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Embark on a journey with passengers braving ocean perils aboard ships bound for South Australia in 1836. Explore journal entries, piracy encounters, and the enduring impact of piracy today. Engaging content includes images, inquiry questions, and a glossary of terms.
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Overview Between February and July 1836 nine ships left Britain bound for the newly created province of South Australia. On-board the ships were passengers who over many long months braved the perils of the ocean, including some of the most treacherous seas in the world to begin a new life on the other side of the world. This resource uses the stories from these nine ships as recorded by the passengers and crew in their personal journals.
Contents • Introduction • Journal entries • Inquiry Questions • Relevant images • Glossary of terms
Introduction This week the John Pirie observes a suspicious looking vessel from afar. They are not sure as to the type of vessel, but suspect it is a pirate or slave ship. The John Pirie hoisted their colours to avoid an attack, and fortunately the unknown vessel sailed out of sight without causing trouble. Piracy is not a thing of the past and still exists today. The International Maritime Bureau defines piracy as “the act of boarding any vessel with an intent to commit theft or any other crime, and with an intent or capacity to use force in furtherance of that act.” Piracy affects trade and costs the shipping and oil industries billions of dollars each year. Everyone is affected by piracy, including you!
Journal entries Friday 13 May 1836 Captain George Martin, on board the John Pirie wrote: …At 8, A,M, a Vessel hove in sight astern (being the firstwe have seen since the 28th Ult , She sailed remarkablyfast, and was soon near enough, for us to make her out,to be a suspicious looking Schooner , so all our Muskets& c, were got ready, in case of being attacked, we thereforehoisted our Colours , when She was about 2, or 3, Miles, off us,and which, in the course of ¼ of an Hour, was answer’d byher, showing the Flag of Portugal, She then hauled closeto the Wind, and was soon out of sight, there is little doubtbut She was either a Pirate , or Slave Vessel , ______
Inquiry Questions • What emotions would the crew onboard the John Pirie have been feeling as the unknown vessel sailed closer to their ship? • What actions would the crew have taken if threatened by a pirate ship? • The suspicious vessel could have also been a slave ship. What was the slave trade, which countries were involved and how were slaves treated?
Images A pirate ship attacking a merchant ship (title and date unknown) by the artist Ambrose Louis Garneray (1783-1857). Image from Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Glossary of Terms hove • To ‘heave to’ is to reduce a ship’s sails and adjust them so they counteract each other and stop the ship making progress. It is a safety measure used to deal with strong winds. hoisted our Colours • To hoist and display the ship’s flag. Muskets • A muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Obsd • Observed. Pirate • A ship used for piracy, the act of robbery or violence on the high seas. Schooner • A small vessel of two or more masts whose principle sails are fore-and-aft. Slave Vessel • A ship transporting slaves for sale in a suitable market Return to Journal Entries
