During the research for Bolters: An Unruly Bunch of Malcontents, I unearthed a surprisingly large number of convicts sent to Australia who tried to escape. The list of names may be useful for anyone researching their family tree and find a convict or two lurking among the branches. They are listed in alphabetical order with the name of the ship that transported them out to Australia (where known), when they tried to abscond and the outcome. If you find someone you are interested in, feel free to contact me and I might be able to furnish you with a little more information. Also, if you have any information on anyone I have written about, I would love to hear from you.
Note: spelling was lax in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries so the same name can be spelled differently in different sources. I have settled on the spelling as used in the Convict Records data set. Also, aliases make the job of identifying convicts all that much harder. Where possible, I have included known alias names.
| Name/Transport | Date of Escape | Brief Details of Escape Attempt | Outcome |
| Adkins. William (Grenada 1819) | 25 Dec 1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Alderson. Henry (Medway 1825) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Allen. Frances (William Pitt 1806) | 19/01/1807 | Allen and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Allen was sentenced to be flogged and hard labour. |
| Allen. Peter (Chapman 1817) | 16/04/1817 | Allen was identified as one of the ringleaders in a failed mutiny to seize the convict transport Chapman en route from England to Sydney. | Allen was separated from the rest of the convicts for the remainder of the voyage. |
| Allen. William (Scarborough 1790) | 28/03/1791 | Escaped from Sydney in the Governor’s Cutter with William Bryant and made it to Kupang before they were put in custody. | Returned to England in chains but was released in Nov 1793. |
| Anderson. Michael (Bussorah Merchant 1828) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Arrow. William (Fanny 1816) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Atkinson. William (Guildford 1827) | 13 Nov 1840 | A six-man Norfolk Island convict boat crew was sent to collect two officers who had been camped on nearby Phillip Island. Instead of returning to Norfolk Island, they tied the officers up, stole their provisions, firearms and other belongings and headed out to sea. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Austen. Samuel (unknown) | 11/1816 | Austen and six other convicts stole a whaleboat in Newcastle and headed out to sea. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again. |
| Avery. John (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 | Avery and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. | Returned to his work gang. |
| Badger. Charlotte (Earl Cornwallis 1801) | 16/06/1806 | Was on board the Venus when it was seized by its First Mate at Port Dalrymple. At the time Badger was an emancipated convict. | Badger returned to Sydney in 1807 and lived out her life as a free person. |
| Bailey. John (Born NSW) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Banks. James (Hindostan 1821) | 29 May 1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who set out to sea while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags. They were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | 10 months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. |
| Barker. John (Surrey 1829) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Departed Valdivia, Chile in a whaleboat. Fate unknown. |
| Bateman. William (Guildford 1822) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Bayley. Thomas (Asia 1822) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Beavor. George (Lord Melville 1830) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Beavor was hanged in Sydney for piracy on 8 Nov 1842. |
| Bell. James (Marquis of Huntley 1830) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Bennett. James (Mangles 1824) | 15 July 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| Beveridge. John (Claudine 1821) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Captured at Canton, taken to London and returned to VDL for life. |
| Billings. James (Belgravia 1866) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Returned to Fremantle Prison. Punishment unknown. |
| Bird. Samuel (Alexander 1788) | 28/03/1791 | Escaped from Sydney in the Governor’s Cutter with William Bryant and made it to Kupang before they were put in custody. | Died at sea between Batavia and Cape of Good Hope. |
| Bird. Thomas (Indefatigable 1813) | 23/04/1813 | Thomas Bird and six other convicts seized the Unity at Hobart and sailed out to sea. The schooner was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Birmingham. William (Medway 1825) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others recaptured. | Recaptured and sentenced to life at Macquarie Harbour. |
| Bishop. John (Atlas 1816) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Blake. William (Minerva 1800) | 19/01/1807 | Blake and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Blake was sentenced to be flogged and hard labour. |
| Bluett aka Foley. Patrick (Brampton 1823) | 15/12/1827 | One of 15 convicts who seized the cutter Phoebe in the Shoalhaven River as it was about to sail with a cargo of timber for Sydney. The cutter ran aground in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) and the convicts scattered. | Bluett was recaptured and returned to Sydney in 1829 and sentenced to 7 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Bodenham. Thomas (Coromandel 1820) | Sept 1822 | Escaped Macquarie Harbour with 7 other prisoners including Alexander Pearce intending to cross Tasmania on foot. Most of the party were killed and eaten by the others. | Killed and eaten by Pearce and others. |
| Bogle. John (Phoenix 1821) | 27/11/1825 | One of four convicts who seized the Government Cutter Maria in the Derwent River. The cutter was last seen windbound near Wedge Island a day later but was never seen again after that. | Fate unknown |
| Borritt. James Punt (Mangles 1840) | 2 Jun 1841 1849 | Ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu. From there, Borritt and two others joined a whaling ship and were taken to North America. Borritt then crossed the Atlantic and returned to England. Borritt stowed away on a ship and returned to England. | Borritt discovered and sent back to Australia for returning from transportation. He was caught again but received a pardon after he described the hardships he had faced in the penal system. However, in 1856 he was found guilty of stealing under the name John Jones. His earlier pardon was rescinded and he was transported to Western Australia for 15 years. |
| Boroughbridge. Jonathan. (Ganges 1797) | Oct 1797 | 1 of 15 men who stole a boat and at Paramatta and made for Bass Strait. Later stole a second boat owned by Cavanagh and sailed 400 miles north of Sydney before returning. Boroughbridge and several others gave themselves up. | Hanged for piracy. |
| Bows. John (unknown) | 15/12/1827 | One of 15 convicts who seized the cutter Phoebe in the Shoalhaven River as it was about to sail with a cargo of timber for Sydney. The cutter ran aground in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) and the convicts scattered. | Fate unknown. Bows was never heard of again. |
| Bradbury. William (Baring 1815) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Brady. James (Waterloo 1831) | 15 July 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| Brady. Matthew (Juliana 1820) | 9 Jun 1824 Nov 1825 2 Dec 1825 | One of 14 convicts who escaped from Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour in a whaleboat and made their way to the Derwent River and wreaked havoc until they were killed or recaptured. Brady and several other convicts seized the Blue Eyed Maid near Maria Island but they abandoned it at Oyster Bay. Brady and several other convicts seize the Glatton off Schouten Island and scuttle it in Oyster Bay after they try sailing north. All became seasick and could not manage the vessel. | Found guilty of murder and hanged in Hobart for 4 May 1826. |
| Braithwaite. George (Woodman 1826) | 21 Jul 1827 | One of 13 convicts who tried to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at Hobart and later carried out several armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were recaptured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Brash. William (Mariner 1816) | 27 Jul 1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Bray. Thomas (Calcutta 1803) | Jan 1808 | Bray and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | The were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| Brenan. William (Lady Harewood 1832) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Brennan. Thomas (Guildford 1829) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Brewer. Charles (Lord Lyndoch 1836) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Brewer was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Briant. Thomas (Woodman 1825) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Remained at Society Islands, Fate unknown. |
| Briggs. John (Baring 1815) | 8/04/1818 06/1820 25/12/20 | Briggs led 7 other convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. Briggs was one of six convicts who escaped from Newcastle after seizing the pilot cutter. They fled south to Sydney, abandoned the cutter at Rushcutters Bay and fled into the town on foot. Briggs and 12 other convicts stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | Sentenced to 200 lashes and sent to Newcastle for 5 years. Briggs remained at large until Dec 1820. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Britten. William (Guildford 1812) | 23/04/1813 | William Britten and six other convicts seized the Unity at Hobart and sailed out to sea. The schooner was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown – presumed lost at sea |
| Broadbent. James (Barwell 1798) | 02/1804 | Escaped by boat with William Johnson and James Field hoping to reach Timor Island. The boat was wrecked on the coast north of Port Stephens and the trio were attacked by Aborigines. | Killed by Aborigines north of Port Stephens in the escape attempt. |
| Brookes. John (unknown) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Brookes was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Brookes. Thomas (unknown) | 8/04/1826 | One of ten convicts accused of seizing the schooner Gurnet at Newcastle and tried to escape. As there was no wind they could not leave harbour so jumped ship in the morning and returned to their barracks. | The charge was dropped when witnesses recanted their earlier testimony. |
| Broom. Samuel (Scarborough 1790) | 28/03/1791 | Escaped from Sydney in the Governor’s Cutter with William Bryant and made it to Kupang before they were put in custody. | Returned to England in chains but released in Nov 1793. |
| Brown. James (Calcutta 1803) | 02/1806 | Brown and two other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the schooner Estramina. They were overpowered by the crew soon after they climbed aboard. | Returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Brown. James (unknown) | 09/1822 | Escaped Macquarie Harbour with 7 other prisoners including Alexander Pearce intending to cross Tasmania on foot. Most of the party were killed and eaten by the others. | Returned to Macquarie Harbour but died in hospital. |
| Brown. John (Admiral Gambier 1816) | 06/1820 | Brown was one of six convicts who escaped from Newcastle after seizing the pilot cutter. They fled south to Sydney, abandoned the cutter at Rushcutters Bay and fled into the town on foot. | Brown was recaptured and punished. |
| Brown. John (unknown) | 21/07/1827 | John Brown, a mariner, was one of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others recaptured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Brown. John (Woodman 1826) | 21/07/1827 | John Brown, a brickmaker, was one of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Brown. Thomas (Surrey 1846) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Brown was one of two convicts to take no part in the mutiny. He returned to Hobart with the Lady Franklin and was again sent to Norfolk Island. |
| Brown. William (unknown) | 13/08/1829 | One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Brown remained at the Society Islands. | Remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. |
| Brown. William (Guildford 1822) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Brown. William (Waterloo 1833) | 15 Jul 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| Brown. William (Vittoria 1829) | 14 Dec 1843 | He was one of six convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in an open boat and rendezvoused with an American whaling ship which had stopped for supplies. The convicts were joined by two soldiers from the 96th Regiment who wanted to desert. | They all likely were taken on board the whaler and joined the crew until they eventually reached the United States. |
| Buchieri. Vincenzo (Guildford – 1812) | 15/04/1814 | Buchieri and six other convicts escaped from Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner. They built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent. | They were all recaptured and sentenced to hard labour at Newcastle |
| Buckley. William (Calcutta 1803) | 17/12/1803 | Buckley and five other convicts fled from a short-lived settlement at Port Phillip Bay. | Buckley lived with the local Aboriginal people for the next 32 years. He was later pardoned. |
| Burke. Walter (Planter 1832) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Burns. Daniel (Guildford 1822) | 29 May 1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | 10 months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Burridge. Joseph (General Hewitt 1814) | 7/04/1814 | Burridge and three other convicts seized the schooner Speedwell at Newcastle, put the crew ashore and bore out to sea. They were never heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Burton. John (unknown) | 03/1819 | One of four convicts who escaped from Sydney in a stolen boat. They made it as far north as Newcastle before being recaptured. | Returned to Sydney and sentenced to 100 lashes and 12 months in the gaol gang in double irons. |
