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Palambam 1831 |
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Captain George Willis. Surgeon
James Osborne
On the 13th February while under
Dover Castle, the Palambam went ashore in a fog. There was reportedly no damage
to the vessel and she finally set sail for Sydney Cove on 23rd March
1831, arriving there on the 31st July
1831 with 114
female prisoners. Two women died on the passage out - Betsey
Riley on 10th May and Mary Lyden on 23 May 1831.
James Osborne was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. This was his
second voyage in that capacity.
This vessel also brought
fifty girls from
the Foundling Hospital of Cork, two matrons, their husbands, seven
children, four females, wives of convicts living in the colony and six
of their children.
These people as well as the convict women were all reported by the
surgeon to be extremely healthy on arrival.
A Convict Muster was held on board on
2nd August 1831.
Two
of the free women who arrived on the Palambam were dreadfully
injured while travelling to their place of service at Hunters River.
The Sydney Herald reported: The women were bruised and injured
in a shocking manner, by the upsetting of the dray and its contents
upon them, the thigh bone of one was broken, and the flesh dreadfully
lacerated. They were both expected to recover, however it was later
reported that one had died.
The
Sydney Herald reported in September that - 'The prisoner
belles by the Palambam, begin already to show signs of unruliness,
several of them since their assignment having been handed over to the
maternal care of the factory matron.' (Matron at the
Parramatta female factory at this time was
Mrs. Ann Gordon.)
The Palambam was one of
four convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in
1831, the others being the
Kains,
Hooghley and the
Earl of Liverpool. A total of 504 female convicts arrived
in the colony in 1831.
Surgeon James Osborne's Journal
of the Palamban in 8th January 1831 - 13 August 1831
Convicts arriving on the Palambam in 1831
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Parkfield 1839 |
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Captain J.T. Whiteside. Surgeon
Alexander McNeill
The Parkfield departed Sheerness 15 May 1839 bringing 240 male
prisoners under superintendence of Surgeon Alexander Neill. She arrived
in Port Jackson
1st September 1839. Passengers included
Captain Rice, Ensign Kelly, 29 rank and file of the 31st regiment., 6 women
and 9 children.
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.
*While no passengers died on the voyage out, there was a serious
outbreak of mumps amongst the prisoners.
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 she arrived in harbour were placed in the second class.
Among the prisoners were sixteen soldiers, for different offences, among
whom are four soldiers of the 67th regiment, who were transported for
manslaughter in killing a marine in a drunken dray 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.
Surgeon Alexander Neill's
Journal Parkfield 1st
May 1839 - 7 September 1839
Convicts arriving on the Parkfield
in 1839
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Parmelia 1832 |
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Captain
James Gilbert. Surgeon
Richard Allen
The
Parmelia
arrived in Port Jackson from England on
16 November 1832 after a passage of thirteen weeks bringing
196 male prisoners. Passengers included Assistant Surgeon Sliver
R.N., and Lieut Williamson of 48th regiment
The Guard consisted of a
detachment of 46th regt., and a small party of the 56th regt., Officers
Lieut. Nepean and Ensign Bullevant. Passenger Rev. Youl
There was a severe outbreak of cholera in July. Many were ill and four
people died: -
John
Wilson, soldier died 2 July 1832
Thomas Hopkins, convict died 7 July 1832
Roger Sims died 24 August 1832
John
Sullivan 30 August 1832
Surgeon Richard Allen's Journal Parmelia
18 June 1832 - 28 November 1832
Richard Allen was also surgeon on the convict ship
James Laing 1834 (died on board the James
Laing in 1834)
Convicts arriving on the Parmelia
in 1832
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Parmelia 1834 |
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Master James Gilbert .
Surgeon
Anthony Donoghue
The Parmelia
departed Cork on 29th October 1833 and arrived in Port Jackson on Sunday 2 March 1834.
Anthony Donaghue Esq., R.N.,
was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal from 18
September 1833 to 20 March 1834. Anthony Donaghue was also employed as
surgeon on the convict ships
City of Edinburgh 1832
Hive 1835 and
Calcutta 1837
Two hundred and eighteen male prisoners arrived under a
guard consisting of Major Anderson, Ensign Campbell and 29 rank and file
of the 50th regiment. 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 the hospital to
recover.
