CONVICTS & PIRACY
In Australia
A CONVICT'S LIFE WAS NOT A HAPPY ONE
Prison Hulk
Prior to transportation to Australia, convicts were often imprisoned in the hulks of many old warships which had been moored in the Thames Estuary or Plymouth Harbour. Conditions on board these floating prisons were appalling and the standards of hygiene were so poor that disease spread quickly. Although there was a strong lobby movement regarding the living conditions on the hulks, the English government delayed building new gaols and preferred to search for new places to send her convicts instead.
Many of the convicts sent to New South Wales in the early years were already disease ridden when they departed and a huge loss of life through typhoid and cholera epidemics was the result.
Many of the convicts sent to New South Wales in the early years were already disease ridden when they departed and a huge loss of life through typhoid and cholera epidemics was the result.
GREEK PIRATES
Arrived in Australia 1829
The convict ship Norfolk Sailed from England on 20th May,1829 and arrived 27th August, 1829 at New South Wales Australia with 201 convict passengers onboard. Among them there were seven convicted pirates, they were also the first ever Greek immigrants to Australia.
The seven men from Hydra had been sailors who in July 1827, were part of the crew aboard the ship Hercules which attacked and looted the British Ship Alceste. A British naval court convicted them of piracy in 1829 and they were sent to New South Wales to serve out their sentences.
Eventually in 1834, the seven convicts were pardoned. Five of them left Australia and two decided to stay in Australia. One of them, Antonios Manolis, became a farmer, married an Irish woman and raised a family in Picton, South West of Sydney, where his grave is today. |
CONVICT/PIRATES on the CYPRUS
(Story adapted from several sources)
1829 the supply ship ‘Cyprus’ was hijacked in Tasmania by escaped convicts. William Swallow was designated the position of the ships skipper. When Swallow was captured in China, nobody believed his unlikely story that he had sailed to Japan. In the 1800s Japan was governed by local samurai lords and ruled by a Shogun who had nothing to do with outsiders and was hostile towards foreigners.
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The question “Was Swallow’s story true?” remained until in 2017 when a keen surfer, who has lived for 30 years in Japan, put together the jigsaw of a long standing mystery involving convicts and mutiny.
The surfer who is also an English teacher & Amateur historian, bought himself a beach shack on Teba Island. Historic records of the area showed that in 1830, at the back of his shack, Samurai soldiers, protecting their country from foreigners, fired at a ‘Barbarian’ ship that sailed boldly into Chinese held waters.
The surfer found that the story fitted like a missing jigsaw piece with the story about the brig Cyprus, Australian convicts, mutiny & pirates.
The surfer who is also an English teacher & Amateur historian, bought himself a beach shack on Teba Island. Historic records of the area showed that in 1830, at the back of his shack, Samurai soldiers, protecting their country from foreigners, fired at a ‘Barbarian’ ship that sailed boldly into Chinese held waters.
The surfer found that the story fitted like a missing jigsaw piece with the story about the brig Cyprus, Australian convicts, mutiny & pirates.
The story begins:
On 6 August 1829, the brig Cyprus, a government-owned vessel used to transport goods, people, and convicts, set sail from Hobart Town for Macquarie Harbour Penal Station on a routine voyage carrying supplies and convicts under a guard commanded by Army Lt Carew. There were 62 people on board, including wives and children of some personnel, and 31 convicts.
On 6 August 1829, the brig Cyprus, a government-owned vessel used to transport goods, people, and convicts, set sail from Hobart Town for Macquarie Harbour Penal Station on a routine voyage carrying supplies and convicts under a guard commanded by Army Lt Carew. There were 62 people on board, including wives and children of some personnel, and 31 convicts.
On reaching Recherche Bay, isolated from the main settlement, the vessel was becalmed. Convicts allowed on deck attacked their guards and took control of the brig. The convicts marooned officers, soldiers, and convicts who did not join the mutiny in Recherche Bay, without supplies. They were saved by a convict called Popjoy who constructed a makeshift boat or coracle using only the three pocket-knives they had, and sailed to Partridge Island with Morgan, a free man, where they got help.
Pacific voyage
Nineteen convicts with a man called Ferguson as their leader, appointed William Swallow, (the only one with sailing experience) as the Skipper and they set sail for New Zealand then in the Chatham Islands they turned to piracy and attacked a schooner used by sealers and stole their cargo of seal skins. The Pirates then sailed to Tonga and landed at Keppel's Island, where Ferguson, the leader, and six others decided to remain. Swallow then sailed to Japan.
