Tasmanian Shipping, "Mandarin" LONG

Kaye.

Found following info on Mandarin's voyage to Hobart Town in 1840 in The Times digital archive. Unfortunately no mention of a SMITH (and apologies for the length), but some interesting background info on the Chartist convicts they were conveying to Hobart town, so I thought I'd post it for interest.

regards,

Martin

------------------------------------------------------------ The Times, Saturday, Feb 08, 1840 (p.7) Ship News. Liverpool, Feb. 6. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING. "..the Mandarin, for Hobart-town."

------------------------------------------------------------ The Times, Monday, Feb 24, 1840 (p.5) THE CHARTIST CONVICTS. - The ship Mandarin arrived here a few days since from the river, and on Thursday embarked upwards of 200 convicts from this port for Hobart-town, including two of the offenders convicted of the great golddust robbery, who only arrived that morning from London. Instructions are given to transport Frost, Williams, and Jones in this ship, but they will not be removed till the Mandarin is under way for her destination. She will be ready to start to-morrow, but there is an idea that she will be detained until after the issue of Mr. Duncombe's motion in the House of Commons on Monday. Dr. M'Kecknie, late of the Madagascar, has charge of the ships. - Hampshire Telegraph.

------------------------------------------------------------ The Times, Monday, Mar 02, 1840 (p.4) FALMOUTH, Thursday.- Last night the convict ship having on board Frost, Jones, and Williams, put into this port with loss of topmasts. It appears that these "leaders" were embarked on board the Mandarin at the last moment before she left Portsmouth. From our inquiries we learn that they are separate from the other convicts, and that they inhabit a cabin of 12 feet in length, and about eight in breadth, having three comfortable sleeping berths, a bathing machine, &c., fitted, and other conveniencies (sic); although dressed in convict's attire, they were not shackled. When visited to-day at noon, Frost was reclining on his berth, and appeared very dejected; but his companions were in good spirits; they had a large supply of books, from which Jones and Williams apparently had been amusing themselves. The convicts were generally occupied to-day in writing letters. From the expedition manifested in getting the vessel remasted, it is said that she will go out to-morrow at noon.

------------------------------------------------------------ The Times, Wednesday, May 13, 1840 (p.7) Ship News. East India Shipping. "Arrivals at the Mauritius... Mandarin from Montevideo."

------------------------------------------------------------ The Times, Friday, May 29, 1840 (p.7) PORTSMOUTH A letter has just been received here from Captain Shaw, of the Kilblain, of this port, written in lat. 0.15.N., long. 17. 47. W., and dated the 5th of April. The Kilblain had then been in company for 12 days with the Mandarin convict-ship from London, with John Frost and his buttociates on board, during which time the winds were so light that the vessels could not proceed at a greater rate than 20 miles a day. Captain Shaw says- "I had the pleasure of dining on board the Mandarin, and of conversing with Messrs. Frost, Jones, and Williams. Frost says he would far sooner have been executed; but they are very penitent. He is a decent, nice-looking old man." We believe these are the first tidings received of those persons since their departure from England. - Gresnock Advertiser.

------------------------------------------------------------ The Times, Friday, Jul 24, 1840 (p.5) The Mandarin convict ship, Captain Muddle, which sailed from Falmouth on the 28th of February last, for New South Wales, with Frost, Jones, and Williams on board, arrived at Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, on the 4th of May. On the 30th of April information was given that it was the intention of the convicts to take forcible possession of the Mandarin, and carry her to America; and a convict, names John Black, was to take the command of the ship. One of the guards was concerned in the diabolical plot.

------------------------------------------------------------ The Times, Tuesday, Aug 11, 1840 (p.5) FROST, WILLIAMS, AND JONES - CONVICT SHIP MANDARIN.- A report is "taking the round" of the journals stating that a mutiny had taken place on board the convict-ship Mandarin, which conveys Frost, Williams, and Jones, to their destination, and an attempt been made to take possession of the vessel by the convicts. We (Perth Consbreastutional) are happy to have it in our power to give this the flattest contradiction. Before us we have a holograph letter, received here on the 24th ult., and dated on board the Mandarin, the 11th of May, Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope, where she had arrived on the 7th, in 68 plus 1 days from Falmouth. All on board were then well, peaceable, and submissive. The three Chartist leaders are described as well and hearty, and much improved in appearance and spirits since they left their native strand. They are extremely grateful for the kindness with which they are treated by the officers under whose charge they are, one of whom is pretty well known to many of our respectable citizens. None of the convicts are in irons except one refractory subject. There are 211 prisoners on board. They are encouraged in dancing, fencing, and all other exercises tending to promote health; and the officers have established a school, at which a number who scarcely knew their letters when they left England had learned to read the New Testament with advantage. The provisions are described as excellent in quality and sufficient in quanbreasty. The three still say they would hav preferred rest to transportation, but we thing this exceedingly doubtful were they put to the test. The destination of the ship is Hobart Town, Van Dieman's Land, and was to sail again on the following day. Three ships of war then in the bay were to weigh anchor and hold out their course for China at the same time. All have probably arrived at their destination ere now.

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("Kaye")