Location: Plymouth to Sydney

Voyage of the Immigrant Ship Samuel Plimsoll to New South Wales in 1880
This fast Clipper ship was named for the English politician and social reformer Samuel Plimsoll. He is now best remembered for having devised the Plimsoll line, the line on a ship's hull indicating the maximum safe draft, and therefore the minimum freeboard for the vessel in various operating conditions.
Built in 1873 at Aberdeen in Scotland by W.Hood & Co. She was listed as weighing between 1444 tons and 1459 tons on her various voyages to the Australiasian colonies either carrying immigrants or cargo between 1873 and 1900.
This was at least her 8th voyage to the Colony. She was listed as carrying as many as 394 immigrants when she left Plymouth in England on the 29th of April 1880, with Mr Richard Bouden still her Master as with each previous voyage.
The following Newspaper articles from TROVE trace the voyage.
NEWS OF THE DAY. from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Monday 3 May 1880, Page 5. [1]
A TELEGRAM from the Acting Agent-General, and dated 29th April, advises the Colonial Secretary that the Samuel Plimsoll sailed on that day, with 341 emigrants for Sydney
Emigrants for Sydney. from the Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907) of Saturday 26 June 1880, Page 27. at: [2]
Emigrants for Sydney.
THE following is a complete list of the emigrants on board the Samuel Plimsoll, which sailed from Plymouth, April 29, for Sydney:-Families-Atken: John 36, Rosetta.31, William 8, Martha 6, Beatrice 2, John 1 ; Arthur : Thomas 26, Elizabeth24, Ellen 2 : Burns: John 32, Elizabeth 33, Elizabeth 9, Walter 5, John 2; Bell: John 35, Elizabeth 29, Mary 6, Margaret 4, Clarissa . 1; Bartle: Adolph 33, Sophia 30, Takln 3, Amelia 2, Adolph 1; Bourke: Alice 41, Mary 35, Patrick 10, Mary 8, Bridget G, Johanna 4, Thomas 3, John, 2 ; Birnie: George 41, Sarah 34, William 9, Jeremiah 8, Mar garet 7, Adam 6, Johnston 5, Elizabeth 3, Sarah 2, John; Cahill: Phillip 32, Bridget 26, John 3, Mary 1; Carsons Hugh 44, Elizabeth 41 ; Finnerty : John 23, Margaret 22 ; Gray: William 27, Margaret 24, John 4, Mary 2 ; Hopkins: Jonathan 35, Ann 33, Thomas 10, Rachel 8 ; Mulherin : John 30, Annie 28 ; Malone : Peter 33, Eliza 32, Patrick 3, Mary 2, Mary 2, Margaret 1 ; Morrow : John 33, Mary A. 31, Anna M. 10, Margaret G, James 5, . Emily 1; Parnwell : Samuel 37. Elizabeth 39; Patterson: Thomas 40, Mary 39, Robert 9, Thomas 11; Sarah 7; Reb. son : James 30, Mary 2G, Emily 8, John G, James 3, Newick 1 ; Ritchie : David 39, Mary 31, Agnes 10, David 7, Robert 5, William 2 ; Row: Thomas 29, Ann 28, Isabella 3; Rob son: Thomas 28, Sarah 24, Edith 4, Rose 3, Thomas 1 ; Rowan : John 22, Margaret 21 ; Taylor : Michael 48, . Mary 47, Margaret 11, Ann 9 ; Webb : Joseph 52, Sarah 48; Wilson: William 25, Isahella 26 ; Young: William 29, Sarah 27, Mary E. 9, Frederick 6, William 3; M'Andrew: John 32, Nancy 28, Kate 4, Philip 3, Mary 1. Single Men-Anderson, Clarke 35; Blinn, Bernard. 33 ; Bowes, Denis 17; Braaley, Robert 22; Burke, Joseph 24 ; Brown, Frederick 14 ; Bates, Robert 18 ; Blume, Edward 33 ; Burke John 22 ; Brady, Peter 26; Carey, Michael 21; Chillen, Patrick 25; Carroll, James 31; Connor, Frederick 16 ; Cranfield, William 15; Cournane. Patrick 19; Crane, William 12; Cowin, William . 40 ; Chittick : Thomas 27, William 24, Andrew 22, Henry 19, James 17, Robert 14; Carew, Michael 15; Chesnut : William 20, David 18; Campbell, Francis 19; Cronin, Jeremiah, 16; Cunningham, Robert 22; Davidson, John 24, James 22, Joseph 20; Dowde.Thomas 23; Drake, Richard 29; Daley: Owen 24, Francis 23; Fahy: Michael 25, John 24 ; Ferry, Charles 25 ; Gleeson, William 21 ; God- frey, William 31; Griffin, Patrick 19; Hall: Owen 28, Francis 27, Richard 20; Haughton; Arthur 19; Hodges, John 25; Harvey, Thomas 30; Hanrahan, John 26; Hay don : Walter 20, Alfred 15 : Hough : Patrick 30, John 28 ; Irvine, James 19 ; Jones : Michael 24, Richard 28, John 12 ; Killien, Joseph 10; Keast, William 21 ; Keys, Thomas 43; Knight, Alexander 33 ; Kannedy. Denis 29 ; Keen, Francis21 ; Liddle, John 22 ; Lynch, John 