Nineteen convicts with a man called Ferguson as their leader, appointed William Swallow, (the only one with sailing experience) as the Skipper and they set sail for New Zealand then in the Chatham Islands they turned to piracy and attacked a schooner used by sealers and stole their cargo of seal skins. The Pirates then sailed to Tonga and landed at Keppel's Island, where Ferguson, the leader, and six others decided to remain. Swallow then sailed to Japan.
Visit to Japan
In his account of the voyage swallow included a visit to Japan before reaching China. No-one believed his farfetched story until in 2017 Swallow’s account was compared with Japanese records of an unwelcome visit by a British vessel off the town of Mugi, Tokushima on Shikoku island in 1830.
In his account of the voyage swallow included a visit to Japan before reaching China. No-one believed his farfetched story until in 2017 Swallow’s account was compared with Japanese records of an unwelcome visit by a British vessel off the town of Mugi, Tokushima on Shikoku island in 1830.
Disguised as a fisherman Makita Hamaguchi, a local samurai, was sent to check the ship for weapons and with his report of his clandestine mission he included watercolour sketches of the ship and its crew. Another samurai called Hirota reported that the crew offered gifts. |
Another sailor had “a big glass of alcoholic beverage and indicated that we should drink”.
“ But we did not drink, so they passed the glass around themselves, one by one tapping their heads as they drank to indicate the good feeling it brought them.” Onshore, the samurai commanders were anxious to follow an 1825 order by the shogun for Japan to maintain an isolationist policy. A local Commander said he had been “suspicious since they arrived. It is very strange that everyone who goes out for a closer look feels very sorry for them. The men do not look hungry and they seem to be mocking us by diving off the stern and climbing back onto the ship again,”
It was decided to get rid of them they were to be given water and firewood.
“ But we did not drink, so they passed the glass around themselves, one by one tapping their heads as they drank to indicate the good feeling it brought them.” Onshore, the samurai commanders were anxious to follow an 1825 order by the shogun for Japan to maintain an isolationist policy. A local Commander said he had been “suspicious since they arrived. It is very strange that everyone who goes out for a closer look feels very sorry for them. The men do not look hungry and they seem to be mocking us by diving off the stern and climbing back onto the ship again,”
It was decided to get rid of them they were to be given water and firewood.
Their sails were raised but there was no wind for them to obey and move. So they came under more cannon fire. A light onshore breeze, was not enough to get them out to sea so instead, under a hail of cannon and musket balls they sailed west. It was then that it was realised by the Japanese Commanders that it was a British ship. Orders where angrily changed to fire on the ship’s waterline to sink her. A cannon ball smashed into the ship’s hull and some of the crew were killed and injured. Eventually the wind changed and the damaged, but still seaworthy vessel, headed out to sea.
China Sea Voyage
From Japan Swallow sailed to the Ladrones. Where four more of the mutineers left the ship and Swallow sailed towards Canton but just before they got there they sank the ship and pretended to be castaways from another vessel. Swallow and a few others then worked their passage back to Britain on the East Indiaman Charles Grant. But a week before Swallow and his companions arrived home safe in England, news had already arrived saying that one of the men who remained in Canton had confessed to who he and his companions really were.
When they set foot on British soil they were arrested.
From Japan Swallow sailed to the Ladrones. Where four more of the mutineers left the ship and Swallow sailed towards Canton but just before they got there they sank the ship and pretended to be castaways from another vessel. Swallow and a few others then worked their passage back to Britain on the East Indiaman Charles Grant. But a week before Swallow and his companions arrived home safe in England, news had already arrived saying that one of the men who remained in Canton had confessed to who he and his companions really were.
When they set foot on British soil they were arrested.
Two Hanged
On 16th December 1830 two of them became the last men hanged for piracy in Britain. But Swallow and two others, were returned to Australia, where another one was hanged. William Swallow, was never convicted of piracy because he convinced the British authorities that, as the only experienced sailor, he had been forced to remain onboard and compelled to navigate the ship. Swallow was instead sentenced to life on Van Diemen's Land for escaping, where he died four years later in the Port Arthur (Tasmania) maximum security facility.
