Skip to main content
Advanced Search
The Life of Major J. G. Semple Lisle : Containing a Faithful Narrative of his Alternate Vicissitudes of Splendour and Misfortune
The Life of Major J. G. Semple Lisle : Containing a Faithful Narrative of his Alternate Vicissitudes of Splendour and Misfortune

The Life of Major J. G. Semple Lisle : Containing a Faithful Narrative of his Alternate Vicissitudes of Splendour and Misfortune

Author (1759 - 1815)
Date1800
Object number00005799
NameBook
MediumInk on paper, leather bound boards
DimensionsOverall: 33 x 232 x 154 mm, 0.65 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA book titled 'The life of Major J.G. Semple Lisle : Containing a Faithful Narrative of his Alternate Vicissitudes of Splendor and Misfortune' written by James George Semple. This auto biography by 'adventurer' James Semple (Lisle) is his account of his very colourful life including his associations with nobility, military experiences and travels. Of particular note is his account of the mutiny on the convict transport LADY SHORE aboard which he was a prisoner bound for Australia. Semple would later become known as one of the biggest fraudsters in Britain having illegally married multiple times and used false identities to travel across Europe. HistoryThe ship LADY SHORE left Portsmouth for Botany Bay on 22 April, 1797. Aboard 110 men women and children, belonging to the New South Wales corps and 70 convicts, only two of whom are males; James Semple and Mr Knowles, the Duke of Portland's late porter. The captain, James Willcocks, knew he was in for a troublesome voyage as before they had left England some members of the New South Wales corps had attempted to escape and already had altercations with the officers. In addition to enlisted soldiers, the New South Wales corps members on the LADY SHORE included those who had been forcibly conscripted such as former deserters who were to serve out their sentences as part of the regiment in New South Wales. it also included captured French prisoners- of-war who spoke little English yet had already made it clear they intended to disrupt the journey. One of the British officers aboard noted that the soldiers were “the most disagreeable, mutinous set of villains that ever entered a ship” and yet they were given arms. Eight weeks later the mutiny, which in hindsight seems inevitable, took place and the French, along with others who were either in support or had been coerced, killed the captain and over took the ship. They put around 30 men, including Semple, women and children into a longboat and set them adrift with scant supplies. The longboat made it to San Pedro on the coast of Brazil two days later where the governor assisted them to make their way to Rio. Semple returned to England, never serving his seven-year sentence in Australia. The LADY SHORE and those remaining on board arrived in Montevideo in Uruguay where many of the female convicts remained, some are known to have become servants there and some marrying. SignificanceWhile this account by Semple of his life may not give the full scope of his criminal dealings, it is an important account of the mutiny aboard the LADY SHORE of which Semple is said to have tried to warn Captain Wilcox who lost his life in the attack.