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Extract of a Letter from Lieut Robert Parry Young
Extract of a Letter from Lieut Robert Parry Young

Extract of a Letter from Lieut Robert Parry Young

Printer
Date5 July 1791 - 7 July 1791
Object number00016897
NameNewspaper
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 480 x 315 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThe front page of this edition of 'The English Chronicle and Universal Evening Post' features the article 'Extract of a Letter from Lieut Robert Parry / Young, Agents to Transports, dated on board the / ALBEMARLE Transport, April 25th, 1791'. It details an attempted convict mutiny on the transport ship ALBEMARLE en route to the colony of New South Wales.HistoryThe ALBEMARLE was a 530 ton ship, chartered by the British Government from Calvert & Co, to transport 280 convicts from Portsmouth to Botany Bay as part of the Third Fleet. On the morning of 9 April 1791 the convicts, under the leadership of William Siney and Owen Lyons overpowered the watch, seized their arms and attempted to take the vessel. The ALBEMARLE's master, George Bowen shot one of the ring leaders and called the guard. The two ring leaders were hung, several convicts flogged and two sailors imprisoned for assisting the convicts. Below is the letter extract written by Lieut Robert Parry Young about the uprising which was published in the English Chronicle and Universal Evening Post in July 1791: 'On the 9th inst. the convicts rose upon us, with intention to massacre the Officers and Soldiers, and then take the vessel to America. Fortunately, however, they were repulsed and driven to take refuge in the hold, and in their prison room. Some of them were wounded. In the search after the ringleaders, we admitted one of them King's evidence, and he confessed the circumstances of the whole design. After they were subdued, it was unanimously agreed by the officers, myself, and the crew, that it was expedient to hang up the two ringleaders at the yardarm, which was accordingly put in execution. I imagine this punishment will deter them from any future attempt, since they have continued still, and apparently reconciled to their fate. There were no ships in sight at the time they rose. One of the ringleaders was an American. Two of the crew who were accomplices in the insurrection I have set on shore here, not considering it safe to proceed with such treacherous villains on board the ship. We are one and all armed day and night, and keep the most vigilant look-out over the convicts; six of whom have died since our departure from England. - Tomorrow we sail for St.Jago, the place of general rendezvous; there we shall stay a few days, and then take our departure for South Wales.' SignificanceThis newspaper features a letter written by Lieutenant Robert Parry Young, recounting the mutiny attempt on board the convict ship ALBEMARLE en route to Australia in 1791. The letter is one of few eyewitness accounts of the event.