- with 251 emigrants and arrived in Sydney, NSW on 27 June 1838. The Master was Alexander Molison and the Surgeon was Dr James Lawrence. There were 9 births and 10 deaths during the voyage.
A description of the voyage from Gravesend to Sydney by the Ship's Surgeon, James Lawrence.
The grand objects kept steadily in view during the whole of the voyage were the preservation of the Emigrants' health and the improvement of their minds. The means employed for effecting the first object were daily inspection of the people and of the ship, the utmost attention to cleaning, ventilation and to the victualling and clothing of the Emigrants; their comfort and medical treatment.
My mode of cleaning the berths and decks was by scraping and dry rubbing and then spreading with chloride of lime and sometimes vinegar. When within the tropics the lower deck was washed several times but all moisture was avoided as much as possible. In high latitudes the swing stoves were in constant use for the purpose of promoting warmth, dryness and a _______. Abundance of soap and water were allowed for each and the people were cleanly in their persons and happy. There were on board a good band of musicians who assembled on the poop at suitable times for the purpose of playing which promoted cheerfulness and _______ amusements.
The whole of the Emigrants were Protestant. Divine Service was performed every Sunday then closed with a sermon and religious tracts were distributed amongst all the Emigrants.
On the days the children who were able, amounting to 36 boys and 25 girls, attended school conducted by John Morgan, one of the Emigrants, under whom were seven teachers: four for the boys and three for the girls. They taught the children reading and writing and arithmetic very well.
They were also taught daily, the chief truths of the Christian religion by use of the catechisms and the senior classes became so perfect in their knowledge as not only to have committed the catechisms to memory but to have a clear understanding of them.
I took care before leaving England to be provided with an abundant supply of school books and I was most fortunate in having such a man as John Morgan for schoolmaster, for a more indefatigable, zealous teacher I have never met.
After the people had got over their sea sickness, there were very few days during the whole passage, although the latter part of it was very stormy; that the school was not regularly kept. It commenced at 10 o'clock a.m. and was dismissed at noon and met again at 2 p.m. and finished at four.
I also took to have on board a pretty good collection of books of such a description as I thought would interest the Emigrant and promote a taste for reading and enquiry amongst them such as voyages and travels - history of nations and work so elementary of different scientific subjects as to be easily comprehended. There were likewise on board from different sources a sufficiency of bibles and prayer books and other religious and moral books.
(Signed) James Lawrence, Surgeon
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AUSIGEN - Family History