| Butler. John (John 1829) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Callaghan. Frederick (Guildford 1812) | 23/04/1813 | Frederick Callaghan and six other convicts seized the Unity at Hobart and sailed out to sea. The schooner was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Callaghan. James (John Barry 1821) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Callaghan. Robert (Waterloo 1831) | 25 May 1847 | One of six convicts crew of the cutter-rigged whaleboat Prince of Wales who sailed from Port Cygnet in VDL bound for Corner Inlet. However, they bore out to sea and appear to have made it as far north as Gabo Island off the Australian mainland. There they came ashore with a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors but they fled when officials came to investigate. | They left Gabo Island in the longboat and are believed to have landed near Mallacoota and fled inland. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Camm. James (Coromandel 1804) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Camm remained at the Society Islands. | Remained at Society Islands. Captured, returned to VDL and hanged for piracy in 1832. |
| Campbell. Archibald (Calcutta 1803) | 23/06/1805 | Campbell and five other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the Governor Hunter. They were all captured when they tried to board the Governor Hunter at sea. | Returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Campbell. Charles (Hooghley 1825) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Campbell was murdered by Evans and Hastings about one week after leaving Moreton Bay. |
| Campbell. Malcolm (Mariner – 1816) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Campbell was returned to Hobart where he avoided further punishment by testifying against his former companions. |
| Campbell. Peter (Edwin Fox 1858) | 25 Jan 1859 | One of five convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison, stole a whaleboat and sailed north as far as Shark Bay where four of them were recaptured. Those four were returned to Fremantle to stand trial. The fifth runaway was later found to have been murdered. | Campbell testified against his comrades and received a Ticket-of-Leave and was released from prison. |
| Campbell. Thomas (Woodbridge 1840) | 2 Jun 1841 | Ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Carman. Charles (Lord Hungerford 1821) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Carmichael. Adam (Calcutta 1803) | 23/06/1805 | Carmichael and five other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the Governor Hunter. They were all captured when they tried to board the Governor Hunter at sea. | Returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Cartwright. John (Minerva – 1818) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Cartwright died from disease while gaoled in Batavia. |
| Chambers. Henry (Somersetshire 1814) | 03/1818 | Chambers was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | Chambers and the others were returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Chapman. William (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Chapman. William (Morely 1817) | 03/1818 | Chapman was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Charters. John (Larkins 1829) | 13/01/1833 | One of six convicts who stole a whaleboat and escaped from Sydney. They were recaptured north of Port Macquarie and returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to 14 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Cheeke (or Chick). George (England 1826) | 25 May 1847 | One of six convicts crew of the cutter-rigged whaleboat Prince of Wales who sailed from Port Cygnet in VDL bound for Corner Inlet. However, they bore out to sea and appear to have made it as far north as Gabo Island off the Australian mainland. There they came ashore with a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors but they fled when officials came to investigate. | They left Gabo Island in the longboat and are believed to have landed near Mallacoota and fled inland. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Cheshire. William (Asia 1827) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Arrested in Valdivia, Chile, sent back to England and returned to VDL. In Apr 1837 he was sentenced to life on Norfolk Island. |
| China. William (Eliza 1820) | 29 May 1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | 10 months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Clark. John (Medina 1825) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Clarke. Daniel (Almorah 1817) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Clarke was returned to Hobart and sentenced to hard labour at Macquarie Harbour for life. |
| Clarke. Matthew (Marion 1845) | 20 Feb 1849 | One of four convicts who stole the cutter Psyche belonging to the Bishop of Hobart and sailed away. The cutter was wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef near the Percy Islands off the Queensland coast. Two of the four men were discovered on Pine Peak Island claiming to be shipwrecked sailors but they were suspected of being runaway convicts and eventually taken to Sydney. A third man was found unconscious and died a short time later. The fate of the fourth man is unknown. | Escaped in Sydney before he could be returned to Hobart to stand trial. |
| Clune. John (Charles Kerr 1838) | 25 May 1847 | Clune came out to NSW as a free settler on the Charles Kerr. He subsequently committed highway robbery and was transported to VDL in 1846. One of six convicts crew of the cutter-rigged whaleboat Prince of Wales who sailed from Port Cygnet in VDL bound for Corner Inlet. However, they bore out to sea and appear to have made it as far north as Gabo Island off the Australian mainland. There they came ashore with a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors but they fled when officials came to investigate. | They left Gabo Island in the longboat and are believed to have landed near Mallacoota and fled inland. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Clayden. Thomas (Lord William Bentinck 1832) | 4 May 1841 11 May 1853 28 Dec 1853 | Clayden was one of nine convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a boat they made from canvas hammocks stretched over a frame made from lemon tree saplings. The canvas was made waterproof with pitch. They only made it as far as nearby Phillip Island. One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Clayden and the others were captured, returned to Norfolk Island and worked in irons for 12 months. All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Clayden was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Clegg. James (Egyptian 1839) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Clegg was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Coates. James (Chapman 1826) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Cochrane. John (Lord Eldon 1817) | 03/1818 27/07/1818 | Cochrane was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. Cochrane was one of 15 or more convicts who escaped from Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four men were recaptured within a fortnight. | Cochrane and the others were returned to Sydney for punishment. Most likely one of the dozen or more who were recaptured. |
| Cole. John (Calcutta 1803) | 01/1808 | Cole and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | They were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| Collins. Joseph (Medway 1821) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Collins. Lewis (Neptune 1820) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Colver. Joseph (Glatton 1803) | 8 Oct 1803 | Escaped from Risdon Cove, Van Diemen’s Land and made it as far as Cape Barren Island before being captured by sealers. | Fate unknown |
| Cone. Joseph (Surrey 1823) | 2 Jun 1841 | He was one of ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Connaway. George (Scarborough 1790) | 17/09/1790 | Stole a boat at Sydney with four others and sailed to Port Stephens where they lived with the Worimi people for five years before being discovered. | Returned to Sydney voluntarily and does not appear to have been punished for absconding. |
| Connelly. James (unknown) | 11/1816 | Connelly and six other convicts stole a whaleboat in Newcastle and headed out to sea. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again. |
| Connelly. Thomas (unknown) | 03/1828 | Escaped from Macquarie Harbour with Goodwin by crossing Tasmania’s interior. | Reached the settled district and was never heard of again. |
| Coogan. Michael (Atlas 1819) | 18/11/1820 31/03/1827 | One of sixteen convicts who conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. One of thirteen convicts who tried to seize the schooner Liberty in Sydney Harbour. Coogan, posing as an official, told the captain they were to be taken to Port Stephens. The captain raised a distress flag and the convicts left on the boat they had arrived on. | Coogan was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. Coogan and several others were caught. While in custody, Coogan was tried for an earlier forgery and hanged on 18 Jun 1827. |
| Cooper. John (unknown) | 8/04/1826 | One of ten convicts accused of seizing the schooner Gurnet at Newcastle and tried to escape. As there was no wind they could not leave harbour so jumped ship in the morning and returned to their barracks. | The charge was dropped when witnesses recanted their earlier testimony. |
| Cooper. Joseph (Anson 1844) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Cooper was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Cooper. Henry (Lady Castlereagh 1818) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Cooper died from disease while gaoled in Batavia. |
| Cotton. Patrick (Minerva 1818) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Cotton was returned to Hobart and sentenced to hard labour at Macquarie Harbour for life. |
| Coulthurst. Edward (Minstrel 1825) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Hanged for piracy on 12 Mar 1827. |
| Cox. Thomas (Dromedary 1820) | 13/11/1823 | Absconded from Macquarie Harbour with Alexander Pearce intending to reach Port Derwent on foot. | Murdered and partly eaten by Alexander Pearce. |
| Crane. Thomas (unknown) | 11/1816 | Crane and six other convicts stole a whaleboat in Newcastle and headed out to sea. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again. |
| Cranston. Robert (Hougoumont 1868) | 17 Apr 1876 | One of six Irish political prisoners who were rescued by US-based Irish nationalists on the whaling ship Catalpa. | All six men made it safely to the United States. |
| Crawford. James (Prince Regent 1820) | 9/06/1924 | James Crawford led a band of 14 convicts who escaped from Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour in a whaleboat. They made it to the Derwent River in 9 days and began terrorising settlers until they were killed or captured. Matthew Brady was among the men who escaped and eventually led his own gang until captured. | Recaptured in Jul 1824 and hanged in Georgetown. |
| Cunningham. William (Augusta Jessie 1840) | 14 Dec 1843 | He was one of six convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in an open boat and rendezvoused with an American whaling ship which had stopped for supplies. The convicts were joined by two soldiers from the 96th Regiment who wanted to desert. | They all likely were taken on board the whaler and joined the crew until they eventually reached the United States. |
| Curphey. Thomas (Guildford 1820) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Curtis. Thomas (Indefatigable 1813) | 23/04/1813 | Thomas Curtis and six other convicts seized the Unity at Hobart and sailed out to sea. The schooner was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Dacey. James (Richmond 1822) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Dady. John (Earl St Vincent 1826) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Departed Valdivia Chile on a brig. Fate unknown. |
| Daley. Charles (Almorah 1820) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Dalton. Alexander (Caledonia 1820) | 09/1822 | Escaped Macquarie Harbour with 7 other prisoners including Alexander Pearce intending to cross Tasmania on foot. Most of the party were killed and eaten by the others. | Killed and eaten by Pearce and others. |
| Dalton. Thomas (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | Dalton and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Dalton and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| Daly. Charles (Chapman 1817) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Daly. John (Earl St Vincent 1826) | 14 Jan 1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the brig Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed across the Pacific to Chile. | Left Valdivia, Chile around June 1835 never to be heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Darby. George Harding (William Glen Anderson 1831) | 23/07/1833 | One of between 7 and 12 convicts who escaped on the Badger when its convict crew sailed from Hobart on a scheduled supply trip to outlying government posts. Instead they sailed to the Philippines, scuttled the cutter and arrived in Manilla on a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. | Presumed to have successfully escaped. |
| Darragh. Thomas (Hougoumont 1868) | 17 Apr 1876 | One of six Irish political prisoners who were rescued by US-based Irish nationalists on the whaling ship Catalpa. | All six men made it safely to the United States. |
| Davis. George James (Medway 1821) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Davis remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Captured at Canton, returned to London and hanged for piracy in Dec 1830. |
| Davis. Joseph (Castor 1846) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Davis was recaptured in Fiji and returned to Hobart where he was again sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Davis. Thomas (unknown) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Davis or Davies. William (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Dawson. Thomas (unknown) | 15/05/1808 | One of the 30 or so convicts who stole the Harrington with Michael Stewart and sailed away from Sydney. | Recaptured in the Philippines and returned to Sydney via Calcutta. Later murdered by Flynn in Hobart while on the run again. |
| Day. Charles (Lady Castlereagh 1818) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Day. John (Mangles 1840) | 2 Jun 1841 | Ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Delahunty. Daniel (Earl St Vincent 1818) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Denner. John (Andromeda 1827) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Captured at Canton, taken to London and returned to VDL for life. |
| De Santo. Foresto (Guildford – 1812) | 15/04/1814 | One of seven convicts who escaped Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner and built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. | The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent River and the convicts returned to Hobart. |
| De Sylva. Manuel (Fanny 1816) | 12/09/1816 | De Sylva and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | De Sylva and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| Devine. James (Neptune 1818) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Devine was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Dingle. James (Dorothy 1820) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Doran. Laurance (Boddington 1793) | 05/1794 | Doran and several other Irish convicts planned to steal a boat and escape from Sydney. | They were discovered the day before they were about to escape. |
| Douglas. Robert (Martha 1818) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Douglas. William (Coromandel 1820) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Dowdall. Edward (Orator 1843) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Dowdall was one of two convicts who took no part in the mutiny. He returned to Hobart on the Lady Franklin and was again sent to Norfolk Island. |
| Doyle. Michael (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Doyle. Patrick (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | Harrison and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Harrison and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea. None were heard of again. |
| Draper. John (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Drummond. Henry (Ocean 1823) | 20/12/1826 15 Jan 1834 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Druet. John (unknown) | 03/1818 | Druet was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | Druet and the others were returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Duce. George (Perseus or Coromandel 1802) | 25 06/1803 8/10/1803 | Stole a boat at Kissing Point with five others and sailed as far north as the Hunter River where they were recaptured, returned to Sydney and punished. Stole a boat at Risdon Cove Van Diemen’s Land with six others and escaped. They made it as far as Cape Barren Island in Bass Strait. | Duce received 500 lashes. The rest, 300. Duce likely died while on the run on Cape Barren Island. |
| Duff. Andrew (Runnymede 1840) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Duff was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Durbidge. George (Layton 1835) | Jan 1844 | Durbidge and three other convicts stole a whaleboat at Georgetown in VDL and made it to Waterhouse Island a short distance off the Tasmanian coast. There they forced to sealers to taken them across Bass Strait to the Australian mainland. | The sealers reported putting them ashore at Wilson’s Promontory when they returned the boat to its owner. |
| Dyche. Charles (Baring 1815) | 12/09/1816 | Dyche and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Dyche and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea. None were heard of again. |
| Dye. Robert (Sir William Bentley 1817) | 8/04/1818 | One of 8 convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. | Sentenced to 100 lashes and sent to Newcastle for 3 years. |
| Easom. William (Glatton 1803) | 8/10/1803 | Stole a boat at Risdon Cove Van Diemen’s Land with six others and escaped. They made it as far as Cape Barren Island in Bass Strait where they were captured by sealers. | Fate unknown |
| Edgar. James (Mariner 1816) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Eden. Robert (Almorah – 1817) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Eden died from disease while gaoled in Batavia. |
| Edwards. George (Lord Eldon 1817) | 8/04/1818 | One of 8 convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. He had already tried to stow away on the Lord Eldon when it sailed from Sydney. | Sentenced to 100 lashes and sent to Newcastle for 3 years. |
| Edwards. James (Royal Admiral 1830) | 21 Apr 1844 | One of six convicts who escaped from the convict hospital at Newcastle and seized the cutter Brothers. They sailed north and put ashore near Port Stephens where they stole horses and firearms from a settler and headed into the bush. All six men were captured about two weeks later. | They were all sentenced to serve life at Norfolk Island. |
| Edwards. John (Malabar 1819) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Hanged for piracy on 12 Mar 1827. |
| Edwards. Samuel (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Edwards. Thomas (Lord Eldon 1817) | 03/1818 20/12/1826 | Edwards was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Elgar. Henry (Waterloo 1833) | 21 Apr 1844 | One of six convicts who escaped from the convict hospital at Newcastle and seized the cutter Brothers. They sailed north and put ashore near Port Stephens where they stole horses and firearms from a settler and headed into the bush. All six men were captured about two weeks later. | They were all sentenced to serve life at Norfolk Island. |
| Ellis. Henry (John Barry 1836) | 15 July 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| Evans. William (unknown) | 11/1816 | Evans and six other convicts stole a whaleboat in Newcastle and headed out to sea. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again. |
| Evans. William (Lady Castlereagh 1818) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Evans died from disease while gaoled in Batavia. |
| Evans. William (seaman at Sydney sent to Moreton Bay for stealing) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Jumped overboard from the ship bringing him back to Sydney. |
| Evans. Richard (unknown) | 16/06/1806 | Sentenced to 14 years transportation by a court in Sydney after deserting from HMS Calcutta. Was being sent to Van Diemens’ Land on the Venus when it was seized by its First Mate. | Evans not heard of again. Either made it to NZ or died on the Venus. |
| Ewer. Nathaniel (Fanny 1816) | 03/1818 | Ewer was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Fair. John (Enchantress 1833) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Departed Valdivia Chile on a brig. Fate unknown. |
| Fallon. Peter (Bencoolen 1819) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Ferguson. Leslie (Minerva 1818) | 13/08/1829 | One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. | Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. |
| Fernandez. Joseph (Calcutta 1803) | 23/06/1805 | Fernandez and five other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the Governor Hunter. They were all captured when they tried to board the Governor Hunter at sea. | Returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Ferrara. John (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | Ferrara and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Ferrara and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| Field. James (Perseus or Coromandel – 1802) | 04/1804 | Escaped by boat with William Johnson and James Broadbent hoping to reach Timor Island. The boat was wrecked on the coast north of Port Stephens, and the three men were attacked by Aborigines. Field made it back to Newcastle on foot. | Returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Fisher. John (Isabella 1818) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Fisher was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Fitzsimmons. James (Guildford 1816) | 03/1819 | One of four convicts who escaped from Sydney in a stolen boat. They made it as far north as Newcastle before being recaptured. | Returned to Sydney and sentenced to 100 lashes and 12 months in the gaol gang in double irons. |
| Flynn. Terence (Royal Admiral 1800) | 15/05/1808 | One of the 30 or so convicts who stole the Harrington with Michael Stewart and sailed away from Sydney. | Recaptured in the Philippines and returned to Sydney via Calcutta. Later hanged Hobart for the murder of Dawson while on the run near Hobart. |
| Ford. James (Maitland 1843) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Ford was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Ford. Thomas (Dunvegan Castle 1832) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Forsha. Christopher (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 | Forsha and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. | Returned to his work gang. |
| Freeman. George (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Freshwater. Thomas (Manlius 1827) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Froud. Phillip (Larkins 1817) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Furlonger. Jonathan (Guildford 1812) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Gafney aka Donahoe Peter (Earl St Vincent 1823) | 15/12/1827 | One of 15 convicts who seized the cutter Phoebe in the Shoalhaven River as it was about to sail with a cargo of timber for Sydney. The cutter ran aground in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) and the convicts scattered. | Gafney was recaptured and returned to Sydney in 1829 and sentenced to 7 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Gambler. John (Sir Charles Forbes 1825) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Galvin. Patrick (Friendship 1800) | 19/01/1807 | Galvin and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Galvin was sentenced to be flogged and hard labour. |
| Gaskell. Frederick (Morely 1817) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Gaskell was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Geary. Patrick (Guildford 1816) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Escaped custody in Sydney and subsequently hanged for crimes committed while on the run. |
| Gibson. David (Calcutta 1803) | 01/1808 | Gibson and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | They were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| Gibson. Michael (Royal Admiral 1792) | 10/1797 | 1 of 15 men who stole a boat at Paramatta and made for Bass Strait. Later stole a second boat owned by Cavanagh and sailed 400 miles north of Sydney before returning. Gibson and several others gave themselves up. | Gibson was hanged for piracy. |
| Giddens. John (Larkins 1817) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Gilman. Joseph (unknown) | 1/04/1806 | Gilman and seven other convicts escaped from Kings Town (Newcastle) in a small boat without a mast, sail, or compass. They had food and water for about one week. | They were never heard of again |
| Glinney. Patrick (Prince Regent 1824) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Goff (Gough). John (Marquis of Wellington 1815) | 25/11/1826 | A ringleader in a Norfolk Island uprising which involved some 75 convicts. 57 of them escaped to nearby Phillip Island in boats and were later recaptured. | Goff was hanged for his part in the uprising on 24 Sept 1827. |
| Goodwin. James (Lord Hungerford 1821) | 03/1828 | Goodwin and another convict escaped Macquarie Harbour by trekking across Tasmania’s interior. | He was recaptured on 9 May 1828 but pardoned and employed on future survey expeditions. |
| Gordon. Thomas (Dorothy 1820) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Goulding. James (Waterloo 1829) | 25 May 1847 | One of six convicts crew of the cutter-rigged whaleboat Prince of Wales who sailed from Port Cygnet in VDL bound for Corner Inlet. However, they bore out to sea and appear to have made it as far north as Gabo Island off the Australian mainland. There they came ashore with a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors but they fled when officials came to investigate. | They left Gabo Island in the longboat and are believed to have landed near Mallacoota and fled inland. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Graham. John (Hooghley 1825) | 14/07/1827 | Graham fled Moreton Bay Penal Settlement and lived with the Butchulla people of Wide Bay for six years. Returned to Moreton Bay and surrendered himself. | Graham was pardoned in 1836 after he help rescue Stirling Castle castaways on K’Gari (Fraser) Island. |
| Graham. William (Edwin Fox 1858) | 23 May 1867 | One of three convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison intending to cross the interior to South Australia. They were on the run for two months trying to procure horses and supplies before they were tracked down by the police. | Graham was wounded in a gunfight with police and taken back to Fremantle. |
| Greaves. Joseph (Atlas 1816) | 7/07/1817 | One of three convicts who escaped from Sydney after stealing the government cutter William Cossar. The cutter ran aground north of Port Stephens. | Greaves died while trying to return to Sydney on foot. |
| Green. John (Lady Castlereagh 1818) | 03/1822 | Green and another convict were the first to escape from Macquarie Harbour. Within a week, six more took to the bush. Two soldiers and three armed convicts were sent in pursuit. | None were ever heard of again. Green was presumed to have perished in the bush. |
| Green. William (unknown) | 15/04/1814 | Green and six other convicts escaped from Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner. They built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent. | They were all recaptured and sentenced to hard labour at Newcastle |
| Green. William (Lord Eldon 1817) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Green died from disease while gaoled in Batavia. |
| Green. William (Minstrel 1825) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Greenaway. Thomas (Dick 1817) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Greenhill. Robert (Lady Ridley 1821) | 02/1822 09/1822 | One of six prisoners who seized the schooner Seaflower at Oyster Bay, Tasmanian and sailed towards Bass Strait. Recaptured on Waterhouse Island. Escaped from Macquarie Harbour intending to reach Hobart by boat then set off on foot to cross the interior with Alexander Pearce and six others. He was the instigator of five acts of cannibalism. | Sentenced to 150 lashes and sent to Macquarie Harbour. Killed and eaten by Pearce. |
| Griffith. Dennis (British Sovereign 1841) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Griffith was captured in Fiji and returned to Hobart. He was again sent to Norfolk Island, |
| Griffiths. Reese (Maitland 1844) | 20 Feb 1849 | One of four convicts who stole the cutter Psyche belonging to the Bishop of Hobart and sailed away. The cutter was wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef near the Percy Islands off the Queensland coast. Two of the four men were discovered on Pine Peak Island, claiming to be shipwrecked sailors, but they were suspected of being runaway convicts and eventually taken to Sydney. A third man was found unconscious and died a short time later. The fate of the fourth man is unknown. | Died under suspicious circumstances during the escape attempt. |
| Griffiths. Thomas (Woodman 1826) | 21/07/1827 04/01/1830 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. Absconded from Van Diemen’s Land on the Lady of the Lake bound for the Swan River Settlement, Western Australia. Apprehended and returned to Hobart for punishment. | Wounded while being captured. Transported to Macquarie Harbour. Recaptured and returned to Hobart. Pardoned in 1840. |
