Last week we celebrated the arrival of the first ship, the Duke of York to South Australian shores. This vessel was closely followed by the Lady Mary Pelham. As we continue to read these historical sources, we will start to explore both the lives of emigrants who have reached South Australia and those who are still making the journey.
This is both a week of joy and sadness onboard the Africaine. On the 1st August, we start with a birthday celebration, while the very next day we are saddened with the news that Kate, a cat belonging to Helen, the daughter of Mary Thomas was thrown overboard and never seen again. Is there a correlation between these events? Did a night of celebrations and too much drink lead to someone committing a terrible act? This week’s journals give us an insight into the highs and lows of life onboard.
It is interesting to note that Mary Thomas, upon her arrival in South Australia and after learning more about the fate of Kate the cat added comments to her journal. Her entries draw the reader in, containing great detail and effectively use descriptive language. This week we will focus on Mary Thomas, examining the content and language features of her journals. pomfrey’s cat. Edward Snell, 1849
Inquiry Questions:
- What does George Stevenson onboard the Buffalo mean when he writes that people should be obliged to keep their “cats sweet and clean and confined to a hutch during the voyage?
- What guidelines do you think should be in place onboard these vessels to ensure cats and pets are not a nuisance to others?
- How has the introduction of cats in Australia affected ecosystems and native animals?
Research Topics:
- What are the benefits of keeping cats onboard vessels?
- What are the disadvantages of keeping cats onboard?
- What other domestic animals were brought to South Australia onboard these early vessels?
Historical Skills:
Chronology, terms and concepts: |
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Historical questions and research: |
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Analysis and use of sources: |
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Perspective and interpretations: |
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Explanation and communication: |
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Activity Suggestions:
1. Listen to the teacher read this week’s journal entry written by Mary Thomas. Make notes of things you find interesting and important. Once you have finished reading the extract, take time to reflect on your notes. Following this, choose a colour, symbol and image that best represents the journal entry. Share your colour, symbol and image in a small group. Discuss individual perspectives, similarities and differences.
2. A number of people who migrate to Australia today bring their pets with them. Research the quarantine laws regarding the bringing of pets to Australia. What procedures need to be followed to ensure animals are brought into Australia with a ‘clean bill of health?’
3. Find out more about bringing pets to Australia in 1836. How do you think the companionship of a pet onboard would have hindered / helped the passengers during the voyage?
4. Read George Stevenson’s journal entry from Friday 5th August. We learn that there are too many cats onboard the Buffalo, causing trouble for the passengers. Use a Venn Diagram to compare the situations onboard the Buffalo and Africaine.
5. The drowning of Kate caused great tension onboard the Africaine. How would you have coped in this situation? If you were asked to interview the passengers to investigate this matter, what questions would your questions be?
6. George Stevenson’s believes that cats ‘are probably valuable in the colony.’ Why did he think this? Would the same be said today? Since this time, many cats have become feral, causing changes in ecosystems, becoming a nuisance for farmers and a threat for native birds. Use the ‘Think, Puzzle, Explore’ strategy to explore this topic in greater depth.
- What do you think you know about this topic?
- What questions or puzzles do you have?
- How can you explore this topic in greater depth?
What do you think?
Do you agree with George Stevenson’s comment that people should be obliged to keep their “cats sweet and clean and confined to a hutch during the voyage?”
What if?
Discuss the following:
- If Mr Thomas was found to have committed the act of throwing Kate overboard during the voyage to South Australia, would he have received a punishment? If so, what would the consequences have been?
- If no cats were brought to the colony of South Australia in 1836, would people still have them as pets today?
Stay tuned:
This week, on Wednesday 3rd August, we read the following statement in White’s log onboard the Tom O’Shanter, “thomas washed a Shirt Handkerchiefe and one pair Of stockings Mr Fink Consented for the Cheaf Mate to Sleep in.” White’s log entries are all very short, but this does get us thinking about the types of clothing our passengers wore in 1836. Stay tuned next week as we explore clothing, passenger allowances and suitability of clothing for the new colony.
Comments or Questions: