On the 5th May 1809, the 73rd Regiment of Foot received orders to march from Collwell Barracks, Isle of Wight, to Yarmouth, there to embark on His Majesty’s Ships the Hindostan of 50 guns and the Dromedary of 38 guns. The 7th being the day fixed for the embarkation, the Regiment marched from Collwell Barracks at 5 in the morning and arrived at Yarmouth at 7, where they found the boats waiting
for them.
The Grenadier Company with the band and the Colours went in the first boat. When the boat began to move from the shore the men of the Regiment gave three cheers, the band struck up “God save the King”. The morning was fine so that the whole Regiment was embarked in less than an hour. The numbers embarked on the Dromedary were soldiers 368, women 54, children 41, officers 10. The sailors and ships officers numbered 102. On the Hindostan 602 soldiers embarked. These two ships were to be the home of the 73rd until 1st January 1810 when the Regiment landed at Government Wharf, Sydney – a journey of 8 months.
Ships Standing Orders
At 8 o’clock pipe to breakfast, at 12 o’clock to dinner, the grog always to be served at 1 o’clock and at half past 4 in the evenings; hal(f) an hour to breakfast and a full hour to dinner, the people never to be disturbed at these meals if possible. No clothes to be hung up to dry in the rigging, but ropes to be kept for that purpose fore and aft between the fore and main masts.
No naked light under any circumstances to be taken into a store room. The Warrant Officers are never to convert or expend any stores, not even a nail, without first obtaining consent of the duty Officer. The ship’s company and soldiers are to be mustered at Quarters every evening at sunset and everything ready for action to prevent being surprised in the night. The watches at sea to be mustered - sailors by the officers and soldiers by the sergeants. The sergeant to report to the officer of the watch any absentees.
The Voyage
After lying two days at anchor at Yarmouth we sailed to Spithead where we lay waiting for Governor Macquarie for near a fortnight. On the 21st morning we weighed anchor and sailed through the harbour expecting the Governor at any moment. He at length came at 4 in the afternoon, attended by Colonel O’Connell and Captain Pasco and Mr Bent the Judge Advocate General. We received him in all the state circumstances would allow – the guard consisting of 40 men was drawn up on the Quarter deck and the
Band was stationed on the Poop. The moment the Governor came on the Quarter deck, the band struck up and the guard presented arms with the officers taking off their hats.
On the 27th it began to blow fresh about 9 o’clock in the morning and continued increasing till night; so much that we could only carry close reefed sails. The Gun Room where we slept, was ankle deep in water which rushed in through the rudder case every minute. In this pickle we slept or rather continued awake all night.
On the 29th about 1 o’clock a strange sail appeared standing N.W. The Commodore having made signal for us to give chase, we made all sail after her and came up with her about 6 in the evening. She was a Swedish vessel and had been 5 days in the possession of the French and was therefore a lawful prize. She carried about 400 tons and was laden with rice and cotton. We computed her cargo to be worth about 45000 pounds. Captain Pasco put a lieutenant with a party of sailors on board of the prize and sent her to England the next day.
4th June – The Magician made signal for the Hindostan to send a boat on board and Captain Pasco accordingly lowered the jolly boat with nine men, but a thick squall coming on, she was swamped in an instant. Three of the men were drowned. One of the poor fellows who had just been saved, seeing two of his comrades drowning exclaimed “damn my eyes! they shall drink grog with me in Plymouth yet” and immediately jumped into the sea again and rescued them both at the risk of his own life. A subscription was immediately set on foot on board the Hindostan to reward the poor fellow for his courage, which amounted to 30 pounds.
On 10th, the Quarter Master brought something stowed up in a hammock and laid it down on the gangway. I immediately recollected it was the body of the ship’s Tailor who had died the day before. Captain Pritchard having advanced with a bible in his hands, read a verse or two and the Quarter Master launched the body over board. Such is the burial of a sailor.
On 11th June we came to anchor in Funchal Roads and saluted the Portugese with 15 guns which they returned. While we lay at Funchal it was very hot, the thermometer standing commonly at 75 and rising to 86 where exposed to the sun. The band performed on the Quarter Deck every evening at 6 o’clock. At 8 the drums and fifes began to play and the soldiers and sailors danced till 10.