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.
....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
Passengers, Thomas Anderson and 4 children, 8 women and
15 children
Convict John Tighe of Co. Sligo, later applied to have
his family join him in New South Wales
Convicts arriving on the Parmelia in 1834
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Patriot 1838 |
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Captain Shorter or
Captain Mullens The
Patriot, 333 tons arrived from Mauritius on 1st January 1838
Convicts arriving on the Patriot
in 1838 |
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Pekoe 1840 |
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Master Sampson Kean.
Surgeon
Robert Bower
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. On the
23rd June they anchored in Kingstown Harbour, Dublin and two days
later 100 male prisoners were embarked. On the 27th June 81 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.
They departed Dublin on the 10th July 1840
called at the Cape of Good Hope 20 September, and arrived
in Port Jackson on 7
November 1840.
They were mustered on board the vessel on Wednesday 11th November and
landed on Thursday 12 November when they 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.
Surgeon Superintendent Robert Bower kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 3 June to 12 November 1840
Convicts arriving on the Pekoe
in 1840
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Perseus
1802 |
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Master John Davison.
The
Perseus
departed Spithead 12 February 1802 in company with the
Coromandel,
sailed via Rio de Janeiro and the Cape, and arrived in Port Jackson
on
4 August 1802. Surgeon W.S. Fielding. 112 male prisoners.
The healthy state in which the
Coromandel and Perseus arrived requires my
particularly pointing out the masters of those ships to your
notice. It appears by the log books, surgeon's diaries and the
unanimous voice of every person on board those ships that the
utmost kindness to the convicts. This, with the proper
application of the comforts Government had so liberally
provided for them and the good state of health all the people
were in, induced the master of the Coromandel to
proceed without stopping at any port. He arrived here in four
months and one day, bringing every person in a state of high
health, and fit for immediate labour; and although it appears
that the Perseus necessarily stopped at Rio and the
Cape, yet the convicts were in as good condition as those on
board the Coromandel; nor can I omit the great pleasure
felt by myself and the other visiting officers at the grateful
thanks expressed by the prisoners and passengers for the kind
attention and care they had received from the masters and
surgeons, who returned, an unusual quantity of the articles
laid in by Government for the convicts during the voyage. ...
Governor King to the Transport Commissioners 9th August 1802
Convicts arriving on the Perseus
in
1802
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Phoenix
1822 |
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Captain Thomas Weatherhead. Surgeon
Evan Evans
The Phoenix arrived
in Van Diemen's Land
20 May 1822 with 182 male convicts, two having died on the
voyage. - Surgeon Superintendent, Dr. Evan Evans, R. N. -
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.
From Surgeon Evan Evan's Journal: -
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.
Surgeon Evan Evan's Journal Phoenix
19 October 1821 - 25 May 1822
Convicts arriving on the Phoenix
in 1822
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Phoenix
1826 |
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Captain Alexander Anderson. Surgeon
Joseph Cook
The Convict ship
Phoenix
arrived in Sydney on
Christmas Day
1826
having departed Kingston Harbour, Dublin on 29th August. 189 male prisoners arrived
on the
Phoenix
Joseph Cook R.N., was
employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 6 July 1826 to 12 January 1827. Joseph Cook was also
employed as surgeon on the convict ships
Southworth 1822 Sir Charles Forbes 1825
(VDL)
Louisa 1827
Mellish 1829
Forth (11) 1830
and
Portland 1832
The
Guard consisted of a
detachment of 39th regt., under orders of Lieut. Cox and
Ensign Lloyd. Passenger Rev. Power (RC)
More information about
Captain Alexander Anderson
Convicts arriving on the Phoenix
in 1826
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Phoenix 1828 |
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Master Thomas Cuzens
The
Phoenix departed Spithead on 7 March 1828 with 190 male English
convicts, and
arrived in Port Jackson on
14th July 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.
William Bell Carlisle
was employed as
Surgeon Superintendent. He kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 29 January to 30 July 1828.