| Grounds. John (Born Paramatta NSW) | 25 May 1847 | Grounds was convicted of highway robbery in NSW in January 1846 and transported to VDL to serve 15 years transportation. One of six convicts crew of the cutter-rigged whaleboat Prince of Wales who sailed from Port Cygnet in VDL bound for Corner Inlet. However, they bore out to sea and appear to have made it as far north as Gabo Island off the Australian mainland. There they came ashore with a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors but they fled when officials came to investigate. | They left Gabo Island in the longboat and are believed to have landed near Mallacoota and fled inland. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Groves. William (Royal Admiral 1830) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Gunn. Samuel (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 | Gunn and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. | Returned to his work gang. |
| Haines. Isaac (Georgiana 1831) | 23/07/1833 | One of between 7 and 12 convicts who escaped on the Badger when its convict crew sailed from Hobart on a scheduled supply trip to outlying government posts. Instead they sailed to the Philippines, scuttled the cutter and arrived in Manilla on a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. | Presumed to have successfully escaped. |
| Halfpenny. Henry (Cambridge 1827) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship off Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Escaped to Rotuma Island. Fate unknown. |
| Hammond. Thomas (Asia 1823) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Handley. Florence (Mangles 1820) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Handley. George (Larkins 1817) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Handley was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Hanna. Robert (Atlas 1816) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Hanson. James (Roslyn Castle 1834) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Hansler. Robert (Coromandel 1820) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Harper. William (Indefatigable 1815) | 06/1820 | Harper was one of six convicts who escaped from Newcastle after seizing the pilot cutter. They fled south to Sydney, abandoned the cutter at Rushcutters Bay and fled into the town on foot. | Harper was recaptured and punished. |
| Harrington. Michael (Hougoumont 1868) | 17 Apr 1876 | One of six Irish political prisoners who were rescued by US-based Irish nationalists on the whaling ship Catalpa. | All six men made it safely to the United States. |
| Harris. John (Glatton 1803) | 8/10/1803 | Stole a boat at Risdon Cove Van Diemen’s Land with six others and escaped. They made it as far as Cape Barren Island in Bass Strait where they were captured by sealers. | Harris was returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Harris. John (Coromandel 1803) | 02/1806 | Brown and two other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the schooner Estramina. They were overpowered by the crew soon after they climbed aboard. | Returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Harrison. Francis (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | Harrison and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Harrison and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| Hassett. Thomas (Hougoumont 1868) | 17 Apr 1876 | One of six Irish political prisoners who were rescued by US-based Irish nationalists on the whaling ship Catalpa. | All six men made it safely to the United States. |
| Hastings. Hugh (Marquis of Hastings – 1826) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Abandoned by his comrades at New Caledonia. |
| Hawkins. (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Haycraft. George (Morley 1823) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Haynes. John (Runnymede 1856) | 25 Jan 1859 | One of five convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison, stole a whaleboat and sailed north as far as Shark Bay where four of them were recaptured. Those four were returned to Fremantle to stand trial. The fifth runaway was later found to have been murdered. | Haynes was sentenced to life in prison for escaping and robbery with violence. |
| Haywood. Thomas (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 01/1808 | Haywood and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. Haywood and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | Returned to his work gang. They were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| Hegarty. Catharine (Kitty 1792) | 16/06/1806 | Was on board the Venus when it was seized by its First Mate at Port Dalrymple. At the time Hegarty was an emancipated convict. The Venus made it to Bay of Islands in New Zealand. | She probably died at Bay of Islands in New Zealand within six months. |
| Hennessey. William (Mary 1819) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Herring. Michael (Medina 1825) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Supposed to have joined a Danish ship at Canton bound for Mexico. Fate unknown. |
| Hickey. James (Hive 1835) | 14 Dec 1843 | He was one of six convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in an open boat and rendezvoused with an American whaling ship which had stopped for supplies. The convicts were joined by two soldiers from the 96th Regiment who wanted to desert. | They all likely were taken on board the whaler and joined the crew until they eventually reached the United States. |
| Hickey. Patrick (British Sovereign 1840) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Hickey was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Hickey. Thomas (Georgiana 1831) | 13/01/1833 | One of six convicts who stole a whaleboat and escaped from Sydney. They were recaptured north of Port Macquarie and returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to 14 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Hiett. John (Ocean 1818) (Georgiana 1831) | 1826 29 May 1833 | Escaped from Sydney by stowing away on a China-bound ship. He eventually made it back to England. One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Was arrested in 1830 for highway robbery and returning from transportation. 10 months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Higgins. John (John Barry 1836) | 15 July 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| Hill. John (Maitland 1844) | 20 Feb 1849 | One of four convicts who stole the cutter Psyche belonging to the Bishop of Hobart and sailed away. The cutter was wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef near the Percy Islands off the Queensland coast. Two of the four men were discovered on Pine Peak Island, claiming to be shipwrecked sailors, but they were suspected of being runaway convicts and eventually taken to Sydney. A third man was found unconscious and died a short time later. The fate of the fourth man is unknown. | Hill likely died under suspicious circumstances on or before arriving at Pine Peak Island. |
| Hogan. Martin (Hougoumont 1868) | 17 Apr 1876 | One of six Irish political prisoners who were rescued by US-based Irish nationalists on the whaling ship Catalpa. | All six men made it safely to the United States. |
| Hogg. William (Sesostris 1825) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Last seen on Savai’i Island, Samoa, fate unknown. |
| Holladay. William (unknown) | 03/1818 | Holladay was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Holt. Charles (Medway 1825) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Holt. William (Earl St Vincent 1820) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Hopkins. James (Claudine 1821) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Horne. William (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 | Horne and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. | Returned to his work gang. |
| Horsefield. James (Woodman 1826) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others recaptured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Howley James aka Cains (Hooghley 1825) | 15/12/1827 | One of 15 convicts who seized the cutter Phoebe in the Shoalhaven River as it was about to sail with a cargo of timber for Sydney. The cutter ran aground in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) and the convicts scattered. | Howley was recaptured and returned to Sydney in 1829 and sentenced to 7 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Hudson. John (Asia 1820) | 30/10/1824 | Six convicts, likely including Hudson, seized the sloop Angelina at Broken Bay north of Sydney and sailed south. Seven months later wreckage was found near Jervis Bay along with evidence the runaways had been massacred. | Likely killed by Aborigines near Jervis Bay. |
| Hughes. Henry (Exmouth 1831) | 21 Apr 1844 | One of six convicts who escaped from the convict hospital at Newcastle and seized the cutter Brothers. They sailed north and put ashore near Port Stephens where they stole horses and firearms from a settler and headed into the bush. All six men were captured about two weeks later. | They were all sentenced to serve life at Norfolk Island. |
| Hughes. Thomas (Elizabeth 1820) | 29 May 1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who set out to sea while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags. They were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | 10 months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. |
| Hunt. Thomas (unknown) | 8/04/1826 | One of ten convicts accused of seizing the schooner Gurnet at Newcastle and tried to escape. As there was no wind they could not leave harbour so jumped ship in the morning and returned to their barracks. | The charge was dropped when witnesses recanted their earlier testimony. |
| Hurlston. Richard (Guildford 1821) | 02/1822 | One of six prisoners who seized the schooner Seaflower at Oyster Bay, Tasmanian and sailed towards Bass Strait. Hurlston was recaptured on Waterhouse Island. | Sentenced to150 lashes and sent to Macquarie Harbour. |
| Hurst. Joseph (Henry Tanner 1834) | 16 Oct 1835 13 Nov 1840 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. A six-man Norfolk Island convict boat crew was sent to collect two officers who had been camped on nearby Phillip Island. Instead of returning to Norfolk Island, they tied the officers up, stole their provisions, firearms and other belongings and headed out to sea. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Ironmonger. William (Chapman 1824) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Jackson. Thomas (Strathisla 1837) | 25 May 1847 | One of six convicts crew of the cutter-rigged whaleboat Prince of Wales who sailed from Port Cygnet in VDL bound for Corner Inlet. However, they bore out to sea and appear to have made it as far north as Gabo Island off the Australian mainland. There they came ashore with a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors but they fled when officials came to investigate. | They left Gabo Island in the longboat and are believed to have landed near Mallacoota and fled inland. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Janni. Antonio (Guildford 1812) | 15/04/1814 | Janni and six other convicts escaped from Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner. They built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent. | They were all recaptured and sentenced to hard labour at Newcastle |
| Jaycock. Richard (Katherine Stewart Forbes 1830) | 13/01/1833 | One of six convicts who stole a whaleboat and escaped from Sydney. They were recaptured north of Port Macquarie and returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to 14 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Jeffries. George (Hive 1834) | 2 Jun 1841 | He was one of ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Jenkins. James (Sir William Bentley 1817) | 8/04/1818 | One of 8 convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. Had been previously caught trying to stow away on the Pilot and sentenced to 6 months on the Gaol Gang. | Sentenced to 100 lashes and sent to Newcastle for 3 years. |
| Johns. Joseph (Pyrenees 1853) | Jul 1866 | Johns, better known as “Moodyne Joe” escaped from Fremantle Prison in Western Australia and met up with four other convicts already on the run. They planned to cross the interior to South Australia. Two were soon recaptured while Johns and the other two were caught near Bodallin about 300 km east of Perth. | Johns was returned to Fremantle Prison, where he gained a well-deserved reputation as an escape artist. He died in 1900 aged 74. |
| Johnson. Benjamin (Tottenham 1818) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Johnson was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Johnson. James (Larkins 1817) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Johnson. John (unknown) | 11/1816 | Johnson and six other convicts stole a whaleboat in Newcastle and headed out to sea. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again. |
| Johnson. John (Almorah 1817) | 8/04/1818 | One of 8 convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. | Sentenced to 50 lashes and 12 months on the Gaol Gang. |
| Johnson. Joseph (Morely 1818) | 01/1819 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. | Johnson was sentenced to 150 lashes and sent to serve hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Johnson. Montrose (Indefatigable 1812) | 15/04/1814 | Johnson and six other convicts escaped from Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner. They built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent. | They were all recaptured and sentenced to hard labour at Newcastle |
| Johnson. Richard (unknown) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Hanged for piracy on 12 Mar 1827. |
| Johnson. William (Scarborough 1788) | 04/1804 | Hired a boat from SGT Day and left Sydney with two others in an attempt to reach Timor Island. They ran aground north of Port Stephens and were attacked by Aborigines. Johnson and another man died and the third made it back to Newcastle on foot. | Johnson died during the attack north of Port Stephens. |
| Jones. John (Neptune 1818) | 01/1819 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. | Jones and two others were hanged for highway robberies committed while they were on the run. |
| Jones. James (unknown) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Jones remained at the Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Supposed to have joined a Danish ship at Canton bound for Mexico. Fate unknown. |
| Jones. John (unknown) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Departed Valdivia Chile on a brig. Fate unknown. |
| Jones. John (Asia 1827) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Jones was hanged in Sydney for piracy on 8 Nov 1842. |
| Jones. Samuel (John 1827) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Jones was killed in the counter attack. |
