General Remarks and Sick List of the Phoebe

MEDICAL and SURGICAL JOURNAL of Her Majesty's Hired Convict Ship
"Phoebe Dunbar"
between 4th May 1853 and the 21st September 1853 during which the said Ship
has been employed in conveying Male Convicts from England to Western
Australia.
General Remarks
The "Phoebe Dunbar" was taken up in March 1853 for the conveyance of Prisoners from Dublin to
Western Australia and by appointment I took charge as Surgeon Superintendent at Deptford the April
following: on examination of the Ship was perfectly satisfied that she had the usual internal fittings; that the
requisite stores and provisions had been shipped on board of apparently good quality and sufficient
quantity. Indeed in every way the Ship seemed to have been admirably provided and well established for
the Transport Service.
The Military Guard of Pensioners, with their wives and children embarked at Tilbury Port the 4th of Mary,
1853, making a total on one hundred and two souls; and two hundred and ninety five male Convicts were
received on board at Newgate on the 31 st May, 1853, the Ship proceeding to sea on the 2 nd June, the latter
having been carefully selected from a large body of men at the different Prisons in Dublin, but fully
two-thirds of them coming from the Convict establishment "Mount Joy" all being at the time free of organic
disease, principally young men but of slender frame and short stature; my attention at first sight was
attracted by their singular appearance of being pallid, dejected and care worn, which lassitude I attributed
at the time to long confinement and the Silent Systems as adopted at "Mount Joy" and that sea should
afford a refreshing, a beneficial change in their condition by a change of diet and the sea air but was
doomed to disappointment for they suffered from the commencement of their Voyage more than ordinarily
by sea-sickness, Dyspepsia and its consequences, and about the middle of June fever of an intermittent
character appeared amongst them and spread in an alarming extent commencing in some few instances
with high inflammatory action demanding the use of the lancet and specially an anti-phlogistic treatment
but for the greater part the disease set in with great mental and bodily depression; sudden loss of muscular
power and Dyspnoea to such an extent as almost to threaten the extinction of animal life.
Three cases of Cholera seen ended fatally, the symptoms being so severe from the commencement as to
afford little or no hope of recovery although in each instance life was protracted to an incredibly long
period, but the disorder resisted every type of treatment suggested by myself or recommended by the
profession generally. Choleragic diarrhoea attacked the men with great severity and became pretty general
throughout the Ship being much aggravated in most instances by a Scorbutic tendency in the system
extending even to the youngest children. About the end of July Scurvy in a most virulent form appeared
amongst the Convicts beginning with the convalescent prison fevers, then the old standing cases of
visceral derangements and finally attacking all hands indiscriminately which induced me to make the Cape
of Good Hope if possible, but the unsettled state of the weather and contrary winds prevented this. I had
therefore to proceed on my Voyage without the benefit of fresh provisions most regrettably which
increased my anxieties greatly as the usual Medicines and Medical Comforts proved in many instances
quite inadequate to arrest the progress of the malady although I found the Mineral Acids in large doses in
conjunction with quinine most serviceable and in Scurvy cases more efficacious than the Nitrade of Potash
or other adopted remedies as an anti-scorbutic.
The Guard was also very sickly during the Voyage but the Women and Children suffered much, the former
from Hysteric afflictions and Uterine Disease, the latter whooping cough, visceral derangements, in five
instances fulminating in convulsions and death.
The Ship's Crew although living upon a diet in many respects dissimilar and quite distinct from the rest of
the people on board also appeared with Scurvy and a low type of fever resembling the one then so
prevalent amongst the prisoners but of a milder description and happily disappearing from the application
of the usual remedies.