On 16th December 1830 two of them became the last men hanged for piracy in Britain. But Swallow and two others, were returned to Australia, where another one was hanged. William Swallow, was never convicted of piracy because he convinced the British authorities that, as the only experienced sailor, he had been forced to remain onboard and compelled to navigate the ship. Swallow was instead sentenced to life on Van Diemen's Land for escaping, where he died four years later in the Port Arthur (Tasmania) maximum security facility.
CONVICT to BUSHRANGER
Moondyne Joe in Western Australia
Western Australia's most infamous Bushranger was Moondyne Joe (Joseph Bolitho Johns) At his trial in England Johns unsuccessfully conducted his own defence and in 1853 he was transported to Western Australia for 10 years.
On the 30th of April 1853 he arrived, together with 195 passengers at the port of Fremantle aboard the ship ‘Pyrenees’.
Little is known of his early days as convict number 1790. He may have served time in Guildford and Toodyay. Some say he was a 'ticket of leave' man working at the small settlement called Moondyne.
Little is known of his early days as convict number 1790. He may have served time in Guildford and Toodyay. Some say he was a 'ticket of leave' man working at the small settlement called Moondyne.
He must have behaved himself because only two years later, in1855, he was granted a conditional pardon. But seven years later he was back behind bars. Wild horses, called Brumbies, were not uncommon, but when Joe found an unmarked horse & put his own brand on it he was gaoled in Toodyay for the 'felony' of not trying to find the owner. But he wasn’t in long. He easily escaped by unscrewing the hinges on his cell door. It is said that he then stole the Resident Magistrate's saddle and bridle and rode off on the evidence (The horse with his brand on it). Later a dead horse without its skin and brand was found in the bush some distance from the prison.
Joe was captured and in a court hearing he was acquitted of horse stealing but convicted of escaping custody and sentenced to three years hard labour. He was released on January 5th 1864. Three years later, he pleaded his innocence to a charge of shooting a cow but was given 10 years in prison.
Joe was captured and in a court hearing he was acquitted of horse stealing but convicted of escaping custody and sentenced to three years hard labour. He was released on January 5th 1864. Three years later, he pleaded his innocence to a charge of shooting a cow but was given 10 years in prison.
While with a working party of other convicts near the Canning River, he escaped again and recaptured 100 miles away and had another year added to his sentence.
By now he was somewhat of a popular folk hero (“Moondyne Joe has made fools of them again!”) and after a petition to the governor his time was trimmed by 4 years. But Joe wanted freedom now! So again attempted to escape, was punished severely and had to endure six months clasped in chains.
A couple of weeks after the chains came off, with a plan to travel several thousand miles from Western Australia to the Eastern states, he escaped with three others, who became his 'gang'. To get what they would need for the mammoth trip, they stole from stores in the Avon Valley. The gang’s biggest heist was when they robbed a big store in Toodyay and escaped with such things as guns and ammunition, clothing, and strangely, a pile of ladies colourful delicate, handkerchiefs.
By now he was somewhat of a popular folk hero (“Moondyne Joe has made fools of them again!”) and after a petition to the governor his time was trimmed by 4 years. But Joe wanted freedom now! So again attempted to escape, was punished severely and had to endure six months clasped in chains.
A couple of weeks after the chains came off, with a plan to travel several thousand miles from Western Australia to the Eastern states, he escaped with three others, who became his 'gang'. To get what they would need for the mammoth trip, they stole from stores in the Avon Valley. The gang’s biggest heist was when they robbed a big store in Toodyay and escaped with such things as guns and ammunition, clothing, and strangely, a pile of ladies colourful delicate, handkerchiefs.
It is unsure what happened to the other gang members, but Moondyne Joe was captured 200 miles east of Perth at Moondyne joe escaped. He was taken to the infamous Fremantle prison, with its high limestone walls, built by the prisoners themselves. As punishment and as a warning to the other prisoners, he was chained to a post by the neck in the prison yard.After some days on the post, he was declared ill and put into the exercise yard, where he was to break rocks and stack them against the wall. The stack of broken rocks grew considerably. The guards were impressed and left him to get on with it. But what the guards failed to notice was that the pile was hollow and when they were not looking Joe could hide in it and dig into the wall and eventually he left his clothes behind as a decoy, pulled out the loosened limestone blocks and escaped through the hole.
By the time the guards noticed that there was no Joe inside of his clothing or inside the prison, Joe dressed only in his underwear and boots, was well away, no doubt stealing clothes off washing lines in the surrounding cottages. This time he remained free for two years. The disliked Governor Hampton, who supervised Joe’s detention, was ridiculed in the newspapers. Hampton retaliated by issuing a ‘Dead or alive’ warrant. But when the Hamptons left Western Australia in 1868, Joe was still on the loose.
