the High Priest and Chief Rabbi, who arrived for the purpose in a coach and four. The husband was permitted to come on shore, under an escort, and in irons; and, after the ceremony, he returned on board, to suffer that expatriation his guilt has brought upon him.

James Hunter kept a Medical Journal from 1 September 1819 to 28 February 1820. His first case was that of James Hazel a convict boy who was suffering pyrexia and inflamed legs. His leg irons were both carefully removed and he soon began to recover under the surgeon's attention.  Soon after it was found that many of the convicts were suffering with the same complaint and all the leg irons were removed and plain dressings were applied to the wounds. The next case William Brandford of the 48th regiment was also suffering from an ulcer of the left leg with the surgeon dressed with a bandage made from his own sheets, none being supplied on the vessel. During the voyage there were several accidents causing broken bones and one little girl was badly scalded. On 15th October the all the surgeon's skills were brought into use when a marlin spike fell from aloft and cut the nose and upper lip of seaman by the name of Wiseman, separating the nose and wounding the upper jaw. Two days later another seaman was injured in the hip by a heavy marlin spike falling on him also.

On the voyage Prince Regent spoke the Surry, Captain Raine on her return passage to England in 10° North 24° West on the 4th November 1820.

Three of the soldier's wives were mentioned in the surgeon's journal:  Letty Stewart came on board in a very weak and debilitated state, having lately had a child. The surgeon gave her wine and preserved meats and she gradually recovered by November; Harriet Gordon had been in a bad state of health a long time and continued in a weakly state all the voyage necessitating the surgeon to supply her with medicine and occasional wine as well as a nutritious diet; and the wife of Thomas Hughes of the 48th regiment was delivered of a daughter on the morning of 14th December.

Much of the journal is taken up with illness and injuries of the crew and guard. Only a few of the convicts required the surgeon's attention for illness. Several of the old men he treated kindly and allotted extra provisions of preserved meat and wine. Other than Abraham Brierly who was 70, other older prisoners included John Dumville 63; Robert Pettit 57; William Sanders 54; Thomas Watts 69;

The Prince Regent arrived in Port Jackson on Thursday 27th January 1820.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie recorded in his Journal  -  the Guard consisted of 31 Soldiers of the 48th Regiment commanded by Cornet M.C. Chambers of the 21st. Light Dragoons. The Convicts and Guard arrived in good Health – none of either having died on the Passage out.  The Rev. George Middleton, Asst. Chaplain for the Colony, his Child and Servant, the wife & 3 children of Cornet Chambers, and a Chelsea Pensioner have come out Passengers in the Prince Regent.

Those intending to depart on the Prince Regent in March included Chief Officer William Legar; 2nd Officer James Dunn; 3rd Officer John Phillpin; and purser Mr. James Duncan.

James Hunter was still in the colony when Philip Parker King was searching for a surgeon to join his third expedition on the Mermaid.  James Hunter offered his services on the voyage and King was grateful for the presence of an experienced surgeon on the expedition......I accepted the proffered services of a young man who was strongly recommended by his Excellency the Governor, and he was on the point of joining me, when a surgeon of the navy, Mr. James Hunter, who had just arrived in charge of a convict ship, volunteered his services, which were gladly accepted, and he was immediately attached to the Mermaid’s establishment. The accession of a surgeon to our small party relieved me of a greater weight of anxiety than I can describe; and, when it is considered that Mr. Hunter left an employment of a much more lucrative nature, to join an arduous service in a vessel whose only cabin was scarcely large enough to contain our mess-table, and which afforded neither comfort nor convenience of any description, I may be allowed here to acknowledge my thanks for the sacrifice he made. On 20th July at Port Bowen James Hunter and explorer Allan Cunningham spent the day ranging about the vicinity of the shore whilst Mr. Roe with a boars crew was employed in filling empty water casks from a gully at the back of the beach. (1)

James Hunter was also surgeon on the convict ships Minerva in 1818 and the Princess Royal in 1823.