He considered that every individual of the convicts and Guard were
landed at Sydney in a state fit for duty. Towards the latter end of the
voyage a few additional ounces of lemon juice were given daily to 15 of
the convicts who were discovered to have a scorbutic sponginess of the
gums which yielded readily to the Lime Juice in eight or ten days. One
natural labour a few nights before arrival in Sydney was the only
additional incident Dr. Carlisle thought worth mentioning
The Guard consisted of Captain 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
A Muster
was held on board the
Phoenix
on 18th July 1828 by the Hon. Alexander McLeay, Colonial Secretary
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.
A prisoner of the Crown who effected his escape from Sydney in the ship
England in 1826 was returned by the Phoenix. He had
visited China and India and almost circumnavigated the globe before being
re-transported for life on the Phoenix. Undaunted, an hour or two
after landing and being placed in barracks he contrived to make a slip
from his lodgings and to pay a visit to some of his old haunts in
Sydney.
William Bell Carlisle was also surgeon on the convict ships
Asia 1820 Morley 1823 (VDL)
Henry 1825
Andromeda 1827 (VDL)
Marquis of Huntley 1830
Convicts arriving on the Phoenix
in 1828
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Pilot
1817 |
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Captain Pexton. Surgeon
Charles Queade
The
Pilot
departed Cove of Cork 9th March, touched at
Rio de Janeiro 5th May where she remained
until 23rd May, arriving in Port Jackson
29 July 1817
with 117 male
prisoners, all in excellent health.
The military guard consisted of a
serjeant and 30 privates of the 46th and 48th regt., under the orders of Lieut. Franklin of
the 69th regiment.
The 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.
Charles
Queade was also surgeon on the convict ships
Minerva 1819
Minerva 1821
and Phoenix 1824 (VDL)
Convicts arriving on the Pilot
in 1817
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Pitt 1792 |
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Master E. Manning
Arrival of the Pitt on
14 February 1792
with
Lieutenant-Governor Francis Grose and the company of the NSW Corps.
13 soldiers, 7 seamen, 20 male convicts and 9 women died on the passage
out.
120 male convicts were ill when landed. A total of 352 male convicts and
58 female convicts departed England
William Singleton arrived as a
convict on the Pitt
Convicts arriving on the Pitt
in 1792
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Planter
1832 |
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Captain R.L. Frazer
The
Planter
departed London 16th June and arrived
15 October 1832
with 200 male prisoners, none having died on the voyage out.
Surgeon Superintendent
Alick Osborne.
Passengers, Lieuts. Bullin and Irvine of 38th regt., Mr. Busby and 28
rank and file of the 4th regt 1 serjeant of 39th; 3 women and 1 child
Surgeon's Journal Planter 1832
Convicts arriving on the Planter
in 1832
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Planter 1839 |
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Captain F.B. Manning. Surgeon
Thomas Robertson
The
Planter
367 tons, departed London 10 November 1838 with 171 female prisoners and
14 of their children all of whom had embarked at Woolwich. They arrived
at Port Jackson on
9th March 1839, a voyage of
119 days.
Surgeon Superintendent Thomas Robertson kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 7 August 1838 - 16 March 1839
The women were in good health when they embarked however the surgeon
remarked that when they neared the Cape of Good Hope, the aged females
showed symptoms of debility and there was a general despondency running
through the ship arising from the long passage. They put into Simon's
Bay for refreshment and a change of scene. Needlework and dancing
generally occupied most of the day.
One birth occurred on the
Planter
during the passage and there were no deaths.
Passengers included Mr. John Toms or Sonnes, Mr. William Young,
Commissariat Clerks, five free emigrants and nine children.
The
Planter brought with her the news of the vessel Juliana
which had been bound for N.S.W. with emigrants and was wrecked at Table
Bay at the Cape of Good Hope.
The Planter was one of five convict ships
bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in 1839, the others being
the
Margaret,
Whitby,
Mary Ann and
Minerva. A total of 727 female prisoners arrived in the
colony in 1839..
Convicts arriving on the Planter
in 1839
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Portland
1832 |
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Master William Ascough. Agent A.B. Sparke. Surgeon
Joseph Cook
178 male prisoners were embarked on the Portland
at Spithead on 14 November 1831. They had been transferred from the
Captivity,
Leviathan and York convict hulks. Most were young men in a
good state of health with the exception of a few who suffered chronic
ulcers of the legs. The ulcers speedily recovered under treatment of
adhesive straps and a change of air and better diet.
Joseph Cook was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He 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, a voyage of 133 days.
