This list was compiled while attempting to locate the passenger records for Thomas Rendall and his family, who emigrated to Australia between 1861 and 1864. It is based on the work of Margaret Bauer and Nancy Campbell who first compiled their list of Passenger Ships into Queensland (1840-1865) in 1998. Their work has been supplemented with additional research using newly available sources, including data from Trove and the Queensland State Archives.
Note that many ships visited multiple ports in England and Queensland upon departure and arrival respectively. Dates and ports are approximate as reports varied as to which port was the final departure, technicalities around reported arrival dates (for example, anchoring at bay or unloading passengers) and general complexities involved in international reporting at the time. In addition to the original list referenced above, sources can be found in the descriptive notes for each vessel further down the page.
| Vessel Name | Departure | From | Arrival | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mangerton | 15 Apr 1861 | Plymouth | 7 Aug 1861 | Brisbane | Assisted |
| Switzerland | Aug 1861 | Liverpool | Oct 1861 | Queensland | |
| Wansfell | 28 Jul 1861 | Gravesend | 13 Nov 1861 | Brisbane | Unassisted |
| Persia | 16 Aug 1861 | Plymouth | 3 Dec 1861 | Brisbane | Unassisted |
| George Kidd | 18 Aug 1861 | Gravesend | 23 Dec 1861 | Brisbane | |
| Jessie Munn | 26 Oct 1861 | Plymouth | 28 Jan 1862 | Brisbane | Assisted |
| Saldanha | 16 Oct 1861 | Plymouth | 28 Jan 1862 | Brisbane | Unassisted |
| Erin-go-bragh | 23 Jan 1862 | Liverpool | 1 Aug 1862 | Brisbane | |
| Chatsworth | 15 Apr 1862 | Liverpool | 6 Aug 1862 | Brisbane | Unassisted |
| Theresa | 26 Apr 1862 | Plymouth | 6 Aug 1862 | Brisbane | Assisted |
| Ariadne | 5 Jun 1862 | Liverpool | 5 Oct 1862 | Wide Bay | Assisted |
Mangerton, 1861
The Mangerton brought 361 immigrants (otherwise declared as 330½ statute adults) and a large amount of cargo, including 495 bags of salt, 2,000 fired bricks and 18 sheets of lead. According to the captain, John Penny, “nothing of much note occurred during the passage”[30], although the passengers may have disagreed, with a case of the measles broke out early in the voyage, killing ten of the passengers.[31]
Wansfell, 1861
A 717 ton ship captained by Charles Jones, the Wansfell completed the voyage in 108 days, bringing 400 tons of general merchandise and 282 passengers who were allegedly “superior to the usual class of immigrants.”[33] Nine of the ship’s sailors deserted at Brisbane, reportedly owing to “an attachment formed for some of the immigrant girls.”[34]
Persia, 1861
The Persia, at 1,683 tons, was the largest ship yet to visit Brisbane.[36] The ship brought 438 immigrants, with 220 of those arriving in Brisbane after a stop in Gladstone. Upon trying to leave port, a mutiny broke out on board, resulting in Captain Smith requesting “a good force of armed men” to urgently be sent to the ship.[37]
Jessie Munn, 1862
The Jessie Munn brought 308 immigrants (including four born aboard), on a voyage of just over 90 days.[39] The ship also suffered a mutiny north of Brisbane, reportedly requiring the passengers to “work the vessel into the bay” themselves.[40]
Saldanha, 1862
According to The Courier, a total of 498 immigrants were brought by Captain G. Dawson on this 1,563 ton ship[42], although the arriving Passenger List only includes 168 names. The sudden arrival of about 1,100 immigrants from the Saldanha, Jessie Munn, and a third ship from Germany, the Caeser Godeffrey, was expected to result in a suppression of high wages owing to labour shortages.[43] However, it also highlighted insufficiencies in the fledgling government’s ability to provide adequate accommodation for such a large number of people.[44]
Erin-go-bragh, 1862
The Erin-go-bragh suffered a protracted voyage, during which time typhoid fever broke out killing no fewer than 54 passengers.[46] Upon arrival at Brisbane, the vessel was quarantined, with the passengers finally being allowed ashore on 8th August — over six months after leaving Liverpool.[47] Recommendation from the public on additional cautions to be taken included further quarantine on land, and that “as much milk and vegetables, especially cabbage, as possible should be given them every day; and that their heavy woollen clothing should be most thoroughly aired and fumigated, and subjected to dry heat,— or better still, destroyed altogether.”[48]
- No Passenger List found.
Chatsworth, 1862
The Chatsworth, a 1,037 ton vessel, sailed under Captain R. Tucker from Liverpool, arriving in Brisbane with 400 passengers.[49] Also aboard were various supplies of hardware including 6 anchors, 27 grindstones and 18 kegs of nails.[50] An outbreak of Scarlet Fever onboard resulted in a period of quarantine before the passengers could disembark.[51]
- No Passenger List found.