Twenty two of the convicts of the Prince Regent have been identified in the Hunter Valley region. Select here to find out more about these men

Alexander Taylor kept a Medical Journal from 21 June 1820 to 17 January 1821.  He joined the Prince Regent on 21 June 1820 at Deptford and sailed to Cork to pick up convicts.

On the 13th July 1820 a detachment of the 1st Royal Scots under orders of Lieut. Lewis, arrived as guards and on the 20th August 1820, twenty-eight convicts were received on board from Dublin by the transport brig Atlas. The following day another 104 convicts were received from the Cork depot. Another five were received 25-31 August. In total 144 prisoners were embarked.

They weighed anchor at 5am on 19 September 1820. Trinidad was sighted on the 3rd November 1820.

There was some fighting amongst prisoners on the voyage out.  Surgeon Taylor punished the offenders by putting them in handcuffs. Several men were also insolent and critical of the rations that were provided however there is no mention of any harsher punishments and Alexander Taylor delivered all 144 prisoners in a healthy state when the vessel arrived in Sydney on 9 January 1821. The voyage took 112 days.

On Monday 15th January the prisoners were mustered and inspected by the Colonial Secretary and on Tuesday 16th January, the prisoners were all up and had a complete suit of clothing issued to each of them by an Officer from the Deputy Commissary General Department. On the 17th the men were all disembarked early in the morning. They were inspected by the Governor at 10am.

Alexander Taylor was also employed as surgeon on the Guildford in 1816

The Prince Regent, Captain Clifford, was preparing to leave the colony in February 1821. Chief Officer Mr. Murdock and Second Officer Mr. Allen.

Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Prince Regent in 1821

Captain Alexander Wales. Surgeon Superintendent  Thomas B. Wilson

Thomas B. Wilson was also surgeon on the convict ships Mangles in 1826,  Governor Ready, in 1829, John in 1830 (VDL,)  Moffatt in 1834 (VDL) and Strathfieldsaye in 1836.

Captain William Richards. Surgeon Superintendent William Rae.

The Prince Regent was the next convict ship to leave England for New South Wales after the departure of the Harmony a week previously. The Prince Regent departed London on 11th June 1827, passing nearby Cape Finestere on 20th June, near Madeira 25th June, calling at Teneriffe on 2nd July and passing Canary Island 5th July. The Prince Regent arrived in Port Jackson on 27 September 1827 after a voyage of 108 days.

Details of the voyage of the Princess Charlotte are now on a separate page

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Princess Charlotte in 1827

The surgeon's journal does not seem to have survived for this voyage, however James Hunter was well experienced in the duties of surgeon superintendent having previously been employed on the voyages of the  Minerva in 1818 and the Prince Regent in 1820. His attitudes towards the prisoners and their likely treatment can be derived from his solicitous care towards the men during his first two voyages in 1818 and 1820.

The Princess Royal arrived in Port Jackson on 11th March 1823 with 154 male prisoners.  The indents include information such as name, when and where tried, sentence, native place, trade, age and physical description. There is no indication in the indents as to where the prisoners were assigned on arrival.

The Sydney Gazette reported the prisoners as having landed on Thursday 13th March when they were inspected by Governor Brisbane in the forenoon. Their healthy appearance was said to indicate the kind treatment they had met with during the voyage. They were immediately forwarded by boat to Parramatta. In the Colonial Secretary's Correspondence there is a list of 72 men who were assigned to various settlers and government service at Parramatta, Liverpool, Airds, Brigelly, Windsor, Minto, Emu Plains and Bathurst.

