Thomas' life at sea ...

After gaining his ticket-of leave and or his certificate of freedom, Thomas chose to join the whaling and sealing industry, initially out of Hobart and then based from Sydney.

Many Tasmanian whalers relied on ex-convict crews, men already hardened to a Spartan, dirty and brutal lifestyle. These men were desperate for work and short of easier options. They drifted from vessel to vessel, earning good money if it was a successful voyage, then losing most of it in drunken spending sprees. Hobart was a major servicing port for the international whaling fleet. It was no sleepy little English village then, but full of squalid waterfront pubs, renowned for violence, robbery, prostitution and chronic binge drinking. 1

1805

Later information suggests that Thomas may have made a return voyage to England.Captain Abraham Bristow was Master of several sealing and whaling vessels, including the whalers Ocean and Sarah. 2
The whaler Ocean returned to Hobart in October 1805 after having departed London on 2nd April.

The Ocean south whaler, Bristow, touched at Adventure Bay the 13th of August, after a short voyage of four months from England: but as her touching here was by no means certain, only a few private letters have been received by her. 3

The Ocean, Bristow, had arrived at Norfolk Is. from Adventure Bay, with 65 tons of black oil, and proceeded on the spermaceti fishery off New Zealand. 4

1806

In April, Thomas may have endured the 'spectacle' of the execution of James Keating, a cooper, for robbing the stores at Port Dalrymple. Keating had been tried in Sydney on 1 February, along with three others; all were found guilty and Keating then returned to Hobart Town to suffer the punishment. 5

Pursuant to general orders, a detachment of the Royal Marines and the prisoners had to attend the execution, and the Lieut.-Governor hoped that the Governor's intentions in placing the unhappy man before their eyes as an example of the awful end that awaits a culprit of such magnitude would have the proper and desired effect. 6

It is believed that Thomas may have crewed on board the whaler Ocean with Captain Bristow when he again left Hobart on 4 August 1806 bound for England. 7
It was during this voyage that Bristow on the Ocean discovered and named the Auckland Islands on 18th August.

1807

The "lumbering" nature of the whaling vessel meant that The Ocean did not arrive back in London until February of 1807. Bristow then took command of the whaler Sarah, departing London for the south seas whale fishery in April; arriving back at the Auckland Islands on 20 October.

1808

It was not until June of the following year that the Sarah finally arrived back in Sydney.

SHIP NEWS. On Thursday arrived the Sarah, south whaler, Captain Bristow, from England 24 months and 25 days from Norfolk Island, with about 70 tons of sperm oil. She fell in with the Pegasus about ten days since off Howe’s island, at which time she was standing for Norfolk; off which place she left the Ann American, Captain Gwynn. Captain Bristow further informs us, that the Seringapatam and Elizabeth were gone to New Caledonia, and might be expected about September next.8

1809

In December 1809 he sailed on the Colonial Schooner Halcyon, with another Calcutta man Samuel Gray, to Tahiti for salted pork.

CLAIMS and DEMANDS. ALL Clams or Demands upon the following Persons are to be forthwith presented to themselves for Payment; they being about to depart the Colony. In the Halcyon, Schooner; William Henry, John Ward, John Sylvester, Daniel Gilmore, John Carnie, John Cummings, James Munroe, Samuel Gray, Thomas Arnott, James McBeane. 9

Sailed the 29th ultimo, the Halcyon, belonging to Mr. Blaxcell, for Otaheite, to procure a cargo of pork.10

1810

By March 1810 he had joined the schooner Unity (John Grono Master) on a sealing voyage to the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, returning with 2000 skins, after an eventful trip when the ship encountered a heavy thunderstorm with her foremast struck by lightning and when lying at anchor she was shaken by the effects of an earthquake.

