Yesterday morning, at five o’clock, the South Australian company’s ship John Pirie was towed down river, bound for Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island. John Brown, Esq., commissioner of emigrations and Samuel Stephens, Esq., the company’s colonial manager, accompanied by a party of gentlemen boarded the vessel off Blackwall, and spent about a quarter of an hour inspecting her, and conversing with the emigrants.
They all appeared in high spirits and expressed themselves well pleased with the arrangements made for their accommodation. Mr. Stephens then delivered a letter of introduction to the gentleman in charge of the expedition, and on putting off, was saluted with three times three hearty British cheers, which himself and party returned from their boat. This is the first ship which has left a British port for the new Colony and we understand she will be followed to morrow by the Company’s ship Duke of York, in which Mr. Stephens intends to sail.
Reported in the Launceston Advertiser, 21 July 1836.
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This project is fantastic and really clever. My great great grandparents(and their 8 children- one born on the voyage) came to South Australia in 1849 aboard a small barque called the “Stebonheath”. This journey of discovery you have so imaginatively created has given me a tremendous insight into their experience from moment they left port.
Well done and thankyou
Regards, Andrew English
Thank you Andrew, I am glad you are enjoying the site and that it is informative. I am continually in awe of those who made these early voyages to SA, especially families with small children (managing 8 children – I just can’t imagine!)
Regards, Kristy – History SA.