22 : Leyden : Peter 30, John 21 ; Lowry, Lance 21: McGrath: Martin 23, James 19; Maguire, William 38; Murphy, Thomas 20; Mahony, Peter 23; McAuliffe ; James 22, John 23, David 19 ; Mur- ray, Owen 31; M'Namara, Patrick 20; M'Bride, Patrick 21; McDonnell. Owen 24; M'Bride, Patrick, 23; Maguire, Bernard 23; Miles, William 24 ; Mulcahy, J. 10; Morris, Patrick 20 ; M'Dermott, Patrick 25 ; Murphy, Patrick 25 ; Nixon, J. 18: Moon, Patrick 37; O'Connor: (James 20, Patrick 19: O'Neill, Timothy 23; O'Brien, James 20; Osborne :George 22, Alick 10 ; Peterson, Anders 26; Pat- terson, Samuel 17 ; Quinlan,Miles 22; Ryan, John24 ; Rid. ley: George 13, James 11; Ritchie, George 12; Reynolds, Martin 22; Roberts, Robert 18; Ryan, Michael 18; Riordan, William 23; Scott, Richard30; Slattery, Michael 22; Shorer, William 15 ; Sheehy, Michael 20; Scanlon, John 24 ; Shepherd, George 18 ; Scott, Robert 28 ; Slattery, Thomas 30; Taylor: Michael 16, James 13; Turley, Ben- jamin 18; Truscott, William 20; Timmons . William 17, Thomas 15; Telford, Thomas 21; Webb, William 10; Wesner, John 17 ; Williams, George 26 ; Williamson, Wil liam 23. Single Women and boys-Burns: Margaret 33, William 10, Margaret 2 ; Bradley, Fanny 16; Branaghan, Mary 10; Brown; Maria 30, Elizabeth 11, James 8, John 6, Arthur 3, Albert 1; Blewitt, Sarah 24; Boland, Bridget 22; Bray: Ann 22, Fanny 19; Blake, Catherine 19; Clarke : Mary 34, Peter 1 ; Crog, han: Bridget 28, Susan4, Cornelius 0, Thomas 1-; Ornict, shanks; Wilhelmina 32, Robert 10, Margaret 8, David ¡j¡ ; Cravou, Eliza 23; Carroll, Catherine 28; Chapple: Mary A. 20, John S., George 2; Carew, Lizzie 17; Clancy, Mar- garet 27; Cole: Ann 18, Mary 16, Sarah 14, Lewis 10; Crane: Dinah 50, Mary 18, Rebecca 13, Sarah 15, ; Chittick; Jane 43. Ellen 25, Mary 21 ; Crogan, Catherine 10; Cour nane, Margaret 21; Cunningham, Mary E. 20; David son: Jane 38, David 9, Patersen 6, Thomas 3, Gilbert 1; Dwyer: Bridget 10, Norah 20, Mary 18; Donelly, Margaret 17; Doherty. Margaret 20; Edgar, Agnes 22; Fitzsimmons, Mary 20; Finlay Christina 32, Gavin 3, Jnmes 1 ; Grady: Bridget 23, Mary 21 ; Green, Thomasson 23; Gavin; Bridget 20, Ellen 18; Grier, Ann 20; Griffin : Margaret 18, Mary 16; Harkine, Bridget 20; Hopkins, Bridget 20 ; .Hayes : M. 20, Johanna 18 ; Hayden, S. 28; Hough, Bridget 26; Horspool, Anne 21; Keatlng, Annie 21; Kelly: Mary 20, Anne 18, Mary 17, Anne 15; Liddle: Elizabeth 26, .James 2, Mary 1; Leydin: Mary 38, Catherina 26; M'Grath, Ellen 18; Mahoney, Julia 20; . M'Namara, Catherine 16; Meaney, Mary 17; Morriss, Catherine 15 ; Murray, Catherine 26; M'Govern, Ann 19 ; Murley, Agnes 20; Maety, Anna 22; M'Cormack, Bridget 20; Morris, Mary 17; Merrick, Elizabeth 19; Nolan, Anastasia 46 ; O'Connor, Anastasia 15; O'Connell : Margaret 19. Bridget, 17 ; O'Sullivan: Margaret 25, Mary 22; Price: Ann 21, William 2, James 1; Patterson : Mary 14, E. 13 Penteland, Catherine 24; Quinn, E. 26 : Ryan, S. 20; Ridley : Ann 33, Isabella 15; Ritchie, Jane 14; Rock, Catherine 20 ; Ryan, Kate 19; Ryan, Johanna 20 ; Sherry. Anne 20: Symmons, Maria 20 ; Smyth; Bridget 265 Margaret 21, Kate 14; Sherer: Kate 13, Mary 35, John 9, George 7; Struthers, Jessie 19 ; Studt , Frederica 28 ; Storer: Cle- mentina 19, James 1, John 1 ; Taggart: Bridget 27, Mar- garet 2; Taylor: Mary 21, Bridget 19; Virgoe. Annie 20; Wesner, Catherine 49; Walton; Mary 35, Hannah 33; Williams, Winfred 10; Yates: Ellen 40, Eliza 15, Alice 7, Emily 5, Norah 2.
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. from The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 7 July 1880, Page 4. [3]
The Aberdeen clipper ship Samuel Plimsoll from Plymouth to Sydney, with immigrants, passed Wilson's Promontory at a quarter to 2 p.m. yesterday, and sig- nalled 67 days out.
The Samuel Plimsoll. from the Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) of Friday 9 July 1880, Page 2. [4]
The Samuel Plimsoll.