Wanted, a Number of active Sealers and seamen to proceed on a Voyage in the fine Colonial Schooner Unity. For particulars apply to Mr. Grono, the Master, on board or a-shore. 11

CLAIMS AND DEMANDS. The following Persons being about to depart the Colony, all Claims or Demands on any of the said Persons are requested respectively to be presented to themselves for Payment ; Viz. In the Unity, Mr. John Grono, John Stuart, Evan Evans, Henry Branch, Jas. McNathy, W. Needham Thos. Hambleton, Gilbert Grant, Thos. Arnett, Charles Chambers, Robert Jones, Jas. Hutton, James Mooney, Mich. Murphy, John Thorn, William Smith. 12

SHIP NEWS. On Wednesday arrived for provisions and to refit, the Unity, schooner, Captain Cooper, with about 6000 fur seal skins. She has been mostly about the islands on the coast of New Zealand, and in Foveaux's Straits, which are about 700 miles to the southward of the Bay of Islands, and describes the natives as particularly friendly. About 45' to the northward of Dusky Bay, she encountered a heavy thunder storm in a port named by Mr. Grono, master of a colonial vessel, Thompson's Sound, another entrance to the southward of which is lain down in the charts by the name of Doubtful Harbour. Her foremast was stuck by lightning in five places, by which the lower mast and top mast were much damaged ; five men were knocked down at the same instant, between decks, and for a length of time deprived of the use of their limbs, one of them being also severely burnt on the crown of the head. Three days after, lying at anchor in the above place, the people felt most sensibly the effects of an earthquake; the vessel trembled, and a noise like that of casks rolling about her decks lasted for 3 or 4 minutes. 13

The schooner Unity returned by September of the same year.

Where and what Thomas was doing during 1811 and 1812 is uncertain, although most likely he was sailing aboard various sealing and whaling vessels based out of Sydney. He was a crew member of several ships including the brig Rosetta, built for inter-colonial trade and renamed the Prince Leopold in 1818 when the ship was acquired by Governor Macquarie for government service.

1813

... The Brothers -

SHIP NEWS. On Monday last arrived the Brothers, colonial schooner, Mr. Kelly, master, from Islands to the westward of Bass's Straits, with a cargo consisting of 7000 seal skins. 14

SEALING DAYS IN BASS STRAIT
Voyage of Schooner Brothers - HOBART, Monday

An interesting talk on "Sealing in Bass Strait" was given by Dr. W. L. Crowther before the Royal Society of Tasmania to-night. Dr. Crowther said it was extraordinary that in spite of the large number of sealing voyages a made in Bass Strait and the islands adjacent to Australia and New Zealand, no ship's log of 'rich a voyage was known to have been preserved except that of the schooner Brothers, under taken in 1813. This log, bound in old kangaroo skin, had been the property of Captain James Kelly, who first circumnavigated Tasmania in 1815. It described the events on. the Colonial schooner Brothers, which left Sydney Cove early in 1813 on a six months' sealing voyage among the Bass Strait islands. The Brothel was among the earliest Colonial schooners to trade with Tasmania, having previously made several voyages from Port Dalrymple.

While In New Zealand waters trading in flax in 1816, she was attacked by Maoris in Trial Bay. The Maoris took possession and it was some hours before they were dislodged by the crew, who were below the hatches firing muskets. The ship was wrecked later in the same year on the Kents Group in Bass Strait, when Mr. Howell and a crew of eight subsisted for ten weeks on such of the wheat cargo as was washed ashore. The Brothers left Sydney Cove in the first week in January, 1813, under the command of Captain Kelly with a crew of at least ten men, in addition to the ship-keeping party. The first haul was at the Stacks, where 12 fur skins were brought back to the ship. After a rather stormy passage the boat hove to under Councillor Island, where only three skins were obtained. Better results were achieved at Seal Island in Westernport, where the ship went after repairs. On the first day at the island the shore party returned with 304 skins, and on subsequent days made hauls of 314, 104, and 17, after which a move was made on the last day of the month. Shortly after the Brothers arrived at Hunters Island and two boats were sent to Seal Rock, where they took 17 skins and made a good report. Three days later the two ship's boats returned with 375 skins. While some of the crew were employed in salting the skins, further parties went on shore and obtained 612 skins in three days. The large shore-going boat was now giving trouble, and some time had to be spent in repairing it. On February 26 strong gales smashed this boat, on the Seal Rock, and the small boat was barely in a condition to bring the men, ashore. However, three days later the small boat returned to the Brothers with the men from shore, it being necessary to leave on the Rock 220 skins, already salted. Seven days were then spent in repairing, and taking on board water and wood. On March 10, Kelly sailed off with a light breeze and moored in Chapman Bay, but the results of shore going expeditions being unsatisfactory, the boat moved on again.

