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1852 Mutiny of the Georgiana

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Date: 1852 [unknown]
Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australiamap
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The Mutiny and it's Aftermath

The crew of the Georgiana abandoned their ship in Geelong to go to the Goldfields. The captain attempted to stop the crew from stealing a life-boat and shot the cook dead in his efforts to remain in charge. The crew beat him up and lashed him to the ship's wheel before making their escape.

MUTINY AND LOSS OF LIFE.
The ship Georgiana, Captain Robert Murray, was a scene of an alarming and tragical nature, yesterday afternoon. The vessel left Glasgow on the 13th July, and sailed direct for this port where she was moored at Point Henry by Mr. Friend, the harbour master, on Saturday last. She brings out 372 immigrants from the Isle of Skye, and such had been the excellent accommodation and good treatment shown to all on board by both the captain and surgeon, that nothing occurred to interrupt the happiness of the voyage. On Sunday morning, so little reason had Captain Murray to anticipate anything like a disturbance on board, that he took his gig, visited the Brilliant lying alongside, and breakfasted with the master of that vessel. Between 12 and 1 o’clock at noon, after he had returned on board the Georgiana, about 16 or 18 of the crew, including the warrant officers, came aft and informed the captain that it was their intention to go ashore and proceed to the gold diggings. Captain Murray told them in reply that he would not give his consent to their project, until they had taken the vessel on to Sydney, when on their return to Geelong, he would be enabled to give them two months' leave of absence. The boatswain, sail maker, and cook, who headed the mutineers, replied "that they wished to go to the gold diggings at once, for perhaps when they returned from Sydney, the best of the gold diggings would be over." Captain Murray again repeated his determination not to consent to their unreasonable request; when they threatened to rig out the life-boat and proceed ashore at once, without further parley. The life-boat had been filled with a considerable amount of lumber, placed in her to prevent any surprise in hoisting her overboard. This lumber they set to and placed upon the deck. Captain Murray then went forward to his passengers, and asking them if he could depend upon their support at this critical juncture. To this natural appeal, the only answer he could obtain from the emigrants was, "that they had done all they could for the good of the ship, and should decline further interfering ;" Their spokesman, a Highlander, who delivered this very laconic answer, thrusting his hands into his pockets at the same time, and turning round upon his heel, went away. Fortunately for Captain Murray, and for the credit the British marine, the chief officers of the vessel were steadfast to their duty, and the Captain seeing that he had to rely upon his own determination, and the support of his first, second and third mates, and also of the surgeon-superintendent, armed himself, and in a loud voice warned the misguided men "that the first man he saw in the act of hooking on a tackle to the life-boat, he would shoot." He, at the same time, approached to where the mutineers were busily engaged in unhooking the life-boat, to put to sea. True to his word — the Cook, one of the ringleaders of the gang, was in the act of hoisting the boat over the sides of the ship, when the Captain fired, and the cook fell dead, the ball having passed through his head. The Captain then took aim at another of the insurgents and fired, but missed him. Upon seeing this, the sailmaker stepped up to the Captain and discharged a pistol, the ball of which grazed his head, when the villain drew another, and placing it to the left ear of the master, was in the act of pulling the trigger when a blow from the Surgeon knocked it out of his hand. The boatswain, a seaman named McDougall, and the sailmaker, then lashed the Captain to the wheel, extending both his arms and legs out as far as possible with ropes. McDougall gave him several kicks over the head and face, and left him for dead. Whilst this was going on, on deck another body of the mutineers had driven the doctor, the first, second and third mate below, and fastened down the hatches. They then put ashore in the life-boat, and made their escape towards the Bellerine Hills. The police were on the alert, immediately that news reached town of this daring occurrence, and from the circumstances of the boat of the Georgiana being taken away from the beach, and placed alongside the ship by Captain Murray, of the Brilliant, no chance of escape remains for the men by the sea. Up to 8 o’clock yesterday evening, no tidings were received of their capture, but from the fact of their being edged in by the Barwon, there is little doubt they will eventually be seized. We are happy to say that Captain Murray, excepting some severe bruises, is quite well; having thought proper to feign himself exhausted when, after being ill treated, he saw himself surrounded with half a dozen cut-throats. It is strongly expected that from the fact of all the crew being armed with short guns, and also long knives, which they brandished about, that the act has been long premeditated.[1]
THE LATE MUTINY.—The Mounted Police were actively engaged the whole of Sunday night in watching the various places where it was likely the sailors belonging to the Georgiana would make their appearance, but without the satisfaction of seeing any of them. Yesterday morning, Troopers Jones and Keating were again despatched, and returned to town with two of the seamen in custody. They were surprised in the Bellerine district, about four miles from where they landed the previous day. We are given to understand that if a larger force had been despatched, the whole, or nearly the whole of the men might have been captured.
CORONER'S INQUEST.—An Inquest will be held this day, at Mack's Hotel, on view of the body of the cook lately belonging to the barque Georgiana, who was shot whilst committing an act of felony on board that vessel on Sunday last. The body was brought up from the vessel on Sunday last.
THE GEORGIANA.—Captain Murray, of this vessel, applied to the Bench for a warrant to bring William McKenzie before the Court for insubordination and neglect of duty on board that vessel on the 8th of October, inst. McKenzie was shipped as ship's steward to the Georgiana, and during the tragical occurrence on Sunday last, took an active part in conjunction with the mutineers.[2]
BARQUE GEORGIANA.
George McKenzie, the ship's steward of this vessel, was charged with insubordination and neglect of duty on board ship, when on the high seas, on the 8th of October instant. Captain Murray requested investigation to be postponed, as, from the circumstance of not having the log-book with him, the proceedings might be deemed informal. McKenzie was remanded till this day.
MUTINY.
Thomas Dawson and Thomas Harding, were placed before the bench, charged with being concerned with several other articled seamen, belonging to the barque Georgiana, in mutinous and felonious conduct on board, on the noon of Sunday last. They were remanded until Monday next.[3]
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1852.
SHIP GEORGIANA.—COMMITTAL OF THE MUTINEERS.
Andrew McNaughton, Malcolm McDonald, John McNeil, Thomas Harding, Thomas Anderson, and Philip Vibert, six articled seamen belonging to the above vessel, were placed in the dock for further disposal.[4]