| Jones. Thomas (Fame 1817) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Jordan. John (John Barry 1819) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Jordan was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Jordan. William (Lady Kennaway 1836) | 2 Jun 1841 | He was one of ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Jubb. John (Claudine 1821) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Kay. Joseph (Susan 1834) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Keene. George (Elizabeth 1820) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Keiley. Michael (Hooghley 1825) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Kelly. Bartholomew “Bartley” (Jane 1831) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Kelly was killed in the counter attack. |
| Kelly. David (Chapman 1817) | 8/04/1818 | One of 8 convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. | Sentenced to 50 lashes and 12 months on the Gaol Gang. |
| Kelly. James (Isabella 1818) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Kennelly. William (Tyne 1819) | 09/1822 | Escaped Macquarie Harbour with 7 other prisoners including Alexander Pearce intending to cross Tasmania on foot. Most of the party were killed and eaten by the others. | Returned to Macquarie Harbour but died in hospital. |
| Kernon. Patrick (Surrey 1816) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| King. John (Maitland 1844) | 20 Feb 1849 | One of four convicts who stole the cutter Psyche belonging to the Bishop of Hobart and sailed away. The cutter was wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef near the Percy Islands off the Queensland coast. Two of the four men were discovered on Pine Peak Island, claiming to be shipwrecked sailors, but they were suspected of being runaway convicts and eventually taken to Sydney. A third man was found unconscious and died a short time later. The fate of the fourth man is unknown. | Recaptured and returned to Hobart and sent to Port Arthur for 18 months. |
| Knowles. Henry (America 1829) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Lacey. Stephen (Phoebe Dunbar 1848) | 25 Jan 1859 | One of five convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison, stole a whaleboat and sailed north as far as Shark Bay where four of them were recaptured. Those four were returned to Fremantle to stand trial. The fifth runaway was later found to have been murdered. | Murdered by fellow bolter John Williams aka John Twitty while on the run. |
| Lancashire. William (Barwell 1798) | 16/06/1806 | Was onboard the Venus when it was seized by its First Mate at Port Dalrymple. At the time he was a prisoner under sentence for a crime committed in Sydney. | He probably died at the Bay of Islands NZ within six months of escaping. |
| Latham. John (Lord Eldon 1817) | 03/1818 | Latham was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Lea. James (Woodbridge 1840) | 2 Jun 1841 | He was one of ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Leddington. William (Minerva 1824) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Hanged for piracy on 12 Mar 1827. |
| Lee. George (Scarborough 1790) | 17/09/1790 1797 | Stole a boat at Sydney with four others and sailed to Port Stephens where they lived with the Worimi people for five years before being discovered. Escaped a second time, this time on the Cumberland in 1797. | Returned to Sydney The Cumberland was never heard of again. |
| Lee. John (unknown) | 8/04/1826 | One of ten convicts accused of seizing the schooner Gurnet at Newcastle and tried to escape. As there was no wind they could not leave harbour so jumped ship in the morning and returned to their barracks. | Lee informed on his colleagues but later recanted his earlier testimony. |
| Lee. John (unknown) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others recaptured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Le Gart. John (Ocean 1816) | 8/04/1818 | One of 8 convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. | Le Gart, alone, avoided recapture. Fate unknown. |
| Leonard. Henry (Arab 1822) | 25/11/1825 | Leonard and 4 other convicts seized the Government Cutter Maria in the Derwent River and put two of the crew ashore before heading back to sea. The cutter was last seen windbound near Wedge Island a day later, but was never seen again after that. | Fate unknown. |
| Lesley. James (Median 1825) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Departed Valdivia Chile in a whaleboat. Fate unknown. |
| Lewis. Michael aka Head (Norfolk 1832) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Lewis was hanged in Sydney for piracy on 8 Nov 1842. |
| Lillie. Nathaniel (Scarborough 1790) | 28/03/1791 | Escaped from Sydney in the Governor’s Cutter with William Bryant and made it to Kupang before they were put in custody. | Returned to England in chains but released in Nov 1793. |
| Little. Benjamin (Lord Eldon 1817) | 03/1818 | Little was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Lomax. John (Prince of Orange 1822) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Lowry. Patrick (Surrey 1816) | 03/1818 | Lowry was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Lumley. John (Larkins 1831) | 13 Nov 1840 | A six-man Norfolk Island convict boat crew was sent to collect two officers who had been camped on nearby Phillip Island. Instead of returning to Norfolk Island, they tied the officers up, stole their provisions, firearms and other belongings and headed out to sea. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Lynch. John (Dorothy 1820) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Escaped custody in Sydney and subsequently hanged for crimes committed while on the run. |
| Lynch. John (unknown) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Lynch remained at the Society Islands. | Remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. |
| Lyon. Charles (Asia 1824) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the brig Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and escaped across the Pacific to Chile. | Eventually arrested in Valdivia, Chile and sent back to England and returned to VDL for life. In Apr 1837 he was sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Lyons. Owen (Albermarle 1791) | 12/04/1791 | Lyons, Sydney and several other convicts tried to seize the convict ship Albermarle en route to NSW. | The mutiny was put down. Lyons was hanged from the yardarm. |
| Macintosh. Lauchlan (Gilmore 1832) | 23/07/1833 | One of between 7 and 12 convicts who escaped on the Badger when its convict crew sailed from Hobart on a scheduled supply trip to outlying government posts. Instead they sailed to the Philippines, scuttled the cutter and arrived in Manilla on a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. | In 1835, Macintosh was recaptured after returning to his hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland and in 1837, he was sent back to VDL for life. |
| Maine aka Hacket. John (Minstrel 1825) | 15/12/1827 | One of 15 convicts who seized the cutter Phoebe in the Shoalhaven River as it was about to sail with a cargo of timber for Sydney. The cutter ran aground in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) and the convicts scattered. | Maine was recaptured and returned to Sydney in 1829 and sentenced to 7 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Martin. James (unknown) | 28/03/1791 | Escaped from Sydney in the Governor’s Cutter with William Bryant and made it to Kupang before they were put in custody. | Returned to England in chains but released in Nov 1793. |
| Martin. Richard (Minerva 1818) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Martini. Antonio (Guildford 1812) | 15/04/1814 | Martini and six other convicts escaped from Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner. They built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent. | They were all recaptured and sentenced to hard labour at Newcastle |
| Massey. Thomas (Manlius 1827) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship off Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Last seen on Savai’i Island, Samoa, Fate unknown. |
| Mather. John (Shipley 1820) | 09/1822 | Escaped Macquarie Harbour with 7 other prisoners including Alexander Pearce intending to cross Tasmania on foot. Most of the party were killed and eaten by the others. | Killed and eaten by Pearce and others. |
| Matthews. Robert (Coromandel or Experiment 1803) | 19/01/1807 | Matthews and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Matthews was sentenced to 1,000 lashes |
| McAlones. Daniel (unknown) | 01/1808 | McAlones and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | They were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| McCabe. James (Almorah 1817) | 09/06/1824 | One of 14 convicts who escaped from Sarah Island in Macquarie Harbour in a whaleboat led by James Crawford. | Recaptured and hanged for murder. |
| McCabe. Patrick (Marquis Cornwallis 1796) | 15/04/1814 | McCabe and six other convicts escaped from Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner. They built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent. | They were all recaptured and sentenced to hard labour at Newcastle |
| McCarthy. Charles (Earl St Vincent 1826) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. | Died of wounds received when the band were captured. |
| McCulloch. William (Dunvegan Castle 1830) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| McCullum. Matthew (Woodman 1826) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| McDonald. Thomas, aka Robertson, aka Wilson (Shipley 1817) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island, Samoa. | McDonald was murdered by Evans, and Hastings about one week after leaving Moreton Bay. |
| McDougall. Daniel (Hibernia 1819) | 15 July 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| McFarlane. William (Lady Ridley 1821) | 5/01/1822 | One of three convicts who stole a boat owned by James Foley at Brown’s River near Hobart and tried to escape from Van Diemen’s Land. They were soon recaptured. | Sentenced to receive 100 lashes and sent to Macquarie Harbour. |
| McGrath. Thomas (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | McGrath and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | McGrath and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| McGuiness. Edward (Tyne 1819) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Escaped custody in Sydney and was killed while being apprehended. |
| McGuire. Robert (Dromedary 1817) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Remained at Society Islands. Recaptured and returned to VDL and sentenced to life for piracy. |
| McKenzie. Joseph (Moffatt 1842) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | McKenzie was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| McKinley. Robert (Susan 1834) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | McKinley was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| McLean. Lauchlan (Chapman 1817) | 16/04/1817 | McLean was identified as one of the ringleaders in a failed mutiny to seize the convict transport Chapman en route from England to Sydney. | McLean was shot dead during the suppression of the mutiny. |
| McLean. William (Florentia 1830) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | McLean was killed in the counter attack. |
| McMahon. James (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | McMahon and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | McMahon and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| McNamara. James (John Barry 1819) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | McNamara was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Meek. John (Orator 1843) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Meeks was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Metcalf. George (Medway 1825) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. | Hanged 23 Aug 1827. |
| Mignott. Andre (Marquis of Wellington 1814) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Mitchell. Patrick (unknown) | 19/01/1807 | Mitchell and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Mitchell was sentenced to be flogged and hard labour. |
| Mitchell. Robert (Pestonjee Bomanjee 1847) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Mitchell was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Monds. James (Exmouth 1831) | 14 Dec 1843 | He was one of six convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in an open boat and rendezvoused with an American whaling ship which had stopped for supplies. The convicts were joined by two soldiers from the 96th Regiment who wanted to desert. | They all likely were taken on board the whaler and joined the crew until they eventually reached the United States. |
| Moore. Henry (unknown) | 03/1818 | Moore was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Moore. John (unknown) | 25/11/1826 | A ringleader in a Norfolk Island uprising which involved some 75 convicts. 57 of them escaped to nearby Phillip Island in boats and were later recaptured. | Moore was hanged for his part in the uprising on 24 Sept 1827. |
| Moore. Tristram (Atlas 1802) | 19/01/1807 | Moore and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Moore was sentenced to be flogged and hard labour. |
| Morey. John (Hillsborough 1803) | 01/1808 | Morey and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | They were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| Morris. Augustus (Calcutta 1803) | 23/06/1805 | Morris and five other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the Governor Hunter. They were all captured when they tried to board the Governor Hunter at sea. | Returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Morris. Geroge (Vimeira 1865) | 23 May 1867 | One of three convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison intending to cross the interior to South Australia. They were on the run for two months trying to procure horses and supplies before they were tracked down by the police. | Morris was shot and killed during a gunfight with police. |
| Morris. John Chapman (Guardian 1790) | 08/1792 | Morris and several other convicts were rumoured to be planning to steal a boat and escape from Sydney | Morris was sent to Norfolk Island. |
| Morrison. John (unknown) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Morrison was sentenced to receive 25 lashes. |
| Morrison. William (Chapman 1817) | 16/04/1817 | Morrison was identified as one of the ringleaders in a failed mutiny to seize the convict transport Chapman en route from England to Sydney. | Morrison was separated from the rest of the convicts for the remainder of the voyage. |
| Morton. William (Neptune 1790) | 28/03/1791 | Escaped from Sydney in the Governor’s Cutter with William Bryant and made it to Kupang before they were put in custody. | Died at sea between Batavia and Cape of Good Hope. |
| Moss. George (Argyle 1831) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Moss was killed in the attempt. |
