Captain's Diary (Ship's Log)

CAPTAIN'S DIARY ENTRIES (extracts)

[I found and cited copies of these extracts held in a file at SAG (Society of Australian Genealogists) in Sydney in 22 Feb 2013. Here following is a transcription of these extracts as they appeared from the typed transcribed extracted records.]

LOG of the BARWELL arr. Sydney Cove 18.5.1798

Extracts taken from Vol 420G preserved in the East India Office Library. This Volume comprises the logs of four voyages made by the Barwell within the period 1790 to 1797.

Also on Reel M1624 at the Mitchell Library, Sydney.

Original Transcriber's Notes

Only the last voyage was to Australia, and after disembarking passengers and convicts at port Jackson the Barwell resumed its normal operations by procedding to China for a cargo of tea to bring home to England.

The Barwell was in fact a ship belonging to the East India Company (ref: L/MAR/B/420G) and as such is well documented in the records preserved at the East India Company Library in London.

No specific list of free passengers appears in the log of the Barwell, but their names are recorded "en passant" in the daily log, as they came aboard at various times prior to sailing. It required an extremely close scrutiny of the log t pick out the names of the individual passengers, as each day's log is merely a continous stream of words mainly relating to the preparations for the voyage, there being no indentation by paragraphs and no punctuation within the text.

Actual Extracts Commence Here

NB: I've only changed the formatting of the date placing days & dates under the relevant month for easier reading and to save space and repetition (Bonza)

Ship Barwell at Deptford

JULY 1797

26th                At Anchor. Gales. Some damage, carpenters doing repairs etc.

AUGUST 1797

17th                Painters painting ship. Still strong gales.

Wed 23rd        Peoplevariously employed with tradesmans jobs, painting etc. Boilers etc. brought on board for the use of the convicts.

Sun 27th         Carpenters employed setting up the ship for the transportation of the convicts.

Wed 30th        Sailed for Long Reach.

At Long Reach

Thurs 31st       Light reezes S'erly Mostly fair Weather. Received 103 Casks of Provisions. Ships Stores employd stowing in the hold. Sails to dry. People about the Rigging.

SEPTEMBER 1797

Fri 1st            Moderate breezes from the N.W. Cloudy Weather with frequent Showers of Rain. People employed by the Boatswain about the Rigging...

Sat 2nd          Fresh Gales from the NW with frequent...Squalls. Showers of Rain...

Sun 3rd          Light Breezes Northerly, fair Weather, Sails to dry...

Mon 4th         Light..., fair Weather.

Thurs 7th       Picked up 15 Packages for Governor Hunter. Cloudy weather, fresh breeze.

At Long Reach making ready

Sun 10th        Received o board John BOWMAN and his wife and two sons and 1 daughter, and John SMITH and his wife, three sons and one daughter, with their baggage  and several packages for New South Wales...

Tue 12th        Received on board Andrew McDOUGALL, his wife and five children.

Wed 13th       Strong gales etc.

Thu 14th        Received 33 soldiers as a Guard, one woman, three children, an Officer and servant.

Sat 16th         Moderate weather. Stowing the hold. Received on board the ship's store of spirits.

Sun 17th        Fresh Breezes.

Mon 18th       Moderate Breezes W'erly and mostly fair Weather. People empd by the Boatswain about the Rigging. Received Sundry Packages for New South Wales, empd stowing them in the Main & after Hold. Confined the following soldiers in irons viz: THOS. LYNCH, JOHN DONELLY, JOHN OWEN, JOHN HINDON, JOHN HEFFRON for Drunkeness & riotess behaviour.

Tue 19th        Moderate Breezes W'erly cloudy weather with Showers of rain at 10 a.m. released JOHN OWEN, JOHN HINDON, JOHN HEFFRON out of irons on a promise of better Behaviour in the future, people empd about the Rigging, stowing the Hold. Received 115 Convicts on board at 6 p.m.

Wed 20th       Wind S.W. fresh Gales and cliudy Wr with Showers of Rain three Blacksmiths employed putting irons on the Convicts, people employed about the Rigging & various other Jobs.

Thur 21st       Light Breezes E'ly and fair Weather loosed sails to dry, empd stowing the Gun Room - Bent the main Sail and Middle Stay Sail. Received fresh Beef and Water, confimed ROBT HAMPDEN, a soldier, in irons for Rioting & Drunkeness.

Fri 22nd         Moderate Breezes E'ly with foggy Weather in the first part, in middle and latter parts fair Weather. people empld about the Rigging and sundry other Jobs. Mr BOND of the New South Wales Corps came on Board at 10 A.M. Released ROBT HAMPDEN out of Irons on promise of better Behaviour. At 8 A.M. confined him for the same fault. Recd sailing Orders from Capt. Rains.