Crew Members

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD.
A REWARD of £100 is hereby offered for the apprehension and conviction of JOHN BELL, sailmaker, height 5 ft 10 in, fair complexion, moustache and imperial, no whiskers, native of Glasgow; and
THOMAS MORTON, boatswain, height 5 ft 6 in, sallow complexion, grey eyes, with a downcast expression of countenance, moustache and slight whiskers, TM marked on right arm, native of Edinburgh;
charged with mutiny on board the ship "Georgiana," or the sum of FIFTY POUNDS for the apprehension and conviction of either of them. And a further reward will be given for the apprehension and conviction of the other mutineers, viz.—
JOHN DUNN, seaman, height 5 ft 8 in, dark complexion, grey eyes and brown hair, native of Glasgow
THOMAS DAWSON, able seaman
ALEXANDER McLEOD, do
THOMAS HARDIE, do
EDWARD CORREY, do
ANDREW McNAUGHTEN, do
PHILIP VIBERT, do
JOHN CAMERON, do
THOMAS ANDERSON, do
WALTER McDOUGAL, do
JOHN McNEIL, ordinary seaman
DOUGAL McARTHUR, do
MALCOLM McDONALD, do
NEIL GRAHAM, do
ARCHIBALD ALLAN, do
The funds for the above reward have been subscribed by several merchants and inhabitants of Geelong, and will be paid by Strachan & Co, agents for the vessel, Geelong, 18th October 1852.[5][6]
Name Role Notes
James Cross Mutineer, cook Shot dead by captain. Vic death reg 2496 / 1852. 32 years old.
John Bell Mutineer, sailmaker
Thomas Morton Mutineer, boatswain
John Dunn Mutineer
Thomas Dawson Mutineer, AB Tried for larceny and assault. Sentenced to work on the roads of the Colony for the period of two Years.
Alexander McLeod Mutineer, AB
Thomas Hardie or Harding Mutineer, AB Tried for assault. Sentenced to work on the roads of the Colony for a period of one year.
Edward Correy Mutineer, AB
Andrew McNaughten or McNorton Mutineer, AB Tried for assault. Sentenced to work on the roads of the Colony for a period of one year.
Philip Vibert Mutineer, AB Tried for assault. Sentenced to work on the roads of the Colony for a period of one year.
John Cameron Mutineer, AB
Thomas Anderson Mutineer, AB Tried for assault. Sentenced to work on the roads of the Colony for a period of one year.
Walter McDougal Mutineer, AB
John McNeil Mutineer, OS John McNeil and Archibald Allan, very forward in passing the luggage, etc into the boats. Tried for assault. Sentenced to work on the roads of the Colony for a period of one year.
Dougal McArthur Mutineer, OS
Malcolm McDonald Mutineer, OS Tried for assault. Sentenced to work on the roads of the Colony for a period of one year.
Neil Graham Mutineer, OS
Archibald Allan Mutineer, OS John McNeil and Archibald Allan, very forward in passing the luggage, etc into the boats. Mr. Wallace, this morning tells me my watch is gone from the cabin. I can only suspect Allan, he being the only one who had access to the cabin. Possibly Archibald McLaren Allan (abt.1834-1888)
Robert Murray Captain
William Gilbie Surgeon
James Parker Boyd Chief Mate

Newspaper References

PORT OF GEELONG.
October 16.—Georgiana, barque, Robert Murray, commander, from Glasgow, 14th July, with 372 emigrants; Surgeon-superintendent, William Gillbee. Cargo-200 tons coals, 74 tons pig iron, Order.[7]
PARTICULARS OF MUTINY ON BOARD THE BARQUE "GEORGIANA" ON SUNDAY, 17th OCTOBER, 1852. THE CAPTAIN'S STATEMENT[8]

Sources

  1. ↑ MUTINY AND LOSS OF LIFE. (1852, October 18). Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856), p. 2 (DAILY and MORNING). Retrieved October 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91929953
  2. ↑ THE LATE MUTINY. (1852, October 19). Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856), p. 2 (DAILY and MORNING). Retrieved October 20, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91927064
  3. ↑ POLICE OFFICE. (1852, October 20). Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856), p. 2 (DAILY and MORNING). Retrieved October 20, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91927789
  4. ↑ SHIP GEORGIANA. (1852, November 5). Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856), p. 2 (DAILY and MORNING). Retrieved October 20, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94362124
  5. ↑ Advertising (1852, October 20). Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856), p. 1 (DAILY and MORNING). Retrieved October 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91927788
  6. ↑ Advertising (1852, October 30). Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856), p. 1 (DAILY and MORNING). Retrieved October 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91927748
  7. ↑ PORT OF GEELONG. (1852, October 21). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4. Retrieved October 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4787771
  8. ↑ PARTICULARS OF MUTINY ON BOARD THE BARQUE "GEORGIANA," ON SUNDAY, 17TH OCTOBER, 1852. (1852, October 25). Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer (Vic. : 1851 - 1856), p. 2 (DAILY and MORNING). Retrieved October 19, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91928819




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Categories: Georgiana, Arrived 16 Oct 1852