Denis Griffiths

51

Chris Ison on 11th December 2024

PIRACY AND ROBBERY. — ESCAPE OF NINE CONVICTS FROM NORFOLK ISLAND. Considerable excitement was created in Brisbane this week, by the intelligence that nine convicts had made their escape from Norfolk Island, in an open boat, and had arrived in Moreton Bay. The circumstances of the case, so far as we are yet informed, appear to be as follows:— It appears to be the custom at Norfolk Island to employ a large boat, manned by convicts under a guard consisting of military and constables, in unloading vessels that may arrive there with stores, etc. On the 11th of March the boat had been so employed in unloading the Lord Auckland, lying at anchor off the island, and on the evening of that day the boat had brought a load to the island, and was about to return to the ship at about eight o'clock at night, so that the men might sleep on board and be ready to load again early in the morning. The crew consisted of the coxswain, a free man, named Forsyth, nine convicts, whose names, or soubriquets, as well as they can yet be ascertained were Joseph Davis, Patrick [Joseph] Cooper, Jeremiah Sullivan, John Mick [Meek], James Clegg, Thomas Clayton [Clayden], Denis Griffiths [Griffith], "Ginger" Murray [Merry], and Robert Mitchell. The guard consisted of three constables, namely Henry Bordmore [Boardmore], Charles Cooper, and another, and three soldiers of the 99th Regiment who were armed with pistols and bayonets. The constables had no arms. (The Moreton Bay Courier 2 Apr 1853 p. 2) [All the runaways were eventually recaptured and sent back to Hobart where they were sentenced to hard labour at Norfolk Island. However, they were among the convicts being transported there on the Lady Franklin when it was seized. - CHRIS ISON.]

342

Maureen Withey on 7th February 2022

PIRACY OF THE LADY FRANKLIN. On Friday morning the citizens were astounded with a report, that the prisoners who were despatched in the Lady Franklin to Norfolk Island, on the 16th of December last, had piratically seized that vessel, and very seriously wounded the commander, Captain Willett. As usual in such cases very exaggerated rumours were circulated, but the following will be found as accurate an account, as we have been enabled to ascertain from enquiries in various quarters. On the 16th of December, the Lady Franklin sailed from this port for Norfolk Island with the following prisoners, many of them desperate and determined characters: — James Quinn, Sir Robert Peel, Charles Brewer, Lord Lyndoch, 2. John Twitty, Gilmore, 3. Thomas Williams, Lord Auckland. Patrick Hickey; British Sovereign. Andrew Duff, Runnymede. Dennis Griffiths, British Sovereign. James Ford, Maitland. Joseph M’Kenzie, Moffat 2. James Neal. Lady Kennaway 2. Robert M’Finlay, Louisa. Richard Walton. Elphinstone 3. Thomas Brown, Surrey. Edward Dowell, Orator. Robert Mitchell, Pestongee Bomangee 2. John Meek, Orator James Clegg, Egyptian 2. John Davis, Castor. Thomns Clayton, Governor Phillip. Joseph Cooper, Anson. John Sullivan, Moffatt 3. James Ferry, Forfarshire. There was a military guard consisting of a Sergeant, a Corporal, and twelve privates of the 99th regiment in charge of the prisoners. Shortly before the 28th of December, the Lady Franklin touched at Port Arthur, when all was peaceable and orderly, but on the night of that, day, Captain Willett, being in his cabin, heard a scuflie on deck, and repairing thither, saw the deck crowded with prisoners, soldiers, and seamen : he immediately exclaimed: ” My God! The ship is taken,” and called to the mate in charge of the watch. That officer was standing on the larboard side of the ship, was afraid to utter one word, as his life was in peril, he having been threatened with instant death, if he spoke one word. Captain Willett was then overpowered, although he most manfully resisted and fought the assailants with great bravery, and the vessel was taken possession of by the prisoners, which possession they kept until the 8th of January ; when about two degrees north of Norfolk Island, they cut the rigging, and destroyed the chronometers, and other things, and compelled the crew to launch the longboat and cutter, which they well stored with an abundance of the best provisions, including wines and spirits, and a quantity of clothing, &c. They then secured the officers and crew, and left the vessel. Captain Wiliett, after encountering great difficulties, contrived to get into Spring Bay, where he now lies with eight or nine wounds, a broken arm, and some of his teeth knocked out, but, we are happy to say, in a fair way of speedy recovery. There are various reports in reference to what is termed the diabolical conduct of some of the prisoners, but, as they are not authenticated, we forbear to publish them ; the account which we have furnished is sufficiently shocking, without any gratuitous exaggeration. As soon as the news arrived in Hobart Town, the most prompt measures were adopted by the Police Department, who issued circulars to the several authorities on the coast to look out for, and if possible to intercept the pirates ; and it is sincerely to be hoped that ere long we may hear tidings of their capture. It is understood that two soldiers, transported at Launceston, who were on board, were the ringleaders in this piracy. A strict enquiry will be made by the civil and military authorities. The Tasmanian Colonist, 30 Jan 1854. ——————————————————————————- SEIZURE OF THE LADY FRANKLIN. The following is a complete list of the convicts, with their descriptions annexed, who were concerned in the seizure of the Government barque Lady Franklin, as given in our issue of yesterday: DENNIS GRIFFITH, 1608, British Sovereign, tried Londonderry, 29th July, 1840, 7 years; again Hobart Town Quarter Sessions 28th May, 1851, 7 years ; and again Hobart Supreme Court 19th July, 1853, life, stonemason, 5 feet 8 3/4, age 26 in 1851, complexion pale, hair brown, eyes brown, native place county Derry, D G D H on right arm, cross on left arm. PATRICK HICKEY, 1018, British Sovereign, tried Tipperary 13th October, 1848, 7 years ; again Oatlands Supreme Court, 17th April, 1843, life ; again Launceston Supreme Court 4th October, 1853, life, timber feller, 5 feet 5 1/4, age 21 in 1841, complexion fair, hair brown, eyes blue, native place Tipperary, several moles on right arm, scar inside left arm. The Courier, 28 Jan 1854.