A few days later Kelly moored at New Year's Island, where 120 skins were obtained in a few hours. In spite of strong gales the next day more than 200 skins were obtained. A further move was made to Elephant Bay, where heavy gales were experienced, but fire wood was got off the shore, and one of the crew was discharged at his own request and two other men taken on board. Short trips were then made to Hunters Island and Three Hummock Island, and a longer stop was made at Sandy Bay, where 700 skins were re turned to the boat in seven days.

On April 7 the parting of a cable was responsible for the loss of the anchor, but the ship's grindstone, and later a large stone from the shore was used Instead. Sealing continued. Following were the rewards of different. days work: 200, 250, 230, 350, and 870. On May 8 the boat came alongside with 810 skins and four bags of salt, showing that the sealing at the rock was at an end. Another load the next day completed the transport to the ship 255 skins and five bags of salt, although a last call to the rock after weighing enabled the people sealing on shore to come on board with yet another 352 skins.

On May 18 the sea log was resumed as the vessel set her course for Sydney Cove, where she arrived and moored without incident. The last entry in the log in Kelly's writing reads: '"This ends the voyage of the schooner Brothers, with 7090 seal skins." 15

CLAIMS and DEMANDS. THE following Persons being about to depart the Colony, request all Claims and Demands against them to be presented for Payment; In the Brothers Schooner; Mr. James Mills, Samuel Gray, Thomas Arnat, John Clements, William Sibley, John Baptist. 16

and the Archduke Charles (?) -

CLAIMS AND DEMANDS. THE following Persons, being about to depart the Colony, request all Claims and Demands against them to be presented for Payment: In the Ship Archduke Charles, Mr H. Kable, jun. William Butler, John Davis, John Burn, Thos.Wilkinson, Edward Bradbury, John Sneilers, James Marlin, James Johnson, Philip Innes, John Dogerty , Wm. Greenwood, Thomas Arnott, Martha Thomas, George Mason, Christr. Thomas, James Galvin, John Buskin. 17

It is unlikely that Thomas was actually onboard when - "On Friday sailed the ship Archduke Charles, Captain Jeffreys, for China." 18
as the ship - "... for China ... had arrived at Calcutta on the fifth of February ..." 19
and - "... The Archduke Charles arrived at Macao on the 5th of November ..." 20
- as this would not have allowed enough time for Thomas to sail aboard -

1814

... the Governor Bligh -

CLAIMS and DEMANDS. THE following Persons being about to depart the Colony, request all Claims and Demands against them to be presented for Payment ; - In the Schooner Governor Bligh, Mr. Grono, John Denton, Benjamin Leverage, Alexander Boaks, Robert Robertson, Francis Farrero, John Camull, Samuel Gray, Thomas Arnott, John Daniel, Edward Williams. 21