The cause of so much sickness and mortality on board is not very easily for although the probable
unfitness of the men for so long a voyage, coming directly as most did from the "Mount Joy" establishment
where the Silent System is rigidly enforced and subsequently rapid alteration of temperature and climate
acting upon the constitutions already depressed and predisposed to disease will afford some explanation,
and the Malady attaining an epidemic character amongst a crowded and circumscribed population, the
principal part of that population being indolent and dirt in their habits will show how difficult sick cases were
to manage and how little were the chances of my treatment proving successful especially with Scurvy
cases so intimately closeted with every case of disease. Most of the Prisoners were convicted in the early
part of 1849 and in no way prepared by diet or treatment for the Voyage but would have been less
susceptible of virulent infections had their transportation been carried into effect earlier.
The Biscuit supplied to the Ship soon began to show symptoms of decay I the early part of the Voyage I as
will be seen by the different surveys held and reported in my Journals and eventually became perfectly
useless as an article of Diet and for which I had no efficient substitute'
Immediately on my arrival at Fremantle I sent Forty of the worst cases to Hospital and although many were
dangerously ill at the time they all eventually recovered simply by a change of Diet and removal from the
pestulance in the Ship.
Mr Will Bowler,

Surgeon Supt.
Notes:
Appear to be added from Government Departments in London, on receiving the report.
As the sickness and mortality which occurred amongst the Guard and Prisoners in the Ship appears to
have been greatly increased by the general prevalence of Scorbutic complaints, it is submitted that the
Surgeon be desired to state why he did not cause Lemon Juice to be issued more frequently than appears
by his Journal - Viz once every two or three days. And farther as the Temperance men would not take
Lemon Juice when mixed with wine why he did not immediately cause it to be supplied to them as directed
by the Instructions
W.F. 13 th July
It does not appear that Mr Bowler employed Lemon Juice extensively in the treatment of Scurvy. He
seems to have trusted more to the Mineral Acids
A.B 5 th July
Letter from Governor.
I Charles FitzGerald Esquire, Governor of the Colony of Western Australia, hereby certify that the following
Convicts, Pensioner Guards and their Wives and Children, were disembarked at the Port of Fremantle
from the Ship "Phoebe Dunbar" on the 20 th September 1853 viz:
Convicts 286
Pensioners 29
Wives 21
Children 42
Total 378
That I have inspected the Journal kept by the Surgeon Superintendent, Dr Bowler, has discharged his
duties in a manner highly creditable to himself, has not improperly or unnecessarily delayed his (reliosis
horice) and I would therefore strongly recommend his re-employment in this service. Given under my hand
and Seal this 11 th day of October 1853.
Charles FitzGerald, Governor.

Copy of Daily Sick Book on board Convict Ship “Phoebe Dunbar” between 4 th May 1853 and 21 st September 1853.
When on Sick Names Age Quality Disease or Wound How Disposed Case
List
History No.
May 10, 1853 Elizth Brown 1 6 /12 Guard’s child Pertussis July 5 5am Died 2
May 15 Anne McKay ?2 Guard’s child Pertussis July 15 Well
