446720
- TitleThomas Watson - journals and associated material, 1838-1844
- Creator
- Call numberMLMSS 7563/Box 1X
- Level of descriptionfonds
- Date
1838 - 1844 - Type of material
- Reference code446720
- Issue CopyMicrofilm : CY 4527, frames 11-158 (MLMSS 7563)
- Physical Description0.16 metres of textual material (1 outsize box) - manuscript
- ADMINISTRATIVE/ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
In 1826 Thomas Watson was appointed resident pilot of Sydney. In 1837 he resigned and purchased the schooner Essington. The following year he sailed with HMS Alligator and HMS Britomart to assist in the founding of the northern settlement of Port Essington and to search for survivors of the wreck of the Charles Eaton in Torres Strait. In 1843 he sailed on another voyage in the brig Diana in search of sandalwood among the islands of the South-West Pacific. He made several other voyages during the 1840s before retiring from the sea and settling in Sydney. He died in 1879. - Scope and Content10 September 1838-19 July 1839; Journal of the Schooner 'Essington' from Sydney through Torres Straits, towards Port Essington. The journal records Watson's voyage from Sydney to the north coast of Australia to assist in the founding of the settlement at Port Essington. It contains a good description of Port Essington as well as notes on the coasts and islands visited and the customs of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders. Of particular note is an account of the rescue of a sailor named John Forbes, the sole survivor of the crew of the schooner 'Stedcombe' who had been massacred by the Islanders of Timor Laut in 1822. Other islands visited and described included Murray Island, Darnley Island, Nepean Island, Stephen's Island, Dalrymple Island, Marsden Island, Wednesday Island and Booby Island as well as Point Record, Kissa, Lettee, Moa, Lakor, Luan, Rorna, Wetta, Timor, Dilly, Veimassa, Meeso, Mattahatta and Coupang. At the end of the journal are copies of letters, 1838-42, by Watson and others including Anne Slade, Sir Gordon Bremer and Lloyd's concerning the rescue of Forbes.
5 November 1843-25 October 1844; Journal of the Brig 'Diana' Captain Watson towards Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, etc. mounting 13 guns and 40 men. This journal records a voyage in the South-West Pacific, through Torres Strait and on to Batavia in search of sandalwood. It includes descriptions of the indigenous people and European traders. The 'Diana' visited Norfolk Island, the Isle of Pines, Morgee Island, New Caledonia, the islands of Tanna, Annatom, Erromanga and Booby Island. - Finding AidsRead the transcription here: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2010/D04420/a1490.htm
- General note
Both journals were transcribed into one volume at an early date from Captain Watson's logbooks and notes, which have been since lost. His signature appears on page 141 of the 'Essington' journal.
Both journals contain an index prepared by Geoffrey Ingleton.
The bookplate of G.& N. Ingleton is pasted onto the inside front cover.
Digital order no: Album ID : 823652 - Creator/Author/Artist
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