John Gardner - Voyage of H.M.S. Gorgon, January 1774-ca. March 1792

DLMS 1

fonds

January 1774-ca. March 1792

945057

Microfilm : CY 2758

1 volume of textual material - manuscript - 18.5 cm.

The Gorgon left England on 15 March 1791 and after taking on board provisions, livestock and plants at the Cape of Good Hope, arrived in Port Jackson 21 September 1791. The account of the return voyage begun 18 December 1791, with Major Ross, ends before England is reached.

Account of the voyage of H.M.S. Gorgon from England to Australia and return to England, 15 March 1791-ca. March 1792, probably by Lieutenant John Gardner or Gardiner, together with other accounts.

Written at the back of a volume with binder's title poems, previously used for writing poems, January 1774-June 1775. All appear to be written in the same hand except a 2 page record of offences committed by prisoners on board the Gorgon 1790, signed by Thomas Ford, or Foord, whose signature appears on the last page.

On page 31 of the account the writer describes himself as the 'next person responsible' after the Captain. In both the Captain's Log (P.R.O. Adm. 51/383) and the Ship's Muster (P.R.O. Adm. 36/11119-20) John Gardner is listed as 1st Lieutenant on the Gorgon 1791-92. The name is there spelt 'Gardner'. Extract from Maggs Bros. sale catalgoue placed with this item ascribes the manuscript to Lieutenant John Gardiner (or Gardner) and gives details of his service career.

Includes descriptions of Sydney pp. 65-66, Broken Bay pp. 75-81, Pittwater p.82, Aborigines' weapons and customs pp. 66-73, 82-84, Lord Howe Island pp.88-90 and William & Ann, Whaler pp. 80-81.

There are scattered references to Governor King and Mrs. King who came out in the Gorgon and one to Governor Phillip on p. 86.

The other accounts are:
Front: 'Hardships of ye service'. An incomplete sketch depicting naval life at the Cape of Good Hope, ca. 1797. Copies of letters written from the Cape of Good Hope, no date.

Back: Log of H.M.S. Valiant during the battle of the Glorious First of June 1794, from 28 May to the close of 1 June. Vocabulary of the Malagasy language. Short account of Madagascar from Augustines Bay to Tintingue St. Marys.

Several pages have been cut out.

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

Transferred from DLSPENCER 373