SHIPWRECK Of the Convict Ship George III.
The arrangements of our journal compelled us in our last abruptly to close the report of the investigation on this distressing occurrence, which we now resume, leaving out those parts only which were mere repetitions or confirmations of the evidence already given. Dr. Wyse having concluded his heart rending narrative--
Lieut. Minton, of the 8th regt., stated, that when the ship struck, about half past 9, a corporal came aft and asked for orders as the convicts were breaking out of the prison. I went to Major Ryan for orders, who said the convicts must be kept below. I then went forward and entreated the convicts to be quiet, assuring them that if there was any danger, they would be allowed to come up. The mast had not then fallen, some of the soldiers who guarded the hatchways pointed their muskets down and threatened to fire if the prisoners came forward. I reported to Major Ryan the state of the prisoners, and Dr. Wyse and myself again went forward. On returning aft I fell from the striking of the ship and was much stunned, on recovering I saw a shot fired on the quarterdeck in the air and heard one fired forwards, after which the convicts began to make their appearance on deck in great numbers. A third shot may have been fired but I can speak positively only to two. I never ordered a shot to be fired. I was of opinion that if the convicts got on deck and rushed to the launch, which was our only resource, not a soul would be saved. When the convicts broke the prison gates all opposition from the soldiers ceased.
Corporal Deverell, 50th regt.- I was on watch when the vessel struck, I went to Major Ryan who said the prisoners must be kept down, and told me to do my duty. I returned to the hatchway and saw one convict with a saw and others with hammers endeavouring to break through the barricade. I saw one bar broken and some of the prisoners trying to get through. At this time no officer was present at the main hatchway, and I desired one of the soldiers to fire down by way of intimidation. One of the soldiers fired down towards the larboard side of the lower deck but certainly not in the direction of the prisoners. (Here Capt. Foster, the examiner in chief took much pains to elicit the real facts of the case). Previously to this, Lieut. Minton had told me, that if the convicts forced the hatchways the military would be obliged to fire (Lieut. Minton distinctly contradicted this). Lieut. Minton said he should look to Dr. Wyse for directions. The shot was fired after Dr. Wyse had been down the hatchway. For 3 or 4 minutes after the shot was fired, the convicts were quiet and held back. I heard no cries from below of any person being wounded. I heard cries for mercy. My conscientious belief is, that no person was struck by the ball which was fired by my orders. I am positive that only one shot was fired down the hatchway. Soon after the shot was fired, the water blew up the main hatchway and the prisoners were up to their middle in water, after which they came up. This was at the time that the bulwarks were cutting away to get the boat launched, and I then left the hatchway with the rest.
Major Thomas Ryan, 50th regiment. Before making the land I had been confined upwards of 3 weeks by severe opthalmia; on the second shock I rushed to the cuddy door, when a third shock convinced me of the awful situation in which we were. On reaching the quarterdeck Lieut. Minton and the corporal of the watch met me. Lieut. Minton said the convicts were breaking out of the prison. At the same moment a sea broke over the vessel sweeping everything before it. I called for Dr. Wyse. Several of the soldiers came to me asking ''what is to be done, Sir, the prisoners have broken open the prison, and are rushing upon deck?" I said, good God ! what is to be done? where is the Doctor ? The mainmast then fell, and at this moment I believe that nearly all that were drowned met their melancholy fate, as the ship filled nearly up to the upper deck. Mr. Matson tried in vain to fire off one of the large guns, and I desired one of the soldiers to fire his musket over the side of the ship, as a signal of distress, which was done; a great number of the prisoners were then on deck. The guard were nearly up to the middle in water surrounding the hatchways, and trying to prevent the prisoners from coming up. The foremast then fell, tearing away everything with it, and the mizen mast sprung. I got on the poop. The Captain was giving orders to launch the long boat. Several men were then overboard on the wreck of the fore and main masts. The Captain was amidships, trying to launch the longboat, where an immense crowd were rushing. The Doctor was on the poop with his coat off, perfectly cool and collected. I said, good God what is to be done ? the long boat will be stove in pieces ; where are the prisoners.' He replied, ' I fear they are all drowned,' He grasped my hand and said, "Major, God bless you, in five minutes we shall all be in eternity.' He then rushed to the long boat which was then cleared of the ship. From the first moment of the ship's striking till the total wreck could not have exceeded 6 minutes. Previous to this a great number of convicts rushed to the poop saying, 'may we come up, Sir.' I said, yes save your lives if you can. Every individual who was drowned must have perished within the first three or four minutes. When the long boat left the ship about 100 survivors remained behind. After a dreadful interval of 8 hours, the long boat was seen about 6 in the morning returning towards the ship. The Captain was in the bow of the boat, and took in his arms every woman and child himself, and also assisted every other individual, as far as the boat could stow, myself among the rest. When the schooner came up, the commander, with the utmost promptitude and humanity, distributed biscuit, tea, and provisions, to all on board, and I am persuaded that had not the schooner made out the wreck when she did, many must have perished from cold and exhaustion, particularly the women, children, and convicts. It is impossible for me to say too much in praise of the noble hearted and spirited conduct of the Captain, whose great exertions under the will of Providence saved all that have been saved from a watery grave. On the, 27th of January, when the vessel was on fire, we were no less indebted for preservation to his great exertions. His cool and steady conduct on that alarming day, I never shall forget. The utmost succour, and with every possible dispatch, was afforded us by the order of the Lieutenant Governor as soon as His Excellency was informed of our awful situation. For hours during the night, after the ship had struck, all that remained after the boat had left, were in the most imminent peril, the ship being then on her beam ends, and gradually sinking until the water approached us from the lee side up to the mizen-chains of the weather side, when about 50 persons were huddled together, sitting completely on the outside of the wreck, the remainder were clinging to the fore and main mast and the spars that were floating about the ship. About 4 in the morning the mizen mast went which righted the ship a little, so that the sea covered only about half the deck, and from that hour until 6 we were in comparative security, as the morning had brightened and the sea continued calm. Thus, in the course of a few minutes, 127 convicts, 1 woman, 3 children, and 2 of the crew perished, and the survivors have not rescued from the wreck one article or property. I must bear ample testimony to the great exertions of Dr. Wyse on this trying occasion, as well as throughout the voyage. He is highly qualified for his important trust. I cannot indeed speak in too high terms of him or of the Captain, Officers, and crew, or of the convicts throughout the voyage. One musket only was fired from the quarterdeck, and this is the only shot I heard at the time of the wreck. I never myself gave orders to fire upon the convicts, nor did I hear any other person do so. But I did hear in the coarse of the night that a prisoner had been shot. Sometime after the long boat first went a keg of spirits was handed up, which was cheerfully and readily thrown over board by my directions - so exemplary was the sobriety of one and all. Under the circumstances, the military conducted themselves with the greatest regularity and entirely to my satisfaction. The conduct of Lieut. Menton in particular, deserves much credit. He was cool and collected throughout, and assisted every woman and child in getting into the boat.
