Seasickness

Laurence Halloran, a gentleman convict on the Baring (1819) complained to the Home Secretary and a member of parliament about his treatment on board the ship prior to sailing. The allegations were investigated and disproven, but the MP, Henry Grey Bennett, went on board the ship and later described his shock at the seasickness among the convicts:

"Never would he forget the loathsome scene

Linus Miller, a gentleman convict on the Canton (1839) explained how unpleasant it was in the prison with so many throwing up:

"No sooner were the sails unfurled than sea-sickness commenced, and in a short time became general. There were only half a dozen persons in the prison who escaped the malady. ‘Accounts were cast up,’ without ceremony, not only on the floor but in the berths; and our apartment was rendered truly horrible. An entire week passed before it could be properly cleansed. . .

I did not recover from sea-sickness until the voyage was more than half completed, and, as I was unable during the time to take much sustenance, I was reduced exceedingly low. The surgeon afterwards informed me that he had at the time, but slight hopes of my living to complete the voyage." (‘Notes of an Exile’, pp.245, 246-7)

And John Ward, a convict on the Mangles (1839):

"The weather was more favourable, and toward evening we got a fair breeze, and got safe off.

By this time a great many of us began to be sea sick, which was truly a miserable condition, 296 was the number of prisoners on board, huddled and crammed together as thick as we could lay, not to mention the stench and all other difficulties which attend such numbers at sea. I, as I said before, got a comparatively pleasant berth which prevented, I believe, me being sick, tho’ I had much to contend with, for I was immediately between the Two house of ‘call’ – which great inconveynence [inconvenience], and very much dirt. However two or three days soon passed away, and the greater part of us was, I may say better of the sickness. . ." (Journal, pp.117-118)