George Strong

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Tom on 31st May 2025

Information about the nickname "Dubbo" comes from Martin Cash's autobiography ("The adventures of Martin Cash, comprising a faithful account of his exploits, while a bushranger under arms in Tasmania, in company with Kavanagh and Jones"). In the 1870 edition published by the Mercury Press in Hobart Town, the information is on pages 136-137.

41

Tom on 31st May 2025

Sir George Grey made an enquiry regarding this convict to the Colonial Secretary's office, together with convict Edward Bryant. No information available yet about any response. (CO 280/331 f95-96)

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Patricia Braden on 19th December 2019

He is my husband's Great Great Grandfather and I'd love to make contact with anyone who know's "more". For example: Where did Greg Petersen find that he was known as "Dubbo". WOW, I had never found that. Maybe it might help me find his death by using his Alias.

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greg petersen on 15th June 2019

1845, 2nd August, convicted for Burglary at Somerset Special Assizes. description: Age: 30 years, Height: 5' 5¼ ", Complexion: pale, Hair: Brown, Face: oval, Eyes: Hazel, Mouth: Large Prison report: First conviction light, stated this offence Burglary, caught in the house. While assigned to the Hulk "Success", George Strong met with severe punishments at the hands of John Price "The Demon". Note from "the History of the Hulk Success": The first Inspector-General of Penal Establishments in Victoria was Mr. Samuel Barrow. He, from the first, had condemned the lack of accommodation on board the prison hulks, and his first report contained a proposal to build an immense gaol on the radiating plan, to accommodate one thousand prisoners, at a cost of ;f20o,ooo, but the enormous amount required made the proposal impracticable. Mr. Barrow was drowned in Hobson's Bay (Williamstown, Victoria), and Mr. John Price, who was living in retirement in a picturesque part of Tasmania at the time, was asked to take control in the year 1854. He was the son of Sir Rose Price, a Cornish baronet, and was married to a niece of the late Sir John Franklin. He is supposed to have been the original of the character of " Maurice Frere," in Marcus Clarke's stirring novel, " For the Term of his Natural Life," Just as Melville is supposed to have been the original of the character of " Rufus Dawes " in the same work. The new Inspector had been Chief Commandant at Van Dieman's Land, and also Commandant at Norfolk Island, succeeding Major Childs. He knew the faces of the " old timers " at a glance, and they knew him as the " Demon of the Ocean." John Price was at that time in the prime of life, and a man of fine physique. He was a born leader of men, and struck terror into the hearts of the rebellious ruffians with whom he had to deal. But long life amongst the convicts seemed to have steeled his heart against them as a class, and he may be said to have demanded rather than have won their respect. Major De W , who visited the ' Success " Exhibition in London, and who was acquainted with Price intimately, describes him as " that kind of man that you would say at first sight you would much rather dine or shake hands with than fight." The new Commandant of the hulks boasted that he always went unarmed among the convicts, who, in their turn, recognised that in him they were dealing with a man who would not hesitate to sacrifice his own, life rather than be "bested," as he was wont to express it. At Norfolk Island he ordered George Strong, alias ' Dubbo," fifty lashes for refusing to work. The convict still resolutely refused, and stated his intention of ' not soiling his hands in future." He was ordered fifty lashes more, which punishment was repeated as often as he refused, till the doctor was obliged to interfere in order to save the prisoner's life. " Dubbo " on recovering, still persisting in his obstinacy, a large grindstone was then placed in the gaol yard, with handles on each side, by which it was turned by a willing convict, and " Dubbo's" hand was fastened to the opposite handle, causing it to revolve with every turn. The Commandant, John Price, happening to pass, observed to the convict that he was not such a pebble as people seemed to think, but "Dubbo" very coolly reminded him that it was the gentleman on the other side that was doing all the work.' John Price was later Surrounded and attacked and battered to death on the shore at Williamstown by by convicts from the "Success", seven were subsequently hanged for the murder. Another convict, Henry Rouse aka "Codrington Revingston", "Henry Beresford Garrett", witnessed the event and later wrote about it in his memoirs.