The Ganges
Report on Arrival in the Colony
REPORT ON THE IMMIGRANTS BY THE SHIP GANGES, WALKER, MASTER, WHICH ARRIVED FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA FROM LIVERPOOL, OCTOBER 15th 1841
The following report was submitted to the Colonial Secretary's Office on arrival at Swan River Colony.
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Name of Vessel: |
Ganges |
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Tonnage: |
410 (418?) |
|
Place of Departure: |
Liverpool |
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Place of Arrival: |
Fremantle Western Australia |
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Date of Sailing: |
20 June 1841 |
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Date of Arrival: |
15 October 1841 |
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No. of Days Voyage: |
117 Days |
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Superficies of Passengers Deck: |
1,560 L...(?) feet |
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Number of Adults Permissible: |
104 |
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No. on Board: |
99% |
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Date of Touching: |
7 September 1841 |
|
Days there: |
Parts of 4 days |
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Days in Quarantine: |
Not placed in Quarantine |
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No's embarked: |
Adults: Male 63; Female 31 Children between 14 & 7: Female 4; Male 0 Children Under 7: Male 4; Female 7 |
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Deaths on Voyage: |
2 Male children under 7 |
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Births on Voyage: |
1 Male; 2 Females |
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Total Landed in Colony: |
Adults: Male 65; Female 32 Children Between 14 & 7: Males 1; Females 3 Children Under 7: Males 4; Females 5 Totals: Males 70; Females 40 |
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No. of Adult Labourers: |
63 |
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No. of Laborers Hired at Place of Landing: |
All |
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No. of Agricultural Laborors: |
45 |
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No. of Shepherds: |
8 |
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No. of Domestic Servants: |
Male 2; Female 28 |
|
No. of Merchants engaged in erecting buildings or in obtaining or preparing building materials: |
6 |
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No. of Tradesmen making or selling articles for consumption: |
Male 1 |
|
No. of other Mechanics not included in the foregoing columns: |
1 |
REMARKS:
The Ganges seemed to be well suited for the passenger trade, being dry in bad weather & roomy 'tween decks - the accommodations were excellent. People were victualled by the ship at an average rate of 10lbs solid food & 21 quarts of water per week to each adult, the quality in general excellent, but two complaints made to the Superintendent on (?) points, both which were at once rectified.
The Surgeon was most attentive & kind, the high state of health in which the people came out is the (?) (?) of his skill. Diarrhoea prevailed when we first entered the tropics, induced by proper water drinking it yielded to simple remedies. Slight Scurvy appeared in one (?) whom it was discovered had been in the habit of bartering their fresh fruit with the Sailors for salt(?) provisions - on a rigid adherence to the dietary (?) being enforced the disease vanished.
Measures were early adopted to ensure exercise amongst the Emigrants by dancing on the Quarter Decks & swinging the females, the latter being a most favourite (?) … The people were exceedingly well conducted & every precaution taken to enforce complete separation of the unmarried persons (?) from the hour of clearing decks.
Signed Mr Schoales (?) In Charge
[ACC 36 CSR Vol. 127/214 & 215, State Records Office, Perth WA]
Copyright © Christine Uphill 2006