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.
Joseph Cook was also employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the convict ships
Southworth 1822 Sir CharlesForbes 1825
(VDL)
Phoenix 1826
Louisa 1827
Mellish 1829 and
Forth (11) 1830
Convicts arriving on the Portland
in 1832
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Portland 1833 |
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Master William Ascough . Surgeon
Charles Inches
On 28 December 1832, the Guard
for the convicts 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 .
Charles Inches, R.N., was employed as Surgeon
Superintendent. He kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 18th December 1832 to 13 July 1833.
On
the 1st January 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.
On
2nd February 184 male convicts were embarked and on the 9th
February eight more men were received on board. 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. They had
a very restricted allowance of food in their diet amounting to
only 20 ounces a week per man.
The
Portland
departed Cork on 21st February 1833 with 193 male
convicts and arrived in Port Jackson
26 June 1833
with 184 convicts.
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 persons also died from fever and other diseases.
On arrival at Port Jackson, in consequence
of the illness on board, dispatching the mails that had arrived was
delayed until an examination of the vessel had taken place.
The
Portland was wrecked in October 1833.
Convicts arriving on the Portland
in 1833
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Portsea 1838 |
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Master Samuel John Lowe. Surgeon
Thomas Bell
Thomas Bell Esq., R.N.
was employed as surgeon superintendent on the Portsea. He kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal from 7 July to 22
December 1838. He was also surgeon on the convict ships
Thames 1829
Edward 1831
Eliza 1832
and
Prince George 1837
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.
They sailed immediately for Portsmouth, arriving there on 17
July. The surgeon, Thomas Bell, then examined the prisoners on
the York and Leviathan hulks. He rejected several who had
recently had small pox.
On 19th July, 240 male convicts were embarked on the Portsea
and spoken to on 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.
A school was established on board and convict H.N. Disney took
over as schoolmaster. Many of the convicts 'did not know the
Lord's Prayer, 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.
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.
Convicts arriving on the Portsea in 1838
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Prince George 1837 |
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Captain Adolphus Holton.
Thomas Bell
The
Prince George arrived
on
8th May
1837, having departed Torbay 14th January
1837. 244 male prisoners arrived under the superintendence of Dr.
Thomas Bell. R.N., six having died on the passage out.
The guard consisted of 29 rank and file of the 80the regiment under
command of Lieut. Baxter and Ensign Foster. 8 women + 3 children on
board
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.
With thanks to David Porter,
select
HERE
to find a list of the convicts
and guard who were treated by
Dr. Bell, together with a
summary of the more serious
cases
Purchase
Leaving Lincolnshire - In
Chains at
Burning Ambition Publications
Thomas Bell was also surgeon on the convict ships
Thames 1829
Edward 1831
Eliza 1832
and
Portsea 1838
Convicts ariving on the Prince George
in 1837
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Prince of Orange
1821 |
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Master Thomas Silk
The convict ship Prince of Orange arrived in
Port Jackson on Monday 12 February 1821 from England. She left the Downs 8th October and
brought 135 men in good health - one died on the passage out.
Surgeon
Superintendent Dr.
George Shaw Rutherford R.N., kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal from 1 September 1820 to 17
February 1821
The guard consisted of a detachment
of the 34th Regiment under orders of Lieut. Clewnie of the 17th foot
Prince of Orange 1821 - Surgeon George
Shaw Rutherford
Convicts arriving on the Prince of Orange
in 1821
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Prince Regent
1820 |
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Captain William Anderson. Surgeon
James Hunter
The
Prince Regent
departed
England on 3 October 1819 and arrived on Thursday
27th January
1820 with 160 male prisoners.
James
Hunter R.N. was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He
kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 1 September 1819 to 28 February 1820. James Hunter
was also surgeon on the convict ships
Minerva 1818 and
Princess Royal 1823
Governor Lachlan Macquarie recorded in his
Journal that the Guard
consisted of 31 Soldiers of the 48th. Regt., commanded by
Cornet 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.
Convicts arriving on the Prince Regent
in 1820
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Prince Regent 1821 |
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Captain Francis Clifford. Surgeon
Alexander Taylor
Surgeon Superintendent on the
Prince Regent,
Alexander Taylor R.N., kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal from 21 June 1820 to 17 January
1821He 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.