The ship Samuel Plimsoll immediately after arrival in port, was visited by the health officer, Dr. Alleyne, who found that there were 11 cases of measles on board and from the ship's report, there had been altogether 50 similar cases during the voyage. Dr. Alleyne refused pratique, and ordered the ship to be kept at Watson' s Bay until a more suitable quarantine station can be found, as it, would be highly injudicious to place the immigrant ship close to the China vessels now at quarantine ground. Dr. Alleyne thinks he can remove the afflicted patients to the lazarette. at North Head with safety, and then, after a reasonable time has elapsed and the vessel thoroughly cleaned will grant retique to the rest, There are 394 souls on board the Samuel Plimsoll, and during the voyage there were 13 deaths— 11 from measles, one through teething, and one from bronchitis.
EXPORTS.—JULY 8. from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Saturday 10 July 1880, Page 4. [5]
THE IMMIGRANT SHIP SAMUEL PLIMSOLL,. -The well-known Scotch clipper Samuel Plimsoll possesses quite a high reputation as a Government immigrant carrying ship, both for the rapidity of her passages and an immunity from sickness of any serious nature. On the present voyage, however, she has surpassed any of her previous fine passages in point of speed, and has come into port bearing a trip yacht like appearance, but the health of the immigrants has been by no means good, owing to a serious outbreak of measles, which commenced when the ship got into cold weather on the 4th June, and in all thirty cases have occurred and nine children died from the malady. Three children died from other causes, and the death of one adult passenger, a Mrs Aitken, took place, making a total of thirteen death. Only three patients are suffering from measles at the present time, and Dr. Richard Dawes, the surgeon-superintendent, informs us that they are convalescent. He speaks well of those under his charge, and they appear an intelligent and very orderly lot of people. The Java's Chinese having possession of the Quarantine quarters at Spring Cove, the Plimsoll was anchored in Watson's Bay. She left Plymouth with 27 married couples, 127 single men, 113 single women, 54 boys under 12 years, 41 girls under 12 years, and 5 infants, making a total of 394 souls, equal to 341½ adults. Three births have taken place. The single girls are under the charge of Miss Cullen, who came out with the Strathleven girls. Regarding the voyage, Captain Boaden states that the ship left Plymouth on the afternoon of April 29, with a moderate E.N.E. wind; on May 3, in latitude 38' N., and longitude 18' W passed and examined a derelict water- loged barque with bowsprit and mizen mast only standing, painted black and white ports, square stern smashed in, and all bulwarks and houses gone. The sea breaking completely over her, no more could be seen. She answered the description of a barque called the Queen of Hearts, timber laden, abandoned three weeks previous: several of the crew were rescued by a passing steamer, the captain and remainder being washed overboard. Moderate variable winds prevailed till passing Madeira on May 4; got the N.E trades , on June 6, in latitude 25' N., and carried them to 6' N on the 12th. Variable and heavy squalls prevailed till the 15th, when the S.E. trades were taken in latitude 1' N and longitude 26' W. Crossed the Equator on May 15, in longitude 23'34 W., 16 days out good average running having been made Moderate S.E. trades, but squally, were carried to latitude 20' S, and longitude 31' W., on the 20th, S.S.E. and S. winds then set in for 12 days, during 10 days of which 867 miles was the total distance made good; Tistan da Acunha was passed on June 3rd, and the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope on the 10th, in latitude 40' S., 12 days out; passed the Crozets on the 17th, and Cape Leunwin on the 27th, 59 days out; the easting was run down between 43 and 44 south, moderate and fresh N.W. Winds, with fogs and rain prevailing, except on the 26th, a heavy N.W. gale with high sea being experienced, in latitude 44'18 S, and longitude 109'43 W. A splendid average running was made after passing the Cape. On June 11 the ship ran 298 knots; on the 16th, 294 knots; on the 17th, 313 knots; on the 19th, 304 knots; on the 22nd, 291 knots; on the 23rd, 308 knots ; on the 250th, 314 knots; and on the 26th, 300 knots. Unsettled easterly weather prevailed till the 5th instant, when Cape Otway was passed; thence W. and N.W. winds and fine weather. Signaled at Wilson's Promontory on the 6th, 67 days out. Passed Gabo Island 8th, and since then light westerly winds and calms have prevailed. The passage has been made from Plymouth in 71 days, a performance that has not been surpassed by a sailing ship for many years past.
