Sunday, 24 January 1830
Reports reached London on 24 January 1830, either through letters carried by the St. Leonard or from the outspoken comments of its master, Captain Rutherford. Rutherford had arrived at Swan River a day behind the Calista and so saw the general confusion and was able to assess the quality of both the immigrants and the environment. His own experiences had not been favourable. His ship was damaged in the 3 September 1829 storm, and he had been widely abused for losing 33 of the 60 bullocks he was commissioned to import (Stirling to Twiss, 29.4.1829). In Mauritius by mid-October, he informed residents of Port Louis of the barrenness of the soil, the serious navigational hazards, and the settlers' inactivity and shortage of money (Cross, 1830, pp.16-8). He transmitted similar information at the Cape before arriving in St. Helena on 25 November. His discussions here resulted in one merchant sending a frantic note to London stating: 'the reports the total failure of the Establishment' (Solomon to Freeling, 27.11.1829).
Potential emigrants' reactions to Rutherford's reports were extremely swift. Two days after his arrival, Solomon Levey, Thomas Peel's newly recruited partner, contacted the Colonial Office for the official version (Levey to Murray, 26.1.1830, S.R.P. 6). The Rockingham, with a shipment of Peel's settlers, was due to sail and he had been disturbed by the reported condition of the colony. The day following, a representative of migrants due to sail on the Juno also requested 'official confirmation respecting the late disastrous reports' (Ronald to Twiss, 27.1.1830, S.R.P., 6). The Rockingham sailed and later became the second major shipwreck in the colony. The Juno, whose passengers bore all the risks of their venture, did not.
Press reaction was equally rapid. Within four days of Rutherford's return, newspapers widely condemned Swan River's infertile soils and the hazards it posed for shipping.
This was to lead to an immediate downturn of emigrants and increased difficulties for Stirling and the new colony.
Potential emigrants' reactions to Rutherford's reports were extremely swift. Two days after his arrival, Solomon Levey, Thomas Peel's newly recruited partner, contacted the Colonial Office for the official version (Levey to Murray, 26.1.1830, S.R.P. 6). The Rockingham, with a shipment of Peel's settlers, was due to sail and he had been disturbed by the reported condition of the colony. The day following, a representative of migrants due to sail on the Juno also requested 'official confirmation respecting the late disastrous reports' (Ronald to Twiss, 27.1.1830, S.R.P., 6). The Rockingham sailed and later became the second major shipwreck in the colony. The Juno, whose passengers bore all the risks of their venture, did not.
Press reaction was equally rapid. Within four days of Rutherford's return, newspapers widely condemned Swan River's infertile soils and the hazards it posed for shipping.
This was to lead to an immediate downturn of emigrants and increased difficulties for Stirling and the new colony.
Saturday, 17 January 1830
Eyre Massey Shaw, destined to become the British first chief of London Fire Brigade, was born in Ballymore, Ireland (died 1908)
Friday, 25 December 1829
Christmas celebrated across England.
Thursday, 8 October 1929
George Stephenson's steam locomotive, The Rocket, defeats John Ericsson's Novelty and thus wins The Rainhill Trials held near Liverpool.
Tuesday, 29 September 1829
The first police officers of the Metropolitan Police Service, known by the nicknames "bobbies" or "peelers", go on patrol in London.
Friday, 25 September 1829
William Michael Rossetti, the English writer and civil servant, was born in London, England (d. 1919)
Wednesday, 9 September 1829
The chartered brig, Tranby full of farmers and artisans, is towed down the Humber to begin it's journey to the Swan River Colony.
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Friday, 14th August 1829
King's College London is founded by Royal Charter, under the patronage of King George IV and the Prime Minister, The Duke of Wellington. Earlier on the 21st March – a duel was fought between the Prime Minister (the Duke of Wellington) and George Finch-Hatton, 10th Earl of Winchilsea, in Battersea Fields, provoked by the Duke's support for Catholic emancipation and foundation of the secular King's College London. Deliberately off-target shots are fired by both and honour is satisfied without injury.
Saturday, 4th July 1829
George Shillibeer begins operating the first bus service in London. His first London "Omnibus" took up service on 4 July 1829 on the route between Paddington and "Bank" (Bank of England) via the "New Road" (now Marylebone Rd), Somers Town and City Rd. |
Tuesday, 5th March 1829
The 310 ton ship Calista departs from Portsmouth (having loaded in London) heading for the Swan River colony, and then expected to go to Sydney. With Samuel Hawkins in command, she was to become the third ship to arrive in the new colony.
1. The Conditions in England - Pre February 1829
Leading to Tranby's Departure:
For some time prior to 1829, England, which had always been an agrarian country, had been gradually changing. The process of industrialization had caused many rural workers to lose their means of livelihood. After the Napoleonic Wars, the price of corn fell and wages for the rural workers were lowered. There was a general movement of farm labourers to the factories and of farmers' sons to other occupations. The Clarksons and the Hardeys, in common with other Yorkshire farmers, had probably made gains during the war, and had attained comparative prosperity, but their future was now uncertain.
Post war depression, low prices for their produce, high taxation, and the expenses of rent made life difficult. Other sections of the community also were involved in these difficulties. After the wars, soldiers and sailors were unable to find employment. There were many paupers and hence much crime in the country. |
The end of the long wars against Napoleon did not usher in a period of peace and contentment in Britain. Instead, the postwar period was marked by open social conflicts, most of them exacerbated by an economic slump. As the long-run process of industrialization continued, with a rising population and a cyclic pattern of relative prosperity and depression, many social conflicts centred on questions of what contemporaries called “corn and currency”—that is, agriculture and credit.