1815

.... and then again the schooner Bligh -

THE Persons undernamed intending shortly to depart the Colony in the respective Vessels beneath which their Names are placed, it is their request that those to whom they may be indebted will present their Accounts to each severally, in order to their speedy Arrangement; and also, that such Persons as may be indebted to either of them, the said Persons undernamed, will settle their Accounts forthwith. In the Schooner Bligh, Mr. J. Grono, master, Mr. J. Dawson, Mr. Alex. Books, John Tagg, John Atkins, Rob. Robertson, Thos. Larking, Thos. Arnot, Pat. Branen, Henry Shaffrey, Thos. Galling, Wm. Burn, J. Soars, Benj. Levret, H.Farrero, J. Camel, Edw. Williams, and Wm. Claik. 22

1817

..... and the sloop Martha -

Muster of the Master, crew and passengers of the sloop Martha of Sydney - bound for the Fiji Islands and thence back to Sydney 5th March 1817. 23

No
1 Stephen Goff - formerly Mas. of Farquahar of the Isle of France.
2 Richd Perkins cond. pardon by Gov King on 4th June 1806 & now specially permitted on bond from McDermond (?) Chief Constable of Sydney.
3 Wm Barnes, formerly --- (??) from the Ocean - now discharged from ship Harriett by ----- (??).
4 John Watson came free in the Coromandel - from (??) discharged from Lady Nelson.
5 Joseph Flood free by birth in N S Wales formerly appt to blksmith in lumber yard.
6 Chas Reynolds free by birth in N S Wales with his father's permission.
7 John Lewis free by Certif. No 6/1492 date 6 Feb 1815.
8 Thos Arnott came free in Sarah Whaler.

It is believed that Thomas was even Master of the schooner The Hawk. 24
When he delivered wet wheat to its destination rather than dry wheat (the implication was that the wheat had been swapped) Thomas is recorded as failing to respond to letters in relation to the matter, which was not unexpected as he was unable to read at that time. Apparently he was located at a hotel in a severe state of inebriation and was unable to be questioned, but he had already sworn an affidavit that the wheat was delivered in the condition in which it was received.

9th May 1817
Received from His Majesty's Magazines at Windsor Three hundred and twenty Bushells of Wheat in a perfect and good condition, to be delivered in the same state at His Majesty's Magazines at Sydney
Signed
Thomas Arnott
his X mark

Witnefs
Barnabas Rix

Windsor 12th June 1817
Sir,
I do myself the Honor to inclose for your Excellency's perusal when at leisure. Copies of the different Affidavits transmitted to the D[eput]y Comp[troller] Gen[era]ls Office respecting the wheat which was taken sound from His M[ajesty]s stores at this station and delivered at Sydney - part of this grain was charged and all of it Wetted in the Schooner. Arnett the Master of the vefsel has taken a false Oath in swearing he rec[eive]d the Wheat from His M[ajesty]s stores at Windsor in the same state he delivered it. When I went for this man in Sydney he would not come to me, I therefore went to him but as he was in a state of inebriation I did not say anything to him.
I am Sir,
With the greatest respect
Your Most Obed[ien]t Servant
R Fitzgerald
To His Excellency
Governor Macquarie

Cumberland to Wit
Charles Beasley an inhabitant of Windsor came before me one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace and maketh oath that on the ninth day of May 1817 he shipped on board the Colonial vessel Hawke, Thomas Arnott Master Eighty Bushels of Wheat on account of Government that the said Wheat was quite dry, perfect, clean and good when measured on board the said vessel.
Taken and sworn before me this 10th Day of June 1817...... Charles Beasley
Signed James Mitcham J.P.

Cumberland to Wit
Joseph Rogers an inhabitant of Windsor came before me one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace and maketh oath that on the ninth day of May 1817 he shipped on board the Colonial vessel Hawke, Thomas Arnott Master Forty Bushels of Wheat on account of Government that the said Wheat was quite dry, perfect, clean and good when measured on board the said vessel.
Taken and sworn before me this 10th Day of June 1817...... Joseph Rogers
signed James Mitcham J.P.

