A2 SERIES - State Library of Queensland

SRNSW
REF NO
CS REF
NO
DATE
REC’D
TO FROM
Agent for Immigration,
Sydney
Government Immigration
Office, Moreton Bay
J C Wickham, Government
Resident
Ship “Alfred”
Henry Warren, Chief Officer
Witness: George A Watson
George Cossey, Master
Edward King
William Williams
James Cumming
DATE OF
DOCUMENT CONTENTS
1858 09 28
1858 09 24~
Enclosure No 2 to Immigration Agent’s letter to Principal Under Secretary of
6 th October 1858 – 58/428
“Copy”
Submitting evidence taken upon enquiry into death of Dr J H Blomfield,
Surgeon Superintendent of Ship “Alfred” referred to in Report of Board No 1
– mentions statement of Henry Warren [No 58/98]
Queries to Immigrants holding office on “Alfred” re Dr Blomfield – indolent &
intemperate habits affected health – unfit for responsibilities of a Surgeon
Superintendent on an Immigrant Ship - extract from Health Officer’s report on
death of Dr Blomfield enclosed
Enclosure referred to in foregoing Report
“Copy”
Henry Warren’s statement:
First Officer of ship “Alfred” – re Dr Blomfield, Surgeon:
Kind, attentive, excessive smoker, sober man, never intoxicated but drank
rum excessively – illness occasioned by intemperance & gross feeding – re
delirium tremens
Moreton Bay
Evidence taken at Meeting of Local Immigration Board held 24 th September
1858 to enquire into circumstances attending death of Dr Blomfield, late
Surgeon Superintendent of Ship “Alfred”
Present: Capt Wickham, Mr Kemball
By Capt Wickham:
[Statement]
George Cossey, Capt of Ship “Alfred” - particulars re death of Dr J H
Blomfield - died on board 7 th September
Re Journals found in Surgeon’s cabin: daily journal with entries from June
17 th to June 8 th [should be July] – remaining entries by Edward King Hospital
Assistant
Man of low habits: drinking rum, not a sober man, indolent – believe he died
of delirium tremens – Dr Blomfield not fit person to take charge of Immigrants
[Statement]
Edward King Hospital Assistant on Ship “Alfred” – felt Dr Blomfield was
suffering under “delirium tremens” & bilious fever – re Journals
[Statement]
William Williams Ship’s Steward on “Alfred” – re
Dr Blomfield’s drinking habits - was kind, attentive, liked by crew & all on
board
[Statement]
James Cummings [as it is] Schoolmaster on “Alfred” – Surgeon died on 7 th
September of delirium tremens – never drunk, attentive to his duties – does
not think he died of “delirium tremens”
Letters relating to Moreton Bay & Queensland: A2 series – Reel A2.42 – Part 1 of 2 Last revised: Oct 2012
www.slq.qld.gov.au
Page 20 of 45
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