| Mullings. Thomas (Lady Harewood 1831) | 13 Nov 1840 | A six-man Norfolk Island convict boat crew was sent to collect two officers who had been camped on nearby Phillip Island. Instead of returning to Norfolk Island, they tied the officers up, stole their provisions, firearms and other belongings and headed out to sea. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Mullins. James (Grenada 1819) | 06/1820 | Mullins was one of six convicts who escaped from Newcastle after seizing the pilot cutter. They fled south to Sydney, abandoned the cutter at Rushcutters bay and fled into the town on foot. | Mullins was recaptured and punished. |
| Mullins. Thomas (Atlas 1802) | 8/10/1803 | Stole a boat at Risdon Cove Van Diemen’s Land with six others and escaped. They made it as far as Cape Barren Island in Bass Strait where they were captured by sealers. | Mullins escaped again with the help of some sealers. Fate unknown. |
| Munday. George (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 | Munday and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. | Returned to his work gang. |
| Murphy. Francis (Chapman 1817) | 16/04/1817 | Murphy was identified as one of the ringleaders in a failed mutiny to seize the convict transport Chapman en route from England to Sydney. | Murphy was flogged for his part in the mutiny. |
| Murphy. James (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | Murphy and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Murphy and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| Murray (or Merry). James (Forfarshire 1843) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Murray was captured in Fiji and returned to Hobart and again sent to Norfolk Island. |
| Murray. John (Chapman 1826) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Neal. James (Lady Kennaway 1851) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Remained on the Lady Franklin when the rest of the mutineers departed near Fiji. Was returned to Hobart and then sent to Norfolk Island. |
| Nelson. James (Medina 1825) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Nesbitt. George (Countess of Harcourt – 1821) | 5/01/1822 | One of three convicts who stole a boat owned by James Foley at Brown’s River near Hobart and tried to escape from Van Diemen’s Land. They were soon recaptured. | Sentenced to receive 100 lashes and sent to Macquarie Harbour. |
| Nicola. John (Larkins 1831) | 23/07/1833 | One of between 7 and 12 convicts who escaped on the Badger when its convict crew sailed from Hobart on a scheduled supply trip to outlying government posts. Instead they sailed to the Philippines, scuttled the cutter and arrived in Manilla on a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. | Presumed to have successfully escaped. |
| North. Charles (Recovery 1819) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| O’Brien. Cornelius (Blenheim 1839) | 14 Dec 1843 | He was one of six convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in an open boat and rendezvoused with an American whaling ship which had stopped for supplies. The convicts were joined by two soldiers from the 96th Regiment who wanted to desert. | They all likely were taken on board the whaler and joined the crew until they eventually reached the United States. |
| Obry. James (Coromandel 1820) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| O’Hara. Francis (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | O’Hara and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | O’Hara and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| O’Hara. Samuel (Minerva 1818) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | O’Hara was returned to Hobart and sentenced to hard labour at Macquarie Harbour for life. |
| O’Lachlan. Roderick (Racehorse 1865) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Returned to Fremantle Prison. Punishment unknown. |
| Oliver. Benjamin (Morely 1817) | 03/1818 | Oliver was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | Oliver and the others were returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| O’Neil. Felix (Fanny 1816) | 12/09/1816 | O’Neil and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | O’Neil and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea. None were heard of again. |
| Onion. Edward (Racehorse 1865) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Returned to Fremantle Prison. Punishment unknown. |
| O’Reilly. John Boyle (Hougoumont 1868 | Feb 1869 | Escaped from Bunbury on the American whaler Gazelle with the assistance of an Irish priest. | O’Reilly made it to the United States where he helped organist the rescue of the remaining six Irish political prisoners from Fremantle Gaol. |
| Osenbrook. John (Batavia 1818) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Owen. John (Atlas 1819) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Owen was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Parris. Peter (Scarborough 1788) | 03/1788 | Thought to have been taken aboard one of La Perouse’s ships by sympathetic sailors before they set sail from Botany Bay. | Fate unknown. The ships were wrecked off Santa Cruz islands. |
| Pate. Samuel (Larkins 1817) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Payne. Richard (Indefatigable 1813) | 23/04/1813 | Richard Payne and six other convicts seized the Unity at Hobart and sailed out to sea. The schooner was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Pearce. Alexander (Castle Forbes 1819) | 09/1822 13/11/1823 | Escaped from Macquarie Harbour with 7 others and crossed the interior eating his companions along the way. Pearce was the only man to survive the journey. Escaped from Macquarie Harbour with Thomas Cox but after a few days gave himself up. He had already killed, butchered and started eating Cox. | Reached the settled area and was caught Jan 1823 and returned to Macquarie Harbour. Taken to Hobart and hanged on 19 Jul 1824. |
| Pearce. John (Indian 1810) | 7/04/1814 | Pearce and three other convicts seized the schooner Speedwell at Newcastle, put the crew ashore and bore out to sea. They were never heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Pedder. William (Mangles 1840) | 2 Jun 1841 | Ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Pennell. Matthew (Albion 1823) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Supposed to have joined a Danish ship at Canton bound for Mexico. Fate unknown. |
| Perring. William (Lady East 1825) | 03/1826 | One of three convicts who made off with the Blue-Eyed Maid from Maria Island in VDL. They were chased down and eventually recaptured | Sentenced to seven years transportation, probably at Macquarie Harbour. |
| Philp. William (Argyle 1831) | 23/07/1833 | One of between 7 and 12 convicts who escaped on the Badger when its convict crew sailed from Hobart on a scheduled supply trip to outlying government posts. Instead they sailed to the Philippines, scuttled the cutter and arrived in Manilla on a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. | Last seen at Macau. Presumed to have successfully escaped. |
| Plummer. Robert (unknown) | 03/1818 | Plummer was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Pocock. James (Larkins 1817) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Porter. James (Asia 1824) (Sarah 1837) | 13/01/1834 18/05/1847 | One of ten convicts who seized the brig Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and escaped across the Pacific to Chile. Believed to have escaped from Newcastle on the Sir John Byng after being released from Norfolk Island. | Porter was eventually arrested and taken back to England and returned to VDL. In Apr 1837 he was sentenced to life on Norfolk Island. Fate unknown. Never heard of again. |
| Powers. John (Alexander 1788) | 09/06/1787 | Stole a boat and escaped from the first fleet convict transport ship Alexander while anchored at Tenerife. | Caught the next day and returned to the ship. |
| Priestedge. John (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 | Priestedge and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. | Returned to his work gang. |
| Pritchard. Joseph (unknown) | 8/04/1826 | One of ten convicts accused of seizing the schooner Gurnet at Newcastle and tried to escape. As there was no wind they could not leave harbour so jumped ship in the morning and returned to their barracks. | The charge was dropped when witnesses recanted their earlier testimony. |
| Privett. William (Glatton 1803) | 8/10/1803 | Stole a boat at Risdon Cove Van Diemen’s Land with six others and escaped. They made it as far as Cape Barren Island in Bass Strait where they were captured by sealers. | Privett escaped custody with the held of some sealers. Fate unknown. |
| Prosser. Thomas (Minerva 1800) | 19/01/1807 | Prosser and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Prosser was sentenced to be flogged and hard labour. |
| Quinn. James (Morely 1817) | 03/1818 | Quinn was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Quinn. James (Sir Robert Peel 1844) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Quinn was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Quinn. Thomas (Minerva 1819) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Escaped custody in Sydney and subsequently recaptured and hanged for crimes committed while on the run. |
| Rawson. James (Asia 1825) | 8/04/1826 | One of ten convicts accused of seizing the schooner Gurnet at Newcastle and tried to escape. As there was no wind they could not leave harbour so jumped ship in the morning and returned to their barracks. | The charge was dropped when witnesses recanted their earlier testimony. |
| Reay. Thomas (Morley 1818) | 01/1819 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. | Reay and two others were hanged for highway robberies committed while on the run. |
| Reed. Christopher (Pilot 1817) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Reed was returned to Hobart and sentenced to hard labour at Macquarie Harbour for life. |
| Richards. John (Mariner 1816) | 8/04/1818 | One of 8 convicts from the Hobart Gaol Gang to seize a govt. launch and flee. They sailed it to the upper reaches of the Tamar River where they were caught. He had already tried to stow away on the Lord Eldon when it sailed from Sydney. | Sentenced to 100 lashes and sent to Newcastle for 3 years. |
| Riley. Patrick (unknown) | 11/1816 | Riley and six other convicts stole a whaleboat in Newcastle and headed out to sea. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again. |
| Ringwood. Samuel (Henry Porcher 1836) | 21 Apr 1844 | One of six convicts who escaped from the convict hospital at Newcastle and seized the cutter Brothers. They sailed north and put ashore near Port Stephens where they stole horses and firearms from a settler and headed into the bush. All six men were captured about two weeks later. | They were all sentenced to serve life at Norfolk Island. |
| Roberts. (unknown) | 23/07/1833 | One of between 7-12 convicts who escaped on the Badger when its convict crew sailed from Hobart and made it to Manilla where the ship was reportedly wrecked. | Presumed to have successfully escaped. |
| Robinson. John (Woodman 1826) | 21/07/1827 | One of 13 convicts involved in trying to seize the schooner Emma Kemp at moored in the Derwent River at Hobart and later armed robberies. One was killed while on the run and 12 others were captured. | Sentenced to death but later commuted to life at Macquarie Harbour. |
| Robinson. John | 18/03/1828 | One of four convicts who stole the cutter Mary at Darling Harbour intending to escape to New Zealand. They were run down by the police and captured at Watson’s Bay, Sydney Harbour. | Robinson drowned trying to make it to shore. |
| Rollins. Edward (unknown) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Rollins was sentenced to serve 6 months on the gaol gang. |
| Russell. Nicholas (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | Russell and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Russell and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea None were heard of again. |
| Russell. Patrick (Indefatigable 1812) | 23/04/1813 | Russell and six other convicts seized the Unity at Hobart and sailed out to sea. The schooner was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Russell. Vincent (Atlas 1819) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Russell was sentenced to 2 years hard labour at Newcastle. |
| Russell. William (Tottenham 1818) | 01/1819 25/12/1820 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | Recaptured and returned to Sydney for punishment. They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Russen. Benjamin (Arab 1822) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Departed Valdivia Chile in a whaleboat. Fate unknown. |
| Ryan. Robert (Manlius 1828) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Samuel. Joseph (unknown) | 1/04/1806 | Samuel and seven other convicts escaped from Kings Town (Newcastle) in a small boat without a mast, sail, or compass. They had food and water for about one week. | They were never heard of again |
| Santo. Forestodo (Guildford 1812) | 15/04/1814 | Santo and six other convicts escaped from Hobart with the aid of John Pascoe Fawkner. They built a 10m lugger intending to sail to South America. The lugger was seized near the mouth of the Derwent. | They were all recaptured and sentenced to hard labour at Newcastle |
| Saunders. Joseph (Dromedary 1820) | 03/1822 | Saunders and another convict were the first to escape from Macquarie Harbour. Within a week, six more took to the bush. Two soldiers and three armed convicts were sent in pursuit. | None were ever heard of again. Saunders was presumed to have perished in the bush. |
| Saunders. William (Royal Admiral 1800) | 19/01/1807 | Saunders and seven other convicts stole an 18ft boat and fled Sydney. They intended to seize the brig Harrington after it sailed from Sydney but a large storm blew them north. They landed near Kings Town (Newcastle) and were recaptured. | Saunders was sentenced to be flogged and hard labour. |
| Savage. Obadiah (Lady Castlereagh – 1818) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. | Died in prison in Batavia. |
| Say. James (Arab 1822) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Say was killed in the counter attack. |
| Scaddan. Richard (Globe 1819) | 03/1819 | One of four convicts who escaped from Sydney in a stolen boat. They made it as far north as Newcastle before being recaptured. | Returned to Sydney and sentenced to 100 lashes and 12 months in the gaol gang in double irons. |
| Scarr. Edward (Admiral Gambier 1811) | 7/04/1814 | Scarr and three other convicts seized the schooner Speedwell at Newcastle, put the crew ashore and bore out to sea. They were never heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Scott. Thomas (Larkins 1817) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Scott. Thomas (Clyde 1863) | 23 May 1867 | One of three convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison intending to cross the interior to South Australia. They were on the run for two months trying to procure horses and supplies before they were tracked down by the police. | Scott was recaptured and sent back to Fremantle Prison. |