On February 25th 1869 Joe got a bit careless and was recaptured at a wine cellar that he had broken into, where the police caught him drinking in celebration of two years of freedom. He had been living rough and looked like a wild man, with long unkempt hair and dressed in a wheat sack. Again he was gaoled. In 1879 when Moondyne Joe was released he found work and married Louisa Hearn. He was around 60 years old when in
1887 he took his wife into the goldfields and went gold prospecting for a few years. Sadly his wife became sick and died in 1893. Joe seemed to give up on life he moved to the Perth suburb of Kelmscott where he was eventually declared insane , admitted to Claremont mental institution and died at about 72 years of age.
1887 he took his wife into the goldfields and went gold prospecting for a few years. Sadly his wife became sick and died in 1893. Joe seemed to give up on life he moved to the Perth suburb of Kelmscott where he was eventually declared insane , admitted to Claremont mental institution and died at about 72 years of age.
CONVICT SETTLEMENT - MORTON BAY
Prison Buildings
September 1824, Lieutenant Henry Miller, 15 soldiers together with their families, and 30 convicts arrived on the brig Amity to set up the first Moreton Bay penal settlement. It was constructed with a few shacks at Red Cliff Point.
Today the area is known by an Aboriginal word ‘’Humpybong’’ meaning 'dead house'.
Aboriginal attacks, mosquitoes and the lack of a safe anchorage were causing so much discomfort that within a few months this first settlement was considered to be a failure.
In February 1825, Lieutenant Henry Miller established the new Queen's Wharf, settlement.
Today the area is known by an Aboriginal word ‘’Humpybong’’ meaning 'dead house'.
Aboriginal attacks, mosquitoes and the lack of a safe anchorage were causing so much discomfort that within a few months this first settlement was considered to be a failure.
In February 1825, Lieutenant Henry Miller established the new Queen's Wharf, settlement.
CRUEL CAPTAIN LOGAN
The Cruel Captain Logan
A convict’s life was never a happy one, but when the cruel Captain Logan arrived, life became almost unbearable. Within nine months of his arrival Logan had sentenced 200 convicts to be lashed with an average of 55 lashes per person. He also introduced solitary confinement, and a treadmill.
Moreton Bay became the harshest penal settlement in New South Wales. By 1828, 693 convicts were imprisoned at Moreton Bay. Many tried to escape; James Davies was one of the 'wild white men' who escaped into the bush and lived with the local Aboriginal people.
New building projects included a hospital, a convict trans-shipment base at Dunwich on Stradbroke Island and in 1828 the Wickham Terrace windmill, which doubled as a grinding mill to feed the colony. The mill usually required 30 men to operate it, but as punishment, manpower numbers would be reduced to as few as twelve pushing it for up to 14 hours straight.
Logan also turned St Helena Island into a penal settlement.
In 1829, a women's gaol – they called a Female Factory - was built in Queen Street on the site of today’s Post Office.
The Female convicts, together with their children, lived in communal accommodation and worked doing needlework, washing and in in an earlier form of recycling they unravelled old jute rope to produce loose fibre which was then used together with tar, in caulking the seams of wooden boats.
In 1830, Moreton Bay held its first trial and from then on they were able to conduct executions.
There were only a few free citizens – administrators, their wives, children and servants.
In 1824, there were two convicts for one soldier. The convicts were both guarded and punished by the soldier in charge of them. By 1832 the convict population had reached more than 1000 with only 100 soldiers. So there were then ten convicts to every one soldier.
Moreton Bay became the harshest penal settlement in New South Wales. By 1828, 693 convicts were imprisoned at Moreton Bay. Many tried to escape; James Davies was one of the 'wild white men' who escaped into the bush and lived with the local Aboriginal people.
New building projects included a hospital, a convict trans-shipment base at Dunwich on Stradbroke Island and in 1828 the Wickham Terrace windmill, which doubled as a grinding mill to feed the colony. The mill usually required 30 men to operate it, but as punishment, manpower numbers would be reduced to as few as twelve pushing it for up to 14 hours straight.
Logan also turned St Helena Island into a penal settlement.
In 1829, a women's gaol – they called a Female Factory - was built in Queen Street on the site of today’s Post Office.
