Medical and surgical journal of His Majesty's convict Ship Roslin Castle for 12 December...

Medical and surgical journal of His Majesty's convict Ship Roslin Castle for 12 December 1829 to 15 July 1830 by William C Watt MD, Surgeon, during which time the said ship was employed on a voyage from England to Sydney, New South Wales.

Folios 1-2: Copy of the daily sick list book female convict ship the Roslin Castle. Folio 2: Ann Smith, aged 17, venereal [disease], 17 February to 18 April, cured. Folio 2: Sarah Brett, aged 18, catarrh, 25 February to 30 March, cured. Folio 2: Maria Bevis, aged 17, dyspepsia, 9 March to 30 March, cured. Folio 2: Bridget Nicholson, aged 3, jabes [misentiaca], 12 March to 18 March, died. Folio 2: Jane Davies, aged 22, pneumonia, 15 March to 20 March, cured. Folio 2: Ann Smith (2), aged 19, pneumonia, 18 March to 25 March, cured. Folio 2: Mary Chester, aged 26, venereal [disease], 20 March t 20 May, cured. Folio 2: Margaret Kelly, aged 22, hepatitis, 31 March to 21 May, cured. Folio 2: Mary A Read, aged 18, cephalalgia, 28 March to 13 April, cured. Folio 2: Ellen Roach, aged 19, catarrh, 30 March to 13 April, cured. Folio 2: Ann Crowther, aged 21, catarrh, 2 April to 16 April, cured. Folio 2: Martha Metcalfe, aged 27, fever, 14 April to 20 April, cured. Folio 2: Mary A Reid, aged 18, opthalmia, 14 April to 25 April, cured. Folio 2: Ann Ballius, aged 19, pneumonia, 24 April to 10 May, cured. Folio 2: Elizabeth Walton, aged 33, jaundice, 29 April to 9 May, cured. Folio 2: Ann Smith (3), aged 22, inflamed labia, 9 May to 3 June, cured. Folio 2: Bridget O'Brien, aged 20, prolapsed uteri, 18 May to 29 May, cured. Folio 2: Ann Green, aged 26, diarrhoea, 21 May to 2 June, cured. Folio 2: Susan Scarborough, aged 20, catarrh, 19 June to 24 June, cured.

Folios 3-6: Ann Smith, aged 17, Convict; disease or hurt, venereal [disease]. Put on sick list, 17 February 1830, in the Downs. Discharged cured, 18 April 1830. 'An unfortunate girl of the town of a scrofulous habit and exceedingly slovenly whose constitution appears much broken form the disorderly life which she has led and has suffered severely from an attack of syphilis'. She had been treated by Surgeon W. Box at Newgate Prison and was embarked as healthy.

Folios 6-7: Bridget Mullins [Bridget Nicholson in the daily sick list], aged 3, child of Bridget Mullins, Convict; disease or hurt, jabes [misenterica]. Put on sick list, 12 March 1830, at sea. Died, 13 March 1830.The child and her mother had travelled from Manchester and were exposed to severe weather on the way. When the mother had been imprisoned in September, the child was in good health but the person entrusted to care for her turned her out and she ended up in the poor house. On being returned to her mother on 31st January she was very emaciated and her mother had trouble recognising her. The child could not be expected to survive the journey but was embarked anyway, 'as a matter of necessity'.

Folios 7-10: Mary Chester, aged 26, Convict; disease or hurt, lues venerea. Put on sick list, 20 March 1830, at sea. Discharged cured, 20 May 1830. 'A poor miserable creature of the most abject appearance' she was received form Horsham Gaol, on 29th January, with a certificate of health from the surgeon. She had had venereal disease twice, most recently one month before embarkation, while in prison.

Folios 10-13: Margaret Kelly, aged 22, Convict; disease or hurt, hepatitis. Put on sick list, 31 March 1830, at sea. Discharged cured, 21 May 1830.

Folios 13-14: Martha Metcalf, aged 27, Convict; disease or hurt, fever. Put on sick list, 14 April 1830, at sea. Discharged cured, 21 April 1830.

Folios 14-15: Ann Collins, aged 19, Convict; disease or hurt, pneumonia. Put on sick list, 24 April 1830, at sea. Discharged cured, 10 May 1830.

Folio 16: Blank.

Folio 17: Abstract of the preceding journal, being a summary of all the cases contained therein, nosologically arranged.

Folios 18-19: Surgeon's general remarks. The convicts were very healthy during the voyage. However, many were received in a very unhealthy state, having in some cases travelled more than 150 miles from country gaols, on the outside of coaches during very severe weather in January and February. They had been heavily ironed for the journey and suffered chilblains and in one case even frostbite. Their health was restored before departure. The ship was leaky and so the bedding was almost constantly wet. The ship broached on one occasion and shipped a lot of water into the prison, creating a great deal of panic. On other occasions a lamp burst nearly starting a fire and the ship was dismasted on the 3rd of June. However, the prisoners were kept healthy by constant attention to their comforts and cleanliness and a system of 'police regulation' the Surgeon detailed in a previous journal. All prisoners were landed in 'the most vigorous state of health and spirits' with one exception, who was sent to the hospital. Signed, William C Watt MD, Surgeon and superintendent.

Topics

Shipping

Policing

Australia and Pacific

Children

Disease

Navy

Armed Forces (General Administration)

Prisons