Britannia - A Journal, of the proceedings of the ship, Britannia from the downs, to Port Jackson and, China, 3 September 1796 - 30 June 1798

DLMSQ 35

fonds

3 September 1796 - 30 June 1798

942598

Microfilm : CY 2561

1 volume of textual material (unpaged) - manuscript - 32 cm. Bound in vellum

Captained by Thomas Dennott, the transport Britannia embarked a detachment of the New South Wales Corps at Spithead, then crossed to Ireland to embark male and female convicts. The log contains an account of the punishments inflicted on the convicts following the discovery of an alleged plot to take the ship on leaving Rio de Janeiro.

On arrival at Port Jackson, 27 May 1797, Governor Hunter ordered an enquiry by the Bench of Magistrates into reports of harsh treatments and deaths during the voyage. Full account of the enquiry appears in Historical Records of Australia (I/II p. 36) and Historical Records of NSW (v. III, . 240).

The Britannia remained in Sydney Harbour 27 May - 20 August 1797.

The name 'Massey' has been inserted over the erasure 'Gilbert' in the entry for 24 March 1797. John Gilbert is recorded as Ships Steward in the entry for 12 December 1797, and his evidence before the court of enquiry is published in the Historical Records.

The log-book is written in several hands. It has 'Masseys Journal Book 1796' in ink on the front cover. Coat of arms drawn in colour inside front cover. 'H. Marcus Allen' written on title page.

Information transferred from Dixson Manuscript Card Catalogue as part of the eRecords Project, 2011-2012.

Notes of various ships named 'Britannia' are filed at DLMSQ 35n.
Transferred from DLSPENCER 135