Medical and surgical journal of Her Majesty's convict ship Cape Packet for 14 October...

Medical and surgical journal of Her Majesty's convict ship Cape Packet for 14 October to 26 November 1842 by Henry Kelsall, Surgeon and Superintendent, during which time the said sloop was employed in the passage from Table Bay to Hobart Town, in Van Dieman's Land.

Folios 1-2: William Collins, aged 59, convict; case number 1; disease or hurt, haemoptysis. At the wreck of the Waterloo this old man had four of the central ribs on the right side fractured, and suffered some severe bruises in several parts of the trunk and extremities. He was carried from the beach to the general hospital in Cape Town, where he remained until all the convicts were embarked in the Cape Packet. Put on sick list, 28 August 1842 in Table Bay. Discharged convalescent.

Folios 3-4: John Roberts, aged 42, convict; case number 2; disease or hurt, vomica. At the wreck of the Waterloo this man was taken out of the water in a state of asphyxia and animation was with much difficulty restored. Put on sick list, 28 August 1842. Died 10 November 1842.

Folios 4-5: William Tipper, aged 33, convict; case number 3; disease or hurt, fracture of the right tibia and fibula. Put on sick list, 28 August 1842. Discharged 30 October 1832 convalescent.

Folios 5-6: James Barnes, aged 23, private 25th Regiment; case number 4; disease or hurt, accidental shooting of left hand. Put on sick list, 13 November 1842. Discharged 25 November 1842 to Military Hospital at Hobart Town.

Folios 7-10: Blank.

Folio 11: A nosological synopsis of the sick book.

Folio 12: A list of men who have received wounds or hurts, during the period of the journal. William Collins, William Tipper and James Barnes as mentioned above.

Folios 12-15: Surgeon's general remarks. The Waterloo embarked 220 male convicts at Woolwich and Sheerness, about the 26 and 27 May 1842 but the precise dates cannot be ascertained; in consequence of every document having been lost by the wreck of the ship. On 1 June 1842 she sailed from Sheerness and ran through the Downs, with a fair wind. 14 or 15th June passed within sight of Madeira. About this time 3 or 4 convicts presented themselves with Ringworm on the face and neck which led to an examination of all the prisoners when about 20 others were found to be infected with the same disease which was treated with the chloride of lime. On approaching the Equator, a prisoner, (Benjamin Jeans) died of Phthisis. A corporal of the 99th Regiment and 13 or 14 other convicts were treated with scorbutic symptoms. The Waterloo anchored in Table Bay 23 August [1842] and on the morning of the 28th parted from her anchor in a heavy gale of wind and was wrecked. The convicts remained in Cape Town gaol six weeks. With the exception of the three men whose cases are mentioned, all the convicts embarked in the Cape Packet in good health which continued all the subsequent voyage to Hobart Town. The Cape Packet sailed from Table Bay 14th October and anchored in the Derwent 23 November 1842.

Folio 15: A copy of the sick list (names and details follow): Folio 15: William Collins, aged 59, convict; disease or hurt, haemoptysis. Put on sick list, 14 October 1842. Discharged 25 October 1842 convalescent. Folio 15: John Roberts, aged 42, convict; disease or hurt, vomica. Put on sick list, 14 October 1842. Died 10 November 1842. Folio 15: William Tipper, aged 33, convict; disease or hurt, fractura. Put on sick list, 14 October 1842. Discharged 30 October 1842 convalescent. Folio 15: James Monaghan, aged 24, Private, 99th Regiment; disease or hurt, gonorrhoea. Put on sick list, 15 October 1842. Discharged 12 November 1842 to duty. Folio 15: James Barnes, aged 23, Private, 25th Regiment; disease or hurt, vulnus. Put on sick list, 13 November 1842. Discharged 25 November 1842 to Military hospital at Hobart Town. Folio 15: Thomas Miles, aged 20, convict; disease or hurt, catarrh. Put on sick list, 15 November 1842. Discharged 18 November 1842 cured. Folio 15: William Moobay, aged 31, convict; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, 15 November 1842. Discharged 21 November 1842 cured. Folio 15: Frederick Cheshire, aged 25, convict; disease or hurt, rheumatism. Put on sick list, 18 November 1842. Discharged 23 November 1842 cured.

Topics

Shipping

Army

Australia and Pacific

Disease

Navy

Armed Forces (General Administration)