That Little Lad Fred - Voyage to Australia in 1814/5

That little lad, Fred, scurried up the gangway with baby brother, Nico, red-faced and panting behind. Fred’s tiny, joyous person provided such sharp contrast to the sullen, disorderly convicts and brutish soldiers, I laughed aloud!

Their father, Mr G., hurried after his sons, while Mrs G. and their little girls, stepped carefully in his wake. We were all free passengers on the Francis and Eliza when she sailed from England in 1814. I looked forward to their company in the months ahead.

Cork, Ireland

After many delays, we set sail but soon encountered wild weather and sea sickness.

 “At least we’re underway”, we sighed, as we clung to ropes strung across the deck.

Not for long, we weren't. We reached Cork and were delayed for four months! Provisioning was slowed by constant disputes and mutinies among the soldiers and crew and female convicts were brought in small groups from all over Ireland. We watched despondently as the wretched women boarded.

“What were their crimes?” whispered Fred.   

“They are poor and unfortunate” his mother explained.

“What will become of their children?” Wailing babies and family members crowded the wharf.

“We will pray the Lord provides, Fred,” Mrs G. frowned. He was unusually quiet after that.  

Throughout our Irish sojourn, Mrs G. conscientously kept her children to their morning lessons. Then Fred and Nico would burst onto the deck, filling the air with squeals and laughter. On fine days, Fred brought paper and pencils outside and sketched the various boats in the harbour, while his mother wrote in her journal. Mr G. often took Fred and sister Sophia, ashore. One day, the whole family returned from an excursion and Mrs G. laughed that the Irish ladies had wondered what crime had sent poor little Nico to Botany Bay!

Determined cheerfulness and activity prevailed. Small, colourful boats ferried passengers between the many ships at anchor and in the evenings, music on the deck of one ship was enjoyed by all. These adventurers had a particular strength of character, which I determined to cultivate for myself.    

Pirates!

Less than a month out of Cork, disaster struck!      

Britain was at war with France and America and privateers, or pirates, sometimes captured British vessels. We were prepared, with gunpowder and shot, and Fred was thrilled whenever an unknown sail hove into view. In January 1815, the female convicts had been entertaining us on deck with their antics when a brig came alongside. She suddenly lowered her English flags and raised American colours!  Mrs G. gathered her brood and hurried them to their cabin, Freddie protesting loudly.

An explosion of smoke and canon-fire rent the air. Our mizen topsail was shattered and a canon-ball went through the cook house. The crew immediately abandoned the guns and disappeared below! With a cheer, the pirates leapt aboard and the plunder began. Our captain was captured and the men, theirs and ours, found the liquor stores and set about stealing or destroying everything. Encountering Mrs G. and her two little girls, the American captain gallantly announced that we passengers were not to be disturbed. Even so, we sat up all night in terror, amidst crashing, smashing, shrieks, shouts and drunken sea shanties.

By the next day, the pirates had taken almost everything, including our boats, and thrown overboard our cannon.  They then gave three cheers and left with most of our crew!

Our captain, with few remaining sailors, was unable to sail the damaged ship and the soldiers were too drunk to help. In fact, they seemed to be trying to sink the Francis and Eliza! Fires started and bulkheads were smashed. It was the convicts who helped stow the remaining liquor and guarded the ship and the female convicts. The women repaired the sails and we made for Santa Cruz.  

Young Fred, eyes like saucers, had endless questions.

“Who were those men?” he asked his mother, forehead creased.“Why were they shooting us?” 

Mrs G. looked pale and drawn. She tried to explain but his frown deepened.  

“Why did the sailors go with them?”

“To make their fortunes”, Mr G. laughed, but Fred was not amused.

 “Why did our soldiers behave so badly?” Mr G. unhappily admitted that he did not know.   

Little Fred watched the convicts work and the solders destroy and said to his father: “You cannot tell if a person is good or bad just by his station in life, can you?”

It was an important lesson for all of us about to start new lives in a colony where convicts outnumbered free settlers. 

Santa Cruz

When we reached Santa Cruz almost everything was destroyed, thrown overboard, or used for firewood. A boat came alongside to find out who we were.

“I’m Fred G. and we were attacked by pirates!” shouted little Fred before his mother could hush him. We were quarantined for 10 days. People from other ships came alongside and offered help while Fred hung over the rails, regaling them with his own colourful version of our adventures. Gales of laughter floated up from his enthralled audience below.

Officers from another ship court martialed our soldiers. Mr G. who was an attorney, drew up the papers, and wrote down the evidence, closely observed by young Freddie. Mrs G., however, took him to their cabin when the guilty were flogged on deck.

There was plenty of activity to distract the boys, as carpenters came on board to make repairs. Gifts of fruit and vegetables, oats, milk and bread arrived. Two weeks later, a French frigate entered the harbour and we abruptly set sail. 

The voyage continued; Fred celebrated his ninth birthday; and fourteen months from England, we arrived at Port Jackson. I hoped our trials had helped us to develop some strength of character, and an ability to adapt and persevere in the face of misfortune, like true adventurers. We would need all of it and more. 

           

This story is based on the Diary written by Elizabeth Garling during her voyage to Australia. The diary is held at the State Library of NSW and was transcribed and published by family members for the Descendants of Frederick and Elizabeth Garling Family Reunion to celebrate 200 years in Australia.