Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Thomas Coogan was transported on the Calcutta, departing 19th Apr 1837 and arriving 5th Aug 1837 with 342 passengers.
HMS Calcutta was the East Indiaman Warley (1795), converted to a Royal Navy ship. This ship of the line served for a time as an armed transport. She also transported convicts to Australia. The French Magnanime captured Calcutta in 1805. In 1809, after she ran aground during the Battle of the Basque Roads and her crew had abandoned her, a British boarding party burned her. In 1803 the Calcutta sailed into Port Phillip bay where at least 4 convicts escaped , in Sydney in April 1804 it was reported that 8 had died on the trip. Of the four known escapees one was shot on escape, 2 turned back after 2 days to reattach to the group at the camp in bay before the boat left , one continued on ...into Australia's history books. At least 13 convicts were transferred on to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), Australia.The ship also carried officers, wives and free settlers.
Calcutta (generic)References
| Primary Source | Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. |
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Convict Notes
NSW Convict Index. Thomas Coogan, per Calcutta, 1837, Ticket of Leave, No 45/1953. District, Bathurst; Tried, Queens Co. Thomas Coogan, per Calcutta, 1837, Conditional Pardon, 22 Sep 1851, No 51/326.
QUEENS COUNTY ASSIZES- FRIDAY. A POLICEMAN TRANSPORTED FOR FORGERY. Thomas Coogan was indicted for uttering a post bill of the governor and company of the Bank of Ireland, having changed it from 3£. 18s. 10d. to 30£. 18s. 10d.; and in a second count , for defrauding Mr Yourell, of Portarlington. where he got the note cashed. The post bill in question was given to him for his arrears of pay in the police. Michael Edward Murphy, cashier in the Bank of Ireland in Ballinasloe ; the post bill handed to him was altered from 3£. 18s. 10d. To 30£ 18s. 10d; it was drawn in favour of Thomas Coogan, and was taken out of the bank by Captain Warburton . who lives near Ballinasloe. Thomas Hurst signed his name on the back of the post bill ; saw it first with Coogan in Portarlington on the fair day; he got it cashed by a Mr. Yourell; was in the shop when he get the cash; got 30£. 18s. 10d., between money . and value. George Yourell ?? cash for the bill in question, upon getting it endorsed by a man of the name of Walker;  it was also endorsed by Hurst, the young lad in the bank. Alexander Cody, a constable, took the prisoner into custody  at Cork, and found in his possession a letter which was identified by Mr. Grant as one of the letters written to him enclosing the post bill; found also 15£. 7s. 4d. Mr. Yourell - That was my money. Court - That is highly improper  to speak to a witness under examination. Witness, in ... the prisoner up from Cork, said when in the police-barrack at  at Abbeyleix, he said the money belonged to Mr. Yourell. Mr.- Yourell - Yes, my lord, I was present  Court - I fine Mr. Yourell ten pounds. I said nothing on the first occasion, but most positively he shall be fined. Mr. Yourell - Oh, my lord, that would be too hard, after my loss and trouble, to fine me for a mere error or mistake of my duty. Court - I won’t hear a word ; you must be fined ! Prisoner got a good character from chief constable Ray and Dr. Smith. The jury at once found the prisoner guilty, but recommended him to mercy, on account of his previous good character. The judge said he did not see upon what grounds they could recommend him to mercy. His lordship then addressed the prisoner in a very feeling - manner. He said he deeply regretted that a man who previously bore so good a character should have been guilty of so grave an offence. It was the more to be regretted as he had so long filled  the situation of police constable, and during that period conducted himself in a manner satisfactory to those under whom he served. The sentence of the court was, that he be transported for life. He would, however, forward the recommendation that bad been given by the jury to the proper quarter. The prisoner heard the sentence with great composure. Freeman’s Journal, 20 March 1837.
Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Thomas Coogan, age on arrival, 28, per Calcutta II, 1837. Tried at Queens Co, 1837, Life for Passing forged note on Bank of Ireland. DOB, 1809, native place, Queens Co. Single. Catholic. Policeman Labourer.