It was revealed in correspondence to the Governor written in 1823, that life for the sailors was difficult under Captain Sherwood and so while the prisoners were being distributed throughout the colony, and the vessel was being made seaworthy once again, the crew of the Princess Royal made use of their short time of freedom in Sydney........Two sailors of the Princess Royal  had become intoxicated while on shore leave. When they returned to the vessel Captain Sherwood and the Chief Mate were displeased. They handcuffed the men and threw one of them down the half deck hatch injuring him severely; the other the Captain struck with a cutlass cutting his hand and threatening to run him through. The Chief Mate struck him several times and kicked him cruelly. Nine other of the crew came to their rescue and later in fear for their lives wrote a letter of appeal to the Governor stating that the Captain had threatened revenge when he got them to sea again. They stated the Captain to be a tyrannical man who often struck them for little reason. The letter was signed John Jones, John Baylis, John Wright, Edward Tyson, George Hemmings, William Wallace, John Foster, John Harris, John George, John Francis and Christian Marten.

On the 8th April Captain Sherwood, of the ship Princess Royal appeared at the Police Office on Tuesday morning to lay a complaint against two of his seamen for drunkenness, abusive language, and striking their commander on board. Nine other of the seamen were also charged with knocking off work, in consequence of Captain Sherwood's determination to punish the two refractory hands. The complainant was supported in his testimony by his chief officer. The nine men were directed by the Magistracy to return peaceably on board, and go to work as usual, as such was the wish of Captain Sherwood; but, regarding the other two, it being necessary to visit their conduct with some slight degree of punishment, they were ordered into solitary confinement, on bread and water, till the departure of the vessel. Upon the annunciation of this very lenient act of Magisterial authority, the whole of the others, nine in number, declared that they would not go on board ; in consequence of which, the whole party was ordered to be lodged in gaol, and to be separately confined on bread and water, till the vessel's departure. (1) On 18th April John Jones was given his discharge from the Princess Royal.

On 25th March Second Mate Augustus Warner was permitted his discharge from the Princess Royal in Sydney. He returned to England on the Denmark Hill in April. The First Mate Mr. Wilson and Third Mate Mr. Duggan remained with the vessel and departed on her in April.

On the 20th April 1823 the Princess Royal sailed for Batavia and Calcutta. An interesting Court-martial later took place in Chatham in 1826. The Prince Royal under Captain Sherwood, was on the voyage from Madras to England in 1825 with troops when an altercation took place between Agent for the transport Lieutenant Thomas Hewett R.N. and Major Browne commander of the Guard regarding the sailing of the vessel. Select here to read more about the court-martial.

Details of the voyage of the Princess Royal in 1829 are now on a separate page.

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

Convicts arriving on the Princess Victoria in 1834

Details of the Providence are now on a separate page

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

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

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

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

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

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

Select here to find out more about the voyage and convicts of the Pyramus in 1836

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

Select here to find out more about the voyage and the convicts of the Queen in 1791.

Resources used to compile Convict Ship pages:

Sydney Gazette, The Australian, The Monitor, The Maitland Mercury and other publications available via Australia Trove

UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849 - Ancestry

Various 19th Century British Library Newspapers available via National Library of Australia eResourses ( see Cora Num's site for instructions to access)

Lesley Uebel's Port Jackson Convict Anthology

Surgeon's Journals at National Archives

Surgeon's Journals at Ancestry

Publications available at Google Books

Historical Records of New South Wales Vols. 1 - VII

Historical Records of Australia Series 1

The Convict Ships - Charles Bateson

Martin Cash: His personal narrative as a bushranger in Van Diemens Land

Free Settler or Felon Database

Journeys In Time 1809 - 1822 - The Journals of Lachlan and Elizabeth Macquarie

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Online

North to Matsumae, Australian Whalers to Japan by Noreen Jones.

Bound For Botany Bay: Narrative of a voyage in 1798 Aboard the Death Ship Hillsborough - Frank Clune

A Narrative of a Voyage to New South Wales, in the year 1816, in the ship Mariner, describing the Nature of the Accommodations, Stores, Diet &c., together with an account of the Medical Treatment &c." by John Haslam in John Croaker: convict Embezzler: John Booker and Russell Craig.

Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1825 [database on-line].

Australian Town and Country Journal 3 January 1891 - Arrivals of vessels at Port Jackson and Departures of same up to 1817

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