Journal of Captain John Groves of the convict transport ELIZA II
Maker
Captain John Groves
Date1832-1835
Object number00006850
NameDiary
MediumInk on paper, leather
DimensionsOverall: 179 × 118 × 16 mm, 0.15 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
DescriptionA personal diary of Captain John Groves of the convict transport ELIZA II. The diary is dated from Wednesday May 9th, 1832 to February 15th, 1835 and written on board the ELIZA II from Cork, Ireland to Sydney, New South Wales with 198 male convicts on board.
The diary gives glimpses into the daily life of the ship, detailing various punishments and daily activities aboard the ship. Of particular interest is Captain Grove's continued melancholy and reflections on life through poetry.
The diary also accounts for Captain John S Groves other voyages until 1835 aboard the RENOWN.
HistoryThe ELIZA II made numerous voyages transporting convicts from England and Ireland to Australia, this particular voyage by Captain Groves carried nearly 200 convicts.
It appears from the outset that Captain Groves was of a melancoly mind, already lamenting the journey to Australia even before they had left Ireland, or 'Erin's green'.
Wednesday May 9th. 1832
"Rec’d on board the convicts in number 198 and 2 free settlers and next morning May 10 weighed and proceeded to sea. Bid adieu to Erins green [sic] so be without regret, tired of Cove, a dull miserable place but wished to have remained untill [sic] Sunday. Expected a letter from my dear Polly but must go without it sad disappointment.
May 11th. Fine Wr. and a light but fair Wind. No land in sight I suppose we shall see it no more, but I care not, I have now 12 months of Exile to undergo and it matters not whether it be on land or on the sea, would that I could fall asleep for that time awake in the dawn [?] and find myself homeward bound with what pleasure would I anticipate my meeting those I have left behind but Patienra [?] ( and I may add per force) and that time will come.
May 12. Fine beautiful Wr. Wind fair but very light. Every thing wearing a serene and even happy appearance but it affects me not I am doomed to be a melancholy miserable being perhaps I ought not to be so but so it is, but must try to overcome it.
May 13 / Sunday dark cloudy Wr. but little wind. Divine Service read to convicts - did not attend, had some melancoly [sic] thoughts about the (What ought to have been) happy Sundays that I spent at Home tho’ perhaps they were not spent in the way the Church commands but n’ importe [sic] I have spent many worse.
May 14. Fresh breezes and rain at time [sic]. Today broaching some provisions for the gentlemen.
May 15 / Cloudy Wr. and light Winds.
May 16 / Light Winds and Calms Miserably tiresome a calm better have a gale –".
SignificanceMuch has been written about the lives of convicts on their way to Australia and their experience on that journey. Here in Captain Groves diary is another view of that same journey. It is easy to imagine that captains of these vessels were hard-headed men yet here is a different side, a picture of a sensitive man, unenthused about the task ahead of him.
Alfred Edward Engelbert Erlemann
16 October 1885