Between 1788 and 1868 something like 162,000 convicts were put on transport ships and banished to the colonies to serve out their sentences. Such were conditions onboard some of these ships and the hazards and vast distances travelled, perhaps as many as one in one hundred perished without ever setting foot on Australian soil. WhenContinue reading “The Loss of the Convict Ship Neva – 1835”
Tag Archives: Convict era
The Loss of HMS Sirius – 1790
The loss of a ship is always a tragedy, especially so if there is also loss of life. But sometimes a shipwreck can have a profound effect beyond the actual loss of the vessel. Such was the case in 1790 when HMS Sirius was wrecked off Norfolk Island. HMS Sirius sailed from Portsmouth on 13Continue reading “The Loss of HMS Sirius – 1790”
The Brig Amity’s Amazing Career
All Australian school children learn of the Endeavour’s role in the history of Australia. Some people may have heard of the First Fleet’s flag-ship Sirius or the Investigator which Matthew Flinders used to chart much of Australia’s coastline. But, I wager few, outside Albany WA, have heard of the Amity or know of her contributionContinue reading “The Brig Amity’s Amazing Career”
View post to subscribe to site newsletter.
Tales from the Quarterdeck 