Sat 23rd         Lieutenant Cowell who brought the guard on board left the ship at 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Pilot Mr WALKER came on board and took charge of the ship for the run to the Downs.

Sun 24th        At 5 p.m. got foul of a Dutch Indiaman and carried away her J.A. Basin (sic). Sent 2 soldiers to the hospital. Good weather, light seas etc.

Tues 26th       Calm weather at the Hope. Five officers came on board and held a Court martial on THOMAS LYNCH and JOHN DONELLY at 5 p.m. Sent them on shore by order of General FOX. Mr BOND went on shore. WILLIAM ALLAN, soldier, came on board.

Thur 28th        Received 2 casks of beer and 2 casks of water.

Fru 29th          Received 2 casks of water and 3 casks of beer.

At the Hope

Sat 30th          Mr WALKER - Pilot left the ship.

OCTOBER 1797

Mon 2nd         Received beer and water at 6 p.m. Mr KILDELL - Pilot came on board in the room of Mr WALKER to carry the ship to the Downs.

Tue 3rd          Light Breeze with rain in the first part middle and latter parts fair Weather, people empd about the rigging and painting the new top ... tradesmen at their respective occupations.

Wed 4th         Light Breezes E'erly with constant small Rain. People empd making Points for the mizzen top Sail etc, shifted the martingale & filled the stay sail, set it up. Recd fresh Beef, Beer & Water.

Thur 5th         Light Breezes E'ly with cloudy Weather, empd unstowing the after Hold to get Cloathinh for the Convicts. Served out to each man 1 Jacket, 1 Waistcoat, 1 pr Breeches, 2 Shirts, 2 pair stockings, 1 pr shoes, 1 cap. People empd making Points etc. P.M. Ensign BALY, of the New South Wales Corps, came on Board.

Fri 6th            Light Breezes S'erly & cloudy ... Capt. CRICHTON came on board to pay the ships company their Riverpay - 2 months Advance Bounty and Crimpage. People empd as necessary.

Sat 7th           Light Breezes from N.E. to S.E. with fair Weather at 7 A.M. up Top Gal. yards and bent the Sails at 11 unmoored and hove to half a Cable on the best. Bower at qr past 2 P.M. weighed and made sail at qr past 4 came too with the best Bower anchor carried away the larboard Bumkin at 9 P.M. calm shortened on cable lost the Iron stock of the Long Boats Anchor overboard in pulling it into the Boat.

Sun 8th          2 A.M. JAMES HARRISON - seaman, jumped overboard and attempted to swim from the ship. Put out the Jolly boat to pick him up. Placed in irons. 6 P.M. out of irons. Good weather - light breezes etc.

Tues 10th       Light airs W'erly and fair Weather at qr past 7 A.M. weighed anchor, made Sail at qr past 9 anchored in ... Hole with the best .... in 11 Fathoms to wait the flowing of the tides to go over the flats. At qr past 12 weighed and made all Sail. At 3 P.M. crossed the flatts at 7 anchored with the small Bower off the North fore ... in 8 Fathoms the Foreland light bearing S.S. ye W. & No Sand head. Light So distance from the Foreland about 5 Miles.

Wed 11th        Do. Weather at 7 A.M. weighed and made Sail through the Gully. ..ail 24 fathoms of the best bower it being much worse (?) and bent it to anchor again at qr past 9 anchored in the Downs in 8 Fathoms Water So Foreland bearing S.W. Deal Castle N.W. by W. Sandown Castle by N.N.W. off shore 2 miles and qr - Received fresh Beef and small Beer, people empd by the Boatswain P.M. exercised the Great Guns & loaded them.

Thur 12th       Light Breezes from N.W. with fair Weather. People empd under the Boatswain - Recd Beer & Water by a Shore Boat at ... p.m., her Majestys armed Schooner (Fraser/?Teaser) made the Sig. ... Convoy to the Westward.

Fri 13th          Moderate Breeze, N'erly & fair Weather. At 9 A.M. sent the Boat on board the Teaser(?) Schooner for Instructions, at 10 the Teaser made the Signal to weigh. Weighed and made Sail in Company with 20 Sail of small Vessels at noon off Dover, at 3 P.M. the Wind W.N.W. lashed/lacked occasionally at 5, the Ness light W..S distance ... at 7 fresh Breezes in .. .... at 8 sent down top Galt.... The convoy out of sight since dark.

Sat 14th          [no entry]

Sun 15th         Anchored off Spithead 6.30. Took on ballast.