The Female convicts, together with their children, lived in communal accommodation and worked doing needlework, washing and in in an earlier form of recycling they unravelled old jute rope to produce loose fibre which was then used together with tar, in caulking the seams of wooden boats.
In 1830, Moreton Bay held its first trial and from then on they were able to conduct executions.
There were only a few free citizens – administrators, their wives, children and servants.
In 1824, there were two convicts for one soldier. The convicts were both guarded and punished by the soldier in charge of them. By 1832 the convict population had reached more than 1000 with only 100 soldiers. So there were then ten convicts to every one soldier.
CONVICTS TURN TO PIRACY
Three masted Sailing Ship
In September 1831, if one was to look hard at the western shores of Moreton Bay, they might just see the framework of abandoned huts erected at Redcliffe ten years before, but apart from these frames and a Schooner at anchor on the west side of Mud Island, there was little sign of the existence of the convict settlement that was close by on the Brisbane River and with the headlands wooded hills it all looked the same as would have been seen by Captain Cook as he surveyed the expanse of water between the Island and the mainland about 60 years before.
The schooner Caledonia, was commanded by the 27 year old Englishman, Captain George Browning, an adventurous and daring young man who had arrived in the colony some years before as second mate of a brig called the Lord Rodney. Browning, was an intelligent, efficient seaman and had for some years past been employed as master of ships trading between Sydney, New Zealand, and the South Sea Islands. On this present voyage the Caledonia was on Government charter to deliver stores from Sydney to the Moreton Bay convict settlement. She had been at anchor for a couple of days, while the stores were off loaded into punts alongside. These flat-bottomed boat rowing boats with square-cut bows, designed for use in shallow waters and rivers, where manned by convict labourers and where ideal for the delivery of heavy stores to a temporary depot at the mouth of the river, ready for transfer to the permanent depot called Eagle Farm.
The men finished unloading the cargo on a Friday afternoon and arrangements were made for the Caledonia to Sydney on the Monday morning. Captain Browning had visited the Commandant (Captain Clunie) at New Farm, but apart from that there was no communication with the shore during Sunday which became a day of rest for the crew who, after a hard week at the winch, were glad of a whole day with nothing to do but their own washing and patching.
Around 10pm Captain Browning returned in a Government boat, came on board and went below. At 2am the Captain was awoken by the man on watch, who reported that although it was too far away to be visible in the dark, he could hear several muffled voices and the splashing & creaking of oars approaching the ship.
The schooner Caledonia, was commanded by the 27 year old Englishman, Captain George Browning, an adventurous and daring young man who had arrived in the colony some years before as second mate of a brig called the Lord Rodney. Browning, was an intelligent, efficient seaman and had for some years past been employed as master of ships trading between Sydney, New Zealand, and the South Sea Islands. On this present voyage the Caledonia was on Government charter to deliver stores from Sydney to the Moreton Bay convict settlement. She had been at anchor for a couple of days, while the stores were off loaded into punts alongside. These flat-bottomed boat rowing boats with square-cut bows, designed for use in shallow waters and rivers, where manned by convict labourers and where ideal for the delivery of heavy stores to a temporary depot at the mouth of the river, ready for transfer to the permanent depot called Eagle Farm.
The men finished unloading the cargo on a Friday afternoon and arrangements were made for the Caledonia to Sydney on the Monday morning. Captain Browning had visited the Commandant (Captain Clunie) at New Farm, but apart from that there was no communication with the shore during Sunday which became a day of rest for the crew who, after a hard week at the winch, were glad of a whole day with nothing to do but their own washing and patching.
Around 10pm Captain Browning returned in a Government boat, came on board and went below. At 2am the Captain was awoken by the man on watch, who reported that although it was too far away to be visible in the dark, he could hear several muffled voices and the splashing & creaking of oars approaching the ship.
Thinking that it must be the Commandant's boat returning with instructions or letters overlooked during the day, Captain Browning remained below deck in his bunk, until he was surprised by a thump as the boat struck heavily under the bows of the ship and then the noise of scampering feet on deck. He was surprised by the undignified and unusual way for a Government boat to come alongside, and began hasty preparations for going on deck.
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Meanwhile as the crew emerged from the forecastle, the boarding party (escaped convicts- turned pirates) held them at gun point, stripped them of their clothing and as they forced them over the side and into the boat, flung their convict clothes with the broad arrow markings, after them. The boat had also been stripped of its oars and sails and the pirates told the crew that they would drift ashore quite soon enough to report the capture of the schooner.
