John Longbottom FIGHTS THE LAW At York in January 1817 a young sailor was convicted of burglary and sentenced to seven years’ transportation to New South Wales. Even for a man accustomed to sailing, the prospect of a journey to the other side of the planet would have boggled the imagination. The fact that aContinue reading “A Notorious Rogue and Vagabond”
Category Archives: Absconders
The Convict Pirates of Norfolk Island Seize the Barque Lady Franklin.
A Piratical seizure, a journey to the south seas, a court martial and a decades-long international manhunt. In December 1853, the last of the Norfolk Island Pirates, already under sentence for their misdeeds in Moreton Bay, faced the Court at Hobart Town and pleaded guilty to stealing the launch at Norfolk Island. Property of HerContinue reading “The Convict Pirates of Norfolk Island Seize the Barque Lady Franklin.”
The Convict Pirates of Norfolk Island Visit Moreton Bay
The excitement in town on Wednesday and Thursday was such as has not been witnessed by the oldest inhabitant. It was actually possible to see four people in the streets together, and many and conflicting were the rumours and fears. Moreton Bay Free Press, 1853 A Strange Vessel at the Bay On 25 March 1853,Continue reading “The Convict Pirates of Norfolk Island Visit Moreton Bay”
Piratical Seizure of the Brig Wellington.
In my post on Henry Drummond, I referenced an interesting account of the seizure of the Brig Wellington in January 1827. Drummond was one of the prisoners on board that vessel, having been reprieved from the death sentence, and ordered to be transported to Norfolk Island. Here is the article, with the log of CaptainContinue reading “Piratical Seizure of the Brig Wellington.”
Henry Drummond – From Pickpocket to Pirate
It all began with a handkerchief. “On the 28th of September, between twelve and one o’clock in the day, I was in Wardour-street, Soho, something drew my attention to my pocket, and I missed my handkerchief. I saw the prisoner and another boy in front, and saw the prisoner tucking my handkerchief under his jacket.Continue reading “Henry Drummond – From Pickpocket to Pirate”
A Brief History of Bushranging in Queensland. Part 1.
1824-1842 Moreton Bay Convict Settlement “Bushranging” was a term invented around 1805 to describe the actions of escaped convicts who took to the bush, often leading violent outlaw lives to secure food and avoid capture. Absconding became an attractive option in the penal settlements of Sydney (est. 1788) and Van Diemen’s Land (est. 1803). Food was scarce, rations wereContinue reading “A Brief History of Bushranging in Queensland. Part 1.”
The French Escapees – 22 September 1887
In 1831, a group of Moreton Bay convicts seized the schooner Caledonia, took the Captain hostage, and set off on a murderous rampage through the islands of the South Pacific. More than fifty years later, a group of French convicts from the penal settlement at Noumea returned the compliment. The twelve escaped convicts from the penal settlement at New Caledonia,Continue reading “The French Escapees – 22 September 1887”
Jack Bushman’s Tale – Part 4
The final part of Jack Bushman’s story is about his life as a “free” man, and includes a shooting at Brisbane’s indigenous people known as the “York’s Hollow Shooting”, which occurred in December 1846. The murders of Mary Shannon and Andrew Gregor in October that year had made white settlers fearful of the local aborigines, and keenContinue reading “Jack Bushman’s Tale – Part 4”
Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 3
RETAKEN. -THE PUNISHMENT-OTHER ADVENTURES-LIBERTY. GUIDED by the sound I went to the old hut, and asked, – ” are you there, Charley?” “Oh dear! I shall die,” was the response. The gleam from the fire gave me light. I saw Charley was care-worn and beaten. His breathing was short and difficult. I stripped, the coveringContinue reading “Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 3”
Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 2 – Moreton Bay
ANOTHER TASTE OF THE CAT-O-NINE TAILS – LIFE IN MISERY – DEATH IN PREFERENCE. As soon as I had been ” told off” properly, I was put into the “chain gang.” I was ironed very heavily; the weight I should fancy of my Moreton Bay ornaments being about 16 lbs. I was sent to workContinue reading “Jack Bushman’s Tale Part 2 – Moreton Bay”
Moreton Bay and More 