Convicts arriving on the Prince Regent
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Prince Regent
1824 |
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Master Alexander Wales. Surgeon
Thomas B. Wilson
The Prince Regent departed Cork on 13th February 1824
and arrived in Port Jackson 15 July 1824 with 177 male
convicts.
Surgeon Superintendent Thomas B. Wilson kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 1 December 1823 to 21 July 1824. Three convicts died on
the passage out.
Passenger on the Prince Regent - Newcastle merchant
Frederick Boucher
Thomas B. Wilson was also surgeon on the convict ships
Mangles 1826,
Governor Ready 1829, John 1830 (VDL,)
Moffatt 1834 (VDL)
and
Strathfieldsaye 1836
Read more about Thomas
B. Wilson
here
Convicts arriving on the Prince Regent
in 1824
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Prince Regent
1827 |
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Captain William Richards. Surgeon
William Rae
The
Prince Regent
departed London on 11 June
1827. She passed nearby Cape Finestere on 20 June; near Madeira 25 June; called at Teneriffe 2nd
July; Canary Island 5th July, and arrived Port Jackson on
27
September 1827,
a voyage of 108 days. 180 male prisoners arrived on the
Prince Regent.
William Rae was employed as Surgeon Superintendent, his
fourth voyage in that capacity. He kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 1 May to 15 October 1827
At the end of the
voyage he wrote in the General Remarks of his Journal: -The
prisoners generally conducted themselves well and by due
enforcement of the rules and regulations laid down for
their governance at the commencement of the voyage little
trouble occurred to me during the remaining part of it.
The provisions were all of the best quality. The Master of
the ship was kind and humane and whilst in his power
supplied me with milk, daily for one of my worst patients.
From him and his Officers I received every support and
assistance in the execution of my duty.
The
Guard comprised a detachment of 57th regiment under
orders of Lieut. Campbell.
Passengers
included Ensign Darling 57th regiment, nephew to His
Excellency, Governor Darling;
Major Mitchell with his wife
and family; Lieut. Hughes; P
Elliott assistant surveyor
William Rae was also
employed as surgeon on the convict ships
Eliza 1822
Isabella 1823
Marquis of Huntley 1826
and
Marquis of Hastings 1828
Convicts arriving in the Prince Regent
in 1827
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Princess Charlotte 1827 |
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Captain Daniel Stephenson . Surgeon
Charles Cameron
It was reported on 10th February 1827 that the
Princess Charlotte was being fitted up in the Thames River in
preparation for taking female prisoners to New South Wales.
The prisoners began to come on
board on 5 March 1827. On that day 40 women and four children
were embarked from Newgate.
The rest of the prisoners
arrived over the next two weeks including several women from
Scotland who did not embark until 17th March.
The
Princess Charlotte
departed Woolwich on 31
March 1827. Surgeon Superintendent
Charles Cameron kept a
Medical
Journal
from 9th February to 24th August 1827
Some of those treated by
the surgeon in the next few months included 10 month old
William Murphy who died before the ship left port. Julia Kane,
Hannah Fox, Louisa Jones, Euphemia Barnet, Susan McGilp .
Margaret Henderson who was returned to Durham jail on 28
March, having been subject to fits, Elizabeth Smith, Harriett
Nicholson, Ann Hutchinson, Margaret Flinn, Elizabeth Carter,
Catherine Parmenter, Susan Wilson, Sarah Atkinson, Elizabeth
Douglas, Catherine Murphy, Jane Weldon, Maria Coutts (died)
Catherine Hanley, Mary Eddison, Ellen Green, Mary Walker,
Catherine Kelly, Clara Sutton, Mary Ann Grayson, Susan
Jenkins, Mary Keefe, Frances Patrick, Susan Jarvis and Helen
Walker
After departing Woolwich
the Princess Charlotte anchored in the Downs on the 3rd April.
Many of the women became sea sickness on the way to the Downs.
Elizabeth Smith suffered a serious accident on the 5th April :
- Her neck between her shoulder and down her back as far as
the lumbar region was scalded by a tub of soup just out of the
coppers, which fell down the hatchway onto the back of her
neck. In two places the skin immediately peeled off and the
inflammation of her neck and back appeared considerable and
extensive. Instantaneous diarrhoea came on, which the surgeon
attributed to the alarm. Being almost on the spot, alcohol and
spirit (oil) of turpentine were alternatively and immediately
applied for some time and afterwards kept constantly wet with
cold vinegar and water. A few days later the surgeon
reported that she had much improved, considerably better than
he anticipated.
