Convict Ship Larkins - 1829
Embarked: 200 men
Voyage: 128 days
Deaths 3
Surgeon's Journal: Yes
Tons 647
Previous vessel: Sarah arrived 7 December 1829
Next vessel: Asia arrived 13 January 1830
Master William Campbell
Surgeon Oliver Sproule
Follow the Irish Convict Ship Trail
Prisoners and passengers of the Larkins identified in the Hunter Valley.
The Larkins was built in Calcutta in 1808. Convicts were previously transported to New South Wales on the Larkins in 1817.
It was reported early in July 1829 that a detachment belonging to the 63rd Regiment of Foot marched on the 4th July from Chatham to Deptford, for the purpose of embarking as a guard on the Larkins. (This was a distance of approximately 25 miles/ 40 km). The Guard consisted of 29 men of the 63rd, five women and eight children under command of Captain Mahon. Select here to find convicts ships bringing detachments of the 63rd regiment.
The Larkins departed London for Cork on 6th July 1829 where two hundred prisoners were embarked; one man, John Nowlan was re-landed while still in Cork.
Departure from Cork
The Larkins departed Cork on 16 August 1829.Surgeon Oliver Sproule
Oliver Sproule described the voyage in his Journal -We were generally speaking healthy on board the Larkins during her voyage to New South Wales consequently I have but few remarks to offer. To this healthy state of the ship I attribute the mild weather which we experienced off the Cape. The thermometer seldom ranging below 60° at noon, and also to the particular attention which was paid at all times to the comfort and cleanliness of the convicts both in their berths and in their persons besides having them all on deck when the weather permitted, by which means the air of the prison was always pure and sweet when they were sent below.
Besides the cases given in my journal there were 178 others who received medical assistance and medicine during the voyage, but whose cases were of such a trifling nature that were I to insert them they would not only be tedious but irksome to the reader. One case of scurvy however, appeared about ten days previous to our arrival at Sydney, the symptoms of which were spongy gums and enlargement of the left knee accompanied with a considerable degree of rigidity of the muscles and tendons and a livid discolouration of the skin. Suffice it to say that fresh diet, an extra allowance of lime juice and a little bark and wine administered daily kept the disease in check the five days we were in harbour, so far as to walk to Barracks the day the convicts were disembarked.
The following men were treated by Oliver Sproule:
William Fuller, aged 20, ordinary seaman, taken ill at Cove of Cork;
Edward Rohan, aged 16, obstruction and dropsy; Put on sick list 9 September 1829, died 4 October 1829
Alexander Laing, aged 22, convict;
William Condon, aged 35, convict;
Sergeant Joyce, 63rd Regiment;
John Dowde, aged 50;
James Bowcock, aged 24, convict;
Patrick McGarry, aged 22, convict; Put on sick list 14 December 1829, died 17 December 1829 at 9 pm. In this case there was inflammation of the brain or its meninges it must have been of a most insidious nature as there was not one of those symptoms present.
James McKenna, aged 32, private; thrown by a gale of wind against one of the gun carriages; Put on sick list 19 December 1829, discharged 28 December 1829 to barracks.
John Charters, aged 30, convict; severely scalded on the left leg; Put on sick list 19 December 1829, discharged 31 December 1829 to prisoner barracks.[3]
Port Jackson
The Larkins arrived in Port Jackson on 12 December 1829. Three men had died on the passage out.Convict Muster
The prisoners were mustered on board by the Colonial Secretary Alexander McLeay on Thursday 24th December 1829. The indents include name, age, education, religion, family, marital status, native place, trade, offence, when and where tried, sentence, prior convictions, physical description and when and where assigned on arrival. There is also occasional information about deaths, pardons and prior sentences. There were seven prisoners under seventeen years of age. The youngest prisoner was James Young who was fourteen years old.They were disembarked a week later on Thursday 31st December 1829. A number were assigned privately and the rest were assigned to government service.
