A day-to-day journal
|
|
Tranby Settlers are now over five years in the Colony (1830 to 1836)
|
|
   Still sailing south towards the Equator. Annoyingly calm to start the day. No mileage travelled for the first six hours. Later: "Light airs with showers of rain". Today, George Johnson comments on the dress on board: "My own dress, Flannel Singlet, striped shirt, striped trowsers, Blue striped Jacket, thin half handkerchief, brabb hat, and shoes. Fashions here change with the climate, most of the passengers go without stockings, waistcoats or handkerchiefs." Only 29 miles travelled today by the Tranby with the day ending with a becalming and the "Ship heading all round the Compass."  AI generated photorealistic image of a man standing on the deck of the brig Tranby in 1829 during its voyage to Western Australia. The man is dressed in a flannel singlet, striped shirt, striped trousers, a blue striped jacket, a thin half handkerchief around the neck, a broad-brimmed hat (brabb hat), and shoes. The fashion reflects the climate, with most passengers going without stockings, waistcoats, or full handkerchiefs. The deck shows wooden planks, rigging, and the ocean in the background under a clear sky, capturing the colonial maritime atmosphere of the early 19th century. Tuesday, 12th of January 1830 " Strong Breeze and unsettled weather." overnight. These conditions were reported by George Johnson onboard the Tranby and turned into: " Light breeze and hazy weather with frequent lightning." Tranby sailed 98 miles eastward today and we are located about mid-way between South Africa and the Australian continent. George then reports: "Between 11 & 12 Oclock A.M. Richard Rowland was united in the solemn bonds of Matrimony to Elizabeth Johnson. The ceremony was performed in the Cabin in the presence of several passengers. Mr Leach officiated as Clergyman, Mr Brownell as Clerk." The young couple had been 15 weeks at sea. It will be nearly a month before the couple could begin their life, and the Rowland Family of WA in the Swan River Colony, exactly 195 years ago today.  The location of Richard Rowland and Elizabeth Johnson's wedding.  Let us toast the happy couple. William Alderton William Alderton had enlisted in the 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment, at Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, on the 1st of March 1851 at the age of 19 years, 10 months. After a brief period in Ireland, William left the port of Cork, bound for Australia, in the troopship ‘Camperdown’ on 1st July 1854. The soldiers arrived in Melbourne, Victoria, on the 18th of October after a voyage of 110 days. William had been promoted to Corporal on 1st January 1853, and to Sergeant, on the 2nd of April 1854. On the 20th of October 1854, Sergeant William Alderton departed from the Melbourne headquarters, with his company, under the command of Captain Quade heading for Ballarat. This was where there was trouble with the gold miners, which culminated in what is now known as the 'Eureka Stockade'. The rebels were violently defeated, and then dispersed, in about fifteen minutes. The finale of the rebellious incident took place in the morning of the 3rd of December 1854. Members of the 12th, and 40th Regiments, plus mounted police took part in the fight. Three of William’s comrades from the Regiment were killed, and seven others were wounded, during the rebellion. During November 1855, one company (around 100 men) was sent to Adelaide, and one company despatched to Launceston. A month later, in December 1855, when three companies were sent to Hobart, and one company despatched to the Swan River Colony. Four months after returning from Ballarat, William sailed from Melbourne, on 25th December 1855, bound for Western Australia. William arrived at Fremantle, on the 8th of February 1856. While William was stationed in Perth, he met the lady who was to become his wife. The story goes that William was taking part in an entertainment and the 20-year-old Emma Rowland was one of the audience. Emma mentioned that he was the man she would marry, and she did. The couple married in the second Wesley Chapel, in William Street, on the 8th of June 1858. Within less than six months after their marriage, the young couple departed Western Australia. Colour Sergeant William Alderton (and his pregnant wife Emma) headed to Sydney, by sailing ship, during November of 1858. Emma and William had four children together in Sydney and Hobart before Emma died. You can read the story and follow their descendants here.  Charles Foster Clarkson was born in Yorkshire to Barnard & Elizabeth Clarkson on the 12th of May 1812. He was one of six children. His parents had married during 1798.