On 6th April they were at
the Isle of Wight and had fine weather with south westerly
winds which caused considerable motion of the ship. On 9th
April the winds were moderate and the weather fine however
many of the women were still experiencing sea sickness. A week
later on 16th April, they were Off Cape Finisterre with fine
weather and south west winds however by the 18th strong south
westerly winds, heavy rain and heavy seas were experienced.
Adding to the misery of sea sickness, the ship became wet and
very uncomfortable.
Three days later on the19th April, the rain abated, however
strong breezes from the south west which helped to dry the
decks and prison also caused the sea sickness to continue and
the surgeon was unable to convince the women that the headache
and giddiness which many of them suffered from were occasioned
by the motion of the ship. Despite this he always encouraged
them to come to him with the most trifling complaints although
in the case of Elizabeth Lloyd who was Welsh, and could not
speak nor understand English, he was frustrated. He had a
nurse on board who also attended to the patients. She had 'a
tolerable good knowledge in the duties of attending the
sick having been some time a nurse in one of the wards in St.
Bartholomew Hospital. She was popular with all the patients
and the surgeon praised her highly in his journal.
On May 4th there was fine weather and rather pleasant
conditions on deck, the sky being generally cloudy and the
wind easterly and pretty strong. The surgeon remarked that
they were then about the same situation where the sickness
commenced on his last voyage to New South Wales (the
Midas in 1825). He advised the prisoners to keep
out of the sun, to keep their heads always covered while on
deck, and to come forward immediately at the slightest
illness. He wrote: This last they generally do for they
appear very fond of using medicine, more particularly to have
a little blood taken from their arm. I always however
encourage them to complain to me if they have the slightest
feeling of illness. In one department I have had very much
practice (extracting teeth). Considering the number of persons
on board, I believe it would be incredible if I had kept an
account of the teeth I have extracted since we sailed. I am
however informed by them, which may account for the
circumstance in part, that the surgeons of the prisons in
general do not condescend to extract teeth.
On May 16th., the winds were south-easterly. Strong gales and
much and uneasy motion of the ship prevailed. It was rather
close below in the prison on account of the scuttles being
necessarily kept shut but not nearly so hot as
previously,
consequently few were added to the sick list and those
affected with fever improved.
From almost the beginning of his duties he had been attending
Maria Coutts with kindness and patience. She knew she was
dying and her one wish was to reach land before she passed
away, however despite all the surgeon's care, she did not
realise her wish, and passed away at 5am on 12th June during a
severe gale. There were several prisoners who required almost
constant treatment from the surgeon and seemed to be often in
the hospital, and by the5th July with over three weeks of the
voyage still to go, all of them had signs of scurvy.
The Princess Charlotte
arrived in Port Jackson on
6th August
1827 with ninety female prisoners.
The voyage had taken 128 days.
The Princess Charlotte
was one of five convict ships bringing female prisoners to New
South Wales in
1827,
the others being the
Grenada,
Harmony,
Louisa, and
Brothers. Over five hundred female prisoners
arrived in the colony in 1827.
Charles Cameron was also surgeon on the convict ships
Midas 1825
Ferguson 1829
and David Lyon 1830 (VDL)
Convicts arriving in the Princess Charlotte
in 1827
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Princess Royal 1823 |
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Master Henry Sherwood.
Surgeon
James Hunter
The
Princess Royal
departed England 5th November 1822 and arrived in Port Jackson
9 March 1823 with 154 male prisoners.
The guard consisted of a
detachment of the Buffs under the Command of Lieut. Howard of
59th regiment and Ensign Grant of the 3rd regiment.
James
Hunter was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He was also
surgeon on the convict ships
Minerva 1818 and
Prince Regent 1820
Convicts arriving on the Princess Royal
in 1823
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Princess Royal
1829 |
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Captain Henry Sherwood. Surgeon
Andrew Douglas Wilson
The convict ship
Princess Royal departed London 6th
January and arrived in Sydney
9th May
1829 with 100 female prisoners.
