William Hardey
William Hardey was born on the 3rd of July 1813. The last child to Robert and Elizabeth Hardey of Lincolnshire. Another baby, also called William Hardey had been born a year earlier, on April 27th, 1812, but had died, during 1813, aged less than 1 year old.
William was educated locally, in Lincolnshire, and was just 16 years old when he boarded the Tranby with his two older brothers, their wives, and servants. He was setting out for a new life in the recently established Colony.
It seems William had a good time on the Tranby with the other younger people. He is recorded as fishing and looking after his rabbits. The ship sailed via Cape Town.
William Hardey died, on board the Tranby while sailing between the Cape of Good Hope and Fremantle. They were only 12 days out from the Swan River Colony. He was aged 17 years.
George Johnson records in his Journal:
William was educated locally, in Lincolnshire, and was just 16 years old when he boarded the Tranby with his two older brothers, their wives, and servants. He was setting out for a new life in the recently established Colony.
It seems William had a good time on the Tranby with the other younger people. He is recorded as fishing and looking after his rabbits. The ship sailed via Cape Town.
William Hardey died, on board the Tranby while sailing between the Cape of Good Hope and Fremantle. They were only 12 days out from the Swan River Colony. He was aged 17 years.
George Johnson records in his Journal:
Thursday, 21 January 1830
" This morning we heard the melancholy intelligence that Mr Wm. Hardey was dead; he was found in bed in a lifeless state about 1/2 past six Oclock in the morning, was laid on his back with his head upon a high pillow and his chin set in his bosom. Had a silk handkerchief wrapped twice round his neck and tied in a hard knot. His shirt neck was also buttoned; his neck was black and had evident marks that the shirt or Handkerchief had been too tight during the night;
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The Surgeon (Mr Brownell) was immediately called. Gave it his opinion that he had died from strangulation."
"The body was immediately removed and laid upon the Cabin table. M. B. took from him 3 lbs of blood and attempted to inflate the lungs but all to no effect. The vital spark had fled.
At the request of his friends, the body was opened by Mr Brownell, in the presence of the Captn. & 2nd Mate, Mr M. Clarkson, Mr Leach, and myself. Mr B. was more fully confirmed in his former opinion and stated that the pressure of the handkerchief had prevented the proper circulation of the blood which had lowed into his head and occasioned his death. Or in his own words, it was Extravasation of blood on the Brain occasioned by strangulation.
"The body was immediately removed and laid upon the Cabin table. M. B. took from him 3 lbs of blood and attempted to inflate the lungs but all to no effect. The vital spark had fled.
At the request of his friends, the body was opened by Mr Brownell, in the presence of the Captn. & 2nd Mate, Mr M. Clarkson, Mr Leach, and myself. Mr B. was more fully confirmed in his former opinion and stated that the pressure of the handkerchief had prevented the proper circulation of the blood which had lowed into his head and occasioned his death. Or in his own words, it was Extravasation of blood on the Brain occasioned by strangulation.
" A very strong Coffin was made into which he was put with a quantity of spirits. It being the intention of his friends to have him interred on shore. This event has made a chasm in our party. He was a young man, who was generally respected by all on board, for cheerfulness, and mildness of disposition I have seldom, if ever, seen is equal."
After arrival at Fremantle
The Tranby rounded Rottnest Island and anchored in Gage Roads on the 3rd of February. Unloading of the ship then began.
William Hardey's body was buried, at Fremantle, on Monday, the 22nd of February 1830. A service was held at his burial. His grave site in Fremantle is now unknown. A record cannot be found on either the Alma or Skinner Street Cemetery records. In his book 'A Colony Detailed', author Ian Berryman lists 19 deaths in Fremantle during 1830, but the cemetery in Alma Street wasn't opened until 1831. |
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