Two days after we left St Iago a large ship appeared on our starboard quarter bearing down upon us with studding sails set. The Commodore held on his course and made signal for the Dromedary to lay to for her and see what she was. At dusk of the evening she got up with us and hoisted Americal colours. It was well for her she did so, for we were just going to pour a broadside into her. She was a vessel of about 700 tons.
On 25th the Commodore made signal to send Dr. Carter on board. He went and found the Hindostan’s sick list increased to 59 soldiers, 20 sailors, 5 women and 2 children. The same day he cut off the leg of a boy below the knee.
On 29th the Commodore made signal that the boy whose leg had been cut off, had died of a lockjaw.
At 8 o’clock next morning a strange sail hove in sight right ahead, standing on the same course as ourselves. The Commodore made signal for the Dromedary to give chase. We could plainly perceive her to be a brig. At 2 o’clock we came within gun shot of her and fired three shots at her which brought her to. Sent Mr. Cleveland on board her in the jolly boat. She proved to be a Portugese slave ship with 540 female slaves on board from Benguela in Africa bound for Rio Janeiro. 50 of the slaves had died since they left the coast of Africa. The Portugese Captain told Mr. Cleveland that when a slave took ill he had him thrown overboard immediately lest the disorder should spread.
August 6th arrived in Rio Janeiro. August 15th. Lieutenant Crane and Ensign McLain went ashore in their kilts, to the great wonder and admiration of the Portugese, who flocked from all quarters to see them. While we lay at Rio Janeiro two soldiers who were prisoners on the poop made their escape during the night in the jolly boat which was then lying astern. They got ashore at the west end of the harbour and made into the interior of the country. One day as Lieutenant Shotton and I were walking behind the palace one of the princesses came out on the balcony. We looked up and saw her legs as far up as the thigh, she had no stockings on. The day before we sailed we took on board15 live oxen for the use of the ship’s company and soldiers.
On 30th we exercised the men at the Great Guns and dried a quantity of cartridge paper in the sun. The Governor issued an order that the men should be exercised every day at the Great Guns in future as it was very probable that we should fall in with the Cannonin French frigate before we reached the Cape.
On 1st September at 3 o’clock our Carpenter Mate fell overboard and was drowned. Both ships lowered their boats to save him but all to no purpose.
On 3rd September Mr. Sullivan our Signal Master fell overboard at the poop while two large sharks were swimming round the ship. He saved himself by swimming to the gangway.
On September 14th after parade a general search was made through the soldiers and sailors chests. Three soldiers were confined. Next day at 11 o’clock two of the prisoners were flogged.
September 23rd anchored at Cape Town. While we lay at the Cape fresh bread and mutton was served out to the men every day.
On October 24th fresh provisions were served out to the men for the last time, our 120 sheep being consumed since we left Cape Town. 2 men, 1 woman and 3 children had died since we left England.
At 6 in the evening punished two soldiers for fighting with a dozen lashes each.
On 2nd November we had only 150 tons of water remaining. We expended 2 tons a day. Allowance of fresh water was one quart a day for each man. At this stage we had 51 children on board having started with 41.
8th November we were put on short allowance of fresh water, only one pint a day to each man having only 50 days water on board and being 4000 miles from our destination.
On 24th the soldiers paraded in their new clothing and were inspected by the Governor. White trousers were served out to the soldiers. Lime juice was served out to the soldiers.
On December 3rd we were 1300 miles from Sydney Cove. This day we began to live on salt provisions, our stock of sheep and pigs being all consumed.
December 21st, soldiers were busily employed cleaning their arms and accoutrements. This day we got the Colours of the Regiment out and aired them in the sun.
On 27th we saw the South Head of Port Jackson on Flagstaff Point 8 or 9 miles distant. The Commodore fired a gun and hoisted the Red Ensign. Saw two guns fired at the Signal Post and two flags flying.
At 9 o’clock a boat came to each ship with two pilots. At half past nine we were obliged to drop anchor at the entrance of Port Jackson, the wind being against us. After lying two or three days at anchor at the entrance, the wind came fair. We weighed anchor on Sunday and sailed up the harbour. Arrived in Sydney Cove at 3 o’clock.