There were no deaths and most of the illnesses were
trivial.
Surgeon
Superintendent Andrew Douglas Wilson. R.N., kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 30 September 1828 to 24 May 1829.
He became ill at the
end of the voyage:
I might properly be deemed guilty of negligence in not
forwarding to the Board a fair copy of this journal but I
am sure I shall be fairly exonerated from any such charge
when I explain that I have in a great measure been
confined to my bed ever since leaving Sydney (a period of
12 days) and that I am at this moment a fit patient for
one of their Majesty's Hospitals. At the same time I take
leave to remark that few of the cases would appear of much
importance, even by selection, although all were of
consequence on the spot. The case of epilepsy was attended
with some anomalous symptoms and excited anxiety. At last
I found out is was caused in that particular convict by
her drinking rum to excess which was stolen and given her
by some of the sailors. On two or three occasions the fits
were really alarming and from their occurrence in the most
unaccountable way and at the most unexpected times, I was
at a loss what to think of the case. There were
appearances of inebriation but no reasonable grounds for
such a conclusion, as the attainment of spirits was
considered impossible. Ultimately however a sharp look out
and a little jealousy among the convicts themselves
brought this fact to light. The patient was a heartless
woman, gave much trouble and in that was most ungrateful
but such are female convicts generally. They expect as a
matter of right to be waited upon as ladies and nursed
like children, otherwise the surgeon may anticipate being
threatened with a complaint against him to Mr. Capper or
Governor Darling.
Passengers
arriving on the
Princess Royal
included Stephen
Owen, and Mr. Baldy of Commissariat; G.C. Stapleton of
surveyors dept and Tabitha Buckman
On the
21st May 1829, Andrew
D. Wilson reported that all the convicts had been
disembarked early that morning. The women were all
assigned with the exception of Sarah Piper and Sarah
Clarke who from the bad state of their health, were sent
to the
Factory at Parramatta.
The Princess Royal was one of twenty-one convict ships arriving
in New South Wales in
1829. Four of these carried female prisoners the
Princess Royal,
Edward,
Lucy Davidson
and the
Sovereign.
A total of 492 women arrived as convicts in 1829.
Select here to find Hunter Valley convicts arriving on the Princess Royal
in 1829
A cargo of women: Susannah Watson and the convicts of the
Princess Royal By Babette Smith
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Princess Victoria
1834 |
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Convicts arriving on the Princess Victoria
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Providence 1811 |
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Master Andrew Barclay.
Surgeon
Richard Hughes
The convict ship
Providence
received prisoners at the Cove of Cork and departed from
Falmouth 21st January. She arrived Rio 23rd March
and Port Jackson
2nd July 1811.
Three male prisoners died on the passage out and two females.
The guard consisted of two subaltern officers, and thirty
six soldiers of the 73rd regiment under orders of Major
Geils.
Governor Macquarie wrote in a dispatch to Lord Liverpool
in October 1811 - "I have to inform your
Lordship that I have, on all arrivals of convicts ships,
ordered a muster to be immediately taken of the convicts
on ship board by my Secretary and the Acting Commissary,
and I afterwards take a muster of them myself so soon as
landed, in order to ascertain the manner they have been
treated during the voyage, and whether they have any
complaints to prefer against the commander or surgeon of
the ship in which they came. By the previous muster I also
acquire a knowledge of the trades or professions of the
convicts, which enables me to appropriate them afterwards
in the most advantageous way for Government, and at the
same time most easy for themselves. I have much
satisfaction in reporting to your Lordship that the
convicts arrived by the four ships Indian, Providence,
Admiral Gambier and Friends were in general in
good health, having been well treated on board, and had no
complains to make against either the commanders or the
surgeons.
(HR NSW Vol. VII)
The following February (1812) Commissary William Broughton
gave notice that the convicts of the prisoners of the
Providence
who were employed at Government labour were entitled to the
summer issue of clothing only. This consisted for the men of
One duck frock, one pair duck trousers, one cotton shirt, one
pair of shoes and one leather cap; and for the women, one
linen cloth jacket, one shift, one pair of shoes, one straw
bonnet.
