Tall Ships

From the time of the First Fleet in 1788, sailing ships were crucial for the survival of the colony. While conjuring up romantic images of a more leisured past, sailing last century could be an unpleasant and dangerous undertaking. Conditions for steerage passengers were little better than for convicts. Seasickness and boredom were often problems on long voyages, but even worse were the threats of shipwreck, epidemic and fire. "Australian stamp bulletin", No. 243 Jan-Feb 1998.

Some of our ancestors emigrated to Australia, some were transported as convicts to Van Dieman’s Land and one, on arrival was incarcerated for six months aboard the hulk, Anson in the Derwent River, Hobart.

The sketch Anson off Domain was by His Honour the former Chief Justice,

Sir W Lambert Dobson, published in The Tasmanian Mail 11^th January, 1896, p 17.

(information courtesy Michael Quin-Conroy)

Acknowledgements: Information has been kindly shared by Michael Palmer, John Snelson, Ted Drake, Enid Turbit, Margaret Bauer, Peter Barclay, Wendy Tucknott, Guildhall Library of London, and Perth Dead Persons’ Society members, Michael Quin-Conroy; Judy Barnett; Rob Nelson, Carolyn Harris, Kay Hinnrichsen and Joan O’Donovan.

[The Family Pirate][The Sailors' Friend][The Voyage][Vessels][Appendix]

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Date : March 1999
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