Theresa, 1862
The Theresa was a 798 ton ship captained by D. S. Kennedy, which brought 305 government immigrants to the colony of Queensland.[52] Eight of the ship’s sailors were charged with wilful disobedience on their arrival and sentenced to twelve weeks imprisonment with hard labour in Brisbane gaol. According to reports, “the weight of the sentence did not appear to affect the sailors so much as it did certain young ladies of a somewhat new-chummish appearance, who were congregated around the precincts of the court, and sobbing and crying in a most remarkable manner.”[53]
Ariadne, 1862
At a cost of £15 17s. 9d. per “statute adult”[55], the Ariadne brought 259 government immigrants and 200 tons of cargo to Maryborough.[56] The very first vessel to travel directly from England to Wide Bay, it was not the smoothest of arrivals, with the vessel waiting for three days outside the bay for a pilot, due to confusion around its actual intended destination.[57]
Sources
[1] Shipping Intelligence, 10 Aug 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4600416
[2] The Mangerton's Immigrants, 15 Aug 1861, The Toowoomba Chronicle. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212786943/23222457
[3] Passenger List, Mangerton, 1861 (DR8140, DR8142, DR8302). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[4] The Wansfell, 15 Nov 1861, Queensland Times. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125597118
[5] Desertion of Seamen, 21 Nov 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4602335
[6] Passenger List, Wansfell, 1861 (DR8309, DR8310). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[7] Events of the Month, 18 Dec 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4602800
[8] Mutiny on Board the Persia, 28 Dec 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603012
[9] Passenger List, Persia, 1861 (DR8309, DR8310). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[10] Shipping Intelligence, 31 Jan 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603650
[11] Latest Intelligence, 31 Jan 1862, The North Australian. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/79977443
[12] Passenger List, Jessie Munn, 1862 (DR8304, DR8305). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[13] Shipping Intelligence, 31 Jan 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603650
[14] Brisbane Labor Market, 1 Feb 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603662
[15] The Saldanha's Immigrants, 1 Feb 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603667
[16] Passenger List, Saldanha, 1862 (DR39423). (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[17] The Erin-go-bragh, 5 Aug 1862, The North Australian. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77290652
[18] Shipping Intelligence, 9 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607316
[19] The Erin-go-bragh—A Timely Warning, 8 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607282
[20] Shipping Intelligence, 8 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607297
[21] Shipping Intelligence, 11 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607334
[22] Shipping Intelligence, 7 Aug 1862, Maryborough Chronicle. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150313125
[23] Shipping Intelligence, 8 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607297
[24] Water Police Court, 11 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607326
[25] Passenger List, Theresa, 1862 (DR8336, DR8337). (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[26] English Shipping, 18 Jun 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4606300
[27] Arrival of the Ariadne, 9 Oct 1862, Maryborough Chronicle. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150312980
[28] Untitled, 14 Oct 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4608555
[29] Passenger List, Ariadne, 1862 (DR8313, DR8314). (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[30] Shipping Intelligence, 10 Aug 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4600416
[31] The Mangerton's Immigrants, 15 Aug 1861, The Toowoomba Chronicle. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212786943/23222457
[32] Passenger List, Mangerton, 1861 (DR8140, DR8142, DR8302). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[33] The Wansfell, 15 Nov 1861, Queensland Times. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125597118
[34] Desertion of Seamen, 21 Nov 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4602335
[35] Passenger List, Wansfell, 1861 (DR8309, DR8310). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[36] Events of the Month, 18 Dec 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4602800
[37] Mutiny on Board the Persia, 28 Dec 1861, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603012
[38] Passenger List, Persia, 1861 (DR8309, DR8310). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[39] Shipping Intelligence, 31 Jan 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603650
[40] Latest Intelligence, 31 Jan 1862, The North Australian. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/79977443
[41] Passenger List, Jessie Munn, 1862 (DR8304, DR8305). (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[42] Shipping Intelligence, 31 Jan 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603650
[43] Brisbane Labor Market, 1 Feb 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603662
[44] The Saldanha's Immigrants, 1 Feb 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4603667
[45] Passenger List, Saldanha, 1862 (DR39423). (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[46] The Erin-go-bragh, 5 Aug 1862, The North Australian. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77290652
[47] Shipping Intelligence, 9 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607316
[48] The Erin-go-bragh—A Timely Warning, 8 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 19). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607282
[49] Shipping Intelligence, 8 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607297
[50] Shipping Intelligence, 11 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607334
[51] Shipping Intelligence, 7 Aug 1862, Maryborough Chronicle. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150313125
[52] Shipping Intelligence, 8 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607297
[53] Water Police Court, 11 Aug 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4607326
[54] Passenger List, Theresa, 1862 (DR8336, DR8337). (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474
[55] English Shipping, 18 Jun 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4606300
[56] Arrival of the Ariadne, 9 Oct 1862, Maryborough Chronicle. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150312980
[57] Untitled, 14 Oct 1862, The Courier. (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4608555
[58] Passenger List, Ariadne, 1862 (DR8313, DR8314). (2023, March 23). Retrieved from Queensland State Archives: https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM18474