Executed
Nineteen year old James (Michael) Oates, a prisoner for life from Co. Roscommon was one of the convicts of the Larkins assigned to private service on arrival. Nine years later he was assigned to Thomas Simpson Hall at the Namoi and was known as 'Jemmy' Oates or 'Hall's Jemmy'. He was involved in one of the most infamous incidents of the times - the Myall Creek Massacre. He was executed for his crimes with several other perpetrators at Darlinghurst prison on 18th December 1838.Punishment of a Convict
Amongst the Bound Indentures of the convicts of the Larkins is a punishment records for James Jewell, shoemaker from Cork who was transported age 19 for stealing. He was assigned to William Bowman at Richmond on arrival. Although he received a Certificate of Freedom in 1841 he was afterwards sent to gaol several times including Cockatoo Island. James Jewell was admitted to the Liverpool Asylum age 84 in 1895. He died there of Senile debility on 18 June 1897.17 April 1830 - Twenty five lashes for neglect of duty and leaving his station without permission
4 June 1830 - Six months to an iron gang for making away with his slop clothing
4 April 1831 - Fifty lashes for absconding
30 April 1831 - Five days solitary confinement for absenting
5 November 1831 - Seven days on the treadmill for being absent from work under false pretences
23 November 1831 - fifty lashes for absconding
12 March 1832 - twenty five lashes for absenting
16 March 1832 - seven days solitary confinement for disorderly conduct
1 December 1832 - twenty five lashes for absconding
29 December 1832 - Fifty lashes for absconding
6 August 1833 - 12 months in an iron gang for absconding 2nd time
29 January 1834 - twenty five lashes for insolence
15 February 1834 - Twelve lashes for refusing to work
20 October 1834 - One month confinement for disobedience of orders
23 March 1835 - fifty lashes for absenting
18 May 1836 - 12 months in an iron gang for having stolen property in his possession
Two years in irons in 1837 for larceny - Parramatta Bench
Larkins convicts in the Hunter Valley region:
Brien, ThomasIndoor servant from Waterford. Sent to Newcastle gaol in 1837
Brogan, Michael
Ploughs, reaps. Native place Co. Meath. Sent to Newcastle gaol l in 1836
Brophy, William
Ploughs, reaps, milks. Native place Queens co., Assigned to William O'Donnell at Wallis Plains on arrival
Burke, Patrick
Labourer, reaps, milks. Native place Co. Mayo. Assigned to Peter McIntyre on arrival
Burn, Robert
Ploughs, shears, reaps, milks. Native place Galway. Assigned to Peter McIntyre on arrival
Butler, Richard
Ploughs, reaps and milks. Native place Kilkenny. Assigned to Lieut. Caswell at Port Stephens on arrival
Christopher, Thomas
Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in 1834
Clowvane, John
Labourer, shears. Native place Co. Kerry. Assigned to Matthew Chapman in 1832
Coleman, Joseph
Bag pipe player from Cork. Assigned to George Wyndham on arrival
Connor, Edmond
Labourer from Tipperary. Granted a ticket of leave for Merton 1834
Dee, James
Errand boy from Waterford. Assigned to James Phillips at Paterson in 1840
Dillane, Thomas
Nailer from Co. Carlow. Assigned to Mr. Scott at Singleton in 1834
Duffy, Patrick
alias Crighton. Ploughs, reaps, milks. Native place Roscommon. Assigned to George Loder at Singleton in 1833
Dunn, John
Married Margaret Falloon at Maitland in 1838. Note - Two convicts by this name by this ship
Feeney, Patrick
Ploughs, shears, milks, reaps. Native place Queens Co. Assigned to James Glennie on arrival
Finn, John
Tanner and currier. Native place Wicklow. Assigned to Donald McIntyre on arrival
Gibbons, Michael
Ploughs, reaps, milks, quarryman. Native place Queens Co. Assigned to George Wyndham on arrival
Hogan, John
Coachman. Native place Limerick. Assigned to Edward Gostwyck Cory on arrival
Johnston, Michael
Tinman from Sligo. Assigned to Gilbert Cory 1837
Kavanagh, Owen
Shears, reaps. Native place Carlow. Assigned to George Williams at Paterson on arrival
Kelly, Brian
Shepherd, ploughs, reaps, milks. Native place Roscommon. Employed by James Reid in 1845
Kennedy, William
Butcher and stockman. Native place Tipperary. Assigned to James Reid on arrival
Laing, Andrews
Silk weaver and Officer's servant from Paisley. Assigned to James Glennie on arrival
Long, John
Labourer from Co. Cork. Assigned to George Williams on arrival
Madden, Michael
Ploughs, reaps. Native place Tipperary. Assigned to Richard Lang at Raymond Terrace in 1837
McGann, William
Shears, reaps, shepherd. Native place Roscommon. Assigned to J.T. Baker at Maitland in 1837
Mulvihill, Michael
Carpenter's apprentice from Kerry. Assigned to James Thomas Lamb on arrival
Murray, James
Labourer, reaps, milks. Native place Co. Cork. Assigned to Newcastle gaol in 1836
Nowland, James
Errand boy from Carlow. Assigned to Richard Lang on arrival
Nugent, Patrick
Gardener, reaps. Native place Tipperary. Assigned to Jacob Newton on arrival
O'Hara, Daniel