Arrival in Sydney Sunday 31st December the Governor landed. The 73rd Regiment was drawn up in marching order on board the ships. The yards were manned. Captain Pasco and Colonel O’Connell came on board the Dromedary to accompany His Excellency on shore. When his Excellency came out of his cabin to get into the boat, the Regiment presented arms, the Colours dropped and the jolly tars gave three cheers. When the boats shoved off the ships fired a salute of 15 guns each. The 102nd Regiment formed a street to receive His Excellency when he went ashore.
On Monday, 1st January 1810, the 73rd Regiment landed at the Government Wharf, Sydney at 10 in the morning and marched up to the Barracks where the 102nd was drawn up. They saluted us as we marched past them. Both Regiments formed a hollow square. After standing at attention for near half an hour the Governor and his lady came into the square attended by Colonel Patterson, Colonel Foveaux, Captain Pasco of His Majesty’s Ship Hindostan, Captain Pritchard of His Majesty’s Ship Dromedary, Ellis Bent, Esq., Judge Advocate and his lady, John Thomas Campbell, Esq., Secretary to His Excellency, Captain Cleveland, Major of Brigade, Captain Antill, aid de Camp and the Principal Gentleman of the Colony.
The Regiments gave a general salute, which was repeated after the Commission was read. The Governor addressed the troops and the inhabitants in a short and able speech. The 73rd wheeled into line and marched off to Grose Farm Camp about three miles from Sydney. When they arrived at 2 o’clock, they found all the tents ready pitched. Nothing to eat this day but potatoes. Our breakfast in general consisted of potatoes and water. However, in the course of a week we could procure bread and coffee or tea.
Two large snakes were killed in the camp. The whole Regiment was busily employed burning the stumps of trees which prevented the regiment drilling.
On 6th January, Lieutenant Gunning, Captain Murray and Ensign Campbell went with a detachment to Parramatta.
On the evening of Saturday 13th the Governor came to see our encampment. On Sunday 14th the Regiment paraded and we had Divine Service performed by the Chaplain of the Colony.
On 17th Commodore Bligh arrived in His Majesty’s Ship Porpoise. The 102nd was drawn up on the wharf to receive him, but he refused to come on shore and said he would not be received by those who had so lately threatened to cut his throat.
The following day at 11 in the morning, Commodore Bligh came on shore and was received by our flank companies., who had marched into Sydney for that purpose. The ships fired a salute of 15 guns each which was answered by the batteries on shore. At 12 noon His Excellency Governor MacQuarrie and his lady with Commodore Bligh, Captain Pasco of His Majesty’s Ship Hindostan and Captain Porteus of His Majesty’s Ship Porpoise came out to our camp. The 73rd saluted and fired three volleys.
On 27th [January] Major Gordon, Captain Renny and Lieutenant Rose embarked with a detachment of 60 men for Port Dalrymple in Van Deiman’s Land.
Lieutenant Crane with a detachment of 28 men embarked for Norfolk Island to act as Commandant until further orders.
Lieutenant Crane with a detachment of 28 men embarked for Norfolk Island to act as Commandant until further orders.
On the night of the 12th it rained incessantly. The water came through our tents in torrents. Not a man of the Regiment but was all wet. Those who had not trenches dug round their tents were completely overflowed.
On 28th the Ann came in from England with Captain McLaine’s detachment of 50 men belonging to the 73rd. She had 200 convicts on board. Lieutenant Purcell had been under arrest since their departure from Rio Janeiro in consequence of some misunderstanding between him and Captain McLaine.
On March 8th at 4 o’clock a fire was discovered on board the Dromedary. It broke out in the breadroom and burned until 10 at night.
On 10th April the New South Wales Corps embarked on board His Majesty’s Ships Hindostan and Dromedary. Two or three days later the 73rd broke up the camp at Grose Farm and marched to Brickfields where the left wing encamped and the right wing marched into the barracks at Sydney. A few days later the Hindostan and Dromedary and Porpoise sailed for England.
A few days later the left wing of the 73rd marched into the Barracks at Sydney, their tents being all rotten with the incessant rain which had fallen at Grose Farm Camp.
DIARY ENDS
Contributed by Ron Ray
