John Twitty

51

Chris Ison on 11th December 2024

James Quinn , Charles Brewer , and John Twitty were brought up in irons, but dressed in their ordinary clothing, and charged by D. C. Simpson with stealing a silver watch, of the value of £10, and a pair of hoots, of the value of 1 5s., the property of John Gardener, at Port Esperance. … (Tasmanian Colonist, 3 Oct 1853, p. 3.) [All three found guilty, sentenced to life at Norfolk Island and sent out on the Lady Franklin. – CHRIS ISON]

341

Maureen Withey on 7th February 2022

PIRACY OF THE LADY FRANKLIN. On Friday morning the citizens were astounded with a report, that the prisoners who were despatched in the Lady Franklin to Norfolk Island, on the 16th of December last, had piratically seized that vessel, and very seriously wounded the commander, Captain Willett. As usual in such cases very exaggerated rumours were circulated, but the following will be found as accurate an account, as we have been enabled to ascertain from enquiries in various quarters. On the 16th of December, the Lady Franklin sailed from this port for Norfolk Island with the following prisoners, many of them desperate and determined characters: — 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. Dennis Griffiths, British Sovereign. James Ford, Maitland. Joseph M'Kenzie, Moffat 2. James Neal. Lady Kennaway 2. Robert M'Finlay, Louisa. Richard Walton. Elphinstone 3. Thomas Brown, Surrey. Edward Dowell, Orator. Robert Mitchell, Pestongee Bomangee 2. John Meek, Orator James Clegg, Egyptian 2. John Davis, Castor. Thomas Clayton, Governor Phillip. Joseph Cooper, Anson. John Sullivan, Moffatt 3. James Ferry, Forfarshire. There was a military guard consisting of a Sergeant, a Corporal, and twelve privates of the 99th regiment in charge of the prisoners. Shortly before the 28th of December, the Lady Franklin touched at Port Arthur, when all was peaceable and orderly, but on the night of that, day, Captain Willett, being in his cabin, heard a scuffle on deck, and repairing thither, saw the deck crowded with prisoners, soldiers, and seamen : he immediately exclaimed: " My God! The ship is taken," and called to the mate in charge of the watch. That officer was standing on the larboard side of the ship, was afraid to utter one word, as his life was in peril, he having been threatened with instant death, if he spoke one word. Captain Willett was then overpowered, although he most manfully resisted and fought the assailants with great bravery, and the vessel was taken possession of by the prisoners, which possession they kept until the 8th of January ; when about two degrees north of Norfolk Island, they cut the rigging, and destroyed the chronometers, and other things, and compelled the crew to launch the longboat and cutter, which they well stored with an abundance of the best provisions, including wines and spirits, and a quantity of clothing, &c. They then secured the officers and crew, and left the vessel. Captain Willett, after encountering great difficulties, contrived to get into Spring Bay, where he now lies with eight or nine wounds, a broken arm, and some of his teeth knocked out, but, we are happy to say, in a fair way of speedy recovery. There are various reports in reference to what is termed the diabolical conduct of some of the prisoners, but, as they are not authenticated, we forbear to publish them ; the account which we have furnished is sufficiently shocking, without any gratuitous exaggeration. As soon as the news arrived in Hobart Town, the most prompt measures were adopted by the Police Department, who issued circulars to the several authorities on the coast to look out for, and if possible to intercept the pirates ; and it is sincerely to be hoped that ere long we may hear tidings of their capture. It is understood that two soldiers, transported at Launceston, who were on board, were the ringleaders in this piracy. A strict enquiry will be made by the civil and military authorities. The Tasmanian Colonist, 30 Jan 1854. --------------------------------------------------- The Courier, 28 Jan 1854. SEIZURE OF THE LADY FRANKLIN. The following is a complete list of the convicts, with their descriptions annexed, who were concerned in the seizure of the Government barque Lady Franklin, as given in our issue of yesterday: JOHN TWITTY, 9455, Gilmore 3, tried Birmingham 21st October, 1843, 15 years; again Hobart Town Supreme Court 19th October, 1853, blacksmith, 5 feet 5 3/4, age 24 in 1843, complexion fresh, hair dark brown, eyes hazel, native place Birmingham, S B man with flag deck of a ship monument man on top right arm, Hope and anchor man flag schooner man with hat and bottle flower-pot E-|-R Britannia on left arm.