My Journal

Bow Street Court and Newgate Prison 1786

Today I was caught stealing a handkerchief and some silver spoons. I was sent to Newgate prison to wait for my court trial. I was bound with the other prisoners with iron collars and they cut into my wrists. It was terrifying. I slept on the bare boards in the men's charity room in the corner which they used as a toilet and it smelt so awful I thought I'd be sick. I picked pockets to get extra food. The only food that I got was mouldy bread and it was usually stolen from me.

Old Bailey February 1787

They came for me and the other prisoners in the morning and chained us together. I felt like I could cry but I was to frightened for tears. It was raining so I tried to lick my face because it was the freshest water I had tasted since I got here. The Judge asked me what I had to say for my self and in the smallest and most honest voice I said "guilty sir" and then Milord said "are you sorry for what you did" and I said "yes sir". Then Milord sent me to the hulks.

London February 1787

I was chained to the other prisoners and put in a cart for three days and three nights while we travelled to Plymouth, we were hungry, wet, cold and miserable. When we got there we were told to take off our clothing and hop into a barrel of water and were given a bar of soap to wash our selves and then given new clothing. We were told to go down to the bottom of the ship. There were long benches for us to sleep on, there was no port holes and no fresh air or light and it stank. I've got a bench with sailor Sam an old convict with plenty of stories to pass the time. I didn't really want to listen to them but it was the only thing to keep away the boredom and darkness. Sam told me about the strange new land and we were sailing to. He told me about the native Indians and that they were all naked and about the strange animals like the six foot rabbits that jumped on it's hind legs and I didn't think any of it was true but I still listened.

The Scarborough 1787

On the evening of May 12th, Captain Arthur Philip ordered the fleet to weigh anchor and set sail for the new land, but the sailors were on strike because they hadn't been paid for seven months. In the fleet there was three store ships and six transports with 736 convicts aboard and there were about 1450 people in all. I was glad to finally get away from all the horrors of England and have a chance to start a new life. We were all allowed to stretch our legs up on deck but were still chained up. One time when we were up on the deck I saw a boy about my age but he wasn't a convict. He was with the passengers and I wanted to meet him but I knew I couldn't.

At Sea 1787

I listened to the same stories over and over but at least it passed the time and kept the darkness away and in return I got Sam what ever he needs because he is to old to get it himself. I am small and used to the small dark places from the chimney sweeping in England. After three weeks we dropped anchor at Santa Cruz to reload with fresh meat, pumpkins and water. The meat was dark and stringy but the servings were generous and the stews had real veggies in them. It was much better than Newgate. Sam told me that we were headed to Rio then to Cape Town and then to Botany Bay. We saw Porpoises which meant good luck and I also learnt that the boy that I saw before is named is Rob.

Cape of Good Hope 1788

There was a big storm and I thought we were going to sink. I tied Sam and myself to our bench and held on as tight as I could and Sam told me another story to pass the time. Sam promised to stay with me and when we got to Botany Bay he would teach me to fish and anything else I wanted to know. After the storm Sam got up and started walking and muttering in his sleep and he said "Starving, all be starving to death." Sam died just before we got to Botany Bay and I was so sad I just lost another friend.

Botany Bay and the New Land 19 January 1788

When I arrived I was surprised to see all the strange things of this new land and wasn't expecting it to be like this at all. Everything was the wrong colour, the trees, the sky and the land they were to washed out and pale compared to England. I was shocked. I hoped that somehow this new land would be like the country I had left. Captain Phillip decided that we would set sail to Port Jackson because the land was to sandy and there was no fresh water.

I had a chance to escape but I didn't and was rewarded and got to go work with the boy I saw on the ship and he and father are more like my family than my masters. I love life here and its much better than a life in England.