Mon 16th        Breezes W'erly and fair Weather at qr past 7 A.M. weighd & made Sail, turned to Windward and at ...two with the best Bower ... 7 qr Fathoms water at the Mother Bank Bearings as follows .... on the Stur bridge Bank E.S.E. .... N. Ryde S by W distance 2 miles at 2 P.M. moored ship a Cable each way served the Cables and sent down the Top Gal. yard empd the Elizabeth John Moore to attend the Ship.

Tue 17th         Fresh Breezes W'erly and coudy Weather, empd hoisting. Water out of the fore hold to take in Ballast. Received 4 Tons. People empd about the Rigging.

Wed 18th        Received on board 186 convicts for N.S.Wales. Received 5 casks of fresh water. Sent the following convicts on shore by order of the Transport Board - ROBERT COOPER, WILLIAM MORGAN, JAMES JEFFRIES, JAMES CHURCHYARD. Total number of convicts on board 297, passengers 18, Soldiers 32. [It would seem that the 18 passengers did not include the unnamed woman and three children who embarked with the soldiers on 14th September, and there was no further mention of them in the Log]. Recd fresh Beef 3 Casks of Beer & 1 Water.

Thur 19th        Light seas and calm in the first & middle ... latter strong Gales from N.E. with Rain with the sheet cable in the starboard ... at 9 A.M. came alongside a Sloop with 40 Tons of Iron, empd taking it in & stowing it in the main Hold under the cable stage, starboard side. Mr WHITTAKER, Agent for the Transports, came on board, served out Cloathing to the convicts. Recd Rydadle(?) Convict & sent on Shore W. GAGE by order of Cap. PALLON, recd fresh Beef.

Fri 20th          Received the remainder of the iron, a cask of clothing for the convicts. Fresh beef.

Sat 21st         [no entry]

Sun 22nd       Moderate breezes turning to strong gales and squalls. Washed the Sun Deck. Found 7 convicts out of irons and out others on them. Sent ships company down to Orlop Deck to search for tools, knives etc ..... Received fresh beef, 4 Barrels of beer, 8 barrels of water for ships use also fresh beef for convicts.

Ship Barwell at the Mother Bank

Mon 23rd       Strong gales S.W. with hard squalls, H Rain in the first part middle ... latter more moderate with frequent Showers of Rain. People empd about sundry Jobs at the Rigging. Recd 8 Hhds of Water.

Tue 24th        Fresh Gales N.E. with constant Rain in the first part,m middle ... moderate and fair. Between the hours of 12 and 2 A.M. the following seamen viz: RICHD PALMER, PHILLIP SMITH, JNO. POLT, JOHN BROWN and the Sergeant of the Guard lowered down the Jolly Boat from the stern and then ran from the Ship at day light hoisted out the Pinnace and sent the fourth officer and the Quarter Masters in searc of them to portsmouth (Ryde) at 3 P.M. the Boat returned without being able to learn any thing of them, empd setting up the Bobs stays staying the foremast and fore top mast & setting up the rigging. Recd fresh Beef for the Convicts & 8 Hhds of water for the Ships use.

Wed 25th       Moderate Breezes W'erly with heavy Rain in the first Part latter and middle fair W loosed Sails to dry stayd the main & mizzen masts and set up the Rigging, recd 9 puncheons and 12 Hhds of Water for the Convicts, recd fresh Beef, 3 Casks Beer & 9 water for Ships use.

Thur 26th      Strong Gales W'erly with hard squalls & constant Rain in the first middle & latter moderate and fair, people empd about the rigging. At 11 A.M. Cap. CAMERON came on Board and punished the following Convicts viz: BARTHW. McDERMIL, PAUL LUTHERBOURGH, WM CHAMBERLAIN, JNO HOWSON & LAWRENCE HOLDEN, for cutting their Irons on the 22nd P.M. Received a piece of oak timber for a bumkin and despatches for Governor HUNTER.

Fri 27th         Received on board 2 ventilators, 2 cases of soap for the convicts, 1 case of harpoons [or Teaspoons] for Governor HUNTER, a timepiece for Governor HUNTER, a small box for Major FOVEAUX, & 30 bags bread. Carpenter fitting the bumkin.

Sat 28th        Received on board 1 hamper of wine for MR DORE and 3 bags of potatoes by order of Capt. PALLON.  Fresh beef and water. Also fresh beef for the convicts.

Sun 29th       Received on board MR DORE, baggage and 137 feet of different kinds of deal to build him a cabin. 20 bags of bread for ship's use. THOMAS RICHARDSON seaman came on board. 2 casks of beer and 5 of water.