May 15 Will Hollman 4 Guard’s child Pertussis June 19 Well
May 19 Mary Bennett 35 Wife Phthisis July 10 6am Died 3
May 25 Danl Healy 1 4 /12 Child Pertussis June 10 Well
June 5 Jas Jeffries 16 Ship’s boy Prolapsus Ani June 10 Well
June 6 Will Gallagher 6 Guard’s child Pertussis July 4 Well
June 7 Edw Murphy 25 Convict Accident Scald June 15 Well
June 8 Jas Mathews 18 Ship’s crew Catarrh June 13 Well
June 8 George Ergo 25 Ship’s crew Catarrh June 15 Well
June 10 Mary Reddaway 35 Guard’s wife Dyspepsia June 19 Well
June 12 Will McGuigan 21 Convict Typhus Fever June 21 3am Died 1
June 15 ? Forle 26 Ship’s crew Dysentery June 19 Well
June 18 Jno Jackson 19 Convict Contd fever Aug 21 To Hospital 17
June 18 Jas Creighton 28 Convict Phthisis Aug 29 Died 4
June 19 Jno McCabe 28 Convict Contd fever June 30 Well
June 19 Wm H Ashton 16 Ship’s crew Hernia July 3 Well
June 20 Jas Murray 21 Convict Contd fever July 25 Well 18
June 20 Jas Normoyle 21 Convict Contd fever July 24 Well 16
June 23 Patk Dowling 19 Convict Contd fever July 7 Well
June 24 Timothy Mahoney 25 Convict Contd fever July 9 Well
June 26 John Downey 30 Convict Diarrhoea July 6 Well
June 26 John Ruane 25 Convict Contd fever July 6 Well
June 26 Michl Shiell 1 8 /12 Guard’s child Convulsic July 1 Well
June 26 Will Kelly 27 Convict Contd fever July 4 Well
June 26 Mary Reddaway 35 Guard’s wife Diarrhoea July 3 Well
June 27 Owen Lavin 18 Convict Contd fever July 6 Well
June 27 Mrs Healey 40 Guard’s wife Diarrhoea July 3 Well
June 27 Tim McAuliffe 21 Convict Contd fever July 5 Well
June 27 Jno Connell 21 Convict Contd fever July 10 Well
June 27 Jno Thacker 49 Convict Erysipelas July 23 Well
June 27 Jno McAlpine 21 Convict Contd fever July 9 Well
June 29 Thos Slattery 22 Convict Contd fever July 7 Well
June 29 Jas Faherty 34 Convict Contd fever July 6 Well
June 28 Jno Caffray 25 Convict Contd fever July 10 Well

June 29 Brid Gallagher 3 6 /12 Guard’s child Pertussis July 13 Well
June 29 Jno Ralahan 24 Convict Contd fever Aug 2 Hospital
June 29 Timothy Manghan 25 Convict Contd fever July 7 Well
June 29 Philip Rielly 28 Convict Contd fever July 7 Well
June 29 Fred Davis 21 Convict Phlegmone July 11 Well
June 29 Saml Riorden 28 Convict Ophthalmia July 19 Well
July 1 Tim Riorden 32 Convict Contd fever July 17 Well
July 1 Dennis Sullivan 25 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 to Hospital 6
July 1 Wm Earthy
July 1 John McLeod 20 Convict Contd fever July 9 Well
July 1 Jno Sallenger 22 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Hospital
July 1 Wm McGrath 36 Convict Contd fever July 12 Well
July 1 Peter Kennedy 22 Convict Contd fever July 14 Well
July 1 Patk Tegue 38 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Hospital
July 1 Michl Conners 21 Convict Diarrhoea July 9 well
July 3 Henry Tomling 21 Ship’s crew Phlegmone July 9 Well
July 3 Robt Glange 42 Ship’s crew Diarrhoea July 6 Well
July 3 Will McKay 2 Guard’s child Diarrhoea July 15 Well
July 6 Mr Tucker 26 1 Officer Catarrhus July 11 Well
July 6 Thomas Higgens 25 Convict Catarrhus July 10 Well
July 6 Tim Carroll 32 Convict Catarrhus July 10 Well
July 6 Elizth McDonald 2 6 /12 Child Diarrhoea July 24 Well
July 3 George Bloane 3 6 /12 Child Diarrhoea July 24 Well
July 6 Margt Hollman 1 6 /12 Child Dysentery Aug 9 4am Died 5
July 6 Danl Deloory 19 Convict Catarrhus July 10 Disch
July 6 John Higgins 20 Convict Ophthalmia July 11 Disch
