Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Voyage
Transportation
James Murray was transported on the Phoebe Dunbar, departing 2nd Jun 1853 and arriving 30th Aug 1853 with 37 passengers.
704 ton ship built at Sunderland in 1850. 1853 voyage: Kingston, Ireland direct to the Swan River, Western Australia - 89 days (8 deaths at sea, 2 at harbour). Also on this voyage were 93 pensioner guards and their families. Convicts transported are currently being listed (not yet complete).
Phoebe Dunbar (generic)References
| Primary Source | https://findingaids.nationalarchives.ie/ --00-- Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924; Dublin; Newgate; 1849-1858. --0-- Edgar, W. (Bill). (2018). “The precarious voyage of her majesty’s convict ship ‘Nile’ to the Swan River colony, late 1857 – and the unexpected aftermath.” The Great Circle, 40(1), 20–43. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26783779 |
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Convict Notes
JAILS: 1851, 15 April: James Murray was delivered to the Police for his transfer from Cork Gaol to Spike Island Prison, in Cork Harbour ((Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for James Murray; Cork; Cork County; 1849-1852; image 22). In 19th century Ireland, there were several types of prisons: “Bridewells... were houses of correction and where those awaiting trial were put. These would have been the most common prison in Ireland. Debtors prisons and marshalseas were for those who could not pay their debts... Convict depots were where those awaiting transportation were sent. Prisons were for those convicted of criminal wrongdoing, frequently where they would serve out their sentences of hard labour. Many prisons and gaols served a variety of functions. ... Convict depots were usually national, with prisoners from around the country. Kilmainham [Dublin] served as a depot, as did Grangegorman [Dublin] and, in the later 19th century, prisoners from around the country were sent to Spike Island in Cork [Cork Harbour] to await a ship ... Transportation sentences were generally for at least seven years, although shorter sentences were given. The prison population peaked around the time of the Great Famine between 1845 and 1852 where many sought to get themselves arrested to escape from the harsh conditions.” (Irish Prison Registers 1790-1924 at https://www.findmypast.com.au/) --0--
TRIAL: 1850, 27 March: James Murray was tried at the Cork Sessions, before W Berwick, and found guilty of breaking into a house and stealing potatoes. He had one previous conviction (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for James Murray; Cork; Cork County; 1849-1852; image 22). --0--
COMMITTAL & JAIL: 1850, 16 January: James Murray, 18, and able to read, was committed by JS Bird Esq to stand trial for breaking into a house and stealing potatoes. He was held in Cork Country Gaol awaiting his trial (Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924 for James Murray; Cork; Cork County; 1849-1852; image 22). --0--