Cumberland to Wit
Thomas Donnelly Constable of His Majesty’s Stores at Windsor came before me one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace and maketh oath that on the ninth day of May 1817 he attended at said stores during the time Two hundred Bushels of Wheat was measured from thence in the presence of Thomas Arnott Master of the Colonial Vessel, Hawke, and that the said Two hundred Busehls of Wheat was quite dry, perfect, clean and good when shipped on board said vessel.
Taken and sworn before me this 10th Day of June 1817...... Thos Donnelly
signed J Mitcham J.P.

Barnabus Rix, Clerk in His Majesty’s Stores at Windsor came before me One of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace and maketh Oath that on the Ninth day of May 1817 Thomas Arnott Master of the Colonial Vessel Hawke attended at the Commiss Office at this Station for his way Bill of account of Three hundred and Twenty Bushels of Wheat shipped on board his vessel for the use of the public service at Sydney which way Bill was written by Mr Richard Fitzgerald Clerk Commisariat in Charge stating that the said Wheat was delivered to said Thos. Arnott in a perfect and good condition and to be delivered in the same state by him at His Majesty’s Magazines at Sydney and this Deponent further saith that said way Bill was Read in his presence to the Master of the Vessel.
Taken and sworn before me this 10th Day of June 1817...... Barnabus Rix
signed J Mitcham J.P.

George Ray Sergt of the Royal ----- Company at Windsor came before me one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace and maketh oath that he’s occassionally doing duty at His Majesty’s Stores at Windsor, and that on the ninth day of May 1817 this deponent measured from said Stores Two hundred Bushels which was shipped on board the Colonial vessel Hawke, Thomas Arnott Master and that the said Two hundred Bushels of Wheat was quite dry, perfect, and in good condition when measured in the presence of Thos Arnott in His Majesty’s Stores, And deponent further saith that he attended the measure of the Eighty Bushels of Wheat belonging to Charles Beasley which was in as perfect and good condition as that measured by him in His Majesty’s Stores.
Taken and sworn before me this 10th Day of June 1817...... George Ray Sgt
signed J Mitcham J.P. 25

..... and again the sloop Martha -

CLAIMS AND DEMANDS. THE Persons undernamed intending shortly to depart the Colony in the respective Vessels beneath which their Names are placed, it is their request that those to whom they may be indebted will present their Accounts to each severally, in order to their speedy Arrangement; and also, that all those who may be indebted to either of them, the said Persons undernamed, will settle their Accounts forthwith. Crew in the Martha Sloop. William Barnes, Thomas Jones, Thos. Arnet, John Munday, Richard Perkins, and John Watson. THE Sloop Martha, Mr. STEPHEN Commander, being intended shortly to leave the Port, Claims are required to be timely presented. 26

Thomas took a break from sailing to become a stock keeper to John (Charles) Williams, who had also known the inhumanity of being imprisoned in the hulks at Langston. Thomas lived in a hut owned by Williams, where he was responsible for 170 male sheep and 300 ewes. Williams' lease was on Parsons Valley Run, which is still owned by the Parsons family to this day. Thomas also spent time in William Morgan's hut and Thomas Triffitt's hut, which was on Stony Hut Plains in the Macquarie District on the left hand side of the Macquarie Plains Road near Gretna coming from New Norfolk. His hut was on the top of the hill.

Thomas Almot, [sic] stock-keeper to E.Williams who is up the country and did live in Wm. Morgans hut, - he has threatened to kill. M. Howe went to Thos. Triffits hut where this stockeeper resides, but fortunately the man was out and only Triffitt by himself. 27

The second decade of the 19th century, were lawless times in Van Diemens Land; with numerous bushranging gangs and individuals roaming the countryside, pillaging and destroying property. During this time Thomas encountered hostile aborigines who slaughtered the sheep and provided a threat and also endured raids by bushrangers, in particular the notorious Michael Howe who had threatened to kill him. Thomas was involved in attempting to capture Howe and was a member of a boat crew in search of a launch from the Prince Leopold.. They believed that Howe had seized the vessel and they had intended to capture Howe along the coast. Michael Howe had killed William "Slambo" Drewe a close friend of Thomas', who had been at Newgate Prison in his time, and had also been on HMS Calcutta. Drewe, while also working as stock keeper for Williams, and another man had captured Howe and were taking him to Hobart to collect the reward when Howe managed to free himself and stabbed Drewe with a concealed knife. Howe then seized Drewe's gun and shot him through the head. No wonder that Thomas wished to seek revenge and wanted to assist in Howe's capture.