342

Maureen Withey on 7th February 2022

Conduct Record, https://stors.tas.gov.au/CON33-1-7$init=CON33-1-7p91 Denis Griffiths, Tried Londonderry, 29 July 1840, 7 years, Transported for stealing a gold and silver watch, Stated this offence, Stealing a gold & silver watch, Coleraine, tried with Daniel Higgins, on board. Surgeon’s Report: A fine boy, willing and good tempered. Labourer, age 15, native of Antrim, catholic, can read a little. Many offences and punishments listed. Again transported, book 7, No 2106. Conduct Record. Tried Hobart Town, QS. 28 May 1851. 7 years. Stealing 3 £1 notes the property of Mr Delahunt. Trade, Stone Mason, age 26, native place, Co. Derry. Station of Gang- Norfolk Island. 14.6.51. To Norfolk Island. 31 May 53, Having on the 11 March 1853 at Norfolk Island, piratically seized and taken away a certain vessell then on the high seas being of the value of £50, the property of our sovereign Lady the Queen. Fully committed for trial, etc. Tried Hobart S.C. 19 July 1853, - to be tranported for Life. 10 years probation, to be worked in heavy irons in Quarry gang the 1st year. 8.1.54. Abscd. Gazette 31st. --------------------------------------------------- NORFOLK ISLAND.—With reference to the murders alleged to have been committed on this settlement, as reported last Saturday, we find, on inquiry at the proper quarter, that no lives were lost in the affray, but that 10 prisoners have piratically obtained possession of and effected their escape in the Launch during the absence of the officers and guard in charge of them, on board the Lord Aukland, alongside which vessel the launch was at the time. The names of these absconders are published in the "Gazette" of Tuesday last and are as follows ;— Jeremiah Sullivan, " Blenheim 2," Jacob Cooper, " Anson," John Meek, Orator," Dennis Griffiths, "British Sovereign," James Merry, " Forfarshire," Robert Mitchell, "Pest, Bomangee 2," Thomas Claydon, "York." "Moffat," and'" Governor Phillip", Joseph Davis, " Castor," Edmund Wit, Pestongee Bomangee 2," and James Clegg, "Egyptian." Hobarton Guardian, 16 April 1853.