Ploughs, shears, reaps. Native place Co. Cork. Assigned to William Dunn at Patrick Plains in 1832
Oates, James
alias Halls Jemmy. Reaps and milks. Native place Roscommon. Assigned to Thomas Hall at Namoi River in 1837. Executed for murder in 1838
Power, James
Ploughs, shears, reaps, milks. Native place Waterford. Assigned to William Cape at Brisbane Water on arrival
Power, Lawrence
Labourer from Waterford. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in 1834
Quill, John
Land surveyor from Tipperary. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in 1834
Rafter, James
Labourer, reaps, milks. Native place Galway. Sent to Newcastle gaol in 1835
Reilly, Patrick
Pedlar from Monaghan. Sent to Newcastle gaol from Singleton in 1841
Robertson, Edward
Leather dresser from Cork. Assigned to George Wyndham on arrival
Ryan, John
Labourer, reaps. Native place Queens. Assigned to William Cape at Brisbane Water on arrival
Scanlon, Thomas
Soldier from Dublin. Sent to Newcastle gaol as a runaway from Port Macquarie in 1835
Sharkett, Dominick
Labourer from Sligo. Granted a ticket of leave for Scone in 1843
Staimmer, George
Butcher from Co. Clare. Admitted to Newcastle gaol in 1848
Standish, Thomas
Weaver and soldier from Lancashire. Assigned to the A.A. Company in 1840. Sentenced to 2 years in irons on Cockatoo Island in 1842
Sullivan, Thomas
Groom from Bandon. Assigned to the Patrick Plains district in 1837
Toohey, Thomas
Ploughs and reaps. Native place Tipperary. Sent to Cockatoo Island in 1843. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Scone 1846
Notes and Links
1). Oliver Sproule was also employed as surgeon on the convict ships Borneo in 1828 (VDL), Jane in 1831 and the Lady Nugent in 1835.2). National Archives UK - Principal Managing Owner: Joseph Somes. Voyages: (a) 1826/7 China and Quebec. Capt William Campbell. Portsmouth 29 Jun 1827 - 25 Oct Caipang Bay - 30 Dec Whampoa - 7 Feb 1828 Second Bar - 22 Apr St Helena - 19 Jun Quebec -. (b) 1828/9 New South Wales and China. Capt William Campbell. Cork 16 Aug 1829 - New South Wales - 20 Mar 1830 Whampoa - 16 Apr Second Bar - 28 Jul St Helena - 16 Sep Downs. (c) 1830/1 Tasmania and China. Capt William Campbell. Downs 19 Jun 1831 - Tasmania - 29 Jan 1832 Whampoa - 4 Mar Second Bar - 5 Jun St Helena - 27 Jul Downs. (d) 1832/3 Madras, Bengal and China. Capt William Campbell. Downs 21 Mar 1833 - 6 Jul Calcutta - 29 Aug Kedgeree - 8 Nov Whampoa - 10 Jan 1834 Second Bar - 18 Mar St Helena - 17 May Downs.
3) Prisoners and passengers of the Larkins identified in the Hunter Valley.
4). Return of Convicts of the Larkins assigned between 1st January 1832 and 31st March 1832 (Sydney Gazette 14 June 1832; 28 June 1832; 5 July 1832).....
John Barnable - Indoor servant assigned to Robert Smith at Goulburn Plains
John Clanvane - Labourer assigned to Matthew Chapman at Hunter's River
James Herbert - Bagpiper assigned to Peter Howell at Sydney
William Kelly - Indoor servant assigned to Henry Donnison at Sydney
Thomas Leary - Mason. Assigned to Terence Murray at Erskine Park
Matthew Murphy - Labourer assigned to Edward Fegan in Sydney
Daniel O'Hara - Ploughman assigned to William Dun at Patersons Plains
5). Ships bringing detachments of the 63rd regiment -
Albion departed Sheerness 1 June 1828 - Lieutenant M. Vickery
Eliza departed London 29 June 1828 - Major Sholto Douglas
Marquis of Hastings departed 30 June 1828 - Ensign Stulbmer
Royal George departed Spithead 26 August 1828 - Captain J. Briggs
Vittoria departed Devonport1 September 1828 - Lieutenant Aubyn
Governor Ready departed Cork 21 September 1828 - Lieutenant J. Gibbons Lane
Ferguson departed Dublin 16 November 1828 - Captain D'Arcy Wentworth
Mellish departed Falmouth 2 January 1829 - Captain Baylee
Lord Melville departed London 5 January 1829 - Lieut-Col. Burke
Waterloo departed London 14 March 1829 - Lieutenant T. Grove
America departed Woolwich 8 April 1829 - Adjutant T. Montgomery
Norfolk departed Spithead 22 May 1829 - Ensign W.J. Darling
Guildford departed Dublin 12 July 1829 - Lieut McLean 89th
Larkins departed Cork 16 August 1829 - Captain Mahon
Claudine departed London 24 August 1829 - Captain Paterson
Sarah departed London 29 August 1829 - Lieutenant Croly
Dunvegan Castle departed 30 September 1829 - Lieutenant John Gray
Katherine Stewart Forbes departed Spithead 14 October 1829 - Major Fairtclough
References
1. Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857. Medical Journal of Oliver Sproule on the voyage of the Larkins in 1829. The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey.2. Bateson, Charles, Library of Australian History (1983). The convict ships, 1787-1868 (Australian ed). Library of Australian History, Sydney : pp.348-349, 386
3. National Archives - Reference: ADM 101/42/4 Description: Medical journal of the Larkins, convict ship from 19 June to 31 December 1829 by Oliver Sproule, surgeon and superintendent in which daily latitude and longitude readings are also recorded.
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