| Sears. Henry (Asia 1825) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Sears was hanged in Sydney for piracy on 8 Nov 1842. |
| Sheffington. William (Atlas 1819) | 30/10/1824 | Six convicts, likely including Sheffington, seized the sloop Angelina at Broken Bay north of Sydney and sailed south. Seven months later wreckage was found near Jervis Bay along with evidence the runaways had been massacred. | Likely killed by Aborigines near Jervis Bay. |
| Shiers. William (Maria 1820) | 13/01/1834 | One of ten convicts who seized the Frederick at Macquarie Harbour and sailed to Chile in South America. | Eventually arrested and taken back to England and returned to VDL. In Apr 1837 he was sentenced to life on Norfolk Island. |
| Sinner. George (Hadlow 1818) | 01/1819 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. | Recaptured and returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Skinner. Richard (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Skelton. John (Fortune 1813) | 03/1818 | Skelton was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Slim. James (Norwood 1862) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Returned to Fremantle Prison. Punishment unknown. |
| Smith. Daniel aka Thomas Bentley (unknown) | 2 Jun 1841 | He was one of ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Smith. James (unknown) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Hanged for piracy on 12 Mar 1827. |
| Smith. James (Speke 1821) | 13/01/1833 | One of six convicts who stole a whaleboat and escaped from Sydney. They were recaptured north of Port Macquarie and returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to 14 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Smith. James (Lady Kennaway 1836) | 13 Nov 1840 | A six-man Norfolk Island convict boat crew was sent to collect two officers who had been camped on nearby Phillip Island. Instead of returning to Norfolk Island, they tied the officers up, stole their provisions, firearms and other belongings and headed out to sea. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Smith. John (unknown) | 8/10/1803 | Stole a boat at Risdon Cove Van Diemen’s Land with six others and escaped. They made it as far as Cape Barren Island in Bass Strait where they were captured by sealers. | Abandoned by his fellow runaways on the north-east Tasmanian coast. |
| Smith. John (unknown) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Smith was sentenced to receive 25 lashes. |
| Smith. John (Sir William Bensley 1817) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Smith. John (England 1826) | 15/12/1827 | One of 15 convicts who seized the cutter Phoebe in the Shoalhaven River as it was about to sail with a cargo of timber for Sydney. The cutter ran aground in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) and the convicts scattered. | Smith was recaptured and returned to Sydney in 1829. He received a Ticket-of-Leave for informing on the other convicts. |
| Smith. John (Neptune 1817) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island Samoa. | Last seen on Savai’i Island, Samoa. Fate unknown. |
| Smith. John (Belgravia 1866) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Smith accidently drowned trying to swim across the Murray River near Ravenswood WA. |
| Smith. Thomas (Hadlow 1818) | 01/1819 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. | Smith and two others were hanged for highway robberies committed while on the run. |
| Smith. Timothy (Medway 1821) | 03/1826 | One of three convicts who made off with the Blue-Eyed Maid from Maria Island in VDL. They were chased down and eventually recaptured | Sentenced to seven years transportation, probably at Macquarie Harbour. |
| Smith. William (Lord Eldon 1817) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific. The convicts turned on themselves and three were murdered. One was abandoned on New Caledonia and several others fled in fear on different islands. They eventually scuttled the ship off Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Last seen on Savai’i Island, Samoa. Fate unknown. |
| Smith. William (Fame 1817) | 7/07/1817 | One of three convicts who escaped from Sydney after stealing the government cutter William Cossar. The cutter ran aground north of Port Stephens. | Smith died while trying to return to Sydney on foot. |
| Smith. William “Gypsy” (Fame 1817) | 7/07/1817 | One of three convicts who escaped from Sydney after stealing the government cutter William Cossar. The cutter ran aground north of Port Stephens. | Gypsy Smith made it back to Sydney on foot. |
| Snead. John (Hadlow 1818) | 01/1819 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. | Recaptured and returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Snell. Joseph (Recovery 1819) | 15 Jan 1834 | Some 100 convicts rose up and tried to capture the Norfolk Island penal settlement intending to seize the next ship to pull in. The insurrection failed. Six convicts were killed and eight were wounded. One guard also lost his life. 13 of the convicts were identified as ringleaders and tried for mutiny. | Found guilty of mutiny and hanged on Norfolk Island on 22 Sept 1834. |
| Solomon. Moses (Marquis of Wellington 1815) | 03/1818 | Solomon was one of fifteen convicts who stowed away on the Harriet in Sydney intending to seize the ship once they were far out to sea. They were discovered and put ashore at Hobart. | They were all returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Spencer. George (Shipley 1818) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Spencer. Joseph (Lady Harewood 1831) | 15 July 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| Sproat. John Hall (Lord Lyndoch 1838) | 13 Nov 1840 | A six-man Norfolk Island convict boat crew was sent to collect two officers who had been camped on nearby Phillip Island. Instead of returning to Norfolk Island, they tied the officers up, stole their provisions, firearms and other belongings and headed out to sea. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Stacey. James (Atlas 1816) | 06/1820 25/12/1820 | Stacey was one of six convicts who escaped from Newcastle after seizing the pilot cutter. They fled south to Sydney, abandoned the cutter at Rushcutters Bay and fled into the town on foot. One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | Stacey remained at large until Dec 1820. None of them were heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Stevens. Henry (Lord Raglan 1858) | 25 Jan 1859 | One of five convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison stole a whaleboat and sailed north as far as Shark Bay, where four of them were recaptured. Those four were returned to Fremantle to stand trial. The fifth runaway was later found to have been murdered. | Sentenced to life in prison for escaping and robbery with violence. |
| Stevenson. Alexander (Sir Charles Forbes 1824) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Captured at Canton, taken to London and returned to VDL for life. |
| Stewart. Robert (Calcutta – 1803) | 23/06/1805 02/1806 15/05/1808 | Stewart and five other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the Governor Hunter. They were all captured when they tried to board the Governor Hunter at sea. Stole a boat in Hobart with two other convicts with the intention of seizing the Estramina. The crew overpowered the runaways. Stewart led a group of 20-30 convicts who seized the Harrington in Sydney and escaped. They were captured in the Philippines. Some convicts may have escaped but most were probably press-ganged into Navy service in Penang. | Stewart was captured and eventually taken to Calcutta via Penang. There he was placed onboard the Union but he jumped ship before she sailed for NSW. |
| Stewart. William (unknown) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Returned to Fremantle Prison. Punishment unknown. |
| Stirling. Alexander (Medway 1825) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Stobart. John (Exmouth 1831) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Stockwell. John (Marquis of Huntley 1829) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Strutton. John (Scarborough 1790) | 17/09/1790 | Stole a boat at Sydney with four others and sailed to Port Stephens where they lived with the Worimi people until he died. Had earlier tried to stow away on the Neptune but was discovered and flogged. | Died while on the run |
| Styles. Herbert (Eagle 1811) | 7/04/1814 | Styles and three other convicts seized the schooner Speedwell at Newcastle, put the crew ashore and bore out to sea. They were never heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Sullivan. Jeremiah, aka John Sillifant. (Moffatt 1842) | 11 Mar 1853 28 Dec 1853 | One of nine convicts who seized a Norfolk Island launch after a day of unloading stores from a ship offshore. After a ten-day voyage, they landed at Moreton Bay and began a brief reign of terror until they were recaptured. One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | All nine were sent to Hobart, were tried for absconding and sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. Sullivan was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Sullivan. Thomas (Hive 1835) | 14 Dec 1843 | He was one of six convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in an open boat and rendezvoused with an American whaling ship which had stopped for supplies. The convicts were joined by two soldiers from the 96th Regiment who wanted to desert. | They all likely were taken on board the whaler and joined the crew until they eventually reached the United States. |
| Sutherland. Alexander (Atlas 1816) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Swallow. William AKA William Walker (Malabar – 1821) (Georgiana – 1829) (Exmouth – 1831) | 3/1822 13/08/1829 | One of six convicts who seized the Seaflower at Oyster Bay and sailed towards Bass Strait. Three were recaptured on Waterhouse Island. Walker and two others ran aground near Five Islands NSW. He eventually made it back to England. One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus on their way to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Swallow made it back to England again. | Recaptured and returned to VDL. Swallow was recaptured in London and returned to VDL. Died at Port Arthur 12/5/31 |
| Swan. John (Surrey 1823) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Sweeney. John (Boyne 1826) | 15/12/1827 | One of 15 convicts who seized the cutter Phoebe in the Shoalhaven River as it was about to sail with a cargo of timber for Sydney. The cutter ran aground in the Society Islands (French Polynesia) and the convicts scattered. | Sweeney was recaptured and returned to Sydney in 1829 and sentenced to 7 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Sydney. William (Albemarle 1791) | 12/04/1791 | Sydney, Lyons and several other convicts tried to seize the Albemarle en route to NSW. | The mutiny was put down and Sydney was hanged from the yardarm. |
| Taylor. James (Calcutta 1803) | 01/1808 | Taylor and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | They were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| Templeman. William (Lady Ridley 1821) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. |
| Thacker. Samuel (Prince Orange 1822) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Captured at Canton and returned to London. Vanished after being accidently released from police custody. |
| Thompson. James (Medway 1825) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Thompson. James (unknown) | 12/06/1814 | One of 11 convicts who were aboard the Argo when she sailed from Hobart without permission after the captain was implicated in illegally importing a large quantity of alcohol. | The Argo was never seen again. Presumed to have died at sea. |
| Thompson. John (General Stewart 1818) | 01/1819 | One of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a small boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast where the men had fled into the bush. | Recaptured and returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Thompson. John (Marquis of Huntley 1826) | 29 May 1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who set out to sea while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags. They were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | 10 months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Thompson. William (Sir William Bensley 1817) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Thompson. William (Juliana – 1821) | 5/01/1822 | One of three convicts who stole a boat owned by James Foley at Brown’s River near Hobart and tried to escape from Van Diemen’s Land. They were soon recaptured. | Sentenced to receive 100 lashes and sent to Macquarie Harbour. |
| Towers. Charles (Woodford 1826) | 13/08/1829 | 13/08/1829 One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. Ferguson remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. | Remained at Society Islands. Fate unknown. |
| Travers. Matthew (Pilot – 1817) | 02/1822 09/1822 | One of six prisoners who seized the schooner Seaflower at Oyster Bay, Tasmanian and sailed towards Bass Strait. Travers was captured on Waterhouse Island. Escaped from Macquarie Harbour intending to reach Hobart by boat then set off on foot to cross the interior with Alexander Pearce and six others. He took part in several acts of cannibalism. | Sentenced to 150 lashes and sent to Macquarie Harbour. Killed and eaten by Greenhill and Pearce. |
| Tremain. William (General Stewart 1818) | 03/1819 | One of four convicts who escaped from Sydney in a stolen boat. They made it as far north as Newcastle before being recaptured. | Returned to Sydney and sentenced to 100 lashes and 12 months in the gaol gang in double irons. |
| Tulloch. James (Atlas 1816) | 27/07/1818 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. |
| Tunnicliffe. William (Elizabeth 1820) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Turwood. John (Scarborough 1790) | 17/09/1790 1797 | Stole a boat at Sydney with four others and sailed to Port Stephens where they lived with the Worimi people for five years before being discovered. Escaped a second time, this time on the Cumberland in 1797. | Returned to Sydney. The Cumberland was never heard of again. |
| Twitty. John (Gilmore 1843) John Williams (Clara 1857) | 28 Dec 1853 25 Jan 1859 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. One of five convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison, stole a whaleboat and sailed north as far as Shark Bay where four of them were recaptured. Those four were returned to Fremantle to stand trial. The fifth runaway was later found to have been murdered. | Twitty eventually made it back to England but was recognised, arrested, and sent to Western Australia under the name John Williams. Williams was found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life. |