Charles was 17 years old when his brothers Michael & James Smith Clarkson departed on the Tranby, bound for the Swan River Colony in 1829. When the boy's father, the prominent banker, Barnard Clarkson went bankrupt during 1833, Charles, and his father Barnard, emigrated to Western Australia via the Cygnet. Charles and Barnard initially moved into the Peninsula with brothers James & Michael Clarkson. More updated details on their lives, and their descendants is available here. 
Tranby Day was once again celebrated at Tranby College Baldivis on the 20th of September 2024. The College describes this day as a special occasion to unite the entire school community to honour our shared history and look forward to our bright future. "It is a day where our Community of students, parents, guardians, staff and alumni come together to acknowledge our history, our achievements and most of all, to have fun. It is an entertaining day of activities, performances and Tranby traditions." "The Tranby serves as a namesake for our College but also as a symbol of our collective journey towards knowledge and personal growth."
 Joseph & Ann Hardey’s daughter, Miss Sarah Hardey gave the Tranby’s ship bell to Wesley College in the infant years of the College’s life. Through the 1930s and 1940s, it was used to signal the beginning and end of lessons, before being retired for safe keeping in the College Archive. It has now been mounted on a frame made of wood from the College Chapel’s original pews and will be rung to start special events such as assemblies, speech days, valedictory assembly, special Chapel services and so on. It will also be rung by each new student on their first day at Wesley and their last, reinforcing the message that Wesley will always be a part of each person  Archivist Ms Lisa Perriam, with Mr Barron and the Tranby bell. Via Wesley College Website. For more details about the Hardey family.    Dr Thomas Coke Brownell. When Tranby departed Hull, it had on board a young 29-year-old Doctor employed as the Ship's Surgeon. Dr Thomas Brownell was accompanied by his pregnant wife Elizabeth, and their two-year-old daughter, Jane Ann Brownell. Elizabeth gave birth to a son, James Storey Brownell, while Tranby was sailing south, off Africa. The family arrived at Fremantle and set up camp, on the beach, with the others. After becoming sick and disillusioned, Dr Brownell and his family sailed for Van Dieman's Land less than three months later. Here over the next 40 years, Thomas doctored to, and assisted literally thousands of convicts and the citizens of Hobart. Elizabeth gave birth to twelve children after her marriage, while accompanying her husband to Maria Island, Port Arthur, Hobart, Brighton and Avoca. Dr Brownell was to die at age 71 years. The brief history of their descendants, on this site, has been updated and you will find the 'Brownell' name appears regularly around our nation during the past 193 years. I hope you enjoy following the story of the Tranby Surgeon, Dr Thomas Coke Brownell.   - Today, we celebrate 193 years since the Tranby , its passengers and crew arrived off the coast of the Swan River colony. As George Johnson records: Wednesday Morning - " Bore down again near to land and discovered it to be Garden Island. Turned the ship as soon as this discovery was made and sailed round Rottennest [sic]. Discovered several reefs and breakers, but were fortunate enough to avoid coming near any of them. Entered Guages [sic] (Gage's) Roads a little afternoon. And were safely piloted opposite to Swan River Mouth where we came to anchor about 3 Oclock in the afternoon." Dr Thomas Brownell records that; "Cap'n Scott, the Harbour Master came on board, and conducted us to our anchorage." Exactly 21 weeks after leaving Hull More detail of the arrival is available.  On Tuesday, 12th of January 1830, George Johnson's log reports: " Strong Breeze and unsettled weather." overnight. These conditions onboard turned into: " Light breeze and hazy weather with frequent lightning." Tranby sailed 98 miles today and was located about mid-way between South Africa and Australia. "Between 11 & 12 Oclock A.M. Richard Rowland was united in the solemn bonds of Matrimony to Elizabeth Johnson. The ceremony was performed in the Cabin in the presence of several passengers. Mr Leach officiated as Clergyman, Mr Brownell as Clerk."  |
