Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
Cornelius Dwyer Kane was transported on the Hougoumont, departing 10th Oct 1867 and arriving 9th Jan 1868 with 281 passengers.
875 ton ship was built at Moulmein in 1852. http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/on-this-day-in-history-australias-last-convict-ship-docks.htm ---------------------------- Incorrect Image ....This is a four masted steel hulled Barque in the drawing , im surprised Australian Geo didn't do a bit more research on this .......The Hougoumont was a works ship on the Forth Bridge Project in 1885 ....the one potrayed as a drawing in Aust Geo is the later version of this ship.....the photograph i have attached is the correct and original convict vessel. --00-- 1867 "The hired convict ship Hougoumont, which has been taken up by the Government for the conveyance of a numerous party of convicts to Freemantle, Western Australia, left the Nore on October 1, and proceeded down Channel, after receiving on board 150 convicts from the establishments at Chatham and Millbank. The convicts from the Chatham establishment, at St. Mary's, embarked from the dockyard on board the paddle-wheel steamer Adder, Mr. W. J. Blakely, and were in charge of a numerous party of convict guards and wardens, all heavily armed. Among the convicts shipped were a party of fifteen Fenians, who were engaged in the late conspiracy in Ireland, together with the officers and crew convicted of scuttling the ship Severn, and some others who have achieved notoriety from their crimes. The Fenian convicts, like the remainder of the prisoners, were chained together in gangs, but it was observed that they were kept apart from the other convicts in a portion of the vessel by themselves. The steamer Petrel also took down a number of convicts from the establishment at Millbank for shipment on board the Hougoumont, in charge of a strong escort and convict guard. On Tuesday, October 8th, the Hougoumont arrived in Portland roads. Shortly before midday ninety convicts were marched down to the Government pier at Portland under a strong escort of the 12th Light Infantry. The party included twenty-three Fenian convicts, among whom it was said, was Moriarty. The Government steamer employed in the breakwater service was used for conveying the convicts on board the Hougoumont transport ship. The convicts were chained together on embarking, and on board the steamer a strong guard of marines from her Majesty's ship St. George was formed, and saw the convicts safely placed on board the Hougoumont. The Governor of the penal settlement at Freemantle, Captain Young, is on board the Hougoumont, and returns in that ship to his sphere of duty after paying a visit to his native land." Source: Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 19 Dec 1867, p4, English Shipping, available on Trove at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28608271?searchTerm=hougoumont.
HougoumontReferences
| Primary Source | Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 93, Class and Piece Number HO11/19, Page Number 259 (132). Edgar, W (2018). “The precarious voyage of her majesty’s convict ship ‘Nile’ to the Swan River colony, late 1857”, The Great Circle, 40(1), 20–43. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26783779. Keneally, T (1998), “The great shame and the triumph of the Irish in the English-speaking world”, Random House, New York. convictrecords.com.au/convicts/kane/cornelius-dwyer/62701 |
| Source Description | This record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro |
| Original Source | Great Britain. Home Office |
| Compiled By | State Library of Queensland |
| Database Source | British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database |
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Convict Notes
1866, 14 May: He was admitted to PORTLAND jail, Grove Road, Portland, Dorset; inmate #5376. “After a sentence of transportation was handed down, the prisoner entered into a separate stage where he was placed into an individual cell, isolated from others, apart from brief periods of exercise and attendance at chapel. However, no communication of any kind with other prisoners was permitted at any time. The philosophy behind this penal methodology had its provenances in the religious, monastic traditions; i.e., that in the isolation of his cell the malefactor would be able to contemplate the errors of his way, unadulterated by the negative influences of former contemporaries, and be reformed.” (Edgar, 2018, pp39-40) When first put into practice, the mandated period of separate confinement was 18 months. By the late 1840s, authorities had conceded that such conditions of imprisonment were “injurious to many prisoners’ mental health” and the stint was reduced to 12 months. Periods of separate confinement were reduced further “as a prisoner displayed good behaviour tendencies” (Edgar, p40). Millbank, Pentonville, Wakefield and Mountjoy in Ireland were the “Probation” or “Separate” prisons, as were some local jails. Portland, Portsmouth, Chatham and Spike Island in Ireland were listed public works stations and the second stage in the penal process. After separate confinement, prisoners were “placed on work parties at various locations, most commonly naval stations, where maintenance of facilities was vital for the effective protection of Britain’s far flung commercial and military influences around the world. While there, attitude and behaviour were monitored closely. In theory, only after consistently positive reports was a prisoner moved on to the third stage of his incarceration—transportation.” (Edgar, p40) --00--
NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF THE TRANSFER: 1866, 10 February: From the Dublin Evening Post, p3 “REMOVAL OF FENIAN PRISONERS. The following prisoners, recently convicted at the Special Commission in Dublin, were this morning transferred from Mountjoy Prison in two police vans, under a strong escort of mounted constabulary, to Kingstown, and placed on board the Holyhead steamer en route for Pentonville: Charles Joseph Kickham, Christopher Manus O’Keeffe, CORNELIUS DWYER KEANE [my emphasis], Martin Hanly Carey, Denis Dowling Mulcahy, William Francis Roantree, Hugh Francis Brophy, James O’Connor, Cornelius O’Mahony, James Flood, Patrick Dunne, Terence Byrne, and Andrew Kennedy.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000435/18660210/054/0003) —0— 1866, 17 February: From the Usk Observer – Saturday, p5: “Removal of Fenian Prisoners. About half-past five o'clock on Saturday morning the following Fenian convicts were removed from Mountjoy Prison en route for England under an escort of mounted police, in charge of some of the prison officials, in two of the prison vans:—Charles J. Kickham, CORNELIUS DWYER KANE [my emphasis], Martin Hanley Carey, Denis Dowling Mulcahy, William Francis Roantrea, James Flood, Hugh Francis Brophy, Terence Byrne, Patrick Dunne, Christopher Manus O'Keeffe, Cornelius O'Mahony, Andrew Kennedy, and James O'Conner. The prisoners, who were handcuffed in pairs, were conveyed to Westland-row Station, and transmitted by special train to Kingstown. They were there received by a guard of the Royal Marines from her Majesty's ship Royal George, and put on board the mail steamer Munster. The chief warder of Mountjoy Prison and four of the prison officials took the convicts into custody on board the steamer, and were accompanied by the usual guard of marines, who returned from Holyhead the same evening. Captain Wallach, deputy governor, and the officers of Millbank Prison will take the prisoners in charge on their way to Pentonville. Some of the convicts, especially those who received long sentences, including O'Keeffe and Kickham, appeared much depressed in spirits.” (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000927/18660217/024/0005) --00--
TO ENGLAND – PENTONVILLE JAIL: 1866, 10 February: Cornelius Dwyer Kane was one of 13 men sent from MOUNTJOY prison in Dublin to PENTONVILLE prison, Caledonian Road, in north London. Completed in 1842, Pentonville was built “for the detention of convicts sentenced to imprisonment or awaiting transportation.” (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Pentonville). In Pentonville, he was listed as inmate #3440, 25, a law clerk; able to read and write; treason-felony, 10 years PS; behaviour in Mountjoy “good” (UK, Criminal Records, 1780-1871 for Cornelius Dwyer Keane; Prison Registers and Statistical Returns; 1864-1871; HO 24/18). --0--
TO MOUNTJOY JAIL: 1866, 17 January: Cornelius Dwyer KANE [sic] was admitted to MOUNTJOY prison from Kilmainham jail; listed as inmate #7156, 25 years old, 6’1¼” tall with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion; married with two chidren; reads and writes; Roman Catholic; “Not known to have been convicted” (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for Cornelius Dwyer Kane; Dublin; [incorrectly labelled as] Grangegorman Female Prison; 1849-1866). --00--
TO KILMAINHAM JAIL: 1865, 2 December: Cornelius Dwyer KEANE was admitted to KILMAINHAM jail, Dublin, from RICHMOND Bridewell; listed as inmate #838; 25, law clerk of Skibbereen, 24 New Bride Street (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for Cornelius D Keane; Dublin; Kilmainham; 1850-1871). --0--
1865, November 24: IN RICHMOND BRIDEWELL, DUBLIN, WITH SOME FAMOUS COMPANY: “THE ESCAPE OF JAMES STEPHENS. REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS-GENERAL. The following is the report the Inspectors-General of Prisons to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant on the subject of the escape of James Stephens from Richmond Bridewell:-- ‘Office of Inspectors-General of Prisons, Dublin Castle, Dec. 7, 1865. ‘Mr Lord—We have the honour to submit to your Excellency the following report with regard to the escape of James Stevens, prisoner charged with treason-felony, from Richmond Bridewell, on the night of the 23rd or the morning of the 24th [November] ultimo. [After referring to the report made to the Inspectors-General relative to the escape of James Stephens from Richmond Bridewell, and the examination of the prison, they go on to say]— The Fenian prisoners, on the night the escape, were placed thus:-- In No. 4 Class.