Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Transportation
Michael Coogan was transported on the Atlas, departing 5th Jun 1819 and arriving 19th Oct 1819 with 167 passengers.
Atlas (generic)References
| Primary Source | New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Ship; Atlas. |
Claims
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Photos
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Convict Notes
EXECUTION.--- … Michael Coogan was included in the fatal mandate received on Wednesday last. He was, we are informed, by birth an American, of a very respectable family, had had an excellent education, and beneath a mild and unassuming demeanour, he carried a bold and daring spirit. The crime for which he suffered, appears to have been an old propensity, for we learn, that holding a creditable situation at the Cape of Good Hope, he forged to an extensive amount, and was in consequence banished to an island adjacent, where, with some more, he seized a vessel; but after getting under weigh, went ashore, was taken, and sent to this colony. At Port Macquarie, where he was employed as Clerk to the Commandant, he also committed himself. On his return to Sydney, he was taken into the Master-Attendant's Office, from which he was dismissed on very strong suspicion of being concerned in another forgery upon the Bank of New South Wales. He next figured as one of the leaders in the attempted piratical seizure of *The Liberty*, about three months ago, and being taken, was committed for trial. In the interval, circumstances occurred which led to a knowledge of the fact, that he was the principle in the forgery on the Bank of Australia; for this he was tried, and on the evidence of accomplices, convicted. … At a few minutes before ten, the procession moved from the cells to the place of execution, where they were employed in devotion for a full hour. Coogan kneeled at the head of his coffin; at his own request his arms were unpinioned; he prayed fervently; at length with a quick firm step, he ascended the ladder, and then addressed a few words to the assembled prisoners in an under tone, acknowledging the justness of his sentence. His whole demeanour was very resigned. … The sufferings of Coogan were greatly protracted by a scanty length of rope, not giving him a sufficient fall. (The Monitor 19 Jun 1827, p. 8.)
An examination was entered upon yesterday at the Police office against seven prisoners of the Crown, who have been kept in custody for some time on suspicion of being implicated in an attempt to pirate the schooner Liberty, on the 31st of March last. One of the prisoners, Michael Cogan, was identified as being the person who made towards the vessel in a boat with several other men, having a number of letters his hand, and who described himself to be a government officer, requesting the master of the schooner to ship four passengers for the Coal River, and likewise to convey the mail to that settlement. Another of the prisoners, Walter Taylor, was of the party, another man named Dobie, was proved to have hired the boat in which the men were when they boarded the schooner. (The Australian 25 Apr 1827, p. 3.)
SYDNEY. … Information having been lodged at the Police Office about three weeks since that a number of prisoners had formed the design of cutting out the first vessel that was ready for sea, precautionary measures were accordingly adopted; and on Saturday night last the plan had become ripened for carrying into execution. The brig Hope, Captain Grimes, lying in the stream, was the vessel fixed on. The Police, however, with its usual activity and zeal, rendered the design of the misguided men abortive, as the whole of the gang, 16 in number, were safely lodged in custody during the night of Saturday ; most of them were discovered round Dawes' Point. The next morning they were examined by the Superintendent of Police, and being found guilty of an intended piratical combination, disposed of as follows:—Michael Coogan, John Owen, Frederick Garkell, John Fisher, John Brookes, John Jordan, James Devine, George Handley, Benjamin Johnson, James McNamara, and Vincent Russell—2 years to Newcastle ; John Smith, John Morrison, John White, and James Valentine—25 lashes each; and Edward Rollins—6 months gaol gang. (Sydney Gazette, 28 Oct 1820, p. 3.)
New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Ship; Atlas. Name; Michael Coogan Age; 22 [1796] Native Place; Gloucestershire Trade or calling; Clerk Trial; Cape of Good Hope - 30 Nov 1818. Life. Height; 5 ft. 8 1/2 in Eyes; Hazel Hair; Black Completion; Fair pale 1823 - 18 Sep. Sydney Goal Entrance Book. Prisoner. Sentence; 200 Lashes