Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Convict Ship Shipley - 1822


Embarked: 150 men
Voyage: 124 days
Deaths: 1
Surgeon's Journal: yes
Previous vessel: Isabella arrived 9 March 1822
Next vessel: Mary Anne arrived 20 May 1822
Master Lewis Williams Moncrief
Surgeon  George Shaw Rutherford
Prisoners and passengers of the Shipley identified in the Hunter Valley region

The Shipley was built in Whitby in 1805. This was the last of four voyages bringing convicts to New South Wales, the others being in 1817, 1818 and 1820.

Military Guard

The Guard consisted of detachment of the 3rd Regiment (or Buffs) under Lieutenant Robert Stirling. They had been quartered at Mullingar for about ten months when they received orders to proceed to Chatham via Liverpool. The first division marched on Monday 10th September 1821. [1] Lieutenant Robert Stirling accompanied John Oxley on his expedition to Moreton Bay in 1823. He was a brother of Lieut-Governor James Stirling.

Other ships bringing detachments of the 3rd regiment included the GuildfordAsia, Surry, Mangles, Asia, Countess of Harcourt, Henry, Princess Royal, Eliza and Brampton

Departure

The Shipley departed London on 7 November 1821 and came direct, not touching anywhere. This was Captain Moncreif's third and George Shaw Rutherford's second voyage to the colonies.

Surgeon George Shaw Rutherford

George Rutherford kept a Medical Journal from 4 October 1821 to 14 March 1822. He recorded in his journal that diarrhoea began soon after the convicts embarked and continued more or less troublesome throughout the entire voyage, although extreme attention was paid to cleanliness and ventilation and every care taken to keep the prison dry and comfortable, seventy-seven men were affected. The one fatality on the voyage suffered this malady, - Joseph Farnsworth died on the 19 January.

The Voyage

Severe weather was experienced soon after clearing the Channel and some convicts continued to suffer the effects the entire voyage, probably with catarrh, rheumatism and pneumonia. Scurvy appeared as the ship entered southern waters, and George Rutherford prescribed lemon juice as treatment. One prisoner William Jarvis, was recorded as suffering sun stroke in December.

Port Jackson

The Shipley arrived in Port Jackson on 11 March 1822 .

Convicts Landed

On Thursday morning 14th March the prisoners were landed and together with 300 prisoners from the Southworth and Isabella, were inspected by Governor Brisbane who expressed his satisfaction on the healthy and clean state of the convicts. Select here to find out more about the disembarkation of prisoners.

Departure from the Colony

The Shipley under Captain Moncreif sailed for London in September 1822. First Officer Mr. Haggarty, Second Officer Mr. Toozo

George Rutherford returned to England on the Shipley. Other Passengers on the return voyage included Dr. Mercer, Dr. Evans and Dr. Hall; merchant Mr. Parr; artist Joseph Lycett and his two daughters Mary Ann and Hannah; Alexander Tomsey; Mr. Green; and Mr. and Mrs. Payne; Mrs. Craig and child; Messrs Palmers, junior; Master Hall; Mr. Owen; Captain Parry Yeale and wife and Lieutenants Campbell and Gordon of the 48th regiment.

Notes and Links

1). In 1831, George Shaw Rutherford gave evidence before a Select Committee which was appointed to inquire into the best mode of giving efficiency to Secondary Punishments and to report their Observations to the House. Select here to read the evidence he gave

2). George Rutherford was employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the following convict ships to Australia -

Prince of Orange in 1821

Lord Melville in 1829

Shipley in 1822

Royal Admiral in 1830

Marquis of Hastings in 1826

Commodore Hayes in 1823 (VDL)

Eliza in 1827

China (to Norfolk Island) in 1846


3). Convicts mentioned in the Surgeon's Journal:
Thomas Williams, aged 16, prisoner; disease or hurt, fever. Taken ill, 24 October 1821 at Woolwich. Discharged 6 December 1821.

Isaac McArdle, aged 30, prisoner; disease or hurt, catarrh. Taken ill, 24 October 1821 at Woolwich. 30 October 1821 considerably relieved by medicines.

Edward Stones, aged 20, prisoner; disease or hurt, catarrh. Taken ill, 24 October 1821 at Woolwich. 29 October 1821, much better.

James Curtis, aged 18, prisoner; disease or hurt, diarrhoea. Taken ill, 25 October 1821 at Woolwich. Discharged 3 November 1821.

William Jarvis, aged 20, prisoner; disease or hurt, diarrhoea. Taken ill, 25 October 1821 at Woolwich. Discharged 2 November 1821.

Robert Tubbs, aged 30, soldier; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Taken ill, 28 October 1821 at Woolwich. 12 November 1821, strength improves daily.

George Taylor, aged 28, prisoner; disease or hurt, dysentery. Taken ill, 8 November 1821 at sea. Discharged 16 December 1821.

William Jarvis, aged 20, prisoner; disease or hurt, diarrhoea. Taken ill, 19 November 1821 at sea. Discharged 30 November 1821.

Charles J Jones, aged 34, prisoner; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Taken ill, 23 November 1821 at sea. Discharged 2 December 1821.

Thomas Ledbeater, aged 41, prisoner, had previously been a soldier for several years in the East Indies; disease or hurt, hepatitis. Taken ill, 16 November 1821 at sea. Discharged 3 January 1822 as a convalescent.

William Jarvis, aged 20, prisoner; disease or hurt, coup de soleil, sun stroke. Taken ill, 11 December 1821 at sea. Discharged 7 January 1822 as a convalescent.

Edward Rook, aged 23, prisoner; disease or hurt, dysentery. Taken ill, 10 December 1821 at sea. 18 January 1822, general strength improving.

John Haynes, aged 18, prisoner; disease or hurt, abscess (swelling and pain in the breast). Taken ill, 24 December 1821 at sea. Discharged 6 January 1822.

James Campbell, aged 21, prisoner; disease or hurt, hepatitis. Taken ill, 4 January 1822 at sea. Discharged 20 January 1822.

Benjamin Edward Turner, aged 23, prisoner; disease or hurt, pneumonia. Taken ill, 4 January 1822 at sea. Discharged 15 January 1822.

Joseph Farnsworth, aged 49, prisoner; disease or hurt, diarrhoea. Taken ill, 17 January 1822 at sea. Died 19 January 1822.

William Bartley, aged 24, soldier; disease or hurt, pneumonia. Taken ill, 21 January 1822 at sea. Discharged 2 February 1822 to duty.

William Wilson, aged 25, soldier; disease or hurt, dysentery. Taken ill, 30 January 1822 at sea. Discharged 8 February 1822 to duty.

Thomas Carter, aged 24, soldier; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Taken ill, 17 February 1822 at sea. Discharged 25 February 1822 to duty. [4]

Prisoners and passengers of the Shipley identified in the Hunter Valley region :

Angel, James

Barron, Richard

Burton, William

Dodd, William

Eddles, Richard

Emerson, John

Gill, John

Hartwell, Eusebius

Hawkins, Robert

Howell, William

Hunter, Jeremiah

Kay, Charles

Leadbetter, James

Lloyd, Henry

Morris, Richard

Oakes, Joseph

Templeton, Richard

Williams, John

References

[1] Morning Chronicle 15th September 1821

[2] Bateson, Charles, Library of Australian History (1983). The convict ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : pp.344-345, 384

[3] Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857. Medical Journal of George Shaw Rutherford on the voyage of the Shipley in 1822. The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey.

[4] National Archives - Reference: ADM 101/67/4 Description: Medical journal of the Shipley convict ship from 4 October 1821 to 14 March 1822 by G S Rutherford, surgeon and superintendent.