Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
John Meek was transported on the Orator, departing 12th Aug 1843 and arriving 21st Nov 1843 with 171 passengers.
Orator (generic)References
| Primary Source | Saunders’ News-Letter, 21 April 1843. Tasmanian Records. Conduct Record. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON33-1-47/CON33-1-47P134 . |
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Convict Notes
SEIZURE OF THE LADY FRANKLIN. Intelligence has reached town this morning of the seizure of the Government barque Lady Franklin by a party of convicts headed by Quinn, Twitty, and Brewer, who were on their way to Norfolk Island pursuant to the sentences passed upon them at the Supreme Court. It appears that the vessel was seized on the night of the 28th December, Captain Willett having been suddenly awakened and overpowered by the prisoners, who had broken out of the hold. The prisoners obtained complete mastery of the vessel. Three of the crew were employed in working her, the master and mate being confined in the cabin. On the 8th January the convicts ordered the crew to launch the long-boat and cutter, both of which were fully laden with provisions. They embarked, having previously confined the master and crew and leaving a man at the maintop to liberate them when they made a signal from the boat, and threatened to shoot him if he descended before the signal was made. The desperadoes also cut the sails of the vessel and part of the rigging, so as to disable her from making any effective pursuit. After a fruitless attempt to reach Norfolk Island, Captain Willett made sail for Van Diemen's Land, and arrived in Spring Bay on Wednesday last. Captain Willett received several wounds in attempting to overpower the prisoners, but is now recovering from their effects. There was a non-commissioned officer's guard on board, who from the circumstances do not appear to have behaved very gallantly upon the occasion. The following are the names of the prisoners who were placed onboard on the 16th ultimo: 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 Denis Griffiths, British Sovereign James Ford, Maitland Joseph McKenzie, Moffat (3) James Neal, Lady Kennaway (2) Robert McKinlay, Louisa Richard Walton, Elphinstone (3) Thomas Brown, Surrey Edward Dowdell, Orator Robert Mitchell, Pestongee Bomangec (2) John Meek, Orator James Clegg, Egyptian (2) Joseph Davis, Castor Thomas Clayton, Governor Phillip Joseph Cooper, Anson John Sullivan, Moffatt (3) James Merry, Forfarshire. … (The Courier (Hobart) 27 Jan 1854 p. 2.)
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.]
THE ARMY A General Court Martial assembled the Royal Barracks yesterday, for the trial of privates John Belford, 33d, John Meek, 541b ; and Michael Cooney, 85th Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Walcott, Royal Horse Artillery, was President, and David Walker, Esq. officiated at the trials Deputy Judge Advocate. Saunders’ News-Letter, 21 April 1843. --------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Records. Conduct Record. https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON33-1-47/CON33-1-47P134 No 11191. John Meek, per Orator. Tried Dublin Royal Barracks, 20 Apr 1843, 14 years. Trade, Ho. Servant. Aged 21, Native place, Crecy Common near Buckingham A long list of offences. Tried at Oatlands for burglary, 27 March 1850, sentenced to death, commuted to Transportation for life – sent to Norfolk Island for 10 years. Absconded 8/1/1854. See record for full details. Surgeon's report, (on the voyage): No offences; employed as Boatswain, General conduct, very good, an active chief constable and good disciplinarian.