1819

Thomas returned to the sea and crewed on the schooner Governor Bligh until mid 1819 -

The following Persons leaving the Colony in the Schooner Governor Bligh, request Claims to be timely presented. - John Fussell, Wm. Wright, Wm. Barratt, John Williams, John Walker, Thomas McDonald, Thomas Farmer, Thomas Larking, Francis Ferara, James Nelson, John Cammill, Benjamin Leveret, John Sans, Richard Nevis, Thomas Burgess, John Tegg, Thomas Arnott, Michael Farling, George Pashley, and William Lawrence, John Eagan, Matthew Graves, William Brown, and John Byron. 28

... and then transferred back to the sloop Martha for a voyage "home" -

THE Brig Governor Macquarie and Sloop Martha will positively sail for the Derwent in the Course of, the ensuing Week. For Freight or Passage apply to Mr. Richard Heany, Master, at Mr. Loane's Residence, on Bunker's Hill. July 24,1819.29

The brig Governor Macquarie, belonging to Mrs. Reibey, has been purchased by R. W. Loane, Esq. who has also bought the sloop Martha of Mr. John Redman. The former is being equipped for a voyage to New Zealand, and the latter is about to proceed to Van Diemen's Land. The following Persons leaving the Colony in the Sloop Martha, request Claims to be presented :- Mr. Richard Perkins, master, Thomas Arnott, John Tegg, John Egan, John Monday, and John Soars. 30

It would seem that at this time, Thomas retired from his seafaring career and moved back to Van Diemens Land to settle on the land.

Source References

• 1Marine Life Network online - Magazine Feb-Mar 2014
• 2Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 26 June 1808: p1
• 3SHIP NEWS - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 13 October 1805: p2
• 4SHIP NEWS - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 1 December 1805: p2
• 5SYDNEY - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 2 February 1806: p2
• 6Notes by the Way - Critic (Hobart, Tas. : 1907 - 1924) 3 August 1923: p2
• 7Nicholls : Knopwood's Diary - Monday 4 August 1806
• 8SYDNEY - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 5 June 1808: p1
• 9Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 26 November 1809: p2
• 10SHIP NEWS - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 21 January 1810: p2
• 11Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 10 March 1810: p2
• 12Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 31 March 1810: p2
• 13SYDNEY - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 18 August 1810: p2
• 14Sydney - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 5 June 1813: page 2
• 15SEALING DAYS IN BASS STRAIT - Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954) 10 November 1936: page 8 (DAILY)
• 16Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 4 December 1813: p2
• 17Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 24 April 1813: p2
• 18Sydney - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 18 September 1813: p2
• 19SYDNEY - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 28 May 1814: p2
• 20Sydney - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 11 June 1814: p2
• 21Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 22 January 1814: p2
• 22Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 22 April 1815: p1 (Supplement to the Sydney Gazette)
• 23NSW Departures 1816-1825 No 39/132
• 24NSW Colonial Secretary Index - ARNOTT, Thomas
• 25Ibid - Reel 6047; 4/1739 pp.213-220 - transcribed by Julie Skellern
• 26Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 25 October 1817: p4
• 27Nicholls : Knopwood's Diary - p 266 with date of 20 Nov 1817
• 28Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 29 May 1819: p2
• 29Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 24 July 1819: p1
• 30Classified Advertising - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 31 July 1819: p2