Convict Australia

• S4E7 Norfolk Island with Cathy Dunn - Part 1

  In this episode, host Jennifer Twemlow speaks with historian Cathy Dunn about the early convict history of Norfolk Island, known as the Colonial Settlement (1788-1814). Cathy shares compelling stories of the island’s early days—of survival, punishment, and resilience in one of the most isolated places in the British Empire. Listeners will hear about the devastating wreck of the Sirius, the harsh realities faced by male and female convicts, surprising opportunities for them, and the unique role Norfolk Island played in Australia’s convict era.LINKSWant to learn more about Norfolk Island? Then click on the link:https://www.australianhistoryresearch.info/Get your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more.https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners: https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners/dp/0648946800Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠Find Convict Australia on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

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• S4E6 The Fremantle Five - Escape, Survival & Murder

  In January 1859, five convicts escaped from a Fremantle work party and vanished into the bush, launching one of the most dramatic manhunts in Western Australian history. Stealing boats and navigating treacherous coastal waters, they fled north in a desperate bid for freedom. But as the weeks wore on and survival became a struggle, tensions within the group turned deadly. What followed was a brutal journey marked by pursuit, hardship, and murder — and by the time authorities caught up, only four men remained to tell the tale.SOURCES1859 'Domestic Sayings and Doings.', The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News (WA : 1848 - 1864), 28 January, p. 2. , viewed 19 Mar 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29313021859 'THE INDEPENDENT JOURNAL,', The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News (WA : 1848 - 1864), 4 February, p. 2. , viewed 25 Mar 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29313131859 'Local and Domestic Intelligence.', The Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), 23 February, p. 2. , viewed 02 Apr 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article660082141859 'Recapture of the Escaped Convicts.', The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News (WA : 1848 - 1864), 4 March, p. 2. , viewed 08 Apr 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29313711859 'Quarter Sessions.', The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News (WA : 1848 - 1864), 8 July, p. 2. , viewed 26 Mar 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29316571859 'Thursday, July 7.', The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News (WA : 1848 - 1864), 8 July, p. 3. , viewed 02 Apr 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2931659Convicts in Western Australia 1850 – 1887, Dictionary of Western Australians, Volumes IX, viewed 13 March 2025 https://www.friendsofbattyelibrary.org.au/convictsinwesternaustralia LINKSGet your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more.https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners: https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners/dp/0648946800Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠Find Convict Australia on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

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• S4E5 The Two Stowaways

  In February 1821, two convicts, Peter Penney and William White, embark on a daring escape from the Australian colony. Stowing away on the ship Dromedary, they endure a perilous journey across the ocean, hiding in the ship’s hold while struggling with hunger, thirst, and the constant threat of discovery. SOURCESMacquarie, Lachlan. Memoranda & Related Papers. 22December 1808-14 July 1823. Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney. ML Ref: A772 75-77 ff. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #81-83]. Viewed 1 Nov 2024, https://www.mq.edu.au/macquarie-archive/lema/1821/1821feb.html#feb81821, The Morning Post, Tues, Jul 10, 1821 Page 3, viewed14/11/2024, hftps://www.newspapers.com/image/396900044/?match=1&terms=dromedary%20convict1821 The Bristol Mirror, Bristol, Avon, England, Saturday,14 July 1821, viewed 14 NOV 2024 hftps://www.newspapers.com/image/970365575/?match=1&terms=dromedary%20convict1821 The Exeter Flying Post or, Trewman's Plymouth andCornish Adverfiser. Thu, Nov 01, 1821 ·Page 4 , Viewed 14/11/2024, hftps://www.newspapers.com/image/393165112/?match=1&terms=william%20white%20peter%20penny1822 'BRITISH EXTRACTS DOWN TO OCTOBER.', Hobart Town Gazette and Van Diemen's Land Advertiser (Tas. : 1821 - 1825), 2 March, p. 2. , viewed 11 Feb 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10896511824 'MAGISTRATE FOR THE ENSUING WEEK, JAMES BOWMAN, ESQUIRE.', The Sydney Gazette andNew South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 7 October, p. 2. , viewed 13 February 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21832761824 'THE ISABELLA.', The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), 14 October, p. 4. , viewed 13 February 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article370740051824 ‘Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1825’, Ship: Per"Tottenham" 4/1815], pp.441-3 | Reel No: 6068 | Start Date:29/09/1824, viewed 13 February 2025, https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?context=L&vid=61SRA&lang=en_US&docid=INDEX2478835  LINKSGet your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more.https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners: https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners/dp/0648946800Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter:⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠⁠⁠Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages:⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en⁠⁠Find Convict Australia on TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

