Thomas Bell R. N.,
Convict Ship Surgeon-Superintendent
There may have been more than one convict ship Surgeon-Superintendent by the name of Thomas Bell -
Two Assistant Surgeons by the name of Thomas Bell have been identified -
(1) Thomas Bell (a) *4 November 1805. This man was employed as assistant surgeon on the Perseus in 1843
(2) Thomas Bell *22 November 1813
There was also Thomas Bell (c) who was a surgeon of the Royal Navy - Thomas Bell (c) was appointed Surgeon in the Royal Navy 6 July 1827. (Navy List 1840)
Surgeon Superintendent
Thomas Bell was appointed to the following convicts ships as Surgeon-Superintendent -Thomas Bell, R.N. was employed on the Thames in 1829. The Thames departed London on 31 July 1829 with 160 male prisoners and arrived in Van Diemen's Land 21 November 1829. There were two deaths on the voyage. The Medical Journal for this voyage was signed Thomas Bell, Surgeon R.N.
Thomas Bell, R.N. was employed on the Edward in 1831. The Edward departed Cork on 17 October 1830 with 158 male prisoners and arrived in Port Jackson on 22 February 1831. Five prisoners died on the voyage out. The Medical Journal was signed Thomas Bell, Surgeon R.N.
Thomas Bell was employed on the Eliza in 1832. The Eliza departed Cork on 10 May 1832 and arrived in Port Jackson on 6 September 1832 with 196 male convicts, who having died on the passage out. Medical Journal signed Thomas Bell (c) Surgeon Superintendent
Thomas Bell was employed on Prince George in 1837. The Prince George departed Torbay on 14 January 1837 and arrived in Port Jackson on 8 May 1837 with 250 male prisoners. Medical Journal signed Thomas Bell (c) Surgeon Superintendent
Thomas Bell was employed on Portsea in 1838. The Portsea departed Portsmouth on 31 July 1838 and arrived in Port Jackson on 18 December 1838. Medical Journal signed Thomas Bell (c) Surgeon Superintendent
Thomas Bell was Surgeon Superintendent on the Lady Kennaway from Cork to Van Diemen's Land in 1835 however there is no Surgeon's Journal available to compare signatures.
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