July 6 John Carroll 20 Convict Diarrhoea July 16 Well
July 6 Michl Clancy 20 Convict Diarrhoea July 11 Disch
July 9 Mich Morrissey 30 Convict Haemorrhagia July 15 Well
July 9 Jas Sinclair 32 Ship’s crew Catarrh July 11 Disch
July 10 Pat Dowling 19 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Hospital
July 10 Walt Bryan 22 Convict Phlegmone July 29 Well
July 10 David Sullivan 30 Convict Cholera July 17 8am Died
July 10 Lucy Reddaway 1 9 /12 Child Pertussis Aug 28 Well
July 13 Patk Kennedy 38 Convict Ophthalmia July 10 Well
July 13 Michl Lacey 35 Convict Contd fever July 28 Well
July 13 Wm Forde 26 Ship’s crew Ophthalmia July 16 To Duty
July 13 John McKay 7 Guard’s child Ophthalmia July 24 Well
July 13 Eliz Simpson 3 Guard’s child Pertussis Aug 12 Well

July 13 Will Reece 27 Ship’s crew Catarrh July 17 To Duty
July 13 Danl Riorden 16 Convict Catarrh July 16 Well
July 15 Thos Geatwell 34 Ship’s crew Catarrh July 17 To Duty
July 15 Will Levey 15 Ship’s crew Catarrh July 17 To Duty
July 15 Mr J Pike 21 Ship’s crew Catarrh July 19 To Duty
July 15 Jane Savage 2 Guard’s child Pertussis & Convulsions July 20 2pm Died 7
July 15 Mrs J Bane 28 Guard’s wife Contd fever July 28 Well
July 17 Jas Moloney 37 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 To hospital
July 18 Maria Martin 2 6 /12 Guard’s child Pertussis Sept 19 Disch
July 18 Jas Donovan 22 Convict Contd fever July 28 Well
July 18 J Reddaway 45 Sergeant Contd fever Aug 16 Well
July 18 M Connors 21 Convict Thyphus Aug 11 3pm Died 8
July 20 James O’Niell 20 Convict Thyphus Aug 14 Well Disch
July 20 Eliza Brown 32 Guard’s wife Contd fever July 26 Well
July 20 John Ennis 10 Convict Thyphus Aug 6 Well
July 20 Danl Collins 43 Convict Cholera July 30 3am Died 10
July 20 Jas Anderson 22 Convict Thyphus Aug 6 Well
July 20 Danl Millane 22 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Hospital
July 20 Patl Savage 5 6 /12 Guard’s child Pertussis & Convulsions Aug 16 Died 11
July 21 H W Stock 20 Ship’s crew Contd fever Aug 4 Disch
July 21 M Eccleston 30 Guard’s wife Contd fever Aug 6 Well
July 23 James Healy 45 Guard Contusions July 25 Well
July 23 Hy McCullen 43 Guard Dysenteria Aug 31 Hospital
July 23 Will Studgeon 30 Convict Contusions July 31 Well
July 24 Cornl Scott 29 Convict Thyphus Aug 29 1:30am Died 12
July 24 Michl Sullivan 20 Convict Contd fever Aug 14 Well
July 24 Will Savage 35 Guard Scald accident Aug 14 Well
July 24 Will Savage 3 6 /12 Guard’s child Pertussis Aug 16 Well
July 24 Patk Sullivan 20 Convict Contd fever Aug 4 Well
July 24 David Connors 35 Convict Thyphus Aug 31 Hospital
July 24 Michl Hamilton 24 Convict Phlegmone Aug 5 Well
July 24 Thos Byrne 20 Convict Epilepsia Aug 1 Well
July 25 George Rielly 20 Convict Contd fever July 31 Well
July 26 W Clancy 26 Convict Contd fever Aug 1 Well
July 26 Mrs Martin 32 Guard’s wife Hysteria July 31 Well
July 27 Patk Connell 26 Convict Scurvy generally Aug 31 Hospital
July 27 M A Shiell 5 6 /12 Guard’s child Pertussis Aug 15 Well
July 27 Jos Shehan 42 Convict Scurvy Aug 26 Well
July 27 Thos Dillon 24 Convict Contusion accident Aug 4 Well

July 27 Thos McGrath 22 Convict Scurvy Aug 31 Hospital
July 27 Cornl Gallivan 20 Convict Scurvy Aug 31 Hospital
July 27 John Flemming 30 Convict Scurvy Aug 31 Hospital
July 27 John Carthey 29 Convict Scurvy diarrhoea Aug 31 Hospital 20
July 27 Francis Ryan 19 Convict Scurvy Aug 21 Well