James
Connolly who became Principal overseer of Macquarie Pier
construction at Newcastle arrived prisoner on the
Providence
Convicts arriving on the Providence in 1811
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Providence 1822 |
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Master James Herd. Surgeon
David Reid
The Providence
departed England on 13th June and touched at Port Praya
and Rio De Janeiro before arriving in Hobart.
She
arrived in Port Jackson from Hobart on Monday
night
7th January
1822 and
brought
60 female prisoners in good health, having left about
forty women in Hobart.

Settler
John Laurio Platt and
family as well as Mrs. Halloran,
Miss Laura Halloran,
Misses Anna Mary, Margaret, and Eliza Magill and
Mr. &
Mrs. James Robertson and family also arrived on the
Providence
II.
David Reid was employed as Surgeon Superintendent
Convicts arriving on the Providence in 1822
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Pyramus 1832 |
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Captain Alexander Wilson. Surgeon
James Rutherford
James Rutherford was employed as Surgeon Superintendent. He
kept a Medical and Surgical Journal from
16 September 1831 to
16 March 1832
The number of female convicts originally embarked on the
Pyramus at Woolwich was 149; they were received at
different periods from 15th to 29th September 1831, in
separate batches from forty different prisons of England and
Wales. Two women were returned as the surgeon James Rutherford
considered them totally unfit for embarkation.
The women sent to the Pyramus were accompanied by
certificates from the respective surgeons of the prisons,
stating that the prisoners so forwarded for transportation
were in good health, however James Rutherford considered that
surgeons connected with the prison establishments would
naturally wish the more speedy removal of those who were
likely to be the more troublesome inmates.
The
Pyramus departed London
on 10th October
1831 with 147 prisoners and seven of their children. One of
the children, already ill with Tabes Mesenterica, died on the
passage out.
They arrived in Port Jackson on
5th March
1832
.
Passengers arriving on the
Pyramus
included Robert Nichol, Mrs. Ann Nichol, Miss E. Willis, Miss
Isabella Willis.
The Pyramus was one of three
convict ships bringing female prisoners to New South Wales in
1832, the others being the
Southworth and the
Burrell. A total of 381 female convicts arrived in
the colony in 1832
Convicts arriving on the Pyramus in
1832
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Pyramus 1836 |
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Captain George N. Livesay. Surgeon Obadiah
Pinio
The
Pyramus 362 tons,
departed Cork on 20th August 1836 with 121 female
prisoners and 31 children together with eight free women
and 21 children
The voyage took 116 days and they arrived in Port Jackson on
14th December 1836.
Surgeon superintendent on the
Pyramus
was
Obadiah Pinio, on his second
voyage in that capacity. He kept a
Medical and Surgical Journal
from 23 July 1836 to 29 December 1836. Obediah
Pineo was also surgeon on the convict ships
England 1835 and
Lord Lyndoch
1838
He referred to the females
on the Pyramus as exceedingly troublesome, but not
half so hardened as many of the Englishwomen brought out.
He was kept busy in preventing the women from quarrelling
and in maintaining their health. Most of them were young
and healthy, some were middle aged but none were old.
One of the infants
accompanying its convict mother, died and another was born
on the voyage.
The women were kept on deck all day with the exception of
the two schools which the children were encouraged to
attend. Pineo thought that the Irish learned quickly and 'much
may be done with them by way of management and a little
coercion' and were less hardened in crime than the
English or Scottish.
There was not even one case
of scurvy. Keeping the prisoners on deck all day and
using chloride of lime and alternately vinegar was
considered useful in keeping the women in good health'.
The women were landed on Monday morning
26th December, and assigned to the various applicants.
Thirty one women were forwarded on the
Steamer
Tamar
to Newcastle.
The Pyramus was one of
five convict ships transporting female prisoners to New
South Wales in the year 1836, the others being the
Roslin Castle,
Thomas Harrison,
Elizabeth and
Henry Wellesley. A total of 668 female
prisoners arrived in the colony in 1836
Convicts arriving on the Pyramus in
1836
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Queen 1791 |
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Master Richard
Owen
The Queen
departed from Cork in 1791 and arrived in Port Jackson on
26 September 1791.
The first Irish convicts arrive on
the Queen - 126 male convicts and 21 female convicts.
The Queen and the Active brought part of the Guardian's cargo and
detachments from the New South Wales corps.
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