Mon 30th       [no entry]

Tue 31st        ME DORE his son and servant came on board. Also a hamper of wine (his order).

NOVEMBER 1797

Wed 1st         ... Gales N'erly and fair wr, people empd making matts for the Rigging ... the 2nd officer and 13 Men on board the Surat Castle to assist in getting her ready for Sea, at 11 P.M. punished JOHN WHITEWOOD with a dozen lashes for rioting and disturbing the ships company and THOMAS MAYETTE for uttering mutinous expressions, put them into Irons.

Thur 2nd        Moderate Breezes W'erly and fair wr. at 7 A.M. up Top Gall. Masts, people e,pd by the Boatswain making Matts for the Rigging & Yards(?), tradesmen at their respective employment. Mr FERGUSON 3rd Officer went on shore sick not being able to proceed the voyage.. Instructions from the Neger Frigate.

Fri 3rd            Moderate Breezes W'erly and cloudy W. People empd as ... days past at noon released JOHN WHITEWOOD & THOS MAYETTE out of irons on promise of better Behaviour in future. Recd beer & Water & fresh Water & fresh Beef for the Convicts. Recv 107 feet Inch Deal for Mr DORE Judge Advocate by order of Cap. PALLON, came on board Mr BENNET Cap. COOK.

Sat 4th           Light Breezes E'erly and cloudy wr at 7 A.M. the Neger Frigate made the Signal to .... at 9 up Top galt. yards. Sent JAS. PLATT, Convict, on shore by Order of Sir JEREMIAH FITZPATRICK being a wealthy paralitick man unable to proceed the Voyage. At 6 P.M. unmoored at 6 hove too a whole Cable on the best Bower, lost the Bony(sic) of the best Bower Anchor.

Sun 5th          Strong Gale W'erly with constant Rain A.M. P.M. moderate and fair at 10 A.M. sent down Top Galt. and struck the ... 72 feet Inch Deal 1000 6 gauge nails & 500 4 gauge Brads for RICHARD DORE Esq. at 3 P.M. the neger Frigate made the ignal to weigh, weighed and run down to St Helens at 6 came to ....

Mon 6th         More Beef, Water, Beer. JOHN RATTRAY seaman came on board. Weighed anchore.

Ship BARWELL from London towards the Cape

Tue 7th to Fri 18th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Sat 18th         Punsihed, convict WILLIAM THOMPSON for stealing several things from CHRISTOPHER GRIFFIN and threatening to take away his life if he informed against him, with 3 dozen lashes. Also WILLIAM NASH with 1 dozen lashes for stealing 3 pillows out of the Hospital. Fumigated the orlop Deck.

Sun 19th        Moderate weather. Still in company with the fleet.

Mon 20th to Tue 28th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Tue 29th        Fumigated the orlop Deck.

DECEMBER 1797

Wed 30th to Thur 7th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Fri 8th            At 7 a.m. Punished JOHN CROFT Private Soldier with 2 dozen lashes for being found asleep at his Post.

Sat 9th to Fri 15th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Sat 16th         At 10 p.m. confined JOHN SMITH in irons for sleeping at his post. 9 a.m. punished him with 1 dozen lashes although his Commanding Officer (Mr BAYLY) said before all the men that he did not deserve punishment.

Sun 17th        P.M. punsihed convicts B. McDORMET, JOHN FROST (sic) with 3 dozen lashes for smoking on the Orlop deck and being seen going Fore and Aft the deck contrary to orders.

Mon 18th       [no entry]

Tue 19th        Fumigated Orlop Deck.

Wed 20th to Thur 21st [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Fri 22nd         Convicts picking Oakum.

Sat 23rd to Mon 25th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Tue 26th        Fumigated the orlop Deck. Confined THOMAS MAYETTE, THOMAS TUCKER, WILLIAM FOSTER in irons for drunkenness. Released on promise of better behaviour.

Wed 27th       [no entry]

Thur 28th      Convicts picking Oakum. 9 a.m. Punished WILLIAM THOMPSON convict with 2 dozen lashes for abusive language to several of the ships Company. Fumigation of Orlop Deck.

Fri 30th Dec 1797 to Tue 3rd Jan 1798 [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

JANUARY 1798

Wed 4th         Convicrts picking oakum. Fumigation of Orlop Deck.

Thur 5th to Mon 9th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Tue 10th        Convicts picking Oakum.

Wed 11th to Thur 19th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Fri 20th          At Table Bay. [Almost unreadable - ink is very faint]

Sat 21st Jan to Tue 6th Feb [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

FEBRUARY 1798

Wed 7th         JOHN SELBY (sic) - soldier, sleeping on duty. 2 dozen lashes.

