Not sure about the specifics of Newgate to Spithead but I do know that in the 1820s, prisoners awaiting transportation after sentencing at Lancaster Assizes, which is 260 mile by road north of London, spent up to 7 weeks in the dungeons of Lancaster Castle before being moved by road to one of the many hulks moored anywhere along the Thames between London and Sheerness, just to the south of the mouth of the Thames and another 50 miles by road from London. Transportation was "contracted" out, usually to the prison Governor or his family because it was such a lucrative little sideline. "Contractors" were paid one shilling per mile per prisoner. Male prisoners were shackled and travelled by foot in batches - a dozen or so was not unusual - but females went by cart or were tied to the top of coaches. The average time taken for the male transfers was 17 days. There were no luxury river cruises. Time on the hulks before sailing could be anything from months to years during which time they worked 6 days a week on the docks and could receive visitors. Source: Archives & Research, Lancaster Castle Hope this helps, Don Sutherland Peter Wrote: Can any lister advise me as to how a convict would be moved from Newgate Gaol to Spithead for transportation to New South Wales in 1819 please? Would they walk/march under guard, be put onto a dray or wagon? Forgive my knowledge of London geography, would they be moved by barge down the Thames? Peter Melbourne Australia **************