Tag Archives: convict research
John Barry 1821
Dancing on convict ships 19 August 1821 …the soldiers were still on deck in numbers at the time, having just finished their usual evening dancing… Surgeon-superintendent, Daniel McNamara kept a medical journal on the convict ship from 16 May to … Continue reading
Grenada 1821
6 June 1821; serving Lime juice and sugar to the guard and convicts,… gave permission to dance. Surgeon-superintendent, Peter Cunningham was noted for encouraging the convicts in his charge to dance. His medical journal of the convict ship, Grenada, was … Continue reading
Guildford 1820
Dancing on convict ships The surgeon recommends that convict ships should carry pipes and tabors so that convicts may dance to prevent them brooding on their misfortunes.1 The Guildford transported 190 convict men to the colony from England in 1820. … Continue reading
Daphne 1819
Dancing on convict ships. Music and dancing on deck in the evening. The Daphne transported 180 convicts from Ireland in 1819. These men came from all over the country and had been held in the Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, and … Continue reading
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Tagged Convict dance, convict research, dance history, transportation
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Surry 1816, 1819 and 1823
Dancing on convict ships Captain Thomas Raine had a liberal and humanitarian approach to convicts in his care and encouraged dancing on his ships, recognising its physical, mental, and emotional benefits. As the Surry neared her destination, the prisoners were … Continue reading
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Tagged convict culture, Convict dance, convict research, dance history, transportation
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Broxbornebury 1814
Dancing on convict ships Jeffery Hart Bent travelled to the colony to become the first Supreme Court Judge of Australia and kept a diary of his journey on the Broxbornebury. On board was Captain Thomas Pitcher Jnr, Surgeon Colin McLachlan, … Continue reading
Speedy 1799
Dancing on convict ships Anna Josepha King, the wife of Governor Phillip Gidley King, kept a diary describing her voyage to the colony. Beginning on the day she embarked, Tuesday 19th November 1799, through to her arrival in Port Jackson … Continue reading
Posted in Dance
Tagged australian history, convict culture, convict research, dance history, transportation
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Dancing on Convict Ships
Life onboard convict ships varied significantly according to the date of transportation, the attitude of the captain, and the surgeon in charge of the prisoners. On some ships, dancing was actively encouraged every day for its health benefits. On the … Continue reading