When Captain Browning came on deck he found himself with no crew and face to face with the pirates. He recognised the ring leader as one of the convicts that was employed in unloading the vessel. This man pointed a pistol at the captain and said
"Captain Browning, you are a prisoner. Resistance is useless; your crew are drifting about in the bay. If you value your life, you will get underway at once. This land breeze will soon freshen and carry us round the Cape, and away from this hell upon earth."
When Captain Browning came on deck he found himself with no crew and face to face with the pirates. He recognised the ring leader as one of the convicts that was employed in unloading the vessel. This man pointed a pistol at the captain and said
"Captain Browning, you are a prisoner. Resistance is useless; your crew are drifting about in the bay. If you value your life, you will get underway at once. This land breeze will soon freshen and carry us round the Cape, and away from this hell upon earth."
They kept the captain because although they were now officially pirates, none of them could navigate a ship & they needed Captain Browning who, under threat of death, agreed to navigate the ship to a suitable Pacific island where the pirates said they planned to join a whaling ship. Eventually when Browning was rescued, he wrote how his survival strategy was to gain the confidence of his captors by pretending to be sympathetic with the pirates saying: “…it is a pity for fine young fellows like them to be lagged from their native country, and how natural it is for all men to flee from bondage, and suchlike expressions”.
Apart from all being escaped convicts, the pirates had little in common to unify them. They were a volatile mix of Six Englishmen and five Irishmen and all of them were full of the ships grog. Only a week into the voyage, drunken arguments led to one Irishman being shot and a couple being thrown overboard to the sharks. When the ship stopped for fresh water at New Caledonia, an alcohol fueled argument saw one man left behind. At another island they lost a man who was clubbed to death by the natives. On yet another island one ‘brave’ pirate, preferring to take his chances with savages than with his mates, ran off into the bush, hid and was left behind.
Apart from all being escaped convicts, the pirates had little in common to unify them. They were a volatile mix of Six Englishmen and five Irishmen and all of them were full of the ships grog. Only a week into the voyage, drunken arguments led to one Irishman being shot and a couple being thrown overboard to the sharks. When the ship stopped for fresh water at New Caledonia, an alcohol fueled argument saw one man left behind. At another island they lost a man who was clubbed to death by the natives. On yet another island one ‘brave’ pirate, preferring to take his chances with savages than with his mates, ran off into the bush, hid and was left behind.
SAVAI ISLAND - SANCTUARY
Landscape, Savai Island 1876
Savai, the largest of the Navigators' Islands, 1876. At the Samoan island of Savaii the pirates scuttled the Caledonia in deep water. Captain Browning was taken with them to the island where he enjoyed the kindness and protection of a friendly chief, Tangaloa.
Eventually when an English whaling ship ‘Oldham’, arrived one of the pirates named Evans tried to pass himself off as the captain of the Caledonia but Browning, with the help of the natives, was able to convince them of his identity. Evans was arrested and Browning was welcomed aboard. The other remaining three pirates escaped into the bush and remained on the island. Later during a storm at sea, Evans was either swept over the side, was thrown over or afraid to face colonial justice, jumped overboard.
Captain Browning was transferred to an American whaling ship ‘Milo’ bound for Sydney, where it is recorded that he: “…arrived in good health and spirits, to the great surprise and happiness of an extensive circle of friends.” Captain Browning’s adventure was published in the newspapers on May 17, 1832. Shortly afterwards the crew & captain of ‘Oldham’ were massacred at Wallis Island.
George Browning continued his career as a sea captain in the Pacific. It is said that he went native for a time in Fiji, and married a Fijian princess, which gave chiefly status to his descendants - most of whom now live in Australia.
In 1887 at 82yrs of age, he passed away and was buried at Sydney’s Rookwood Cemetery.
Captain Browning was transferred to an American whaling ship ‘Milo’ bound for Sydney, where it is recorded that he: “…arrived in good health and spirits, to the great surprise and happiness of an extensive circle of friends.” Captain Browning’s adventure was published in the newspapers on May 17, 1832. Shortly afterwards the crew & captain of ‘Oldham’ were massacred at Wallis Island.
George Browning continued his career as a sea captain in the Pacific. It is said that he went native for a time in Fiji, and married a Fijian princess, which gave chiefly status to his descendants - most of whom now live in Australia.
In 1887 at 82yrs of age, he passed away and was buried at Sydney’s Rookwood Cemetery.
Email Rex Woodmore: [email protected]