Thur 8th        [no entry]

Fri 9th        Received on board JOHN MARKHAM [MACKLIN], MICHAL McGEE convicts by order of Captain CAMPBELL.

Sat 10th to Mon 12th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Tue 13th       Departed this life THOMAS MAYETTE seaman.

Wed 14th to Sat 17th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Sun 18th        Left the Cape. Weather good.

Mon 19th Feb to Thur 22nd Mar

BARWELL From the Cape towards Port Jackson

March 1798

Fri 23rd      JOHN SMITH, JOHN HARGREAVES [could be anything else] Convicts 3 dozen lashes for being found without their irons.

Sat 24th         [no entry]

Sun 25th        Mutiny attempt by Soldiers. More convicts given 3 dozen lashes for being without irons and mutiny - [unfortunately, the names are very faint] ? BIRD, THORLEY, GORMAN, WELCH.

Mon 26th       [Accounts of mutiny which are unable to be deciphered. was this intended?..]

Tue 27th      [Accounts of mutiny which are unable to be deciphered. Transcriber also asks "was this intended?.".]

Wed 28th       Ringleaders in the Mutiny and punishment

                    THOMAS JONES                           3 dozen lashes

                    EDWARD MORRIS                        2 dozen lashes

                    JOHN FRANCIS                            4 dozen lashes

                    JOHN MAWLBURY                        3 dozen lashes

                    RICHARD HAYCOCK                     3 dozen lashes   

                    WILLIAM SMITH                          3 dozen lashes

                    THOMAS BRITTON (BRISTOWE)    3 dozen lashes

                    JAMES PETTY                              3 dozen lashes

                    WILLIAM SUTTON                        3 dozen lashes

                    WILLIAM HARCOURT                    3 dozen lashes    

                    JNO SMITH                                  3 dozen lashes

                    WILLIAM HAYCOCK                      3 dozen lashes

                    WILLIAM BAYLEY                         3 dozen lashes

Thur 29th      Punished MICHAEL ROCK with 10 dozen lashes for being principal ringleader in Mutiny. At 7 a.m. Departed this life a convict CHARLES [could be anything]. Comitted his body to the deep at 11 a.m.

Fri 30th Mar to Sun 8th Apr [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

APRIL 1798

Mon 9th         Fumigation of Orlop Deck.

Tue 10th       Found a barrel of ship's Pork very bad. Fumigation of Orlop Deck.

Wed 11th to Fri 20th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Sat 21st         At 4 p.m. punished with 3 dozen lashes JOHN GREEN, WILLIAM GREEN, WILLIAM YOUNG, JAMES SALMON for defrauding the convicts of their allowance of provisions.

Sun 22nd       At 7 a.m. Departed this life GEORGE MASON - Convict.

Mon 23rd to Tue 24th [no entries mentioned for this period in the transcription]

Wed 25th       At 4 p.m. Departed this life ABRAHAM STANDING. Comitted to deep 6 p.m.

Thur 26th      [no entry]

Fri 27th      WILLIAM DAVIS departed this life.

Sat 28th         SAMUEL FUNNEL Convict fell from the fo'castle and was drowned.

Sun 29th        [no entry]

Mon 30th Apr to Fri 11th May Fumigated Orlop Deck.     

MAY 1798

Sat 12th May  7 p.m. JOHN COOK departed this life 8 p.m. Comitted to the Deep.

Sun 13th       [no entry]

Mon 14th       Fumigated Orlop Deck.

Tue 15th       [no entry]

Wed 16th      [no entry]

Thur 17th      At 8.30 Mr AITKENS came on board as pilot and took charge of the ship. Turned up the harbour at 11 A.M. and anchored in the entrance of Sydney Cove at Noon.

Fri 18th        [no entry]

Sat 19th        At anchor. Sent Mr BOND ashore with the Mutiny Convict Ringleaders THOMAS COOPER AL... CAPPIER (?).

Sun 20th       Sent JOHN GRAY, JMES ABBOTT Principal onvict ringleaders in the Mutiny with 18 other convicts to the Hospital. sent the soldiers ashore.

Mon 21st       Landed the convicts and sent 80 in the Longboat to Parramatta.

Tue 22nd      [no entry]

Wed 23rd      Employed landing cargo.

Thur 24th      Landed 2 boat loads of wood.

The BARWELL left SYDNEY 17 Sept. 1798 for CHINA

A compilation of transcripts from the original BARWELL Log at the India Office, London by Gweneth BRUEN, Epping and Alison JAMES, Berrima. Put together, with additions from Microfilm Reel M1624 (Mitchell Library) by Janet ROBINSON, Wahroonga. June 1987.