EXPORTS.—JULY 22. from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Friday 23 July 1880, Page 4. [6]
The immigrant ship Samuel Plimsoll will be released from Quarantine to-day.
PASSENGER LISTS
NRS5316/4_4805/Samuel Plimsoll_9 Jul 1880/ from the Assisted Immigrants (digital) Shipping Lists on the New South Wales State Archives and Records website at: http://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5316/4_4805/Samuel%20Plimsoll_9%20Jul%201880/4_480500022.jpg&No=1
SAMUEL PLIMSOLL from the Mariners and ships in Australian Waters website at: http://marinersandships.com.au/1880/07/001sam.htm
Emigrants for Sydney. from the Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) of Saturday 19 June 1880, Page 7. at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108749565?
All New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 Results on ANCESTRY at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/nswunassisted/?arrival=1880&arrival_x=0-0-0_1-0&f-F0005868=Samuel+Plimsoll&f-F0005868_x=1
FURTHER READING
- Samuel Plimsoll from the Ships Index at: https://www.shipindex.org/ships/samuel_plimsoll
- Samuel Plimsoll from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Plimsoll
- Page 40 of Ships' Passenger Lists of Arrivals in New South Wales, 1860 ‐ 1888 New South Wales, State Archives as transcribed by Julia Mitchell at: https://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/nsw_passenger_lists_1860_88.pdf
- Samuel Plimsoll from Lars Bruzelius The Maritime History Virtual Archives at: http://www.bruzelius.info/Nautica/Ships/Merchant/Sail/S/Samuel_Plimsoll(1873).html
- NEWS OF THE DAY. from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Monday 3 May 1880, Page 5. at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13459357?
- Emigrants for Sydney. from the Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907) of Saturday 26 June 1880, Page 27. at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70945019?
- SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. from The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 7 July 1880, Page 4. at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5978238?
- The Samuel Plimsoll. from the Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) of Friday 9 July 1880, Page 2. at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108744515?
- EXPORTS.—JULY 8. from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Saturday 10 July 1880, Page 4. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13463615?
- SHIPS' REPORTS. from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Thursday 15 July 1880, Page 4. at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13463951?
- EXPORTS.—JULY 22. from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Friday 23 July 1880, Page 4. at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13464553?
PHOTOGRAPH REFERENCES
SAMUEL PLIMSOLL. [picture] : 1524 tons. Built at Aberdeen. 1873. A hulk. from the Brodie Collection, La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria. online at; http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/15344
SAML [i.e. Samuel] PLIMSOLL from Author / Creator Green, Allan C. 1878-1954 photographer from the State Library of Victoria online at: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/30053
The 'Samuel Plimsoll' at Melbourne [PRG 1373/3/54] • Photograph. from the A.D. Edwardes Collection available online from the State Library of South Australia website at: https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/PRG+1373/3/54
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