In the 19th century, at least until rail freight came into popular use, shipping was the only way to transport large amounts of goods between towns and cities worldwide.
Sometimes, onboard discipline was flouted, making for some exceptionally well-travelled new prisoners at Brisbane Gaol.
PETER CLASSEN AND JOHN B BENNETT OF THE E.J. SPENCE, 1876
Peter Classen, of Helgeland, Norway, 5 ft 7 with brown hair and blue eyes, born 1839. Imprisoned for 4 weeks for disobeying an order on board ship at Maryborough, Qld.
John B Bennett, of New York, born in 1815, and described as Master Mariner. 5 foot 3 with grey hair and blue eyes. He was Classen’s co-accused.
“On Thursday, Peter Classen, the mate, and John B. Bennett, the boatswain, of the E. J. Spence were charged before the Water Police Magistrate and W. Harrington Esq. J.P. under the seamen’s act. Captain J. H. Gill of the barque E. J. Spence charged the prisoner with refusal of duty and produced the ship’s register. The charge having been proved to the satisfaction of the Bench, prisoners were sentenced to four weeks imprisonment, to lose two days’ pay, and to pay £2 2s. professional costs. Mr. MacNish appeared for complainants and Mr. R. Lyons for the defence. “
Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld.: 1860 – 1947), Saturday 29 January 1876, page 2
THOMAS EGLINTON OF THE GAUNTLET, 1876
“Disobedience of Orders. — Thomas Eglinton, steward of the ship Gauntlet, was brought up charged -with wilful disobedience of orders. Wm. Wakeham, the chief officer of the ship, deposed that, he ordered Eglinton to get up and do his work yesterday morning at half-past 5 o’clock; defendant refused to get up, and at the same time accused witness of having struck him, and wanted to fight; witness then sent for a constable, but on defendant promising to go on with his work, witness did not give him in charge; after the constable went away, prisoner still continued to disobey until about 12 o’clock, during which time he frequently wanted to fight witness ; witness then sent for the police and gave him in charge.— Mr. Godfrey here stated that he had just been instructed by the prisoner, and asked for an adjournment as he wished to call witnesses. The case was accordingly adjourned till 9 ‘o’clock tomorrow morning.”
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.: 1872 – 1947), Friday 4 February 1876, page 2
“DISOBEDIENCE OF ORDERS. – Thos. Eglinton, who was remanded from yesterday, charged with disobedience of orders as Steward on board the Gauntlet, was sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labour, and to return to the ship if required by the Captain. “
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947), Saturday 5 February 1876, page 2
Clearly The Gauntlet was a ship with some rather strong personalities on board, because no sooner had Eglinton been given 14 days for wanting to fight the Steward, than three other sailors acted out on land. Note that all three prisoners appear to have facial injuries from the affray.
JOSEPH HURST, JOHN CRAWFORD AND EDWARD ROBERTS OF THE GAUNTLET, 1876
CITY POLICE COURT.
“Joseph Hurst, a new arrival by the Gauntlet, found guilty of using obscene language at the Immigration Depot and assaulting the police when they were conveying him to the lock-up, was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. The same individual was ordered to pay the sum of £2 5s., damage done by him to Constable Smith’s uniform. Ed. Roberts and Jno. Crawford, shipmates of Hurst’s, were sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment, the former for assaulting the police and attempting to rescue Hurst, and Crawford for using obscene language and assaulting the police.”
Week (Brisbane, Qld.: 1876 – 1934), Saturday 12 February 1876, page 15
DAVID FINLAY, 1876
On 01 July 18 1876, a Scot named David Finlay was jailed for 4 weeks for disobeying an order on a ship. His matter did not make the newspapers. On admittance to Gaol, he was described as 36 years old, with dark brown hair and brown eyes.
Moreton Bay and More 