Bound for South Australia 1836

The Duke of York sets sailWeek 1

Model of the ship Duke of York. South Australian Maritime Museum collection

Overview

Between February and July 1836 nine ships left Britain bound for the newly created province of South Australia. On-board the ships were passengers who over many long months braved the perils of the ocean, including some of the most treacherous seas in the world to begin a new life on the other side of the world.

This resource uses the stories from these nine ships as recorded by the passengers and crew in their personal journals.

Contents

• Introduction• Journal entries• Inquiry Questions• Relevant images • Glossary of terms

Introduction

Welcome aboard! This week we are following the Duke of York which was the second of the nine ships to leave England for South Australia. A former mail packet ship, refitted as a whaler, the Duke of York was acquired by the South Australian Company to transport colonists. On board the Duke of York was a small group of passengers eager to start their new lives in South Australia. Sailing them there was Captain Robert Morgan.

Journal entriesThursday 25 February 1836

Captain Robert Morgan, on board the Duke of York wrote:

10 AM left my family in the hand of God at home[?with a]ll.things needful for life and godlynesse glory be to God… my christian brother English in company we went on[?boar]d of the steem packet and landed safe at gravesend whereCaptn Pryn joined us and we came on board of the Duke of York… after dinner all hands with most of the passengers assembled [?]… on the quater deck haveing hoisted the Bethel flag…… ist head we commenced the worship of God with singing

…Captn Pryn offered a most affectionate prayer toAllmighty God for us and all mankind many tears was sheadand I hope the seed sown that will be blessed of the Lordwithout whose help the labourer laboureth in vain I went onshore after service and bid farewell to my christian Bretherenknowing not if I shall see them again in the flesh but Godknows that will surfice -

Saturday 27 February 1836

Captain Robert Morgan, on board the Duke of York wrote:

came to anchor in about 15 fathoms water in the downs in the evening, assembled the officers and apprentices for prayers, read a chapter in Proverbs and commended ourselves to God.

Inquiry questions

We meet Captain Morgan on the first day of his voyage.

• What emotions is he experiencing at this time?

• How would you feel if placed in this situation?

• What do you think lies ahead for Captain Morgan and his crew?

• What preparations would need to be made for a journey like this?

Images

Captain Robert Morgan

Glossary of terms

Fathoms• A fathom is a measure of depth in the imperial system. One fathom is equal to six feet or 1.83 metres.Proverbs• Book of the Old Testament of the Bible. Steam packet• A packet was a ship that ran a regular route between two ports and had a government contract to carry

the mail, in this case powered by steam rather than sail. The ships also carried passengers and cargo and the mail contract was seen as a mark of their speed and reliability.

Quarter deck• The quarterdeck was the area of the deck between the main mast and the back of the ship. It was

sometimes raised to give more headroom to the cabins below it. In sailing ships the quarterdeck was the place from which the captain commanded the ship. It was the custom in most ships that only officers would use the quarterdeck. The crew would only go there for specific duties or to take instructions.

Bethel flag• The flag of the Bethel Union, a seaman’s missionary organisation with the word Bethel (House of God)

blazened across a blue background with a star above and a dove with olive branch below. The flag was used by various organisations such as Angas’ British and Foreign Sailors’ Society to indicate that a church service was taking place aboard a ship in harbour.

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