July 27 Danl Burke 20 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Well
July 28 John Mara 23 Convict Contd fever Aug 7 Well
July 28 James Barry 24 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Hospital 15
July 28 Michl Joy 22 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Hospital
July 28 Will Quinlan 23 Convict Contd fever Aug 4 Well
July 28 Thomas Eagan 19 Convict Scurvy Aug 18 Well
July 28 John Kiernan 27 Convict Thyphus Aug 31 Hospital
July 30 Patk Good 20 Convict Contd fever Aug 21 Well
July 30 Thos Macklin 22 Convict Scurvy Aug 25 Well
July 30 Patk White 19 Convict Scurvy Aug 31 Hospital
July 30 John Lawler 25 Convict Scurvy Aug 31 Hospital
July 30 Will Kelley 27 Convict Contd fever Aug 31 Hospital
July 30 P Moloney 26 Convict Thyphus Aug 31 Hospital
July 30 John Thompson 22 Ship’s crew Catarrh Aug 6 To Duty
August 1 John O’Neill 28 Convict Typhus August 18 Well
August 1 Jno Kelly 22 Convict Contd fever August 17 Well
August 1 Jas Normoyle 21 Convict Cholera August 17 11pm Died 16
August 1 Thomas Daley 30 Convict Contd fever August 11 Well
August 1 Jeremiah Foley 36 Convict Scurvy August 26 Well
August 1 Philip Reilly 23 Convict Scurvy August 19 Well
August 1 Morris Ahern 21 Convict Typhus August 31 Hospital
August 1 Timmy Riorden 35 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 2 James Healy 45 Guard Contd fever August 17 To Duty
August 3 John Forde 35 Convict Typhus August 31 Hospital
August 3 John McLeod 26 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 3 James Casey 20 Convict Scurvy August 24 Well
August 24 James Lawler 34 Convict Contd fever August 19 Well
August 4 Saml Riorden 24 Convict Haemorrhais August 29 Well
August 4 Quinlan Leary 24 Convict Typhus August 31 Hospital
August 4 Wm Murphy 25 Convict Contd fever August 20 Well
August 4 John Caffery 24 Convict Contd fever August 26 Well
August 4 John Ryan 26 Convict Ophthalmia August 13 Well
August 4 John Warren 25 Convict Scurvy August 24 Well
August 4 Bryan Farrell 17 Convict Scurvy August 28 Well

August 6 Patk Kieffe 18 Convict Fractured skull Died 13
August 7 Jno Danl Driscoll 18 Convict Scurvy August 27 Well
August 7 Christ. Jordan 23 Convict Scurvy August 24 Well
August 7 John Lahiffe 23 Convict Scurvy August 28 Well
August 7 James Finger 24 Convict Scurvy August 28 Well
August 7 Will Quinlan 22 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 8 Michl Byrne 17 Convict Contd fever August 31 Hospital
August 8 John Stewart 20 Convict Contd fever August 27 Well
August 8 Edwd Bailey 30 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital 19
8
August 8 Mary Donellen
/12 Guard’s child Pertussis September 15 Well
August 9 Pat Meechan 35 Convict Contd fever August 24 Well
August 9 Danl Connors 26 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 9 Benj Forde 24 Ship’s crew Catarrh August 21 To Duty
August 9 Geo Holdsworth 19 Ship’s crew Catarrh August 18 To Duty
August 10 S Bennett 42 Guard Wound on leg August 31 To Duty
August 11 Owen Laven 18 Convict Diarrhoea August 23 Well
August 11 Thomas Dillon 24 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
2
August 11 Caroline Martin
/12 Guard’s child Pertussis September 18 Well
August 11 Ellen Eccston or Harston 4 Guard’s child Pertussis August 26 Well
August 12 W Ashton 19 Ship’s crew Hernia August 23 Well
August 12 Thos Murphey 19 Convict Scurvy August 27 Well