The Emigrant's Choice
The life of the poor was difficult, and many sought to leave England. Emigrants mostly went to America and Canada, as New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania) were considered as penal settlements.
Events in New Holland were to lead to the founding of another colony where, to quote the Government Regulations issued in 1829, "It was not intended that any convicts, or other descriptions of prisoner, be transported to this new settlement."
The British Government had originally annexed only the eastern part of the continent of Australia, and explorers of various nationalities, over a period of three centuries, had concluded that the land they had seen along the western coast appeared barren and unpromising. During the 19th century, a number of French ships began to display activity in Australian waters, and this gave rise to fears that the French intended to establish a colony somewhere on the mainland. The British Government wished to strengthen their claim to the entire continent, and as one result of this Captain James Stirling, in command of H.M.S. Success, made an examination of the Swan River, which had been surveyed earlier by the French in 1803-4.
Captain Stirling, and the government botanist, Mr. Fraser, who accompanied him, gave a very favourable account of the newly examined country. It was reported that the land was fertile, could easily be cleared of timber, and had many fresh water springs. Some emphasis was given to the healthy and pleasant climate. (March weather had been experienced, but the first colonists were later to be landed in wet stormy June conditions.)
The reports given of the Swan River's possibilities by both Captain Stirling and Mr. Fraser were to influence not only the British Government, but also many aspiring colonists, including the Clarksons and the Hardeys.
Had it not been for Stirling's energy and enterprise, it is possible that Western Australia would have been colonised by some other power, and thus the political integrity of Australia would have been lost. On the other hand, it must be admitted that this report was based on a brief examination of the Swan River area, and was later proved to be in some ways over-optimistic. Further, the British Government, having delayed action for some time on the question of this proposed colony, finally decided that haste was needed to anticipate the French, and made the mistake of hurrying out settlers to the Swan River without first making some preparations for their arrival.
Events in New Holland were to lead to the founding of another colony where, to quote the Government Regulations issued in 1829, "It was not intended that any convicts, or other descriptions of prisoner, be transported to this new settlement."
The British Government had originally annexed only the eastern part of the continent of Australia, and explorers of various nationalities, over a period of three centuries, had concluded that the land they had seen along the western coast appeared barren and unpromising. During the 19th century, a number of French ships began to display activity in Australian waters, and this gave rise to fears that the French intended to establish a colony somewhere on the mainland. The British Government wished to strengthen their claim to the entire continent, and as one result of this Captain James Stirling, in command of H.M.S. Success, made an examination of the Swan River, which had been surveyed earlier by the French in 1803-4.
Captain Stirling, and the government botanist, Mr. Fraser, who accompanied him, gave a very favourable account of the newly examined country. It was reported that the land was fertile, could easily be cleared of timber, and had many fresh water springs. Some emphasis was given to the healthy and pleasant climate. (March weather had been experienced, but the first colonists were later to be landed in wet stormy June conditions.)
The reports given of the Swan River's possibilities by both Captain Stirling and Mr. Fraser were to influence not only the British Government, but also many aspiring colonists, including the Clarksons and the Hardeys.
Had it not been for Stirling's energy and enterprise, it is possible that Western Australia would have been colonised by some other power, and thus the political integrity of Australia would have been lost. On the other hand, it must be admitted that this report was based on a brief examination of the Swan River area, and was later proved to be in some ways over-optimistic. Further, the British Government, having delayed action for some time on the question of this proposed colony, finally decided that haste was needed to anticipate the French, and made the mistake of hurrying out settlers to the Swan River without first making some preparations for their arrival.
Government Regulations for Intending Settlers
Among the documents in the 'Hardey collection' at the Perth Archives is an extract from the British "Farmer's Journal" of 30th March, 1829, which sets out the Government Regulations for intending settlers to Western Australia. These are rather lengthy. Briefly, the conditions were as follows:-
- The Government intended to form a settlement on the western coast of Australia, but did not intend to incur any expense in conveying settlers or supplying them with necessities after their arrival.
- Those who went at their own cost, before the end of 1829, would receive grants of land proportional to the capital they brought, at the rate of 1/6d an acre.
- Fares paid for labourers would be considered as an investment of capital, entitling whoever had paid the fare to 200 acres of land.
- No convicts or prisoners would be sent to this new settlement.
- The Government would be administered by Captain James Stirling.
Papers all over England were publishing this information, and discussing the advantages to be gained in the new colony. 'The Times' announced on 17th January 1829 the imminent departure of Captain Stirling with his party and that private settlers were fitting out ships to follow with all speed.
Stirling had considerable trouble in organising the first band of pioneers plus the officers and artificers who were to accompany him to the colony. The English Government secured a hired transport —the Parmelia— to convey him and his establishment to the Swan River, and provided him with a consort in H.M.S. Sulphur, which carried the military establishment—a detachment of the 63rd Regiment of light infantry.
On the 3rd February, 1829, the Parmelia weighed anchor at Portsmouth, and made sail for Cowes Roads. After tacking occasionally she grounded on Peal Bank at three in the afternoon. Two hours later, she floated and stood towards Spithead, where she anchored. During following days Captain Stirling, the officers and artificers embarked for the passage to Swan River. The baggage and stores were got on board, and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of February 6th the first band of pioneers sailed from Spithead to found the new colony.
For those intending to follow there was no time to dally for it had clearly stipulated that free grants of land, in proportion to investment, were available only to those who arrived in the colony before the end of 1829. With this in mind, a number of private emigrants were fitting out ships, securing equipment and engaging servants as quickly as possible.
The story continues above....
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