| Valentine. James (Batavia 1818) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | Valentine was sentenced to receive 25 lashes |
| Vaughan. William (Grenada 1821) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Vaughan was murdered by Evans and Hastings about one week after leaving Moreton Bay. |
| Venton. John (Sir Charles Forbes 1830) | 23/07/1833 | One of between 7 and 12 convicts who escaped on the Badger when its convict crew sailed from Hobart on a scheduled supply trip to outlying government posts. Instead they sailed to the Philippines, scuttled the cutter and arrived in Manilla on a longboat claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. | Presumed to have successfully escaped. |
| Vigors. George (Florentina 1828) | May 1842 | Vigors was discovered building a canvas boat intending to escape from Norfolk Island. | Sentenced to 12 months in chains. |
| Vine. William (Mangles 1840) | 2 Jun 1841 | Vine was one of ten convicts escaped from Norfolk Island in a government boat and made it to present-day Vanuatu after a great deal of hardship. | Fate unknown. Three joined a whaling ship and made for North America, a convict named Borritt eventually reached England but was recaptured. The other seven were last seen on the island of Mere Lava. |
| Wade. Thomas (Dorothy 1820) | 25/12/1820 | One of thirteen convicts who stole a whaleboat at Cockle Bay and escaped from Sydney. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Walker. Walter (Belgravia 1866) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Returned to Fremantle Prison. Punishment unknown. |
| Walker. William (Malabar 1821) | See William Swallow | ||
| Walker. William (Minerva 1824) | 20/12/1826 19/06/1830 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. None of the convicts were heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Wallace. John (Minerva 1818) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Wallace died from disease while gaoled in Batavia |
| Wallis. John (Countess of Harcourt 1821) | 19/06/1830 | One of eleven convicts who escaped from Norfolk Island in a government whaleboat, landed at Phillip Island and stole provisions from botanist Allan Cunningham’s party before heading out to sea. | The boat nor the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Walton. John (ex subaltern 48th Regt) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to life at Norfolk Island. |
| Walton. Richard (Elphinstone 1842) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Walton was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Ward. Hugh (Guildford 1816) | 12/09/1816 | Ward and 12 or more convicts seized the Trial in Sydney Harbour, and sailed north until they ran aground north of Port Stephens. The convicts built a new boat from the remains and put to sea, leaving the crew and passengers to fend for themselves. The crew and passengers set off south on foot but were never heard of again. | Ward and the other convicts all likely drowned when the new boat foundered shortly after putting to sea. None were heard of again. |
| Ward. James (Prince Regent 1820) | 29/05/1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who escaped while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags and were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | Ten months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. Fate unknown. |
| Watkins. William (Palmerston 1861) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Returned to Fremantle Prison. Punishment unknown. |
| Watson. John (Neptune 1790) | 17/09/1790 | Stole a boat at Sydney with four others and sailed to Port Stephens where they lived with the Worimi people for five years before being discovered. | Returned to Sydney |
| Watson. John (Medway 1825) | 13/01/1827 | One of 12 convicts who escaped from the Hobart prisoner barracks and seized the cutter Ellen. The Ellen was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown but presumed to have been lost at sea. |
| Watson. Edward (unknown) | 25/11/1826 | A ringleader in a Norfolk Island uprising that involved some 75 convicts. 57 of them escaped to nearby Phillip Island in boats and were later recaptured. | Watson was hanged for his part in the uprising on 24 Sept 1827. |
| Watson. Thomas (Indefatigable 1813) | 23/04/1813 | Thomas Watson and six other convicts seized the Unity at Hobart and sailed out to sea. The schooner was never seen or heard of again. | Fate unknown, presumed lost at sea. |
| Watson. Thomas (Dromedary 1820) | 16/12/1831 | One of eleven prisoners who seized the schooner Caledonia at Moreton Bay. They released the crew but retained the captain and ordered him to sail for the South Pacific where they eventually scuttled the ship at Savai’i Island, Samoa. | Last seen on Savai’i Island, Samoa, Fate unknown. |
| Watts. William (Lord Eldon 1817) | 13/08/1829 | One of 18 convicts who seized the brig Cyprus en route to Macquarie Harbour. One convict drowned at sea, eight left the brig at the Society Islands, and nine made it to Canton via Japan. | Captured at Canton, taken to London and hanged for Piracy in Dec 1830. |
| Webb. William (Mangles 1820) | 20/12/1826 | One of 33 convicts who rose up and seized the Wellington en route from Sydney to Norfolk Island. They sailed to New Zealand where the ship was recaptured and the convicts returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Escaped custody in Sydney and subsequently hanged for crimes committed while on the run. |
| Wheatley. William (Batavia 1818) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Whelan. Thomas (Waverly 1839) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Whelan received a life sentence for piracy. |
| White. John (unknown) | 18/11/1820 | Sixteen convicts conspired to seize the brig Hope on the eve of her departure from Sydney. The police learned of the imminent escape and pounced. The Hope sailed two days later. | White was sentenced to receive 25 lashes. |
| White. Walter (unknown) | 11/1816 | White and six other convicts stole a whaleboat in Newcastle and headed out to sea. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again. |
| Whitehead. Robert (Lord Lyndoch 1838) | 21 Apr 1844 | One of six convicts who escaped from the convict hospital at Newcastle and seized the cutter Brothers. They sailed north and put ashore near Port Stephens where they stole horses and firearms from a settler and headed into the bush. All six men were captured about two weeks later. | They were all sentenced to serve life at Norfolk Island. |
| Widgell. William (Sir Godfrey Webster 1823) | 03/1826 | One of three convicts who made off with the Blue-Eyed Maid from Maria Island in VDL. They were chased down and eventually recaptured | Sentenced to seven years transportation, probably at Macquarie Harbour. |
| Wilkinson. John (Malabar 1821) | 03/1822 | One of six convicts who seized the Seaflower at Oyster Bay and sailed north towards Bass Strait. Three were captured on Waterhouse Island. Wilkinson and two others eventually ran aground near Five Islands, NSW. | Wilkinson was recaptured near Five Island and sent back to VDL for punishment. |
| Williams. Charles (unknown) | 1/04/1806 | Williams and seven other convicts escaped from Kings Town (Newcastle) in a small boat without a mast, sail, or compass. They had food and water for about one week. | Fate unknown, they were never heard of again |
| Williams. George (unknown) | 8/04/1826 | One of ten convicts accused of seizing the schooner Gurnet at Newcastle and tried to escape. As there was no wind they could not leave harbour so jumped ship in the morning and returned to their barracks. | Williams informed on his colleagues but later recanted his earlier testimony. |
| Williams. James (Scarborough 1788) | 17/04/1790 | Williams stowed away on HMS Supply when she sailed for Batavia to purchase supplies for the colony. He was discovered shortly after leaving Sydney and put to work for the duration of the voyage. Captain Ball was impressed with the way he went about his duties. Also stowed away on the Atlantic in Oct 1791 and tried to stow away on the Ganges in June 1792. | Williams was returned to Sydney for punishment. Returned on the Atlantic and was finally allowed to leave after his 7-year term had expired. |
| Williams. John (Calcutta 1803) | 8/05/1805 01/1808 | Williams and seven other convicts were detained as they were about to put off from Hobart in a whaleboat. They were thought to be trying to escape to New Zealand. Williams and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | Returned to his work gang. They were recaptured and sentenced to life. |
| Williams. John (Exmouth 1831) | 16 Oct 1835 | Nine convicts stole the yacht Alice, belonging to William Wentworth, and ordered its captain to sail from Sydney to New Zealand. However, the captain convinced the runaways that, due to the bad weather, they could only sail north and keep close to land. The captain and crew were put ashore at Port Stephens and the Alice was soon caught up with. The runaways ran the yacht ashore and fled on foot. | All the bolters were soon recaptured and sentenced to be sent to Norfolk Island for life. |
| Williams. Joseph (Ocean 1823) | 15 July 1842 | He was one of eight convicts who secretly built a canvas boat in the Commissariat Officer’s vegetable garden without their activities being detected. The party included a waterman, two carpenters, and a rope maker which would have improved their chances of reaching one of the South Sea Islands 600 km to the north. | They were never heard of again. Fate unknown |
| Williams. Richard (unknown) | 27/11/1825 | One of four convicts who seized the Government Cutter Maria in the Derwent River. The cutter was last seen windbound near Wedge Island a day later but was never seen again after that. | Fate unknown |
| Williams. Thomas (Lord Auckland 1846) | 28 Dec 1853 | One of 19 convicts being transported from Hobart to Norfolk Island on the Lady Franklin who seized the ship and forced the captain to sail towards Fiji. On 8 Jan 1854 they returned control of the ship back to its captain and left in two open boats. The runaways made it to Fiji where they dispersed among the islands. | Williams was never heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Willis. John (Batavia 1818) | 27/07/1818 01/1819 | One of 15 or more convicts who fled Sydney in three stolen boats. All but four of the runaways had been recaptured within a fortnight. Willis was one of ten convicts who escaped from Sydney in a boat belonging to a settler named Dickson. The boat was found abandoned on the coast and the men had fled into the bush. | All but four of the runaways were recaptured. Willis was recaptured and returned to Sydney for punishment. |
| Wilson. Buchanan (Marquis of Huntley 1830) | 21 Apr 1844 | One of six convicts who escaped from the convict hospital at Newcastle and seized the cutter Brothers. They sailed north and put ashore near Port Stephens where they stole horses and firearms from a settler and headed into the bush. All six men were captured about two weeks later. Wilson is reported to have taken part in the 1834 Norfolk Island mutiny. | They were all sentenced to serve life at Norfolk Island. Wilson was later sent to Port Arthur where he escaped again and was eventually arrested for a robbery under arms committed while on the run. He was hanged in Hobart on 7 May 1851. |
| Wilson. James (Hougoumont 1868) | 17 Apr 1876 | One of six Irish political prisoners who were rescued by US-based Irish nationalists on the whaling ship Catalpa. | All six men made it safely to the United States. |
| Wilson. John aka John Paterson (Guildford 1822) | 11/05/1825 | One of thirteen convicts who, while loading coal into the cutter Eclipse, seized it, and headed out of Newcastle Harbour. The Eclipse was last seen heading north. | None of the convicts were ever heard of again. Fate unknown. |
| Wolfe. Mordecai aka James (William Miles 1828) | 20 Jun 1842 | He was one of eleven men from a Norfolk Island convict boat crew who tried to seize the Governor Phillip so they could make their escape. They nearly succeeded but the guards were able to make a counter-attack and regained control killing several of the convicts in the process. | Wolfe received a life sentence for piracy. |
| Wood. Henry (Burrell 1830) | 13/01/1833 | One of six convicts who stole a whaleboat and escaped from Sydney. They were recaptured north of Port Macquarie and returned to Sydney to stand trial. | Sentenced to 14 years at Norfolk Island. |
| Woodley. James (Lord Eldon 1817) | 06/1820 | Woodley was one of six convicts who escaped from Newcastle after seizing the pilot cutter. They fled south to Sydney, abandoned the cutter at Rushcutters bay and fled into the town on foot. | Woodley was recaptured and punished. |
| Woods. William (Bussorah Merchant 1828) | 29 May 1833 | One of sixteen convicts from the Norfolk Island boat crews who set out to sea while unloading ships offshore. They fabricated a sail from empty maize bags. They were last seen bearing south in a government whaleboat. | 10 months later wreckage of a similar boat was found on a New Zealand beach. |
| Wooten. Bernard aka McNulty (Runnymede 1856) | 8 Aug 1867 | One of nine convicts who escaped from Fremantle Prison by one of them posing as a warden. They planned to flee to South Australia, over 2,000 km away on foot. Eight were recaptured and one drowned crossing a river. None had got more than 60 km from Fremantle. | Found guilty of trying to murder a police officer during his arrest. Hanged 8 Oct 1867. |
| Wright. James (Calcutta 1803) | 23/06/1805 | Wright and five other convicts stole a boat in Hobart with the intention of seizing the Governor Hunter. They were all captured when they tried to board the Governor Hunter at sea. | Returned to Hobart for punishment. |
| Wright. Richard (unknown) | 01/1808 | Wright and eight other convicts seized the schooner Marcia in Bass Strait in late Jan or early Feb 1808. | They were recaptured and received life sentences. |
| Wright. William (unknown) | 17/07/1831 | One of 12 convicts stole a whaleboat from Watson’s Bay in Sydney and headed south. By the time the boat reached Twofold Bay there were only five men left. They were detained by whalers where four of them escaped into the bush. Only Williams was returned to Sydney. | Returned to Sydney. Punishment unknown. |
| Young. James (Lady Castlereagh 1818) | 27/11/1825 | One of four convicts who seized the Government Cutter Maria in the Derwent River. The cutter was last seen windbound near Wedge Island a day later but was never seen again after that. | Fate unknown |
| Young. George (Shipley – 1817) | 27/02/1819 | One of thirteen convicts who seized the Young Lachlan at Hobart and sailed it to Java. The ship was wrecked or scuttled, and the runaways landed in Batavia (Jakarta), claiming to be shipwrecked sailors. The Dutch threw them in gaol where most died from disease. | Young died from disease while gaoled in Batavia. |
Tales from the Quarterdeck 