Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Thomas Davie

Convict Ship Surgeon


Thomas Davie was surgeon on the Atlas (II) (Musgrave) arriving in New South Wales in October 1802. There were no deaths on this voyage, an unusual occurrence in a male convict ship at the time and in stark contract the Atlas (I) that had arrived in July with sixty-five deaths having occurred.

In drawing comparison between the two ships, Governor King remarked to the Transport Commissioners in correspondence dated 9 November 1802 -

{Extract}
The Atlas (Musgrave) arrived here the 30th ultimo, after a five months' voyage from Waterford. He lost no convicts on the passage, and the whole were in perfect health and fit for immediate labour, and expressed the greatest thanks to the master and surgeon for their attention and kindness to them. [1]

No further mention can be found of Thomas Davie in Australian records however he probably returned to England on the Atlas (II).

The Atlas (II) departed Port Jackson bound for China on 3 January 1803 arriving back in Cork on 30 November and Deptford on 16 December 1803. [4].

Southampton 1810

It may be this same Thomas Davie who was appointed to the Southampton in 1810. [2] - The Southampton saw action in 1812 - On the 2nd of February a very severe action was fought by the 12-pounder 32 gun frigate Southampton, Captain Sir James L. Yeo, and Amethyste, of forty-four guns, late a French frigate, but at this time in the service of the Haytian government.[3]

References

[1] HRA, Series 1, vol. p. 718.

[2] Naval Chronicle 1810

[3] Battles of the British Navy - Internet Archive

[4] The National Archives