William Nelson, a prisoner. When the ship struck, I ran to the prison gates at the main hatch, and called the sentry to let us see our Doctor. The sentry said, be quiet. The Doctor came and told us if there was any danger we should be let out. I heard the water rushing about in the hold. We succeeded in breaking some of the uprights, and I got out and lay under the hatchway. The prisoners and the soldiers both said, go back or you will be shot. Five or six muskets were pointed at me down the hatchway. The Doctor then came a second time to the hatchway, and I entreated him to come down, he did so, and when he returned I followed to the quarter deck. I heard several shots fired but do not know in what direction.
David Jones, a prisoner. I was in bed when the ship struck. I jumped out, and made my way to the hatchway. I did not see any shots fired, but I have heard that a prisoner was shot. Some shots were fired after I and many of the prisoners were on deck. I was forward when they were fired, and cannot tell who fired them.
Robert Hart, a prisoner. I saw the soldiers level their muskets against the prisoners, and one shot was fired, I saw one man, Robert Luker, fall. I am persuaded from the effects of the shot. I did not see him afterwards. I heard a second shot fired about 10 minutes afterwards, but I did not see it take effect. At the time the shot was fired I stood about two yards behind the soldiers. I was about 8 or 9 feet from Luker when I saw him fall.
James McKay, a prisoner. When we were trying to get out 2 or 3 shots were fired, a man fell about two feet from me that was shot. To the best of my knowledge it was Wm. Yates who fell. I also saw another man fall, but I do not know his name. James Elliot was standing beside me at the time. I heard Corporal Deverell call for more assistance. There was about 5 minutes between the time the first man fell and the second. There were a great many men in the hatchway and on the ladder at the time. I succeeded in getting on deck.
James Elliott, a prisoner. I was in the hatchway several minutes before I could get up. The soldiers kept me down and threatened to fire ; I heard two shots fired: the first shot killed Robert Luker, and about 3 or 4 minutes after another shot was fired, and I saw another man fall. When I was knocked down from the hatchway I fell upon the body of R. Luker. I am quite sure that two prisoners were shot in the hatchway.
Henry Matson, 1st officer. If the prisoners had not been kept below, and the launch had not been kept clear by the exertions of the military and a portion of the convicts then on deck, the boat must have been swamped and all hands have perished. Had the accident happened in the daytime, when the greater part of the prisoners are usually on deck, the mortality must have been much greater. This was my opinion at the time when I expected the ship to go to pieces. I heard some shots fired, and that a a man had been killed, but I do not know by whom.
John Charles M. Poore, 2d officer. - I was part owner of the George III. I am satisfied that every thing was done to ascertain the position of the ship and that she was not lost by any inattention or ignorance on the part of the master. I heard shots fired and was afterwards told that a prisoner had been shot. I am of opinion that the measure of keeping the convicts below was absolutely necessary for the safety of all on board.
David Bell, Corporal, 50th regiment (examined on Saturday, 18th April). I was in bed when the ship struck. I jumped out and found the prisoners trying to break through the barricades. I went on deck and reinforced the hatchways, When the mainmast fell, I heard several men call out, Mr. Minton shall we fire ? Mr. Minton said, 'no, no, keep them down with your firelocks.' Notwithstanding this, 2 shots were fired by some of the soldiers. I never heard any orders given to fire on the prisoners by any military or other officer in the ship. There was an order to fire as a signal. I saw two shots fired by the soldiers down the main hatchway, at short intervals, and I heard some voices cry out 'a man is shot.' About 10 minutes after the last shot the launch was got off. The order for firing down the hatchway was given by the corporal of the guard.
James McInerny, a soldier. I was sentry at the hatchway. I never heard any orders given to fire down the hatchway, but I know there was one shot fired. I quitted the wreck in the 2nd boat with Major Ryan. He said he would be the last man on the wreck, but the men insisted on his quitting in the second boat. The women, children and sick were taken in the boat with us. Mr. Minton handed them in.
Robert Banks, steward of the ship. I was in the pantry when the ship struck. I ran on deck. I got in the gig about a quarter of an hour after. I had a chronometer and the Captain's sextant in the boat. I heard three musket shots died. Some might be fired from the quarter deck. I was upset in the gig. I was picked up for dead. 1
A previous version of this