General Report of Her
Majesty’s Emigrant Ship "Parland"
Sir,
In compliance with the Instructions I had the honor to receive from you on my arrival at Sydney, I now beg leave to state
That an alphabetical list of Emigrants was delivered to I. Denham Rinnoch Esq. shortly after the landing the people, accompanied with a statement of the number of Sick on board, the number of Births during the voyage, and the number of Deaths, together with an abstract of the number of each Trade or calling, a copy of which I was assured would be transmitted to the Colonial Secretary’s Office at an early period.
I have endeavoured to persuade those who had money deposited with with the Master or myself to have it immediately vested in the Savings Bank but found they were all disposed to take charge of it themselves.
As to the health of the Emigrants during the voyage, I am happy to say it was remarkably good. The first week after sailing a case of small Pox occurred which being of a benign character terminated favourably, and every precaution being taken to prevent its spread no other case occurred during the voyage.
The Weather being very severe shortly after sailing from Loch Foyle innumerable cases of Sea Sickness occurred the effects of which were felt during a great part of the voyage, and but for the continued administration of Cordials and medical comforts, three of the men apparently the healthiest in the Ship would have perished.
Six months supply of Provisions and Water were put on board all of which were good except the Biscuit, one specimen of which was inferior in quality and ill baked, the other specimen marked "M" was somewhat better but both were inferior and ill adapted to delicate Women and Children, the flower was not complained of until after passing through the Tropics when it became sour and required a greater proportion of Currants than otherways would have been required to temper it by which means the currants were nearly expended on our arrival here.
No means of employment were provided for the Emigrants, by Government, during the voyage.
The Children were formed into Classes and under the more immediate management of Mr William Horatis Walsh whose excitions were most indefatigable, made considerable progress in Reading and Arithmetic. Writing was not attempted for want of Stationery and had it been supplied I doubt much if it could have been used advantageously owing to the crowded state of the ship, and allmost incessant motion.
The supply of Medical Comforts was abundant and of good quality, and certainly contributed greatly to the comfort and health of nursing mothers and children, but I must observe that the supply of Medicines was defective and too limited for the voyage.
Twenty four dosen of Porter were packed in stampers and being off too strong a quality blew off to a great extent so that not more than five dosen were found available.
The Vinegar was in great demand as it induced many of the people to eat the Stir’about with relish which otherways they would not have been able to manage and as its acerbity simulated that of Butter Milk the children were much better pleased with it to their Porrage than with the Molasses with which many of them soon tired, hence I would recommend half a pint of vinegar instead of one third, --"-- particularly to Irish Emigrants.
We called at no port during the voyage nor would I even do so unless from some extraordinary exigency.
The Master, his Officers and Crew having afforded me every assistance Inquired, are justly entitled to any Gratuity that invariable good conduct may entitle them to.
John Kenigan having acted as my Assistant, and having afforded every assistance I could have desired, is in my humble opinion justly entitled to some sort of remuneration and John Lucas and Peter Slocy having laboured hard during the whole of the voyage, in drawing the Stores and subdividing them amongst the families, as also Samuel Evans who afforded universal satisfaction in drawing the prescribed quantity of Water, and portioning it out, impartially deserves my warmest wishes for some gratuitous acknowledgment.
Mr William Horatis Walsh who directed his attention at an early period of the voyage to teaching the Children according to their various abilities, and whose excitions were most indefatigable not only in successful teaching but in Keeping an accurate account of the Library Books, and ultimately distributing them amongst the more deserving part of the community __ deserves every thing that I can say in his behalf to induce His Excellency the Governor, to grant him some Gratuitous acknowledgment. I would beg leave to remark that Bulls Eyes would be required farther Aft, as that part of the Ship abaft the after Hatch was worse lighted and Aired than any other part of the ship.
The Coppers were well adapted for the purposes of general Cooking but ill adapted for cooking for the Sick, and but for the Master allowing the use of the Galley fire for that purpose much inconvenience would have been experienced.
Much praise is due to the Master for having furnished Six Lamps in the ’tween decks instead of two (as implyed by the Charter Party) by which comfort, order and diacent demeanor was maintained amongst the Passengers.
I have to apologise for having been so long in transmitting these observations to your office, and beg to say that if any farther communication is requisite, I shall feel happy in attending to it.
I have the honor to be Sir,
Your most obedient servant
__ David Ross R.h.
Surgeon Superinten__
__ E D Thomson Esquire
Colonial Secretary
Note for the reader : This transcript was done by Colin Bilson from copies of the original provided by the NSW archives. It required much work in the deciphering of the handwriting - a labour of love for which I am grateful - many thanks Colin for forwarding this document. It is as accurate as possible, and original spellings have been used - for exact details refer to the original document as always.
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