George Haycraft

51

Chris Ison on 4th December 2024

PIRATICAL SEIZURE OF A GOVERNMENT BOAT, BY CONVICTS, AT NORFOLK ISLAND We have gathered the, following particulars of the seizure of a Government Boat at Norfolk Island, by a band of desperate characters, under Colonial sentence to that Settlement. On the 29th May last, the Government Colonial Vessels Isabella and Governor Phillip were lying to off the Island, discharging their cargoes, when, about 3 o'clock, P.M., a boat returning laden from the latter vessel, was met by the launch belonging to the Settlement, going off empty, with the exception of a cask of water, for the use of the schooner Isabella. Previous to their meeting, the prisoners in the launch, to the number of eight, had forcibly taken her from the Coxswain, and three or four free men, who had charge of her. On coming in contact with the laden boat, the prisoners in possession of the launch, took on board the crew of the former, and also a quantity of maize, which they stowed away; they then commenced cutting up the canvas bags in which it had been shipped, to make sails for the launch; they then transferred the Coxswain and his men from the launch to the other boat, disclaiming the intention of doing personal injury to any one, and then left them to carry the news of their exploit to the island. There being a perfect calm at the time, the fugitives, sixteen in number, double banked their oars, and pulled away to the eastward, in sight of the two Government vessels, who had not the means to prevent them. The following is a correct list of the runaways, but it must be observed, in justice to two of the number, viz, William Woods and John Bailey, that they were pressed against their will; the former whose term of banishment to Norfolk Island, has nearly expired, being a sail maker, and his services therefore, considered indispensable, and the latter from his known usefulness as an experienced seaman. We have also been informed that China, who was within 3 weeks of being free, was pressed against his will:- John Thompson, William Woods, Thomas Hughes, James Banks, John Hiatt, Daniel Byrne, William China, John Lomas, John Gambler, James Dingle, Robert Hanslin, William Green, James Hopkins, John Bailey, George Haycraft, James Ward. Three cheers were given by the runaways when they became masters of the boat. … (The Australian 19 Jul 1833, p. 2.)

341

Maureen Withey on 26th July 2019

Hobart Town Gazette, 4 Mar 1825 Absconded prisoners George Haycraft, 476, red hair, brown eyes, a wheelwright's boy, tried at London April 17, 1822, sentence life, arrived in this Colony per Morley 1823, absconded from the Road Gang at Jericho, Feb. 28, 1825.—£2 Reward. Hobart Town Gazette, 11 Mar 1825 Daniel Craig 428, George Ellis 111, Susan Green 13, George Haycraft 476, and Jane Turner 10, have been apprehended since last Publication. On Saturday last, John Lomas, Richard Dutton, John Dacey, and George Haycraft, were capitally tried and found guilty of robbing a fellow prisoner in the old Penitentiary. The Chief Justice Pedder, in summing up, told the prisoners, that they could 'expect no mercy'. A prisoner, or new comer, who was lately put into, a room in the goal, amongst 60 or 70 other prisoners, was instantly seized, and, because he resisted while they were rifling him of the contents of his pockets, was nearly strangled. He was brought out by the turnkeys almost black in the face. Colonial Times 28 July 1826 Hobart Town Gazette 29 July 1826 James Dacey, Richard Sutton, John Lomas, and George Haycraft, for robbery on the 30th of June, from the person of Peter Aylward, and stealing from him two Dollars, a comb and a knife. All these men were in the Gaol gang. It is one of those too common cases of blanketing committed on one another by prisoners in confinement. Aylward was seized and beaten - a rug was put over his head about dusk-a general roar and noise were set up - and the property taken. Each prisoner produced one witness to prove an absence from the place of the riot- All Guilty. Prisoners admonished to prepare for death. GOVERNMENT NOTICE. Colonial Secretary's Office, Sept. 20, 1826. THE Case of James Dacey, John Lomas, Richard Sutton, and George Haycraft, who were adjudged to suffer Death for an Outrageous Robbery of their Fellow-prisoners, having undergone the particular Consideration of the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, His Excellency has been pleased to commute that Punishment for Transportation for Life. Although this species of Offence, which is vulgarly termed " blanketting," is of too common Occurrence, and requires to be suppressed by the severest Measures, the LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR has» thought fit to extend the Mercy of the Crown to the Prisoners concerned, their Case being the only one hitherto brought before the Supreme Court, His Excellency conceiving that it may operate as a warning to prevent the Continuance of such a Practice : But, it must be understood, that, as in no future Case can any similar Plea be urged, no Mitigation whatever of any Punishment, prescribed by the Law, is to be hoped for. The Principal Superintendent, the Superintendents of Prisoners' Barracks, and all Others having Crown Prisoners under that Charge, are directed to Cause this Order to be read at the Muster on three successive Sundays, for the Information of the Persons then assembled. By Command of His Excellency. W. H. HAMILTON. Colonial Times 22 Sept 1826 The four criminals, who were to have been executed yesterday morning, for robbing and attempting to take the life of a fellow prisoner in the Penitentiary, were respited on Wednesday morning,—commuting their sentence to transportation for life.—The number executed is 23—respited 14: Total—37. We understand that the various prisoners who have been reprieved will be transported, —some to Norfolk Island, others to our own penal Settlements; and that if ever they should make their escape therefrom, and be apprehended, the sentence of the law will be at once put in force, without further trial, a system adopted by Sir Thomas Brisbane.