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• S4E4 Sydney in the Firing Line - the Story of The Three Bees

  In May 1814, Sydney’s bustling Port Jackson faced terror as the convict ship The Three Bees went up in flames. Loaded with gunpowder and cannons, the burning vessel drifted perilously toward the town, spreading panic and chaos. Discover the explosive story that nearly devastated early Sydney in this unmissable episode! SOURCES 1813-1814 Lloyd's list. Westmead, Gt. Brit.: Gregg International. 14 October, p407., viewed 31 Oct 2024, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015005785830&seq=407&q1=three+bees 1814 'SYDNEY.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 21 May, p. 2. , viewed 29 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article628916 Macquarie, Lachlan. Memoranda & Related Papers. 22 December 1808-14 July 1823. Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney. ML Ref: A772 75-77 ff. [Microfilm Reel CY301 Frames #81-83]. Viewed 1 Nov 2024, https://www.mq.edu.au/macquarie-archive/lema/1814/1814may.html#18 Watson, Frederick & Chapman, Peter & Australia. Parliament. Library Committee. 1914, Historical records of Australia Library Committee of the Commonwealth Parliament, Sydney viewed 5 November 2024 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-483306922 ‘Three Bees’,  State of New South Wales (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water).  Viewed 5 Nov 2024, https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/maritimeheritageapp/ViewSiteDetail.aspx?siteid=361 LINKS Get your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more.  https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners-ebook/dp/B08C22QQMJ Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠⁠⁠ Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en⁠⁠ Find Convict Australia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

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• S4E3 Neptune - the Wilful Murder

  In this episode, we dive into one of the darkest chapters of convict transportation to Australia: the voyage of the Neptune, the notorious ship of the Second Fleet. This 1790 journey was marked by unprecedented cruelty, neglect, and tragedy, with the highest death toll in the history of convict transportation. We explore the harsh conditions aboard the Neptune, where over 500 convicts were packed into overcrowded, disease-ridden holds, with little food, water, or medical care. SOURCES Collins, D. (1975) An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, with Remarks on the Dispositions, Customs, Manners, etc., of the Native Inhabitants of that Country. Vol. 1, edited by B.H. Fletcher. Terrey Hills, NSW: A.H. and A.W. Reed, in association with the Royal Australian Historical Society. (Originally published 1798–1802 by T. Cadell & W. Davis, London), p. 366. Edwell, P. (2016) 'Neptune', Dictionary of Sydney. Available at: ttps://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/neptune (Accessed: 31 August 2024). Flynn, M. (1993) The Second Fleet: Britain's Grim Convict Armada of 1790. Sydney: Library of Australian History. Hill, D. (2008) 1788: The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet. Sydney: Random House Australia. State Library of New South Wales (2017) Elizabeth Macarthur: Letter to her mother, 1789-1790. Available at: https://archival-classic.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2017/D37898/c05322.html (Accessed: 26 September 2024). State Library of New South Wales (2017) Letter from William Hill to Jonathan Wathen, Sydney Cove, Port Jackson, 26 July 1790 (copy made in 1791). Available at: https://archival-classic.sl.nsw.gov.au/_transcript/2017/D00007/a136.html (Accessed: 26 September 2024). LINKS Get your copy of Convict Australia, Extraordinary true stories of shipwrecks, riots, daring escapes and more.  https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Australia-Extraordinary-stories-shipwrecks/dp/0648946819 Get your copy of Convict Sydney, the real-life stories of 32 prisoners. https://www.amazon.com.au/Convict-Sydney-real-life-stories-prisoners-ebook/dp/B08C22QQMJ Support Convict Australia and receive goodies such as the Convict Australia Newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ConvictAustralia⁠⁠ Join the conversation on our Facebook & Instagram pages: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/173850624015866⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/convict_australia/?hl=en⁠ Find Convict Australia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@convict.australia

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