August 13 George Reilly 18 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 13 Michael Fox 17 Convict Contd fever August 31 Hospital
August 13 Gregory Heney 42 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 13 Patk Kennally 27 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 13 Will Moran 24 Ship’s crew Catarrh August 17 Well
August 13 Thomas Kelly 23 Convict Contd fever August 24 Well
August 16 Will Hollman 33 Guard Phthisis September 21 Sent ashore
August 16 Will Savage 35 Guard Phlegmone August 28 Well
August 17 Will McDonough 27 Convict Catarrh August 23 Well
August 19 John Cox 19 Convict Contd fever August 29 Well
August 19 James Carey 20 Convict Contd fever August 31 Hospital
6
August 20 Geo M Oliver
/12 Guard’s child Contd fever August 29 Well
August 20 Amelia McKay 4 Guard’s child Diarrhoea August 29 Well
August 20 Berd Gallagher 3 6 /12 Guard’s child Scarletina September 21 To shore
August 23 Saml Spillaine 26 Convict Contd fever August 29 Well
August 23 James Walsh 22 Convict Catarrh August 30 Well
August 25 Edw Wheelan 32 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 26 Timy Crimans 32 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital

August 26 Pat Bryan 24 Convict Ophthalmia August 30 Well
August 26 Michl Horan 22 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 26 Jas Murray 21 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 27 Mrs J Barr 30 Guard’s wife Parturition August 31
August 27 Mrs Browne 32 Guard’s wife Parturition August 31
August 29 John Barron 42 Guard Stricture August 31 Well
August 31 Pat Brennan 25 Convict Scurvy August 31 Hospital
August 31 Jno Ruane 24 Convict Ophthalmia September 10 Well
September 1 Danl Martin 43 Guard Catarrh September 8 Well
September 1 Saml Riorden 20 Convict Ophthalmia September 7 Well
September 1 Wm Browne Infant Atrophy September 9 Died 14
September 1 Michl Bowen 28 Convict Phlegmone September 20 Well
September 1 John Fahey 18 Convict Catarrh September 12 Well
September 1 James Barry 20 Convict Contd fever September 16 Died
September 1 Michl Leary 21 Convict Contd fever September 15 Well
September 1 Edw Byrnes 16 Convict Ophthalmia September 13 Well
September 1 Michl Hamilton 23 Convict Scurvy September 15 Sent ashore
September 1 James Mathews 20 Ship’s crew Contd fever September 16 To Duty
September 9 John Downey 30 Convict Catarrh September 16 Well
September 9 Will Graham 39 Ship’s crew Scurvy September 21 Convalescent
September 11 Mrs Eccleston 30 Guard’s wife Pneumonia September 21 Sent ashore
September 11 John Ellison 27 Ship’s crew Diarrhoea September 15 To Duty
September 12 Jas Dwyer 23 Convict Contd fever September 15 Sent ashore
September 12 Michl Delap 32 Convict Contd fever September 17 Well
September 13 John Manning 45 Sergeant Contd fever September 17 Well
September 13 Pat McAvoy 26 Convict Contd fever September 20 Disch
September 15 Danl Sullivan 24 Convict Contd fever September 20 Disch
September 16 John McMahon 20 Convict Contd fever September 20 Disch
September 16 Mrs Barr’s infant Guard’s child Atrophy September 20 Disch
September 16 Francis Carroll 24 Convict Haemoptysis September 20 Disch
September 17 Thos Murphy 20 Convict Contd fever September 20 Disch
September 20 Jas Donovan 22 Convict Diarrhoea September 20 Hospital
September 20 John Barron 42 Convict Strictures September 20 Hospital
September 20 Jno Carroll 20 Convict Contd fever September 20 Hospital
Australian Joint Copying Project Reel M711, frame 223