—John O'Leary, Thomas C. Luby, Jeremiah O'Donovan (Rossa), John O'Donovan. In No. 8 Class. -- James O'Connor, George Archdeacon, Michael O'Boyle, Wm. P. Roantree, Francis F. Cleary, Charles Underwood O'Connell, Denis D. Mulcahy, George Hopper, James J. O'C. O’Callaghan, Martin A. Brennan, Hugh F. Brophy, Christopher M. O'Keeffe. In No. 9 Class.—CORNELIUS KANE [my emphasis], Martin H. Carey, John Fottrell, John Clohisey, Cornelius O'Mahony, John Haltigan, Michael O'N. Fogarty, William Kenny, Edward Duffy, Charles J. Kickham, James Stephens, Patrick Scally, James Quigley, Michael Moore, Patrick Hayburne, George A.F. Gilles, Owen Sweeney. This latter class embraces three corridors, one termed the long range, with two shorter branches at each end, and at right angles to it. There are metal doors placed at the extremities of these branches. In the last cell of one of the latter, which contains four cells, was placed Stephens; the adjoining cell being tenanted by a prisoner named McLeod; and that next to it Kickham, who is quite deaf; the fourth cell being unoccupied...’” (Dublin Evening Mail, Monday, 29 January, 1866, p4) NOTE: Completed in 1813, and “originally developed as a remand prison to relieve pressure on the Newgate Prison, in Dublin”, in 1835 it became known as Richmond Bridewell, a male penitentiary. “The motto above the door read ‘Cease to do evil; learn to do well.’” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffith_Barracks) A number of famous Irish nationalist activists were imprisoned in the Richmond Bridewell, “notably the Young Ireland leaders Thomas Francis Meagher and William Smith O'Brien (both in 1848) and the Fenian leader James Stephens, who was arrested in 1865 but escaped shortly afterwards, fleeing to France and later America. His escape from the Richmond Bridewell created headlines across the English speaking world at the time.” (https://www.griffith.ie/locations/dublin/dublin-campus-history/1813-1892) --00--
1865, 7 October: RICHMOND BRIDEWELL, DUBLIN NAME: Cornelius Dwyer Keane ADMISSION AGE: 25 ROLE: Prisoner BIRTH DATE: 1840 ADMISSION DATE: 7 Oct. 1865 ADMISSION PLACE: Dublin, Ireland CHARGE: COMPASSING & COMBINING WITH THE MEMBERS OF A SECRET SOCIETY CALLED THE FENIAN BROTHERHOOD TO WHICH THEY BELONGED IN IRELAND AND ELSEWHERE DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS TO LEVY WAR AGAINST THE QUEEN IN IRELAND, SUBVERT HER ROYAL AUTHORITY THEREIN AND ESTABLISH A REPUBLIC. JAIL: RICHMOND (BRIDEWELL) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 252 PARTIES INVOLVED: 1 (Source: Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for Cornelius Dwyer Keane, Dublin; Richmond (Bridewell); 1855-1878.) --0--
JAILS: 1864, 8 December: CORK GAOL NAME: Cornelius Keane ADMISSION AGE: 24 ROLE: Prisoner BIRTH DATE: 1840 BIRTH PLACE: Union Hall Street ADMISSION DATE: 8 Dec. 1864 (committed by C O’Connell, Esq.) ADMISSION PLACE: Cork, Ireland CHARGE: ADMINISTERING UNLAWFUL OATHS JAIL: CORK IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 1227 PARTIES INVOLVED: 1 BAILED: 26 Apr. 1865 Source: Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for Cornelius Keane; Cork; Cork; 1861-1873 --00--
NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF HIS TRIAL: 1866, 18 January – Cork Examiner, Thursday, p4: “THE FENIAN TRIALS. THE SPECIAL COMMISSION. TRIAL OF CORNELIUS DWYER KANE. Mr. Justice Keogh and Mr. Justice Fitzgerald took their seats upon the bench yesterday morning, at shortly after ten o'clock. Cornelias Dwyer Kane was then put forward and arraigned in the usual form. He pleaded not guilty...” (Then follows a very lengthy report of the trial. It is not reproduced here but can be found at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000425/18660118/021/0004.) The report concludes: “CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF CORNELIUS DWYER KANE. The jury returned to court at 7 o'clock, with a verdict of GUILTY on all the counts. The prisoner, in reply to the usual query if had anything to say, said he was fully convinced he had no chance of escaping, and was prepared for the verdict of the jury. He thought that the judges who sat to try the case would be impartial, but they were more advocates of the crown than impartial judges. As to his connection with [Fenian leader Jeremiah O’Donovan] Rossa, he begged to say was his fellow-townsman, and felt proud of his association, even to the present moment. He admitted his acquaintance with [Fenian leader] James Stephens, and also felt very proud of it. He was not guilty of anything that he should feel ashamed of. He denied altogether that the object of the association was assassination, or anything that had been stated, except the freedom of their country. His only request was that his lordship, in sentencing him, would read him no lecture, because would not take his advice. Mr. Fitzgerald then sentenced the prisoner to ten years' penal servitude. The Court then adjourned...” --00--
TRIAL BEFORE THE SPECIAL COMMISSION: 1866, 17 January: Cornelius Dwyer Kane was convicted and sentenced by the Special Commission to 10 years’ penal servitude for treason-felony. Trials before the Commission’s two Justices – Keogh and Fitzgerald -- had opened in Dublin on 27 November, 1865, and continued until 2 February, 1866. --0--